Top News:
Reuters:
Netflix says it will reduce its bit rates across all its streams in Europe for 30 days, in effect cutting traffic on its European networks by 25% — Netflix said on Thursday it would reduce its bit rates across all its streams in Europe, in effect cutting traffic on its European networks …
Discussion:
Business Insider, TechCrunch, @kylebrussell, Politico and Engadget, more at Techmeme »
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Financial Times:
EU calls on streaming services such as Netflix and YouTube to limit broadband use and offer programs only in standard, rather than high, definition — Brussels tells streaming companies to limit services as Facebook says managing traffic is a “challenge” — The EU has called on streaming services …
Discussion:
CNN, CNBC, The A.V. Club, @financialtimes, @adamchodak, CNET, Variety, The Hill, @jmakamba, Engadget, @realjdittmer, @joebeone, @sedyst, Reuters and Fast Company, more at Techmeme »
Rani Molla / Vox:
Parse.ly: article views grew ~50% this week with those on coronavirus making up 13% of all views; Chartbeat: time spent actively reading is up 30% this week — A San Francisco newspaper headline announces the closure of large events on March 13, 2020. Eric Risberg/AP
Discussion:
Digiday, Nieman Lab, @cnyari, @niemanlab, Digital Content Next, What's New in Publishing and Margins, Thanks:@amontalenti
Joshua Benton / Nieman Lab:
Alt-weeklies faced a double blow of ad revenue loss and distribution points closing this week; local magazines and news and arts sites will feel the pain too — COVID-19 is “a nearly perfect weapon against alternative weeklies.” In dozens of cities, papers are asking for donations …
Discussion:
American Press Institute, HuffPost, @jbenton, @trevoraaronson, @imleor, @lafrancois_j, CityBeat Cincinnati, @jeffreybillman, @scenesallard, @lafrancois_j, @jasonwbade, @jasonwbade, @lafrancois_j, @jasonwbade, @jasonwbade, @glecharles, @c_cauterucci, @sylamore1, @lafrancois_j, Detroit Metro Times and Creative Loafing
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Rachel Kurzius / DCist:
An overview of the effects of the pandemic on local DC outlets Washingtonian Magazine, Washington City Paper, Local News Now, and Brightest Young Things
An overview of the effects of the pandemic on local DC outlets Washingtonian Magazine, Washington City Paper, Local News Now, and Brightest Young Things
Discussion:
@nateclaydiller, @madsruns, @megreenwell, @c_cauterucci, @curious_kurz, @curious_kurz, @reporterjoe, @timcarman and Washington City Paper
Pulitzer Center:
Pulitzer Center announces the Coronavirus News Collaboration Challenge, a ~$5K-$30K grant for interstate or international approaches to reporting on COVID-19 — The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, a non-profit organization that supports independent global journalism …
Discussion:
Pulitzer Center, @tabeszyk, @womensmediacntr and @sulliview
Torsten Ingvaldsen / HYPEBEAST:
Report: the total streams for the top 200 most-streamed songs on Spotify dropped in Italy, the US, UK, France, and Spain, as users in the countries self-isolate — Data from Spotify may suggest that widespread self-isolation is to blame. — Olly Curtis/Getty Images
Lukas I. Alpert / Wall Street Journal:
Playboy magazine will stop publishing its print edition in the US with its spring issue, due to coronavirus; it will publish special print issues occasionally — After 66 years, magazine to continue publishing online, with an occasional special edition in print
Discussion:
Naked, Chicago Sun-Times, @robcooperpr, @jbenton, @timothynoah1, Reason, @cbsweeney, @jimwaterson, Fortune, Newser, The Guardian, New York Magazine, Vulture and Deadline
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Hulu is now available on Comcast's Xfinity Flex and will be available on X1 by the end of March; the deal doesn't include Hulu + Live TV — Hulu is at long last coming to Comcast Cable customers' set-top boxes. But the cable operator's distribution pact with Disney — which now controls Hulu …
Discussion:
The Streamable, Broadcasting & Cable, TechCrunch and MediaPost
Patrick Shanley / Hollywood Reporter:
Verizon: US video game use during peak hours has risen 75% since last week, video streaming has grown 12%, and overall web traffic is up almost 20% — Video streaming has also seen a bump, up 12 percent during peak usage hours. — As the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread and citizens …
Discussion:
The Wrap, Bloomberg and Quartz, more at Techmeme »
Helen Coster / Reuters:
Disney files a warning with the SEC about disruptive effects from the pandemic on its business, including the pause in sports events and film and TV production — (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) said on Thursday the spread of the coronavirus could lead to consumer behavior changes, further disrupting its business.
Discussion:
Disney Advertising Sales and @neilcybart
Trip Adler / Scribd Blog:
Subscription-based Scribd opens its library of ebooks, audiobooks, magazine articles, and more to anyone for free over the next 30 days — At Scribd, we believe reading is the most powerful tool we have for connecting and sharing the human experience. — Today, with millions of people around …
Discussion:
@tripadler, @sdkstl and @tripadler, more at Techmeme »
Sahil Patel / Wall Street Journal:
Sources: Disney is looking to sell adtech company TrueX, which Fox had bought in 2014; Disney hasn't integrated it into its sales or tech organizations — TrueX is best known for offering interactive ads — Walt Disney Co. is looking to sell TrueX, an advertising-technology company …
Discussion:
MediaPost and AdExchanger
Amanda Meade / The Guardian:
The CEO of AAP in Australia delays plans for closing the wire service in June after several unexpected bids emerged to buy the business — Australian Associated Press chief executive says a number of offers to buy the service have been received and shareholders will discuss the offer
Discussion:
@deadsexywaiter and The Straits Times