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In a memo, Gannett Chief Content Officer Kristin Roberts says the publisher will stop publishing AP content on March 25 “to invest further in our newsrooms” — The company will end its legacy AP premium subscription beginning March 25, and “redeploy more dollars toward our teams”


George Lucas backs Bob Iger in the proxy battle between Disney and activist investor Nelson Peltz; sources say Lucas is Disney's largest individual shareholder — - Filmmaker and Hollywood legend George Lucas is endorsing Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger in the bitter proxy battle launched by activist investor Nelson Peltz.
Discussion:
IndieWire, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, The Wrap, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters, Fortune, Quartz, @aagave, Deadline, @arkwulf, @rfaughnder, @benmullin, @pooroldrolotony, CNBC Television on YouTube, @scottgustin, @theonlyjordan__, @lordduckvader, @thecriticaldri2, Variety, @beckyquick and Financial Times


Prime Video unveils a slate of 69 new Indian original TV shows and films, and says India had the highest percentage of Prime Members stream Prime Video in 2023g — India has driven subscribers to Amazon than any other country bar the U.S. over recent years, according Head of Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios Mike Hopkins.
Discussion:
The Streamable, Variety, Bloomberg, WORLD SCREEN and @lucas_shaw


Poland has reportedly detained four Ukrainian journalists who were investigating Poland's trade with Russia; two were detained on February 27 and two on March 7 — Polish authorities should refrain from detaining members of the press reporting on topics of public interest …
Discussion:
@farnakyboy


The cost of a journalism education has become an insurmountable barrier for just the kind of people the industry needs most; j-schools need to go tuition free — Many uncertainties haunt the field of journalism today — among them, how we can reach our audience, build public trust in our work, and who is going to pay for it all.


Baltimore Banner CEO Bob Cohn says the outlet is planning a geographical expansion, has 44K subscribers, and half of 2024 revenue will come from subscriptions — - He previously led subscription expansions as president of both The Economist and The Atlantic.
Discussion:
@kyoshino and @dicktofel


EU DMA hearing: a Meta lawyer says Meta offered to cut its EU monthly subscription for Facebook and Instagram from €9.99 to €5.99 to address regulatory concerns — Meta Platforms (META.O) has offered to almost halve its monthly subscription fee for Facebook and Instagram to 5.99 euros …
Discussion:
MediaPost, Ars Technica, The Verge, Channel NewsAsia, BGR, Digital Markets Act, @ttoboyle, TechCrunch, @kayjebelli and @kayjebelli, more at Techmeme »


Trump sues ABC and George Stephanopoulos for defamation over Stephanopoulos's on-air remarks that Trump had been found liable for raping E. Jean Carroll — The lawsuit stems from the anchor's recent contentious interview with Representative Nancy Mace. — Former President Donald J. Trump filed …
Discussion:
CNN, The Hill, The Wrap, New Republic, Mediaite, Newser, Los Angeles Times, Fox News, Politico, Reuters, Deadline, New York Post, @humb1962, @thatguyinfla, @67sound.bsky.social, @louisjmarinelli, @genuine_rp, @ericabbenante, @comicozzie58, @wizzyprobsii, @clayandbuck, @genuine_rp, @bpaulkelly, @atrupar, @bsbeamer.bsky.social, The Daily Caller, @mommabearjogs, @nancymace, @omunderdal, @cecil_duncan, @muellershewrote, @kari_beach, @karimx1696315, @chesswpigeons, The Daily Beast, @alllwftopic, The Desk, @katekilla.bsky.social, @hudsonrivercroc.bsky.social, @lakewitchhouse.bsky.social, @CarlG@esq.social, @paleofuture.bsky.social and LAW.com


Drone footage and interviews with witnesses and colleagues raise questions about Israeli justification for striking two members of an Al Jazeera crew — JERUSALEM — On Jan. 7, the Israeli military conducted a targeted missile strike on a car carrying four Palestinian journalists outside Khan Younis, in southern Gaza.


Spotify: in 2023, 66K artists received $10K+, up from 57K in 2022, with 50%+ from non-English speaking countries, while 11,600 got $100K+, and 1,250 got $1M+ — - Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) — Every year, Spotify updates its Loud & Clear website with new data about its music payouts.
Discussion:
Observer, Variety, @eldsjal, @duboff, @spotifyartists, CMU, Associated Press and Spotify


Tencent Music reports Q4 revenue down 7% YoY to $971M and a $198M profit; in 2023, paying subscribers rose 21% YoY to 107M and net profit rose 36% YoY to $735M — Net profits at Tencent Music Entertainment, China's largest digital music company, climbed 36% to reach $735 million (RMB5.22 billion) …
Discussion:
Tencent Music


Paramount+ plans to roll out its ad tier in Canada in April and Australia in June 2024, and to launch its Premium plan in Europe this month, starting in France — Paramount+'s international ad-tier plans are coming together. — The streaming service's Basic (with ads) …
Discussion:
The Wrap, Reuters, Paramount+, Broadband TV News, The Hollywood Reporter and WORLD SCREEN