Top News:
Benjamin Mullin / New York Times:
Sources: Barry Diller's IAC hires an investment firm to explore selling The Daily Beast, which Diller launched in 2008; the sale process is in the early stages — The tech mogul's company has hired Whisper Advisors, an advisory firm, to find potential buyers for the digital publication.
Discussion:
The Hill, Observer, @benmullin, @edmundlee, @nytimesbusiness, New York Post, @noahshachtman, @benmullin, @sarahnrogers and @sherman4949
Wall Street Journal:
YouTube is testing a hub of free, ad-supported streaming channels with select media partners, looking to compete with Roku, Paramount's Pluto TV, and Fox's Tubi — Tech company's effort could rival Roku, Fox in fast-growing area of streaming business — Created with sketchtool. — 1x
Discussion:
The Streamable, @cityofthetown, @cordcuttersnews and @jtoonkel, more at Techmeme »
Amanda Silberling / TechCrunch:
Over 66,000 people sign a letter objecting to a new planned Dungeons & Dragons game license, which it says would tax some creators at 25% and stifle 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, ScreenRant, @jameslsutter, @owlcatgames, @dndwithplumbing, @rimmy_downunder, @redclawdraws, @criticalbard, @gamerant, @castery4so, @merricb, @spect_creations, @cartostom, @startplaying, @starryknightrpg, @catieosaurus, @feliciaday, @asilbwrites, The Daily Subset, Gizmodo, #OpenDND and Peter's Newsletter
RELATED:
Linda Codega / Gizmodo:
Dungeons & Dragons publisher Wizards of the Coast reveals details of its revised game license and says charitable use, livestreams, and more will be unaffected — After facing a week of constant backlash online, the Hasbro subsidiary finally breaks their silence. — Alerts
Discussion:
TechCrunch, D&D Beyond, @zarawesome, @danielhkwan, @tyschalter, Polygon, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Reason, ScreenRant, New Republic, Random Thoughts … and Kotaku
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:
Press Gazette, Talking Biz News, Platformer, @techledes, @hiddensmallcaps, @raywongy, The Shortcut, @raehodge, Shelly Palmer 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 …
Morning Brew:
Morning Brew acquires Our Future, a short-form video startup founded in 2020, with 1B views and 1M followers across TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube — The rise of short-form video has changed the way people consume content. … Earlier this year, Morning Brew signaled its ambitions …
Discussion:
Press Gazette
Yuvraj Malik / Reuters:
WWE retains Kirkland & Ellis as legal adviser for its strategic alternatives review, The Raine Group as financial adviser, and August as communications adviser — World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE.N) said on Thursday it has retained bankruptcy and restructuring powerhouse Kirkland & Ellis LLP …
Discussion:
corporate.wwe.com, @chriswelch, @pkafka, @sherman4949, @mattbelloni, CNBC, Bloomberg Law, Sportico and Quartz
The Verge:
After criticism, YouTube plans to change a policy announced in November that limits ads or demonetizes a creator's video if they swear in the first 15 seconds — The tirade's timing was deliberate, meant to test the company's updated “approach to profanity” that it announced in November …
Discussion:
Alex Ansary's Newsletter and Polygon, more at Techmeme »
Natalie Kitroeff / New York Times:
A profile of Denise Maerker, Mexico's most-watched TV news anchor, as she steps down from her on-air role and faces criticism for impartial restrained coverage — As a crucial presidential election approaches, a newswoman's resignation has raised a crucial question: Is her restrained approach also on its way out?
Jack Neff / Ad Age:
Samba TV divests its ad sales division to programmatic platform MiQ under a multiyear agreement, sidestepping conflicts with its audience measurement business — Samba sells its ad sales division to MiQ as it looks to sidestep conflicts with its measurement efforts
Sarah Perez / TechCrunch:
TikTok is testing a Talent Manager Portal with a few agencies, letting creators' talent managers oversee, execute, and analyze brand opportunities and campaigns — TikTok is making it easier for brands to work with its “megastar” creators with an update to its Creator Marketplace …
Discussion:
Adweek, @nealschaffer, @mattnavarra, Digital Music News, BGR and Glossy, more at Techmeme »
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