Top News:


Sources: LA Times troubles can be traced to Tronc board manipulation by Eddy Hartenstein, Michael Ferro; Ferro seems to be using Tronc for personal enrichment — After years of painful, protracted decline, the Los Angeles Times has recently descended into chaos: There have been three editors …
Discussion:
@dylanbyers
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Kimi Yoshino returns to LA Times following her suspension by D'Vorkin on suspicion of leaking to outside newspapers about internal turmoil — Kimi Yoshino, the Los Angeles Times business editor unceremoniously suspended last week without a public explanation, is returning to work Thursday.
Discussion:
@byandreachang, NPR, @davidfolkenflik, @shelbygrad and @kyoshino


YouTube says it will start labeling videos from state-funded broadcasters like PBS and RT, considers surfacing videos from credible sources alongside hoaxes — Google unit to provide more context around some videos — YouTube said it is planning changes to give users more context …


Media was escorted from RNC's winter meeting on Thursday as Trump called them “haters” and criticized State of the Union address coverage — Media was escorted out of the Republican National Committee's winter meeting on Thursday just as President Donald Trump labeled them …
Discussion:
Voice of America


Financial Times acquires majority stake in London-based research and content firm Longitude — The Financial Times is bolstering its commercial offering for clients with the acquisition of London-based research company Longitude. — With 910,000 paying print and digital readers …
Discussion:
Financial Times, Longitude, Media Star and Talking Biz News


Spotify is testing Stations, a Pandora-style free music app which includes some personalization options but is currently only available on some Android devices — Music streaming service Spotify released a new Android app that's all about free music Tuesday.
Discussion:
TechCrunch


One-day snapshot of Facebook Instant Articles usage shows 38 of 72 publishers did not post a single Instant Article; long-term analysis shows downward trend — More than half of Facebook's launch partners on Instant Articles appear to have abandoned the format, new Tow Center research suggests.


AT&T looks to launch next-gen version of DirecTV Now this spring and a voice-controlled client that supports DirecTV Now and other OTT services by end of year — Will launch next-gen DirecTV Now platform this spring, new thin-client streaming device by end of year


After dominating Sundance for the past two years, Amazon and Netflix skip acquisitions at the festival this year and instead focus on in-house productions — “Frankly, I was confused,” says one agent as the top streamers suddenly give festival fare the cold shoulder in favor of homegrown originals …
Discussion:
The New York Observer


Medium hires Siobhan O'Connor, who had been executive editor of Time, as vice president of editorial, reporting to Ev Williams — Time Inc. vet editor Siobhan O'Connor will be in charge of creating stories to pull readers past the paywall. — Medium, the pro-am Web-publishing outfit founded …
Discussion:
@joepompeo, @pierce and @sarahfrier


Researchers say publisher of Newsweek and IBTimes used fraudulent methods to inflate traffic to get ad deals; company acknowledges buying traffic, denies fraud — Several of Newsweek Media Group's business websites are buying and manipulating traffic that originates on pirated video streaming sites.
Discussion:
New York Post, USA Today, Newsweek, @joshfromalaska, @thejoshkeefe, Mic, The Wrap and @swiftonsecurity
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Sources: CNN cuts tech staff working on MoneyStream app, which began in 2016 and offered information on stocks and personalities, may delete app from App Store — CNN MoneyStream, which CNN wanted to shape into a Bleacher Report for business news, will become an automated feed of stories.


CBS and Viacom say both companies have formed board committees to explore a merger — CBS and Viacom are nearer to officially starting talks on reuniting. — The companies said in separate statements Thursday that their boards have formed exploratory committees to mull a deal.
Discussion:
FierceCable, Adweek, The Wrap, Wall Street Journal, Variety, Broadcasting & Cable, Radio & Television …, PR Newswire, @asharma and Los Angeles Times