Top News:
Ken Doctor / Nieman Lab:
Even as the pandemic spurs newfound value in local news, boosting digital subscriptions, publishers are uncertain they can overcome the collapse in ad revenue — The coronavirus pandemic is proving the value of local news to millions of readers, driving up subscriptions. But the advertising collapse is knee-buckling.
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Rick Edmonds / Poynter:
CEOs of News Media Alliance and the Local Media Association say they expect devastating revenue loss for members but say small publishers can still survive — ‘Our members have gone from a weak financial position to a horrible financial condition’ — Leaders of associations that represent …
Discussion:
@itsren, @altweeklies and @hollyanndoan
Matt Wilstein / The Daily Beast:
Fox Business “parted ways” with Trish Regan; the move comes after Regan's on-air dismissal in early March of COVID-19 concerns as an attempt to impeach Trump — The Fox Business host was officially let go on Friday more than two weeks after she ranted against the “coronavirus impeachment scam.”
Discussion:
New York Times, @jeremymbarr, The Wrap, @aravosis, @davidfolkenflik, @gadyepstein, @dandrezner, @jayrosen_nyu, @dylanbyers, @davidfrum, Newser, CNN, @mikegrunwald, @marlownyc, @dellcam, @brianstelter, @mmasnick, @brianstelter, @walshfreedom, @amandacarpenter, @swin24, @dylanbyers, Breitbart, Broadcasting & Cable, Talking Biz News, TVNewser and Variety
Kali Hays / WWD:
Podtrac: podcast downloads in the US have fallen ~10% and total unique listeners are down ~20% since the start of March, with true crime podcasts down the most — It seems everyone just wants the news, on TV and online, not a true crime podcast. — Since early March, when concerns around …
Discussion:
@whatthebit, @fortelabs, @genepark, @sherwoodstrauss, @iamgmjohnson, @sonnybunch, @aleyda, Podtrac Measurement Blog, @carnage4life and @eshap, more at Techmeme »
Ken Doctor / Nieman Lab:
Under the CARES Act, outlets with under 1,000 staff can apply to a $300B fund, while bigger chains compete with retailers and others for money from a $454B fund — The multi-trillion-dollar CARES Act should extend a lifeline to many small local publishers.
Discussion:
Washington Post, @kdoctor, @jaredrutecki, @lucasgrindley, @niemanlab and @jbenton
Lily Hay Newman / Wired:
Google removes Infowars app from Play Store, citing misinformation, after a video posted in the app disputed the need for measures to contain the coronavirus — Apple kicked Alex Jones out of the App Store in 2018. The Google Play Store has finally followed suit.
Discussion:
Daily Mail, Variety, @reflectingman, @lilyhnewman, @zackwhittaker, @oliverdarcy, Newsweek, Gizmodo, The Verge, 9to5Google and Matt's Newsletter
Committee to Protect Journalists:
The Philippines' COVID-19 state of emergency includes up to two months prison time, and fines of up to $19,500 for spreading “false news” — The Philippine Congress should repeal a recently enacted regulation that imposes criminal penalties for spreading 'false news …
Discussion:
cnn, RAPPLER, @pressfreedom, @pressfreedom, philstar.com and Slate
Brian Steinberg / Variety:
NBC cedes primetime slot usually reserved for dramas to air hourlong coronavirus special reports on Tuesdays for at least three weeks, as viewership surges — NBC News will kick off a new show next week that's scheduled to appear for the next three Tuesdays.
Discussion:
TVNewser, @tvgrimreaper, @bristei, Deadline and Broadcasting & Cable
Lucinda Southern / Digiday:
Q&A with the CEO of Bloomberg Media, which saw new subs in March grow by 86% month-over-month and the week ending March 20 as its highest since paywall's debut — During these nerve-wracking times, for public health as well as economic health, people's appetite for trusted news has sky rocketed.
Discussion:
@bmorrissey, @raju and Editor & Publisher Magazine
National Geographic Society:
National Geographic Society launches a global fund for journalists covering COVID-19, with an emphasis on underserved groups and funding from $1,000-$8,000 — Please note: This call for proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications may be submitted until further notice.
Discussion:
@indira_l, @bradfordpearson, @bradfordpearson, @opennews and @penguinsix
Kerry Flynn / CNN:
Digital media like BuzzFeed, Group Nine, and Vice were all expected to earn profits in 2020, but now executives warn staff of layoffs while publicly keeping mum — New York (CNN Business)2020 was supposed to be a banner year for digital media. BuzzFeed, Group Nine, and Vice each indicated …
Discussion:
@aggancarski, @nandoodles, @kerrymflynn, @kerrymflynn, @kerrymflynn and @kerrymflynn
Beatrice Verhoeven / The Wrap:
Disney closes California's Disneyland and Florida's Disney World indefinitely, after initially planning to close through March, will pay staff through April 18 — Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort will remain closed until further notice, a spokesperson for The Walt Disney Company announced on Friday.
Discussion:
Orlando Sentinel, /Film, @ashkan, @lukemmoney, Newsweek, Forbes, Reuters, Los Angeles Times, Fox News, CNET, Variety and Deadline