NBC

On August 30, 2026, former President Donald Trump threatened to report NBC’s “Meet the Press” host Kristen Welker to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for “rebuke or punishment” after she described his primary endorsement record as having “mixed results.” Trump cited high success rates for his endorsed candidates and urged FCC Chair Brendan Carr to act. The comment was made on a local NBC affiliate, not the national broadcast. The FCC generally does not regulate news content, making the threat unusual.

10 reports · 3 sources · Updated Aug 31, 01:07 AM UTC

P.F. Chang's has promoted Patrick Benson to Director of Marketing Communications, a newly created leadership role that establishes the brand's dedicated Marketing Communications function. Benson, who previously led social media, influencer marketing, paid social, and community engagement strategies, will now oversee public relations, corporate communications, influencer strategy, and social media. The promotion follows a year of strong commercial and cultural momentum for the chain, during which campaigns involving over 100 creators generated more than 200 million video views and $11 million in earned media value, contributing to one of the brand's best sales years. Chief Marketing Officer Holly Smith praised Benson's ability to integrate social, influencer, PR, and brand storytelling. Benson brings over 15 years of experience from major entertainment and restaurant brands including NBC, FOX, CBS, and El Pollo Loco, and has been recognized by Business Insider, Nation's Restaurant News, and Brand Innovators.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 04:30 PM UTC

President Donald Trump and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr are using threats to revoke broadcast licenses as an intimidation campaign against TV networks that do not comply with Trump's demands. After ABC and NBC declined to provide live coverage of Trump's election security speech, Trump argued this should result in license revocation. Carr has adopted a vague 'public interest' standard, claiming broadcasters must cover the president 'fully, accurately, and fairly.' This has led to concrete actions: Carr entertained claims of 'broadcast news distortion' against CBS over a Kamala Harris interview edit, bragged about forcing changes to CBS journalistic practices as a condition for approving Skydance Media's acquisition of Paramount, and made regulatory threats that preceded ABC's suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!. The article argues these actions are unconstitutional speech-chilling measures that set a dangerous precedent for future administrations.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 04:01 AM UTC

The article reports that a US bid for the 2038 FIFA World Cup is being actively encouraged by FIFA, driven by record-breaking revenue from the 2026 tournament. Ticketing and hospitality sales in the US have surpassed $5 billion, exceeding TV rights income for the first time. FIFA's revenue projections for the current cycle rose from $11bn to $15bn, largely due to US demand. President Donald Trump publicly urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to bring the tournament back soon. FIFA is also seeking to recoup lost TV income after Fox Sports secured 2026 US rights for a bargain $485m without a bidding process. ESPN, NBC, and Netflix are expected to bid for future rights. No country has hosted twice in 12 years, but FIFA's rotation policy allows a North American bid for 2038 after the 2030 and 2034 tournaments.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 07:00 PM UTC

This Reason.com podcast roundtable features editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discussing the escalating conflict with Iran under President Donald Trump. Topics include American service member deaths, rising gas prices, attacks on civilian infrastructure, and the lack of clear war objectives despite repeated ceasefire attempts. The panel also examines Trump's new 25% tariffs on Brazil, criticizing the incoherent use of trade policy for unrelated political goals. They analyze Trump's primetime address on election security and his threats to revoke broadcast licenses. The discussion covers the growing popularity of democratic socialism, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's appeal, and why free-market voters may embrace socialist politicians. Finally, they address a listener question on whether fears about artificial intelligence amount to a moral panic, with cultural recommendations concluding the episode.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 09:52 PM UTC

The article analyzes Donald Trump's recent speech on election infrastructure, where he raged at news organizations for not carrying him live. Host Greg Sargent and Harvard political scientist Ryan Enos argue that Trump's anger reveals his need for media to broadcast his false claims to sow distrust in elections, a precursor to attempting to overturn the 2022 midterm results. Trump made baseless claims about intelligence documents, Chinese interference, and a deep state cover-up. Even Fox News balked at participating in this narrative. Enos warns that democracy requires faith in election legitimacy, and Trump's actions aim to either use government power or encourage supporters to undo unfavorable results, similar to his 2020 efforts. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin echoed Trump's anger, further signaling the administration's coordinated effort to undermine election confidence.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 10:58 AM UTC

The New Republic's Greg Sargent analyzes Donald Trump's recent rambling speech on election infrastructure, in which he raged at news organizations for not carrying him live. Sargent argues this reveals Trump expects media to help sow distrust in elections as a precursor to rigging the midterms. Even Fox News balked at participating. Harvard political scientist Ryan Enos warns that Trump is trying to sow doubt to either use government power to undo election results or encourage supporters to violence, as in 2020. Trump made debunked claims about intelligence documents showing election vulnerabilities and Chinese compromise of election data. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin echoed Trump's anger at a news conference. The analysis concludes that Trump needs media to broadcast his lies to spread distrust in election outcomes.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 10:58 AM UTC

President Donald Trump delivered a prime-time speech on election integrity, claiming vulnerabilities in the U.S. election system. The speech largely repeated old claims, and new assertions were riddled with exaggeration. Trump declassified redacted documents alleging Chinese influence, Michigan fraud, and Venezuelan tampering, but evidence did not support his claims. He accused ABC and NBC of refusing to cover his speech, though both streamed it live, and again called for revoking their broadcast licenses. Meanwhile, his nominee for Director of National Intelligence, Jay Clayton, refused to answer who won the 2020 election. The article notes Trump has dismantled election security protections during his second term, including shutting down the FBI foreign influence task force and eviscerating CISA. Released documents actually stated that vote tabulation systems would be difficult to manipulate on a wide scale. The speech is seen as laying groundwork for authoritarian measures like curtailing mail-in voting and stationing ICE agents at polling places.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 12:23 AM UTC

President Donald Trump delivered a prime-time address on alleged U.S. election system vulnerabilities, claiming foreign interference and fraud. The speech, however, contained mostly recycled claims and new exaggerations unsupported by declassified documents he released. Trump accused ABC and NBC of refusing to cover his speech, though both streamed it live, and again called for revoking their broadcast licenses. He did not repeat his 2020 election loss denial, but his DNI nominee Jay Clayton refused to answer who won that election. The released documents included claims about Chinese voter data acquisition, Michigan voter registration fraud, and Venezuelan voting machine tampering, but evidence did not support widespread manipulation. The article notes Trump has dismantled election security protections during his second term, including shutting down FBI and intelligence task forces on foreign influence. The analysis concludes the speech was an authoritarian marker aimed at undermining midterm elections.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 12:23 AM UTC

President Donald Trump delivered a prime-time speech on alleged U.S. election vulnerabilities, claiming foreign interference and fraud. However, the speech largely repeated old claims, and newly declassified documents did not support his hyperbolic assertions. One intelligence assessment noted that vote tabulation systems would be difficult to manipulate on a wide scale. Trump accused ABC and NBC of refusing to cover his speech, though both streamed it live, and again called for revoking their broadcast licenses. Meanwhile, his nominee for Director of National Intelligence, Jay Clayton, refused to answer who won the 2020 election. The article notes that Trump's administration has dismantled election security protections, including shutting down the FBI foreign influence task force and eviscerating CISA. The released documents showed China obtained voter data for influence campaigns, not to manipulate voting, and a Michigan voter registration investigation found no fraudulent ballots were sent.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 12:23 AM UTC

CNN host Michael Smerconish publicly criticized major television networks, including his own employer CNN, NBC, and ABC, for refusing to air President Donald Trump's primetime speech on election fraud. Smerconish argued that the networks acted with 'condescension' by denying viewers the opportunity to evaluate the president's remarks for themselves. The speech, delivered on a Thursday night, focused on unsubstantiated claims of election fraud. Smerconish's comments highlight an internal debate within media organizations about balancing editorial responsibility with public access to political statements. The incident underscores ongoing tensions between media outlets and the Trump administration over coverage of election integrity claims.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 18, 07:10 PM UTC

On July 16, 2026, President Donald Trump delivered a primetime address repeating debunked 2020 election fraud claims. ABC and NBC declined to air it live, offering it on streaming platforms instead; CBS aired most of it with disclaimers. Trump threatened to revoke their broadcast licenses, alleging fraud and media collusion. Legal experts note the threats are meritless—networks don’t hold licenses, and the First Amendment protects editorial discretion. The incident escalates tensions between Trump and mainstream media.

5 reports · 3 sources · Updated Jul 17, 08:57 PM UTC

On July 16, 2026, President Donald Trump delivered a primetime address from the Oval Office, alleging that China stole 220 million U.S. voter files during the 2020 election and accusing the "deep state" of a cover-up. He also pushed the SAVE America Act voter ID bill and referenced renewed war with Iran. Major networks declined to air the speech, and critics dismissed the claims as baseless. Intelligence officials previously found no evidence of foreign interference altering election results.

28 reports · 12 sources · Updated Jul 17, 01:44 PM UTC

Starting July 7, 2026, the European Union's General Safety Regulation will require all new cars and vans to include advanced driver distraction warning (ADDW) systems using infrared cameras mounted on or near the steering column. These cameras monitor drivers' heads and eyes for signs of drowsiness or inattention and sound alerts when problems are detected. The regulation claims systems will not continuously record or retain data beyond what is necessary, and will not identify individual drivers. However, critics warn the hardware could easily be repurposed for continuous recording via software changes, especially since modern cars already transmit driving data to manufacturers and insurers. A 2024 UK survey found 54% of drivers had deactivated at least one ADAS feature. Drivers can only disable ADDW per driving session, as the system resets each time the car restarts. The article compares this to past resistance to seat belt interlocks and data-sharing systems.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 11:00 AM UTC

The European Union's General Safety Regulation will require all new cars and vans registered from July 7, 2026, to include advanced driver distraction warning (ADDW) systems using infrared cameras mounted on the steering column. These cameras constantly monitor drivers' head and eye movements for signs of drowsiness or distraction, sounding alerts when problems are detected. While regulators claim the systems do not continuously record or retain data beyond what is necessary, critics warn the hardware could easily be repurposed for broader surveillance by insurers or governments. The mandate follows existing requirements for other safety systems since 2024. Surveys show over half of UK drivers already disable similar advanced driver-assistance features due to annoyance. The new rules allow drivers to disable ADDW only per driving session, with the system resetting each time the car restarts. The article, published by Reason.com, frames the regulation as government overreach and a threat to privacy.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 11:00 AM UTC

The European Union's General Safety Regulation will require all new cars and vans registered from July 7, 2026, to include advanced driver distraction warning (ADDW) systems using infrared cameras mounted on the steering column to monitor drivers' heads and eyes for signs of drowsiness or distraction. The regulation states these systems should not continuously record or retain data beyond what is necessary, and must not identify the driver. However, critics warn the hardware could be repurposed for broader surveillance, including insurance data collection, as modern cars already transmit driving data. A 2024 UK survey found 54% of drivers had deactivated at least one ADAS feature, and the new mandate allows disabling only per driving session. The article, from Reason.com, frames the regulation as government overreach and a threat to privacy and liberty.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 11:00 AM UTC

A 41-year-old man was arrested after breaching security at NBC's 30 Rockefeller Plaza and approaching 'TODAY' show co-anchor Craig Melvin while shouting a racial slur. The incident occurred during a live broadcast. The suspect, whose identity has not been publicly released, was charged with hate crimes, burglary, criminal trespassing, and harassment. Melvin later spoke out about the incident, expressing gratitude for the security response and condemning the hateful act. The arrest was made by New York Police Department officers, and the case is being investigated as a hate crime. The man reportedly entered the building through an unsecured door and made his way to the studio area before being detained.

1 reports · 1 sources

Veteran horse racing announcer Larry Collmus prepares to call the Preakness Stakes from Laurel Park, marking a significant full-circle moment in his career. For the first time in the race's 151-year history, the event is being held at Laurel Park while the historic Pimlico Race Course undergoes major redevelopment. Collmus, who began his career as a teenager practicing calls in a small booth at Laurel, describes the experience as both a national assignment and a personal homecoming to Maryland, where his roots in the sport began. The atmosphere will differ significantly from traditional Preakness events, with attendance capped at under 5,000 spectators due to the venue change. Collmus notes the unique challenge of calling the race while seated in the old announcer’s booth, a departure from his usual standing position. He plans to acclimate to the setup by calling preliminary races during the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. Despite the changes, Collmus emphasizes the importance of this transitional step for the future of Maryland racing, maintaining his meticulous preparation routine with flashcards and study of jockey assignments.

1 reports · 1 sources

The 151st Preakness Stakes will be held on May 16, 2026, at Laurel Park, Maryland, marking a historic temporary relocation from Pimlico Race Course due to renovations. Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo and runner-up Renegade are absent, eliminating Triple Crown possibilities as they prepare for the Belmont Stakes. Fourteen horses, including Incredibolt and Taj Majal, will compete for the $2 million purse. NBC and Peacock will provide comprehensive television and streaming coverage, maintaining the event's prestige despite the venue change and notable scratchings.

37 reports · 8 sources · Updated May 17, 10:43 PM UTC

Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is scheduled to return to Acrisure Stadium in his new role as a top studio analyst for NBC Sports. Following his hiring by NBC in April for "Football Night in America," the NFL schedule release has confirmed that Tomlin will be present in Pittsburgh when the Steelers host the Houston Texans. The game is set for December 6, 2026, at 8:20 p.m. ET and will be broadcast nationally on "Sunday Night Football." This primetime matchup carries significant narrative weight as it serves as a playoff rematch from the previous January, where the Texans eliminated the Steelers in the AFC wild-card round with a decisive 30-6 victory. That loss marked Tomlin's final game as the Steelers' head coach before he stepped down from the position. The announcement provides Steelers fans with a specific date to anticipate Tomlin's first appearance at his former home stadium in his new media capacity, highlighting a notable moment in the upcoming NFL season schedule.

1 reports · 1 sources

NFL Vice President of Broadcast Planning Mike North issued a stern message to teams dissatisfied with the 2026 schedule release, emphasizing that high draft picks do not guarantee national television exposure. Using the Tennessee Titans as a primary example, North noted that despite selecting quarterback Cam Ward first overall in the 2025 draft, the team failed to secure any scheduled primetime games in the subsequent season or for 2026. North stated clearly that the league does not draft its way into primetime but plays its way in. This stance reflects the economic realities faced by broadcast partners like ABC, NBC, Amazon, and ESPN, who pay billions for rights and require matchups that drive audience engagement. Consequently, established stars and proven past performance weigh heavier in scheduling decisions than the potential of unproven rookies. While the Titans remain excluded from initial primetime slots, the possibility of being flexed into these games during the season remains open if their on-field performance improves. The article highlights the league's commitment to merit-based scheduling to maximize viewership for its media partners.

1 reports · 1 sources

Although Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo will skip the Preakness Stakes, preventing a horse Triple Crown, significant historical and financial stakes remain for the human participants. Jockey José Ortiz, riding favorite Chip Honcho, aims to become the first jockey to win all three Triple Crown legs on different horses. Additionally, trainer Brittany Russell could become the first female trainer to win the Preakness if her horse, Taj Mahal, succeeds. These potential historic achievements drive lucrative sponsorship opportunities, with jockeys earning five-figure sums for wearing brand logos on their attire. Marketing experts note that brand exposure value can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars, particularly for winning horses or those finishing close behind, as seen in previous analyses of jockey partnerships. Despite a 16% drop in Preakness viewership to 4.56 million in 2025, the event remains a critical platform for brand visibility. The article highlights how specific race outcomes, photo finishes, and post-race interviews significantly impact the commercial value of these sponsorships, making the Preakness a key economic event for jockeys beyond just prize money.

1 reports · 1 sources

Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus revealed significant behind-the-scenes tensions during the filming of Season 2 of the sitcom Seinfeld. In a recent interview on the Awards Chatter podcast, she detailed a major argument between co-creator Larry David and executives from Castle Rock Entertainment. The conflict arose over the episode The Deal, in which characters Jerry Seinfeld and Elaine Benes sleep together and attempt a friends-with-benefits arrangement. Production executives wanted to develop a traditional romantic will-they-won't-they dynamic, but David strongly opposed introducing romance, sexiness, or cuteness into the show. David ultimately prevailed, ensuring the characters remained platonic friends throughout the series. Louis-Dreyfus also shared that her character was not in the original pilot and that NBC initially hesitated to pick up the show. It was only saved by NBC executive Rick Ludwin, who allocated late-night programming budget to fund the first four episodes. Louis-Dreyfus praised the show's unique anti-joke rhythm and credited Ludwin for its survival. The sitcom ran for nine seasons from 1989 to 1998, earning critical acclaim and multiple awards, including an Emmy for Louis-Dreyfus.

1 reports · 1 sources

The Los Angeles Rams are currently scheduled for seven prime-time games in the 2026 NFL season but have the potential to increase this number to nine. This possibility arises from flexible scheduling mechanisms in Weeks 17 and 18. In Week 17, two games will be played on Saturday, with slots available on NBC and Peacock. The Rams' matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is one of four games under consideration for these Saturday slots, alongside Commanders-Jaguars, Chiefs-Chargers, and Broncos-Patriots. If selected, the Rams-Buccaneers game could air at 8:00 p.m. ET on Saturday. Additionally, Week 18 features flexible scheduling for the final regular-season game. If the Rams' contest against the Seattle Seahawks determines the NFC West title or the No. 1 seed, it is likely to be chosen as the season finale, adding another prime-time appearance. The article notes that the NFL has moved away from strict limits on prime-time appearances per team, prioritizing high-quality matchups to maximize viewership. This shift underscores the league's focus on competitive integrity and marketability, effectively penalizing poorly performing teams with fewer showcase opportunities.

1 reports · 1 sources

The 2026 NBA Conference Semifinals feature critical matchups as the Detroit Pistons face the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder play the Los Angeles Lakers. These games determine advancement to the Conference Finals, with the Thunder holding a dominant 3-0 lead. The postseason highlights a significant shift in media rights, with broadcasts distributed across ESPN/ABC, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video. Fans can access these high-stakes games through various traditional and streaming platforms as teams compete for the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

15 reports · 4 sources · Updated May 17, 11:54 PM UTC

This article provides a comprehensive guide for watching the 2026 NBA Conference Semifinals, specifically focusing on the critical Game 6 matchups scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2026. The Detroit Pistons face the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7 p.m. ET, while the San Antonio Spurs play against the Minnesota Timberwolves at 9:30 p.m. ET. Both games are exclusively streamed on Amazon Prime Video, with options for free trials available for non-subscribers. The piece outlines the potential implications of these games, noting that winners will advance to the Conference Finals against the New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder, respectively. It also details the broader 2026 NBA playoff broadcasting landscape, highlighting the new media rights agreement that splits coverage among ESPN/ABC, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video. Additionally, the article lists tentative dates for the Eastern and Western Conference Finals and confirms the NBA Finals schedule from June 3 to June 19, which will be broadcast on ABC. This resource serves as a practical reference for fans navigating the fragmented streaming environment for professional basketball.

1 reports · 1 sources

An analysis of NFL television scheduling reveals a steady decline in traditional Sunday afternoon regional games on CBS and Fox, shifting inventory toward exclusive standalone packages. In 2026, the league will air 197 Sunday-afternoon games, down from 211 in 2021 and even lower than 2016 levels despite an expanded season. Conversely, standalone windows have increased to 23, up from 15 the previous year. This strategic move aims to maximize revenue through new media rights deals with partners like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Peacock, alongside traditional broadcasters. While the NFL argues that national standalone games improve accessibility for fans outside local markets without requiring NFL Sunday Ticket, critics note that many of these games are locked behind streaming or cable paywalls. This reduces over-the-air availability compared to the broad local coverage typical of regional Sunday slots. The trend potentially diminishes the value of premium services like NFL Sunday Ticket and RedZone, prioritizing corporate revenue over the traditional, consistent viewing experience that has long defined the league's appeal to American audiences.

1 reports · 1 sources

Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is scheduled to return to Pittsburgh in Week 13 of the 2026 NFL season. Following his departure from the Steelers after 19 seasons, prompted by a playoff loss to the Houston Texans, Tomlin has joined NBC Sports as an NFL analyst for 'Football Night In America.' His return to Acrisure Stadium will coincide with the Steelers hosting the Texans, the same team that eliminated Pittsburgh in the previous year's wild card round. The article highlights the significance of this matchup, noting that the Steelers face a challenging schedule in the latter half of the 2026 season, with eight of their final nine games against 2025 playoff teams or key AFC North rivals. Tomlin's presence in the broadcast booth marks a new chapter in his career, transitioning from a long-tenured coach to a media personality, while maintaining a strong connection to his former team and city. The report also mentions other roster and schedule updates for the Steelers, including potential trades and holiday game appearances.

1 reports · 1 sources

This analysis highlights a critical tipping point in the modern sports industry, where the relentless drive for revenue by leagues is alienating fans. Despite sports being more popular than ever, the combination of constant expansion, fragmented streaming services, and exorbitant ticket prices has made fandom increasingly costly and cumbersome. The NFL serves as a primary example, with Commissioner Roger Goodell aggressively expanding the league's television footprint to nearly every day of the week and pushing for doubled media rights fees, potentially triggering government intervention. While the NFL projected $25 billion in revenue by 2027 and hit $23 billion in 2025, this strategy risks overexposure and eroding the value of premium packages like Sunday Ticket. Similarly, the NBA and Major League Baseball are facing criticism for splitting content across multiple streaming platforms like NBC, Amazon, and Netflix, making it difficult for viewers to access games. The article argues that private equity interests are beginning to outweigh the value of paying customers, creating an unsustainable equilibrium that threatens long-term fan engagement and traditional sporting cultures.

1 reports · 1 sources

The Los Angeles Rams have tied an NFL record for the most primetime games in a single season, securing seven high-profile matchups for the 2026 schedule. This achievement matches the records previously set by the 2023 Buffalo Bills and the 2025 Kansas City Chiefs. The NFL's scheduling decision reflects significant confidence in the Rams as a major ratings draw and competitive force in the NFC, despite historical perceptions of lukewarm local fan support. The slate includes four primetime games within the first five weeks, highlighting an intense early-season focus. Key fixtures include a Week 1 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Netflix, Monday Night Football appearances against the Giants and Bills, and holiday specials on Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas night. The schedule also features Thursday Night Football against the Chiefs and a Sunday Night Football game at Denver. This aggressive scheduling strategy underscores the league's expectation that quarterback Matthew Stafford and the team will remain healthy and contend for top standings throughout the season, following their recent NFC Championship appearance.

1 reports · 1 sources