Top News:
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Forecast: Netflix will spend ~$17.3B on content in 2020, up from ~$15.3B in 2019, mostly on originals; Disney has said it will spend ~$1B on Disney+ originals — Netflix is keeping its foot pressed firmly on the gas pedal in the streaming-video road race. — The streamer will invest …
Discussion:
The Wrap, Multichannel News, Observer, The Streamable, The Wrap, The Playlist, Fortune and Variety
Denise Petski / Deadline:
Ronan Farrow's first investigative documentary for HBO, part of a three-year-deal, will focus on threats and violence faced by journalism covering corruption — HBO has begun production on the first project in its multi-film deal with best-selling author and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ronan Farrow.
Discussion:
Vanity Fair, The Wrap, @ronanfarrow, Hollywood Reporter, Multichannel News and TVNewser
Joe Tidy / BBC:
Following a BBC investigation, Twitter apologizes for letting ads be micro-targeted using keywords like “transphobic”, “white supremacists”, and “anti-gay” — Twitter has apologised for allowing adverts to be micro-targeted at certain users such as neo-Nazis, homophobes and other hate groups.
Miles Socha / WWD:
Harper's Bazaar editor-in-chief Glenda Bailey to step down on March 1 after 19 years; she act as a global consultant for its 29 editions — She is to become a global consultant for the fashion title's 29 global editions, and assist in finding her successor.
Discussion:
New York Times, CNN, @katierosman, The Business of Fashion, Page Six and bookforum.com
Elias Leight / Rolling Stone:
Layoffs at iHeartMedia, which controls 800+ radio stations, reflect long-term consolidation trends that silence local voices and homogenize viewpoints and music — The largest radio company in America cut a number of employees this week, dealing a blow to local radio across the country
Discussion:
Denver Westword, Plain Dealer, RadioInsight, Fox Business and AllAccess.com
Ken Doctor / Nieman Lab:
Sources: Alden Global Capital, which now owns 32% of Tribune Publishing, is exerting its power, with Alden execs advising on cost cutting, including headcount — Missiles and drone strikes may have temporarily driven everyone's eyes elsewhere — including those in the news industry …
BuzzFeed News:
Documents from the Mueller probe show Fox News' Sean Hannity served as a central point of contact and adviser for Trump and allies who were under investigation — WASHINGTON — Sean Hannity has never been shy about using his highly rated Fox News show to express his disdain …
Discussion:
@katenocera, @reflectingman, @brianstelter, @jasonleopold, @loopemma, @jbenton, CNN and @mattgertz
Brianna Sacks / BuzzFeed News:
A Michigan reporter wrote that a state senator objectified and humiliated her; the senator has now apologized, and senate leaders called for an investigation — “It's so normalized. You hear something and you don't take the time to say something," Allison Donahue said.
Discussion:
Michigan Advance, Michigan Advance, @sjdemas, @repdebdingell, @donahual, @katelouisewells, @katiegilhooly, @michiganadvance, @klandergan, @bri_sacks, @stephanielily, @vvonfrank, @danadifilippo, @brettkelman, @nprmelissablock, @donahual, @thedailydetroit, @apstamm, @donahual, @rosemarybayer, @donahual, @ron_fournier, @historylivesdet, Poynter, @bri_sacks, @tracym, @chadlivengood, @annaesanders, @royalpratt, @donahual, USA Today, Newser and Sarah Schulz
New York Times:
Turkey lifted a two-and-a-half year ban on Wikipedia on Wednesday, restoring access after the country's top court ruled that blocking it was unconstitutional — The country's top court had ruled that the move was unconstitutional. — The Turkish government lifted a two-and-a-half-year ban …
Discussion:
The Verge, @wikipedia, @ceylanwrites and @netblocks, more at Techmeme »
Lesley Goldberg / Hollywood Reporter:
Peacock announces six series in its development slate, produced via Universal as well as from outside studios; Hatching Twitter will be the basis for one series — Projects from the likes of Norman Lear, Mindy Kaling, Amy Poehler and Will Forte are in the works as the NBCUniversal-backed streamer ramps …
Discussion:
Deadline
Stephen Battaglio / Los Angeles Times:
ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News, CNN ask Senate to use C-SPAN's cameras for the impeachment trial, back C-SPAN's request for a less restricted view of the floor debates — The broadcast and cable networks have issued a joint request to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell requesting that they be able …
Discussion:
@mkraju, @jordainc, @alextdaugherty, @alextdaugherty, @chrismegerian, @emma_dumain, Politico, @sbg1 and @spj_tweets
Nicholas Quah / Hot Pod News:
Podcast service Luminary lowers monthly price from $7.99 to $4.99 and introduces an annual plan at $34.99 — Just got this from the Luminary comms team: the paid podcast platform is adjusting its prices. The standard monthly price in the US is now $4.99 — down from $7.99, a fairly big dip.
Discussion:
Engadget and Podcast Business Journal
Rebecca Jennings / Vox:
Talent agencies WME and UTA sign TikTok stars Chase Hudson, Charli D'Amelio, and creative collective Hype House, affirming TikTok's role as a talent incubator — Popular e-boys on TikTok are nabbing fashion and entertainment deals. They could be the boy bands of the 2020s, with way better style and minus the actual singing.
Discussion:
Hollywood Reporter and Business Insider