Mediagazer: NPR's podcast measurement technology RAD has sparked debate within the industry, with Overcast's Marco Arment expressing concerns about tracking and privacy (Mathew Ingram/Columbia Journalism Review)

10:00 PM ET, December 18, 2018

Top News:

Guru Gowrappan / Verizon:

On January 8, Oath, which was created from Verizon's acquisitions of Yahoo and AOL, will be rebranded as Verizon Media Group — Verizon Media Group will replace the Oath brand, representing our strong alignment as a core pillar of Verizon's business. — I'm excited today to share …

Joe Pompeo / Vanity Fair:

Interview with Politico's Robert Allbritton on digital media, including Axios, and possible expansion into other areas beyond politics and policy — Despite some management upheaval, Politico has apparently been able to avoid the financial panic that has seized many of its peers.

Discussion: @timfernholz, @kelseymsutton, @joepompeo, @ddiamond, @dylanbyers, @gbrotman, @morningmoneyben, @jasonschwartz, @bmorrissey, @daviduberti and @dylanbyers

Jason Schwartz / Politico:

Ousted NPR exec Michael Oreskes and ex-Fox News editor John Moody to help launch a news site; CEO says he is not worried about past allegations against them — The site's founder says it will remedy the media's trust problems, but two top hires left their previous jobs after allegations of harassment and racism.

Discussion: @kevin_stank, @ggreeneva, @katchow, @jmsummers, @ericuman, @emilyasullivan, @dacheslow, @robtornoe, @pamela_vogel, @ckrewson and @dangillmor

Jeremy Barr / Hollywood Reporter:

Tucker Carlson loses at least 14 advertisers from his Fox News show, including Ancestry.com and NerdWallet, after his comments about immigrants — The host claimed on Monday night that he is “not intimidated” by the backlash and stands by what he said last week.

Emily Dreyfuss / Wired:

Amnesty International calls Twitter a “toxic place for women” in a study of 288,000 tweets aimed at 778 female journalists and politicians from the US and UK — FOR MANY WOMEN, especially journalists, politicians, and other public figures, Twitter is something to endure.

Discussion: Press Gazette, @nancyleong, @nxthompson, @sarahspain, @pronounced_ing, @emilydreyfuss, @thepbg, @nicole_soojung, @nototally, @pronounced_ing, @maramadavidson, Motherboard, Rewire.News and Fast Company, more at Techmeme »

Committee to Protect Journalists:

The Committee to Protect Journalists and First Look Media's press freedom defense fund aims to raise $500K for legal support, with Rappler as a recipient — International Center for Journalists and Reporters Without Borders Join Fundraising Campaign with Leading Organizations Fighting for Global Press Freedom

Discussion: @sulliview, @jeffjarvis, @alextarquinio and @joelcpj

Wall Street Journal:

Trump adviser Roger Stone settles $100M defamation lawsuit brought by Chinese businessman over claims he made on InfoWars, admits making false statements — Trump adviser made the admission in settling a defamation suit brought against him by an exiled Chinese businessman

Discussion: Washington Post, NBC News, Fortune, @paulmwatson, @kylegriffin1, @amy_siskind, @justinhendrix, @tornadoesboreme, @sarahsmith2018, @shelbyholliday, Wonkette, The Wrap, Newser, The Week and Mediaite

Mike Masnick / Techdirt:

As EU debates Article 13, which would require sites to have an “upload filter”, a look at the failures of YouTube's sophisticated ContentID system — The entire Article 13 debate is a weird one. It appears that both the recording industry and the film industry are going for broke on this one.

Discussion: @mmasnick

Todd Spangler / Variety:

Sources: while Facebook had informal talks with cable networks including HBO and Showtime, it currently has no plans to launch a subscription video product — Is Facebook about to become cable TV provider? Don't bet on it. — The social giant has held informal discussions …

Discussion: @mattnavarra

Mathew Ingram / Columbia Journalism Review:

NPR's podcast measurement technology RAD has sparked debate within the industry, with Overcast's Marco Arment expressing concerns about tracking and privacy — Until recently, it hasn't been easy to measure the success of podcasts, beyond how many people download them …

more at Techmeme »

Sahil Patel / Digiday:

A look at how CBS is adding local news channels to its streaming service CBSN, starting with CBSN in New York, with plans to launch in LA in 2019 — CBS News plans to provide more local news coverage on connected TV screens. — Last week, CBS Television Stations and the company's digital arm …

Discussion: @maghielse and @awolk

Adam Jacobson / Radio & Television Business Report:

DOJ's antitrust division approves Gray's merger with Raycom Media on the condition that companies will sell overlapping TV stations in nine local markets — The Department of Justice late Friday gave its formal approval of Gray Television's merger with Raycom Media.

Discussion: TVSpy and Broadcasting & Cable

Todd Spangler / Variety:

A branded content section of WSJ's website was hacked on Monday, with a message posted praising YouTuber PewDiePie; he later tweeted a link to the page himself — Popular YouTube creator PewDiePie's ongoing battle to keep his channel's subscriber count No. 1 ahead of India's T-Series took …

Discussion: The Verge, @loudmouthjulia, @rajivpant, @max_read, Tubefilter, Engadget, Business Insider, Talking Biz News, iMediaEthics and New York Magazine

Joan E. Solsman / CNET:
Some of PewDiePie's fans are suspected of being behind a WSJ hack in which a message was posted claiming the paper had apologized to him for critical coverage

Discussion: @rajivpant, @danielpmcdermot and @cnet

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Who's Hiring in Media?

Bureau Reporter - Vietnam, HCMC — Bloomberg

Curation Editor (Contract), NY — Apple News

Business Editor, CA — TheWrap

Executive Ed. - Tech & Electronics, AZ — AspenCore

Economy & Industry Reporter, TX — Texas Tribune

Deputy Editor - Health Care, VA — Politico

Political Enterprise Editor, DC — Guardian US

Housing & Real Estate Reporter, ME — BDN

Associate Reporter - Yahoo Finance — Yahoo

Senior Editor, Remote — Raw Story

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US Foreign Affairs Correspondent, DC — FT

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More News:

Tim Baysinger / The Wrap:
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed the league is interested in acquiring Fox's regional sports networks, which Disney is required to divest after 21CF deal

Discussion: Multichannel News

Garett Sloane / Ad Age:
HQ Trivia postpones rollout of its premier HQ Words gameshow and Google ad campaign until later this week; sources say the company had ~$10M ad revenue in 2018

Discussion: Vanity Fair and Business Insider, more at Techmeme »

Tim Baysinger / The Wrap:
A former Wisconsin police sergeant is suing Netflix and the filmmakers behind the “Making A Murderer” series over his portrayal in it

Discussion: Fast Company

Tampa Bay Times:
The charitable trust of Nelson Poynter's 92-year-old widow is suing Tampa Bay Times parent company Times Publishing Co., claiming it's owed millions

Stewart Clarke / Variety:
BBC Names Fiona Campbell as New Head of Online Channel BBC Three

Reporters Without Borders:
RSF: number of journalists killed increased 15% YoY in 2018 to 63, with the US joining the list of the deadliest countries for the press

Discussion: @mallarytenore, NPR, @mediaeu, @johnmdonnelly, @greenslader, @conradhackett, @conradhackett, TVNewser and Press Gazette

Earlier Picks:

Ben Smith / Nieman Lab:
In 2019, the perceptions of media will move away from the 1980s-style media diet elevated by the president that emphasizes linear TV and legacy media

Discussion: @peretti, @buzzfeedben and @annehelen

Andrew McCormick / Columbia Journalism Review:
19-year-old Sammy Sussman penned a 6,500-word story for his university paper detailing four decades of sexual assault allegations against a music professor

Discussion: @cjr, @kennethbaer, @raju, @carolyngearig, @annaleighclark, @cjr, @nicktheandersen and @dongonyea

Sahil Patel / Digiday:
To drive subscribers to Fox Nation, its new streaming service, Fox is adding membership-type benefits like access to life events, discount on merchandise, more

Tucker Higgins / CNBC:
CBS board completes investigation of Les Moonves, says grounds to terminate exist, and he will not receive his $120M severance pay

Bloomberg:
Senate report: Instagram dwarfs all social networks in Russia's IRA posts and engagements, yet Facebook execs have not been upfront about this

Lesley Goldberg / Hollywood Reporter:
Netflix has named former ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey as its vice president of original content

Discussion: Variety, Variety, @kelleylcarter, @thrmattbelloni, @trevellanderson, Deadline, Fast Company, Observer, Ad Age, Vanity Fair and Adweek

From Techmeme:

Mark Gurman / Bloomberg:
Sources: Apple is working on a major Health app revamp and an AI doctor service, planned for H1 2026, and M5 updates for the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro this year

Wall Street Journal:
Sources detail tensions between Apple and Elon Musk's SpaceX over expanding satellite cellphone services; Apple discussed linking iPhones to SpaceX satellites

Bloomberg:
Chinese startup Manus, whose AI agent service is still in beta, announces a $39 per month Manus Starter plan and an upgraded $199 per month Pro tier

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