Top News:
Joe Flint / Wall Street Journal:
WBD splits into two publicly traded companies: Global Networks, with CNN and other cable channels, and Streaming & Studios, with HBO Max and its studio business — The entertainment company is contending with a hefty debt load and a sagging stock price
Discussion:
The Desk, CNN, New York Times, Axios, Variety, Associated Press, @sherman4949, @sherman4949, @sarafischer, @jbflint, @sherman4949, @jbflint, @xpangler, @benremaly, @jbflint, Awful Announcing, @brianstelter, @ofadam.com, Barrett Media, @jbflint, Mediaweek, @tvgrimreaper, @sherman4949, @dylanbyers, @sherman4949, @pkafka, @jbflint, Android Police, @jbflint, Ava Justin on LinkedIn, Yevhen Zorichev on LinkedIn, @alissawilkinson.bsky.social, MediaPost, The Streamable, How-To Geek, @karlbode.com, @karlbode.com, TechCrunch, The Washington Free Beacon, The Independent, New York Post, Dylan Jones on LinkedIn, Sports Business Journal, Financial Times and @jackcarterbenjamin …
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Jacob Pramuk / CNBC:
WBD says David Zaslav will be CEO of the new Streaming & Studios business, and current WBD CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels will become CEO of the Global Networks business
Discussion:
Broadband TV News, The Verge, Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc., Digital Journal, Adweek, Gamereactor UK, @kristenlopez88.bsky.social, Entrepreneur, @radiodeadair.com, Deadline, Variety, New York Sun, Screen, NPR, The Hollywood Reporter, RetailWire, MarketWatch, Barry Dan on LinkedIn, Front Office Sports, Le Monde, Pocket-lint, Tom's Guide, PR Daily, The Business Times, UPI, The Streamable, Proactive, @thacalebdume.bsky.social, Los Angeles Times, Quartz, @robpegoraro.com, ZeroHedge News, Barrett Media, WORLD SCREEN, Times of India and @jeffjarvis.bsky.social
Tony Maglio / The Hollywood Reporter:
WBD's split is set to close in mid-2026; CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels says he assumes “the majority” of WBD's ~$37B debt will exist with the spun off Global Networks
WBD's split is set to close in mid-2026; CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels says he assumes “the majority” of WBD's ~$37B debt will exist with the spun off Global Networks
Discussion:
CNBC, @sherman4949, Kotaku, @sherman4949, @sherman4949, PCWorld, Sportico, Engadget and @mhwilliams.bsky.social
Washington Post:
CPJ says police have assaulted “more than 20” journalists, including by less-lethal projectiles, since LA protests began on June 6, echoing the 2020 US protests — Reporters say they were struck with less-lethal rounds fired by law enforcement. Advocates worry it will inhibit vital journalism.
Discussion:
First Amendment Coalition, BBC, The Guardian, The Guardian, Reporters Without Borders, Committee to Protect …, @scottnover.bsky.social, @yousefbaig.bsky.social, Committee to Protect …, @mekkaokereke@hachyderm.io, @scottnover.bsky.social, PetaPixel, The Daily Beast, @tracyjan.bsky.social, @hbwhbwhbw.bsky.social and r/Journalism
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Natasha May / The Guardian:
9News Australia reporter Lauren Tomasi was shot with a rubber bullet by law enforcement live on camera while reporting on LA protests against immigration raids
9News Australia reporter Lauren Tomasi was shot with a rubber bullet by law enforcement live on camera while reporting on LA protests against immigration raids
Discussion:
Adweek, New York Times, Salon, Mediaweek, The Times, @9newsaus, Mirror, KRDO, CBS News, 9News, CNN, MediaPost, Bloomberg, Crikey, Rolling Stone, @amyguth.bsky.social, NBC Bay Area, @joelcardwellx, @rekrav.bsky.social, Daily Caller News Foundation, The Independent, @adamrose.bsky.social, Telegraph, Out Magazine, @abbeyr28.bsky.social, New York Post, @ctobserve.bsky.social, @stayinalive2.bsky.social, @emgeekay.bsky.social, @newsguy.bsky.social, @nickmckim, @byyourlogic, @girlbosswoman, @designedtofade, @_zeets, @sigkill, @nickschadegg, @daanysaeed, @grhutchens, @krishgm, @cbmccartney, The Wrap, TechCrunch, The Hill, al.com, Full Feed, @gregggonsalves.bsky.social and @craigbuchananwa.bsky.social
Alex Weprin / The Hollywood Reporter:
Disney closes its deal with Comcast to buy out NBCUniversal's 33% stake in Hulu, paying an additional $439M, after agreeing in 2023 to pay $8.61B — Disney agreed to buy Comcast's 33 percent stake in Hulu in 2023, after an extended appraisal process, the deal is finally set to close.
Discussion:
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New York Times:
Docs: from mid-December, YouTube told moderators to prioritize “freedom of expression” over potential harm, including for political, social, and cultural issues — The world's largest video platform has told content moderators to favor “freedom of expression” over the risk of harm in deciding what to take down.
Gene Maddaus / Variety:
A US federal judge dismisses Justin Baldoni's $400M defamation claim against Blake Lively, finding Lively's sexual harassment claims were legally protected — Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed Baldoni's entire lawsuit — which also alleged extortion and other claims — but allowed him to amend …
Discussion:
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Mike Schneider / Associated Press:
The Orlando Sentinel got a cease-and-desist from Florida's DCF that claims its reporter coerced families for a story on a foundation tied to Gov. DeSantis' wife — Florida's child welfare agency sent a letter to a Florida newspaper telling it to “cease and desist” its reporting on foster families …
Discussion:
Orlando Sentinel, Florida Politics, @joekrulder.bsky.social, Raw Story, @jestastrophy.bsky.social, @bgrueskin.bsky.social, Mediaite, @anthonylfisher.bsky.social, @michaelsderby.bsky.social, @dangillmor@mastodon.social, @SteveThompson@mastodon.social, @skippyoz.bsky.social, @mmasnick.bsky.social, @nytpitchbot.bsky.social, @willbunch.bsky.social, @zuma888.bsky.social and Alternet.org
Katharine Viner / The Guardian:
The Guardian partners with Cambridge University to launch Secure Messaging in its app, protecting sources by making messages indistinguishable from other data — Today, the Guardian, in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, launches Secure Messaging, a world-first from a media organisation
Discussion:
GitHub, Vicky Frost on LinkedIn, iPhone in Canada, Chris Beall on LinkedIn, Alastair Beresford on LinkedIn, Press Gazette, @pivic@kolektiva.social, @vivianschiller.bsky.social, The Guardian, @dpcarrington.bsky.social, Daniel Hugenroth on LinkedIn, University of Cambridge, @1br0wn@eupolicy.social, @hoy.la and r/theguardian
Brian Stelter / CNN:
Dr. Phil was embedded with ICE during the LA immigration raids, for a report on McGraw's Merit TV, highlighting the made-for-TV nature of Trump's crackdown — As federal agents prepared to fan out in Los Angeles for a controversial immigration crackdown, the officers were greeted by a familiar face: Dr. Phil McGraw.
Discussion:
404 Media, Fox News, Wall Street Journal, BBC, NBC News, Mother Jones, Washington Post, The Wrap, @robertscotthorton.bsky.social, CBS News, The Hill, @aadip.bsky.social, @nateforutah.bsky.social, @angrydonkeynews.bsky.social, @brianstelter, Raw Story, The Guardian, Le Monde, Politico, The Cut, Bloomberg, @aaronblake, Global News, San Francisco Chronicle, NPR, @brianstelter, Axios, @lucas_shaw, Fox Business, SFGATE, @stevemnomoremister …, Los Angeles Times, Time, NewsMax.com, Protos, Wired, Daily Kos, @brianstelter, New York Post, RedState, The A.V. Club, Mediaite, The Independent, Ars Technica, Advocate, @murshedz.bsky.social, ABC News, KRDO, @ggvotesblue.bsky.social, @tinyklaus.com, The Daily Signal, @brianstelter.bsky.social, @awinston.bsky.social, @matttomic.bsky.social, @besmith63.bsky.social, @heidilifeldman@mastodon …, Washington Times, The Gateway Pundit and New Republic, more at Techmeme »
Kristin Robinson / Billboard:
Sources: Sony Music has acquired Hipgnosis Songs, three months after it was rebranded as Recognition Music — News of Sony's acquisition comes three months after Hipgnosis rebranded itself as Recognition Music Group. … Emails obtained by Billboard under the subject line …
Discussion:
David Dunn on LinkedIn, Variety, Digital Music News, CMU and The Hollywood Reporter
Max Tani / Semafor:
Politico's editorial union says its new AI tool generates garbled or made-up DC intelligence, including a fictional basket-weaver guild; Politico defends it — The Scoop — Politico's new AI product has generated garbled or made-up Washington intelligence, including a lobbying effort …
Dominic Ponsford / Press Gazette:
Axel Springer CEO Mathias Dopfner plans to mandate that all staff spend at least four days per week in the office, impacting staff at titles like Politico — Axel Springer CEO Mathias Dopfner plans to mandate that all staff spend at least four days per week in the office.
Sarah Fortinsky / The Hill:
CPB CEO Patricia Harrison says three board members that President Trump tried to fire in April remain directors, after a US judge recognizes CPB's independence — Correction: A previous version of this article gave incorrect names of the fired CPB board members. They are Laura Ross, Diane Kaplan and Thomas Rothman.
