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The BBC says Gary Lineker will step back as presenter but a source says the BBC has taken him off air because he refuses to apologize for his Twitter comments — Sky News reporter @niamhielynch — Gary Lineker is stepping back from his duties as Match of the Day presenter, the BBC has said in a statement.
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Sources: BBC will not air an episode on the loss of nature from David Attenborough's British wildlife series for fear of right-wing anger; BBC denies the claim — Exclusive: Decision to make episode about natural destruction available only on iPlayer angers programme-makers
Discussion:
The Wrap, @piersmorgan, @joshshepperd, @melissacole, @bbcpress, @albertocairo, @aiannucci, @doctor_cupcakes, @jolyonmaugham, @scottygb, @scarlettowest, @simonubsdell, @millar_colin, @parkermolloy, @paulbernaluk, @campbellclaret, @carolinelucas, @mehdirhasan, @sarahchampionmp, @aljwhite, @stephknee, @joannechocolat, @shentonstage, @liamthorpecho, @smithsmm, @countbinface, @bbcpress, @asifkapadia, @philippawarr, @georgemonbiot, @_dan_austin, @alistaircoleman and @jessicaelgot


A look at Jimmy Finkelstein's The Messenger, which plans to launch in May with $50M in funding and 175 reporters covering entertainment, politics, and sports — The company, which will begin operating in May, plans to have around 550 journalists covering entertainment, politics and sports within a year.
Discussion:
@benmullin, @ericnewcomer, @abtran, @jeffjarvis, @doree, @joeconchatv, @ryanvailbrown, @pressgazette, @haleaziz, @shanegoldmacher and @mkady


A look at upcoming changes for increasingly nonviable RSNs; sources: MLB envisions a hybrid national/local programming venture that includes its own platform — Once thriving, the regional-sports TV industry is suffering as cable bundles unravel — Two of the largest regional sports broadcasters …
Discussion:
Sports Business Journal, @jasongay, Front Office Sports, @jbflint, @lindseyadler, @kevinokeefe and Barrett Media
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Report: Sinclair's Diamond Sports Group is within a week of Chapter 11 bankruptcy and has put off paying the Arizona Diamondbacks via a grace payment clause — It's expected that Diamond Sports Group is within one week from filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Discussion:
The Streamable, Bloomberg and @ourand_sbj


Bob Iger says Disney is looking to reduce content produced for its own platforms and may resume making films and TV shows for its rivals — Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) Chief Executive Bob Iger Thursday said the studio may resume making films and television shows for its rivals …
Discussion:
Variety, @royprice, Fortune and The Hollywood Reporter


Sources: Group Black eyes buying BET and VH1 from Paramount, backed by PE firm CVC Capital Partners; other potential suitors include Tyler Perry and Byron Allen — Black Entertainment Television made the first Black billionaire in the United States. Will a Black executive buy it back?
Discussion:
Wall Street Journal, The Information and @benmullin


A NY federal jury finds ex-Fox exec and Wondery founder Hernan Lopez guilty of bribing soccer officials for broadcasting rights, and acquits another ex-Fox exec — A Brooklyn federal jury on Thursday convicted a former 21st Century Fox executive and acquitted another after a trial …


Between Q3 2018 and Q3 2022, Sunday circulation figures at Gannett's largest local papers fell 66.8% versus a 26.5% average across comparable metro dailies — Gannett, America's largest newspaper chain, should wake up each morning thankful for the existence of No. 2 Alden Global Capital.
Discussion:
@gagemiskimen, @nppa, @denverpratt, @mikeorren, @jbenton, @dangillmor@mastodon.social, @ryanvanvelzer, @mattgertz, @niemanlab@mastodon.social, Columbia Journalism Review, @samjmintz, @bobmoorenews, @greg_doucette, @robpegoraro, @dkiesow@social.kiesow.net, Media Nation, @dankennedy_nu@journa.host and The Rural Blog


Oscars 2023 changes include airing all the awards, posting some speeches on TikTok and Facebook in near real-time, and Disney+ livestreaming the show in Europe — The awards telecast has been losing viewers for years. New leadership wants to reverse that starting Sunday, and ensure the financial well-being of the organization.
Discussion:
culture porn, Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter, MediaPost, Deadline, al.com and New York Times


The UK's CMA closes its antitrust collusion probe into Google and Meta's alleged Jedi Blue deal on online ads, after a similar decision by its EU counterparts — The U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) won't be pursuing an anti-competition collusion case against Google and Facebook's parent Meta …
Discussion:
Bloomberg and Search Engine Land, more at Techmeme »


Report: Meta pauses US Reels Play bonuses; launched in December 2021, the program promised Facebook and Instagram creators up to $35K/month based on view counts — Meta seems to be phasing out one of the key initiatives that helped Reels creators on Facebook and Instagram get paid.
Discussion:
Gizmodo, @mattnavarra, @drachnik, TechCrunch, Insider, The Verge and Social Media Today, more at Techmeme »