Top News:


Sources: Spotify to test allowing some musicians to temporarily withhold music from ad-supported version of the service — Spotify to Allow Some Musicians to Withhold Music From Free Service — Last year Taylor Swift pulled her entire catalog from Spotify because the streaming service …
Discussion:
Forbes, Business Insider, TechHive, TIME, AllAccess.com, Engadget, The Verge, Gizmodo, Mashable and Music Business Worldwide
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Sources: Yahoo won't move forward with Alibaba spinoff, will instead examine a deal involving its core business — Yahoo will not move forward with Alibaba spinoff: Sources — Yahoo is announcing it will not move forward with plans to spin off its stake in Alibaba, reports CNBC's David Faber.
Discussion:
Forbes, Deadline, New York Times, The Wrap, USA Today, VentureBeat, TechCrunch, Re/code, Re/code, Washington Post, ZDNet, CNNMoney, Variety, Fortune and Business Insider


Diane Rehm, host of her self-titled news show that aired nationally on NPR for two decades, plans to retire after 2016 election — Diane Rehm, an NPR staple, eyes retirement from broadcasting — Diane Rehm, the host of one of public radio's longest-running and most popular news discussion programs …
Discussion:
Mediaite, CNNMoney, Radio & Television …, Politico, Talking Points Memo and @brianstelter


Apple News app updates with a “Top Stories” tab curated by editors and adds Comscore integration so publishers can get credit from advertisers for traffic — Apple Updates Its News App to Make It More Like a ... Newspaper — Apple is tweaking its News app …
Discussion:
Forbes, 9to5Mac, MacRumors, App Advice and The Next Web


Amazon Starts Building Its Own Bundle by Selling Showtime, Starz and More With Amazon Prime — Amazon has a new weapon to boost its video streaming service against competitors like Netflix and YouTube: Other people's streaming services. — Starting today, Amazon will give its Amazon Prime subscribers …
Discussion:
Fast Company, Ad Age, Digital Journal, Mashable, Home Media Magazine, Broadcasting & Cable and The Wrap


AT&T launching OTT mobile service in January, is considering developing original content — AT&T to Launch Mobile Entertainment Service, CEO Says — Randall Stephenson at the UBS media and communications conference in New York also discusses hopes to create more original content …
Discussion:
Amazon.com, Light Reading, Engadget, VatorNews, TechCrunch, VideoNuze Analysis, SlashGear, VentureBeat, App Advice, The Wrap, @jonsteinberg, The Verge and The Wrap

Media General Rebuffs Sweetened Takeover Bid From Nexstar — Nexstar privately raised bid to about $16.30 a share — Media General Inc. has rebuffed a sweetened takeover bid from Nexstar Broadcasting Group Inc., leaving the two TV station owners at a negotiating impasse, according to people familiar with the matter.


Refinery29 promotes EVP of Programming Amy Emmerich to chief content officer, a newly-created role at the company — Amy Emmerich Named Chief Content Officer of Refinery29 — Refinery29 has named Amy Emmerich chief content officer, a new role at the company. Emmerich was most recently executive vp of programming.


Arianna Huffington announces The Huffington Post will no longer relegate Trump to its entertainment section, noting his impact on other candidates — A Note on Trump: We Are No Longer Entertained — Earlier today, the candidate currently leading in the polls for the Republican presidential …
Discussion:
Donald J Trump for President, ABC News, TVNewser, New York Times, Associated Press, BBC, Business Insider, Vox, Washington Post, FishbowlDC, Here & Now, Fox News, Vanity Fair, Variety, Talking Points Memo, American Press Institute, Mediaite, bookforum.com, USA Today, The Wrap, Poynter, Fast Company, Washington Times, Fortune, Medium, @ntagouri, @mlcalderone, @trinhtheresado, Politico, @dylanbyers, @lheron and @digiphile


MGM Leads $18.2 Million Investment in Video Start-Up Interlude — MGM led an $18.2 million round of investment in Interlude, an Israeli start-up leading development of interactive online video. — MGM chairman and CEO Gary Barber also joined Interlude's board as observer.
Discussion:
VentureBeat, Variety and Deadline


Disney raises its ownership stake in Vice to 10% or about $400M — Disney Doubles Ownership Stake In Vice to 10% — Walt Disney Co. has raised its ownership stake in Vice Media to about 10%, or about $400 million, according to a person familiar with the situation.
Discussion:
New York Times, Ad Age, Reuters and The Huffington Post


Guardian US CEO Eamonn Store says if he didn't work for the company, he'd block ads; says ad tech not good at identifying unsavoury advertisers and ads — Guardian CEO: Why Is It So Hard To Keep Gun Ads Off Our Site? — “If I didn't work for the Guardian, I would block ads,” said Guardian US CEO Eamonn Store.
Discussion:
@mattpointblank and @mrdrewhuening