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.
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
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:
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
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”
Netflix receives its first Oscar best-picture nomination for Alfonso Cuaron's “Roma”
Discussion:
Hollywood Reporter, /Film, @colorofchange, @christiansbale, @variety, @had_oscar_buzz, The Wrap, @reallifekaz, @aaronnagler, Fortune, 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
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:
/Film, @lizgarbus, @winter, @tolkienxweisz, @ovotaylla, The Wrap and Fortune
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, Politico, @gitagovinda, Engadget, @tiffanycli, @lucas_shaw and TechCrunch, more at Techmeme »
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:
@realdonaldtrump, CNN, @whca, Variety, @kaitlancollins, The Hill, New York Times, @jayrosen_nyu, Mediaite, @jbview, @brianstelter, Deadline, TheBlaze, Newser and Splinter
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 and @melissabell, more at Techmeme »
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
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 …
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, The Wrap and @brooksbarnesnyt
Donie O'Sullivan / CNN:
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 …
Discussion:
Washington Post, The Atlantic, Vox, Gizmodo, @ktumulty, Mashable, @mrandyngo, @caitlinmoran, @cnn, @mariekshan, @cwarzel, Fast Company, New York Times and The Hill
Tanya Dua / Business Insider:
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 …