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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.


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


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 …
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Associated Press, Baltimore Sun, Washington Post, @jamesgleick, @bcappelbaum, @typotoo, @ellgood, @ohlistic, @poisonville, @mitchstephensny, @penguinrandom, @kathyamico, @aodespair, @jonostrower, @poisonville, @harrisondsmith, @davemontero, @maureendowd, NBC News, @malexjohnson, @elizabethdrewoh, @adamliptak, @comey, @rexhuppke, @carol_weston, @jmartnyt, @fitzfox5dc, @palafo, @juliehinds, @retromannyc, @peterbakernyt, @maureendowd, @jmeacham, @greencomma, @johnyangtv and @maggienyt


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
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Netflix receives its first Oscar best-picture nomination for Alfonso Cuaron's “Roma”
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Hollywood Reporter, /Film, @colorofchange, @christiansbale, @variety, @had_oscar_buzz, The Wrap, @reallifekaz, @aaronnagler, Fortune, GeekWire, Tor.com and TechCrunch

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
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/Film, @lizgarbus, @winter, @tolkienxweisz, @ovotaylla, The Wrap and Fortune


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, Politico, @gitagovinda, Engadget, @tiffanycli, @lucas_shaw and TechCrunch, more at Techmeme »


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” …
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@realdonaldtrump, CNN, @whca, Variety, @kaitlancollins, The Hill, New York Times, @jayrosen_nyu, Mediaite, @jbview, @brianstelter, Deadline, TheBlaze, Newser and Splinter


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 and @melissabell, more at Techmeme »


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


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 …


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, The Wrap and @brooksbarnesnyt


Twitter suspends account that helped spread video of confrontation between a Native American and teens wearing MAGA hats, after CNN expresses doubt about owner — New York (CNN Business)Twitter suspended an account on Monday afternoon that helped spread a controversial encounter between …
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Washington Post, The Atlantic, Vox, Gizmodo, @ktumulty, Mashable, @mrandyngo, @caitlinmoran, @cnn, @mariekshan, @cwarzel, Fast Company, New York Times and The Hill


NowThis debuts NowThis Originals, a division with 25 staff that will develop and produce original shows for distribution on social, streaming, linear platforms — - NowThis is launching an original-video-programming division. — NowThis Originals will develop and produce original shows …