Top News:


Top media outlets normalized Trump's often incoherent press briefing Wednesday on the coronavirus, downplaying his campaign-style insults and slinging of blame — Here is some of what Donald Trump had to say Wednesday evening at a briefing intended to inform and reassure the American public about a public-health emergency:
Discussion:
@brhodes, New York Times, Talking Points Memo, Washington Post, @froomkin, @froomkin, @froomkin, @brianbeutler, @b52malmet, @vermontgmg and The Hill


Layoffs are under way at newspapers owned by Gannett; one employee has tracked at least 24 newsroom staffers affected, with 40 pressroom positions cut — Layoffs continued Thursday at Gannett newspapers, which recently merged with GateHouse to form the nation's largest newspaper chain.
RELATED:

New Gannett reports revenue of $699M and net loss of $95M, print ad revenue of $241M and digital ad rev of $90.1M; Gannett expects $60M in annual savings — Significant progress on integration; continued confidence in high-end of synergy targets — On track to implement over $60 million …
Discussion:
Nieman Lab, @apantazi, @maryannbatlle, @bysarajane, @kerrymflynn, @kerrymflynn, MarketWatch, @peterlattman and @cristymsilva


Discovery names Hulu's Lisa Holme head of direct-to-consumer content strategy, in charge of commissioning and acquiring US content — Lisa Holme, a Hulu veteran who had been leading its international expansion strategy, has joined Discovery in a newly created role to oversee content …
Discussion:
Deadline and Multichannel News
RELATED:


Discovery to grow Dplay, its on-demand European streaming service, to 18 countries in 2020; Joyn, its ad-supported German streaming service, has 7M users — US media group focusing on content overlooked by heavyweights such as Disney and AT&T — Every week, tens of thousands of tourists flock …
Discussion:
@discoveryinctv

Discovery reports Q4 earnings of $476M, up 77% YoY, on revenue of $2.87B, up 2% YoY; ad revenue grew 1% and distribution 5% thanks in part to carriage on MVPDs
Discussion:
Variety, @thr, @thr, The Wrap, Broadcasting & Cable, Discovery Communications and The Streamable


YouTube TV is dropping Fox Regional Sports Networks and YES Network on February 29, calling the move “a reflection of the rising cost of sports content” — Just before the start on baseball season, YouTube TV is about to lose 21 Fox Regional Sports Networks and YES Network beginning February 29th.


Google News Initiative Innovation Challenge opens applications today for projects focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion in journalism — Most communities in North America are diverse. They are comprised of people of various ethnicities, income levels, and countries of origin.
Discussion:
Digiday, @markyk and @googlenewsinit


YouTube says it is testing a way for creators to sell ads directly to brands “with whom they already have a relationship” — In the perhaps not-too-distant future, YouTube will let creators sell ad space on their own videos. — “We're experimenting with a new way for creators …
Discussion:
@profcarroll, @taylorlorenz, The Verge and @digiphile


UK regulator IPSO dismisses five complaints from the ruler of Emirate of Sharjah about nine stories in the Sun, Mail, and Metro newspapers on his son's death — The ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah has lost complaints about coverage of his son's death in the Sun, Mail and Metro newspapers …
Discussion:
@ipsonews


NBCU launches NBC Spot On, a streaming ads business for its local TV stations group, as advertisers shift budgets from local spot TV ads to streaming TV — The company plans to hire up to 20 staffers for a new local ads business tasked with tackling the surging local TV streaming ads category
Discussion:
PR Newswire and FierceVideo


In China, people openly criticize state media as Beijing sends hundreds of journalists to Wuhan and other regions to publish stories of sacrifice — Beijing is pushing tales of perseverance, but many young people are openly questioning the Communist Party's message.
Discussion:
ABC17NEWS


Pakistan to review new internet censorship rules after a group representing Facebook, Google, and Twitter writes a letter threatening to leave the country — The battle is the latest skirmish between internet companies and governments over who decides what content should be online.