Top News:
Mark Sweney / The Guardian:
Telegraph Media Group CEO Nick Hugh steps down as the UK prepares to launch a second probe into plans to transfer control of the titles to a UAE-backed group — Nick Hugh's exit comes amid concern over Barclay family's deal to transfer control of titles — The chief executive of the Telegraph …
Discussion:
Press Gazette, Reuters and Bloomberg
Sara Fischer / @sarafischer:
Forbes CEO Mike Federle announces layoffs affecting less than 3% of staff, saying Forbes “must remain vigilant in our current economic environment” — NEW: @forbes layoffs announced today, the same day its union announced a 3-day walkout. — Unclear how many impacted yet — CEO Mike Federer said in a note to staff that Forbes “must remain vigilant in our current economic environment.”
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Sara Salinas / CNBC:
In a memo, Paramount CEO Bob Bakish announces layoffs, citing a need to “operate as a leaner company and spend less”; he did not disclose the size of the cuts — - Paramount CEO Bob Bakish announced layoffs at the media company. — He did not disclose how many jobs the company would cut.
Discussion:
Variety, NBC 7 San Diego, NME, The Wrap, @madisonmills22, @tracytran, Benzinga, @weareyourfek, Adweek, Deadline, Reuters, Deadline, Bloomberg and The Messenger, more at Techmeme »
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Georg Szalai / The Hollywood Reporter:
In a memo, Paramount CEO outlines growth strategies for 2024, including “driving to streaming profitability” and “maximizing content with the biggest impact” — As speculation kicks up about a sale, Bob Bakish wrote a memo outlining strategies such as …
Discussion:
@paulvrea, @tvgrimreaper, Reuters and Next TV
Winston Cho / Hollywood Reporter:
The George Carlin estate sues Dudesy, which released a comedy special featuring an AI-generated recreation of George Carlin, alleging copyright infringement — “We have to draw a line in the sand,” says daughter Kelly Carlin, who sued creators of an hourlong special titled 'George Carlin: I'm Glad I'm Dead.'
Discussion:
Variety, The Verge, MyStateline.com, Mashable, CBS News, @sarahspain, @gianmarcosoresi, Rolling Stone, Comic Book, @iwriteok, @lorakolodny@threads.net, The A.V. Club, @satiristas, @reallyndacarter, United States District Court Central District of California, @wkamaubell, The Wrap and The Messenger, more at Techmeme »
Khadeeja Safdar / Wall Street Journal:
Janel Grant, an ex-WWE staffer who received a payout from Vince McMahon and signed an NDA in 2022, files a lawsuit accusing WWE and McMahon of sex trafficking — Janel Grant files lawsuit saying McMahon pressured her into sex with him and other men at wrestling business, raising questions about 2022 board probe into CEO's payouts
Discussion:
WHDH 7News, Deadline, CityAM, New York Times, @xpangler, @xpangler, @danprimack, NBC News, Sportico, @justinbaragona, @henereyg, @wsj, @wsj, @siddhantadlakha, @theinsneider, USA Today, Mediaite, Defector, Sportico, Awful Announcing, Courthouse News Service, All I ever wanted …, Bloomberg, TMZ.com, Los Angeles Times, Irish News, UPROXX, The Wrap, The Messenger, FOX8 WGHP, Rolling Stone, Media Play News, CBS News, Metro.co.uk, WFLA-TV, Hollywood Reporter, The Verge, New York Post, ComingSoon.net, Boing Boing, CNBC and The Sun
Hanaa' Tameez / Nieman Lab:
How disagreements between the Los Angeles Times and the LA Times Guild over seniority protections resulted in more than 60 journalists of color being laid off — Disagreements between the LA Times and its Guild over seniority protections ended in more than 60 journalists of color being laid off.
Discussion:
@sarahscire and Jeff Bercovici on LinkedIn
Deadline:
Marie Donoghue, former vice president of global sports video at Amazon's Prime Video, joins DraftKings as its chief business & growth officer — UPDATE: Marie Donoghue is the new Chief Business & Growth Officer at gaming company DraftKings. — In her new role, Donoghue will work closely …
Discussion:
@austinkarp, @draftkingsnews, DraftKings, Sportico and New York Post
Reuters:
A Moscow сourt extends the custody of WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich to March 30, 2024 as he awaits trial; Gershkovich can appeal within three days — A Moscow сourt extended the custody of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich by two months on Friday as he awaits trial on spying charges that he denies.
Discussion:
Fox News, Voice of America, The Times of Israel and Irish News
Ben Thompson / Stratechery:
An interview with Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters on the lack of a Netflix app on the Apple Vision Pro, the WWE deal, content strategy, ads, competition, and more — I am pleased to welcome Netflix Co-CEO Greg Peters for a Stratechery Interview. Peters was named the co-CEO of Netflix …
Katie Kilkenny / The Hollywood Reporter:
The WGA East files an unfair labor practice charge against G/O Media, alleging that G/O Media has been “bargaining in bad faith” in ongoing negotiations — The union represents creative staffers at The Onion, The A.V. Club and Deadspin who have threatened to strike if a new deal isn't reached by Jan. 31.
Discussion:
The Information and Adweek
Katie Kilkenny / The Hollywood Reporter:
The Directors Guild of America says it has secured the same streaming residuals and access to streaming platform viewing data that the WGA won — The union informed members on Thursday that it had also improved employer contribution rates to its pension and health plans in the second and third years of its contract.
Discussion:
@joerussotweets, @katiekilkenny7, @tvgrimreaper, Variety, The Wrap and Deadline
Bloomberg:
Sources: Disney's India assets are being valued at ~$4.5B in merger negotiations with Reliance, less than the $10B Disney initially pursued — - Unit valued at about $4.5 billion from $10 billion previously — Losses incurred from cricket rights weigh on its valuation
Discussion:
Reuters
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Georg Szalai / The Hollywood Reporter:
Comcast reports Peacock revenue rose 57% YoY to $1B in Q4, a $825M loss in Q4 and $2.75B in 2023 for the unit, and 31M paying subscribers, a net gain of 3M — NBCUniversal parent Comcast, led by chairman and CEO Brian Roberts, reported earnings on Thursday.
Discussion:
Comcast, @sherman4949, @modestproposal1, @ballmatthew, Observer, Chuck Hemann on LinkedIn, Adweek, Media Play News, The Desk, The Streamable, Deadline and Variety
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