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NYT says it has added 669K new digital subscribers in Q2 and its digital revenue, at $185.5M, exceeded print revenue, at $175.4M, for the first time — The pandemic squeezed advertising for the web as well as print, but subscription growth was the best ever for a quarter.
Discussion:
Nieman Lab, The Wrap, Axios, @edmundlee, @sarafischer, AdExchanger, @jodikantor, @jimwaterson, @ericcrawford, @juliehdavis, @marcatracy and @mattzeitlin, more at Techmeme »
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NYT reports Q2 net income of $23.7M, down 6% YoY, revenue of $403.8M, down 7.5% YoY, with ad revenues down 43.9%, and has a total of 6.5M subscribers — NEW YORK—(BUSINESS WIRE)—The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT) announced today second-quarter 2020 diluted earnings per share …
Discussion:
@gerryfsmith, CNN, @mattietk, @brandonetc, @justin_b_smith, @them_l_g, @andybcampbell, @sarthakgh, @aexm, @mattyglesias, @bgrueskin, @kerrymflynn, @kerrymflynn, @dicktofel, @thestalwart, @boydhilton, @gerryfsmith and @yousefmunayyer


Pete Hamill, the celebrated reporter who worked as a columnist and the top editor of The New York Post and The Daily News, and authored many books, dies at 85 — He was, among other things, a celebrated reporter, columnist and the top editor of The New York Post and The Daily News and the author of numerous books.
Discussion:
New York Daily News, @danbarrynyt, The Wrap, The Hill, New York Post, Hollywood Reporter, @joelmsiegel, @edokeefe, @nycspeakercojo, @clauirizarry, @tonymess, Rolling Stone, @devlinbarrett, @cliffordlevy, @nytimesbooks, @sarahhepola, @nytmedia, @craigtimes, @dgisserious, abc7NY and @howardkurtz


Disney reports $11.78B in Q3 revenue vs. $12.37B est., down 42% YoY, says it has 100M+ paid subs for streaming services including Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ — - Disney reported earnings for its third quarter of 2020 after the bell on Tuesday as it continues to feel the impact of the coronavirus pandemic …
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Disney says it plans to launch a general entertainment streaming platform internationally in 2021 under its Star brand, would include content from ABC, FX, more
Discussion:
IGN, @theericgoldman and @loudmouthjulia

Disney's Mulan, originally to be released in March but delayed due to COVID-19, will be released on Disney+ on Sept. 4 as a premium on-demand offering for $30
Discussion:
The Wrap, The Streamable, @otherehm, @gerryconway, @reneritchie, @blessedsouthpaw, @alexandraerin, @wonderwaffle93, @eugenedaniels2, @scalzi, @cynical_cj, @jimwaterson, @gameonysus, @constar24, @paultassi, @thekenyeung, @schaffrillas, @curtmega, @briantong, @cynical_cj, @itsandyyybitch, @loudmouthjulia, @loudmouthjulia, @loudmouthjulia, Vox, Adweek and The Week

Disney says Disney+ grew to 57.5M subs as of June 27, up from 54.5M three months ago
Discussion:
Variety, TechCrunch, @sherman4949, Engadget, @vijayshekhar, Awful Announcing and Engadget, more at Techmeme »


TikTok tightens policies against manipulated content, expands fact-checking partnerships, and is working with DHS's Countering Foreign Influence Task Force — TikTok announced new rules for its users on Wednesday to curb misinformation and manipulation ahead of the 2020 election.
Discussion:
@mosseri, Electronic Frontier Foundation, @sonnybunch, @taylorlorenz, @mattnavarra and @sarafischer, more at Techmeme »


Discovery reports Q2 earnings of $271M, down 71% YoY, on revenue of $2.54B, down 12% YoY; US ad revenues were down 14% and distribution revenues were down 2% — Discovery said it planned to unveil a new direct-to-consumer streaming service even as its said its second-quarter net income fell 71% …
Discussion:
Multichannel News, The Streamable, The Wrap, @xpangler, Hollywood Reporter, @bristei and @thr
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Biden campaign announces what it says is the largest TV ad buy ever by a presidential candidate, with $220M for TV ads in 15 states and $60M for digital ads — Pretty soon it'll be hard to escape Joe Biden on your television. Or your radio. Or your phone.
Discussion:
@rolandsmartin, @jeffjarvis, @danodonnellshow, @michaeljgwin, @tducklo and @davidlarter


Facebook launches Instagram Reels, its TikTok competitor that lets users create and publish 15-second videos, in 50+ countries, including the US, UK, and Japan — Instagram Reels, the company's significant effort in challenging TikTok on short-form creative content, is launching globally, starting today.
Discussion:
MediaPost, The Verge, Wall Street Journal, MacRumors, Engadget and 9to5Mac, more at Techmeme »


Standard Media Index: Q2'2020 US TV ad spend fell 19% YoY and in June it fell 9% YoY to $3.2B, with CNN's ad revenue growing 86% YoY and Fox News' 55% YoY — More people continue to watch TV or other forms of video in the midst of the pandemic, but Madison Avenue is spending fewer dollars to dazzle them.
Discussion:
MediaPost, Radio & Television …, @bristei, @bristei, Multichannel News and The Verge


Changes at the USAGM undermine the credibility of US worldwide broadcasting by threatening the firewall that has insulated broadcasters from political pressure — Today a global battle of ideas is raging between representative democracy and authoritarianism.


HBO announces a two-part documentary exploring Black representation on TV using archival footage and interviews with actors, writers, and showrunners — ‘Seen & Heard’ will explore the history of representation on TV via archival footage and interviews with actors, writers and showrunners.


Live TV streaming service Philo says it now has 750,000 subscribers, up 300% YoY — It seems Philo has had a great year. The sports-free streaming TV bundle has seen a 300 percent uptick over the course of the past year and is now boasting 750,000 subscribers.