Mediagazer: How a Spotify change in user preferences, setting autoplay to “on” by default, may have helped obscure songs become fan favorites, with algorithmic help (Nate Rogers/Stereogum)

BuzzFeed has agreed to acquire Verizon Media's HuffPost in a stock deal, as part of a larger agreement to syndicate content on each others' platforms — New-media companies have been exploring mergers as they try to jumpstart growth — BuzzFeed Inc. has agreed to acquire Verizon Media's HuffPost …

Discussion: @digiphile, @brianstelter, Variety, @maxberger, @maxwelltani, @bafeldman, @lauraolin, @barry, @mdudas, @maxwelltani, @jeremymbarr, @mathewi, @jeremymbarr, @johannabarr, @jimwaterson, @jem_collins, @laurenpelley, @thekenyeung, @yashar, @craigsilverman and @jbenton

Max Willens / Digiday:
Verizon Media Group, which includes Yahoo, HuffPost, TechCrunch, and Engadget, says its commerce revenues are up more than 250% YoY through November

Discussion: MediaPost

Julia Alexander / The Verge:

Wonder Woman 1984, originally to be released in June, will simultaneously be released on Dec. 25 in US theaters and on HBO Max, with no added fee on HBO Max — One of 2020's last big movies will also be streamed — One of 2020's last big blockbusters, Wonder Woman 1984 …

Katie Robertson / New York Times:

Linda Pizzuti Henry named CEO of Boston Globe Media Partners, the parent company of The Boston Globe, STAT News, and Boston.com that she owns with her husband — She takes the reins at a time of rising tensions between management and the paper's union. — Linda Pizzuti Henry on Wednesday became …

Discussion: The Boston Globe, wgbh.org, @bostonnewsguild, @elanazak, @nytmedia, @nytmedia, @mkarolian and Media Nation

Eben Novy-Williams / Sportico.com:

Bally's acquires naming rights to 21 Sinclair's regional sports networks in a ten-year deal that will integrate Bally's content into Sinclair's 190 TV stations — Bally's Corp. has acquired naming rights to 21 of the regional sports networks purchased last year by Sinclair Broadcast Group …

Discussion: The Streamable, New York Post, Awful Announcing, TheStreet and @novy_williams

Nate Rogers / Stereogum:

How a Spotify change in user preferences, setting autoplay to “on” by default, may have helped obscure songs become fan favorites, with algorithmic help — SOUNDING BOARD — A couple years ago, Stephen Malkmus walked into a shop and didn't recognize himself.

Discussion: @caseynewton, @mountain_goats, @jeremybmerrill, @elle_hunt, @eddierobson and musically.com

Mathieu Rosemain / Reuters:

Google says it has signed copyright agreements with six French newspapers and magazines, involving a way to pay publishers through Google News Showcase — PARIS (Reuters) - Alphabet's Google GOOGL.O has signed copyright agreements with six French newspapers and magazines …

Discussion: Le blog officiel de …

Jill Goldsmith / Deadline:

Source: ViacomCBS has cut around 100 jobs in latest round of layoffs as part of a streamlining and cost-cutting push due to the merger — ViacomCBS has been hit with another round of job cuts as layoffs and restructuring continue across big media and entertainment companies.

Discussion: Variety, Hollywood Reporter and The Wrap

Adrianne Jeffries / The Markup:

Google says it will end preferential search rankings for AMP pages in the spring, but remains “fully committed” to the technology — Targeting Trump Fans, QAnon Ad Slips Through Facebook's Filters — How Private Is My Pay App?

Discussion: Official Google Webmaster …

Ben Mullin / @benmullin:

Vox Media will pay all employees, including temporary ones, a $1,000 end-of-year gift and restore merit and promotion increase budgets in 2021 — News: Vox Media employees are getting a $1,000 end-of-year gift: https://twitter.com/...

Discussion: @rebekahentralgo and @karenyhan

Associated Press:

Peanuts Thanksgiving and Christmas specials will air on PBS after Apple, which owns the rights, teamed up with the broadcaster to air them ad free — NEW YORK (AP) — The “Great Pumpkin” never showed on broadcast television this year, but after a deal with PBS, the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving …

Discussion: @harrymccracken, The Hill, Ad Age, @ap, Newser, The Week and Adweek

Dade Hayes / Deadline:

AMC Networks announces it is laying off nearly 100 people, affecting 10% of US staffers, in a restructuring to streamline linear TV operations with streaming — EXCLUSIVE: AMC Networks is letting go 10% of its U.S. workforce, eliminating nearly 100 positions in a reorganization designed …

Discussion: The Wrap and Variety

Jay Peters / The Verge:

T-Mobile to shut down TVision Home, its $90/month IPTV cable service, on December 30, as it debuts a new live TV streaming service called TVision on November 1 — TVision Home won't work after December 30th at 3AM ET — T-Mobile is shutting down TVision Home, its IPTV cable service …

Discussion: Digital TV Europe