Mediagazer: The New York Times is recruiting select advertising partners to test its new generative AI ad-targeting tool, which it plans to make widely available in H2 2024 (Sara Fischer/Axios)

11:10 AM ET, February 20, 2024

Top News:

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Discussion: @iamjohnoliver, Variety, @tvgrimreaper, @aagave, CarterMatt, 9to5Google, The Desk, The Wrap, @ernie@writing.exchange, Deadline, @tvgrimreaper, TVLine, Cord Cutters News and Decider

Arijit Barman / The Economic Times:

Sources: Zee has re-engaged with Sony in a last-ditch attempt to revive their $10B merger, which had been called off on January 22; ZEEL closed up 7.93% — Zee Entertainment Enterprises has re-engaged with Sony Group Corp in a last-ditch attempt to revive their $10-billion merger.

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Sara Fischer / Axios:

The New York Times is recruiting select advertising partners to test its new generative AI ad-targeting tool, which it plans to make widely available in H2 2024 — The New York Times is recruiting partners to test new ad-targeting solutions using generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) beginning next quarter, executives told Axios.

Discussion: The Wrap and @sarafischer

Samantha Chery / Washington Post:

Polk Awards: The New York Times and ProPublica both win three awards, Vice News wins for Television Reporting, Reuters wins for Business Reporting, and more — Now in its 75th year, the George Polk Awards for journalism honors stories from 2023 about wars in Ukraine and the Middle East …

Discussion: Long Island University, @newyorker, @davecclarke, @picardonhealth, @susan_advocate, Poynter, @streetsblognyc, @cabbagetv, @dataylor1, @janebsinger, @cezary, @dicktofel, Talking Biz News, @Nonilex@masto.ai and New York Times

Jacob Pramuk / CNBC:

Walmart agrees to acquire TV maker Vizio for $2.3B, or $11.50/share, to boost its ad business via Vizio's SmartCast OS, which lets users stream content with ads — - Walmart is buying TV maker Vizio for $2.3 billion in cash. — The move is a bid to boost the big-box retailer's high-margin ad business.

Jack Shafer / Politico:

Q&A with Margot Susca on her new book Hedged, which details how the US chain newspapers including Gannett were purchased and squeezed by PE firms like Alden — A journalism professor blames Wall Street for the newspaper industry's collapse. — The great American newspaper ain't what it used to be.

Discussion: Media Voices, Stephan A. Schwartz on LinkedIn, @mhutchison, @cathyarnst, @leverling, @margotsusca, @kenherts, @marcedge1, @margotsusca, @heidilegg, @kenherts, @politicomag, @michaelkruse, @jfberke and @politico

Eduardo Suárez / Reuters Institute:

Q&A with AG Sulzberger on becoming the NYT publisher, what he misses about being a reporter, the NYT's goal of reaching 15M subscribers by 2025, and more — In this exclusive interview, he discusses his role in shaping the paper and preserving its values

Todd Spangler / Variety:

Pinterest plans to release its first streaming show with Tastemade on February 23 for free on Tastemade's channel and apps, featuring QR codes of shoppable Pins — Pinterest is readying the launch of its first-ever streaming show, cooking and lifestyle series “Deliciously Entertaining” …

Georg Szalai / Hollywood Reporter:

Q&A with Monty Sarhan, CEO of European streamer SkyShowtime, on adding a cheaper ad-supported tier, not revealing subscriber numbers, cutting spending, and more — The European streaming joint venture of Comcast and Paramount is not cutting back because “the U.S. narrative is not our narrative …

Scott Roxborough / The Hollywood Reporter:

Fremantle plans to buy Asacha Media after taking an 80% stake in TV group Beach House; both acquisitions combined will cost Fremantle's parent RTL Group €200M+ — The deal, which is still subject to closing conditions, adds eight more production labels to Fremantle's growing portfolio.

Discussion: Variety, WORLD SCREEN, Fremantle and Deadline

David Satin / The Streamable:

Ampere Analysis: Disney has the biggest library of desirable titles at 148, followed by Paramount Global's 72; Netflix would be Disney's best licensing partner — Disney's catalog contains the highest number of titles that other streamers might find desirable, according to new data from Ampere Analysis.

Discussion: Broadband TV News, The Desk, The Hollywood Reporter and Media Play News

Jude Rogers / The Guardian:

Q&A with BBC Disinformation & Social Media Correspondent Marianna Spring on her book Among the Trolls, being the target of 80% of BBC's online abuse, and more — The broadcaster on dealing with abuse, the power of the Barbie movie, and watching Spurs with her dad

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Bron Maher / Press Gazette:
The UK agrees to add safeguards to the “Snoopers' Charter”, requiring spy agencies to get an independent review before searching for journalistic material

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Naman Ramachandran / Variety:
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Clay Risen / New York Times:
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Laura Oliver / Nieman Lab:
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Discussion: @niemanlab

Wall Street Journal:
Sources: ABC News President Kim Godwin has become a polarizing figure inside the network, as critics say she is failing to rise up to challenges facing the unit

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Sources: the EU plans to fine Apple around €500M for allegedly breaking EU law over access to music streaming services, following a 2019 complaint by Spotify

Emily Smith / The Wrap:
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Tom Warren / The Verge:
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