Media News Daily: Top Stories for 08/18/2025

This page hosts daily news stories about the media, social media, and the journalism industry. Get the latest Hirings and Firings, Media Transactions, Controversies, and more.


TV Consumers Hit Spending Limit at $86/Month

A new study by Hub Entertainment Research reveals that U.S. consumers have reached their limit on TV-related spending, with $86/month cited as the maximum they’re willing to pay. The current average is $83/month, including all streaming and traditional TV services. Spending ranges from $68 for one service to $98 for five or more, with diminishing willingness to spend more beyond that. The study highlights growing consumer preference for bundled streaming packages over individual services and notes a decline in the importance of features like ad-free content and access to new theatrical releases. Read More (MediaPost Rating)


Judge Blocks FTC Investigation into Media Matters, Citing First Amendment Concerns

A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction halting the Federal Trade Commission’s investigation into Media Matters, ruling that the probe may be retaliatory and violates free speech protections. The investigation stemmed from a Media Matters report on ads appearing alongside offensive content on X (formerly Twitter), which triggered advertiser pullouts and a lawsuit from X. Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan criticized the FTC’s demands as “expansive” and potentially politically motivated, especially given FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson’s prior public comments against progressive media groups. The ruling raises alarm over government actions that may chill newsgathering. Read More (TechCrunch Rating)


ABC News Tops 2025 Edward R. Murrow Awards

ABC News led the 2025 National Edward R. Murrow Awards, earning six honors, including Overall Excellence in both Network TV and Radio. NBC News followed with five awards, while CBS News and Al Jazeera each took home three. Other recipients include MSNBC, NewsNation, Scripps News, Univision, and AJ+, each earning one award. Winners will be celebrated on October 13 at the Edward R. Murrow Gala in New York. Read More (Adweek Rating)


Do you appreciate our work? Please consider one of the following ways to sustain us.

MBFC Ad-Free 

or

MBFC Donation


Follow Media Bias Fact Check: 

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mediabiasfactcheck.bsky.social

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Media_Bias_Fact_Check/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@mediabiasfactcheck

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MBFC_News

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mediabiasfactcheck

Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@mediabiasfactcheck

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mediabiasfactcheck/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mbfcnews/

Found this insightful? Please consider sharing on your Social Media:

Subscribe With Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to MBFC and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 21.8K other subscribers



Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments