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The 2020 Oscars drew 23.6M viewers, an all-time low and down 20% YoY; the 2018 Oscars held the previous all-time low of 26.5M viewers — Audience for 92nd Academy Awards declines 20% — The 2020 Oscars drew 23.6 million viewers on ABC, down a whopping 6 million viewers — or -20% from last year.
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A series of wins and performances helped redefine the 2020 Oscars after a nominees list that was the least diverse since the 2015 #OscarsSoWhite backlash
Discussion:
The Stranger, The Week, Quartz, BuzzFeed News and BBC

Netflix won only two Oscars despite 24 nominations: Best Supporting Actress for Laura Dern and Best Documentary Feature for American Factory from Obamas' studio
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@barackobama, The Wrap, CNBC, @scottfeinberg, Business Insider, @lawrence, Ad Age, Broadcasting & Cable, @stevepasquale, @web, @jonerlichman, The Wrap, @sarahwhit10, /Film, The Root, Breitbart, The Streamable, Variety, Observer and Wall Street Journal


Black News Channel, a 24/7 cable channel featuring black anchors and co-founded by former Republican congressman J.C. Watts, launches in select US markets — The Black News Channel, founded by a former Republican congressman, will try to win the growing Black cable news audience.
Discussion:
Fox Business, NPR, @placebo90511492, BBC, CNN, @nbcblk, The Root, @mayaaking, The Hill, @spj_tweets, @eviefordham, @mvgal92691, @ronkelawal, @liamhknox and Mashable


WaPo's digital subscriber growth doesn't seem to be making expected gains on NYT despite a mass-oriented strategy, and WaPo hasn't posted the numbers since 2018 — But will the Journal and The Washington Post be able to catch up to the market leader going forward? Or is the Times preparing to lap the field?
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NYT's success in hitting a target of $800M annual digital revenue, while young startups struggle, lays bare media's disastrous winner takes all state of affairs — A handful of legacy institutions thrive as digital startups face increasing pressures — The financial health of journalism …
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@gregory, @mimapamundi, @scmitchp, @petergreste, @nicnewman, @garyfoskett, @ndhapple, @baekdal, @wblau, @chriselliott57 and THEFUTURE


Sources: the BBC is almost certain to appoint its first female Director-General, with Elisabeth Murdoch and ITV CEO Carolyn McCall as two top contenders — Prospect of Rupert Murdoch's daughter running the BBC will unnerve staff - but she has the right credentials for Downing Street


Sources: YouTube is considering a competitor to Amazon and Apple TV channels for accessing premium video subscriptions from other companies — YouTube is sending signals that it wants to become a destination site for every part of the TV universe. — The Google-owned video giant …
Discussion:
@alexeheath and Engadget, more at Techmeme »


After Amazon removes Nazi and neo-Nazi books, some third-party booksellers say it seems to operate under vague or nonexistent rules regarding prohibited books — The retailer once said it would sell “the good, the bad and the ugly.” Now it has banished objectionable volumes …


CBS Sports strikes a deal with British bookmaker William Hill, making it the official provider of sportsbook and wagering data across all CBS Sports properties — CBS Sports is making a bid to one-up its competitors in the rapidly developing arena for U.S. sports betting.
Discussion:
Axios, MediaPost, @alexweprin and Broadcasting & Cable


Profile of New Hampshire Public Radio's Lauren Chooljian, whose Stranglehold podcast has made her a divisive figure due to its unflattering look at NH's primary — The podcaster Lauren Chooljian has irked some people in the state with “Stranglehold,” a close look at an all-important contest.
Discussion:
Nieman Lab, @tonyjarnold, @nytimesbusiness, @jaxalemany, @meg_heckman, @connorobriennh, @marcatracy, @emma_hurt and @nytimesbusiness


WCPO exec on why the Scripps-owned Cincinnati TV station now only uses mugshots selectively and why it's important to tell viewers about big policy changes — Last summer as part of our station's efforts to examine our policies — especially when it comes to how we cover minority communities …
Discussion:
@grant_blank_, @jimmacmillan, @spj_tweets and @niemanlab


Sony Pictures Television Chairman Mike Hopkins will exit this month to oversee Amazon's video entertainment operations, including Amazon Studios and Prime Video — Sony Pictures Television Chairman Mike Hopkins is departing his post at the industry's largest independent TV studio later …
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Deadline, Wall Street Journal, Engadget, Hollywood Reporter, Adweek, The Wrap, IndieWire and The Streamable


Cox Enterprises buys back Dayton Daily News and two other Ohio daily papers from Apollo Global Management, ensuring they can continue 7-day publication — Cox Enterprises Inc. has repurchased the Dayton Daily News, Springfield News-Sun and Journal-News from Apollo Global Management, the companies announced Monday.
Discussion:
@sgdoesit, @sensherrodbrown, @hollyzachariah, @joshsweigart, @scalzi, @daytonb2b, @madbair, @lynnhulseyddn and @larryobhof