FIRST ON THE DESK
Parks Associates: Combined Paramount-WBD will reach half of U.S. broadband households
The combined platform scale would rival competing streaming products offered by Netflix, Amazon and Disney, which have stronger broadband reach.
Google brings photo remixing, YouTube Shorts to Google TV platform
Google is expanding the capabilities of its Google TV platform with a slate of new features that emphasize personalization and generative AI capabilities.
Special Coverage: Media Earnings
Paramount grows revenue 2 percent during Q1; Paramount Plus adds 2 million customers
Paramount’s streaming and studio businesses offset ongoing losses in its traditional TV media unit during Q1.
Streaming News
Pluto TV to relaunch on Paramount Plus platform this summer
In addition to relaunching on Paramount Plus’ tech stack, Paramount will push more Pluto TV to register a free account and stream more video on-demand content.
Policy & Law
Nexstar takes DIRECTV’s fight over TV fees to Supreme Court
Nexstar has asked the Supreme Court to intervene in a lawsuit brought three years ago by DIRECTV over distribution fees.
Radio & Television News
Final settlement conference scheduled in Nexstar news director defamation lawsuit
The case stems from the termination of WOOD-TV’s Stanton Tang and Amy Fox after a memo on Pride Month coverage sparked internal backlash, leading to their dismissals.
Sports Desk
NFL Network goes dark on Comcast’s Xfinity TV
The carriage dispute is the first involving NFL Network and its sister channel NFL RedZone since both were acquired by ESPN earlier this year.
Advertising & Data
S&P: Local TV to earn $4 billion in political ad spending in 2026
Competitive races and early campaign spending are driving strong demand for local TV inventory in key battleground states.
Special Coverage: NextGen TV
NextGen TV backers set to demonstrate converter boxes at trade show
A group backing NextGen TV technology will showcase a handful of new converter boxes at a trade show in Nevada next week.
Europe & UK
CNN International to encrypt U.K. channel at end of April
CNN International is encrypting the feed available to residents and businesses in the U.K. and Ireland at the end of the month.
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.