News Brief
Quick stories from the technology, journalism and media industries, updated daily.
Versant brings in $6.7 billion during 2025
Versant executives said 80 percent of its current revenue comes from pay TV providers that distribute its cable networks; MS NOW has seen strong viewership since its rebrand last year.
EARNINGS REPORT
The Roku Channels adds Apple TV to streaming marketplace
The integration includes Apple’s live sports slate, timed with the new Formula 1 season, which streams exclusively on Apple TV in the U.S.
Starz narrows financial loss to under $21 million during Q4
Starz reported lower revenue but sharply improved its financial loss during the fourth quarter (Q2) of 2025, the company's second consecutive full quarter since spinning out of Lionsgate last summer.
EARNINGS REPORT
Sinclair brings Katherine Doughtery to Fresno as VP, General Manager of Central California duopoly
Doughtery returns to Sinclair after serving in a sales leadership role at Nexstar's CBS affiliate in Portland.
EXECUTIVE MOVES
TEGNA ad revenue climbs 4 percent during Q4; distribution income dips
Executives at TEGNA say the company's deal to be acquired by Nexstar should cross the finish line by the second half of this year.
EARNINGS REPORT
TV5 Monde inks deal with Plex to offer three streaming channels
TV5 Monde has signed a distribution agreement with Plex to launch three FAST channels in several territories.
FCC gives green light to Charter-Cox merger
The approval came after Charter made key concessions on its DEI practices and promised further rural broadband build-outs.
Disney Plus adds live news feeds from ABC-owned stations
Disney Plus has increased its offering of news content by adding local news feeds from eight ABC-owned stations.
Tablo firmware update brings free streaming channels to legacy devices
Nuvyyo is pushing out a firmware update that will allow legacy Tablo DVRs to receive free streaming channels.
Scripps to re-acquire two dozen previously-divested Ion stations
Scripps initially divested the stations in 2021 to satisfy regulatory concerns over its acquisition of Ion Television.
FIRST ON THE DESK
Virgin Media to include Sky Atlantic in some pay TV packages
Virgin Media is adding a new channel from Comcast's Sky Group that will allow some of its pay TV customers to access hit shows from HBO.
Veritone renews licensing deal with U.S. Soccer
Veritone and U.S. Soccer have renewed their content archival and licensing arrangement for several more years.