Top News:
Brian Stelter / CNN:
This week is a major turning point for daily newspapers in the US, with bankers deciding what will be defined as news, and who will be employed to report it — New York (CNN Business)Let's take a close look at what's happening at three of the biggest newspaper owners in the United States.
Discussion:
Columbia Journalism Review, @jon_allsop and @byjonharris
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Tribune Publishing Company:
Tribune Publishing says Alden Global Capital is now the company's largest shareholder, buying 25.2% of the company from Merrick Ventures and Michael Ferro Jr. — Tribune Publishing Company (NASDAQ: TPCO), one of the nation's leading media companies, today announced that funds managed …
Discussion:
Nieman Lab, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, @amlwhere, USA Today, @jbenton, @brianstelter, @eliseschmelzer, @alissaskelton, @jaysunsilver, @slulay2, @pwoodreporter, @ronlin, @saragregory, @laura_nelson, @joanniesen, @jbenton, @davidfolkenflik, @davidfolkenflik, @gerryfsmith, @ckrewson, @mattdpearce and The Wrap
Ken Doctor / Nieman Lab:
A deep look at McClatchy's options for a sale, restructuring or bankruptcy, and the influence of the federal pension agency and Chatham Asset Management
Discussion:
@newsbyschmidt
Marc Tracy / New York Times:
Gannett and New Media Investment Group's merger became official Tuesday, with executives hoping “efficiencies” will save about $300M/year
Discussion:
USA Today, @maxwelltani, @cmonstah, @dicktofel, @kerrymflynn, @jamesebriggs, @cooperoncourts, @melissayeagr, @darrendcarroll, @mathewi, @jcrutchmer, @spsullivan, @joemfox, @caspernewsguild, @vicky_jacobsen, @joshsternberg, @pmalonedc, @emilyoverholt, @amandahess, @sethklamann, @baltsunguild, @indyemapolis, @reporterdavidj, @dtohl, @courantguild, @jbenton, @simonowens, @jbenton, @jenwsheehan, @alexkotch, @marcatracy, @rebekahlsanders, @mattdpearce, @kerrymflynn, CNN and Brookings
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Verizon Media CEO Guru Gowrappan says it has no plans to divest any properties, including HuffPost, from the Yahoo-AOL group — Verizon is not selling HuffPost, according to Verizon Media CEO Guru Gowrappan — who insisted the news and opinion site is central to its content strategy.
Sara Fischer / Axios:
NYT says it will no longer use tracking pixels from Facebook and Twitter, instead using TAFI, a new AI-powered tool, to target potential subscribers — The New York Times will no longer use tracking pixels from Facebook and Twitter to track its users' browser history, executives tell Axios.
Discussion:
AdExchanger, @mattnavarra and @mathewi
Christine Schmidt / Nieman Lab:
The Chicago Reader, an alt-weekly, is moving to a nonprofit model in January under the umbrella of the newly-founded Reader Institute for Community Journalism — The Chicago Reader, like many alt-weeklies, has had a tough past few years. Founded in 1971 during a boom time for alternative media …
Discussion:
Chicago Reader and Daily Herald
Ben Smith / BuzzFeed News:
Sources: NYT is facing a succession contest to replace Dean Baquet before September 2022, with three top candidates: Joe Kahn, James Bennet, and Cliff Levy — If you're following the news these days, you'll notice that a high percentage is about the New York Times — the headlines …
Discussion:
@govhowarddean, @williams_paige, @samthielman, @jimwaterson, @bigmeaninternet, @michaelluo, @sulliview, @willsommer, @perpetua, @nbashaw, @annehelen, @tomgara, @katherinemiller, @jasonleopold, @jeremymbarr, @ckrewson, @ajentleson, @govhowarddean, Fox News, @dropoutnation, @bgrueskin, @derektmead, @whstancil, @mehdirhasan, @pulitzerprizes and Poynter
Benjamin Mayo / 9to5Mac:
Apple launches Apple Music for Business, letting businesses play music in retail locations with Apple providing human-curated playlists and recommendations — Apple Music is now partnering with businesses to play music at retail stores. In a partnership with PlayNetwork …
Discussion:
Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, RAIN News, Apple Weekly and Music Business Worldwide, more at Techmeme »
Christine Schmidt / Nieman Lab:
Study of 3,446 high school students: two-thirds didn't differentiate between sponsored content, even when labeled, and news stories, 52% believed a fake video — There are a gazillion new impeachment podcasts. Smart strategy or a blind stab at relevance?
Discussion:
@frankluntz, @imtheq, @esgarchitect and Stanford News
Joe Pompeo / Vanity Fair:
Sources: new NYT guidance says “racist” can be used to describe an action or comments from politicians with permission from department and masthead leadership — Blackface? Yes. KKK? Yes. A comedian using anti-Asian jokes? Yes. Trump? It depends—but be very, very careful.
Discussion:
@joepompeo, @arawnsley, @josephfcox and @jayrosen_nyu
Donie O'Sullivan / CNN:
Reddit warns its r/The_Donald subreddit over posts targeting the alleged White House whistleblower, citing rules against harassment and “inviting vigilantism” — New York (CNN Business)Reddit has warned users of its forum for President Trump supporters that “systematic harassment” …
Discussion:
The Daily Dot and One Angry Gamer
Sarah Perez / TechCrunch:
Spotify says its free tier will now stream across Alexa-powered devices in the US, Australia, and New Zealand, and smart speakers from Sonos and Bose globally — Spotify has worked with Amazon Echo since 2016, but only for premium subscribers. Today, that changes as Spotify says its free tier …
Discussion:
Spotify and Business Insider, more at Techmeme »
Christopher Cheung / The Tyee:
Torstar announces 121 layoffs, with 73 to be cut as it closes StarMetro Vancouver and four other free dailies on Dec. 20; more layoffs are in southern Ontario — Five more daily newspapers shuttered, 73 jobs lost across Canada. — Christopher Cheung is a reporter at The Tyee.
Discussion:
@tarynalgrant, @thetyee, @ayan604, @bychrischeung, @anna_desmarais, @sdbcraig, @sdbcraig, @jsource, @jsource, The Conversation and Canada NewsWire Group
Meg James / Los Angeles Times:
Disney executive Kevin Mayer said overwhelming demand from 10M new users and a computer-coding glitch led to widespread problems last week as Disney+ launched — Walt Disney Co. executive Kevin Mayer said overwhelming demand and a computer-coding glitch led to widespread problems last week …
Discussion:
Variety, Deadline, The Streamable and TVWeek.com
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