Top News:
Lucas Manfredi / The Wrap:
Amid its proxy fight, Disney reveals the return on investment for its franchises: 9.9x for Frozen, 5.5x for Toy Story, 3.3x for Marvel, and 2.3x for Star Wars — The tentpoles have generated $11.6 billion and $13.2 billion in value, respectively, since their $4 billion acquisitions in 2009 and 2012
Discussion:
The Hollywood Reporter, The Walt Disney Company and UPROXX
Washington Post:
The TikTok bill likely will spur a battle over the First Amendment and national security if it becomes law; TikTok's CEO vows to use the company's legal rights — The forced-sale measure has reinvigorated a debate over speech, national security and government power.
Discussion:
The Verge, New York Times, Gizmodo, Electronic Frontier Foundation, @zerochillfactor@threads.net, @kevinroose@threads.net, @the.book.lush@threads.net, @scottinsf@threads.net, The Hill, @drewharwell@threads.net, New York Times, Engadget, Techdirt, NPR, New York Magazine, @tiktokpolicy, @taylorlorenz@mastodon.social, Media Nation, BGR, Observer, Los Angeles Times, Ars Technica, @drewharwell@mastodon.social, New York Post, 9to5Mac and Music Ally, more at Techmeme »
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David Folkenflik / NPR:
The family of slain Ukrainian journalist Oleksandra Kuvshynova files a wrongful death suit against Fox News, saying Fox didn't adequately protect the team — On the second anniversary of a young journalist's killing in Ukraine, her family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Fox News …
Discussion:
Columbia Journalism Review, Deadline, The Daily Beast, CNN and Fox News
Ernie Smith / Tedium:
Deadspin's new owner, Lineup Publishing, shares an IP address with a Finnish casino spam blog and is hosted in Malta, which is known as an online gambling haven — I am so obsessed with trying to figure out who Deadspin's new owners are that it led me to some late night spam-blog sleuthing.
Russell Contreras / Axios:
Latino leaders including former HUD Secretary Julián Castro write to LA Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong to object to recent layoffs that hit Latinos hard — - The paper's new Latino vertical, De Los, was significantly affected. … - “(We are) deeply troubled by the recent decision …
Discussion:
Anthony Perez on LinkedIn, Valentina Pereda on LinkedIn, @christianarana and New York Times
Committee to Protect Journalists:
CPJ calls on Pakistan authorities to release journalist Asad Ali Toor, return his devices, and cease harassing him for his work; he was arrested February 26 — Pakistan authorities must immediately and unconditionally release independent journalist Asad Ali Toor, return his devices …
Discussion:
@khushal_khattak, @iadnanaamir, @iadnanaamir, Voice of America and @pressmediax
Alexandra Alter / New York Times:
American Library Association report says book challenges reached a record high on 4,240 in 2023, up from 2,571 in 2022 — Book challenges around the country reached the highest levels ever recorded by a library organization. — After several years of rising book bans …
Discussion:
News and Press Center, Publishers Weekly, The Hill, News and Press Center, The Hollywood Reporter, UPI and Axios
Financial Times:
Sources: RedBird IMI is leaning toward selling the Telegraph Media Group or it may bring in US investors to replace Abu Dhabi's cash — Venture between US-based RedBird and Abu Dhabi's IMI is aiming to recoup £600mn investment — RedBird IMI is leaning towards a full sale …
Discussion:
The Guardian, Bloomberg, Mediaite and The Wrap
Financial Times:
Sources: TikTok's US revenue hit a record $16B in 2023 while ByteDance saw revenue grow ~40% YoY to $120B in 2023 and recorded a $28B net profit — Parent company ByteDance on track to become world's biggest social media group with $120bn in global sales — TikTok has hit $16bn in sales in the US …
Discussion:
Fortune, New York Times, New York Post and WNYC Studios, more at Techmeme »
Houston Landing:
Houston Landing CEO Peter Bhatia names Austin-American Statesman Executive Editor Manny García as new editor in chief and Angel Rodríguez as managing editor — - Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) … Manny García is the new editor in chief of Houston Landing …
Peter White / Deadline:
Former Apple and Hulu executive Peter Distad is named CEO of the sports-focused streaming joint venture backed by Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery — The upcoming sports streaming service from Disney, Fox & Warner Bros. Discovery has found its boss.
Discussion:
The Desk, ESPN Press Room U.S., Advanced Television, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Adweek, Next TV, The Wrap, The Streamable, 9to5Mac, @2xaught7.bsky.social, Sports Media Watch, Media Play News, Wall Street Journal, Axios, New York Post, Susanne Mei on LinkedIn, MediaPost, Reuters, Awful Announcing, Ad Age, Barrett Media, Radio & Television … and WORLD SCREEN
Varun Vyas / Reuters:
Disney's Star India starts arbitration proceedings against Zee Entertainment for alleged non-compliance with the terms of a cricket broadcasting agreement — Walt Disney (DIS.N)-owned Star India has started arbitration proceedings against Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEE.NS) …
Discussion:
The Economic Times
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