Top News:
Katie Robertson / New York Times:
G/O Media sells The Onion to Global Tetrahedron, a new Chicago firm owned by former Twilio CEO Jeff Lawson; former NBC News senior reporter Ben Collins is CEO — The satirical news website was bought by a new firm in Chicago that took inspiration for its name, Global Tetrahedron, from a book written by The Onion's staff.
Discussion:
Axios, TechCrunch, Columbia Journalism Review, @jeffiel, @skyler_higley, The Hollywood Reporter, @jakesheridan_, @danspenser, @oneunderscore__, The Onion, @goldengateblond, @urocklive1, @blackamazon, @mollygos, @taylorlorenz, @oneunderscore__, @canteverdie, @jeffiel, @bendreyfuss, @david_darmofal, @lrozen, @buccocapital, @oneunderscore__, @oneunderscore__, @jeffjarvis@mastodon.social, @theonion, @kylekoster, @teddyschleifer, @socialistdogmom, @andrewbucholtz, @kenbensinger, UPI, @bobschooley@threads.net, @whaddatwit, Editor and Publisher, @katie_robertson, Awful Announcing, @erikawittekind@threads.net, Deadline, @powerllama@duck.haus, @malaclypse.bsky.social, @WarnerCrocker@mastodon.social, @rincewind.run, @lindaholmes.bsky.social, @ernie.tedium.co, @bencollins.bsky.social, Axios, Mediaite, @tacoavenger.bsky.social, Business Insider, MediaPost, @petegain.es, Variety, The Daily Beast, @briank.bsky.social, @edbott.com, The Wrap and @katie_robertson, more at Techmeme »
Alex Weprin / The Hollywood Reporter:
Memo: CNN's Poppy Harlow is leaving the network; she joined in 2008 and most recently co-hosted CNN This Morning, which was effectively canceled earlier in 2024 — Harlow, a veteran of the cable network, told colleagues about her departure Friday morning, a couple of months after ‘CNN This Morning’ was effectively canceled.
Discussion:
Vanity Fair, CNN, TVLine, Mediaite, New York Post, Variety, Los Angeles Times, The Daily Beast, Deadline, @dylanbyers and @poppyharlowcnn
Financial Times:
Sources: RedBird IMI prepares to withdraw its Telegraph bid as early as next week, triggering an auction expected to draw bids from Rupert Murdoch and others — Resulting auction process expected to attract bidders including Rupert Murdoch and hedge fund boss Paul Marshall
Discussion:
The Guardian, City A.M. and Bloomberg
The New York Times Company:
The New York Times says it will continue to cover Biden “fully and fairly” regardless of whether he gives the paper a sit-down interview — A spokesperson for The New York Times responds to recent reporting about a free press and reporting on the president.
Sarah Scire / Nieman Lab:
An interview with CalMatters CEO Neil Chase on how the The Markup acquisition happened, consolidation uptick in nonprofit news, and why there is more to come — Nonprofit news has seen an uptick in mergers, acquisitions, and other consolidations. CalMatters CEO Neil Chase still says “I don't think we've seen enough yet.”
Discussion:
Talking Biz News
Alex Sherman / CNBC:
Sources: Paramount and Skydance move closer to a deal, but Paramount's renewal agreement with Charter, which has an April 30 deadline, is a significant hurdle — WATCH NOW — Paramount and Skydance inch closer to a merger as key hurdle looms — Paramount Global and Skydance Media …
Discussion:
The Wrap, The Streamable, Alex Sherman on LinkedIn and Deadline
Charlotte Tobitt / Press Gazette:
GB News co-owner Paul Marshall steps down from the board of GB News after three year, amid reports he is considering a new rival bid to buy the Telegraph — Sir Paul Marshall said he was leaving GB News on a “secure growth trajectory”. — GB News co-lead investor Sir Paul Marshall …
Discussion:
Mediaite and The Independent
Tom Jones / Poynter:
Q&A with Kelly O'Donnell, NBC News White House senior correspondent and WHCA president, ahead of the WHCD on April 27, on changes in media access and more — Advocating for her press corps colleagues has become a second full-time job for NBC News' senior White House correspondent.
Discussion:
Poynter Institute on LinkedIn, Deadline, The Guardian, Voice of America and The Hill
Reuters:
Burkina Faso suspends the radio broadcasts of BBC Africa and VOA for two weeks over their coverage of a report accusing the army of extrajudicial killings — Burkina Faso has suspended the radio broadcasts of BBC Africa and the U.S-funded Voice of America (VOA) for two weeks over their coverage …
Discussion:
Voice of America, Politico and The Indian Express
Wall Street Journal:
A look at the competition for NBA live sports media rights after the 2024-25 season, involving Amazon's Prime Video, YouTube, NBCUniversal, Disney, and WBD — League is advancing toward lucrative deals with incumbent partners and is in talks with tech giants as well as NBCUniversal
Discussion:
@chriskeall, Sports Media Watch and Tubefilter
Todd Spangler / Variety:
YouTube's Q1 ad revenue climbs 21% YoY to $8.1B, vs. $7.72B estimated, its highest Q1 total to date — YouTube keeps eating up more share of the advertising pie: The Google-owned video giant posted $8.1 billion in ad sales for the first quarter of 2024, its highest Q1 total to date.
Discussion:
MediaPost, Next TV, Music Ally, Alphabet, Android Authority, @munster_gene, The Wrap, Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter, more at Techmeme »
Jennifer Maas / Variety:
Roku reports Q1 revenue up 19% YoY to $882M, vs. $848.62M est., a net loss of $50.9M, compared to $193.6M YoY, and 81.6M active accounts, up 1.6M from Q4 2023 — Roku reported its first-quarter 2024 earnings Thursday, revealing the company reached 81.6 million active accounts …