Top News:
Betsy Morais / Columbia Journalism Review:
Several women attest to Pulitzer winner and author Wesley Lowery's pattern of predatory behavior toward young women in journalism between 2018 and 2024 — Lowery rose to prominence as a reporter and media thinker. Women in the industry say he engaged in sexual harassment and assault.
Discussion:
Media Nation, Poynter, Reuters, @farhip, @jpodhoretz, @chuckrossdc, @neontaster, @jmacnyc, @watchdogdiva, @jtlol, @karr_pe, @felipedlh.bsky.social, @freeblackgirl.bsky.social, @kattenbarge.bsky.social, @oliviamesser.bsky.social, @brosandprose.bsky.social, @jbenmenachem.com, @miasato.bsky.social, @evacide@hachyderm.io, @drewharwell.com, @emilybell.bsky.social, @joshsternberg.com, @kimzetter.bsky.social, @melissagiragrant.com, @gracepanetta.bsky.social, @watchdogdiva.bsky.social, @trevellanderson.bsky.social, @dankennedy.net, @juliametraux.bsky.social, @mdruker.app, @nikkimcr.bsky.social, @jaredlholt.bsky.social, @melodyschreiber.com, @jessicawluther.com, @clancyny.bsky.social, @sarahscire.com, @bwd.bsky.social, @ihavethatonvinyl.com, @espiers.bsky.social, @oliviamesser.bsky.social, @rotkoff.bsky.social, @sivav.bsky.social and @columjournreview.bsky.social
Corbin Bolies / The Daily Beast:
Sources: Disney CEO Bob Iger and ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic asked The View hosts to tone down their political rhetoric, particularly about Trump — COOL IT — Multiple sources shared details with the Daily Beast about a meeting in which the ABC News president delivered a message that left the co-hosts unnerved.
David Folkenflik / NPR:
The EU says it will give $6.2M in emergency funding to RFE/RL, after Trump withheld its funding; Sweden pledged $2M, but those funds have yet to arrive — The European Union has stepped in to provide Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty an infusion of millions of dollars to keep functioning …
Andrew Romero / 9to5Google:
AI videos from Google's Veo 3, which features synchronized audio as well as crisper, more detailed video, are both impressive and terrifying — If the internet wasn't already full of misinformation and general filler content, Veo 3 is going to take it to an entirely new level.
Discussion:
The Verge, @hashemghaili, @picotop, @deedydas, @minchoi, @thewapplehouse, @superloafcat, @fakehistoryhunt, @tunguz, @markgadala, @techhalla, @diesol, @theblackhokage, Saurabh Aggarwal on LinkedIn, Puja Hait on LinkedIn, Erica Fitzpatrick on LinkedIn and @tamaleaver.bsky.social, more at Techmeme »
RELATED:
Kyle Wiggers / TechCrunch:
Google tests bringing ads to AI Mode, both below responses as well as “integrated into” them, and expands ads in AI Overviews to desktop in the US
Discussion:
Search Engine Roundtable, The Verge, Digiday, The Keyword, The Business Times, The Hill, CBS News, Benzinga, The Information, Yahoo Finance, MarTech, Business Insider, The Keyword, The Verge, Adweek, The Indian Express, Stratechery, MIT Technology Review, News/Media Alliance, Associated Press, Engadget and 9to5Google
Wall Street Journal:
Sources: NBCUniversal made an offer to take over MLB rights after ESPN opted out of continuing its contract, but is offering far less than ESPN currently pays — Comcast's NBCUniversal has made an offer to Major League Baseball to take over the package of regular-season and postseason games …
Discussion:
Media Play News, New York Post, The Wrap, Variety, Multicast News, Awful Announcing, The Desk, Sports Media Watch, TVNewsCheck and StyleCaster
Peter White / Deadline:
Danish podcast service Podimo hires Amazon's Georgia Brown as CCO as part of its push into English language content; Podimo has 1M+ paying subscribers — Georgia Brown, who was previously Head of Amazon Studios, Europe, is moving into the podcasting world.
Anthony Hughes / Bloomberg:
Austin-based CTV ad platform MNTN raises $187M in its IPO, selling 11.7M shares at $16 each, the top of its $14 to $16 range, and giving it a ~$1.24B market cap — The Austin-based company — that counts Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds as its chief creative officer — and the selling shareholders …
Discussion:
MarketWatch and Fast Company
Ashifa Kassam / The Guardian:
More than 90 European EICs and publishers call on the EU to act over proposed Hungarian legislation that could ban media organizations that get foreign funding — Media figures speak out as Orbán's party proposes penalising organisations that receive foreign funding
Discussion:
@olko-fragrance.bsky.social and @deadfish1965.bsky.social
Sarah Perez / TechCrunch:
Epic v. Apple: Spotify says its recent update supporting web payments has resulted in “a significant increase in iOS users upgrading to a Premium subscription” — Spotify says its ability to direct its customers to external payment links in its iOS app has already had a positive impact on sales.
Discussion:
MEDIANAMA, MediaPost, Music Ally, Music Business Worldwide, Digital Music News, Reason, 9to5Mac and San Diego Union-Tribune
Wall Street Journal:
An overview of major streamers' revenues, subscriber churn, cancellation rates, shares of US TV viewing time, and shares of US sports TV rights deals since 2023 — Media companies are seeing financial bright spots in their streaming businesses, but navigating the options is still tough for consumers
Ashley Spencer / New York Times:
How Disney's Lilo & Stitch, released in 2002, became one of its most merchandised characters, rivalling Winnie the Pooh and Mickey Mouse, ahead of a new movie — Step aside, Moana, Elsa and Simba. In recent years, Stitch has quietly become one of Disney's most popular — and most merchandised — characters.
Discussion:
The Movie Blog
Richard Headland / Press Gazette:
The Economist details its new engagement model, assigning different weightings to content types like narrated articles and podcasts, to reduce subscriber churn — The Economist has rolled out a new content engagement model designed to build habits and improve retention among its 1.2 million global subscriber base.
Discussion:
@pinemikey.bsky.social
