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The latest stories published on The Desk.
Scripps, Gray agree to swap TV stations, creating new duopolies
Scripps will get stations in Colorado and Idaho, while Gray gets outlets in Michigan and Louisiana.
Netflix, ABC top list of must-keep TV brands in 2025
A new consumer survey conducted by the Strategic Counsel has found Netflix to be the top must-keep TV brand among most American households.
Free TV Networks adds new Defy, 365BLK broadcast affiliates
Free TV Networks has forged a distribution partnership with Gray and Scripps that brings it two multicast networks 365BLK and Defy to more broadcast TV households across America.
FCC Chairman Carr targets 40 regulations for “deletion”
The rules flagged for review will be voted on during the FCC's meeting later this month.
Amazon to shut down Freevee in August
The Freevee app will officially close in August, at which point streamers will be directed to the Prime Video app for free and premium content from Amazon.
Dr. Phil’s media company Merit Street declares bankruptcy
The company was unable to secure a new round of funding; separately, Merit Street Media is suing distribution partner Trinity Broadcasting for breach of contract.
AT&T completes sale of DirecTV stake to TPG Capital
AT&T has sold its remaining stake in satellite and streaming pay television provider DirecTV to TPG Capital.
NewsNation achieves growth milestone in June
NewsNation achieved a major milestone in June, becoming the top basic cable network in the United States in terms of total day growth, according to data from Nielsen.
Paramount agrees to settle Trump lawsuit for $16 million
Paramount Global says it will pay $16 million to settle a news distortion lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump last year.
Synamedia joins National Content & Television Cooperative
The deal allows NCTC members to tap into broadband and video solutions from the tech firm.
Fox News dominates Q2, beats broadcast networks in ratings
The Fox News Channel continued to outpace its broadcast rivals during the second quarter of 2025, beating ABC and NBC in total viewers and overtaking CBS for the month of June.
Hub: Samsung, LG remain dominant in U.S. homes
Newer TV models released by Roku and Amazon under their own brand name are growing in popularity, while Samsung and LG's share of home dipped in 2024.