Top News:
Sam Machkovech / Ars Technica:
YouTube stars Fine Brothers rescind plans to trademark terms and license assets related to their “react” videos after backlash — Fine Bros back down, rescind trademark claim on the word “react” — Claim was for “programs... in the field of observing, interviewing groups of people.”
Discussion:
Fine Brothers Ent., Techdirt, Mashable, Variety, New York Magazine, Tech Insider, Techly, CraveOnline, @lafond66, Tech Times, Gizmodo, @masterpj55, The Verge, The Next Web, Tech Times, The Drum and Polygon
RELATED:
Hank Green:
Fine Brothers controversy explained: how an ill-advised trademark activated a hateful internet mob, leading to 250K lost followers and capitulation — The Fine Brothers Controversy Explained — One of the largest YouTube channels in the world just lost over 250,000 subscribers. Why?
Discussion:
@caseynewton, Tech Insider and Techly
Tatiana Siegel / Hollywood Reporter:
Studios reexamine strategy as Netflix and Amazon shift Sundance focus to streaming rights instead of theatrical release, buy 6 high-profile films each — Sundance Wrap: Why Netflix and Amazon Dominance Matters — The streaming giants scored a combined 12 high-profile acquisitions.
Amanda Connolly / The Next Web:
Instagram launches 28-part thriller series, Shield 5, posting 15-second clips daily — Instagram kicks off its very own 28-part thriller series — Instagram has made its first foray into the world of filmmaking, launching its very own 28-part thriller series.
Discussion:
@petenonsense, CraveOnline, BelfastTelegraph.co.uk, Digital Spy, Digital TV Europe, @loritodd, Look, CNET, Collider, @richnewton, @mathewi, @dangillmor, EW.com and The Express TribuneThe …
Daniel Holloway / The Wrap:
Fox to cut spending on film, TV staff by $250M through voluntary buyouts — Fox Pursues $250 Million in TV, Film Staff Buyouts — Media giant 21st Century Fox is looking to cut spending on film and television staff by $250 million this year through buyouts.
Discussion:
Variety, Media & Entertainment, Broadcasting & Cable and Hollywood Reporter
Dee Lockett / Vulture:
Recording Industry Association of America starts counting on-demand streaming audio and video toward certifying albums as gold or platinum sellers — The RIAA Finally Bows to Streaming, Making 17 Artists' Albums Go Gold and Platinum — This is huge. — Call it the Anti effect, or just call it getting hip to the times.
Discussion:
The Atlantic, RIAA, RAIN News, Guardian, Music Business Worldwide, CraveOnline, Business Insider, International Business Times, Complex, NPR, Complex, Billboard and The Verge
Emily Steel / New York Times:
Industry executives complain that Nielsen data does not reflect consumers' evolving viewing habits — Nielsen Playing Catch-Up as TV Viewing Habits Change and Digital Rivals Spring Up — Dennis Cheatham said he felt as if he were receiving a message from the past last May when a package arrived …
Discussion:
@rafat, @timherrera and @miriamgottfried
Jeff Sonderman / American Press Institute:
American Press Institute paper on news as a product outlines best practices for the emerging role of product manager in news organizations — Best practices for product management in news organizations — News is a product. — Conceptually, that is a leap for people from traditional reporting and editing roles.
Discussion:
Nieman Lab, @david_arkin, @wloosen, @voxproduct, @sgraslie and @raju
Alexandra Steigrad / WWD:
The American Society of Magazine Editors Crowns The Atlantic Magazine of the Year at Ellies — The magazine industry gathered Monday night for the 50th annual National Magazine Awards or “Ellies,” which were held at the Grand Hyatt in Midtown East in New York.
Discussion:
Adweek, FishbowlNY, Folio, Ad Age, Media Life Magazine, @mlcalderone, @alexismadrigal, @mollyesque, @asme1963, FishbowlDC and @joshuatopolsky
Joshua Brustein / Bloomberg Business:
Most online publishers hesitate to take action against ad-blockers for fear of upsetting readers — Why Most Websites Look the Other Way on Ad Blockers — Online publishers rage against ad blockers, but they're not doing much about them yet. — Randall Rothenberg doesn't want anyone …
Discussion:
Broadcasting & Cable
Janko Roettgers / Variety:
Fox Innovation Lab hosts two day summit for virtual and augmented reality experts — Fox Innovation Lab Explores Virtual and Augmented Reality with Two-Day Summit (Exclusive) — Around 80 virtual and augmented reality experts are congregating in Los Angeles Tuesday and Wednesday this week …
Georg Szalai / Hollywood Reporter:
SiriusXM reports Q4 earnings of $135M; adds 2.28M new subs, highest growth since 2007 — The satellite radio company controlled by John Malone's Liberty Media added 2.28 million net new subs and continues to add 1.4 million in 2016. — Satellite radio giant SiriusXM Radio …
Discussion:
RAIN News, RTTNews, PR Newswire, Benzinga and @bevysmith