Top News:
Jeremy Barr / Washington Post:
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announces dedicated “new media” seating and restoration of credentials for 440 people “wrongly revoked” under Biden — In her first press briefing, Leavitt started with a question from an Axios journalist and made several criticisms of the media.
Discussion:
New York Times, Columbia Journalism Review, Mediaite, Poynter, @charliekirk11, @iriesentner, @mikeisaac, @brian_armstrong, @ktmboyle, @elonmusk, @brianstelter, @makenakellyx@threads.net, @bennyjohnson, Eschaton, The Guardian, One America News Network, New York Times, The Post Millennial, The Independent, Axios, Fox News, Politico, Washington Examiner, New York Post, The Hill and r/Journalism
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Brian Stelter / CNN:
In her first White House press briefing, Karoline Leavitt criticized legacy media, encouraged digital content creators, and cast Trump as a savior for the US
Discussion:
Publishers Weekly, So What, The Independent, Adweek, @whitehouse, @presssec, @presssec, Daily Kos, Axios, @jdvance, Washington Examiner, @seanspicer, AV Club, Deadline, Townhall, @brianstelter.bsky.social, @aulia.me, Reuters, The Daily Caller, RedState, Alternet.org, NBC News, The Mirror US, The Hill, Mediaite, Mother Jones, TVNewsCheck, Wall Street Journal, The Gateway Pundit, Associated Press, The US Sun, Washington Post, FOX 32 Chicago, CBS News, Los Angeles Times and USA Today
Gene Maddaus / Variety:
The US Copyright Office says using AI tools to assist in creative processes doesn't compromise copyright protections as long as the content has human authorship — The U.S. Copyright Office declared Wednesday that the use of artificial intelligence tools to assist in the creative process does not undermine the copyright of a work.
Justin Baragona / The Independent:
In a short video, Jim Acosta says he's “going independent, at least for now” and launching a new show on Substack — 'To President Trump and his allies, you may think you have silenced me. But guess again,' Jim Acosta noted just hours after signing off from CNN for the final time
Discussion:
The Jim Acosta Show, @acosta, HuffPost, Twitchy, Showbiz411, The Gateway Pundit, Mediaite, @kennysmith.bsky.social, Page Six, Substack, New York Post, Townhall, The Wrap, Daily Mail, The Hill, The Independent and Adweek
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Benjamin Mullin / New York Times:
Jim Acosta says he is leaving the network after nearly 20 years; sources: Acosta is stepping down after CNN wanted to move his show to the 12am ET slot
Discussion:
The Hollywood Reporter, Donald J. Trump on Truth Social, Washington Post, The Guardian, Deadline, CNN, @atrupar, @brianstelter, @jackiekcalmes, Frank Scafidi on LinkedIn, @ananavarro, @chriscillizza, @miffythegamer, @jdcocchiarella, @brianstelter, @gunthereagleman, @claytravis, @wutangkids, @jeffstorobinsky, @bristei, @theecoobadass.bsky.social, Variety, Deborah West on LinkedIn, New York Post, So What, Financial Times, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Hollywood Life, Entertainment Weekly, Daring Fireball, AV Club, Newser, Mediaite, RedState, Alternet.org, @jimacosta.bsky.social, Breitbart, USA Today, New York Daily News, IJR, The Hill, New Jersey Online, The Gateway Pundit, TVNewsCheck, The Daily Beast, Cord Cutters News, Los Angeles Times, Mediaite, @jkarsh.bsky.social, The Wrap, @joncooper-us.bsky.social, Media Play News, Just Jared and Daily Mail
Matthew Keys / The Desk:
Apple partners with DirecTV and Comcast to offer the MLS Season Pass through their platforms, starting with the 30th season kickoff on February 22, 2025 — The distribution agreement is the first to involve the airing of games from MLS Season Pass on traditional cable and satellite platforms.
Discussion:
USA Today, Sports Business Journal, @tvgrimreaper, Apple, MacRumors, @matthewkeys.net, The TV Answer Man! and 9to5Mac
Taylor Lorenz / User Mag:
Candace Owens launches Club Candace, a women-focused media platform featuring YouTube videos, podcasts, exclusive content, a fitness app, a book club, and more — The conservative influencer is launching a multi-platform women's media brand, book club and fitness app aimed at targeting young mothers
Discussion:
@bcc_mitchell, @taylorlorenz and @taylorlorenz
Brian Steinberg / Variety:
Sources: Fox has sold at least ten 30-second Super Bowl ad spots for $8M+, a record; pre and post-game ad prices have also increased, reaching $4.5M and ~$4M — Super Bowl LIX is still days away, but someone has already scored a key Big Game touchdown.
Discussion:
The Wrap, CNBC, Bloomberg, Adweek, TVNewsCheck, Ad Age, The Verge, WFAA-TV, Forbes, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, @alexweprin and @jason_kint
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Prime Video signs a deal with Lionsgate to get exclusive streaming rights to Lionsgate films after an initial run on Starz, starting with its 2026 slate — Amazon's Prime Video entered into a multiyear theatrical output agreement with Lionsgate, under which it will get an exclusive streaming window …
Discussion:
IndieWire, The Wrap, @tvgrimreaper, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, WORLD SCREEN and Media Play News
Alex Weprin / The Hollywood Reporter:
Netflix now lets iPhone and iPad app users download an entire TV show season with one tap, a much-requested feature that launched on Android in 2021 — The new feature lets users download an entire season of a show with one tap.
Discussion:
Variety, TechCrunch, The Wrap, MacRumors, 9to5Mac, Streaming Better, BGR, The Verge and Media Play News, more at Techmeme »
Todd Spangler / Variety:
David Field steps down as Audacy's president, CEO, and a member of its board; board member Kelli Turner will become interim President and CEO — Board member Kelli Turner appointed interim CEO as company commences executive search … The board has appointed Kelli Turner …
Katie Robertson / New York Times:
The Marshall Project names Katrice Hardy as its next CEO, effective March 2025; Hardy is currently the executive editor of The Dallas Morning News — Ms. Hardy, now the executive editor of The Dallas Morning News, will lead the business and newsroom sides of nonprofit news organization.
Discussion:
The Marshall Project, TVNewsCheck and Dallas Morning News
Dominic Ponsford / Press Gazette:
The Jewish Chronicle appoints Daniel Schwammenthal as editor, replacing Jake Wallis Simons, and unveils a revamped website and reader membership program — The Jewish Chronicle has announced the appointment of a new editor and unveiled a revamped website and reader membership scheme.
Discussion:
@jewishchron, @jakewsimons and @dschwammenthal
Charlotte Tobitt / Press Gazette:
The BBC says BBC World Service will cut a net 130 jobs, including in the UK, to save £6M/year; the UK announced an extra £32.6M in World Service funding in 2024 — BBC World Service will cut a net 130 jobs, including in the UK, as it battles to save £6m in the year ahead.
Discussion:
Advanced Television, The Mirror, BBC, RTÉ and The Independent
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