Mediagazer: Amazon adds IAP back to Prime Video for Android, letting users buy VOD rentals and more, after removing IAP from its apps in 2022 to avoid Google's 30% fee (Janko Roettgers/Lowpass)

Top News:

Sources: Disney has held exploratory talks about selling its ABC network and TV stations to Nexstar Media Group, which now has 200 owned or partner TV stations — Walt Disney Co. has held exploratory talks about selling its ABC network and TV stations to local broadcaster Nexstar Media Group Inc. …

Discussion: The Hill, Reuters, Next TV, 9to5Mac, Deadline, The Wrap, Cord Cutters News and The Desk

Joe Flint / Wall Street Journal:

Nielsen names Karthik Rao, a 23-year veteran of the company, as CEO, succeeding David Kenny, who will become executive chairman — Karthik Rao succeeds David Kenny at the top of the ratings firm as competition grows and measurement grows more complex — Nielsen is shaking up its leadership …

Discussion: Insider Intelligence, Radio & Television …, Adweek, RAIN News, Variety, Inside Radio, @nielsen, Axios, @bristei, Ad Age, Nielsen, WORLD SCREEN and MediaPost

Emma Roth / The Verge:

TikTok and Billboard launch the TikTok Billboard Top 50 Chart to track the most popular songs on the platform each week in the US — TikTok is partnering with Billboard to launch a top 50 chart that tracks the most popular songs on the platform. Topping the chart right now is Sexyy Red with …

Discussion: Billboard, Billboard, TechCrunch, Variety, Forbes, Forbes, TMZ.com and TikTok

Charlotte Tobitt / Press Gazette:

Newsquest reports 2022 revenue up 6% to £150.6M, says it has passed 65K paying digital subscribers and ~50% of its advertising revenue now comes from digital — Digital now makes up almost half of ad revenues, and digital subs have surpassed 65,000. — Regional news publisher Newsquest grew …

Alex Weprin / The Hollywood Reporter:

Linda Yaccarino hires media executives for X's sales teams, including former TNT and TBS GM Brett Weitz as X's head of content, talent, and brand sales — Yaccarino also unveiled a new sales leadership team, including former NBCUniversal and Dow Jones executives.

Discussion: MediaPost, Variety, The Wrap, The Messenger, Deadline and The Information

Carolyn Giardina / The Hollywood Reporter:

Generative AI company Metaphysic claims its new system can help actors navigate the AI likeness rights, and says early users include Tom Hanks and Anne Hathaway — The generative AI tech firm announced a new toolset on Thursday and revealed multiple actors who are using its products.

Discussion: National Review

Matthew Keys / StreamTV Insider:

In a US House hearing, lawmakers expressed frustration over rising pay TV prices and blackouts, and industry experts called cable and broadcast rules outdated — Federal lawmakers this week expressed their frustration over rising cable and satellite television prices and numerous programming blackouts …

Janko Roettgers / Lowpass:

Amazon adds IAP back to Prime Video for Android, letting users buy VOD rentals and more, after removing IAP from its apps in 2022 to avoid Google's 30% fee — Next up: The Kindle app, maybe? — Some news from the someone-must-have-struck-a-deal department: Amazon is once again allowing users …

Discussion: 9to5Google and The Verge, more at Techmeme »

Victor Tangermann / Futurism:

Microsoft's Start news website published a garbled, seemingly AI-generated obit for former NBA player Brandon Hunter, headlined, “Brandon Hunter useless at 42” — Former NBA player Brandon Hunter passed away unexpectedly at the young age of 42 this week, a tragedy that rattled fans …

Discussion: Awful Announcing, New York Post, @jbenton, @baldur@toot.cafe, @philco78, @staringispolite, @dsmith_tucson, @edlockwood87, @vtanger, @jmhaigh, @bydankoller, @futurism, @michaelroston, Reuters, UPI, The Hill, The Messenger, Vibe and Fox News

Virginia Chamlee / People:

Fox News adds Lawrence Jones as a co-host of Fox & Friends, starting September 18, making him the youngest Black co-host on cable news — Fox News is expected to announce during its Thursday morning ‘Fox & Friends’ broadcast that Jones, 30, will become the latest addition to the weekday hosting team

Discussion: TVLine, Mediaite, The Wrap, Los Angeles Times, Fox News, TV Insider, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, @blackamazon, @lawrencebjones3, The Hill and The Messenger

Bron Maher / Press Gazette:

UK fact checking charity Full Fact announces long-time BBC correspondent Chris Morris as its CEO, succeeding founding chief executive Will Moy — Chris Morris says it's best not to “get too po-faced” about dealing with inaccuracies but wants to boost their profile.

Discussion: @fullfact and Full Fact

Bloomberg:

DAZN plans to bid for Ligue de Football media rights in which the local league is seeking at least €800M per year; source: beIN is also considering a bid — - LFP is seeking at least €800 million a year for the rights — Streaming platforms are spending more on sports rights