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The latest stories published on The Desk.

Salem Media posts $35 million financial loss amid lower revenue in 2025
Higher impairment charges and continued pressure on broadcast advertising weighed on the broadcaster’s overall financial results.
EARNINGS REPORT

Gray Media says stations dropped from Dish over unusual demand
The broadcaster claims Dish violated federal “good faith” negotiation requirements tied to retransmission consent agreements.
CARRIAGE DISPUTE

Sinclair to acquire KPIC, four other stations in Oregon
Sinclair has filed an application with the FCC to acquire a TV station in Oregon and four of its local broadcast translators.
FIRST ON THE DESK

Report: Nexstar wants $2.75 billion bank loan for TEGNA acquisition
A group of major banks led by Bank of America are arranging a $2.75 billion leveraged loan to help finance Nexstar Media Group’s proposed acquisition of TEGNA.

Dish Network forced to drop Gray Media local TV stations
The blackout affects viewers in major markets including Atlanta, Tampa, Phoenix and Cleveland.

Gracenote sues ChatGPT developer OpenAI for copyright infringement
The case could test whether the structure and organization of proprietary datasets are protected under copyright law.

Fox News Media sees two years of record ad revenue growth, exec says
Political advertising tied to the 2026 midterm elections is expected to further boost revenue, with industry forecasts projecting around $11 billion in total spending.
FIRST ON THE DESK

Sinclair’s Harvey Arnold to receive Television Engineering Achievement Award
Sinclair's SVP of Engineering Harvey Arnold will receive the 2026 Television Engineering Achievement Award.

Philo rolls out cheaper TV plan without bundled content
Philo has restored a lower-priced plan that offers access to premium cable networks over streaming without the inclusion of bundled, network-backed streaming apps and content.

Study: TV remains most-important ad platform across purchase funnel
TV’s impact in the awareness stage was five times greater than social media and seven times greater than non-TV streaming video platforms.

Hub: Sports fans still frustrated by broadcast, streaming TV deals
Fragmented media rights deals force viewers to navigate multiple apps and subscriptions to follow a single sport or team.

Judge says Kari Lake illegally appointed CEO at Voice of America
The decision could reinstate more than 1,000 VOA employees laid off in 2025 and revive operations at the government-funded broadcaster.