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Discovery clears Food Network hurdle as it prepares to leave Silver Spring

By Jeff Clabaugh

WASHINGTON — Discovery Communications has received approval from the U.S. Justice Department for its planned $12 billion acquisition of the parent company of Food Network and HGTV.

Discovery announced plans to acquire Knoxville, Tennessee-based Scripps Networks Interactive in July 2017. The deal still requires approval by regulators in Ireland and other closing conditions, but the acquisition is expected to close before the end of the first quarter.

That merger is behind Discovery’s decision to leave its longtime Silver Spring headquarters for a new headquarters in New York, a move expected to be made by 2019.

Discovery said it has an obligation to shareholders to run a business in the most effective way. New York is home to top advertising and marketing partners for both companies.

Discovery will maintain a presence in Maryland and in Sterling, Virginia, as well as Knoxville.

Discovery had $6.8 billion in 2017 revenue, led by growth at its international networks. It lost $337 million in 2017.

Discovery employs about 1,300 people full-time locally.

Massachusetts court hears arguments in lawsuit alleging Meta designed apps to be addictive to kids

By The Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts' highest court heard oral arguments Friday in the state's lawsuit arguing that Meta designed features on Facebook and Instagram to make them addictive to young users. The lawsuit, filed in 2023 by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, alleges that Meta did this to make a profit and that its actions affected hundreds of thousands of teenagers in Massachusetts who use the social media platforms. “We are making claims based only on the tools that Meta has developed because its own research shows they encourage addiction to the platform in a variety of ways,” said State Solicitor David Kravitz, adding that the state's claim has nothing to do the company's algorithms or failure to moderate content. Meta said Friday that it strongly disagrees with the allegations and is “confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.” Its attorney, Mark Mosier, argued in court that the lawsuit “would impose liabilities for performing traditional publishing functions” and that its actions are protected by the First Amendment.
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