News
The latest stories published on The Desk.
Braiden Bell lawyers up, asks Trail Blazers for another shot
A sports broadcaster who lost his job with the Portland Trail Blazers before it even began is asking the team to reconsider their decision and has hired a lawyer to handle publicity on his behalf.
FIRST ON THE DESK
Supreme Court rejects Nexstar bid to end DIRECTV retrans lawsuit
The decision leaves intact a 2025 appeals court ruling that revived DIRECTV’s case; the original case involves stations owned by White Knight and Mission.
NBC promotes Chris Wayland to succeed Valari Stabb as president of local TV business
NBC Universal has promoted its Boston-based television leader to oversee the entirety of its local television business upon the retirement of Valari Staab at the end of the year.
EXECUTIVE MOVES
Fox News signs Karoline Leavitt as contributor
Former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is joining Fox News Media as a contributor, where she will provide political commentary and analysis across the company’s platforms.
Comcast begins issuing pink slips in some NBC Universal streaming business units
Most of the reductions are expected at Comcast’s European media operation Sky, though some U.S.-based NBC Universal employees will also be affected.
ChatGPT to begin displaying image-based ad spots
ChatGPT will begin rendering image-based advertising in the United States later this month; a handful of buyers are already committed to the project.
TEGNA brings basketball to broadcast stations in Memphis, Minneapolis
TEGNA-owned stations in Minneapolis and Memphis will offer more than a dozen NBA games on free, over-the-air TV this season.
British telecom BT acquires TalkTalk businesses out of administration
The acquisition covers TalkTalk Telecommunications Limited and wholesale business PlatformX Communications on a debt-free basis.
Disney reignites licensing pact with Netflix
Disney will allow Netflix to stream a Disney Original for about three months, with the streamer also offered the Ice Age franchise ahead of a new movie release.
Echostar’s Dish DBS emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The restructuring plan became effective October 1 after a bankruptcy judge approved the plan two days earlier.
TEGNA launches internal review of KGW-TV story on fired sports broadcaster
The probe comes one day after the station published a story on old social media comments made by broadcaster Braiden Bell while he was a teenager.
FIRST ON THE DESK
Skydance is future name for Paramount-Warner Bros, co-CEO says
Skydance will serve as the parent company of Paramount and Warner Bros after next week; Paramount and WBD will maintain separate identities and business units.