Top News:
Ranjan Roy / Margins:
Facebook's corporate comms have felt combative and sloppy since late 2018, and now even rank and file employees are facing public vilification — Ranjan here, writing about how Facebook's communication operations feel completely broken and wondering whether the company's rank and file are okay with becoming the villains.
Discussion:
@moonalice, @glovink, @katielpaul, @yoda, @cwarzel, @robaeprice, @dhh, @slpng_giants, @can, @joshconstine, @rmac18 and @jasonabbruzzese, more at Techmeme »
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Joan Summers / Jezebel:
Source: Teen Vogue's editorial team was not aware that sales would be publishing the Facebook election safety advertorial — On Wednesday, Teen Vogue found itself in the crosshairs of the internet when an article entitled “How Facebook is Helping Ensure the Integrity of the 2020 Election …
Discussion:
@moonalice, @baekdal, @yoda, @mattocko, @aurabogado, @dchieng, @pkafka, iMediaEthics and VICE
Ryan Glasspiegel / The Big Lead:
In a letter to the union, G/O CEO says G/O plans to relaunch Deadspin in Chicago as an Onion property and is suspending negotiations over editorial independence — The entire staff of Deadspin walked away from the site in late October, and there have been no stories published there since November 4th.
Discussion:
@benmullin, Nieman Lab, @wgaeast, @maxwelltani, Adweek, @mattdpearce, @annamerlan, @bruce_arthur, @whet, @connorsouthard, @cd_hooks, @byjoelanderson, @lemieuxlgm, @davidbix, @amandamull, @diamonde, @mariabustillos, @weishampel, @albertburneko, @david_j_roth, @annamerlan, @oneshotrpg, The Daily Beast, @domcosentino, @jaywillis, @brianmfloyd, @lindseyadler, @genefortexas, @annamerlan, @gabrielsnyder, Awful Announcing, The Wrap, Mediaite and The Hill
Wall Street Journal:
Sources: Trump's allies are trying to raise $250M for a bid for One America News Network, in an effort to shake up conservative media dominated by Fox News — Hicks Equity Partners, a family investment firm tied to Republican National Committee co-chair Thomas Hicks Jr., is pitching GOP donors on possible deal
Peter Kafka / Vox:
Sources: the Chernin Group is in advanced talks to sell a majority stake in Barstool Sports to casino operator Penn National Gaming — Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy at a Harrah's casino event in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 2019. Tom Briglia/ Getty Images
Damien Cave / New York Times:
Murdoch-owned Australian media outlets echo messages from social media bots and trolls and continue to say climate change policy would have no impact on fires — Critics see a concerted effort to shift blame, protect conservative leaders and divert attention from climate change.
Discussion:
American Press Institute, @karaswisher, @mikeisaac, @chrisstoecker, @balkissoon, @clarajeffery, @julianburnside, @swannyqld, @buckinghamjn, @chriscarmody4, @jmarrmarr, @nazgolg, @iraflatow, @drvox, @annpettifor, @peterjukes, Van Badham, Dan Rather, Undark Magazine, CleanTechnica, VICE and Mumbrella
Deanna Ting / Digiday:
Bloomberg News switched from WhatsApp to Telegram in December and now sends daily updates to 27K+ subscribers, following WhatsApp's ban on bulk messaging — On Telegram, the preferred messaging app for the privacy conscious, Bloomberg News is attempting to draw new subscribers and build …
Discussion:
@jonrussell and Talking Biz News
The Information:
Sources: Quibi's projections from 2019 show the upcoming streaming service is expected to spend ~$1.5B in its first year; Quibi has raised $1.4B so far — If there's one thing to be said for Quibi, the short-form streaming service coming from Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman this spring …
Discussion:
@alexeheath, @amir, @caseynewton, @jessicalessin, @trengriffin, @barakgila, Input and @gerryfsmith, more at Techmeme »
CNN:
In an open letter, 13 former White House press secretaries, foreign service and military officials call for the return of regular WH and other press briefings — The last White House press briefing was 301 days ago — In an open letter, a group of 13 former White House press secretaries …
Discussion:
New York Times, @acosta, @hblodget, HuffPost, @4lisaguerrero, @jonkarl, The Wrap, @johnfkirby63, @penamerica, @elainaplott, Mediaite and The Guardian
John Koblin / New York Times:
FX research estimates 532 scripted shows were made in 2019, the first time the 500-show threshold has been crossed, a 7% rise YoY, 153% jump since 2009 — The number of original series continued to swell in 2019, with Apple and Disney adding to the glut. When will the bubble pop?
Discussion:
Hollywood Reporter, Bloomberg, @bretisrael, The Playlist and CNN
Georg Szalai / Hollywood Reporter:
Discovery CEO says the company is “looking hard at” launching its own streaming service and that the company can't grow by staying on its existing platform — David Zaslav says that the company has exceeded its goal of $3 billion in annual free cash flow ahead of schedule and will roll out HGTV in 12 new markets.
Discussion:
@thr
Lacey Rose / Hollywood Reporter:
Oprah Winfrey pulls documentary about a Russell Simmons accuser from Apple TV+ and says she will no longer be an executive producer, citing creative differences — The high-profile documentary is scheduled to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival later this month.
Discussion:
The Wrap, @pkafka, @claireatki, 9to5Mac, @dancingofpens, Variety, Cord Cutters News, @scottmendelson, CNET, TMZ.com, @tinatchen, MacRumors.com, IndieWire, Deadline, Deadline, @thr, The Verge and Page Six