Peaklight

Media & EntertainmentMay 23, 2026

Cox Media to pay $880,000 to settle FTC probe over AI-powered targeted ad tool

Cox Media Group has agreed to pay $880,000 to settle allegations brought by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over an advertising product that claimed to use artificial intelligence to monitor conversations from smart devices and deliver targeted advertising to consumers. The proposed settlement resolves claims that Cox Media Group, along with marketing firms MindSift LLC and 1010 Digital Works LLC, deceptively marketed an “Active Listening” advertising service to small businesses by falsely suggesting it could capture and analyze voice data from devices like smartphones and smart spe...

TechnologyMay 23, 2026

Google says Chromecast support will continue after erroneous reports claim otherwise

Google has issued a public statement confirming the company will continue to support many of its legacy Chromecast with Google TV devices, one day after some technology blogs picked up on an erroneous support page that claimed support for those devices was ending. In a statement on Friday, a spokesperson for Google said older devices like the Chromecast Audio, Chromecast Ultra and ultra high-definition (4K) model of the Chromecast with Google TV were no longer officially supported, an indication that the devices were set to lose software and security updates.

Media & EntertainmentMay 22, 2026

Judge postpones settlement conference in Nexstar defamation lawsuit

A federal judge overseeing a defamation lawsuit brought against Nexstar Media Group by two former news directors has postponed a pre-trial conference intended to help bring the case to a close. This week, U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker delayed a final pre-trial conference originally scheduled for mid-July to early August after one of the plaintiffs in the case, Amy Fox, said she was going on vacation.

Media Policy & RegulationMay 22, 2026

Fox News seeks appeal in Gavin Newsom defamation lawsuit

Attorneys for Fox News Media have asked a judge in Delaware to certify an order that allows California Governor Gavin Newsom’s defamation lawsuit to move forward, which would allow the broadcaster to file an appeal on the matter. According to court documents reviewed by The Desk on Thursday, the certification would allow Fox News to bring the case to Delaware’s appellate court through a process known as interlocutory review.

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Media & EntertainmentMay 22, 2026

Former CBS-owned radio stations switch to ABC News Radio

Just before the start of Thursday’s evening rush hour, drivers listening to KCBS-AM in San Francisco heard something they might not have expected: Top-of-the-hour headlines delivered by ABC News Radio. When the clock struck 3 p.m. local time, it was the first time in more than nine decades that top story headlines were provided by a news outlet not affiliated with CBS News, marking the end of an era in American radio broadcasting.

TelecommunicationsMay 21, 2026

AT&T sues California over landline phone mandate

AT&T has filed a federal lawsuit against California telecom regulators over the state’s requirement to preserve landline phone access for its residents. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of California this week, claims the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is making it difficult for AT&T to wind down its copper-based communications network that is used for traditional landline telephone service and older forms of high-speed Internet connections.

Media Policy & RegulationMay 21, 2026

Bill forcing AM radio tuners in cars gets second wind

Proposed legislation that would force car manufacturers to install AM radio tuners in their vehicles received a second chance at life this week after it was rolled into a broader transportation funding bill. The House Energy and Commerce Committee voted Thursday to include the AM radio mandate in H.R. 7389, also known as the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act of 2026, during a committee markup.

Media & EntertainmentMay 21, 2026

Omdia: Big Tech companies to dominate connected TV advertising market by 2030

Global connected TV (CTV) advertising revenue is on pace to nearly double over the next five years, with Google, Amazon and Netflix expected to control half of the market by the end of the decade, according to new research from Omdia. The forecast from Omdia shows global CTV advertising revenue will grow from $44 billion in 2025 to $81 billion by 2030, reflecting the continued shift of ad spending from traditional television to streaming platforms, smart TV operating systems and connected-device ecosystems.

Media & EntertainmentMay 21, 2026

Hearst promotes Andrea Stahlman to President, GM of WLKY Louisville

Hearst Television has promoted Andrea Stahlman to President and General Manager of WLKY-TV, elevating the long-time news executive to lead the company’s CBS affiliate in Louisville, Kentucky. Stahlman succeeds Glenn Haygood, who is retiring later this month after more than 40 years in television broadcasting.

Media Technology

May 21, 2026