Here are the most read stories of the week.
Media ownership ruling creates uncertainty for broadcast consolidation
Broadcast industry experts say a decision from a federal appeals court to vacate a 2017 U.S. Federal Communications Commission order that eased media ownership rules and remanded it back to the agency could have an impact on recently completed and ongoing broadcast consolidation efforts. The ruling could be "problematic" for the Nexstar Media Group Inc.-Tribune Media Co. merger, which the FCC approved on Sept. 16, according to Christopher Terry, assistant professor of media law at the University of Minnesota's Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Updated: Microsoft unveils new Surface computers, dual-screen Android smartphone
Microsoft Corp. unveiled a new range of Surface-branded products, including a dual-screen Android smartphone, at an Oct. 2 event in New York. They included three devices set to hit store shelves by early November — the Surface Laptop 3, Surface Pro 7 and Surface Pro X — and two more that will be available ahead of the December holidays.
Discovery puts multiple revenue streams on the table with streaming food service
Discovery Inc. is looking to bring multiple revenue streams to the latest addition to its direct-to-consumer menu. Set to debut in late October, live interactive cooking platform Food Network Kitchen will have monetization opportunities around advertising, sponsorship, subscriptions — and a slice of monies generated by ingredient and product sales. Food Network Kitchen will be integrated into Amazon.com Inc.'s Alexa voice assistant line.
Multiple carriage contracts hang in the balance as September ends
As September drew to a close, more programmers and distributors faced carriage contract expirations. While virtual provider Sony Corp.'s PlayStation Vue reached a deal to keep HBO (US) and Cinemax, regional sports network Altitude Sports & Entertainment (US), which is home to the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and the NBA's Denver Nuggets, remained dark to three large providers.
NBC Sports Chicago now dark to DISH, Sling TV subscribers
NBC Sports launched its revamped regional sports network in Chicago, with one major distributor, DISH Network Corp., on the sidelines. The satellite service's customers, as well as subscribers to its virtual provider Sling TV, have lost access to NBC Sports Chicago (US), as the parties could not come to terms on a new carriage deal.
