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Netflix has removed an episode of “Patriot Act With Hasan Minhaj” in Saudi Arabia after the country complained about MBS criticism over Khashoggi murder in show — In an episode of “Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj,” the host criticizes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Yemen war.
Discussion:
Financial Times, @anujchopra, Variety, NPR, New York Times, @dabeard, CNN, Vanity Fair, @sarahleah1, @karenattiah, @dennisperkins5, @bartongellman, @stephenjmcmanus, @jamesaalongman, @jonrosenberg, @john_hudson, Business Insider, @hashashintag, @hawthornrants, @teymoornabili, @bungdan, @karenattiah, @dangillmor, @iyad_elbaghdadi, @kimmasters, @amiraminimd, @borzou, @djrothkopf, @pranavdixit, @bencnn, @theseantcollins, @bintabuahmed_ and TechCrunch


Books, movies, and songs published in 1923 have become free to use as copyrights expired January 1, the first significant US Public Domain Day in 20 years — For the first time in over 20 years, on January 1, 2019, published works will enter the US public domain.1 Works from 1923 will be free …
Discussion:
WHYY, Ars Technica, Fortune, Open Culture, Boing Boing, @spielerman, @gwenckatz, @pamelapaulnyt, @levistahl, @xor, @thepublicdomain, @harikunzru, @dolladollabille, @waxy, @scottmbeggs, Cincinnati.com, Quartz, Techdirt and The Verge


In her new book “Merchants of Truth”, former NYT Executive Editor Jill Abramson says the paper has become “unmistakably anti-Trump” under Dean Baquet — President Trump appears content to ride out partial government shutdown stalemate over border security funding
Discussion:
@howardkurtz, @byronyork, @cjr, @politicalshort, @howardkurtz, @petehegseth, @piersmorgan and @martinsfp


Roku Channel adds premium subscriptions, with networks including Showtime, Starz, and Epix available on Roku devices and apps, Samsung smart TVs, and more — Pay for everything on one bill with your Roku account — The Roku Channel, which offers free-to-watch, ad-supported movies …


Sources: CBS and Nielsen failed to agree to a new contract by 12:01am Tuesday, with Nielsen execs concerned no-deal could destabilize the marketplace for TV ads — CBS, which distributes some of TV's most-watched programs, may have to use a new way to count its viewers.
Discussion:
MediaPost, @richbtig and @producercoop


The rise of cord-cutting is hurting profit margins at cable and satellite providers, leading to programming blackouts and niche channels being dropped — Cable and satellite companies are struggling to reach deals with TV channels over how much they should have to pay for the content those channels provide.
Discussion:
Deadline


Ex-Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent James Rosen, who was ousted amid allegations of sexual misconduct, joins Sinclair as an investigative reporter in DC — “Proud to start the New Year by joining @WeAreSinclair as an investigative reporter," James Rosen says in a tweet
Discussion:
TVNewser and @levinejonathan


The dominance of Netflix, Facebook, Google, and Amazon means the media industry will continue to consolidate in 2019, with smaller players losing out — There's no one I know in media who isn't scared of what the next 12 months will bring. — Here's the general picture:


BuzzFeed UK reduced its losses by £1M YoY in 2017 to £2.3M on revenues of £33.4M — Buzzfeed UK made a pre-tax loss of £1.9m on turnover of 33.4m in 2017, new financial figures filed on Christmas Eve last year show. — The digital-only news website …


The history of Jacobin, a socialist magazine with 40K print circulation, 1M monthly visitors to its site, a podcast, a book imprint, and more — The unlikely success of a socialist print magazine — Every successful magazine, like every successful revolution, condenses an atmosphere.


Designed to be heard, Serial isn't overburdened with quotes and statistics, as Sarah Koenig records her observations, doubts, and methods to guide narration — At the top of the transcripts page for the third season of Serial, a favorite on numerous year-end podcast lists, is a warning …


In 1976, FBI investigated The Village Voice and Reporter's Committee for Freedom of the Press for espionage after magazine published a secret report on the CIA — WikiLeaks wasn't the first organization investigated for espionage over publishing classified information