iOS · Hearst Television

WDSU News - New Orleans

Developer URL: http://www.wdsu.com/connect
app-ads.txt: https://www.wdsu.com/app-ads.txt · 200
Checked: Oct 7, 2026

85/100

240 lines · 191 verified against sellers.json

Findings

Each finding lists the exact lines involved. Findings are automated observations of public files as of Oct 7, 2026. They describe file contents, not the intent or conduct of any company.

warning

DIRECT lines inconsistent with public data

13 −4 pts

The ads.txt specification defines DIRECT as an account the publisher directly controls. For these lines, either the ad system's own sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY, or the same account is marked DIRECT in the files of 3 or more unrelated companies. Either way, the public data does not support the DIRECT label. Buyers that use DIRECT labels in supply-path decisions may treat these lines differently.

How to fixUse DIRECT only for accounts your company controls. Confirm with each partner whether the account is yours; if it isn't, the specification calls for RESELLER.

Evidence (13)

line 173    rubiconproject.com, 15896, DIRECT, 0bfd66d529a55807 #ob
             → observed: sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY  name in sellers.json: Google  domain in sellers.json: google.com
line 178    Media.net, 8CUO4HW60, DIRECT #OB #web
             → observed: sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY  name in sellers.json: Hearst Communications, Inc. (via OB)  domain in sellers.json: google.com
line 179    Media.net, 8CU36RWHJ, DIRECT #OB #app
             → observed: sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY  name in sellers.json: Hearst Communications, Inc. (via OB)  domain in sellers.json: google.com
line 233    onetag.com, 76863b90aa8e6f0-OB, DIRECT
             → observed: sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY  name in sellers.json: Hearst (via OB)  domain in sellers.json: google.com
line 246    pubmatic.com, 157075, DIRECT, 5d62403b186f2ace #ob
             → observed: sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY  name in sellers.json: Hearst Magazines (via EB)  domain in sellers.json: google.com
line 252    themediagrid.com,DQ6AMB,DIRECT,35d5010d7789b49d
             → observed: sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY; the same account is marked DIRECT by 56 different companies  name in sellers.json: Insticator Inc.  domain in sellers.json: insticator.com
line 253    themediagrid.com, KMX76A, DIRECT, 35d5010d7789b49d
             → observed: sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY  name in sellers.json: iMedia Brands Inc.  domain in sellers.json: imds.tv
line 261    smartadserver.com, 3050, DIRECT #tam
             → observed: the same account is marked DIRECT by 22 different companies  name in sellers.json: Seedtag  domain in sellers.json: seedtag.com
line 262    pubmatic.com, 157743, DIRECT, 5d62403b186f2ace
             → observed: sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY; the same account is marked DIRECT by 22 different companies  name in sellers.json: Seedtag Advertising, S.L.  domain in sellers.json: seedtag.com
line 263    rubiconproject.com, 17280, DIRECT, 0bfd66d529a55807
             → observed: sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY; the same account is marked DIRECT by 20 different companies  name in sellers.json: Seedtag Advertising SL  domain in sellers.json: seedtag.com
line 283    triplelift.com, 5021-EB, DIRECT, 6c33edb13117fd86 #ob
             → observed: sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY  name in sellers.json: Hearst News (via EB Network)  domain in sellers.json: google.com
line 311    pubmatic.com, 162269, DIRECT, 5d62403b186f2ace
             → observed: sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY  name in sellers.json: Hearst   domain in sellers.json: comicskingdom.com
line 321    rubiconproject.com,15896, DIRECT, 0bfd66d529a55807 #OB
             → observed: sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY  name in sellers.json: Google  domain in sellers.json: google.com

warning

Seller IDs not listed in the ad system's sellers.json

8 −3 pts

The ad system's current sellers.json doesn't list these accounts, so buyers that validate the chain can't match them. Common causes are closed accounts or former partners.

How to fixAsk each partner whether the account is still active and request their current lines; remove lines for closed accounts.

Evidence (8)

line 22     blis.com, 1254, DIRECT, 61453ae19a4b73f4 #tam
             → sellers_json: https://blis.com/sellers.json
line 49     smartadserver.com, 4012, RESELLER
             → sellers_json: https://smartadserver.com/sellers.json
line 83     media.net, 8CAOGYLTK, RESELLER
             → sellers_json: https://media.net/sellers.json
line 101    google.com, pub-6610802604051523, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0
             → sellers_json: https://realtimebidding.google.com/sellers.json
line 102    google.com, pub-4199439549452353, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0
             → sellers_json: https://realtimebidding.google.com/sellers.json
line 290    vidazoo.com, 5f32d40247485e0015012550, DIRECT, b6ada874b4d7d0b2 #prebid
             → sellers_json: https://vidazoo.com/sellers.json
line 324    wunderkind.co, 6158, DIRECT
             → sellers_json: https://wunderkind.co/sellers.json
line 325    triplelift.com, 13157, DIRECT, 6c33edb13117fd86
             → sellers_json: https://triplelift.com/sellers.json

warning

Lines for ad system domains that don't resolve

1 −1 pts

These ad system domains don't resolve (the domain may be retired, merged or misspelled). The lines can't be validated, and if the domain is registered again, its new holder would appear authorized.

How to fixRemove these lines. If the domain is registered again, its new holder would appear authorized by your file.

Evidence (1)

line 50     districtm.io,101716, DIRECT, 3fd707be9c4527c3
             → ad_system: districtm.io

info

DIRECT accounts registered to another domain

37 −6 pts

Allowed when the domain belongs to the same company; add OWNERDOMAIN to make that explicit. Otherwise these accounts may belong to someone else.

How to fixIf the account is yours under another domain, declare it with OWNERDOMAIN=<that domain>; otherwise mark it RESELLER.

Evidence (25 of 37)

line 11     aps.amazon.com, 3070, DIRECT #tam-web
             → domain in sellers.json: sfgate.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Newspapers LLC.
line 12     aps.amazon.com,aac91d0f-447c-4bf5-8a8b-d4d4b038cec9,DIRECT
             → domain in sellers.json: sfgate.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Newspapers
line 16     seedtag.com, 66ec6c50c3f79200075f2fa8, DIRECT #prebid
             → domain in sellers.json: verylocal.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Television
line 28     connatix.com, 702163102274983, DIRECT, 2af98acdee0e81ed
             → domain in sellers.json: verylocal.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Newspapers, LLC dba San Antonio Express-News
line 91     tritondigital.com, 189983, DIRECT, 19b4454d0b87b58b
             → domain in sellers.json: everlit.audio  name in sellers.json: Everlit Inc.
line 111    hashtag-labs.com, 1000000750, DIRECT
             → domain in sellers.json: seattlepi.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst
line 127    liveintent.com, 59602, DIRECT #WCVB
             → domain in sellers.json: https://sli.kcci.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Television, Inc.
line 128    liveintent.com, 59543, DIRECT #KCRA
             → domain in sellers.json: https://sli.kcci.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Television, Inc.
line 129    liveintent.com, 59741, DIRECT #WYFF4
             → domain in sellers.json: https://sli.kcci.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Television, Inc.
line 130    liveintent.com, 59610, DIRECT #WGAL
             → domain in sellers.json: https://sli.kcci.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Television, Inc.
line 131    liveintent.com, 59720, DIRECT #WMUR
             → domain in sellers.json: https://sli.kcci.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Television, Inc.
line 132    liveintent.com, 59609, DIRECT #WESH
             → domain in sellers.json: https://sli.kcci.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Television, Inc.
line 133    liveintent.com, 59549, DIRECT #KETV
             → domain in sellers.json: https://sli.kcci.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Television, Inc.
line 134    liveintent.com, 59508, DIRECT #KCCI
             → domain in sellers.json: https://sli.kcci.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Television, Inc.
line 135    liveintent.com, 59601, DIRECT #WBALTV
             → domain in sellers.json: https://sli.kcci.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Television, Inc.
line 136    liveintent.com, 59723, DIRECT #WTAE
             → domain in sellers.json: https://sli.kcci.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Television, Inc.
line 137    liveintent.com, 59603, DIRECT #WDSU
             → domain in sellers.json: https://sli.kcci.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Television, Inc.
line 138    liveintent.com, 59611, DIRECT #WISN
             → domain in sellers.json: https://sli.kcci.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Television, Inc.
line 139    liveintent.com, 59701, DIRECT #WLWT
             → domain in sellers.json: https://sli.kcci.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Television, Inc.
line 140    liveintent.com, 59718, DIRECT #WPBF
             → domain in sellers.json: https://sli.kcci.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Television, Inc.
line 141    liveintent.com, 59553, DIRECT #KMBC
             → domain in sellers.json: https://sli.kcci.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Television, Inc.
line 142    liveintent.com, 59554, DIRECT #KOAT
             → domain in sellers.json: https://sli.kcci.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Television, Inc.
line 143    liveintent.com, 59699, DIRECT #WLKY
             → domain in sellers.json: https://sli.kcci.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Television, Inc.
line 144    liveintent.com, 59719, DIRECT #WMTW
             → domain in sellers.json: https://sli.kcci.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Television, Inc.
line 145    liveintent.com, 59740, DIRECT #WXII12
             → domain in sellers.json: https://sli.kcci.com  name in sellers.json: Hearst Television, Inc.

info

Duplicate lines

7 −1 pts

Harmless but a sign of copy-paste maintenance.

How to fixRemove duplicates; keep one copy of each line.

Evidence (7)

ad_system: freewheel.tv  seller_id: 1064705  relationship: RESELLER
ad_system: smartadserver.com  seller_id: 4342  relationship: RESELLER
ad_system: rubiconproject.com  seller_id: 18694  relationship: RESELLER
ad_system: google.com  seller_id: pub-1301581561755234  relationship: DIRECT
ad_system: indexexchange.com  seller_id: 183753  relationship: RESELLER
ad_system: rubiconproject.com  seller_id: 9095  relationship: DIRECT
ad_system: rubiconproject.com  seller_id: 15896  relationship: DIRECT

info

Ad systems without a public sellers.json

The ad system doesn't publish a readable sellers.json, so nobody can verify these lines. That's the ad system's gap, not the app's, so no points are deducted.

How to fixAsk the partner to publish sellers.json; until then buyers can't verify that path.

Evidence (25 of 30)

line 32     gannett.com, 22597229605, RESELLER
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 36     openx.com, 539496816, RESELLER, 6a698e2ec38604c6
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 43     freewheel.tv, 1064705, RESELLER
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 54     openx.com, 540274407, RESELLER, 6a698e2ec38604c6
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 66     openx.com, 540847574, RESELLER, 6a698e2ec38604c6
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 70     appnexus.com, 12753, RESELLER
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 86     appnexus.com, 13099, RESELLER
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 94     appnexus.com, 1577, RESELLER, f5ab79cb980f11d1
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 108    appnexus.com, 2758, RESELLER, f5ab79cb980f11d1
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 122    appnexus.com, 8173, RESELLER, f5ab79cb980f11d1
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 185    facebook.com, 4218776721767904, DIRECT, c3e20eee3f780d68
             → sellers_json: HTML or login page instead of JSON
line 188    appnexus.com, 12464, DIRECT, f5ab79cb980f11d1 #tam-web
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 189    freewheel.tv, 1064705, RESELLER
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 193    openx.com, 540780517, RESELLER, 6a698e2ec38604c6
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 198    openx.com, 566386312, RESELLER, 6a698e2ec38604c6
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 203    appnexus.com, 8035, RESELLER, f5ab79cb980f11d1
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 204    openx.com, 540709535, RESELLER, 6a698e2ec38604c6
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 208    zetaglobal.net, 989, RESELLER
             → sellers_json: HTTP 404
line 226    ogury.com, 95a06486-2553-45ee-a832-72b87daa1275, DIRECT #tam-web
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 227    appnexus.com, 11470, RESELLER
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 236    openx.com, 539723244, DIRECT, 6a698e2ec38604c6 #ob
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 237    openx.com, 539776080, DIRECT, 6a698e2ec38604c6 #tam
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 238    openx.com, 540020987, DIRECT, 6a698e2ec38604c6 #prebid
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 239    openx.com, 566087420, DIRECT, 6a698e2ec38604c6 #nimbus
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 240    openx.com, 539723245, DIRECT, 6a698e2ec38604c6 #app
             → sellers_json: HTTP 403

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