Mediagazer: Multichannel News, which was bought by Future PLC in 2018, will be combined with sister site Broadcasting + Cable on April 1; no staff cuts are planned (Ray Schultz/MediaPost)

Top News:

Sara Guaglione / Digiday:

Vox says podcast revenue grew 50% YoY across its network, which has 200+ podcasts, in 2020, as it tests spinning off podcast episodes into standalone shows — Vox Media is testing out how one popular podcast can be an incubator for more audio shows not tied to the news.

Discussion: @kerrymflynn

Sam Schechner / Wall Street Journal:

France says Apple's upcoming IDFA ad privacy changes are not abusive but will investigate if Apple has stricter rules for third-party apps than for its own apps — French competition authority says Apple's changes 'don't appear to be abusive' — France's competition regulator rejected …

Discussion: Reuters, MediaPost, @samschech, MacRumors, 9to5Mac and Bloomberg, more at Techmeme »

Shirley Zhao / Bloomberg:

Sources: China told media to stagger Oscars telecast, after nomination of a HK protests documentary and concern over views of Best Director contender Chloe Zhao — - The awards ceremony shouldn't be broadcast in real time — Outlets should only report on awards not deemed sensitive

Discussion: Mediaite, Variety, New York Post, Hollywood Reporter, @lucas_shaw, IndieWire and Fast Company

Arol Wright / XDA Developers:

YouTube is testing a tool that checks for copyright violations during the upload process — If you want to be able to upload your own content to YouTube and maybe even making money off that content, you need to abide by copyright laws. And that's enforced.

Discussion: Engadget and 9to5Google

TJCX:

Analysis of New York Times' A/B tests of its headlines, which often use dramatic, emotionally-charged language to boost engagement — The New York Times is a big deal. As they tell their advertisers, the NYT is the #1 news source for young, rich thought leaders:

Discussion: @jackisnotabird, @joshsternberg, @wolfiechristl, @dvg, @chrismoranuk, @craigsilverman and @brianfishman

Will Sommer / The Daily Beast:

Some Capitol riot suspects are on a PR blitz, with The Gateway Pundit and other right wing media depicting them as innocent victims — But in the right-wing media, they're innocent victims. — According to federal indictments, Kelly and Connie Meggs are members of the Oath Keepers militia …

Discussion: @nycjim and Insider

Brad Esposito / Very Fine Day:

Interview with Brandy Zadrozny of NBC News, on working as a researcher at Fox News, the odd politics of 2016, QAnon, and the sadness of dark stories — Well, it's March again. Get 50% off a paid subscription to VFD - forever. Check it out HERE. — Don't know what Very Fine Day is?

Discussion: @tomnamako, @taylorlorenz, @vestaljen, @walldo and @brandyzadrozny

Julia Ainsley / NBC News:

Sources: Biden administration is restricting the information Border Patrol can share with media about migrant surge at the southern border — WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is restricting the information Border Patrol agents and sector chiefs can share with the media as a surge …

Discussion: @juliaeainsley, @mikedelmoro, @dlind, @lews___therin, @yamiche and @zekejmiller

Ray Schultz / MediaPost:

Multichannel News, which was bought by Future PLC in 2018, will be combined with sister site Broadcasting + Cable on April 1; no staff cuts are planned — Multichannel News, a publication that has covered the TV industry for over 40 years, will be combined with sister title Broadcast + Cable, effective April 1.

Discussion: @rafat

Adam Tinworth / One Man & His Blog:

The Telegraph's plan to reward journalists who attract and retain subscribers will not reward clickbait — The Telegraph's plan to incentivise subscriber-friendly content doesn't look like clickbait payments, whatever Twitter says — There's a Guardian article blowing up on Twitter at the moment …

Discussion: @chrismoranuk, @ingridlunden, @michaelejigu, @jamesrbuk, @jamesrbuk, @nickgibbs, @james_brabazon, @mathewi, @benwhitelaw, @martincloake, @travelfish, Beyond Search, @berendvdkolk, The Fix, @healthuntodeath and Press Gazette

Seth Berkman / New York Times:

A look at South Korean TV shows' extensive use of product placement to get around restrictions on commercial breaks, resulting in many shows featuring Subway — The sandwich chain's aggressive use of product placement has made it a ubiquitous presence on the country's television shows.

Discussion: @goawaywithjae, @theericgoldman and @shiraovide

Sarah Scire / Nieman Lab:

Google's GNI awards $3M to new orgs to fight vaccine misinfo, including to India's The Quint, which provides fact checks to rural women via a grassroots network — Google has announced the 11 projects selected to receive a collective $3 million to fight Covid-19 vaccine misinformation.

Discussion: The Keyword, @kent_walker, @themediaisdying, @niemanlab, @ctardaguila, @mantzarlis, @gkangind and Engadget