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:
New York Post, @benmullin, @noahshachtman, The Hill, @benmullin, @edmundlee, @sarahnrogers, @nytimesbusiness, @sherman4949 and Observer
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, Gizmodo, The Hollywood Reporter, Engadget, @jtoonkel, @cityofthetown and @cordcuttersnews, more at Techmeme »
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
RELATED:
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
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
Discussion:
@paizo, The Guardian, ScreenRant, @owlcatgames, @dndwithplumbing, @rimmy_downunder, Polygon, @redclawdraws, @jameslsutter, @criticalbard, @gamerant, @castery4so, @merricb, @spect_creations, @cartostom, @startplaying, @starryknightrpg, @catieosaurus, @feliciaday, @asilbwrites, The Daily Subset, Gizmodo, #OpenDND and Peter's Newsletter
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, Talking Biz News, @hiddensmallcaps, Press Gazette, @raywongy, The Shortcut, @raehodge, @techledes, Boing Boing, Shelly Palmer and Futurism, more at Techmeme »
Chris Roush / Talking Biz News:
Memo: News Corp. CEO Robert Thomson says the company must revive its culture with in-office staff attendance and asks managers to “ensure compliance” — News Corp. CEO Robert Thomson sent out the following to staff, including journalists at The Wall Street Journal, Barron's and MarketWatch.com:
Discussion:
Fortune, @alisonbrower, @jeffrey_cane, Insider, @rafat and Bloomberg
Oregonian:
Oregon's Medford Mail Tribune, bought in 2017 from GateHouse Media by Rosebud Media with financing help from Sinclair Broadcast Group, ceases operations — Medford's Mail Tribune, one of Oregon's oldest operating news organizations, said Wednesday it would shut down by the end of the week.
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:
Engadget, Alex Ansary's Newsletter and Polygon, 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 …
Discussion:
@iankennedy, more at Techmeme »
@nbcnewsguild:
[Thread] NBC NewsGuild says it has filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge against NBC News after it “abruptly and illegally” laid off several union journalists — Yesterday, @NBCNews management abruptly and illegally laid off several union journalists. This is a clear violation of the law and we have filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge against the company. We will fight until we win a fair contract that protects everyone in our newsroom. https://twitter.com/...
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
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?
Discussion:
@nytimes, @laurabruges and @tmattiacehrw
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