Statement: X Canceled ‘The Don Lemon Show,’ Candace Owens Leaves The Daily Wire
candy duran - Telemundo
Broadcast: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reported that Nexstar Media Group violated the National Ownership Cap of 39% for the agreement with Mission Broadcasting. FCC ordered Mission to sell WPIX-TV New York to an unaffiliated third party within 12 months. If still selling to Nexstar, the group will need to divest a sufficient number of other Nexstar stations to reach the TV ownership limits. Per the report, Nexstar Media Group received a fine of more than $1.2 million, while Mission received a forfeiture of $612,395 for violating the rules. Nexstar and Mission both denied the violation and said that they plan to dispute the FCC’s decision in response.
Beginning on April 8th, Candy Duran will take the role of news director at NBCUniversal local-owned KCSO Sacramento (also known as Telemundo 33) and KNSO Fresno (also known as Telemundo 15). Her predecessor, Adolfo Segura, will join KUAN San Diego (also known as Telemundo 20). Duran started as a KSTS San Francisco intern and later became a KUPB in Midland reporter, a KFTV Fresno executive producer, and a KDTV San Francisco assignment editor, writer, and producer.
“Candy is an experienced and committed journalist who understands our communities,” said Stacy Owen, president and general manager of KCSO and KNSO. “She is passionate about empowering and inspiring people and embodies our Working For You/Trabajando Para Ti brand. We’re excited for her to lead our efforts to increase our impact through our television, digital and streaming platforms.”
Meanwhile, Estephany Haro will join KSTS (also known as Telemundo 48) as an assistant news director reporting to vice president Stephanie Adrouny and news director Sandra Perez. Haro leaves Univision KDTV 14, where she held several roles, including assignment desk editor, producer/writer, senior news show producer, executive producer, and assistant news director.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Estephany to our team,” Perez said. “Her extensive background in journalism and deep understanding of the Hispanic community in Northern California make her the ideal candidate for this role. I’m confident her leadership will enhance our news operations and further solidify Telemundo 48’s position as the premier Spanish-language news source.”
NBCUniversal local-owned KTAZ Phoenix (also known as Telemundo 39) and KHRR Tucson (also known as Telemundo 40) tapped award-winning anchor and reporter Gilberto Dorrego as the lead anchor for a new TV newscast named Noticiero Telemundo Arizona. Additionally, José Ángel Galavis, who won multiple regional Emmy awards, and Javier López Álvarez are the Spanish-language network’s new multimedia journalists.
Syndicated daytime talk show Karamo’s popularity soared during the last two seasons, and NBCUniversal Syndication Studios & E! News announced that this Karamo Brown program was renewed for another season. Brown is an Emmy nominated host who starred on Netflix’s Queer Eye. He also hosts a podcast show, and wrote a memoir and a children’s book. The fast-growing show discusses dramatic topics like infidelity, DNA mystery, parenting, and the complex family dynamics of a gay Black man and single father. Its feature segment, “Unlock the Phone,” investigated the cell-phone history of people’s partners.
“With his direct, no-nonsense approach, Karamo has established himself as one of daytime television's most authentic and innovative hosts,” said executive vice president Tracie Wilson.
ABC News announced that Melissa Adan, Morgan Norwood, and Christiane Cordero joined the bureaus in Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C, respectively, as multiplatform reporters. Before joining ABC News, Adan worked for WTVJ-TV South Florida and KNSD San Diego. She won two regional Emmy Awards and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists’ Al Neuharth Award for Innovation in Investigative Journalism.
“The bureau is extremely pleased to have worked with Melissa already, and I look forward to more of her strong reporting and storytelling for our audiences. Please help me give a warm welcome to Melissa,” wrote Bonnie McLean, director and Los Angeles bureau chief.
Trish Williford will co-anchor the 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 11 p.m. news with Patsy Kelly at Nexstar-owned WBTW Myrtle Beach (also known as News 13). She previously worked for Nexstar-owned WSAV Savannah and Bahakel-owned WCCB Charlotte.
“We’re fortunate to hire someone as experienced as Trish Williford who has spent her entire broadcasting career covering news in the South, including the past five years in Charlotte,” said WBTW News Director Paul Caron.
BBC News is launching a new free ad-supported TV (FAST) channel in partnership with AMC Networks, which is an expanded move into the U.S. market. Distributed on Pluto, Samsung TV Plus, and Sling Freestream, the live news channel will deliver 24/7 coverage of breaking global news.
“This is a significant milestone for the BBC as this launch will more than double the current reach and availability of the BBC News channel in the U.S. at a time when access to independent news and information is more important than ever,” said Tara Maitra, BBC Studios’ Chief Commercial Officer. “We’re proud to launch this channel with the support of so many leading partners as we continue to expand the footprint of BBC News and bring the BBC’s journalism to wider audiences in the region.”
Weekend morning anchor Jerry Askin left CBS-affiliated WKMG-TV without revealing his next move. He started as an intern at WPIX New York and worked for WTVC Chattanooga, WCTV Tallahassee, and WMC Memphis before joining WKMG-TV in 2018.
“It’s been six great years for me at News 6 and I can’t thank you all enough, the amazing people across Central Florida, you at home,” said Askin. “So many of you invited me into your homes, your churches, and allowed me to call Central Florida home as I continued to grow.”
The Walt Disney Company defended ABC News President Kimberly Godwin after Godwin reportedly said she’s “still in charge” on a call with employees. Significantly, this occurred following Debra OConnell’s appointment to oversee ABC News above Godwin last month, which was perceived as a challenge for Godwin’s leadership.
“It is not true. She didn’t say that,” commented ABC News.
Beginning on April 1st, experienced reporter Solangi Sosa joined Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra as an anchor and reporter. This marks her move from Noticias Telemundo, the national news platform under Telemundo based in Miami. Sosa reported for Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra in Boston and Hartford, and SWRC-WZDC Washington previously during her career.
“Solangi is a skilled journalist who understands our communities through her personal and professional experiences in New England,” Damaris Bonilla-Montalvo, news director for WBTS-WNEU Boston, said. “We’re excited for her return and look forward to her contributions to our coverage.”
WCBS New York pioneering Black anchor Dana Tyler will no longer co-host the 6 p.m. newscast after 34 years working for the station. According to the announcement last month, anchors Tyler and Dick Brennan were replaced by 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscast anchors Maurice DuBois and Kristine Johnson. An award-winning anchor, Tyler was named to the New York State Broadcaster Association Hall of Fame.
“I personally want to thank Dana for being a colleague, friend, and supporter from the day I came through the door more than three years ago,” said Johnny Green, WCBS president and general manager.
Seasoned sales leader Shuneca Harrington returns to WRLH-TV (also known as Fox Richmond) as vice president/general manager, according to Sinclair. Harrington began her career at the broadcast group-owned WLFL CW22 and most recently worked for NBC-affiliated WRAL-TV and WRAZ (also known as Fox 50) as director of sales.
“She is a data-focused, creative leader with proven success in revenue driving and performance management, and we look forward to building on our momentum in the market under her leadership,” said Rob Weisbord, Sinclair chief operating officer and president of local media.
The NBCUniversal (NBCU) News Group chair, Cesar Conde, is facing his biggest scrutiny after the controversial hiring of former Republican National Committee (RNC) chair Ronna McDaniel as a paid political analyst. McDaniel publicly defamed NBC and supported Donald Trump for overturning the 2020 election. McDaniel was shortly ousted by NBC News amid the on-air criticism and rebellion by major news anchors. Now, questions are being raised about Conde’s limited journalism background and continued employment with businesses such as Pepsi and Walmart and about his reputation for nonpartisanship.
Wally bakare - charter
Cable: Wally Bakare and Chris Fulton are the new regional VPs of field operations at Charter Communications. Bakare succeeds Shannon Atkinson, who rose to senior VP of field operations; Bakare will move from the Northern Region to the West Region, directly reporting to Atkinson.
“Wally’s more than 25-year career in the industry is highlighted by his focus on organizational performance across all areas of field operations,” said Atkinson. “He has a unique ability to diagnose operational gaps and develop strategic and tactical plans that will improve performance and enhance the experience for millions of Spectrum customers across Southern California, Hawaii and Arizona.”
Don lemon - the don lemon show
Streaming: After former CNN anchor Don Lemon conducted a “tense” interview with Elon Musk, the CEO of X (formerly Twitter), on The Don Lemon Show, Lemon was told that the social media company decided to cancel the partnership with his latest same-titled personal show. During the interview, Lemon mentioned Musk’s social media moderation, his ties with former president Donald Trump, and his use of ketamine. Before this, Lemon was fired from CNN last year and received $24.5 million for the separation deal.
“The Don Lemon Show is welcome to publish its content on X, without censorship, as we believe in providing a platform for creators to scale their work and connect with new communities. However, like any enterprise, we reserve the right to make decisions about our business partnerships, and after careful consideration, X decided not to enter into a commercial partnership with the show,” read a statement from X.
According to Jeremy Boreing, the CEO of The Daily Wire, political commentator Candace Owens officially left this conservative website co-founded by Ben Shapiro. Owens confirmed this on social media as well. Since the Israel-Hamas war broke out on October 7th, Owens has publicly delivered several controversial commentaries perceived as antisemitic and critical of Israel’s military response. Meanwhile, Shapiro, whose wife is Israeli, is a known firm supporter of Israel. Amid the months of escalating tensions, the two parties finally parted. Owens added that she will return with her show on her YouTube channel “after a brief hiatus.”
Shapiro responded in a recent interview, explaining “why it was not hypocritical to fire Owens.” Shapiro’s The Daily Wire is billed as a free speech news organization; however, Shapiro pointed out the existence of “Overton Window'' to try to justify the organization’s intolerance of Owens’s pro-abortion stance and her position with regards to Israel.
An internal email was leaked about an employee-only town hall meeting where staff were not allowed to bring phones. There, Shapiro reportedly smeared Owens’ antisemitic commentaries in front of all other staff (except independent contractors who were not eligible to attend). Owens dropped a response on social media.
“Ben—we agreed not to talk about this, but you are very much going on a public tour right now pretending not to talk about it, while you are very much talking about it. Would you like me to do the same?” wrote Owens on X (formerly Twitter).
Fox News Media’s streaming subscription service, Fox Nation, is expanding distribution with DISH Network and Sling TV by offering an additional $5.99 subscription package.
“We’re thrilled to partner with DISH and SLING to make our on-demand content more readily available to viewers who crave FOX Nation,” said Lauren Petterson, president of FOX Nation.
Lisa Fu will work as a private credit reporter for the capital market company Debtwire. Fu previously reported for Private Equity Real Estate(PERE), Financial Times-owned subscription news service FundFire, Refinitiv LPC. She most recently worked for AdvisorHub as an associate editor.
