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The latest stories published on The Desk.
Dispute between Disney, DirecTV impacting bars, government agencies
Tens of thousands of DirecTV for Business customers, including bars and restaurants, may not have access to ESPN and ABC for weeks during football season. Government agencies that rely on DirecTV as a lifeline during emergencies may suffer, too.
DirecTV exec warns ESPN blackout could affect football season
Bars, restaurants and hotels with DirecTV for Business service may not be able to offer "Monday Night Football" from ESPN.
DirecTV’s dispute with Disney feels different because it is different
For years, carriage disputes have centered around fees paid by cable and satellite companies to programmers. Now, distributors are redrawing the battle lines.
Brazil suspends X, formerly Twitter, over legal issue
A Brazilian judge has banned the use of social media platform X in the country after the company declined to name a legal representative over concerns that the official would be arrested.
Philo teases brand identity refresh in cryptic social media post
Exclusive: Philo is rolling out an updated brand identity, with full details to be revealed in early September.
Fox News to conduct two interviews with Donald Trump
The Fox News Channel will host a town hall-style interview with former President Donald Trump in early September.
Comcast, Altice U.S. to stop offering CableCARD to customers
The providers are taking an initial step to move away from a piece of hardware that allowed subscribers to watch digitally-encrypted TV channels using third-party set-top boxes.
DirecTV exec accuses programmers of ‘posturing’ as Disney blackout looms
Exclusive: DirecTV's Chief Programming Officer Rob Thun said the development of Venu Sports proves broadcasters are ready to embrace genre-based channel bundles, and they should afford that opportunity to other distributors, too.
Scripps Sports to debut Big Sky Conference football recap show
"This Week in Big Sky Football" will air on some Scripps-owned stations and stream via YouTube.
Sports fans open to streaming, but still favor broadcast TV
Sports fans say broadcast TV networks typically do a better job producing and distributing sports coverage, though they're increasingly excited about the prospect of streaming video platforms.
CNN to air interview with Kamala Harris, Tim Walz on Thursday
Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will participate in a sit-down interview with CNN's Dana Bash on Thursday.
Vietnam-based movie piracy operation Fmovies shuts down
It was one of the world's most-popular online portals for illegal access to films and TV shows, according to an industry trade group.