Mediagazer: Dish files counterclaims against Disney and ESPN over the launch of limited-time passes for Sling TV and alleges antitrust violations and breach of contract (Todd Spangler/Variety)

9:00 PM ET, January 5, 2026

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Matthew Keys / TheDesk.net:

CPB board votes to dissolve the 58-year-old organization following the rescission of all federal funding by Congress at the behest of President Trump — After 58 years of service to the American public, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Board of Directors has formally voted to dissolve the organization, it affirmed on Monday.

Max Tani / Semafor:

Sources: NYT and WaPo learned of the Venezuela raid soon before it was scheduled to begin but held off publishing what they knew to avoid endangering US troops — The Scoop — The New York Times and Washington Post learned of a secret US raid on Venezuela soon before it was scheduled …

Discussion: Columbia Journalism Review, Washington Post, Status, New York Times, @teroterotero.bsky.social, Salon, CNN, NewsMax.com, American Prospect, Drezner's World, Stop the Presses, Poynter, Newser, ZeroHedge News, How Things Work, @nprinskeep, Futurism, Executive Functions, Breitbart, Michele Steele on LinkedIn, New York Post, @ayoub.bsky.social, @sarahjeong.bsky.social, The Wrap, @oregonmist.bsky.social, Mediaite, @msjamshidi.bsky.social, @awinston.bsky.social, @MaryAustinBooks@mstdn.social, Eschaton, @scottdagostino.ca, Daily Caller News Foundation, @jonzoidberg.xyz, @katienotopoulos, @redsteeze, @infinite_jaz, @maxblumenthal, @marinamedvin, @hasanthehun, @adamscochran, @growing_daniel, @thcarter123.bsky.social, Raw Story, @sentdefender, Townhall, @dilanesper, @brianosgood6, @meustermint, @semaforben, @steveguest, @adamjohnsonchi, @maxwelltani, @timfrye.bsky.social, @jeffjarvis@mastodon.social, @AkaSci@fosstodon.org, @beijingpalmer.bsky.social, Payday Report, @nickturse.bsky.social, @kennysmith.bsky.social, @lopatto.bsky.social, @dicktofel.bsky.social, @banditelli.org, @jsatz.bsky.social, @sunbirdie.bsky.social, @brianwilcox.bsky.social, @juliaazari.bsky.social, The Independent and Althouse

Georg Szalai / The Hollywood Reporter:

Comcast completes the separation of most of its cable networks into a separate entity called Versant Media, led by Mark Lazarus as CEO — Mark Lazarus, as CEO, and his team will set an independent strategy for the new cable networks company that could become a potential partner and acquirer of complementary media businesses.

Discussion: The Wrap, Advanced Television, Mediaite, Reuters, Deadline, @scottnover, Business Wire, Front Office Sports, Bloomberg, @sherman4949, Variety, CNBC, TV Tech, Telecompaper, Morningstar and Barrett Media

Todd Spangler / Variety:

Dish files counterclaims against Disney and ESPN over the launch of limited-time passes for Sling TV and alleges antitrust violations and breach of contract — Dish Network is firing back at Disney and EPSN in a legal dispute over its launch of limited-time passes for Sling TV …

Discussion: The Wrap, The Hollywood Reporter, Cord Cutters News, Media Play News, The Streamable, @tvgrimreaper and Deadline

Christopher Palmeri / Bloomberg:

Amazon says 2025's Thursday Night Football was the most watched in the program's 20-year history, averaging 15.3M viewers/game, up 16% from the previous season — The recently ended Thursday Night Football season was the most watched ever in the 20-year history of the program, Amazon.com Inc. said.

Discussion: Collider

Patrick Brzeski / The Hollywood Reporter:

Universal Music India acquires a 30% equity stake in Mumbai-based Excel Entertainment in a deal valuing the Indian production house at $290M — As part of the deal, which values Excel at $290 million, Universal Music Group will receive global rights to all future original soundtracks attached …

Discussion: Los Angeles Times, Digital Music News, MediaNews4U, NDTV Profit, Dow Jones Newswires, Variety, Deadline, BMI, Hindustan Times, Billboard, Music Business Worldwide and VCCircle

The New York Times Company:

NYT says a Trans News Network interview with ex-NYT editor Billie Jean Sweeney about NYT's gender identity coverage included “factually inaccurate criticisms” — A recent post from Trans News Network included numerous falsehoods about New York Times stories on gender identity …

Discussion: @giamonroe.bsky.social, @hunterfelt.bsky.social, @kissphoria.bsky.social, @danifroom.bsky.social, @glaad.bsky.social, @dominamelody.bsky.social, @benryanwriter.bsky.social, LGBTQ Nation, @owillis.bsky.social, @tylerfromtheinternet.com, @paisleycurrah.com and them.

Mark Sweney / The Guardian:

The UK's countrywide ban on TV junk food ads before the 9pm watershed and an online ban for high fat and sugar products officially takes effect — Watchdog will also monitor online ban for high fat and sugar products as part of wider effort to tackle childhood obesity

Discussion: Metro.co.uk, Mirror, RTÉ, Lawrence Haddad Cmg on LinkedIn, Fast Company, The Standard, The Independent and Retail Times

Brian Steinberg / Variety:

Tony Dokoupil began anchoring CBS Evening News on Saturday night, two days earlier than expected, after US military action in Venezuela — This probably wasn't the kickoff to a run on “CBS Evening News” that Tony Dokoupil — or his bosses — envisioned. — The anchor, a veteran …

Jeremy Barr / The Guardian:
A look at Bari Weiss's chaotic first three months in charge of CBS News, as some staffers clash on issues that align with her worldview

Discussion: Raw Story, @timkarr.bsky.social, @robertscotthorton.bsky.social, @cingraham.bsky.social, @dannygroner.bsky.social, @esqueer.net, @maxwelltani and Wonkette

Justin Baragona / The Independent:
Sources: CBS Evening News staffers expressed concern about the planned 10-day, multicity US reboot tour, citing Bari Weiss' last-minute changes and jet charters

Sarah Perez / TechCrunch:

Amazon unveils a Fire TV UI redesign that puts more focus on the content, including Alexa+, and launches the $899+ Ember Artline TV series with colorful frames — Amazon is rolling out a Fire TV redesign that puts more focus on the content, while also simplifying the navigation and layout.

Discussion: Deadline, AFTVnews, Neowin, Thurrott, Cord Cutters News, Variety, 9to5Google, @amazon, About Amazon, @amazonnews, Pocket-lint, The Verge, Engadget, Digital Trends, GB News, @panos_panay, @panos_panay, PCWorld, PCMag, T3, The Wrap, @amazonfiretv, Tom's Guide, How-To Geek, Bloomberg and Telecompaper, more at Techmeme »

Jesse Whittock / Deadline:

Ireland launches Europe's first unscripted tax credit, offering a 20% rebate on the lowest eligible expenditure, capped at €15M per production, until 2028 end — Ireland is launching Europe's first tax credit for unscripted shows, offering a rebate of up to 20% of expenditure.

Discussion: TheJournal.ie

Naman Ramachandran / Variety:

Maoyan: China's box office reached $7.41B in 2025, up 20%+ YoY after a 23% drop in 2024, driven by animated films and IP franchises like Ne Zha 2 and Zootopia 2 — In 2024, the China box office plummeted 23% to $5.8 billion. The 2025 rebound was fueled primarily by animated titles …

Discussion: South China Morning Post, Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter

Dan Perry / MediaPost:

The US federal government's role in merger approvals gives the Trump administration an easy way to coerce big media companies, and other industries may be next — The Trump administration has discovered a nifty new trick: It is using federal merger authority to pressure news organizations into compliant coverage.

Discussion: @thefarce.org

Barrett Media:
Newsmax asks the FCC to block the proposed $6.2B merger between Nexstar and Tegna, saying the deal is an unprecedented consolidation that Congress prohibits

Discussion: @karlbode.com, TV Tech, @jbflint, TheDesk.net, Federal Communications Commission and Newsmax

Ian Hodgson / Financial Times:

US immigration lawyers, talent managers, and creators say influencers and OnlyFans models now dominate O-1B visas, which are reserved for “exceptional” artists — Work permits increasingly being awarded on basis of online reach, favouring content creators