Mediagazer: 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 (Isabella Simonetti/Wall Street Journal)

1:35 PM ET, January 17, 2024

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 Wrap, The Verge, @dankennedy_nu@journa.host, @thesimonetti, @david_marcelis and @asharma

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: Reuters, The Hollywood Reporter 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+ …

Discussion: Variety, The Wrap, Next TV, CNN and @thewrap

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, @kyoshino, @pdavis_llc, @skamidi, @tysonbrody, @willoremus, @jamesebriggs, @davidfolkenflik, @clarajeffery, @bgrueskin, @bencjacobs, @davidfolkenflik, The Wrap, @jayrosen_nyu, @karaswisher@threads.net, @travismayfield@threads.net and Axios

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

Discussion: MediaPost, Poynter, @sarah_mearhoff, @jbenton, @gmarkham, @dylanbyers, Adweek, @davidfolkenflik, @davidfolkenflik, @mikeorren, Media Nation, Observer, Hollywood Reporter, Newser, Washington Post, Baltimore Sun and TVNewsCheck

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

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, Politico, The Daily Beast, @vulgareconomics.bsky.social, CNN, New York Post, New York Times, @maxwelltani, The Hill, The Messenger and Associated Press

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

Discussion: The Desk, Associated Press, Poynter, Washington Post, @gartenberg, New York Times, @lizchar, @shelbytalcott, @benjysarlin, Adweek, New York Post, Newser, Rolling Stone, ABC News, Mediaite, Fox News, The New Arab, CNBC, New Hampshire Bulletin, Axios, Deadline, Reuters, The Desk, The Hill, TVLine, The Messenger and Politico

Louis Menand / New Yorker:

Generative AI is just the latest innovation to put pressure on the copyright system but might be the one that brings the whole legal structure of copyright down — Generative A.I. is the latest in a long line of innovations to put pressure on our already dysfunctional copyright system.

Discussion: @artsjournalnews and @newyorker, more at Techmeme »

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.

Discussion: @reckless1280@threads.net, European Parliament and CMU

Georg Szalai / The Hollywood Reporter:

Diamond Sports unveils a restructuring plan with creditors: Amazon will make a minority investment and become streaming partner, and Sinclair will pay $495M — Prime Video will become the primary partner through which consumers can purchase streaming services from the largest U.S. operator …

Discussion: The Streamable, MediaPost, The Wrap, Business Wire, The Desk, Variety, Awful Announcing, Reuters, Baltimore Sun, Barrett Media, Associated Press, @dgoold, Radio & Television …, Next TV, New York Post, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Sportico

Reuters:

A Malaysian court charges two local filmmakers for intentionally “wounding the religious feelings of others” via their Mentega Terbang movie, released in 2021 — A Malaysian court on Wednesday charged two local filmmakers for intentionally “wounding the religious feelings of others” …

Discussion: Associated Press

Charlotte Tobitt / Press Gazette:

The BBC names Paul Royall, who led the launch of the merged UK-focused and global news channels, as the permanent executive news editor for the BBC News Channel — Royall has held the role on an interim basis for almost a year. — Paul Royall has been named the permanent executive news editor for the BBC News Channel.

Will Nelson / PCGamesN:

Ned Luke, who voiced Michael De Santa in GTA 5, calls out WAME over using his voice in an AI chatbot, saying there is “nothing cool about ripping people off” — GTA 5 star Ned Luke has called out the use of his voice as part of an unofficial and now-removed Grand Theft Auto 5 AI chatbot from WAME.

Discussion: @mickmellamphy, @ned_luke, @ned_luke, IGN, Video Games Chronicle and Eurogamer.net

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.

Discussion: Bloomberg, The Messenger, @laurenshirsch, @alexweprin, Financial Times, The Information, Reuters, Wall Street Journal, The Walt Disney Company and The Hollywood Reporter

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

Discussion: New York Post, @joerussotweets, CNN, Los Angeles Times, The Wrap and US Securities and Exchange Commission

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Rick Porter / The Hollywood Reporter:
Nielsen: the Emmy Awards drew their smallest audience ever with 4.3M viewers, down 27% YoY, hitting a low in viewers for the fifth time in the past six years

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Brian Steinberg / Variety:
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Winston Cho / The Hollywood Reporter:
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The Wrap:
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Discussion: Columbia Journalism Review, Poynter, @sharonwaxman, @sharonwaxman, @paulimeth, @zpleat, @ckrewson, @dicktofel, @dabeard, @jayrosen_nyu, The Objective and Simon Owens's Media Newsletter

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Financial Times:
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