News Brief
Quick stories from the technology, journalism and media industries, updated daily.
YouTube TV won’t get ESPN Unlimited until fall, exec confirms
YouTube TV subscribers will have to wait several more months before they can access ESPN Unlimited as part of their streaming TV plan.
FIRST ON THE DESK
Balance of Nature to sponsor Sinclair’s America 250 programming franchise
Balance of Nature will serve as presenting sponsor, with branding and executive participation woven into coverage highlighting communities.
Versant inks Free TV Networks distribution deal with Paramount, Sling
Two Versant-owned multicast networks are now on CBS-owned stations across the country, and a streaming channel is now offered by Sling Freestream.
Hearst hires Eric Graves to lead weekend morning news show at KMBC
Hearst Television's local station in Kansas City has named Eric Graves as the newest anchor of its weekend morning news program "KMBC 9 FirstNews Weekend."
“Wizard of Oz” to air on broadcast via MeTV in October
The 1939 film will air in October as part of a special Halloween-themed programming franchise.
Lumen narrows loss during Q4, company appoints new Chief Revenue Officer
Lumen reported fourth quarter revenue of $3.041 billion, a slight dip from last year, though executives said financial targets were met.
EARNINGS REPORT
Willow to stream Team USA cricket matches for free on YouTube
Willow by Cricbuzz will stream all four Team USA matches from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup free on YouTube.
Emplifi: Fox News is top news brand on YouTube in January
Fox News led all news brands on YouTube in January with 466 million video views, according to Emplifi data.
Paramount ends Fave TV, replaces feeds with Versant multicast networks
Paramount has quietly pulled the plug on Fave TV, its multicast network that served as a barker channel for programming found on its streaming apps.
FIRST ON THE DESK
IAB launches new initiative to refresh ad campaign measurements
IAB has unveiled Project Eidos, a multi-year effort to create shared, interoperable standards for cross-channel advertising measurement.
New York mayor urged to ban Newsmax from taxi TVs
Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Signal urged city officials to pressure Curb to stop distributing Newsmax clips in NYC taxis.
“Birds Aren’t Real” documentary to be produced by Gennie, Phoenix Television
Each episode explores how a single theory forms, spreads and collides with verified facts.