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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
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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, planning to launch in May 2023 with $50M and 175+ reporters covering politics, business, entertainment, 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:
@mpdillon, @benmullin, @ericnewcomer, @abtran, @jeffjarvis, @doree, @joeconchatv, @ryanvailbrown, @pressgazette, @haleaziz, @shanegoldmacher and @mkady


A look at upcoming changes for failing RSNs; sources: MLB envisions a hybrid national and local programming venture with TV and streaming on 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 filing for bankruptcy and has not paid the Arizona Diamondbacks by exercising 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


CEO Bob Iger says Disney is looking to reduce the content the company produces 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 and The Hollywood Reporter


Sources: Group Black wants to acquire Paramount's BET and VH1, backed by private equity firm CVC Capital Partners; Tyler Perry and Byron Allen are also looking — 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 New York federal jury convicts former Fox executive Hernan Lopez of bribing soccer officials for broadcasting rights and acquits ex-Fox exec Carlos Martinez — 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 newspapers 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:
@jim_brunner, @gagemiskimen, @stevenwaldman, @nppa, @denverpratt, @mikeorren, @jbenton, @dangillmor@mastodon.social, @ryanvanvelzer, @mattgertz, @niemanlab@mastodon.social, Columbia Journalism Review, @samjmintz, @bykristinep, @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 »