Top News:
Max Goldbart / Deadline:
Memo: Channel 4 plans to merge commissioning departments, including TV drama and film, leave a London premises, and more, part of a five-year Fast Forward plan — Channel 4 is merging several commissioning departments including TV drama and film and leaving its Horseferry Road premises …
Discussion:
The Guardian, @halalltakeaway, @bectu, The Guardian, BBC, @scottygb, Broadband TV News, @jake_kanter and Sky News
RELATED:
Georg Szalai / The Hollywood Reporter:
Channel 4 plans to lay off 18% of its staff, impacting ~200 jobs and closing ~40 unfilled roles, to become a “digital-first public service streamer by 2030”
Channel 4 plans to lay off 18% of its staff, impacting ~200 jobs and closing ~40 unfilled roles, to become a “digital-first public service streamer by 2030”
Discussion:
Mediaite, Variety, WORLD SCREEN, CampaignUK, Broadband TV News, @scottygb, @joshoewaa and Financial Times
Ben Strauss / Washington Post:
Sports Illustrated's union files an unfair labor practice charge with the NLRB, alleging retaliation and union-busting after the mass layoffs this month — The union representing the staff of Sports Illustrated filed an unfair labor practice charge against the magazine's publisher …
Discussion:
Awful Announcing, The Wrap, nyguild.org and Columbia Journalism Review
Wall Street Journal:
How Penguin Random House started actively challenging the removal of books from US school libraries, including through an “Intellectual Freedom” task force — A fiery board meeting inspired Penguin Random House to actively challenge the removal of books from school libraries
Kyle Orland / Ars Technica:
In response to the George Carlin estate's lawsuit, Dudesy says its YouTube video and podcast with an “AI” George Carlin were “created by two human beings” — Creators still face “name and likeness” complaints; lawyer says suit will continue.
Charlotte Tobitt / Press Gazette:
An interview with Mail Online executives on rolling out its new £4.99 per month Mail+ tier to all UK users, the £12.99 per month Mail+ Editions app, and more — Mail Online is building on a “great position of strength” from its “huge, loyal, engaged, direct audience” …
Reuters:
German state broadcaster ARD says Israel was blocking two of its long-term Palestinian workers from leaving Gaza, citing security concerns that don't make sense — German state broadcaster ARD on Friday said Israel was blocking two of its long-term Palestinian workers from leaving Gaza …
The Intercept:
Sources: the NYT pulled a The Daily episode about sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, after an internal debate on the strength of its reporting — The New York Times pulled a high-profile episode of its podcast “The Daily” about sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas on October 7 amid …
Discussion:
CBS News, @markamesexiled, @evanhill, @zei_squirrel, @maryamsaleh, @drboguslaw, @snarwani, @ggreenwald and @kenklippenstein
Cecilia Kang / New York Times:
A look at the US Copyright Office, which is in the spotlight as it plans to release three key reports in 2024 revealing its position on copyright law and AI — The office is reviewing how centuries-old laws should apply to artificial intelligence technology, with both content creators and tech giants arguing their cases.
Discussion:
@knibbs, @jeffplatsky, @dm_cooper, @toddbigphoto, @tvol and @stevelohr
Jennifer Maas / Variety:
A look at Warner Bros. Discovery's push to expand its gaming division with live services and mobile games, by leveraging its franchises like Game of Thrones — David Zaslav's most critical mission is leading Warner Bros. Discovery through the streaming wars.
Discussion:
@captaingalxy, @benjisales, @variety, Screen Rant, @jmaasaronson and @aegies, more at Techmeme »
Reuters:
UK sanctions Iranian officials who were found by an ITV report to be involved in plots to assassinate two TV presenters from Iran International in the UK — Britain on Monday imposed sanctions on Iranian officials it said were involved in threats to kill journalists on British soil …
Discussion:
Press Association and Deadline
Suzanne Vranica / Wall Street Journal:
Presentation: Amazon says Prime Video's ad load per hour will be two to 3.5 minutes, below traditional TV and most streamers, and expects 195M monthly viewers — Move prompts longtime subscribers to cancel Prime altogether, forgoing free shipping; ‘There is only one way to show them that this is not OK’
Discussion:
Fast Company, The Streamable, New York Post, Variety, 9to5Mac and Cord Cutters News, more at Techmeme »
Patrick Frater / Variety:
CNN Philippines plans to close on January 31, impacting up to 300 jobs; the outlet launched in 2015 under a brand licensing deal and, a source says, lost $89M+ — CNN Philippines is to close down on Wednesday, the company announced on Monday local time. The move means up to 300 jobs will be lost.
Discussion:
@cnnphilippines and Deadline
Katie Campione / Deadline:
Nielsen: Ted Lasso was the most-watched streaming original in 2023, at 16.9B minutes, despite Apple TV+'s small footprint, followed by Netflix's The Night Agent — Ted Lasso went out on a high note at Apple TV+. — According to Nielsen, the series was the most-watched streaming original last year …
Discussion:
The Wrap, Variety, New York Times, AppleInsider, BGR, UPROXX, The Hollywood Reporter and Media Play News