FIRST ON THE DESK
Fox News seeks appeal in Gavin Newsom defamation lawsuit
Attorneys for Fox News argues the case should be dismissed because Newsom has not met the “actual malice” standard required for public officials.
Family Entertainment Television signs measurement deal with Videoamp
Family Entertainment Television will use measurement from VideoAmp as an alternative currency ahead of its Upfront presentation.
Special Coverage: Media Earnings
Versant platform revenue increases during Q1, total revenue slips
Versant’s first-quarter profit fell as TV distribution and ad revenue weakened, though growth at Fandango, GolfNow and content licensing softened the decline.
Streaming News
TransUnion, Google bring YouTube measurement to attribution platform
Marketers can compare YouTube performance against other channels within a unified attribution framework; U.S. Bank participated in an early pilot.
Policy & Law
Judge postpones settlement conference in Nexstar defamation lawsuit
A federal judge postponed a pre-trial conference scheduled for mid-July after one of the parties suing Nexstar expressed a desire to go on vacation.
Radio & Television News
Lisa Ling joins Spectrum News as outlet expands to Northern California
Charter’s Spectrum News has hired Lisa Ling as part of an expansion effort in Northern California, with new reports coming from Sacramento and San Francisco.
Sports Desk
AT&T rolls out domestic eSIM product for international travelers to U.S.
AT&T is rolling out a new eSIM product that is tied to international travel associated with the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament.
Advertising & Data
Omdia: Big Tech companies to dominate connected TV advertising market by 2030
CTV ad revenue revenue is on pace to nearly double over the next five years, with three tech companies expected to control half of the market by the end of the decade.
Special Coverage: NextGen TV
Appeals court sides against LG in NextGen TV patents lawsuit
The patent issue involving LG comes as federal regulators consider a nationwide transition to NextGen TV by the end of the decade.
Europe & UK
Comcast’s Sky News launches paid podcast offering
The subscription supports Sky News’ broader shift toward a digital-first business under its Sky News 2030 initiative.
Best of TheDesk.net
Four years in, free streamer Fox Weather evolves into public safety resource
With wide distribution and a commitment to free, live coverage, the channel has become a trusted source before, during and long after climate emergencies.