Top News:
Brian Steinberg / Variety:
Memo: Mark Lazarus, who will run NBCUniversal spinoff Versant as its founding CEO, says MSNBC will become MS Now, or My Source for News Opinion and the World — In the media business, at least, breaking up can still be hard to do. — MSNBC will have to take a new name in months to come …
Discussion:
CNN, New York Times, Deadline, Adweek, Wall Street Journal, Axios, Los Angeles Times, CNBC, Cord Cutters News, The Hollywood Reporter, @rkylesmith, @dcurtis, Barrett Media, @greg_price11, @joshsternberg.com, @darthbluesky.bsky.social, @jeremymbarr, @brianstelter, @scottnover, @sherman4949, @sarafischer, @benmullin and @chris_ciaccia
Max Tani / Semafor:
A group of left-leaning writers led by Jerusalem Demsas launch The Argument, an outlet to counter the populist right and boost liberal ideas, with $4M backing — The Scoop — A group of left-leaning writers and journalists are starting a new publication on Monday aimed at arguing in favor …
Discussion:
Media Nation, @jacobtlevy.bsky.social, @lailaalarian, @heerjeet, @aaronhuertas.bsky.social, @thequeso.bsky.social, @jeffjarvis.bsky.social, @maxkennerly.bsky.social, @climatebrad.hillheat.com, The Argument, @thuddwhirr, @ashleyschapitl, @williamjordann, @johnroconnor, @trumpstaxes, @enoughformethx, @ghostpanther.bsky.social, @gelliottmorris, @pressgazette, @rbmd1982, @jerusalemdemsas, @maxtani.bsky.social, @jhweissmann, @rcobooth, @jonathanchait, @kelseytuoc, @rcobooth, @nowooski, @jamessurowiecki, @splitticket_, @conorsen, @maxmmillerat, @reckless.bsky.social, @maxwelltani, @ettingermentum, @nitishpahwa.com, @ajentleson, @adamjohnsonchi, @robinsonmeyer, @mattyglesias, @mondairejones, @lxeagle17, @abundance_ny, @otis_reid, @jameslynch32, @moorehn and @taylorlorenz
Bloomberg:
A US district court judge temporarily blocks an FTC probe into Media Matters, part of an antitrust investigation into ad boycotts, calling the probe retaliatory — Nonprofit Media Matters for America won a court order blocking a Federal Trade Commission information demand for documents …
Discussion:
MediaPost, TVNewsCheck, New York Times, US District Court for the District of Columbia, Mashable, @tomjoscelyn.bsky.social, @brianstelter, @brianstelter, TechCrunch, The Gateway Pundit, CNN, The Hill, Engadget, @ardenthistorian.bsky.social, Washington Times, @dystopian-fashion.bsky.social, Washington Post, Media Matters for America, Deadline, MLex, @adamsteinbaugh.bsky.social, @beingsass.bsky.social, @dandrezner.bsky.social, @adamsteinbaugh.bsky.social and @adamsteinbaugh.bsky.social
Lucas Shaw / Bloomberg:
Sources: YouTube has inquired about buying the rights to the Oscars; the show will air on ABC through at least 2028 — Can Google convince Hollywood's most famous awards show to bail on TV networks and movie studios? — Good afternoon from Los Angeles, wherever you may be.
Ben Fritz / Wall Street Journal:
After tax incentives boosted growth, Georgia's film industry is declining due to rising costs; source: Marvel is making most of its upcoming content in the UK — Tax incentives lured studios to help build the ‘Hollywood of the South.’ Now they're going overseas for cheaper labor costs.
Nikkei Asia:
Chinese streaming giants iQiyi and Tencent are gaining on Netflix in Southeast Asia via original productions, free services with ads, and low-fee subscriptions — BANGKOK/SHANGHAI — Chinese streaming services are catching up with American rivals in the Southeast Asian market …
Patrick Coffee / Wall Street Journal:
Some brands, like Bilt and Alexis Bittar, are producing scripted social media series that are also marketing campaigns whose focus is brand engagement — Bilt's new scripted series ‘Roomies’ has attracted attention on social media but hasn't directly promoted the brand—at least not yet
Kerry Flynn / Axios:
Sounds Profitable, which represents ~200 audio and podcast companies, merges with Podcast Movement in a seven-figure deal — Two influential podcast organizations, Sounds Profitable and Podcast Movement, are merging, executives exclusively tell Axios.
Discussion:
Podnews
Matthew Belloni / @mattbelloni:
Sources: Stranger Things creators the Duffer brothers are leaving Netflix for Paramount; the deciding factor was Paramount's support for theatrical releases — News: Duffers made their choice: They're leaving Netflix for Paramount. The theatrical film component was the dealbreaker, per sources.
Joe Flint / Wall Street Journal:
A profile of TKO Group President and COO Mark Shapiro, who orchestrated a $7.7B deal to bring UFC fights to Paramount and a $1.6B deal to take WWE to ESPN — Mark Shapiro got $7.7 billion for UFC. As he likes to say, 'it's an eat what you kill world.' — When Mark Shapiro is sitting …
Discussion:
TVNewsCheck, @webbarr, @jbflint, Awful Announcing, @jbflint and Forbes
Free Press:
A coalition of press freedom groups urges Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to release Atlanta journalist Mario Guevara, detained by ICE for two months — In a powerful letter to Noem, groups including the Committee to Protect Journalists, Free Press, PEN America and Reporters Without Borders mark …
Sarah Perez / TechCrunch:
TikTok is updating its Community Guidelines, adding new rules for Live creators, including a requirement that commercial content must be disclosed — TikTok is preparing an update to its Community Guidelines, which dictate the rules for participating on the social video platform …
Discussion:
Music Ally, Mashable, @bft.wtf, Tech in Asia, MediaPost and Social Media Today
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