Top News:
Connie Guglielmo / CNET:
After a report that it is using AI for writing articles, CNET explains its test, changes the byline on AI-written posts, and makes disclosures more prominent — For over two decades, CNET has built our reputation testing new technologies and separating the hype from reality.
Discussion:
Platformer, The Shortcut, @techledes, @raywongy, @raehodge, Talking Biz News, Shelly Palmer, Gizmodo, Engadget and Futurism, more at Techmeme »
TechCrunch:
Sources: Tokyo-based aggregator website and app SmartNews, valued at $2B in 2021, laid off ~120 people, or 40% of US and China staff, with more coming in Japan — SmartNews, a Tokyo-headquartered news aggregation website and app valued at $2 billion as of 2021, today announced a 40% reduction …
Yuvraj Malik / Reuters:
WWE says it has retained Kirkland & Ellis as its legal adviser for a review of strategic alternatives for the company and The Raine Group as financial adviser — World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE.N) said on Thursday it has retained bankruptcy and restructuring powerhouse Kirkland & Ellis LLP …
Discussion:
corporate.wwe.com, @pkafka, @sherman4949, CNBC, @chriswelch, @mattbelloni, Bloomberg Law, Sportico and Quartz
Amanda Silberling / TechCrunch:
Over 54,000 people sign a letter objecting to a new planned Dungeons & Dragons game license, saying it taxes some creators at a 25% rate and stifles innovation — More than 54,000 fans signed an open letter in protest of a new game license — Once a game on the periphery for the nerdiest of nerds …
Discussion:
@paizo, The Guardian, Reason, @cartostom, @owlcatgames, @startplaying, @dndwithplumbing, @castery4so, @rimmy_downunder, @starryknightrpg, @merricb, @spect_creations, @catieosaurus, @redclawdraws, @criticalbard, @gamerant, @feliciaday, @asilbwrites, The Daily Subset, New Republic, ScreenRant, #OpenDND and Peter's Newsletter
Benjamin Mullin / New York Times:
Sources: Barry Diller's IAC hires an investment bank to explore the sale of The Daily Beast, which Diller launched in 2008; the sale process is in early stages — The tech mogul's company has hired Whisper Advisors, an advisory firm, to find potential buyers for the digital publication.
Anna Nicolaou / Financial Times:
Sources: Warner Bros. Discovery is exploring a sale of its music library that could be valued at more than $1B, as part of its work to whittle down $50B in debt — Catalogue including Batman soundtracks could fetch more than $1bn for media group — Warner Bros Discovery is exploring …
Discussion:
Billboard, @theericgoldman, @mattbelloni, @vincevalholla and Cord Cutters News
Tony Stubblebine / The Official Medium Blog:
Medium launches a Mastodon instance on me.dm, promising members reliable moderation, smoother onboarding, an interesting local feed, and more — The fediverse is a breath of fresh air for writers and social media — Today, Medium is launching a Mastodon instance at me.dm to help our authors …
Discussion:
@davewiner, @jlori, @medium, @asmartbear, @randfish, @tmcw, @chrismessina, @brittanyjezouit, Accidental's Newsletter, TechCrunch, @kissane@mstdn.social, @kissane@mstdn.social, @kissane@mstdn.social, @coachtony@me.dm, @dansinker@omfg.town, @coachtony@me.dm and Bloomberg, more at Techmeme »
Nell Gallogly / New York Times:
A look at The New York Times' Weather Data team, formed in 2022 as part of an effort to broaden its data journalism as wilder weather becomes more frequent — Formed last year, the Weather Data team is harnessing clouds of information to share a more comprehensive forecast with readers.
Discussion:
@niemanlab, @neilkatz, @dcnorg and @michellemanafy
Sarah Perez / TechCrunch:
TikTok is testing a Talent Manager Portal with select agencies, aiming to help creators' agents and representatives oversee, execute, and analyze brand deals — TikTok is making it easier for brands to work with its “megastar” creators with an update to its Creator Marketplace …
Discussion:
@nealschaffer, @mattnavarra, Digital Music News, BGR and Glossy, more at Techmeme »
Josh Ye / Reuters:
A look at Tencent's short-video service WeChat Channels, called “the hope of the company” by founder Pony Ma, as the tech giant tries to build its own TikTok — On a hot summer's day last year, the 90's boy band Backstreet Boys clambered on to a stage in Pennsylvania and belted …
Charlotte Tobitt / Press Gazette:
Nine Reach regional brands in the UK have adopted a “newsletter-led approach”, meaning their websites are no longer their “flagship” means of content delivery — At nine brands the website will support the newsletters, rather than vice versa.
Discussion:
@pressgazette and HoldtheFrontPage
Bill Bradley / Adweek:
Netflix, which added a tier with ads in November 2022, says it will host its first ever upfront week event for ad buyers in May, taking Paramount's former slot — It's official: Netflix is joining upfront week. — The streaming giant exclusively told Adweek that it will host …
Discussion:
Variety, Deadline, @jbflint, @tvmojoe, The Hollywood Reporter, Next TV, The Information, MediaPost and Insider
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