Top News:


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., Variety, New York Magazine, Tech Insider, Techly, CraveOnline, @lafond66, Tech Times, @masterpj55, Gizmodo, Mashable, The Verge, The Next Web, Tech Times, The Drum and Polygon


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.


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


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


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:
@dangillmor, @richnewton, @petenonsense, CNET, EW.com, CraveOnline, BelfastTelegraph.co.uk, Digital Spy, Digital TV Europe, @loritodd, Look, Collider, @mathewi and The Express TribuneThe …

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, @wloosen, @voxproduct and @raju


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, @asme1963, @alexismadrigal, @mollyesque, FishbowlDC and @joshuatopolsky


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


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 …


European Court of Human Rights rules news websites are not responsible for “insulting and rude” reader comments in case against Hungarian website — News sites not liable for ‘insulting and rude’ reader comments, says ECHR — Hungarian website argued that holding it liable …


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


The BBC will keep the Olympics on free-to-air TV until 2024 after agreeing a rights partnership with Discovery — The BBC will keep the Olympics on free-to-air TV until 2024 after agreeing a rights partnership with Discovery — New agreement marks a sporting rights victory for the corporation.
Discussion:
The Independent, Variety, Deadline, Broadcasting & Cable, Guardian, BBC Sport, Engadget, Associated Press, Hollywood Reporter, News and Prolific North


UN investigation into Julian Assange detention to report findings Friday, may rule he is being held in UK illegally — United Nations panel could rule in favour of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange — Julian Assange has been in the Ecuadorean embassy in London for more than three years.
Discussion:
Justice for Assange, globalnews.ca, @suigenerisjen and Sputnik International