News
The latest stories published on The Desk.
Discovery Plus added to Spectrum TV plans
Spectrum TV customers on eligible plans now have access to the ad-supported tier of Discovery Plus as part of their service.
Byron Allen: Layoffs in TV division were “thoughtful, humane”
Byron Allen was unconcerned about layoffs at his local TV stations because the economy rebounded to the point where there were "plenty of jobs."
Versant platform revenue increases during Q1, total revenue slips
Versant’s first-quarter profit fell as TV distribution and ad revenue weakened, though growth at Fandango, GolfNow and content licensing softened the decline.
EARNINGS REPORT
Parks Associates: Tubi is most-used free streaming service in U.S. homes
Tubi, the Roku Channel and Pluto TV top Parks Associates' list of most-used free streaming apps in American broadband-connected homes.
DATA
Gracenote: CTV budgets would improve with stronger show-level data
More marketers would shift their budgets to connected TV from traditional channels if better show-level reporting signals were available, Gracenote says.
DATA
Former ABC News journalists defend network amid FCC attacks
Dozens of former ABC News journalists have signed an open letter defending the network from baseless attacks lobbied by the FCC in recent months.
Detroit Pistons games moving to Scripps-owned WMYD
The Detroit Pistons will move their locally televised games to free broadcast television under a new rights agreement with Scripps Sports that begins with the 2026-27 NBA season.
FIRST ON THE DESK
Gray Media appoints two execs to lead local news, digital businesses
Gray Media has named two senior executives to new roles as the broadcaster continues to expand its local news operations and accelerate its digital transformation.
EXECUTIVE MOVES
TV broadcasters partner with OpenAP to create new ad exposure standards
Several large broadcasters have partnered with OpenAP toward a new industry initiative aimed at creating standards for measuring ad exposure on TV.
CNN launches “lifestyle” app for weather forecasts
After registration, the CNN Weather app promises contextual weather forecasts, coupled with expert analysis from a fleet of meteorologists and reporters.
California AG unwilling to approve concessions to avoid trial on Nexstar-TEGNA deal
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the state wants Nexstar's acquisition of TEGNA blocked, citing concerns about higher consumer prices and less competition in the TV space.
FIRST ON THE DESK
California AG: “Red flags everywhere” in Paramount-Warner Bros deal
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the state is still weighing whether to bring a legal challenge against Paramount over its proposed acquisition of WBD.
FIRST ON THE DESK