Top News:
Ethan Gach / Kotaku:
Polygon staff, including co-founder and EIC Chris Plante, say the video games publication has laid them off, after Vox Media sold Polygon to publisher Valnet — One of the biggest gaming sites around was just blown up — The video game website Polygon has been sold to click-farm powerhouse Valnet …
Discussion:
The Wrap, PC Gamer, @zosham, 404 Media, @genepark, @tasharobinson.bsky.social, @jacobkleinman, @gamerswithglasses.bsky.social, @gamoid, @812filmreviews, @metaplexmovies, @kasey__moore, @eyepatchguy.bsky.social, Ars Technica, @thatwitchmia.bsky.social, Comic Book, Axios, Video Games Chronicle, @tcarmody.bsky.social, @echoapsey.bsky.social, @carlivelocci.com, @cecianasta, @mikestrawmedia, @aemccarthy.bsky.social, @agramuglia.bsky.social, @mattbrownep, @jonchristian.net, @loudmouthjulia, @simonowens, @tched.com, @papapishu.bsky.social, @netopwibby@social.coop, @cliffwade@infosec.exchange, @mattreyn.games, @alicejovanee.bsky.social, @theotherfrost, @legsfrank, @alissawilkinson.bsky.social, @mitchyd.bsky.social, @monagle.bsky.social, @sethrosenthal.bsky.social, @plante.bsky.social, @botherer.bsky.social, @grubb.wtf, @okayy_dan, @petevolk.bsky.social, @parismarx.com, @morrus.bsky.social, @alexnavarro.bsky.social, @davidimel@threads.com, @812filmreviews.com, @cecianasta, @mattcaulder.com, @jacobkleinman, @palmerh.bsky.social, @jaypeters.net, @mmcwhertor.bsky.social, @danack@threads.com, @pokachee.bsky.social, @jacoboller.bsky.social, @toadsanime, @caseynewton.bsky.social, @ohnorosco, @therisingtithes.bsky.social, @nicolecarpenter.bsky.social, @echoapsey, Business Wire, @johnnychugs.bsky.social, @elmayimbe, @haasch_palmer, @mattleone.bsky.social, @coachfinstock.bsky.social, @alexaray.bsky.social, @briamgilbert.bsky.social, @jayasaxena.com, @mtsw.bsky.social, The Verge, petrana @ polygon and a world with more sparrows …, more at Techmeme »
Dylan Byers / Puck:
Sources: Shari Redstone asked CBS CEO if it would be possible to delay sensitive 60 Minutes stories about Trump until after the Skydance deal is closed — Amid Trump's legal torture of CBS, Shari Redstone has played the role of a spineless placater—a desperate seller eager to settle and liquidate her position in the family heirloom.
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Beatrice Verhoeven / The Hollywood Reporter:
The 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris that is at the center of the Trump lawsuit gets an Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Edited Interview category — The winners will be announced in two ceremonies on June 25 and June 26. — The National Academy of Television Arts (NATAS) …
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Roku reports Q1 revenue up 16% YoY to $1.02B vs. $1.01B est., a net loss of $27.4M, compared to $50.9M a year ago, and stops posting streaming household figures — Roku turned in first-quarter 2025 earnings that edged over Wall Street forecasts and announced a $185 million deal to buy Frndly TV …
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Dade Hayes / Deadline:
Roku acquires Frndly TV, a provider of low-cost TV bundles delivered via streaming, for $185M, which includes $75M in performance-based holdbacks — Roku is paying $185 million to acquire Frndly TV, a provider of low-cost TV bundles delivered via streaming.
Discussion:
The Streamable, The Desk, Cord Cutters News, Business Wire and The Hollywood Reporter
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Apple reports Q2 revenue from Services, which includes the App Store, Apple TV+, and Apple Music, up 12% YoY to $26.65B, an all-time high — The company overall topped Wall Street estimates for the quarter even as investors awaited word on how President Trump's tariffs might hurt its business.
Discussion:
Business Wire, New York Times and 9to5Mac, more at Techmeme »
Mark Stenberg / Adweek:
WaPo plans to overhaul its events business, moving away from virtual events to 30 to 40 in-person experiences, including 10 major franchise-style gatherings — The new approach will focus on franchisable gatherings catering to business audiences — The Washington Post is overhauling …
Discussion:
@washpostcomms and @markstenberg3
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Aisha Counts / Bloomberg:
LinkedIn will share ad revenue with creators for the first time, starting with 30 B2B creators, and says users now watch 36% more video content than a year ago — - Networking site to share ad sales with 30 content creators — LinkedIn users watch 36% more video content than a year ago
Jonathan Vanian / CNBC:
Amazon reports Q1 ad revenue up 18% YoY to $13.92B, vs. $13.74B est., and subscription services revenue up 9% YoY to $11.72B — Amazon reported a 19% increase in online ad revenue in the first quarter, beating analyst estimates. — Ad sales climbed to $13.92 billion …
Discussion:
The Wrap and Forbes, more at Techmeme »
Alex Isenstadt / Axios:
The White House launches White House Wire, a website that looks similar to the Drudge Report, to promote pro-Trump news stories — The White House has launched a new Drudge Report-like website devoted to promoting pro-Trump news stories. — Why it matters: The site, called “White House Wire …
Discussion:
Mediaite, The White House, Status, @whitehouse, RedState, The Independent, The Guardian, Townhall, @terilg.bsky.social, @amandamarcotte.bsky.social, @owillis.bsky.social, @mikeelgan.bsky.social, Newser, Mock Paper Scissors, @125sapphire, The Hill, @corgislave.bsky.social, @werd.io, @mail4ufromme1, @jackshafer, The Post Millennial, @jimhansondc, @lauraloomer, @axiosalex, @donaldjtrumpjr, @axiosalex, @kylewilsontharp, @bespacific@newsie.social, Washington Examiner, HuffPost, @mattcameron.bsky.social, @noturtlesoup17.bsky.social and @willharrisinva.bsky.social
Jonathan Vanian / CNBC:
Reddit reports Q1 revenue up 61% YoY to $392M, vs. $370M est., global daily active uniques up 31% to 108.1M, Q2 guidance above est.; RDDT jumps 15%+ after hours — Reddit reported first-quarter earnings Thursday that beat Wall Street expectations on sales and guidance.
Discussion:
Bloomberg and Reuters, more at Techmeme »
Thomson Reuters:
Thomson Reuters reports Reuters News Q1 revenue down 7% YoY to $196M and adjusted EBITDA down 34% YoY to $39M — TORONTO, May 1, 2025 - Thomson Reuters (TSX/Nasdaq: TRI) today reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025: — Good revenue momentum continued in the first quarter
Discussion:
Benzinga, Globe and Mail, Reuters and Talking Biz News
Washington Post:
Filing: Smartmatic says Fox News' “pivot” to amplify 2020 election fraud claims came after backlash from Trump and supporters for calling Arizona for Biden — In a new legal filing, the election technology company says backlash from Trump and supporters spurred false accusations …
Discussion:
The Wrap, @farhip, Law & Crime, @patrickdmarley, Daily Kos, @scottnover.bsky.social, Raw Story, The Desk, Los Angeles Times, New York Post and Washington Examiner
Alex Weprin / The Hollywood Reporter:
Peacock plans to debut on May 19 four new original series developed by digital creators who participated in an NBCUniversal accelerator program — The creators, who were all part of an NBCUniversal accelerator program, will launch ‘The Warehouse Phase,’ ‘The Kouncil,’ ‘Older Hotter Wiser,’ and ‘People Like Me’ on Peacock May 19.
Georg Szalai / The Hollywood Reporter:
BBC Studios and the Agatha Christie estate partner to launch a writing course on education streaming service BBC Maestro, using AI to recreate Christie's voice — Actress Vivien Keene and the technology will bring the iconic mystery author to life in the result of a partnership between BBC Studios and the Christie estate.
Discussion:
The Guardian, Deadline, The Times, BBC, Engadget, BBC Maestro, The Independent, Mirror, @marygillis.bsky.social, SlashFilm and The Verge
Joanna Partridge / The Guardian:
The UK's Standard reported a loss of £19.6M in the year to 29 September 2024, the period before it became a weekly; it has lost £125M over the past eight years — Following a rebrand and move to digital-first the total losses over eight years rise to nearly £125m
Discussion:
Press Gazette and @pressgazette
