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The latest stories published on The Desk.
Antenna: Specialty subscription streaming services outpacing premium apps
Specialty services represented 13 percent of combined SVOD subscriptions, up from 12 percent two years ago.
DATA
TikTok parent ByteDance joins MPA to help fight AI-driven copyright infringement
The agreement covers models such as Seedance and Seedream, which are offered across different but related subsidiary businesses of TikTok.
Sinclair names Carol Kellum to role of MG in Omaha, Lincoln-Hastings
Kellum previously spent more than 19 years as General Manager of KTVO, serving Kirksville, Missouri and Ottumwa, Iowa.
EXECUTIVE MOVES
Hearst Television promotes Joe Fortunato to Vice President, Revenue
Fortunato will help drive revenue growth across broadcast, streaming video, OTT/connected television, digital video, programmatic, social and branded content.
EXECUTIVE MOVES
Paramount could relocate from California to Georgia over antitrust case
The Peach State is known for dangling generous tax breaks and other incentives to cultivate film and TV producers; shows like "Family Feud," "Beyond the Gates" and "Will Trent" are filmed there.
Paramount says states should settle lawsuit over Warner Bros merger
Paramount wants California AG Rob Bonta and eleven other state AGs to respect the authority of nearly 70 other jurisdictions that have approved its deal to acquire Warner Bros Discovery.
Ex-Detroit reporter Kim Russell loses appeal in discrimination case against Scripps
The reporter, Kim Russell, alleged pay disparities between her and a male colleague were proof of gender discrimination at the Scripps-owned outlet in Detroit.
Nexstar begins replacing TEGNA board after judge says structure violated injunction
Four of five current or former Nexstar executives appointed to TEGNA's Board of Directors have resigned, and the fifth will do so when a new Board is created, the company said in a court filing this week.
FIRST ON THE DESK
Newsmax swings to profit during Q2 on higher ad revenue
Newsmax swung to a profit for the first time since becoming a publicly-traded company, with domestic affiliate fees, advertising and international licensing leading to a sharp increase in revenue.
EARNINGS REPORT
DIRECTV says Nexstar documents support retransmission consent price-fixing claim
The lawsuit, filed in March 2023, accuses Nexstar, Mission Broadcasting and White Knight Broadcasting of conspiring to raise and fix retransmission consent fees for “Big Four” affiliates.
California regulators approve Charter’s acquisition of Cox
Federal regulators approved the deal earlier, along with regulators in 44 other states where the companies operate; California was the remaining hurdle.
Hearst Television promotes Derek Schnell to Vice President, News
Hearst Television has promoted veteran news executive Derek Schnell to Vice President, News, expanding his role across the company’s local television news operations.
EXECUTIVE MOVES