Top News:


IAC's Dotdash buys Liquor.com, a digital media company focusing on spirits and entertaining, its fourth niche acquisition in 2019 — Dotdash has acquired Liquor.com, a digital media company that focuses on cocktails, spirits and entertaining, executives tell Axios.
Discussion:
@kerrymflynn, @neilvogel, @dsoneil and MediaPost
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Q&A with Dotdash CEO Neil Vogel about the company's growing brand portfolio, revenue diversification beyond ads, and the broader M&A picture for media — This is a buyer's market in digital media — and Dotdash is establishing itself as an acquirer.


Reuters Institute director says journalism is divided between a conservative rearguard and the vanguard, who accept uncertainty and need for change in the field — “The truth is hard” — I've come across this quote repeatedly in the past year, most frequently in the form of ads for the New York Times at various media events.
Discussion:
@rasmus_kleis, @emilybell, @jayrosen_nyu, @vassgatov, @vassgatov, @jayrosen_nyu, @rasmus_kleis, @chanders, @meeraselva1, @jeffjarvis, @dabeard, @nikkiusher, @emilybell, @_silversmith, @emilybell, @brizzyc, @davidbauer, @chanders, @emilybell, @kathyenglish, @rasmus_kleis, @sambrook, @chanders, @gteresa, @jbenton, @emilybell and @rasmus_kleis


Poll: 12 of the 15 most polarizing US brands are national news media; the gap between how Republicans and Democrats view CNN and Fox News has grown since 2018 — News media companies make up 12 of the 15 most polarizing brands in America today, according to a new Morning Consult poll provided to Axios.
Discussion:
Morning Consult, The Wrap, @byjackkelly, MediaPost, @raju, @mattgrossmann, @mcrowdermeyer and New York Post


Newseum says it will close on Dec 31, 2019 after more than 11 years and nearly 10M visitors — After more than 11 years and nearly 10 million visitors, the Newseum will close on Dec. 31, 2019. Thank you to everyone who has visited, especially the members, donors and Founding Partners whose support made it all possible.
Discussion:
KRTV-TV, @aishamoodmills, @laura_nelson, @owillis, @genepark, @bethfertig, @velocciraptor, @raju, @robstoneonfox, @dabeard, @brfreed and @cathjsweeney


Meghan Markle sues Mail on Sunday over a claim that it unlawfully published one of her private letters; Prince Harry complains about “relentless propaganda” — The Duchess of Sussex has begun legal action against the Mail on Sunday over a claim that it unlawfully published one of her private letters.
Discussion:
Newser, BuzzFeed News, CNN, Deadline, @peterjukes, @monitarajpal, @scobie, @cccburysted, Harper's BAZAAR, @adilray, @kristenmeinzer, @scobie and @scobie


TiVo unveils its TiVo+ live streaming service, with channels like TMZ and Food52, coming alongside new DVR hardware, in a bid to rival the Roku Channel — Surprise — TiVo is not dead. Well, not yet anyway. Confirming an earlier leak, the company has just announced two new models of its famous DVR.
Discussion:
Engadget, more at Techmeme »

Singapore's “fake news” law, which requires online media platforms to correct or remove content the government considers false, goes into effect Wednesday — SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore is about to introduce a law against “fake news” which rights groups have warned …
Discussion:
@mantzarlis, @dangillmor, @editorpublisher and @raju


Bustle Digital Group to launch a tech news site called Input in November; BDG has acquired five sites in the past 12 months — Bustle Digital Group is staking the next phase of its growth on an expansion into new verticals and plans to incorporate technology acquired this spring into the rest …

Maine's Journal Tribune to end its 135-year run on October 12, citing lack of profitability with declining subscribers and loss of advertisers; 6 staff laid off — BIDDEFORD —Masthead Maine CEO Lisa DeSisto, publisher of the Journal Tribune, has announced that it will close the newspaper …


As viewers watch more ad-free programming, product placement is now a ~$10B industry with TV product placement growing 15% YoY to $7.15B in 2018, per PQ Media — Brands still want to reach audiences through Hulu and Netflix — Subscribers to Hulu's ad-free plan pay twice …


Pandora unveils a revamped mobile app that will enable easier browsing and music discovery and a dedicated “For You” section that will also highlight podcasts — Pandora is unveiling a major refresh to its mobile app that puts a bigger emphasis on discovery …
Discussion:
PhoneArena, Droid Life, Android Central, Billboard, Engadget, The Verge, Ad Age, CNET and TechCrunch, more at Techmeme »