Top News:
Sara Fischer / Axios:
Viacom to acquire Pluto TV, a free, ad-supported streaming service, for $340M in cash; Pluto TV to operate as an independent subsidiary when the deal closes — Viacom announced Tuesday that it has agreed to buy Pluto TV — one of the fastest-growing free, ad-supported TV streaming services in the U.S. — for $340 million in cash.
Robert D. McFadden / New York Times:
Two-time Pulitzer winner Russell Baker, whose Observer column appeared in The New York Times and other papers for 36 years, has died at 93 — Russell Baker, the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author whose whimsical, irreverent “Observer” column appeared in The New York Times and hundreds …
Discussion:
Baltimore Sun, Associated Press, Washington Post, @johnyangtv, NBC News, @ohlistic, @mitchstephensny, @poisonville, @greencomma, @elizabethdrewoh, @jmartnyt, @jamesgleick, @comey, @malexjohnson, @rexhuppke, @maureendowd, @jmeacham, @poisonville, @ellgood, @penguinrandom, @adamliptak, @typotoo, @peterbakernyt, @harrisondsmith, @palafo, @carol_weston, @maggienyt, @bcappelbaum, @kathyamico, @juliehinds, @retromannyc, @davemontero, @maureendowd, @fitzfox5dc, @aodespair and @jonostrower
Anthony D'Alessandro / Deadline:
The Motion Picture Association of America has added Netflix as a member, the first internet-based service to be added — UPDATED with Netflix officially joining: It's official, Netflix is a member of the MPAA. The Washington, DC-based organization just dropped the following release:
Discussion:
Hollywood Reporter, MPAA, @gitagovinda, Engadget, @tiffanycli, @lucas_shaw, @pameladaym, Politico and TechCrunch, more at Techmeme »
Gene Maddaus / Variety:
David Glasser, former COO of The Weinstein Company, is launching 101 Studios, with backing from Ron Burkle, who had tried to buy The Weinstein Company earlier — David Glasser, the former chief operating officer of the Weinstein Co., is launching a $300 million film and TV company …
Discussion:
Deadline, Hollywood Reporter, @variety, @thr, Screen, @brooksbarnesnyt and The Wrap
Elaine Low / Variety:
WarnerMedia debuts an incubator to “combine emerging technologies with content” starting with an NBA partnership and an initial focus on AR, VR, mixed reality — WarnerMedia is launching an incubator meant to “combine emerging technologies with content from across its operating units …
Discussion:
Broadcasting & Cable, @jesseredniss and MediaPost
John Wagner / Washington Post:
On Twitter, Trump says he told Sarah Sanders “not to bother” with press briefings, citing his belief that the press covers her “rudely and inaccurately” — President Trump said Tuesday that he directed White House press secretary Sarah Sanders “not to bother” …
Discussion:
CNN, @realdonaldtrump, @whca, Variety, @kaitlancollins, The Hill, @jayrosen_nyu, @cebergstrom, @jbview, New York Times, @brianstelter, Mediaite, Deadline, TheBlaze, Newser and Splinter
Natalia Drozdiak / Bloomberg:
Google may pull its News service from Europe, in response to proposed EU copyright law, which would require it to pay publishers when articles appear in search — - New EU copyright law to require web firms to pay publishers — Internet giant to review details of rules before deciding
Anthony D'Alessandro / Deadline:
AMC Theatres and Regal Cinemas decline to play Roma in their best picture showcases; Cinemark is said to have made the same choice — EXCLUSIVE: AMC Theatres is sticking to its guns, and will only play those Oscar best picture nominees who had a traditional theatrical release and respected the 90-day cinema window.
Discussion:
CinemaBlend, The Playlist, /Film, IndieWire and New York Times
RELATED:
Variety:
Netflix receives its first Oscar best-picture nomination for Alfonso Cuaron's “Roma”
Discussion:
Hollywood Reporter, @colorofchange, @christiansbale, /Film, Fortune, @had_oscar_buzz, @aaronnagler, @variety, @reallifekaz, The Wrap, GeekWire, Tor.com and TechCrunch
Kristopher Tapley / Variety:
Female directors were completely shut out of the Oscar's directors category this year, despite having a wealth of worthy contenders from which to pick
Discussion:
@lizgarbus, @winter, @tolkienxweisz, @ovotaylla, /Film, The Wrap and Fortune
Janko Roettgers / Variety:
Netflix rolls out Instagram integration that allows iOS users to share cover art from TV shows and movies on Netflix in Stories — Netflix is tapping into Instagram Stories for some word-of-mouth promotion: The streaming video service rolled out a new Instagram integration Tuesday …
Olga Mitina / INMA:
With LeadHax, a digital marketing tool that creates ad campaigns for real estate agents, the Bay Area News Group has built a scalable digital revenue strategy — I was at a digital marketing event recently, and a presenter opened by saying, “You do not go online today. You live online.”
Todd Spangler / Variety:
ESPN has named Brian Lockhart as executive producer of original content for ESPN+; Disney says 568K new subscribers joined the service last Friday and Saturday — ESPN recruited Brian Lockhart, who has spent more than a decade at NFL Media, as executive producer of original content for the ESPN+ subscription-streaming service.
Discussion:
The Wrap
Sara Fischer / Axios:
Vox Media is acquiring The Coral Project, an open-source publishing platform housed within the Mozilla Foundation — Vox Media is acquiring The Coral Project, an open-source publishing platform that is housed within the Mozilla Foundation. Deal terms have not been disclosed.
Discussion:
Vox Media, @rkellett, @anotherhelen, @niemanlab and @melissabell, more at Techmeme »
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