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.
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