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Sources: the NBA is formalizing deals with Disney, NBC, and Amazon, which may prompt WBD to sue; ESPN may pay $2.8B annually, NBC $2.6B, and Amazon $1.8B to $2B — NEW YORK — The NBA is formalizing written contracts with Disney, NBC and Amazon this week, with sources calling it the final stage …
Discussion:
Awful Announcing, Mediaite, Deadline, Next TV, New York Daily News, The Streamable, New York Post, @dylanbyers, The US Sun, Sports Media Watch, UPROXX and Cord Cutters News

[Thread] In a meeting, Washington Post CEO Will Lewis told staff that the paper lost $77M over the past year, and saw a 50% drop off in audience since 2020 — Washington Post CEO Will Lewis is introing the paper's new “Build It” plan today. In a meeting with staff, he noted that the paper lost $77 million over the past year, and saw a 50% drop off in audience since 2020: “To be direct, we are in a hole, and we have been for some time.”
Discussion:
@maxwelltani, @alttag.bsky.social, @cocktailhag.bsky.social, @natalieweiner.bsky.social, @missingthept.bsky.social, @jonastraxler.bsky.social, @dextrosity.bsky.social, @thatweissguy.bsky.social, @charles.littlegreenfootballs …, @benharris1.bsky.social, @cfaller96.bsky.social, @estarianne.bsky.social, @tomscocca.bsky.social, @hammancheez.bsky.social, @markshatraw.bsky.social, @tomscocca.bsky.social, @tcarmody.bsky.social, @vortexegg.regretfully.online, @wilson__valdez, @macktubs, @maxwelltani, @sarafischer, @852dude.bsky.social, @andrewsshi.bsky.social, @erinannmcc.bsky.social, @maxwelltani, @froomkin, @karlbode.bsky.social, @nslayton.bsky.social, @mcoatney, @maxwelltani, @darrylmason, @socio-steve.bsky.social, @scarylawyerguy, @jaycockburn, @reubenr80027912 and @eleanorofs.bsky.social


As TV audiences get older, media executives are focusing more on the mass-market reach of TV, and playing down the importance of age for advertisers — With viewers in their 60s, networks aren't pretending to have youth appeal; they're touting the virtues of older audiences
Discussion:
@jeffjarvis, @jbflint and AdExchanger


How sending fewer emails and giving paid subscribers early access to content improved The New Yorker's onsite page views and time spent from newsletter users — The New Yorker has refocused its newsletter strategy in an effort to retain its cohort of 1.2 million paid subscribers and grow …


US FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel proposes requiring the disclosure of content generated by AI in political ads on radio and TV, citing the use of deepfakes — U.S. Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel on Wednesday proposed requiring disclosure of content generated …
Discussion:
TechCrunch, CNN, Inside Radio, The Verge, @aram@aoir.social, Dave Gregorio on LinkedIn, FCC, UPI and Deadline, more at Techmeme »


Sources: Tata Group took full control of subscription TV broadcaster Tata Play after buying Disney's 29.8% stake, valuing Tata Play at about $1B — - Tata Group gains full control of Tata Play after Disney deal — Tata bought out Temasek's stake in platform earlier this year


Rolling Stone launches RS Gaming, a game vertical in partnership with ESL FACEIT Group, which is owned by Saudi state-backed investment fund PIF — Rolling Stone is expanding its coverage of the video game industry with the launch of a dedicated gaming vertical.
Discussion:
Aftermath and Rolling Stone


Nexstar's NewsNation adds an early evening news block to its weekend schedule, completing its transformation into a 24/7 network — NewsNation is adding an early evening news block to its weekend schedule, completing its transformation into a 24/7 network.
Discussion:
The Hollywood Reporter, The Desk, Radio & Television …, Next TV, TVNewsCheck and Cord Cutters News


TikTok launches its Symphony AI suite for brands, using generative AI to let marketers write scripts, produce videos, and enhance current assets — TikTok is the latest tech company to incorporate generative AI into its ads business, as the company announced on Tuesday that it's launching a new “TikTok Symphony” AI suite for brands.
Discussion:
MediaPost, Adweek, The Media Leader and Digiday, more at Techmeme »


UK-based studio Anton raised €100M led by BlackRock-managed funds and accounts to expand its feature film and TV series development and production — Anton, the European production, financing and sales group behind “Greenland,” is set to ramp up its output following a significant injection of funds.
Discussion:
The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline and WORLD SCREEN


Email: WaPo newsletter editor Elana Zak asked writers not to link to a story on Prince Harry's allegations that new CEO Will Lewis helped with hacking coverups — The Scoop — A top Washington Post editor instructed editors Tuesday night not to promote a story about a controversy involving the paper's new CEO Will Lewis.


SEC filing: Vivek Ramaswamy owns shares and call options worth ~$4M in BuzzFeed, or a 7.7% stake, and seeks a shift in its strategy; BZFD jumps 10%+ — Ramaswamy has acquired just under 8% of BuzzFeed, with plans to push for “a shift in the company's strategy.”