Top News:
Benjamin Mullin / New York Times:
Sources: CNN will begin experimenting in early October with a metered paywall, charging some readers for digital access after they read a set number of articles — CNN will begin experimenting in October with a subscription model, in a major initiative from its chief executive, Mark Thompson.
Discussion:
@benmullin
Thomas Claburn / The Register:
Matt Mullenweg says WP Engine no longer has free WordPress.org access and directs WP Engine customers having trouble with their websites to WP Engine support — WordPress on Wednesday escalated its conflict with WP Engine, a hosting provider, by blocking the latter's servers …
Discussion:
WordPress News, @bowefrankema, WP Engine's Status Page, TechRadar, @jbenton, @bgardner, @bgardner, @photomatt, @automattic, @carlhancock, @dvk@toot.re, @runakog@threads.net, @ozskier, @photomatt, @davidtaggart, @photomatt, @vinnysgreen, @benjmay, @patchstackapp, @mgeheren, @stshank, @rmccue, @fjzeit, @bgardner, @shendison, @joshmanders, @keithdevon, @itsdavemartin, Dave Martin, @thespacedmonkey, @thedannorris, @dcurtis, @wpdavidv, @taraclaeys, @mrlanphear, TechCrunch, @danielcid, @tomfrankly, Search Engine Journal, @seldo, @pressable, @t3dotgg, @viewfromthebox, @williamsba, @raymmar_, @slexaxton, @photomatt, @photomatt, @deviorobert, @tealou, @wordpress, @photomatt, @timbouchard, @tmeister, @Kye@tech.lgbt, @Jayhoffmann@mastodon.social, @bretcarmichael@mastodon …, @jalefkowit@vmst.io, @chris@mastodon …, One Man & His Blog and TechCrunch, more at Techmeme »
RELATED:
Matt Mullenweg:
Matt Mullenweg says Automattic has “been attempting to make a licensing deal” with WP Engine “for a very long time, and all they have done is string us along” — In short, WP Engine is violating WordPress' trademarks. Moreover, they have been doing so for years.
Discussion:
@photomatt@mastodon.social, more at Techmeme »
New York Times:
Hoda Kotb plans to leave NBC's Today early next year but will remain an occasional contributor to NBC; her exit will create two vacancies in the Today franchise — Her exit, planned for early next year, is a seismic shift for NBC and opens up a pair of morning TV's most coveted anchor chairs.
Discussion:
TODAY.com, Adweek, The Wrap, CNBC, Fox News, HuffPost, TVLine, CNN, Mediaite, Variety, Page Six, TMZ.com, Us Weekly, Los Angeles Times, Hollywood Life, The Hill, CBS News, WRBL-TV, Entertainment Weekly, WWL-TV, E! Online, Deadline, New York Daily News, @davidaxelrod, @bristei, @todayshow, @brianstelter, @drewkerr, TODAY.com, @grynbaum, Forbes, Associated Press, The Daily Beast and Extra
Marci McCue / Flipboard:
Flipboard says it is federating 250 publisher profiles and 4,000 of their curated Magazines, including ABC News, the AP, The Atlantic, PBS, and USA Today — BYMARCI MCCUE — Today Flipboard is federating 250 publisher profiles and 4,000 of their curated Magazines, making it possible …
Discussion:
@mike@flipboard.social, @Flipboard@flipboard.social and @tchambers@indieweb.social
Deadline:
Sources: Disney is laying off ~300 people in the US in corporate operations, including in communications; ESPN, Disney Entertainment, and parks are not affected — Disney is in the middle of a new wave of cuts as part of a “cost-saving initiative,” sources tell Deadline.
Discussion:
New York Post, Fast Company, @tvgrimreaper, Bloomberg, The Wrap and Variety
Angela Fu / Poynter:
A Muck Rack survey of 402 US journalists found that their primary sources of stress include workload, salary, and the expectation that they always be “on” — A Muck Rack survey found high levels of burnout and exhaustion among journalists. One potential reason? The upcoming election.
Discussion:
Media Nation, @risj_oxford, @jackcarterbenjamin …, Muck Rack and r/Journalism
Ross A. Lincoln / The Wrap:
Palestinian journalist Bisan Atef Owda wins the Emmy for Outstanding Hard News Feature: Short Form, after the Academy rejected a push to rescind her nomination — Other winners from the News & Documentary ceremony include ABC and CNN with multiple wins each
Discussion:
Variety
Kayleigh Barber / Digiday:
Business Insider Chief Subscriptions Officer Katie Friedman says a test of an AI smart paywall from December 2023 to April 2024 increased conversions by 75% — This article was provided as an exclusive preview for Digiday+ members, who were able to access it early.
Rasmus Larsen / FlatpanelsHD:
LG rolls out full-screen screensaver ads from LG and its partners to its smart TVs, including its expensive OLED models; the ads, on by default, can be disabled — Even if you buy one of the most expensive TV models today, you cannot escape ads. LG is rolling out screensaver ads …
Discussion:
Engadget, The Verge, TechRadar, Advanced Television, Ars Technica, Digital Trends and Streaming Better, more at Techmeme »
Joshua Benton / Nieman Lab:
A look at Project 2025's plans for the news media, including defunding NPR, PBS, and other public broadcasters and removing restrictions on media ownership — From defunding NPR and PBS to kicking reporters out of the White House, it's an array of conservative priorities and Trumpian retreads.
Discussion:
TVNewsCheck, @froomkin, @jillgeisler, @johnastoehr, @newsjennifer, @laurengbarton, @jbenton and Tong Li on LinkedIn
Alan Wong / Bloomberg:
Hong Kong District Court sentences now-shuttered Stand News editor Chung Pui-kuen to 21 months in prison, the first jailing of a journalist on sedition charges — - Jailing adds to cases fueling concerns over press freedom — Offense carries maximum penalty of two years in prison
Charlotte Tobitt / Press Gazette:
The London Standard launches its first weekly edition with an AI-generated picture of Keir Starmer and a feature about London's potential as an AI capital — The first edition of the weekly London Standard features an AI-generated picture of Prime Minister Keir Starmer on its front page.
Discussion:
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