Top News:
Poynter:
News orgs' removal of paywalls for pandemic coverage is noble, but makes no sense, and the industry seems to think public service can't coexist with revenue — Food is essential, but grocery stores aren't giving it away. Police are being paid during the crisis. So why are we making our journalism free?
Discussion:
Deez Links, @saroff_nyc, @stephbpurifoy, @jfagone, @callaghanpeter, @newsterrier, @e_vb_, @thesarahkelly, @newsalliance, @mikeorren, @scott_maxwell and @dkiesow
Variety:
Sources: AMI exec Dylan Howard, who was embroiled in scandals involving Weinstein and Trump, is out, after his March 31 contract was not renewed — American Media Inc. executive Dylan Howard is out after more than a decade at the publishing company, Variety has learned exclusively.
Discussion:
The Daily Beast, @jimrutenberg, @thedailybeast, @ewagmeister and The Wrap
Janko Roettgers / Protocol:
Hollywood is working from home to meet streaming demand as animation, which can be done remotely, is seeing a boom in the number of shows greenlit to series — Hollywood has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Theaters across much of the country have closed, movie shoots have come …
CNN:
Stephanie Grisham is leaving her job as press secretary, having never held a briefing, and returning to her previous job as Melania Trump's chief of staff — (CNN)White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham is leaving the job without ever having briefed the press.
Discussion:
Mediaite, The Wrap, Politico, @thepaulsryan, @jesselehrich, @hadas_gold, @tvietor08 and The Daily Beast
Joan E. Solsman / CNET:
CNN buys Canopy, a privacy-focused content-recommendation startup that created news reader Tonic, as the network develops its news aggregation service — Canopy, a privacy-focused recommendations startup, has been acquired by CNN, a unit of wireless giant AT&T through its WarnerMedia devision.
Discussion:
TechCrunch and Wall Street Journal
Alex Weprin / Hollywood Reporter:
NBCUniversal says it will reduce ad loads across its networks to make room for more programming and add more entertainment and news content during the lockdown — On news broadcasts and cable news channels, the company will reduce commercial loads to allow for more programming.
Discussion:
NBCUniversal Together, CNBC, Adweek, @peterstringer, @whatthebit, @jboorstin, @crupicrupicrupi, @tiffkhsu and MediaPost
Broadcasting & Cable:
Broadcasters Foundation of America expands its emergency grants, which provides up to $1,000, to radio and TV employees in financial need due to COVID-19 — Expands emergency grant definition to include financial need due to novel coronavirus infection — The Broadcasters Foundation …
Discussion:
Broadcasters Foundation …, TV Technology, Radio & Television … and AllAccess.com
Kayleigh Barber / Digiday:
Food & Wine, Eater, and Thrillist are helping the restaurant industry during the pandemic by offering guides, promotion, and other resources — The restaurant industry is searching for assistance from external sources during the coronavirus pandemic and food publishers are stepping in to help.
Discussion:
American Press Institute, @newsalliance and @groupninemedia
The Wrap:
THR editor Matt Belloni to resign; source: Belloni opposed Valence Media co-CEOs' direction not to publish stories that would negatively impact their interests — Hollywood Reporter Editorial Director Matt Belloni announced Monday he is abruptly stepping down after 14 years at the publication …
Discussion:
New York Times, The Daily Beast, Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Variety, @edmundlee, Poynter, @thrmattbelloni, @jimrutenberg, @maxwelltani, @thedailybeast, @bubbaprog, @laceyvrose, @therebeccasun, @billsimmons, @dylanbyers, @alyssarosenberg, @noahshachtman, @maxwelltani, @maxwelltani, @dylanbyers, @maxwelltani, @harrymccracken, @jayshams, @kevinmdraper, @matthewkadish, @marcmalkin, @tomgara, @scottfeinberg, @erik_hayden, @lucas_shaw, @edmundlee, @benmullin, @elainaplott, @brentalang, @benyt, @mimiturner01, @jayrosen_nyu, @laura_nelson, @oliverdarcy, @akstanwyck, MediaPost, Talking Biz News and Los Angeles Times
Catherine Sweeney / Poynter:
Journalists and unions in the US are starting fundraisers to help laid-off and furloughed journalists, with one fund raising $38K+ from which 110 requested aid — After many of the country's most prominent newspaper companies implemented furloughs, journalists sprung to action to help their colleagues.
Maria Halkias / Dallas Morning News:
Dallas Morning News' parent company is tapping into its $8M cash reserve, reducing staff pay between 3% and 17%; it started the year with $48.6M in cash — A. H. Belo Corporation is also cutting its dividend by 50%. — The parent company of The Dallas Morning News is responding …
Discussion:
GlobeNewswire
Josh Mabry / Facebook Journalism Project …:
Facebook's $25M local news relief fund, launching April 13, is offering grants between $25K and $100K to US outlets in communities impacted by COVID-19 — Today the Facebook Journalism Project (FJP) is launching the FJP COVID-19 Local News Relief Fund Grant Program, offering grant opportunities …
Discussion:
Axios, Facebook Gives 400 … and @inn
Hank Stuever / Washington Post:
Review of Quibi's launch shows: most are entertaining and the formats feel spot-on for casual smartphone viewing, but the selection needs work — Quibi? Well, if you insist . . . — It's yet another subscription service, launching Monday with two dozen TV shows (to start) …
Discussion:
The Streamable, Vox, @dylanmatt, @hemantmehta, @geoffreyfowler, @bwwmatt, @jackallisonlol, @waxpancake and The Verge
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