Top News:
Niamh Lynch / Sky News:
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.
Discussion:
@alanshearer, @ianwright0, CNN, BBC, The Guardian, @henrymance, @sam_elliott_, Telegraph, Awful Announcing, @arusbridger, @alexscott, New Statesman, Financial Times, @micahrichards, @jonnelledge, @skynews, @richardpbacon, @charlesarthur, @carolvorders, @bbcrosatkins, @daveleeft, @tds153, @skynews, Bloomberg, @thattimwalker, @sadiqkhan, @matthughesdm, @thhamilton, @twlldun, @krishgm, @skynews, @kwajohousing, @omid9, @nicolasturgeon, Normal Island News, HuffPost UK, @chrchristensen, Deadline, @jessphillips, @emilybell, @skynews, @peterbutler@mas.to, @martynziegler, @piersmorgan, @afhstewart, @svcarbaholic, @seandolfc, @adamcrafton_, @tomjgarry, @gnev2, @abzmcfc___, BBC, Metro.co.uk, @jeremyclarkson, @hylandian, @philipjcollins1, @damcou, @mattcoyney, London Evening Standard, @peston, @nathanaclark, @otto_english, @scottygb, @zarahsultana, @johnmcdonnellmp, @peston, @bethrigby, @gunnerblog, @paddyarsenal, @garyyounge, @peston, @robharris, @femi_sorry, @liamthorpecho, @ohgodwhatnowpod, @jaymotty, @mehdirhasan, @domdyer70, @jolyonmaugham, @robharris, @ryder56004614, @janaagefjortoft, @gnev2, @beardedgenius, @timfarron, @revrachelmann, @amylawrence71, @katyataylor, @lucympowell, @eurofootcom, @hansmollman, @adamboultontabb, @johnsweeneyroar, @thejdtucker, @robmanuel, @claudiawebbe, @johnobrennan2, @lucypritty1, @emilybell, @lewisiwu, @suzywrack, @kevin_maguire, @samcarvalho, @krishgm, @thomasutr_, @ayocaesar, @kevinbrennanmp, @bethrigby, @skynews, @jaymitchinson, @maitlis, @robharris, @mrdanwalker, @reece_dinsdale and Politico
RELATED:
Helena Horton / The Guardian:
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
Benjamin Mullin / New York Times:
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
Wall Street Journal:
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
RELATED:
Phillip Bupp / Awful Announcing:
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
Reuters:
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
Benjamin Mullin / New York Times:
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
Jack Queen / Reuters:
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 …
Joshua Benton / Nieman Lab:
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
Brooks Barnes / New York Times:
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
Paul Sawers / TechCrunch:
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 »
Karissa Bell / Engadget:
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 »
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