News
The latest stories published on The Desk.
After farewell goes viral, KWQC’s Dustin Nolan says he didn’t quit on-air
Nolan said his departure from a Gray Media-owned station was being spun to fit different narratives about local news.
FACT CHECK
Hub: TV ad acceptance reaches five-year high as streaming costs rise
Fewer viewers are willing to pay extra to avoid ads, while only one in ten now say they cannot tolerate advertising, the study found.
DATA
ESPN: Linda Cohn, longest-serving “SportsCenter” anchor, to retire
Cohn will make her final appearances on “SportsCenter” on June 26; her official retirement date is June 30.
Fox News hires Natalie Chuck from E. W. Scripps Denver outlet
The Fox News Channel has hired investigative journalist Natalie Chuck as a correspondent based in Los Angeles, expanding the network’s reporting team on the West Coast.
WPP Media launches initiative to develop AI standards for TV and video advertising
WPP is working with major media companies on the initiative, including Comcast Advertising, Disney, Fox, NBCUniversal, Netflix and Paramount.
Samba acquires Bestever AI to accelerate autonomous advertising tools
The acquisition adds Bestever’s generative AI capabilities for campaign planning, creative development and competitive analysis.
FCC sides against DIRECTV, approves sale of two TV stations in Michigan
DIRECTV argued the transaction involving Cadillac Telecasting could increase retransmission consent costs by further consolidating station ownership.
Channel 4 expands Google partnership with new audience-targeting marketplace
The broadcaster described the launch as part of a broader strategy to make its inventory easier to buy through programmatic channels.
Penske Media acquires remaining Vox Media brands
The company already owns publications like Rolling Stone, Variety, Deadline Hollywood and Billboard.
Prime Video grows to 600 global partners, executives say at conference
Prime Video continues to position itself as an “entertainment hub,” combining its core subscription with add-on channels, rentals and bundled services to address slowing streaming growth.
FreeCast adds Starlink Business products through reseller agreement
FreeCast will start selling Starlink Business services through a reseller arrangement with the space-based broadband Internet provider.
EDO expands outcomes measurement into gaming through Roblox partnership
Brands advertising on Roblox can now measure campaigns using the same benchmarks EDO applies to linear and streaming TV.