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Sources: WBD weighs splitting off its streaming and studio businesses from its legacy TV networks including CNN, leaving most of its debt with the TV networks — Group behind CNN and HBO has discussed options including spin-off of its streaming service and movie studio
Discussion:
Reuters, The Media Leader, The Information, The Desk, Yahoo Finance, @edgecliffe, The Wrap, @aysrick, Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter


Sources: the WNBA's media rights deals mirror the NBA's, and the league is set to get at least $2.2B over 11 years or $200M/year, up from the current ~$50M/year — The WNBA's next national media rights package has come into shape. The league is set to receive roughly $2.2 billion …
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Hong Kong-based reporter Selina Cheng says she was fired by The Wall Street Journal for taking up the position of chair of the Hong Kong Journalist Association — American newspaper The Wall Street Journal has fired Hong Kong-based reporter Selina Cheng weeks she was elected chair …
Discussion:
Washington Post, @selina_cheng, National Union of Journalists …, Eric Wishart on LinkedIn, Al Jazeera, @laurengoode, The Atlantic, @jonamorem, @jfsteinfeld, @missanabeem, @maryhui, @lewispants, @semaforben, @lilahass, @compliancememe, @tulikabose_, @moorehn, @sharp_writing, @nate_dicamillo, @mike_hixenbaugh, @dancow, @wesleylowery, @johnsimpsonnews, @selina_cheng, @_karenhao, @usa_baozilover, @feliciasonmez, @debbychan_hk, Associated Press, @tomgrundy, Semafor, Sheila Coronel on LinkedIn, @jenvalentino_nyt@threads.net, The Guardian, Reuters, Dr. Eric Yan-ho Lai on LinkedIn and Talking Biz News


Emmy nominations numbers: Netflix took the top spot with 107; FX had 93, HBO/Max 91, Apple TV+ 72, ABC and CBS 38 each, Prime Video 37, Hulu 26, and Disney+ 19 — The revolving door of Emmy nominations leader continues to swing. — Netflix has taken top spot with the most Emmy nominations …
Discussion:
Variety, Variety, BGR, Adweek, The Hollywood Reporter, GoldDerby, Variety, Variety, AppleInsider, Variety, The Ringer, Los Angeles Times, SWAMY WORLD, Media Play News, Associated Press, Next TV, The Wrap, 9to5Mac and ComingSoon.net


An Italian court orders a journalist to pay PM Giorgia Meloni €5K for mocking her height; in 2023, journalist Roberto Saviano was fined €1K for insulting Meloni — A Milan court has ordered a journalist to pay Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni damages of 5,000 euros ($5,465) …
Discussion:
The Guardian


WPP's GroupM names Brian Lesser, a veteran Madison Avenue operative who has worked in senior media investment roles on both sides of the table, as global CEO — Brian Lesser, a veteran Madison Avenue operative who has worked in senior media-investment roles on both sides of the table …
Discussion:
Radio Ink, Mumbrella, Digiday, The Information, MediaPost, Adweek, AdExchanger, The Media Leader, Next TV and Ad Age


Spotify launches an AI DJ that speaks Spanish in beta for Premium users in markets where its English-language DJ is available, alongside Spain and Latin America — The new Spanish-language voice has been provided by Spotify's senior music editor, Olivia “Livi” Quiroz Roa …
Discussion:
Music Ally, @glenngabe, Axios, Digital Trends, Engadget, Music Business Worldwide, Spotify and TechCrunch, more at Techmeme »


The news media seems to be trapped in a place where technical innovation is nonexistent, perhaps due to the risks of experimentation or due to top-down culture — If you're waiting for permission to build something, or if you want to see how well something has worked for your peers …


Publicis reports H1 2024 revenue up 7.7% YoY to €7.7B and raises revenue growth guidance from 4%-5% to 5%-6% for 2024, as US tech clients' ad spending picks up — Paris-based advertising agency nudges up annual forecast on recovery in marketing budgets
Discussion:
Adweek, The Drum, Publicis Groupe, Bloomberg, Reuters, Publicis Groupe, Wall Street Journal, Publicis Groupe and MediaPost


The US SEC sues former DWAC CEO Patrick Orlando for allegedly misleading investors about his company's plans for a SPAC merger with Trump's social media company — - Patrick Orlando eyed Trump Media before IPO, SEC claim — SEC settled with DWAC for $18 million over similar issue
Discussion:
Quartz, Raw Story, @hugolowell and Reuters

The Apple News deal with Taboola is shocking and off-brand, calling into question Apple's commitment to good customer experience, including privacy — I've been a happy Apple One customer. It made perfect sense signing up for the package considering I was paying for Apple TV+, Apple Music and iCloud storage.
Discussion:
Ad Age, @joejanecek, @playon.bsky.social, Spyglass, Media Voices, @om, @ainemacdermot.bsky.social, @ckrewson, AppleInsider, @ianb@mastodon.well.com, @simondowens@threads.net, @thomholwerda@exquisite.social, @benedictevans@threads.net, @joesteel@duck.haus, Jay Friedman on LinkedIn, @franksting@theblower.au, One Man & His Blog, Simon Owens's Media Newsletter, The Drum, The Verge, MediaPost, 9to5Mac, Reuters and Axios


MSNBC insiders accuse executives Cesar Conde and Rashida Jones of pulling Morning Joe off the air to “coddle” Trump and avoid tensions if he wins the election — Tension skyrocketed at MSNBC this week as network news insiders accused NBCU News Group Chairman Cesar Conde …
Discussion:
@blackamazon, @jmktvshow, @ecosexuality, Adweek, @jeffjarvis@mastodon.social, Raw Story, CNN, Fox News, The Daily Beast and Mediaite