Top News:
Nicola Agius / Search Engine Land:
Google says IAB Tech Lab's report claiming Privacy Sandbox could disadvantage smaller brands and media companies contains “misunderstandings and inaccuracies” — The IAB Tech Lab report claims that Privacy Sandbox could make it harder for brands to serve effective ads - particularly smaller businesses.
Drew Harwell / Washington Post:
The SEC approves Truth Social's SPAC merger with DWAC; Trump's stake in the post-merger company would be valued at more than $4B at today's price — The former president's stake in the post-merger company would be valued, at today's share price, at nearly $4 billion.
Discussion:
Fox Business, Reuters, The Hill, CBS News, Politico, Axios, @drewharwell@mastodon.social, CNN, @Nonilex@masto.ai and @gwynnion@mastodon.social, more at Techmeme »
Daniel Thomas / Financial Times:
Sources: The Independent is in talks to assume control of BuzzFeed in the UK and Ireland under a licensing deal for its brands, including HuffPost — British media group to take charge of local operations of start-up once seen as future of the industry — The Independent, the British media group …
Discussion:
@janinegibson.bsky.social, Mediaite, The Information, The Guardian and Reuters
Anne Steele / Wall Street Journal:
Sources: Rod Stewart sold his music and publishing catalog for ~$100M to Iconic Artists Group, which says it has raised $1B+ for future catalog investments — Investors pour billions of dollars into companies pursuing music-rights deals — Rod Stewart, the star behind such hits as …
Discussion:
Music Business Worldwide, Axios, Deadline, Music Business Worldwide, Forbes, Billboard, New York Post, Music Week, Variety and Digital Music News
Bloomberg:
Sources: the US DOJ plans to scrutinize the streaming service proposal by Disney, Fox, and WBD over concerns it could harm consumers, rivals, and sports leagues — - Concerns likely focused on pricing, sports league negotiations — Antitrust enforcers have blocked cable bundles in past cases
Discussion:
Reuters, The Streamable, @tomselliott and Cord Cutters News
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Roku reports Q4 revenue up 14% YoY to $984.4M, vs. $968.2M est., and warns of a “challenging” environment for media and entertainment in 2024; ROKU drops 14%+ — Roku revenue came in above Wall Street forecasts for the fourth quarter of 2023 — and it touted new milestones …
Discussion:
The Desk, TechCrunch, The Wrap, The Information, Deadline, Media Play News, Roku and The Hollywood Reporter, more at Techmeme »
Alexandra Alter / New York Times:
The National Book Awards expand eligibility to noncitizens in the US, including immigrants and longtime residents who have made their home in the country — The awards, which celebrate the best of American literature, are expanding the definition of who qualifies.
Discussion:
Publishing Perspectives, @mtaeckens and Mother Jones
Committee to Protect Journalists:
A Turkish court finds three journalists guilty of assisting a terrorist organization; the three have faced multiple trials since their initial arrests in 2016 — The Committee to Protect Journalists urges Turkish authorities not to fight the appeals of journalists Ahmet Altan, Nazlı …
Discussion:
Voice of America and Committee to Protect …
Aisha Malik / TechCrunch:
YouTube adds four new tools that let users to incorporate, or “remix”, a music video in their Shorts, weeks after UMG pulled its song catalog from TikTok — YouTube is introducing the ability for users to incorporate or “remix” a music video in their short-form videos …
Discussion:
YouTube Official Blog, Tubefilter, @carnage4life@mas.to, The Verge, 9to5Google, Engadget and UPI, more at Techmeme »
Tyler Falk / Current:
Q&A with NPR Podcasting Strategy SVP Collin Campbell on the differences between broadcast and podcast audiences, the continuing need for donations, and more — Collin Campbell is the self-proclaimed optimistic new guy at NPR. — “Everywhere I look, I see opportunity,” …
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Sources: Paramount is winding down Noggin, its streaming service for 2- to 7-year-olds that was launched in 2015, and has laid off its entire team — Noggin, Nickelodeon's interactive learning platform for preschool-age kids, is shutting down after almost 10 years, Variety has confirmed.
Discussion:
The Hollywood Reporter, The Wrap, Deadline and The Streamable
Charlotte Tobitt / Press Gazette:
How Swiss outlet Blick gained 16,000+ subscribers since June 2023 by using a registration wall and summaries teasing the content of some walled-off articles — A registration wall launched in the run-up to the premium offer was a “key element” to a strong launch.
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