Top News:
Alex Sherman / CNBC:
Sources: ViacomCBS is building a new ad-supported streaming service that will build on CBS All Access, and an ad-free version that includes Showtime — - ViacomCBS is preparing to throw its hat into the streaming wars after consummating a merger on Dec. 31.
Discussion:
CNN, Hollywood Reporter, MacRumors, Digital TV Europe, @sherman4949, @lagana, @rwmead, @tvgrimreaper, @sherman4949, @richlightshed, @thedanbarrett, @antovolk, @great_katzby, @loudmouthjulia, @brandolightshed, @azalben, @burnettrm, Broadcasting & Cable, Variety, The Verge, MediaPost, 9to5Mac, The Streamable, The Wrap and Engadget, more at Techmeme »
The Daily Beast:
Internal Fox News research briefing advises colleagues to be wary of “disinformation” from several on-air regulars, including John Solomon and Rudy Giuliani — In a dossier obtained by The Daily Beast, Fox's research unit advises colleagues to be wary of “disinformation” …
Sara Fischer / Axios:
Since it began, Netflix has taken down nine pieces of content after govt requests: five in Singapore, and one in New Zealand, Vietnam, Germany and Saudi Arabia — Netflix has taken down just 9 pieces of content around the world in response to written government requests since it was founded 23 years ago …
Discussion:
Fast Company, The Next Web, @eightiethmnt and @eightiethmnt
Josh Constine / TechCrunch:
Instagram has internally prototyped an Instagram Partner Program that will let IGTV creators earn money by showing ads alongside their videos — Instagram may finally let IGTV video makers earn money 18 months after launching the longer-form content hub. Instagram confirms to TechCrunch …
Discussion:
Digiday
Craig Silverman / BuzzFeed News:
Investigation finds a network of around 100 “local news” sites, dating back to at least 2015, that have been plagiarizing stories from major news organizations — As they stole stories from real newspapers, these sites baffled scientists, activists, and journalists. Until now.
Discussion:
@marcacaputo, @eliothiggins, @walldo, @dpfunke and Boing Boing
Bloomberg:
Sources: ViacomCBS is weighing options for CNET after receiving takeover interest in the site; CBS paid $1.8B for CNET in 2008 — - CEO Bob Bakish is looking for $500 million in cost savings — CBS paid $1.8 billion for CNET but it's probably worth less
Discussion:
@jeremymbarr and @tvgrimreaper
Ingrid Lunden / TechCrunch:
Twitter Q4: revenue of $1.01B, up 11% YoY, net income of $119M, down from $255M in Q4 2018, monetizable DAU of 152M compared to 126M a year ago — As Twitter continues to try to find the right balance between making its platform easier to use while also less prone to toxicity and abuse …
Discussion:
Variety, Adweek, MediaNama, The Guardian, iTnews, The Times, Sky News, Associated Press, Motley Fool, Fox Business, The Next Web, Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, CNBC, MarketWatch, TheStreet, Reuters, Mumbrella, New York Post, VentureBeat, CNET, Wall Street Journal, Deadline, Hollywood Reporter, Business Insider, Fast Company and The Wrap, more at Techmeme »
Esther Kezia Thorpe / What's New in Publishing:
Thrillist partners with Academic Travel Abroad to curate educational trips, using travel to diversify revenue, like The Culture Trip and Lonely Planet — Food, travel and entertainment digital media site Thrillist is the latest publisher to move into travel packages as a way of diversifying revenue.
Discussion:
Forbes, Group Nine Media and MediaPost
Ad Age:
New York Times Magazine leads Ellies with 10 nominations, a record for the title; NY Magazine gets nine, Nat Geo eight, Bon Appetit and the New Yorker six each — The Times Magazine, New York Mag and Nat Geo shine in the finalist phase of the Ellies — A magazine published by a newspaper …
Discussion:
MediaPost, Hollywood Reporter and Talking Biz News
NPR:
Public radio stations in CA partner with NPR to form a regional newsroom to increase coverage of statewide issues and reporting about and from underserved areas — Joanne Griffith introduced as the first managing editor of the collaboration, which aims to help to boost coverage throughout the state …
Discussion:
New York Times
Karlene Lukovitz / MediaPost:
Report: national linear TV ad revenue in 2019 was down just 1% YoY to $44.1B and up 2% counting digital video thanks to higher ad prices — Linear television revenue was down by just 1%, to $44.1 billion, in calendar year 2019 versus 2018, according to Standard Media Index's just-released report for the period.
Janko Roettgers / protocol:
Profile of Tom Conrad, a former Pandora and Snap executive who is now chief product officer at Quibi, as the streaming service gears up for launch — Tom Conrad is in charge of making a video service that gets people hooked. — Talk to Silicon Valley or Hollywood insiders about Quibi …