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Amid a debate on the value of broadcasting Trump's primetime speech, network anchors responded with several corrections for some of his misleading claims — Moments after President Trump concluded his Oval Office remarks on border security on Tuesday, the NBC anchor Chuck Todd came on air with a blunt assessment.
Discussion:
The Atlantic, Associated Press, Fast Company, Variety, @jeremymbarr, The Daily Beast, CNN, Mediaite, The Federalist, @erikwemple, @wjcarter, Vanity Fair, @jamesfallows, Media Matters for America, @peterbakernyt, @ddale8, @ddale8, The Daily Caller, @davidfolkenflik, @ddale8, Mediaite and @brianstelter


NBCUniversal says it will reduce the number of ads airing during prime time TV shows by 20% by 2020, as it tries to shift away from old advertising model — NBCUniversal tells Axios it's reducing the amount of ads its serves during prime-time even further, and it's looking now at other times throughout the day to do the same.
Discussion:
@digitalshields, @alexweprin, @sarafischer, Adweek and Variety


A.G. Sulzberger's “State of the Times” memo for employees emphasizes the global impact of the publishers' journalism but fails to address metrics — A.G. Sulzberger to Times employees at 2019 State of The Times address. — One of the most important is that the way people find and engage with news is changing.
Discussion:
@emilybell, @moorehn, @corneliafuchs, @toddlighty, @timesopen, @nicdawes, @jeremymbarr, @jasonabbruzzese, @amychozick and @johnibbitson


Hulu says its ad revenue increased 45%+ YoY to nearly $1.5B, a record for the company — Hulu is keeping its pedal to metal in the streaming TV race: The company said it ended 2018 with more than 25 million total subscribers, a net gain of 8 million for the year.
Discussion:
Hulu, MediaPost and Fortune, more at Techmeme »
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Google agrees to add YouTube viewers on mobile devices to Nielsen's Total Ad Ratings, which measures audience across TV, computers, tablets, and smartphones — YouTube mobile viewing included in Total Ad Ratings — Nielsen has reached an agreement with Google that will upgrade its measurement …
Discussion:
Fast Company, MediaPost, Axios, Adweek, @davidwkenny, Axios and Deadline


Dotdash, which owns sites such as Investopedia and others created from About.com's remnants, is buying two beauty domains, Byrdie and Mydomaine — The publisher, which owns sites including The Spruce and Verywell, is buying two beauty websites as annual revenue passes $100 million
Discussion:
Digiday, @neilvogel and @moorehn


The New York Times announces its 52 Places Traveler for 2019, Sebastian Modak, an ex-MTV producer and travel journalist — “I'm ready to embrace all the uncertainty that comes with an opportunity like this and see where it takes me." … So, how does it feel to be the 52 Places Traveler for 2019?


Discovery says it has purchased a 71% controlling stake in Play Sports Group, a digital sports media company focused on global cycling — Digital sports media company to help Discovery create global cycling platform — Discovery Inc., said it has purchased a 71% controlling stake in Play Sports Group …
Discussion:
Hollywood Reporter, Discovery, Inc., SportsPro Media, Variety and Deadline


Vietnam accuses Facebook of failing to take down “slanderous content” in violation of cyber security law which took effect on January 1 — Vietnam has accused Facebook of failing to take down “slanderous content” and said it was considering withholding money for some advertising paid …

A lawsuit against Grindr challenges the protections of Section 230 of the CDA and could lead to similar suits against other services like Facebook and Twitter — Under current US law, digital services and platforms like Facebook and Twitter are protected from liability for the content …
Discussion:
NBC News, @esquiring, @esquiring, @esquiring, TortsProf Blog, @esquiring and Hit & Run


Turkish journalist Pelin Ünker has been sentenced to more than a year in jail for her work on the Paradise Papers investigation into offshore tax havens — Journalist was found guilty of ‘defamation and insult’ for writing about companies owned by former PM


Interview with Skift founder Rafat Ali on company growth to 60 staffers, media business models, and the choice of travel, dining, and wellness as verticals — This week, The Idea caught up with Rafat Ali. Rafat co-founded Skift, a B2B publication that focuses on the “leisure” industry.
Discussion:
@atlantic57 and @rafat