Mediagazer: Alex MacCallum, who transformed the NYT's subscription business and helped launch CNN+, rejoins CNN as executive VP of digital products and services (Sara Fischer/Axios)

11:05 AM 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: @thesimonetti, @david_marcelis and @asharma

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: 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, @willoremus, @kyoshino, @pdavis_llc, @skamidi, @tysonbrody, @jamesebriggs, @davidfolkenflik, @clarajeffery, @bgrueskin, @bencjacobs, @davidfolkenflik, The Wrap, @karaswisher@threads.net, @travismayfield@threads.net, @jayrosen_nyu 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 — Its new owner, Sinclair executive chairman David D. Smith, has pushed local TV news hard to the right.

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: The Wrap, @vulgareconomics.bsky.social, @maxwelltani, CNN, The Messenger, The Hill, New York Times, Associated Press, New York Post and Wall Street Journal

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 — The News — That appears to be it for the Republican primary debates. ABC News and WMUR-TV announced on Tuesday they were canceling …

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

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

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

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, Variety, The Desk, Awful Announcing, Reuters, Business Wire, Radio & Television …, Next TV, @dgoold, Sports Media Watch, Making Television Easy Again!, Associated Press, New York Post, Sportico and St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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

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, @alexweprin, @laurenshirsch, 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: @joerussotweets, CNN, Los Angeles Times, The Wrap and US Securities and Exchange Commission

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.

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Rick Porter / The Hollywood Reporter:
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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

Earlier Picks:

Emma Roth / The Verge:
Google is cutting “a few hundred roles globally” on its advertising sales team, mainly affecting a unit that sells ads to large businesses

Discussion: Computerworld, @carnage4life, @lauren@mastodon …, Mashable India, Mumbrella, Business Insider, MediaPost, The Hill, New York Post, The Messenger and Reuters

Sara Fischer / Axios:
Sources: Red Ventures has approached buyers about selling CNET for at least $250M, after acquiring the outlet and other sites for $500M in 2020

Discussion: @tim_stevens, @weareyourfek, @saschasegan, The Overspill, @bmorrissey, @samantharmeller, @thezedwards, @mediaevan, @afillari, @andrewkrok, @ashleyesqueda, @alex, @thekenyeung@threads.net, @ernie@writing.exchange, @ernie.tedium.co, Sara Fischer on LinkedIn and Talking Biz News, more at Techmeme »

Kenneth Li / Reuters:
Thomson Reuters acquires World Business Media, a subscription-based, 25-person outlet providing news and analysis on the insurance market

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Colin Salao / TheStreet:
Barstool Sports CEO Erika Ayers Badan says she is stepping down after joining in 2016 and overseeing massive growth at the outlet

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From Techmeme:

Mark Gurman / Bloomberg:
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Greg Brockman / @gdb:
Sam Altman and Greg Brockman respond to Jan Leike, say they've raised awareness of the risks and opportunities of AGI, will keep doing safety research, and more

Wall Street Journal:
Sources: US officials have told Google, Meta, and others about concerns that undersea cables could be vulnerable to tampering by China-owned repair ships

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