Top News:
George P. Slefo / Ad Age:
Despite increased traffic, publishers' ad revenue is down partially because ad tech companies blacklist coronavirus content in the name of brand safety — The inability to monetize pandemic coverage is thwarting publishers' ability to fund the news, media outlets say
Discussion:
Wall Street Journal, Digiday, @aripap, @rypauley and Beet.TV
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Marc Tracy / New York Times:
A look at COVID-19's effect on bigger newsrooms, as journalists work remotely and ad sales fall, even as traffic nearly doubles at sites like NYT, LAT, and WSJ — Many journalists are covering a once-in-a-lifetime story from home, thanks to Zoom and Slack. But as readers flock to large news outlets, ads are starting to disappear.
Paul Farhi / Washington Post:
The White House beat, one of the most prestigious jobs in journalism, becomes one of the most anxiety-provoking, while the ranks thin due to social distancing — The White House beat is one of the most prominent assignments in journalism, and one of the most prestigious.
Discussion:
Mediaite, @kevinmkruse, Deadline, @atrupar, Mediaite, @atrupar, CNN, Newser, Multichannel News, MediaPost, @peteralexander, @helenkennedy, @kevinmkruse, @mehdirhasan, @farhip, @3setsoften, @susan_hennessey, @arashmarkazi, @ericmgarcia, @atrupar, @atrupar, @w7voa, @oliverdarcy, @atompkins, @catherine_lucey and @amyargetsinger
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CNN:
Former WH press secretary Sean Spicer returned to the briefing room as a reporter, asking questions of Trump, who took his queries without using Spicer's name — Reporter asks Trump: What do you say to scared Americans? — (CNN)Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer …
Discussion:
Fox News and Business Insider
Brent Lang / Variety:
Netflix creates a $100M fund to support cast and crew members laid off from Netflix projects, with $15M to go to third parties and nonprofits — Netflix has created a $100 million relief fund to help members of the creative community who have been left unemployed and without a way to earn an income during the coronavirus crisis.
Discussion:
Netflix Media Center, /Film, Observer, Business Insider, Deadline, Vanity Fair, The Playlist and @lizgarbus, more at Techmeme »
Foo Yun Chee / Reuters:
Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video say they will reduce their streaming quality in EU to reduce traffic on the network, as millions are confined at home — BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's (GOOGL.O) YouTube said on Friday it will reduce its streaming quality in the European Union …
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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
EU calls on streaming services such as Netflix and YouTube to limit broadband use and offer programs only in standard, rather than high, definition
Discussion:
CNN, CNN, The Playlist, VentureBeat, @adamchodak, @joebeone, @sedyst, @jmakamba, @financialtimes, @realjdittmer, Engadget, CNET, CNBC, Reuters and Fast Company, more at Techmeme »
Lara O'Reilly / Digiday:
Children's linear TV ratings rise with COVID-19: Cartoon Network's total day viewing grew 58% this week, Disney Channel 43%, Boomerang 31%, and Nickelodeon 25% — Children's linear TV ratings have been in a slump for years as children's viewing habits shifted to online streaming, social and gaming platforms.
Discussion:
Deadline and @mulvihill79
Robert Channick / Chicago Tribune:
SEC filing: Mason Slaine, former CEO of Thomson Financial, takes a 6.9% stake in Tribune Publishing, becoming its third largest shareholder — Mason Slaine, an investor and the former CEO of business information publisher Thomson Financial, has acquired a 7% stake in Tribune Publishing …
Discussion:
@poolcar4, @skylerswisher and @nina_metz
Julia Alexander / The Verge:
YouTube unveils a COVID-19 “news shelf” on its homepage in 16 countries with verified content from authoritative news sources and health officials — Pulling from authoritative sources — YouTube will introduce a new row of verified videos to its homepage for anyone trying …
Discussion:
9to5Google, The Next Web, First Draft, TechCrunch and Gizmodo, more at Techmeme »
Variety:
China's main state-owned distributor to re-release eleven films, from which cinemas will keep all income to help reignite the sector, starting March 20 — China's main state-owned distributor plans to issue a batch of half a dozen films, from which cinemas will keep all income …
Discussion:
Hollywood Reporter, @thr, @sonnybunch, @dfriend, Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, io9, IndieWire, The Playlist and ComingSoon.net
Jill Goldsmith / Deadline:
ViacomCBS launches Noggin, its interactive learning subscription for preschoolers, on Apple TV in 25 territories with a free seven-day trial — Noggin, Nick Jr.'s interactive learning subscription service for preschoolers, is now available on Apple TV channels on the Apple TV app in 25 territories …
Discussion:
The Streamable
Jason Leopold / BuzzFeed News:
FBI says FOIA requests must now be made via standard mail, not email, because of coronavirus; the office handling requests is closed “at least until March 30” — The bureau said that the global health crisis makes it impossible to process email requests. People are told to use snail mail instead.
Discussion:
@freedomofpress, @natlseccnslrs, @davelevinthal, @fredabrahams and @jasonleopold
Charlotte Tobitt / Press Gazette:
Italian government has classified newspapers as a basic necessity and allowed kiosks to remain open; some dailies have seen increased sales despite the lockdown — Newspapers in Northern Italy and Hong Kong have no plans to stop printing despite a dip in advertising revenues brought on by coronavirus …