Top News:
Michael Calderone / The Huffington Post:
Al Jazeera America Digital Journalists Unionize — “A troubling lack of transparency, inconsistent management and lack of clear redress have persisted.” Digital journalists at Al Jazeera America have voted to unionize, joining a growing number of digital newsrooms that have organized in recent months.
Discussion:
Politico, International Business Times and @etammykim
Ingrid Lunden / TechCrunch:
AOL Confirms It Is Buying Millennial Media In $238M Deal To Expand In Mobile Ads — This just in: AOL, itself acquired by Verizon for $4.4 billion earlier this year, has announced that it is making another purchase of its own. It is buying Millennial Media as it continues to build …
Discussion:
Business Wire, Adweek, Forbes, VentureBeat, The Wrap, The Drum, ZDNet, Variety, Re/code, Wall Street Journal, AdExchanger and Fortune
Suzan Fraser / Associated Press:
Turkish official says two Vice News journalists have been released, assistant remains in custody — Turkish official: 2 Vice News journalists freed from jail — ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Two Vice News journalists who were arrested in Turkey on terror-related charges have been released from jail …
Discussion:
Al Jazeera English, Guardian, BBC, UPI, The Independent, ITV, Associated Press, en.europeonline-magazine.eu, VICE News, Gawker, Reuters, Jerusalem Post, @breakingnews, Poynter, TodaysZaman, VICE News and Guardian
Janko Roettgers / Variety:
Images of demo site for Comcast's online video service Watchable shows an emphasis on editor-driven curation and featured playlists — A Sneak Peek At Watchable, Comcast's Online Video Service (EXCLUSIVE) — The cat is out of the bag for Watchable, the online video service that Comcast …
Discussion:
Multichannel News and American Press Institute
Natalie Jarvey / Hollywood Reporter:
Fullscreen Shakes Up Original Programming Efforts as Content Chief Departs — Michael Goldfine joined the digital media company in October to head its original programming effort. — Fullscreen's original content division is getting an overhaul. — Chief content officer Michael Goldfine …
Discussion:
Variety, Tubefilter and VideoInk
Ben Sisario / New York Times:
Universal Music Q2: $1.4B revenue, $138M earnings with 34% increase in subscription and streaming services during first half of 2015 — Universal Music Posts Strong Results, and Streaming Is a Bright Spot — In another sign of the growing importance of online streaming to the music business …
Discussion:
hypebot, Tech Trader Daily, Reuters, Bloomberg Business, Wall Street Journal, Music Business Worldwide and Billboard
Steven Millward / Tech in Asia:
Alibaba launches Netflix-like subscription video streaming service TBO, priced at about $57 per year — Alibaba launches subscription video streaming, priced at $57 per year — Alibaba today rolled out its much-anticipated Netflix-style subscription video service.
Discussion:
Tech Times, TechCrunch, CNET, South China Morning Post and VentureBeat
Scott Moritz / Bloomberg Business:
Source: Verizon will launch its Go90 mobile video service in coming days, with free ad-supported shows from AOL, Awesomeness TV, Vice Media, and Viacom — Verizon Said to Start Pared-Down Video Service in Coming Days — Company plans low-key introduction, relying on social media
Discussion:
FishbowlNY, SlashGear, @caseynewton and Multichannel News
Brian Stelter / CNNMoney:
After murders, colleagues and rivals rush to side of Virginia's WDBJ — As the WDBJ newsroom in Roanoke, Virginia, grappled with the most painful story in its history, the murder of two co-workers on live TV, it had exemplary help from counterparts in other states.
Discussion:
@donlday
Janko Roettgers / Variety:
Taking A Cue From Netflix, Music Service Rhapsody Goes After Kids — Streaming music service Rhapsody is getting ready to unveil a new user interface for children. The new interface, which will accessible within the existing Rhapsody app, will feature a curated selection of music …
Dominic Patten / Deadline:
Sony Pictures and former employees reach agreement in principle to settle lawsuit stemming from data breach last fall — Sony Hacking Class Action Lawsuit Reaches Settlement — EXCLUSIVE: Ten months after the studio was ripped apart by a massive hack attack and thousands …
Discussion:
The Verge and New York Times