Top News:
Isabella Simonetti / Wall Street Journal:
Memo: CNN CEO Mark Thompson plans to combine newsgathering into one TV-and-digital unit, and outlines his vision for subscriptions and improving mobile video — New CNN Boss Shakes Up News Operations, Explores Digital Subscription Model One combined unit will serve TV, streaming and digital platforms …
Discussion:
The Messenger, The Wrap, The Verge, @asharma, @david_marcelis, @thesimonetti and @dankennedy_nu@journa.host
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Sara Fischer / Axios:
CNN names longtime executive Virginia Moseley as the network's first executive editor; CNN's international news chief Mike McCarthy will be managing editor — Months after being named the new CEO of CNN Worldwide, Mark Thompson on Wednesday unveiled his strategy for bringing the decades-old cable new network for the digital era.
Discussion:
The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters and @sarafischer
Sara Fischer / Axios:
Alex MacCallum, who transformed the NYT's subscription business and helped launch CNN+, rejoins CNN as executive VP of digital products and services — Alex MacCallum, the digital news product veteran known for transforming the New York Times' subscription business and helping to launch CNN+ …
James Hale / Tubefilter:
Internal memo: YouTube is restructuring its creator management teams, including consolidating various sports, media, film, and TV teams into a single team — YouTube's partnerships side is undergoing its first corporate restructuring in a decade-one that'll see changes to the creator management …
Discussion:
TechCrunch and Fox Business, more at Techmeme »
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Nico Grant / New York Times:
Email: Google plans to cut 100 employees from YouTube's operations and creator management teams; a source says YouTube employs 7,173 people — The layoffs are part of efforts by the video platform's parent company, Google, to trim costs and bureaucracy as it embraces artificial intelligence.
Discussion:
The Information, 9to5Google, @alexeheath and The Verge
Jess Weatherbed / The Verge:
The EU Parliament adopts a nonlegislative resolution proposing sweeping changes to music streaming, including fair compensation and promoting smaller artists — The EU has proposed sweeping changes within the music streaming industry to promote smaller artists and make sure underpaid performers are being fairly compensated.
David Folkenflik / @davidfolkenflik:
[Thread] In a meeting with staffers, The Baltimore Sun's new owner claims he paid nine figures, had read the paper just four times, and the Sun was profitable — The Baltimore Sun's new owner, David D. Smith, met with staffers today for more than two hours. Many left on edge. He claimed he had read the paper just four times. He grew up here; his family's local TV empire - Sinclair - is based in Baltimore Co. Other highlights:
Discussion:
The Baltimore Banner, New Republic, @KimPerales@toad.social, @willoremus, @skamidi, @pdavis_llc, @bgrueskin, @kyoshino, @davidfolkenflik, @tysonbrody, @davidfolkenflik, @clarajeffery, @bencjacobs, @jamesebriggs, @jayrosen_nyu, The Wrap, @karaswisher@threads.net, @travismayfield@threads.net and Axios
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Joshua Benton / Nieman Lab:
David Smith's purchase of The Baltimore Sun raises concerns about the paper's future, considering Sinclair's political influence and controversial actions
David Smith's purchase of The Baltimore Sun raises concerns about the paper's future, considering Sinclair's political influence and controversial actions
Discussion:
@sarah_mearhoff, @jbenton, Poynter, @gmarkham, @dylanbyers, @davidfolkenflik, @davidfolkenflik, @mikeorren, Adweek, MediaPost, Media Nation, Observer, Hollywood Reporter, Newser, Washington Post and Baltimore Sun
Mark Gurman / Bloomberg:
Netflix is not planning to launch a native Apple Vision Pro app or allow its iPad app on the platform, and says users can watch Netflix on the web browser — Netflix Inc. isn't planning to launch an app for Apple Inc.'s upcoming Vision Pro headset, marking a high-profile snub of the new technology …
Jessica E. Lessin / The Information:
The Information unveils a new logo and a redesign of its website, as the outlet expands its reporting in key areas, including semiconductors, outside the US — Today marks a significant milestone for us at The Information. I am thrilled to unveil a redesign of our site and a new logo.
Discussion:
@jessicalessin
Alex Weprin / The Hollywood Reporter:
In a note to staff, Condé Nast announces it is bringing Pitchfork into the GQ organization, and lays off Pitchfork EIC Puja Patel and some Pitchfork employees — Pitchfork editor-in-chief Puja Patel will depart the company in the consolidation. — It's the end of an era for Pitchfork.
Discussion:
Billboard, @jillian_mapes, The Wrap, @maxwelltani, Variety, @jbenton, The Daily Beast, @jakeswearingen, @maxwelltani, UPROXX, @ericrennerbrown, @catzhang1, @lfitzmaurice, @rawiya, @crumbler@threads.net, @mikeisaac, @ericrennerbrown, @jeremypgordon, @davidgross_man, @_alialkhatib, @mikeisaac, @broderick, @kevincollier, @maxwelltani, @nomizeichner, @ohgooditsalex, @adhocemilie, @elite_gz, @genepark, @alex, @bcmerchant, Consequence, @reallygordon and @grantsharpies
Dade Hayes / Deadline:
Paramount announces two new branded hub partners for Paramount+, Tap DMV in the Philippines and JioCinema in India, after launching hubs in Greece and Belgium — With its streaming operations facing scrutiny as 2024 gets under way, Paramount Global continues to pursue a diversified approach to distributing its flagship, Paramount+.
Discussion:
WORLD SCREEN and Media Play News
BreAnna Bell / Variety:
Amazon and Tastemade sign a multi-year first-look deal to produce unscripted lifestyle content, including 15 new shows for Prime Video and Amazon Freevee — Amazon and Tastemade have signed a multi-year first look deal to produce unscripted lifestyle content.
Discussion:
The Desk, Nate Rea on LinkedIn, Media Play News and Cord Cutters News
Nick Vivarelli / Variety:
A group of 20 prominent screen trade organizations ask governments around the world to enact regulations ensuring that streamers invest more in local content — The joint plea — hailing from production bodies in Europe, Canada, Australasia and Latin America — comes as streaming services …
Discussion:
The Guardian
Ted Johnson / Deadline:
CNN drops plans to hold a GOP primary debate in New Hampshire, after only Ron DeSantis agrees to participate; CNN will instead hold a town hall with Nikki Haley — CNN has dropped plans to hold a New Hampshire Republican debate on Sunday, after former UN ambassador Nikki Haley …
Discussion:
CBS News, NPR, Slate, CNN, New York Times, @vulgareconomics.bsky.social, @maxwelltani, The Hill, Politico, The Daily Beast, New York Post, The Messenger, Newser and Associated Press
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Shelby Talcott / Semafor:
ABC News and WMUR-TV cancel their scheduled Republican presidential primary debate in New Hampshire after Nikki Haley and Donald Trump refused an invitation
ABC News and WMUR-TV cancel their scheduled Republican presidential primary debate in New Hampshire after Nikki Haley and Donald Trump refused an invitation
Discussion:
The Messenger, Vanity Fair, The Desk, Poynter, Associated Press, @gartenberg, Adweek, @lizchar, @shelbytalcott, @benjysarlin, New York Times, Washington Post, New York Post, NPR, Rolling Stone, ABC News, Fox News, Mediaite, New Hampshire Bulletin, The New Arab, CNBC, Axios, Deadline, Reuters, The Desk, TVLine, The Hill and Politico
Jill Goldsmith / Deadline:
Disney does not endorse the nominations of Nelson Peltz and James Rasulo put forth by Peltz's Trian Fund, nor does it endorse the nominations made by Blackwells — Disney CEO Bob Iger's compensation totaled about $31.6 million for the company fiscal year ended Sept. 30. It includes most of the year.
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Todd Spangler / Variety:
Filing: Disney CEO Bob Iger's compensation was $31.6M in 2023, down from $45.9M in 2021, his last prior full year of employment at the company
Filing: Disney CEO Bob Iger's compensation was $31.6M in 2023, down from $45.9M in 2021, his last prior full year of employment at the company
Discussion:
New York Post, Fox Business, @joerussotweets, CNN, Los Angeles Times, The Wrap and US Securities and Exchange Commission