Top News:
Reuters:
Sources: Viacom executive Doug Herzog, who oversaw Comedy Central and MTV, is leaving in restructuring after the appointment of Bob Bakish as Viacom CEO — Longtime Viacom Inc (VIAB.O) executive Doug Herzog, who oversees the networks Comedy Central and MTV, is expected to leave the company next month …
Discussion:
The Wrap, Deadline, Deadline, Hollywood Reporter, Broadcasting & Cable, Variety, TVWeek.com, CNNMoney, @keachhagey and Fortune
Alexandra Steigrad / WWD:
Sources: Jared Kushner is trying to sell the New York Observer, with National Enquirer parent American Media rumored to be a potential buyer — According to insiders, Kushner has been quietly shopping the Observer to potential buyers. — Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump at the Met Gala, May 2016.
Discussion:
Media Matters for America, Fortune, Mediaite, @dylanbyers, The Real Deal New York, @pkafka, @pkafka and New York Magazine
Stephen Battaglio / Los Angeles Times:
Sources: Katie Couric will fill in as co-anchor on NBC's Today Show for one week from January 2, alongside Matt Lauer, covering Savannah Guthrie — Katie Couric, shown last January, was co-anchor of “Today” from 1991 to 2006. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Discussion:
TVWeek.com, Mediaite, Hollywood Reporter, Jezebel, @jpodhoretz, @brianstelter, Variety, Refinery29 and TVNewser
Rachael Bade / Politico:
Sources: Attacks from Breitbart and other pro-Trump bloggers and media personalities are having a chilling effect on discourse within the Republican Party — Lawmakers are loath to say anything remotely critical, fearful they might set off the president-elect or his horde of enforcers.
Discussion:
Hot Air, New York Magazine, @pantsuitpolitic, @jestei, @fahrenthold, Mediaite, Vanity Fair, @jyarow, Media Matters for America, @emilylhauser, Mother Jones, @peternickeas, @joyannreid, The Daily Caller, @resnikoff, @bterris, @mattyglesias, @therickwilson, @mattyglesias, @clarajeffery, @ericgarland, @evan_mcmullin and @sarahkendzior
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Disney-ABC to produce several original series for Snapchat, in bid to target younger viewers, starting with an after-party show for The Bachelor, debuting Jan 3 — Snapchat has pulled Disney-ABC Television Group into its expanding original programming orbit, with the parties setting …
Discussion:
Deadline, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, Engadget, Vanity Fair, Adweek, The Wrap, Fortune, Broadcasting & Cable and The Verge
Tony Connelly / The Drum:
Vice removes its comments sections; in a post, Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Smith said too often, the sections devolved into racist and misogynistic abuse — Vice has revealed that it is taking the bold step of removing the comments sections from its online platforms, citing a lack of time or desire to continue monitoring “crap”.
Discussion:
Mediaite, @mathewi and @alexckaufman
Christopher Meighan / Nieman Lab:
Tech advances in mobile offer publishers new opportunities to interact with readers in 2017 by way of lock screens, messaging apps, and partner integrations — Does it add value? Will it enrich a subscriber's experience? These are the questions we always come back to when discussing new features for apps.
Kelsey Sutton / Politico:
Poll: 49% of Trump voters believe it should be easier to sue the media, with 38% also supporting cuts to federal spending on media — Around half of self-identified Donald Trump voters said in a survey this week that courts should make it easier for public figures to sue the media.
Discussion:
@lexalexander, @nedrapickler, @christoronyi, @aphoenixalice, Mediaite, Refinery29 and FishbowlNY
WRAL-TV:
McClatchy buys the print and digital operations of North Carolina's Durham Herald-Sun from the Paxton Media Group — RALEIGH, N.C. — McClatchy, the owner of Raleigh's daily newspaper, The News & Observer, announced on Wednesday that is had completed a deal to purchase the print and digital operations of The (Durham, NC) Herald-Sun.
Discussion:
@davemildenberg, @rl_bynum and Raleigh News & Observer
Pamela Engel / Business Insider:
After granting an interview to STAT News, Trump's doctor told reporter Ike Swetlitz he'd never work again if the story were published — President-elect Donald Trump's doctor recently gave an interview to a health publication and then threatened to end the reporter's career if he published it.
Discussion:
Washington Post, @oliverdarcy, FishbowlDC, ABC News, @ericgeller, Mediaite, @kagrox, @dataeditor, @sopandeb, AOL, Jezebel, New York Magazine and The Week
Tom Standage / Press Gazette:
Economist Deputy Editor and Digital Strategy Chief Tom Standage: We expect display advertising to have disappeared by 2025 — Economist deputy editor and digital strategy head Tom Standage on why news publishers need to say goodbye to advertising... The majority of our revenue (65 per cent and rising) comes from circulation.
Discussion:
@tomskitomski, Thanks:@steverubel
Sarah Perez / TechCrunch:
Family-friendly streaming service VidAngel refuses to shut down, despite court order filed by Warner Bros, Disney and Fox, which want VidAngel held in contempt — Family friendly streaming service VidAngel is refusing to shut down, in defiance of a court order issued earlier in December.
Discussion:
Broadcasting & Cable and Variety
Amanda Hess / New York Times:
A look at different types of political bots on Twitter: many spread propaganda or seek to defame certain goups, but some fight disinformation or hunt imposters — Some robot accounts protest; others expose racists; and at least one — aimed at people looking for a fight — keeps them busy talking to a brick wall.
Discussion:
@amandahess, @jonnysun, @amy_siskind, @pierre, @davidakin and CNET
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