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David Smith, executive chairman of Sinclair, acquires Baltimore Sun Media from Alden, which bought the outlet in May 2021; Sinclair wasn't involved in the deal — The Baltimore Sun, the largest newspaper in Maryland, has been acquired in a private deal by David D. Smith …
Discussion:
Poynter, Washington Post, Axios, @jeffjarvis, @aodespair, @sarafischer, The Baltimore Banner, @skamidi, @ckrewson, @margotsusca, @baltimorebrew, Next TV, @bencjacobs, @nicolefcarr, The Desk, @farhip, @joelmathis.bsky.social, @flglmn, WBFF-TV, The Hill, @torreysnowwbal, @healthcarerenew, @jbflint, @clarajeffery, @scottshanenyt, @benmullin, @farhip, @samjmintz, @bgrueskin, Amy L. Kovac-Ashley on LinkedIn, @sarafischer, @2021_willitend, @bgrueskin, @youngjeopardy, @farhip, @jbflint, @thepacketrat, Talking Biz News, @brianstelter, TVNewsCheck, The Wrap and Cord Cutters News


Worcester, MA-based The 016 says the news-oriented social network with no algorithmic feed had 17M email opens and 13M click-throughs over the past five years — Congratulations to Mark Henderson, a Worcester media entrepreneur who's celebrating the fifth anniversary of The 016 …
Discussion:
The 016, @henderson_mark and @dankennedy_nu@journa.host


OpenAI shares its plans ahead of 2024 elections, including image provenance tools and not letting users make tools for impersonation or political campaigning — We're working to prevent abuse, provide transparency on AI-generated content, and improve access to accurate voting information. — Authors


Memo: BI CEO Barbara Peng says an internal review found reporting on plagiarism in Neri Oxman's MIT thesis to be rigorous and fair; Axel Springer stands by BI — Owner Axel Springer says it ‘stands by’ publication amid dispute with academic and her husband Bill Ackman
Discussion:
Business Insider, Columbia Journalism Review, @billackman, @bgrueskin, @carnage4life, New York Post, @karaswisher, Fox Business, Associated Press, @maxwelltani, @nerioxman, @billackman, @mikeisaac, @mikeisaac, Wall Street Journal, @michaelpleahy, @aaschapiro, @mehdirhasan, @ijbailey, @asharma, @disabilitystor1, @bondhack, @disabilitystor1, @keitholbermann, @nichcarlson, @epicureandeal, @1991wolfpack, Mediaite, @benjamin_goggin_@threads.net, @karaswisher@threads.net, @karaswisher@threads.net, The Wrap, @daveleebbg@threads.net, @originalspin@threads.net, @lorakolodny@threads.net, CNN, Talking Biz News, The Daily Beast and Bloomberg


Apple details select streaming and sports apps available on Vision Pro at launch, including Disney+, ESPN, MLB, PGA, Max, and TikTok; some will have 3D movies — Apple today listed some streaming, video, and sports apps that will be available on the Vision Pro when the headset launches on February 2 …
Discussion:
Variety, The Verge, Apple and The Walt Disney Company, more at Techmeme »


MrBeast uploads his first X video to test its ad revenue system; in December 2023, MrBeast said a billion views on X “wouldn't fund a fraction of” of his videos — - MrBeast has shared his first video on X. — The content creator said he was testing the platform's plan to share ad revenue.
Discussion:
Dexerto, Hindustan Times, NDTV, Times of India, BBC, @lindayax, @harleyf, indy100, The Daily Beast, Mashable India culture, @joetidy, @mrbeast, @lindayax, @kingmike273, @elonmusk, @xbusiness, @mrbeast and Bloomberg


WBD's HBO and Max won 31 awards at the 75th Emmy Awards, while Netflix won 22, FX 16, Apple TV+ 10, Disney+ nine, Amazon Prime Video six, and NBC five — This year, the conglomerate did not designate if a show was made for HBO proper or its streamer, Max, instead grouping its nominations under …
Discussion:
Forbes, Billboard, @pucknews, @royprice, MacRumors, @ballmatthew, New York Times, Deadline, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, Reuters, Bloomberg, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, New York Times, The Wrap, GoldDerby, The Wrap, The Hollywood Reporter, The Ringer and The Playlist


How Clarissa Ward, the first Western reporter to enter Gaza without an IDF escort since October 7, highlights Arab suffering as she faces pro-Israel bias claims — Clarissa Ward, the first Western reporter to enter Gaza without an I.D.F. escort since October 7th, has faced accusations …
Discussion:
The Times of Israel and @lconecnn


Netflix tests a joint subscription plan with French retailer Carrefour in a pilot project in Bordeaux and Rouen, to win more customers to its cheapest ad tier — - French retailer will offer a joint subscription with Netflix — Carrefour customers in Bordeaux, Rouen offered €5.99 plan
Discussion:
Seeking Alpha, ESM Magazine and Broadband TV News


Sources: UK-based TV producer Box to Box raised ~£30M from NY-based Bruin Capital to help fund its expansion; Bruin is taking a minority stake in Box to Box — UK's Box to Box Films agrees fundraising with Bruin Capital as demand grows for sports documentaries
Discussion:
George Pyne on LinkedIn, Sportico, Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter


A look at the surge of fashion content on Substack, as veteran fashion editors, stylists, and other newsletter writers give shopping recommendations — We used to look to magazines, store assistants and bloggers to help us decide what to buy. Now the publishing site has become the go-to spot for style advice
Discussion:
@simondowens@threads.net


Apple's September 2023 change to how its Podcasts app automatically downloads episodes dramatically cut the download numbers for some of the biggest podcasts — The News — Apple has quietly tightened its reporting of how many people listen to podcasts, sending shock waves through …