Top News:


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


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


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 …


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


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


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


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


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


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


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.


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


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


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
RELATED: