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While the Tribune-Sinclair deal is off, smaller local TV deals are still in the works, part of a broad media consolidation trend — Changes in decades-old broadcasting rules, combined with new types of competition in news and entertainment, are creating a drama-filled free-for-all as local U.S. broadcasters consolidate.
Discussion:
@davemorgannyc, Peter O'Kelly's Reality Check, Engadget, TechCrunch, The Daily Caller and CNNMoney
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Laura Ingraham's remarks about “massive demographic changes” fed into pattern of white nationalist ideas at Fox News, raising questions about Murdochs' stance — Fox News host addresses controversial comments — It wasn't so much a dog whistle as it was an airhorn. Or perhaps a primal scream.
Discussion:
The Atlantic, CNN, Mediaite, Vox, @juddapatow, Deadline, @brianstelter, Business Insider, Washington Post, Hollywood Reporter, @davidklion, HuffPost, Quartz, @joshscampbell, @nadinevdvelde, The Daily Beast, HuffPost and TV Tattle


Analysis of Infowars Twitter content shows videos that led to YouTube and other bans were still live, while other tweets showed more Twitter rules violations — Why Facebook,YouTube and Apple are removing InfoWars content — Twitter's vice president for trust and safety, Del Harvey …
Discussion:
Nieman Lab, Ad Age, Publishers Weekly, Vanity Fair, CNBC, Slate, Variety, infowars.com, @laurahazardowen, Fortune, The Guardian, The Verge, The Hill, Fast Company, @oliverdarcy, @oliverdarcy, @noahshachtman, @joshconstine, @oliverdarcy, TechCrunch, @sdkstl, @slpng_giants, @aliasvaughn, @noahshachtman, Mediaite, @nickgillespie, @nprinskeep, @eriqgardner, @oliverdarcy, New York Times and Axios, more at Techmeme »
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Sources describe how Mark Zuckerberg arrived at the decision to take down Infowars, finally making his decision after Apple's removal of Infowars podcasts — Late on Sunday, after returning to his hotel room on a trip away from home, Mark Zuckerberg made a decision he had hoped to avoid.
Discussion:
The Verge, infowars.com, Business Insider, Marketing Land, FOX News Radio and Facebook, more at Techmeme »


Regulatory filings show that Hulu lost about $357M in Q2 due to higher programming and marketing costs; parent companies to invest an additional $1.5B in 2018 — Parent companies to invest additional $1.5 billion in streaming venture in 2018 — Hulu's cash burn has accelerated …


How a producer and a writer worked together on a story about a McDonald's Monopoly game scam, sparking a movie-option bidding war and earning a $350K fee — On a Saturday in late July, the Daily Beast posted a story titled “McScam: How an Ex-Cop Rigged McDonald's Monopoly Game and Stole Millions” …
Discussion:
@alisonwillmore, @alexweprin, @gabrielsnyder, @jorcru, @mradamtaylor, @calebhannan, @ceilidhann, @sarahw and @emily_cohn


Condé Nast CEO outlines plan for growth: diversify revenue away from ads, shed titles, cut staff; says company is studio shopping to help boost video efforts — Owner of magazines including Vogue, Vanity Fair wants to diversify revenue away from advertising, shed some titles
Discussion:
@mplsgilyard, @mwityk, @erik_hayden, Daily Front Row and New York Post


Gannett reports mixed results for Q2, with net income of $16.3M on revenue of $730.8M, down from $774.5M in 2017 — MCLEAN, Va. - Gannett, which owns USA TODAY and 109 local media properties, said Thursday that digital revenues continued to climb during the second three months of 2018 …
Discussion:
Motley Fool, Press Release and MediaPost


Sumner Redstone's trust restricts sale of Viacom and CBS by prohibiting any merger leaving National Amusements shareholders with less than 30% of voting control — Trust restrictions on potential mergers would apply after Redstone's death or incapacitation


Facebook continues to test ways to deliver developing news; latest test lets publishers connect story updates, with readers getting notified of new content — By Alex Hardiman, Head of News Products — On June 23, 2018, floodwaters suddenly trapped a team of teenage soccer players who'd been exploring a cave complex in Thailand.


Motion picture academy partners with Linux Foundation to launch an open source foundation for developers working on animation, visual effects, and more — Open source is everywhere now, so maybe it's no surprise that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (yes, the organization behind the Oscars) …
Discussion:
VentureBeat and ASWF, more at Techmeme »


As small papers report more layoffs because of Trump's tariffs on Canadian newsprint, one study says US newsprint prices will rise 30%+ in one to two years — WASHINGTON — The Trump administration's decision to impose tariffs on Canadian newsprint is hastening the demise of local newspapers across …
Discussion:
@sulliview, Wisconsin Newspaper …, @spsullivan, @invw, The Rural Blog, @brettdl and @dangillmor


Sources: Donerail Group, led by former Starboard Value LP executive Will Wyatt, is in advanced talks to acquire Tronc — (Reuters) - Donerail Group, an investment firm led by former activist hedge fund Starboard Value LP executive Will Wyatt, is in talks to acquire Tronc Inc (TRNC.O) …
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune, @chicagotribune, CNNMoney, New York Post, @alexparker, @lynnemarek and @gerryfsmith
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Tronc reports Q2 revenue of $253M, up 3.9% YoY and net loss of $15.1M
Discussion:
Reuters, Business Insider, MarketWatch and @lynnemarek