Here are the most read stories of the week.

Discovery believes Scripps' deal opens up domestic distribution options

With its pending deal to acquire Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. in a transaction valued at $14.6 billion, Discovery Communications Inc. is betting that the combined company's enhanced content offerings will give it more clout when it comes to navigating the changing media landscape in the U.S. and expand internationally. Under the deal, expected to close early in 2018 following shareholder and regulatory approvals, the combined company would produce some 8,000 hours of original content annually and be home to 300,000 hours of content.

Verizon CFO throws cold water on M&A speculation

Amid the current wave of convergence hitting the media and communications space, Verizon Communications Inc.'s name has been tossed around in a number of potential combinations. But a Verizon executive said the company is not currently hunting for a major deal.

5G driving Verizon's cable moves

Analysts have suggested Verizon might need to buy a major cable operator, but the telco's recent fiber deal is a much smaller and more targeted transaction. WideOpenWest Inc., the midsize cable operator based in Colorado, agreed to sell a portion of its fiber network in the Chicago market to a subsidiary of Verizon for $225 million in cash. The deal comes less than one week after Verizon CFO Matthew Ellis said the company was interested in buying more fiber assets during a recent earnings conference call.

FOX News, MSNBC top basic cable's prime-time viewership in July

HBO (US) tallies three most-watched shows in July, while Disney Channel (US) scores with telefilm "Descendants 2" and ESPN (US) connects with "Home Run Derby."

Sprint's diverging M&A path: Cable or T-Mobile

After months of purported talks between Sprint Corp. and two cable giants ended without a formal agreement, analysts are divided over whether Sprint has backed itself into a corner or put itself in a position to strike.