Television
News articles and original analysis on the television industry, including broadcasting, cable television, satellite television, streaming television, advertising, measurement and policy.
Civil rights groups urge FCC to block TV station acquisitions
A coalition of civil rights groups urged the FCC to block broadcast station deals by Nexstar, Gray Media and Sinclair, citing excessive local TV consolidation.
FIRST ON THE DESK
FCC tosses Cincinnati Bell retrans complaint against Nexstar
The FCC dismissed Cincinnati Bell’s complaint alleging Nexstar failed to negotiate retransmission consent in good faith over WDTN and NewsNation.
FIRST ON THE DESK
Peacock’s Annie Luo hired by AMC Networks to lead streaming growth
Her appointment follows an assertion by executives in October that AMC was transitioning from a cable networks business into a streaming-first company.
EXECUTIVE MOVES
Nielsen: Sports dominates on TV in early December; Hallmark pulls strong viewership with holiday films
Sports programming continued to boost traditional linear television networks during Nielsen's most-recent measurement week.
Ashleigh Banfield to end NewsNation show, will remain at network
Ashleigh Banfield is ending her true crime-themed news program at Nexstar Media Group and will transition into a full-time digital content role with the cable news outlet.
Arkansas public TV network to end partnership with PBS
Arkansas TV will drop its PBS affiliation in July after CPB’s defunding left the network unable to cover more than $2 million in annual dues.
IAB Tech Lab releases CTV Ad Portfolio, updates programmatic guidance
IAB Tech Lab on Thursday released a new Connected TV Ad Portfolio and an updated Guide to Programmatic CTV as the industry moves to standardize emerging ad formats across streaming platforms.
Comcast moves into gaming, brings Luna to X1, Xumo Stream Box
Comcast is making a push into gaming by partnering with Amazon to bring that company's gaming platform Luna to its X1 set-top boxes and Xumo Stream Box.
WARC: Midterm election, World Cup to boost ad spending in U.S. during 2026
WARC Media forecasts global ad spend will rise 8.9 percent to $1.19 trillion this year, with the U.S. contributing more than one third of total investment.
Pinterest acquires connected TV advertising firm tvScientific
Pinterest will acquire CTV ad platform tvScientific to extend its intent-driven advertising products into streaming video and strengthen outcome-based measurement.
Disney pulls plug on ESPN 3, shifts content to ESPN Unlimited
Disney has shut down ESPN 3 as it shifts its distribution strategy toward ESPN Unlimited, which carries all programming from ESPN’s cable networks and ESPN Plus.
Verizon faces loss of Mission Broadcasting channels
A group representing some of the nation's largest pay television companies is sounding the whistle on a potential programming-related dispute between Verizon and Mission Broadcasting.