Television
News articles and original analysis on the television industry, including broadcasting, cable television, satellite television, streaming television, advertising, measurement and policy.
North Carolina governor backs Disney, ABC in ongoing fight with FCC
Governor Josh Stein argued the FCC should exercise its licensing authority in a way that protects press freedom under the First Amendment.
FIRST ON THE DESK
Nielsen: Ad-supported TV viewing slips during Q2
Sports programming, including the NBA playoffs and early World Cup coverage, helped broadcast improve on a year-over basis, but ad-supported viewership was down based on seasonal trends.
DATA
StreamTV Show parent Questex rebrands to Forge
The newly-launched brand follows Apollo-managed funds’ acquisition of live event producers Emerald and Questex in July.
Amagi tapped to power feeds from Law&Crime’s Court TV
Law&Crime had five months to complete the transition without disrupting Court TV’s live and breaking news programming.
Santa Barbara TV station taps SiliconDust for ATSC 3.0 signal signing
The station is using ATSC3CA signal signing certificates to authenticate its NextGen TV broadcasts and comply with ATSC 3.0 signing security requirements.
DIRECTV drops WRTV amid dispute with Circle City
The channel disappeared Monday evening after the companies were unable to resolve a dispute over fees and carriage terms.
Nexstar Chief Technology Officer Brett Jenkins to retire
Nexstar Media Group said Brett Jenkins will retire from full-time work effective October 1; he will transition to Executive Advisor and continue overseeing several special projects.
EXECUTIVE MOVES
Fawesome redesigns streaming TV app with new ad formats
Fawesome has launched a redesigned connected television experience that places greater emphasis on content discovery and gives advertisers new ways to reach viewers before they start watching a movie or show.
Circle City presses DIRECTV for deal involving WRTV, WISH-TV
WRTV would become the third Circle City station unavailable to DIRECTV customers in Indianapolis if no new deal is reached.
NEW DETAILS
Ampere: Streaming platforms slow price increases as consumers vote with wallets
Across the three major streamers, average price increases fell from 24 percent of the prior subscription price in 2023-24 to 14 percent in 2025-26.
DATA
Groups seek to join Disney’s lawsuit against FCC over ABC licenses
The proposed intervenors support Disney’s challenge but argue the company’s corporate interests may not always align with the interests of viewers.
FIRST ON THE DESK
ESPN to raise streaming prices in September
The cost of ESPN Unlimited will rise to $32 per month for all streaming-only sports fans by mid-September.