FCC Commissioner Gomez: Time for firm “public interest” definition
Speaking at an event on Thursday, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez called on the agency to issue a rule that defines a broadcaster’s public interest obligation.
Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company ($DIS) is an American mass media conglomerate that owns broadcast television, cable television and radio networks; theme parks, movie studios and the Disney+ streaming app. Its properties include ABC, 21st Century Fox, FX and Disney Plus. It co-owns cable sports channel ESPN with Hearst Communications.
Lawmakers demand answers from Nexstar, Sinclair over Jimmy Kimmel suspension
Four U.S. Senators have demanded answers from the CEOs of Nexstar and Sinclair about their decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel’s late night program from their ABC affiliates in September.
FCC Chairman Carr to testify on Jimmy Kimmel suspension
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr will testify before a Senate committee on his criticism of ABC and its late night talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”
ESPN Unlimited, Fox One bundle debuts at $40 per month
The Walt Disney Company and Fox Corporation have rolled out a bundled offer that pairs the ESPN Unlimited streaming plan and Fox One app together.
Free speech groups urge FCC Chairman Carr to resign
The chairman’s veiled threat against ABC over a “Jimmy Kimmel Live” monologue was overly political, the groups argue.
Fubo shareholders approve merger with Disney’s Hulu with Live TV
Fubo’s shareholders have signed off on the company’s proposed transaction with Disney to combine its virtual pay television business with Hulu with Live TV.
Disney needs to move more shows to streaming, analysts say
A pair of media analysts have encouraged the Walt Disney Company to relegate more of its programming to streaming apps in order to avoid undue government scrutiny.
Sinclair to end blackout of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on ABC affiliates
Sinclair says it will end its week-long blackout of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on its ABC affiliates after holding constructive conversations with the network and its parent company Disney.
Watchdog files bar complaint against FCC Chairman Carr over Kimmel controversy
A watchdog group has filed a bar complaint alleging FCC Chairman Brendan Carr improperly pressured ABC affiliates to drop “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”
Nexstar weighs returning “Jimmy Kimmel Live” to ABC affiliates
The broadcaster has held productive conversations with ABC, but will continue to replace Kimmel’s show with local newscasts.
Nexstar says no to Jimmy Kimmel, joining Sinclair in boycott
The broadcaster’s decision affects nearly three dozen ABC affiliated stations.
Disney reveals streaming price hikes as Kimmel set to return
Disney will be hiking the prices of its Disney Plus and Hulu streaming services, along with certain Disney Plus bundles that include Hulu and ESPN.
Sinclair won’t return Jimmy Kimmel to their ABC affiliates
ABC might be ready for Jimmy Kimmel to return to the air waves — but Sinclair, one of the largest owners of local ABC affiliates — is not.
Prosecutors outline possible motive for KXTV shooting
Sacramento prosecutors accuse Anibal Hernandez Santana of fired multiple shots into ABC10’s newsroom in a politically motivated attack, leading to state and federal charges carrying up to 17 years in prison.
Sinclair pulls Charlie Kirk documentary from ABC affiliates
Sinclair pulled a documentary on Charlie Kirk from the schedule of its ABC affiliates on Friday, opting to air “Celebrity Family Feud” instead.
Man arrested for drive-by shooting at Sacramento ABC TV station
Police in Northern California are still attempting to determine a motive for the Friday afternoon shooting.
Viewpoint: Why cancelling Jimmy Kimmel threatens democracy
The Trump administration is escalating its crackdown on dissent, using Charlie Kirk’s assassination and other flashpoints to justify a sweeping authoritarian project.
FCC chairman targets “The View” after getting Jimmy Kimmel suspended
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has weighed revoking the “news program” status of ABC’s roundtable discussion show “The View.”
Law firm files FCC complaint against TV station over Kimmel monologue
The complaint filed by the Center for American Rights targets KABC-TV, located in the broadcast market of Disney’s corporate headquarters.
Sinclair demands Jimmy Kimmel make personal donation to Charlie Kirk’s non-profit
Sinclair said it wants Jimmy Kimmel to apologize for a monologue he delivered on Monday and has demanded high-level talks with ABC executives before it returns his show to their affiliates.
ABC pulls “Jimmy Kimmel Live” amid threats from FCC chairman
Broadcasters Nexstar and Sinclair raised public objections on Wednesday to Kimmel’s monologue that aired on their ABC-affiliated stations two days earlier.
Scott Hanson says NFL RedZone will have commercials
The 2025 season will be the first in years to feature absolutely no commercial-free football.
Sling TV takes shot at ESPN amid lawsuit over Day Pass feature
A senior-level executive said the Day Pass feature is the plan that “ESPN and Disney don’t want you to know about.”
Antenna: Niche streamers still growing, but pace is slowing
Specialty and niche streaming services are still growing their customer base, but there are signs that the pace of growth is starting to slow down, according to a new report from Antenna.
WPVI General Manager Bernie Prazenica announces retirement
Bernie Prazenica, the long-time president and general manager of WPVI in Philadelphia, has announced his retirement after 18 years leading the station and more than four decades in broadcasting.
Disney, ESPN sue Sling TV over day pass subscriptions
Disney claims Sling TV’s new day and weekend passes, which offer short-term access to ESPN, were launched without prior knowledge.
Trump suggests pulling broadcast licenses of NBC, ABC stations
Trump complains that ABC News and NBC News regularly publish “bad stories” about him, and suggested the networks lose their local TV licenses.
Fox One, ESPN Unlimited included in some cable, satellite plans
Most cable and satellite subscribers have access to Fox One, and customers of four pay TV platforms also have access to ESPN Unlimited, at no extra cost.
Fox executive: More Fox One streaming bundles in the works
Fox Streaming CEO Pete Distad said the company is interested in pairing Fox One with more streaming apps, as it will with ESPN Unlimited in October.
ESPN, Foxtel renew Australian sports broadcast pact
Foxtel and ESPN have renewed their decades-long distribution agreement that now includes offering ESPN’s programming to businesses in Australia.
ESPN to bundle with Fox One for $40 per month
A bundle that offers Fox One with ESPN Unlimited will be offered in June for $40 per month, the two media companies announced on Monday.
Fubo moving forward with sports-only plan, may integrate Hulu channels
A new skinny package called “Fubo Sports” is launching in the coming weeks; the company is looking at various ways to integrate Hulu with Live TV into its core app.
ESPN Unlimited to become new home of WWE’s premium events
ESPN has inked a multi-year deal with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) to become the new digital distributor of live premium events from the professional wrestling franchise.
Disney to launch ESPN Unlimited on August 21
The streaming plan unlocks access to ESPN’s multiplex of cable networks and live sports programming from ABC for $30 per month.
Streaming, theme parks boost Disney’s fiscal Q3 earnings to $23.65 billion
Streaming turned profitable during Q3, with Disney Plus and Hulu reaching 183 million subs and streaming-related income rising to $346 million.
Disney to phase out Hulu as standalone streaming app
After nearly two decades, Hulu’s time as a standalone, entertainment-focused streaming app is coming to an end.
Former ABC News reporter accuses network of bias
Terry Moran accused ABC News and its employees of having implicit political bias based on a lack of ideological diversity among its journalists.
Report: ESPN reaches deal to acquire NFL Network, NFL Redzone
The National Football League has inked an agreement to sell NFL Media, NFL RedZone and NFL Network to ESPN, according to a report.
Rich Eisen Show to debut on ESPN platforms in September
ESPN will become the new home of “The Rich Eisen Show” on broadcast radio and streaming TV platforms in September.
Flora Kelly promoted to SVP, Research at ESPN
ESPN has promoted Flora Kelly to Senior Vice President of Research, expanding her role in audience measurement and strategy across all platforms.