Top News:
Benjamin Mullin / New York Times:
Mark Thompson previews CNN's paid streaming service, says CNN plans to launch a subscription in 2025 for “lifestyle” content, and cuts ~200 jobs in its TV unit — Mark Thompson has promised to reinvent CNN since he arrived in 2023. Now, he is remaking the network's TV lineup and its work force.
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Sara Fischer / Axios:
Mark Thompson says CNN aims to reach $1B in digital revenue by 2030; memo details $70M to be invested in digital plans, a modernized ad sales approach, and more — - That was an important message, considering years-long speculation that WBD may look to sell the network someday to pay down its debt.
Discussion:
Washington Post, al.com, New York Post, Yahoo Finance and Cord Cutters News
Katie Deighton / Wall Street Journal:
A look at growth of sponsorships and ads for independent newsletters on platforms like Substack and Beehiiv: rates, formats, and management tools vary widely — Authors are using DIY methods to moonlight as media sellers as ads begin to infiltrate their newsletters
Discussion:
Press Gazette, Substack Reads, @jryedinak, @jryedinak, @kantrowitz, @mediaevan.bsky.social and Feed Me
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Lauren Forristal / TechCrunch:
Substack launches Creator Accelerator Fund to lure US creators who already have $2K+ per month in recurring revenue away from other subscription-based platforms — Substack on Thursday announced the launch of its Creator Accelerator Fund, which provides a $20 million funding guarantee aimed …
Discussion:
Substack Reads and The Verge
Dade Hayes / Deadline:
Former Barstool Sports CEO Erika Ayers Badan joins Vice Media's board of directors; Vice Media launched a sports division in December 2024 — Deadline was the first to report last December on the creation of a sports division at Vice, which has a number of unscripted projects in the pipeline.
Discussion:
TVNewsCheck
Munir Ahmed / Associated Press:
Pakistan's parliament passes a controversial bill giving the government sweeping controls on social media, including prison terms for spreading “disinformation” — Pakistan's lower house of parliament on Thursday passed a controversial bill that will give the government sweeping controls …
Discussion:
Hindustan Times, @fariehaaziz, @fariehaaziz, @fariehaaziz, @fariehaaziz, @usamakhilji, @naofpakistan, @fariehaaziz and @ptiofficialca, more at Techmeme »
Etan Vlessing / The Hollywood Reporter:
Lionsgate renews its film licensing deal with Starz to bring ~20 studio films annually to Starz's services, ahead of the formal separation of the companies — The third installment of ‘Now You See Me,’ ‘Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,’ the Michael Jackson biopic and 'Ballerina …
Discussion:
TVNewsCheck, Deadline and WORLD SCREEN
Emma Roth / The Verge:
Comcast launches a $70/month “Sports & News TV” streaming bundle, featuring 50+ news and sports channels and access to Peacock, available to Xfinity customers — Comcast is launching a $70 per month “Sports & News TV” streaming bundle featuring live games from the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and NCAA.
Discussion:
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Katie Campione / Deadline:
Luminate: TV production declined 7% YoY in 2024, Netflix produced 22% fewer US series in 2024 than in 2022 but remains far ahead of its competitors, and more — TV production was still down last year, albeit decreasing at a slower rate than the year prior, down 7% from 2023 …
Discussion:
Advanced Television, The Hollywood Reporter and Luminate
Nicole Carroll / Poynter:
Arizona State University launches NEWSWELL, a nonprofit that acquires local news outlets to provide operational support, backed by a $5M Knight Foundation grant — The nonprofit NEWSWELL, a project of Arizona State University, offers an innovative approach for giving newsrooms the support they need
Rebecca Rubin / Variety:
Netflix gets 16 Oscar nominations, including 13 for Emilia Pérez, which is the most nominated film of the year; A24 came in second with 14 nominations — Netflix scored a leading 16 Oscar nominations on Thursday, most of which were awarded to “Emilia Pérez,” …
Discussion:
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Steven J. Horowitz / Variety:
Sean “Diddy” Combs files a defamation lawsuit against NewsNation parent Nexstar Media, a man who claims to have illicit tapes of Combs, and the man's attorney — The suit, filed today in New York, names Courtney Burgess, who was subpoenaed for grand jury testimony in Combs' case …
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