Top News:
Sara Fischer / Axios:
Sources: Ezra Klein, co-founder and editor-at-large of Vox.com, and Lauren Williams, editor-in-chief and senior vice president, are leaving the company — Ezra Klein, co-founder and editor-at-large of Vox.com, the political news website owned by Vox Media, and Lauren Williams …
Discussion:
The Daily Beast, @ezraklein, Yashar's Newsletter, @tomhbunting, Washington Post, MediaPost, @laurenwilliams, @antoniogm, @kantrowitz, Forbes, Vox, @sarafischer, @ezraklein, @pwthornton, @jessicalessin, @jessicalessin, @davidsirota, @katedailey, @kurtschlichter, @davecoion, @econliberties, @genepark, @tressiemcphd, @laurenwilliams, @anthony, @ryrivard, @geedee215, @hayskali, @heerjeet, @byjoelanderson, @laurenwilliams, @laurenwilliams, @laurenwilliams, @laurenwilliams, @marisakabas, The Media Nut, @ezraklein, @notnathan, @emarvelous, @bernybelvedere, @brokeymcpoverty, @ezraklein, @conorsen, @ezraklein, @stevekrak, @sarafischer, @ezraklein, @hamandcheese, @ezraklein, @ivanthek, @ezraklein, @jonathanchait, @clarajeffery, @ezraklein, @donmoyn, @sarafischer, @alexsalvinews and @ezraklein
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The New York Times Company:
Ezra Klein is joining NYT Opinion in January as a columnist and podcast host — Ezra, in his columns and on his podcast, will be able to help our readers and listeners navigate the political future as Washington moves into a new era. Read more in this note from Kathleen Kingsbury and Paula Szuchman.
New York Post:
Sources: DOJ is investigating Penske Media's deal to acquire 80% of The Hollywood Reporter's parent, MRC; Penske also owns Variety, Deadline, and other outlets — The Department of Justice is investigating antitrust concerns surrounding Penske Media's deal to buy The Hollywood Reporter, The Post has learned.
Discussion:
Los Angeles Magazine and Talking Biz News
Mike Fleming Jr / Deadline:
Sources: Disney weighs plans to release three films on Disney+ instead of as theatrical releases, following news that Wonder Woman 1984 will stream on HBO Max — EXCLUSIVE: No final decision has been made, but Deadline hears that the uncertainty of the future theatrical marketplace …
Discussion:
Cord Cutters News, The Streamable, The Playlist, @getfandom, @ericjackson, /Film, ComingSoon.net, What's On Disney Plus, New York Post, @filmupdates, @mousterpiece, @kyletague, TheStreet, @jasonkilar, ScreenRant, GameSpot, The A.V. Club, @trengriffin, @frankpallotta, Hollywood Reporter, @ser_jon_arryn, @rfaughnder, @rfaughnder, @lamarrwilson, @mikeryan, @harrymccracken, @mcbiggitty, @lucas_shaw and @loudmouthjulia
Brian Steinberg / Variety:
Memo by Fox Corp.'s Lachlan Murdoch: office reopenings are pushed back to no earlier than April 2021; Fox to pay employee health insurance premiums through 2021 — Employees at Fox Corporation had been told to get ready for a return to their offices as soon as January. Now they will wait until at least April.
Discussion:
Washington Post, TVNewser and Deadline
Alex Sherman / CNBC:
Sources: Amazon agrees to pull HBO from Fire TV's Amazon Channels next year; WarnerMedia wanted HBO out to maintain a direct relationship with users via its app — - Amazon has agreed to pull HBO from Amazon Channels in the Amazon Fire TV interface when that agreement lapses next year, sources say.
Discussion:
@sherman4949, The Streamable, The Verge, @ballmatthew and @richlightshed
Brandon Katz / Observer:
Universal signs deal with Canada's Cineplex shortening theatrical window to 17 days; films with North American opening weekend box office of $50M get 31 days — Cineplex, Canada's largest film exhibitor, and Universal Filmed Entertainment Group today announced a multi-year agreement …
Discussion:
Hollywood Reporter, @great_katzby, Variety and Media Play News
Mark Jacob / Local News Initiative:
National digital networks are entering local media markets, including Open Campus, which helps fund higher ed reporters and has seven partners in six states — Axios, ProPublica, The Athletic and Chalkbeat Take Different Approaches to Going Local — National digital news organizations …
Discussion:
@localnewsini, @terabithia4, @timafranklin, @dicktofel, @localnewsini and American Press Institute
Joe Pompeo / Vanity Fair:
Source: Jeff Zucker is expected to leave CNN in the first quarter of 2021, though “a final decision has not been made” — The CNN boss is expected to depart early next year, after his former Apprentice star—we think—leaves the White House. There's been friction …
Discussion:
TVNewser, Mediaite, The Wrap, @parkermolloy, @mattnegrin, @andrewbeatty, @alexsalvinews, @joepompeo and @joepompeo
James McAuley / Washington Post:
French journalists and advocates are condemning a rule in a proposed security law that would ban filming police, with a fine up to $53,300 and a prison sentence — PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron has championed his country as a leading defender of free expression …
Discussion:
Al Jazeera, @penamerica, @wppressfreedom, @dovalfon, @rasmus_kleis, @matinastevis, @rolandlescure and @jameskmcauley
Ashley King / Digital Music News:
With Twitch enforcing DMCA takedowns, CD Projekt Red is releasing its Cyberpunk 2077 game with a “streamer-friendly” mode that disables copyrighted music — The games industry is tackling DMCA takedowns on streaming platforms with a new ‘streamer-friendly mode.’
Discussion:
GameByte, Polygon and ScreenRant, more at Techmeme »
Michael Paulson / New York Times:
Stage actors' union has settled a dispute with SAG-AFTRA and will represent performers, as theaters have pivoted to streaming play productions — Actors' Equity and SAG-AFTRA's agreement clears the way for more entertainment during the pandemic winter. — Two major entertainment industry unions …
Discussion:
@nytimesarts, @wendellpierce, @rkgwork, @jetscott and RightsTech Project