Mediagazer: James Larkin, one of two Backpage.com owners and former publisher of New Times, dies at 74 by suicide, days before his trial on charges of aiding prostitution (Richard Ruelas/Arizona Republic)

The Writers Guild of America told screenwriters in an email that it agreed to restart talks with Carol Lombardini, the studio negotiator, on Friday, August 4 — A strike by writers and actors has caused nearly a complete production shutdown of scripted entertainment.

Discussion: CBS News, Deadline, Screen Rant, Los Angeles Times, The A.V. Club and Vanity Fair

Reuters:

Meta begins the process to end news access on Facebook and Instagram in Canada, in response to a law forcing some companies to negotiate deals to pay publishers — Meta Platforms (META.O) has begun the process to end access to news on Facebook and Instagram for all users in Canada …

John Herrman / New York Magazine:

Three theories about how AI will change the news: replace some outlets entirely, be a helpful tool, or turn news organizations into wire services — Here are three theories of the case. — In early July, the Associated Press made a deal with OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT, to license …

Discussion: New York Post and What's New in Publishing

Sahil Patel / The Information:

Sources: some top ad agency executives plan to commit at least 10% to 20% more with YouTube this fall than in 2022; traditional TV ad commitments are down 15% — The Hollywood labor strikes have proven a boon for YouTube, with Google's video-streaming service luring television ad buyers …

Discussion: @carnage4life@mas.to, @aagave and @theinformation, more at Techmeme »

Patrick Frater / Variety:

Pluto TV plans to launch in Australia on August 31 with over 50 FAST channels, as a branded area within Paramount Australian and New Zealand's 10 Play — Comprising more than 50 free ad-supported TV (FAST) channels, Pluto TV will be sold as a dedicated branded area within Paramount Australian …

Discussion: The Desk, Mumbrella, Paramount ANZ and Cord Cutters News

Paul Farhi / Washington Post:

A look at news avoidance, a real threat to the news business, as many once-loyal readers and viewers say some news topics have become relentlessly toxic — The news was a lifelong habit for Claudia Caplan. It surrounded her like a blanket. Two newspapers in the morning, read nearly in full.

Discussion: @jonathanstray, @melissafleming, @dabeard, @lauranissen, @kncukier and @jeffjarvis@mastodon.social

The Daily Beast:

Current and former Los Angeles magazine staff claim the new owners blur the lines between editorial and advertising and pay freelancers late or not at all — In this week's edition of Confider, we reveal how new ownership at Los Angeles has been accused of neutering the punchy mag and stiffing writers.

Discussion: @zacestrada and @mediaevan

Natalie Korach / The Wrap:

Internal memo: Vice Media's SVP of Global News and Entertainment, its senior director of global news operations, and Motherboard's EIC are stepping down — Three top executives at Vice Media will be leaving the company, a memo to staff said Tuesday, a day after its $350 million sale closed …

Discussion: @katie_robertson, The Information, @lorenzofb, @eriksherman, @karlbode, @petersterne, @pahwa_nitish, @sidhubaba, Deadline, Variety, New York Post and The Daily Beast

Richard Ruelas / Arizona Republic:

James Larkin, one of two Backpage.com owners and former publisher of New Times, dies at 74 by suicide, days before his trial on charges of aiding prostitution — James Larkin, who helped turn the Phoenix alternative weekly New Times into a chain that took over the venerated Village Voice in New York …

Discussion: @msmaggiemayhem, @jackshafer, @jrgzztx and @gabrielle_qld

Pete Thamel / ESPN:

Sources: the Pac-12 commissioner presented conference members with a primarily subscription-based Apple streaming deal that would start in 2024-25 — After months of negotiations and uncertainty, Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff on Tuesday presented the conference's presidents and chancellors …

Discussion: @petethamel, Sports Illustrated, CBSSports.com, Sportico, 9to5Mac, Awful Announcing, Front Office Sports, The Streamable and Cord Cutters News

Manuela Lazic / The Guardian:

How film criticism has deteriorated as studios invite influencers to screenings, critics seek to promote cinema, and expertise and writing are devalued — A shift from knowledgable writers to those simply in search of free tickets devalues cinema - and audience experience

Discussion: @labuzamovies, @bjcolangelo, @labuzamovies.bsky.social, @kylepinion.bsky.social, @midimyers.bsky.social, @bastardsheep@aus.social and @mattthr.bsky.social

Brian Conway / Nieman Lab:

A look at the decline of Pittsburgh news site The Incline, launched in 2016 by Jim Brady with a $2.6M investment from Gannett, as its last journalist leaves — An online Pittsburgh newsroom's last remaining journalist says goodbye, as the city's media landscape sputters.

Discussion: @brian__conway, @ckrewson, @sarahscire and MediaPost