Top News:
David Folkenflik / NPR:
CNN is canceling the weekly media show Reliable Sources, and host Brian Stelter is leaving the network; Reliable Sources' final episode will air on August 21 — CNN is canceling its Sunday media affairs show Reliable Sources, and host Brian Stelter is departing the network, Stelter tells NPR.
Discussion:
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Discussion:
Benjamin Mullin / New York Times: Brian Stelter Leaving CNN After Cancellation of ‘Reliable Sources’
Brian Stelter / @brianstelter: I picked a bad day to violate the ABC rule — Always Be Charging. I took the kiddos out sightseeing in midtown Manhattan and my phone's at 2% 🤦🏼♂ ️
Dominick Mastrangelo / The Hill: CNN cancels ‘Reliable Sources,’ host Brian Stelter to depart network
Aidan McLaughlin / Mediaite: BREAKING: Brian Stelter Leaving CNN as Network Cancels Reliable Sources
Josh Dickey / The Wrap: Brian Stelter Offered Jobs by Fox News' Greg Gutfeld and Babylon Bee - and Other Conservative Dunks on Ousted CNN Host
Stephen King / @stephenking: The one show on CNN I never missed was Reliable Sources, with Brian Stelter. It has been an invaluable window into how the media covers...itself. Today CNN canceled it.
Sara Fischer / Axios: CNN chief media correspondent Brian Stelter to exit
Jeff Jarvis / BuzzMachine: The story media miss: themselves
Sara Fischer / @sarafischer: More on this: - @ReliableSources newsletter will continue - @oliverdarcy will stay (per his tweets) - Show staff being let go (relatively small staff compared to other CNN shows, some could find other CNN roles) - Folks found out yesterday https://www.axios.com/...
Lachlan Cartwright / @lachcartwright: “Everything about this was rollout points to [Discovery board member] John Malone and [Discovery CEO] David Zaslav,” a person familiar with the situation told The Daily Beast. “Chris Licht did not want to do this.” https://www.thedailybeast.com/ ... with @CorbinBolies @ZTPetrizzo
Renée Camus / Nicki Swift: The Real Reason Brian Stelter Is Leaving CNN
Steve Sternberg / @stevensternberg: A tip of the hat to Bernard Kalb, the founding host of “Reliable Sources,” who at 100 years young remains one of the nation's greatest broadcast journalists. https://www.npr.org/...
Mehdi Hasan / @mehdirhasan: “David Zaslav, the company's chief executive, has said that he wants a network for both Republicans and Democrats.” A reminder that too many in my industry still seem to believe that there is a big GOP audience that *wants* facts or ‘straight news’. https://www.nytimes.com/...
Amy Mullen / @lilybelle05: @ClancyReports Not fair. During an episode in February, Stelter cited Malone [a major Discovery investor] more than a dozen times in coverage of the Discovery deal for CNN and its sister properties, expressing some concern about the investor's influence. https://www.npr.org/...
Ben Mullin / @benmullin: NEW: John Malone tells me he had “nothing to do with” @brianstelter's show getting canceled. He said he wants “the ‘news’ portion of CNN to be more centrist, but I am not in control or directly involved.” https://www.nytimes.com/... https://twitter.com/...
Matthew Keys / @matthewkeyslive: Stelter held media outlets to account — except his own. He admitted he was slow to cover the conflict-of-interest scandal involving Chris Cuomo. He also served as a hypeman for CNN Plus before and after it launched. It lasted for less than a month. https://twitter.com/...
Oliver Darcy / @oliverdarcy: End of an era. It has been a hell of a ride working with @BrianStelter and the @ReliableSources team over the last five years. Brian has been a first-class colleague, mentor, and friend. I cannot wait to see what he does next.
Matthew Keys / The Desk: CNN finds Brian Stelter unreliable for future of network
Brian Steinberg / Variety: Brian Stelter to Exit CNN After ‘Reliable Sources’ Is Cancelled
Matthew Gertz / @mattgertz: .@brianstelter chronicled, with bracing honesty and directness, Fox News' descent from GOP mouthpiece to toxic hellscape. His program will be missed, and I'm looking forward to whatever he does next. https://www.npr.org/...
Oliver Darcy / @oliverdarcy: As for me, I'm looking forward to continuing to cover the media and hold powerful people and institutions accountable. It's important work and I'm grateful to do it at CNN.
Claire Atkinson / Insider: CNN cancels ‘Reliable Sources,’ axing Brian Stelter and show staff, with more familiar faces expected to exit as network CEO Chris Licht sets strategy
Brendan Morrow / The Week: Brian Stelter to leave CNN as network cancels Reliable Sources
Ben Mullin / @benmullin: .@brianstelter had more than three years left on a four year contract at CNN, I'm told. https://www.nytimes.com/...
Will Bunch / @will_bunch: Wow, three different voices who exited in three very different ways, but losing the media criticism of Eric Boehlert, Margaret Sullivan and now Brian Stelter in a matter of months is quite a blow Because the media needs more criticism, not less https://www.inquirer.com/...
Rita Panahi / @ritapanahi: Probably explains why you're consistently & spectacularly wrong about so much. 🤣 https://twitter.com/...
@baseballaslan: @neontaster His book about the fall of the Today Show ("Top of the Morning") is excellent. I hope he writes a sequel about the Matt Lauer debacle.
Adam Kelsey / @adamkelsey: You're gonna dump some 27-year-old AP who did nothing wrong because you decided you want a different show in that hour?
Rebecca Iannucci / TVLine: Brian Stelter Leaving CNN as Reliable Sources Is Cancelled at the Network
David Darmofal / @david_darmofal: Why would you want the news to be centrist? Wouldn't you want it to be fact-based? That might incidentally be centrist, left, or right on an issue or event. But not w/ an ideological goal. A goal of centrism is an ideological, both-sidesing goal regardless of the facts. https://twitter.com/...
Stephen Battaglio / Los Angeles Times: Brian Stelter is out at CNN as his media criticism show ‘Reliable Sources’ is canceled
Piers Morgan / @piersmorgan: Reminder that Trump/Fox obsessed Mr Stelter dropped me as a guest on his ‘impartial’ media show because I didn't agree with his view that the Hunter Biden laptop scandal was Russian disinformation... now he's been fired by CNN for being too partisan. https://twitter.com/...
Eric Fingerhut / @ericfingerhut: It's weird—you'd think with multiple cable news outlets, you'd want to have things that differentiate your network from the others. CNN was the only network that had a media show and team of reporters covering the media.
Dave Urbanski / TheBlaze: Brian Stelter out at CNN; struggling network cancels his ‘Reliable Sources’ show
Jamison Foser / @jamisonfoser: oh no who will awkwardly ignore crappy CNN behavior and amplify right-wing falsehoods even while criticizing Fox News for doing the same https://twitter.com/...
Scott Adams / @scottadamssays: By my calculation, that means his nemesis #Gutfeld has two more hit shows than he does. https://twitter.com/...
Tim Fullerton / @timfullerton: Seems like we need more shows/coverage like @brianstelter provided - not less. https://twitter.com/...
Peter Kafka / @pkafka: So there's your on the record confirmation that Discovery's major investor wants CNN retooled. https://twitter.com/...
Frank Pallotta / CNN: CNN is ending ‘Reliable Sources with Brian Stelter’
Craig Aaron / @notaaroncraig: If you want reporters, @brianstelter was a reporter first. Going back to his stint at the NYT alongside David Carr, Stelter always sought out a wide range of thinkers and critics (including me on occasion) and, in my experience, was always thorough and fair. Bad move, CNN.
Parker Molloy / @parkermolloy: I feel bad for everyone whose name is not Brian Stelter affected by this. https://twitter.com/...
Claire Atkinson / @claireatki: New: CNN cancels ‘Reliable Sources,’ axing Brian Stelter and show staff, with more familiar faces expected to exit as network CEO Chris Licht sets strategy https://www.businessinsider.com/ ... via @businessinsider
Heidi N. Moore / @moorehn: Whatever you think of the Stelter news, it's always a bummer when John Malone scores a point against anyone
Sean Spicer / @seanspicer: Stop exaggerating Ben https://twitter.com/...
Dr. Kelli Ward / @kelliwardaz: No one will miss this guy! https://twitter.com/...
Nicholas Dawes / @nicdawes: Public understanding of the political economy of media has never been more important, and @brianstelter has made huge contributions on a big, mainstream platform. This really, really, sucks. https://twitter.com/...
Ben Mullin / @benmullin: News: Brian Stelter was making close to $1 million annually for his work on TV in addition to his podcast, CNN+ show and newsletter. He had more than 3 years left on that deal, which means CNN is going to incur significant severance costs. https://www.nytimes.com/...
Jeremy Barr / @jeremymbarr: Brian Stelter is leaving CNN and “Reliable Sources” is being cancelled. This is the biggest programming decision that has been made by Licht's CNN. “This is going to be the start of what will be significant change,” an insider said. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...
Ernie Smith / @shortformernie: Let the charge run out and just don't look at the news for the rest of the week https://twitter.com/...
Wendell Husebø / Breitbart: CNN's Brian Stelter to Exit Network, ‘Reliable Sources’ Canceled
Jeremy Littau / @jeremylittau: When Discovery merged with WarnerMedia, they said they had to cut $3b right away (Discovery took on a bunch of debt in the deal, had north of $50b at close). So, cuts. CNN+ gone (though it wasn't that great a product), all those HBOMax content cuts the past week, now CNN proper.
@lisa_joseph13: In February, Stelter had cited major investor Malone more than a dozen times in coverage of the Discovery deal for CNN re: NPR. I'm guessing that might have something to do with Stelter's departure. “Reliable Sources” had run on CNN for 30 years. https://twitter.com/...
Gene Park / @genepark: to quote Brian Stelter, this is “fascinating” https://twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/...
Sara Fischer / @sarafischer: A few notes about @brianstelter: — Brian is a very rare mix of talent, hustle and kindness — He works harder than almost any reporter I know. At one point, he was hosting a weekly streaming show, a Sunday show, co-authoring a 6x weekly newsletter and breaking digital stories. https://twitter.com/...
Bob Cronin / Newser: Brian Stelter Is Out at CNN
David Folkenflik / @davidfolkenflik: But CNN is cutting costs after Discovery takeover. And Stelter is among hosts who came in for criticism from conservatives for how they handled Trump years. Back in February show, Stelter cited Discovery investor John Malone as a critic of the network, noting possible concern. https://twitter.com/...
Peter Sagal / @petersagal: This is bad. I've known Brian since he was with the New York Times and he interviewed me in 2008. Nobody has ever owned a beat as much as Brian has owned his. He became a target of the Right's media machine because he told the truth about them. https://twitter.com/...
Arik Hesseldahl / @ahess247: @mediagazer @davidfolkenflik Prediction: MSNBC next.
James Poniewozik / @poniewozik: If only there were a TV media-news show to look into this https://www.npr.org/... https://twitter.com/...
Noam Blum / @neontaster: I know people love dunking on silly Stelter, but he was a legitimately malevolent and harmful presence on cable news. He just masked it with an unassuming demeanor. I hope wherever he lands next, he won't be able to do as much damage. https://twitter.com/...
Clara Jeffery / @clarajeffery: This is not a good sign for @CNN. @brianstelter has been reporting on media's failures—at CNN and elsewhere—to properly warn about rising autocracy. And had been calling for more reporting, period. https://twitter.com/...
Dark Brandon High Cleric / @tonymoonbeam: Surprised this didn't come sooner with takes like this. @brianstelter, is this one still up, or did you delete it? https://twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/...
Corbin Bolies / @corbinbolies: CNN says @brianstelter's last show will be this Sunday. “We appreciate his contributions to the network and wish him well as he embarks on new endeavors.” https://twitter.com/...
Thomas Barrabi / New York Post: Brian Stelter to leave CNN, ‘Reliable Sources’ program canceled
Christian Blauvelt / IndieWire: Brian Stelter Leaving CNN as ‘Reliable Sources’ Is Canceled Amid Warner Bros. Discovery Shakeups
Ross Maghielse / @maghielse: Good background and analysis from @DylanByers on this (@PuckNews is consistently well informed and logical about stuff, btw): “What (Stelter does) could become a harbinger for the next wave of TV talent who receive the tap on the shoulder...” https://puck.news/...
Mike V.P. / @mikepettigano: This sucks. The people at the top, the faces you actually see, will be fine. But these staffers don't have a six- or seven-figure cushion to lean on during bad times. https://twitter.com/...
@froomkin: This is a terrible move by CNN. @brianstelter was the symbol of a media establishment willing to question itself. He was a flawed but essential voice in the national media. His firing is a win for all the wrong people. https://www.npr.org/...
Joe Flint / @jbflint: It was a rare privilege to lead a weekly show focused on the press at a time when it has never been more consequential. I'll have more to say on Sunday."
Eli Lake / @elilake: This explains a lot https://twitter.com/...
Chris Winters / @thechriswinters: Absolutely. This is entirely based on the myth of centrism: two equal and opposing parties playing by the same rules in the same system. Instead we have one party committed to democracy, and one party committed to burning the whole thing down and instituting a dictatorship. https://twitter.com/...
Meg James / @megjameslat: Brian Stelter is out. @SteveBattaglio reports the thinking inside #CNN under its new chief, Chris Licht, is that a program dissecting the media was too “inside baseball” for a television audience. CNN is expected to continue the popular and insightful Reliable Sources newsletter. https://twitter.com/...
Donald Trump Jr / @donaldjtrumpjr: Tens of people devastated. https://twitter.com/...
Katie Campione / The Wrap: Brian Stelter Out at CNN, ‘Reliable Sources’ Canceled
Craig Aaron / @notaaroncraig: Not good. Even within the limits of CNN, disappearing a prominent show that actually took the the politics of the media biz seriously is a loss. CNN is going back to reporters? I'll believe it when I see it. .. https://www.vanityfair.com/...
Joe Flint / @jbflint: @claireatki It beat the other shows BUT it was down 26% or so from a year ago.
Julia Alexander / @loudmouthjulia: Brian Stelter is out at CNN. Wow. Show had seen viewership declines over the last bit, IIRC. I enjoyed Reliable Sources, disappointing to hear even if understandable. Story from @DylanByers https://puck.news/...
Jeremy Littau / @jeremylittau: This is CNN moving in the wrong direction, getting rid of one of the few avenues cable news has for self-criticism. @brianstelter is one of the best. Just an incomprehensible cut from a public-service perspective (familiar ruthless cost cutting for Discovery, though). https://twitter.com/...
Joe Flint / @jbflint: @claireatki and trailed Kurtz's Fox media show
Sara Fischer / @sarafischer: @brianstelter @JamieStelter When he was chosen to host @ReliableSources, it was clear that he didn't just have the reporting chops, but he was a natural broadcaster too. When you're on set with him, he's cool, calm, collected I will miss watching Brian on Sundays, but I know he's got huge things ahead
Vivian Schiller / @vivian: Coverage of media has NEVER been important. And @brianstelter knows how to speak truth to power. This is a terrible decision, @CNN. https://twitter.com/...
Steph Haberman / @stephlauren: Wowwww, very sad to see this. https://twitter.com/...
David Folkenflik / @davidfolkenflik: The show is the longest running on CNN - it celebrated its 30th anniversary back in March. Stelter touted its rating wins on Twitter. https://twitter.com/...
Hadas Gold / @hadas_gold: I'm sad to see such a wonderful colleague leave. He immediately welcomed me at CNN with open arms and taught me a lot. https://twitter.com/...
Sara Fischer / @sarafischer: @brianstelter In addition, he somehow found time to write a book, consult on a TV show and produce a documentary. It's impossible to know where he ever finds time considering how much time he also spends with @JamieStelter and his 2 kids, as made evident by lots of fun playground pics on insta
David Folkenflik / @davidfolkenflik: “It was a rare privilege to lead a weekly show focused on the press at a time when it has never been more consequential,” Stelter told me in leaving, promising to say more on Sunday's show — its final episode. https://twitter.com/...
Hunter Walker / @hunterw: Some people - due to their hatred for the press and desire to cover up their own malfeasance - are already gloating over people losing their jobs. Disgusting. https://twitter.com/...
@claireatki: Industry insiders are wondering if this was a political hit job. Brian Stelter figures large in Fox News coverage of CNN. What do you think?
Jonathan Alter / @jonathanalter: It's bad enough for Chris Licht to cancel @ReliableSources , one of the two or three best shows on CNN. But blindsiding @brianstelter is really shitty. https://twitter.com/...
Devon Heinen / @devonheinen: @jamesrbuk MSNBC But, wildcard: Back to NYT, but with a podcast in addition to writing stories
Frank Bajak / @fbajak: Latest sign of CNN, under new management, being less willing to take on Fox News. https://twitter.com/...
Adam Kelsey / @adamkelsey: Completely unnecessary. Put them on whatever show is taking its place or assign them to a different program. It's not like the skills it takes to produce Reliable Sources specifically are wholly unique. Unreal. https://twitter.com/...
@deggans: At a time when viewers have never needed more help understanding and unraveling media, CNN canceled its 30-year-old media analysis show, Reliable Sources and let go chief media correspondent/host, Brian Stelter. Sad. (great scoop from @davidfolkenflik) https://www.npr.org/...
Jonathan Larsen / @jtlarsen: CNN's @brianstelter shined a light on Discovery investor John Malone, a critic of CNN's political coverage. Now Discovery owns CNN and Stelter's gone. Story by @davidfolkenflik: https://www.npr.org/... https://twitter.com/...
Joe Flint / @jbflint: From @brianstelter “I'm grateful for my nine years with CNN, proud of what we accomplished on Reliable Sources and so thankful for the viewers who tuned in every week for our examination of the media, truth and the stories that shape our world....
Matthew Belloni / @mattbelloni: So Zucker tucked in Brian before the Discovery guys took over, he knew what was coming.... https://twitter.com/...
Staci D Kramer / @sdkstl: News I've been expecting since the deal went through. Unfortunate for CNN, viewers and anyone who believes in the need for critical coverage of all media. At least @ReliableSources newsletter will continue. https://twitter.com/...
Amanda Katz / @katzish: Whoa indeed. Props to my smart and humane former colleague @brianstelter for a hard job done tirelessly through one of the most insane periods of American political media—I'm sure many great adventures are ahead. https://twitter.com/...
Greta Bjornson / Decider: Brian Stelter Out at CNN as Network Cancels ‘Reliable Sources’ After Three Decades
Peter Sterne / @petersterne: It sure sounds like CNN's new leadership fired @brianstelter and canceled “Reliable Sources” because he dared to criticize Trump and the GOP. https://www.npr.org/... https://twitter.com/...
Jeff Jarvis / @jeffjarvis: 100% agree with @JeremyLittau here. The Times and Post have no ombudsmen. With @Sulliview departing, neither has a media columnist. Media—specifically cable news, specifically Fox—is a critical player in our current democratic drama. Completely wrong move by Licht. Wrong. https://twitter.com/...
Sopan Deb / @sopandeb: This sucks. When something like this happens, the anchor's plight gets the most attention. APs, PAs, producers, etc., who are paid way less and have far more difficult paths forward, don't get noticed as much. Not taking care of them is a choice the network is making. https://twitter.com/...
Michael Luo / @michaelluo: Oh no. Sorry to see this. Best of luck to @brianstelter, who will no doubt land on his feet. https://twitter.com/...
Adriana Diaz / The Sun: Who is Brian Stelter's wife Jamie Stelter?
Peter Kafka / @pkafka: While we are at it a reminder that WBD management has promised $3 billion in savings so the cost-cuts and layoffs that started at HBO Max this week will continue (and likely accelerate) at the rest of the company over the next couple months. https://www.vox.com/... https://twitter.com/...
RELATED:
Joe Pompeo / Vanity Fair:
Insiders say Brian Stelter's CNN departure is an effort to tone down partisanship, based on earlier words of David Zaslav, Chris Licht, and investor John Malone — The sudden cancellation of the outspoken anchor and media reporter's show, Reliable Sources, may offer clues …
Discussion:
Dylan Byers / Puck: The Brian Stelter Show Is Over
Tim Graham / @timjgraham: “The partisan reputation it garnered — fairly or not”!! https://twitter.com/...
Mehdi Hasan / @mehdirhasan: ‘Mr. Malone said he wants “the ‘news’ portion of CNN to be more centrist, but I am not in control or directly involved.”’ What does ‘centrist news’ to him look like? “One side says the election was fair, but in the interests of balance, one side says the election was stolen”?
Viola Gienger / @violagienger: “During an episode in February, Stelter cited Malone more than a dozen times in coverage of the Discovery deal for CNN and its sister properties, expressing some concern about the investor's influence.”
Viola Gienger / @violagienger: Hmm: “Among those publicly joining in on the broader criticism of CNN as having become politicized was the investor John Malone, a major financial stakeholder of the new WarnerDiscovery conglomerate,” CNN's parent company. https://twitter.com/...
Jim Clancy / @clancyreports: @LilyBelle05 It's not just Malone. The primary purpose of news networks has become increasing corporate profits, not supporting journalists doing actual news reporting. News costs money. A corporate office worker will book you the same 5 guests every night (or day) for a helluva lot less.
Keith Olbermann / @keitholbermann: @ClancyReports Yeah but they dumped him because our alma mater is swinging to the right, Jim, not because of the many flaws in his show
Jim Clancy / @clancyreports: Another “Talking Heads” show on Cable News is ended. Stelter was only there for a part of its 30-year run. He failed to grasp and report how corporate ownership is crushing U.S. journalism by replacing actual reporters with company office workers. https://twitter.com/...
Jim Clancy / @clancyreports: @KeithOlbermann The late Reese Schonfeld told me “CNN's early success was because the audience never knew what would come up next.” His insight was that ALL of Cable News fails because the audience knows EXACTLY what's coming up next. It has become predictably partisan and painfully repetitive.
Sharon Waxman / @sharonwaxman: WaxWord w/ @katie_campione went behind the scenes to find out the inside details behind Brian Stelter's ouster today from #CNN & the cancellation of his show, @CNNReliable after 30 years. https://www.thewrap.com/...
Sharon Waxman / @sharonwaxman: “It's not a good brand position to be the opposite of Fox News,” said a network insider familiar with Licht's thinking. “He wants to be tough and no bulls—, but not affiliated with a side. It's fair to say he doesn't like the CNN vs. Fox thing.”
Sharon Waxman / @sharonwaxman: Two senior Warner Bros Discovery executives denied that Stelter's ouster was influenced in any way by Malone, calling the decision to cancel “Reliable Sources” entirely Licht's. “Chris doesn't want to do the 'who's in, who's out, who's up, who's down' navel-gazey reporting.”
Sharon Waxman / @sharonwaxman: What is new chairman and CEO Chris Licht's plan for the future of the news network? Why would Stelter, a respected media journalist, get the boot along with his show? Who else is at risk to get the ax after Stelter and, last week, legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin?
Greg Greene / @ggreeneva: It seems comically revisionist to paint Brian Stelter as some ‘woke’ interloper in the CNN newsroom — when I can probably riff through a few searches and find countless examples fellow progressives/center-leftists calling him out for both-sidesy framing. https://puck.news/... https://twitter.com/...
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Nielsen: in July, for the first time, streaming had the largest share of US TV viewing at 34.8%; cable and broadcast had 34.4% and 21.6%, respectively — Americans now watch more stuff on TV from streaming services than either broadcast or cable TV. — Streaming platforms, led by Netflix …
Discussion:
Nielsen, Axios, The Drum, @jasonkilar, @tvgrimreaper, The Streamable, The Wrap, Deadline, TechCrunch, What's On Disney Plus, @michellemanafy, @jrosenworcel, Ad Age, 9to5Mac, @meganclasen, Radio & Television …, NPR, Wall Street Journal, @mediumbuying, MediaPost, Looper, Los Angeles Times, SlashFilm, Gizmodo, The Hollywood Reporter, Next TV, Bloomberg and RAIN News, more at Techmeme »
Discussion:
Sara Fischer / Axios: Streaming surpasses cable as top way to consume TV
John Glenday / The Drum: Streaming outpaces cable for the first time in US
Jason Kilar / @jasonkilar: In 2007 when we as a team were prepping the launch of Hulu - and the Netflix team was readying their streaming service as well - not many thought the below would ever happen, or be possible. Lots of invention and evolution in entertainment the last 100yrs. https://variety.com/...
@tvgrimreaper: Nielsen's “The Gauge” snapshot July, 2022 Viewing share July 2022 vs July 2021 Broadcast -2.2% Cable -3.3% Streaming +6.5%* Other -0.9% (see link) *Streaming detail Netflix +1.3% YouTube +0.9% Hulu +0.7% Amazon +0.6% Disney+ Flat Other +1.8% https://www.nielsen.com/... https://twitter.com/...
Joshua Thiede / The Streamable: Streaming Becomes Most Popular Way to Watch TV for First Time Ever; What Finally Pushed It Ahead of Traditional TV?
Dade Hayes / Deadline: Streaming Viewership Has Surpassed Cable TV Tune-In For The First Time, Per Nielsen
Lauren Forristal / TechCrunch: Streaming viewership surpassed cable TV for the first time, says Nielsen
Roger Palmer / What's On Disney Plus: Streaming Overtakes Cable Viewing For The First Time In The US
Michelle Manafy / @michellemanafy: Streaming usage surpassed that of broadcast before, but this is the first time it has also exceeded cable viewing. https://variety.com/...
Jessica Rosenworcel / @jrosenworcel: From the Department of How We Watch Now. https://variety.com/...
José Adorno / 9to5Mac: Streaming services popularity surpass cable for the first time in the US, potential growth to Apple TV+
Megan Clasen / @meganclasen: A friendly reminder 81 days from the election that your paid media budget allocations should reflect voters media consumption habits https://variety.com/...
@mediumbuying: Content from digital MVPDs (Hulu Live, YouTube TV, etc.) and traditional cable apps (Comcast, Charter/Spectrum) now represents 11.2% of streaming and 3.9% of total TV usage https://www.nielsen.com/...
Wayne Friedman / MediaPost: Streaming Surpasses Linear Viewing For The First Time
Aahil Dayani / Looper: Nielsen's Latest Numbers Undermine All Those Recent Negative Headlines About Streaming TV
Ryan Faughnder / Los Angeles Times: Streaming TV viewership tops cable for the first time in Nielsen measurement
Ryan Scott / SlashFilm: Streaming Has Topped Cable Viewing For The First Time Ever In The US, According To Nielsen
Rick Porter / The Hollywood Reporter: Streaming Overtakes Cable in July, Leads Platform Rankings for the First Time
Christopher Palmeri / Bloomberg: Streaming TV Viewing Passed Cable Last Month in Industry First
Michael Smith / Sports Business Journal:
The Big Ten Conference finalizes media rights contracts with CBS, Fox, and NBC totaling $8B+ over seven years, almost 3x more than the previous contract — The Big Ten has finalized media rights contracts with CBS, Fox and NBC that will total more than $8 billion over seven years …
Discussion:
New York Times, Big Ten Conference, The Streamable, Awful Announcing, ESPN, @bigten, The Athletic, Bloomberg, Media Play News, Sports Illustrated, Wall Street Journal, @rodger, @kendallrogers, @rltsports, @kerrybkenny, Next TV, @themontaggroup, Mediaite, @plalor, @iamamnanawaz, The Hollywood Reporter, @shiraovide, @jondmiller, @mediumbuying, @frankthetank111, WGN-TV, The Wrap and Barrett Media
Discussion:
Big Ten Conference: BIG TEN CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES GROUNDBREAKING MEDIA RIGHTS AGREEMENTS PROVIDING FANS UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS AND STUDENT-ATHLETES GREATER EXPOSURE …
Jeff Kotuby / The Streamable: Big Ten Conference Announces Massive Rights Deal with CBS, FOX, NBC; Games to Air on Peacock, Paramount+
Andrew Bucholtz / Awful Announcing: Big Ten announces deals with Fox, CBS, NBC through 2029-30, including championship game splits and basketball details
Adam Rittenberg / ESPN: Big Ten completes 7-year, $7 billion media rights agreement with Fox, CBS, NBC
@bigten: The #B1G has reached distribution agreements with CBS, FOX, NBC and NBCUniversal's Peacock. The new partners, in addition to Big Ten Network and FS1, to place Big Ten Conference student-athletes on the biggest stage in sports. https://bigten.org/... https://twitter.com/...
Nicole Auerbach / The Athletic: Big Ten announces TV rights deals totaling over $8 billion with Fox, CBS and NBC
Erik Gruenwedel / Media Play News: Big Ten Athletic Conference Inks record $7B Media Rights Deal That Includes Peacock, Paramount+ Streaming
Rodger Sherman / @rodger: $1.14 billion per year in TV deals.. They could pay 110 football players + 15 men's/15 women's hoopers at all 16 Big Ten schools $200k per year, & they'd still have over $600 million left over (without even touching cash from ticket sales, CFP/NCAA payouts, merch/licensing etc) https://twitter.com/...
Kendall Rogers / @kendallrogers: I'm fascinated to see if the Big Ten has any plans at all to bolster its streaming presence for B1G Baseball moving forward. The league has done an atrocious job of promoting the sport to-date. https://twitter.com/...
Bob Thompson / @rltsports: Congratulations to the Big Ten Conference and it's media partners on their new seven-year deal! Pac 12, you are now officially on the clock. https://twitter.com/...
Kerry Kenny / @kerrybkenny: Today was the culmination of many months/years of preparation to deliver an unprecedented set of media rights agreements for the Big Ten. A proud achievement for all involved in the hundreds of Zooms, in-person meetings, strategy sessions and one-on-one conversations to get here. https://twitter.com/...
R. Thomas Umstead / Next TV: Big Ten Conference Nets Multi-Network TV Rights Deal
@themontaggroup: Congrats to our friends @KevinFWarren, @AdamJNeuman, and @KerryBKenny on this groundbreaking accomplishment. Look forward to watching the @bigten on @CBSSports, @NBCSports and @FOXSports! #DreamB1G https://twitter.com/...
Natalie Korach / Mediaite: Big Ten Reaches Record Nearly $8 Billion TV Deal After Expanding Conference to Add UCLA and USC
Peter Lalor / @plalor: A sport that doesn't pay its athletes is making $1b a year from broadcast deal which makes most of these domestic T20 cricket leagues look impoverished by comparison. Mind boggling stuff. https://www.nytimes.com/...
Amna / @iamamnanawaz: “Less than 20 years ago, Big Ten schools were splitting less than $200 million in media rights money annually when adjusted for inflation” Today, it's $1 billion. The biggest annual deal for any college sports league. And athletes don't get paid. https://www.nytimes.com/...
Alex Weprin / The Hollywood Reporter: NBC, CBS and Fox Ink Media Deals Worth $8B With Big Ten After Athletic Conference Poaches USC and UCLA
Shira Ovide / @shiraovide: “No platform's absence from the deal is more striking than ESPN's.” https://www.nytimes.com/...
Jon D. Miller / @jondmiller: 1. B1G breaks the bank with this deal 2. B1G puts itself into a position to do it again, before anyone else, in 6/7 years 3. Entertainment consumption habits in 6/7yrs will be way different 4. IMO streaming (amazon/apple) will have a much larger seat at the table in 6/7yrs https://twitter.com/...
@mediumbuying: 🚨 The Big Ten has finalized media rights contracts with CBS, Fox and NBC that will total more than $8 billion over seven years — It's the most lucrative conference media rights deal in the history of college athletics https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/ ...
@frankthetank111: Great further details from @SmittySBJ on the new Big Ten TV deals. Interesting tidbit that there's still an opening for ESPN to get a smaller package of games. Also a nice chart in here comparing all of the Power 5 conference media contracts. https://twitter.com/...
Larry Hawley / WGN-TV: See more on the Big Ten's new $7 billion media deal
Katie Campione / The Wrap: Big Ten Conference Inks 7-Year Deal With CBS, Fox, NBC and Peacock
Jess Weatherbed / The Verge:
Google plans to prioritize “content made specifically by and for people” in Search in English globally, covering shopping, arts and entertainment, and more — The first update starts rolling out on Monday — Google is making a series of updates to Search that aim to tackle clickbait …
Discussion:
The Keyword, Search Engine Land, TechCrunch, @sengineland, @campuscodi, @zombie_wretch, @mordyoberstein, Engadget, @optionshawk, @nickwilsdon, MarTech, @corbindavenport, Fast Company, @atgarone, CNET, @sengineland, @chrismessina, Insider, @johnkoetsier, @dannysullivan, @rustybrick and @rustybrick, more at Techmeme »
Discussion:
Danny Sullivan / The Keyword: More content by people, for people in Search
Barry Schwartz / Search Engine Land: Google's new helpful content update targets sites creating content for search engines first
Aisha Malik / TechCrunch: Google will roll out new updates to reduce low-quality and unoriginal content in search results
@sengineland: Google shares 15 questions to help evaluate your content and avoid being negatively impacted by the Helpful Content Update. See them all here: https://searchengineland.com/ ...
Catalin Cimpanu / @campuscodi: They've said this before, yet here we are, in 2022, when half of search results are Vietnam-hosted blogs which don't honor DMCA and are full of content scraped from legitimate news outlets, who typically are buried on the 10th SERP https://twitter.com/...
Jess Weatherbed / @zombie_wretch: Great news if, like me, you tend to slap “reddit” onto the end of search terms to find recommendations that feel like they come from people who have actually used a product, rather than parroting company claims.
Mordy Oberstein / @mordyoberstein: I'm so curious to see how this plays out. Been saying for months that I think Google is starting to profile language structures to pick out the typical non-nuanced dribble.... Well here it is.... Let's see how this shakes out! https://twitter.com/...
Kris Holt / Engadget: Google will downrank click-farm garbage and aggregators to improve search results
Joe Kunkle / @optionshawk: Looks like $GOOGL doing a pretty nice overhaul of Search https://blog.google/...
Nick Wilsdon / @nickwilsdon: Recipe/food bloggers preparing for the roll out of the “Helpful Content Update” from Google https://searchengineland.com/ ... https://twitter.com/...
Corbin Davenport / @corbindavenport: This might be the single best thing to happen to tech journalism in years, *if* it's properly enforced. No one likes reading spam articles with no helpful information, and most writers don't like writing them. https://blog.google/...
Jessica Bursztynsky / Fast Company: Google's search tweaks will help prioritize quality websites in results
Anthony Garone / @atgarone: I have been complaining about this problem for the past month or so. SEO has made the web unlikeable. Anything I search for either goes to some unhelpful listicle or “25 vendors in 2022 who...” The web used to be personal. SEO has made it so corporate. https://blog.google/...
@sengineland: Google says new Helpful Content Update will be sitewide and “removing unhelpful content could help the rankings of your other content.” https://searchengineland.com/ ... by @rustybrick
@chrismessina: Imagine the rise of an AI robot army seeks vengeance on humans because their content no longer ranks highly enough in Google. https://blog.google/... https://twitter.com/...
Tom Dotan / Insider: Google launches a new assault in its war against ‘unhelpful’ websites, content aggregators, and SEO tactics that game its Search algorithm
John Koetsier / @johnkoetsier: Human writers rejoice! AI coders: back to the workshop “to make it easier for people to find helpful content made specifically by and for people” >> Google search updates will prioritize real reviews over clickbait https://www.theverge.com/...
Danny Sullivan / @dannysullivan: Excited our “helpful content update” launches soon. Been watching team work hard on it, part of a broad continuing effort to bring more authentic info into Google Search. I'm on vacation this week but will try in few hours to answer questions I see, though our posts cover a lot. https://twitter.com/...
Barry Schwartz / @rustybrick: SEOs will look back at this update and it should be like a Panda, Penguin, Florida update type of update - it may change how content SEO is done going forward. More at https://searchengineland.com/ ... https://twitter.com/...
Molly Taft / Gizmodo:
A look at Chevron-sponsored Permian Proud, a new site in a Texas news desert that offers local event info, feel-good stories, and positive “news” about Chevron — At first glance, the story looks like something your aunt might post on her Facebook from her local newspaper.
Discussion:
@mollytaft, @m_scribe, @chiaraeisner, @mollytaft, @mollytaft, @mollytaft, @chiaraeisner and @mollytaft
Discussion:
Molly Taft / @mollytaft: scoop from me: Chevron unrolled a “local news and information” website in Texas this week, and data shows that the author of the “articles” is a San Francisco PR professional who has been running a similar Chevron-funded “newspaper” in CA for years: https://gizmodo.com/...
Melody Schreiber / @m_scribe: What do local news deserts and oil companies have to do with each other? This is FASCINATING. https://gizmodo.com/...
Chiara Eisner / @chiaraeisner: For more great investigative reporting tracking energy companies secretly bankrolling phony local news sites, see @Blaskey_S's coverage of Florida Power & Light and the Capitolist: https://www.miamiherald.com/ ...
Molly Taft / @mollytaft: the Chevron site is aimed at the Permian Basin, which an Earther analysis found is one of the most local media-starved regions in a state that has seen a huge exodus of local reporters in the past 2 decades: https://twitter.com/...
Molly Taft / @mollytaft: while bylines on the “local news stories,” all based in the Permian Basin, are hidden on the site, the website's source code shows that the writer is Mike Aldax, who has been running Chevron's Richmond, CA-based “newspaper” since 2014: https://www.theguardian.com/ ...
Molly Taft / @mollytaft: by the way — the paper Chevron runs in California is specifically pegged to its Richmond refinery, which has been an environmental justice nightmare for years: https://gizmodo.com/...
Charlotte Shane / New York Times:
A look at the emotional power of TikTok audio memes, which have emerged as a cultural currency as strong as, or stronger than, images and text — 'Brain — feel.' — On March 25, 2020, Chris Gleason was in bed at his parents' house in Pennsylvania, thinking up ideas for videos that might go viral.
Discussion:
Matt Navarra / @mattnavarra: GREAT READ: Why Do We Love TikTok Audio Memes? Call It ‘Brainfeel’ https://www.nytimes.com/... https://twitter.com/...
Charlotte Shane / @charoshane: I wrote about audio memes and the pleasure of sound for @NYTmag. It made me happy to write and I hope it makes you happy to read. https://www.nytimes.com/...
Kaleigh Rogers / @kaleighrogers: Absolutely adored this joyful deep dive into the irresistible “brainfeel” of TikTok sounds by @CharoShane https://www.nytimes.com/...
Shira Ovide / @shiraovide: This is so good. https://www.nytimes.com/...
Wilson Chapman / Variety:
HBO plans to remove ~36 titles from its service as early as this week, citing the pending Discovery+ merger; the move will likely help cut costs and residuals — HBO Max will remove almost 36 titles from its service as early as this week, Variety has confirmed.
Discussion:
SlashFilm, Billboard, Engadget, @jasondashbailey, Gizmodo, @loudmouthjulia, CBR, Looper, @loudmouthjulia, @loudmouthjulia, The Daily Beast, @alexweprin, @morganwick, @perezhilton, BGR, @hulkied, @bags, @bjhiddenjokes, Deadline and TechCrunch
Discussion:
Latifah Muhammad / Billboard: ‘Selena + Chef’ Season 4: All the Ways to Stream the Show for Free
Jason Bailey / @jasondashbailey: Three uses of “content” in a one graf statement. Bleak as fuck, folks! https://variety.com/... https://twitter.com/...
Julia Alexander / @loudmouthjulia: It certainly seems to signal a belief that value of kids/animated programming at scale isn't reflected on the balance sheet. Why try to compete with Netflix, Apple, Disney — who're investing tenfold in that area when they can excel in others and use that investment elsewhere?
Julia Alexander / @loudmouthjulia: Pulling back on unscripted originals made sense in lieu of HBO Max + Discovery+ merge. The staunch pullback from kids + animation signals a much larger strategic shift that I think is the wrong call. Unclear: how animation pullbacks will affect DC + other top IP expansion efforts
Julia Alexander / @loudmouthjulia: My assumption: key IP like Looney Tunes/Scooby Doo will receive investment. WBD isn't going to walk away from kids entirely. Four quadrant service! But, level of shows/films ordered in broader animation + family programming will decrease. Investment continues, but quantity drops.
Fletcher Peters / The Daily Beast: Why Is HBO Max Erasing the Best Queer Teen Series From Existence?
Alex Weprin / @alexweprin: @loudmouthjulia The thing that nags at me: Cartoon Network has some legitimately great IP, and HBO Max has the OG (Sesame Street). And that content is sticky for years. Why abandon it?
Morgan Wick / @morganwick: If WBD can't eat those “costs and residuals” they're in bigger trouble in terms of making a streaming service work than previously thought. https://twitter.com/...
Perez Hilton / @perezhilton: HBO Max deleting a ton more shows! WTF?! Poor executive decisions keep becoming a slap in the face to creatives whose works helped build the streamers' backbone. https://variety.com/...
Jacob Siegal / BGR: HBO Max lost 37 more TV shows and movies - here's the full list
@hulkied: They apparently did this to save on residuals. Fucking residuals. Which are already shit on streamers. If I was asked to pitch to Discovery execs, I would tell them to go fuck themselves. This is not how you treat your talent. Everything about this just makes me furious. https://twitter.com/...
David Baghdassarian / @bags: @mediagazer @wilsonbchapman This is another reason I hope physical media never goes away (aside from the obviously superior audio and video quality). I don't want to be subject to the whims of a streaming service.
@bjhiddenjokes: We really need physical copies BoJack. This shit is terrifying. https://twitter.com/...
Gerry Smith / Bloomberg:
Penn Entertainment Inc., owner of 36% of Barstool Sports, is buying the remaining shares of the sports and culture outlet, gaining full control by February 2023 — Penn Entertainment Inc. is acquiring the remaining shares of Barstool Sports that it doesn't already own …
Discussion:
Mark J. Burns / @markjburns88: Penn is set to complete the purchase of the remaining Barstool Sports shares by Feb. 2023. Originally founded by @stoolpresidente, Barstool hits 19 years old on Aug. 27. https://www.bloomberg.com/...
Steve Krakauer / @stevekrak: Probably the shortest story published to mention the bogus allegations against @stoolpresidente. No context - like that it's the subject of a lawsuit, and all the claims have been called into question. No link, of course, either. Just a casual smear, irrelevant to the topic. https://twitter.com/...
Todd Shriber / Casino.org: Penn Entertainment Now Owns 100 Percent of Barstool Sports
Tom Webster / Sounds Profitable:
Podcasting doesn't seem to be retaining listeners: surveys show ~50% of US respondents have been listening for <1 year yet annual listener growth is modest — Survey after survey tell us that people continue to discover podcasting every year. But is podcasting growth really a case of three steps forward, two steps back?
Discussion:
@soundsprofnews: Survey after survey tell us that people continue to discover podcasting every year. But is podcasting growth really a case of 3 steps forward, 2 steps back? @webby2001 writes this week about the podcasting problem hiding in plain sight: churn. Read it: https://soundsprofitable.com/ ... https://twitter.com/...
Reuters News Agency:
Reuters announces it will more than double the number of reporters covering India, expanding coverage of markets, policy, regulations, and public companies — Reuters announced today it will be significantly increasing its India news coverage, more than doubling the number of Reuters reporters covering India.
James Hercher / AdExchanger:
Walmart reports Q2 ad revenue grew 30% YoY, likely in the $500M-$700M range since its ad business made $2.1B in revenue in 2021 — Advertising may be just a fraction of Walmart's overall revenue - but it's a nerve center for growth. — Walmart, which reported its quarterly on Tuesday …