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:
The Wrap, @kalihays1@threads.net, @sherman4949, @dylanbyers, @benmullin, @paulwiggins, @benmullin and @2xaught7.bsky.social
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, Axios, Adweek, The Wrap, CNBC, ComingSoon.net, Fox News, DNyuz, @todayshow, Full Feed, Page Six, HuffPost, TVLine, CNN, Mediaite, Vanity Fair, TMZ.com, Black America Web, Us Weekly, Los Angeles Times, KGW-TV, The Hill, Next TV, CBS News, Entertainment Weekly, Deadline, Variety, WRBL-TV, @bristei, TODAY.com, @brianstelter, @grynbaum, @drewkerr, Hollywood Life, @davidaxelrod, New York Daily News, Media Play News, E! Online, Forbes, USA Today, The Daily Beast and Extra
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, @viewfromthebox, WP Engine's Status Page, @jbenton, @bgardner, @bgardner, @photomatt, @automattic, @carlhancock, @dvk@toot.re, @runakog@threads.net, @bowefrankema, @ozskier, @photomatt, @davidtaggart, @photomatt, @vinnysgreen, @benjmay, @patchstackapp, @mgeheren, @stshank, @rmccue, @fjzeit, @bgardner, @shendison, @joshmanders, @keithdevon, @itsdavemartin, Dave Martin, @thespacedmonkey, MarTech, @thedannorris, @dcurtis, @wpdavidv, @taraclaeys, @mrlanphear, @danielcid, @tomfrankly, Search Engine Journal, @seldo, @pressable, @t3dotgg, @williamsba, @raymmar_, @slexaxton, @photomatt, @photomatt, @deviorobert, @tealou, @wordpress, @photomatt, @timbouchard, @tmeister, TechCrunch, TechRadar, @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:
TechCrunch and @photomatt@mastodon.social, more at Techmeme »
Andrew Marchand / New York Times:
Sources: ESPN lays off NBA senior writer Zach Lowe as part of continuing cost cutting; his salary, in excess of seven figures annually, was the biggest factor — ESPN has parted ways with NBA senior writer Zach Lowe as part of the network's continuing layoffs, sources briefed on the decision told The Athletic on Thursday.
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
Todd Spangler / Variety:
AI company Runway launches The Hundred Film Fund, offering grants of $5,000 to $1M for 100 short films and feature-length movies that use generative AI — Runway is launching The Hundred Film Fund, an initiative to help produce and fund as many as 100 short films and feature-length movies …
The Guardian:
The Economist's events division, Economist Impact, faces backlash after an investigation found it has large sponsorship contracts with three tobacco companies — Exclusive: Experts pull out of health conferences run by Economist Impact after revelations of commercial links
Discussion:
@qubcancerprof and @mattjhodgkinson@scicomm.xyz
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.
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, The Wrap, The Emmys, The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline
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
Emma Roth / The Verge:
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2426, which forces digital stores to tell customers they are getting a revocable license when “buying” digital media — California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a law (AB 2426) to combat “disappearing” purchases of digital games, movies, music, and ebooks.
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