Top News:
David Folkenflik / NPR:
Boards of RFE/RL and Radio Free Asia and their chairman Michael Pack have added binding contractual agreements that they can't be removed for the next two years — Michael Pack's stormy tenure over the federal agency that oversees government-funded broadcasters abroad — including Voice of America — appears to be coming to a close.
Discussion:
@davidfolkenflik, @paulwaldman1, @melissajpeltier, @dangillmor, @urielepshtein, @mollymckew, @mandacollins, @anneapplebaum, @petersoa840, @digiphile and @npr
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Brian Schwartz / CNBC:
Letter signed by leaders of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's news division and editorial board says Michael Pack appointed a board of “inexperienced” partisans — - Leaders of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty blasted the Trump-appointed CEO of the U.S. federal media agency.
Rachel Olding / The Daily Beast:
The 5 female anchors at NY1 who sued for age and gender discrimination say they have mutually agreed to leave the local news station after settling their suit — Five female anchors at NY1 said Thursday they have “mutually agreed” to leave the local news station after settling their age and gender discrimination lawsuit.
Sean Burch / The Wrap:
WaPo publisher Fred Ryan says paper's employees will get a bonus of $2,021 as a sign of “gratitude for your exceptional service through the challenges of 2020” — Bonus comes after owner Jeff Bezos, the chief executive of Amazon, saw his net worth climb $75.4 billion in 2020
Discussion:
@jdelreal
Steve Inskeep / NPR:
Biden's press secretary Jen Psaki on not letting the briefing room become a “platform for propaganda”, engaging with right-wing media, dealing with leaks, more — President-elect Joe Biden's choice for White House press secretary says she will restore a tradition.
Jonathan Stempel / Reuters:
Judge rules that former Viacom shareholders can pursue a lawsuit accusing Shari Redstone of engineering a “patently unfair” merger in creating ViacomCBS — (Reuters) - A Delaware judge ruled this week that former Viacom shareholders may pursue a lawsuit accusing Shari Redstone of engineering a …
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MediaPost:
Parks Associates: 20% of US broadband households currently use ad-supported streaming services and 15% use a freemium service, like Peacock — Twenty percent of U.S. broadband households currently use an ad-supported OTT service, and 15% use a “freemium” service, according to Parks Associates research.
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Wall Street Journal:
Top nine streaming services to end 2020 with combined US subscribers up 50%+ YoY; US households now subscribe to 3.1 services on average, up from 2.7 in 2019
Discussion:
Forbes, @raju, Business Insider, @wsj, @jbflint, @drewfitzgerald, Fast Company, New York Post, Context is King and The Desk, more at Techmeme »
Lauren Hirsch / New York Times:
Source: Amazon's acquisition of Wondery values the podcasting company, which began in 2016, at roughly $300M — The deal, valued at $300 million, is the latest in a string of acquisitions as streaming platforms expand beyond music and video. — Amazon is acquiring Wondery …
Discussion:
@dabeard, Daily Herald, Wall Street Journal, CNN and TechCrunch, more at Techmeme »
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About Amazon:
Amazon plans to acquire podcast network Wondery, which will join Amazon Music
Discussion:
@benmullin, Liberty's Highlights, @smartfootball, @stevekovach, @simonowens, Amazon Chronicles, @beirutspring, The Wrap, RAIN News, Variety, MacRumors, @wonderymedia, The Podcast Hub, @karaswisher, @rebeccajarvis, @joshsternberg, @chrismessina, @mattdsandler, @glenngabe, @besvinick, @evoterra, @baxiabhishek, @tzm_tmt, Axios, @kintan, The Verge, IndieWire, Engadget, TechCrunch, The Wrap, Gizmodo, Los Angeles Times, Music Business Worldwide, Business Insider, CNBC, Radio & Television … and MediaPost, more at Techmeme »
Frank Pallotta / CNN:
Inside Universal's decision to debut Trolls World Tour online on the same day it opened in theaters, which may have changed the movie business forever — Delaying a Fast & Furious movie is no easy feat. — For starters, it involves finding a new release date for a film with a $250 million production budget.
Discussion:
@frankpallotta
Michael J. de la Merced / New York Times:
Alden says it is bidding for full control of Tribune Publishing, in which it has a ~32% stake, with an offer that values the newspaper chain at about $520.6M — Alden Global Capital, which is already Tribune's biggest shareholder, valued the company at about $520.6 million.
Discussion:
Wall Street Journal, Axios, @lalpert1, @seanrobinson1e4, @samjmintz, @ctguild, @justin_fenton, @fenitn, @benbradleytv, @senatorbrowne, @laurakeeney, @ssdance, @mattstephens, @senatorbrowne, @garyaharki, @raju, @hocorising, @pwoodreporter, @pwoodreporter, @mcallguild, @byjonharris, @pdavis_llc, @marcatracy, @pwoodreporter, @byjonharris, @stevelackmeyer, @megreenwell, @scottshanenyt, @pwoodreporter, @marcatracy, @courantguild, @kbui1, @royalpratt, @dicktofel, @w_katz1, @kdoctor, @robillard, MediaPost and The Wrap
Cliff Levy / @cliffordlevy:
Memo to NYT staff from Arthur Sulzberger Jr., retiring after 42 years: “A 170-year old institution doesn't survive by standing still” — “It has been the privilege of my life to support your important work.” — After 42 years, Arthur Sulzberger Jr., one of the most influential figures in journalism in recent decades, retires and says goodbye to @nytimes. https://twitter.com/...
Discussion:
@nickkristof, @marclacey and Context is King
TOLOnews:
Journalist Bismillah Adil Aimaq has been killed in Afghanistan, the sixth one to be killed in the last two months in the country — Bismillah Adil Aimaq, a journalist and civil society activist in Ghor, was killed in an attack by unknown armed men in the city of Feroz Koh, the center of the province, local officials said.
Discussion:
Al Jazeera
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