Mediagazer: National Association of Broadcasters CEO Curtis LeGeyt calls for the FCC to end ownership caps that prevent TV and radio conglomerates from growing larger (Matthew Keys/The Desk)

1:25 PM ET, February 20, 2025

Top News:

Justin Kroll / Deadline:

Amazon MGM Studios, Michael G. Wilson, and Barbara Broccoli form a JV to house James Bond IP rights, under which Amazon gains creative control of the franchise — In news that will send shock waves through the industry, longtime James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli …

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Oliver Darcy / Status:

40 news organizations signed a letter delivered to the White House this week, asking the White House to lift its AP ban immediately in support of press freedom — News outlets across the political spectrum have united behind the AP, signing a WHCA-backed letter urging the White House …

Discussion: Mediaite, Media Nation, @jeremymbarr, @jpmarthoz.bsky.social, @brianstelter, @mattgoerzen.bsky.social, @charliebeckett.bsky.social, @susangardner.bsky.social, @alansunderland.com, @chathamharrison.bsky.social, @oliverdarcy.bsky.social, @oliverdarcy.bsky.social, The Wrap, @sharonwaxman.bsky.social, The Atlantic, RADIO ONLINE, The Rio Times and Inside Radio

Financial Times:

Mathias Döpfner calls Trump's Politico attacks a “misunderstanding” and says many Europeans had “intentionally misunderstood” JD Vance's speech in Munich — Mathias Döpfner says many Europeans had ‘intentionally misunderstood’ the US vice-president's speech that caused widespread horror

Discussion: @Akshay@eupolicy.social, @shakeelhashim, @jonworth.eu, @lilouzovert.bsky.social and @jeffjarvis.bsky.social

Matthew Keys / The Desk:

National Association of Broadcasters CEO Curtis LeGeyt calls for the FCC to end ownership caps that prevent TV and radio conglomerates from growing larger — In a keynote address this week, Curtis LeGeyt suggested the broadcast industry can better serve communities if they are allowed to grow larger.

Discussion: TV Tech, Inside Radio, RADIO ONLINE and Barrett Media

Dominic Ponsford / Press Gazette:

A look at London news startups, including Jim Waterson's London Centric, that launched since the Evening Standard's daily print edition closure in summer 2024 — Two upmarket London news start-ups are finding a growing (albeit small so far) market for paid online news about the UK capital.

Discussion: Alexander Smith on LinkedIn, LinkedIn and @pressgazette

Nellie Andreeva / Deadline:

Apple says Severance has become the most-viewed series on Apple TV+ globally, surpassing Ted Lasso; the series also helped bump subscription signups in January — According to the streamer, Severance has broken Apple TV+ records, launching as the platform's #1 series in history based on number …

Discussion: Forbes, 9to5Mac, CBR, Deseret News, Decider, Collider, MacRumors, Inverse, Dexerto, @carlquintanilla.bsky.social, @benstiller.redhour.com, BGR, Comic Book, 9to5Mac, Screen Rant and Just Jared

Aisha Malik / TechCrunch:

Substack adds the ability to post videos from its app and lets creators monetize videos, and plans to add more video tools like trimming and enhanced analytics — As TikTok's future in the U.S. remains uncertain, Substack tries to lure creators to its platform by doubling down on video.

Discussion: On Substack

Alex Sherman / CNBC:

Sources: ESPN plans to add some user-generated content to its flagship streaming service, which will debut later in 2025 and could be priced at $25 or $30/month — In an attempt to court younger audiences, Disney's ESPN is planning to add some user-generated content to its yet …

Discussion: Awful Announcing, @dannygroner.bsky.social and Barrett Media

Michel Rose / Reuters:

A French court upholds TV channel C8's shutdown for failures to protect human rights and protect minors, as right-wing politicians claim a free speech violation — France's top administrative court has upheld a decision to shut down popular TV channel C8 for repeated failures to respect human rights …

Discussion: Luiz Junior on LinkedIn

CNBC Press Releases:

CNBC International appoints Spriha Srivastava to oversee digital content, starting from May; Srivastava left BI as its executive editor & UK bureau chief — LONDON, February 20, 2025 - CNBC, First in Business Worldwide, today announced the appointment of Spriha Srivastava as Vice President …

Discussion: Spriha Srivastava on LinkedIn

Georg Szalai / The Hollywood Reporter:

TelevisaUnivision reports Q4 revenue down 1% YoY to $1.3B, operating expenses flat at $892M, and says its DTC business generated $1B in annual revenue — “2024 was a year of continued momentum for TelevisaUnivision, and my early days at the helm have reinforced the tremendous opportunity ahead of us," says CEO Daniel Alegre.

Discussion: MediaPost, TVNewsCheck, Variety, TelevisaUnivision and Deadline

Alex Weprin / The Hollywood Reporter:

A+E Networks launches a digital division to unify its digital efforts, including YouTube channels and SVOD platforms, and plans a History.com relaunch — Ann McGowan will join the company as its digital GM, with a relaunch of History.com as the first big project.

Discussion: Adweek, Variety, The Wrap and WORLD SCREEN

Jess Weatherbed / The Verge:

Twitch plans to implement a 100-hour storage cap for Highlights and Uploads from April 19, automatically deleting content from streamers who exceed the limit — Streamers who have exceeded this limit will have their content automatically deleted until it meets the threshold.

Discussion: TechCrunch, TOS.gg, Cord Cutters News, Dexerto, Engadget, @helloitskolo, @realcouri, @scifichicktv, @ravsy_, @shiftposting, @metalman_20, @notenglishben, @twitchsupport, @thefiz_, @zisteau, @amaliasolaris and @iateyourp1e, more at Techmeme »

Jess Weatherbed / The Verge:

Spotify will begin accepting AI-narrated audiobooks recorded using ElevenLabs software; Spotify already allows AI-recorded audiobooks, with several restrictions — A new ElevenLabs partnership aims to help authors bring AI-narrated audiobooks to Spotify listeners.

Discussion: TechCrunch and Spotify, more at Techmeme »

BBC:

BBC News says it made the “reluctant decision” to close its office in Azerbaijan after the government ordered the suspension of its operation in the country — The Azerbaijani government has ordered the suspension of BBC News' Azerbaijani operation in the capital city, Baku.

Discussion: Reuters, Bloomberg, news.am and APA.AZ

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Abid Rahman / The Hollywood Reporter:
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Discussion: Above the Law, @kma500@sfba.social, @penamerica.bsky.social, Cele|bitchy and Mock Paper Scissors

Lawrence Bonk / Engadget:
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Tom Wheeler / Brookings:
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Ted Johnson / Deadline:
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Discussion: Press Gazette and ABC

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