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
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
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