Top News:
Sara Fischer / Axios:
The NFL strikes a licensing deal with Front Office Sports, the first time the NFL has partnered with a sports business-focused news outlet to share content — The National Football League has struck a content licensing deal with sports business news outlet Front Office Sports, FOS founder and CEO Adam White told Axios.
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Lillian Rizzo / CNBC:
NBCUniversal says it has already sold 90% of its Sunday Night Football ad spots for the upcoming season and all of its Super Bowl spots for February — The NFL season officially starts on Thursday, and Comcast's NBCUniversal is already taking a victory lap.
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Adweek, The Wrap, MediaPost, Variety, Fortune, Front Office Sports, Barrett Media, TVNewsCheck, Deadline, Benzinga, RADIO ONLINE, Sportico, Bloomberg, Sports Business Journal and NBC Bay Area
The Athletic:
NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson confirms the broadcast will add commercials this season; the show, with about 1M fans who watch each week, tested ads last season — Every Sunday, during the NFL's regular season, for the past several year's host Scott Hanson welcomed “NFL RedZone” viewers with a growling catch phrase:
Dylan Byers / Puck:
Sources: David Ellison tentatively agreed on a deal to acquire The Free Press for between $100M-$200M, with Bari Weiss taking an editorial position at CBS News — With Paramount securely in his pocket, David Ellison is on the verge of acquiring Bari Weiss's The Free Press and tossing her the keys to CBS News.
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Katie Arcieri / Bloomberg Law:
Newsmax Broadcasting files an antitrust lawsuit against Fox Corp and Fox News in a Florida federal court, alleging Fox has deliberately blocked Newsmax' growth — Fox News Corp. was sued Wednesday in federal court by conservative news rival Newsmax Broadcasting LLC, with claims …
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Ted Johnson / Deadline:
C-SPAN, a nonprofit network supported by license fees from cable and satellite companies since 1979, lands distribution deals with YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV — C-SPAN also said that YouTube TV would sponsor the network's coverage of America250 celebrations, and C-SPAN's presence on YouTube will be boosted.
Adam Leventhal / The Athletic:
Anti-piracy organization ACE says a joint operation with Egyptian law enforcement shut down Streameast, the world's largest illegal sports streaming platform — Streameast — the world's largest illegal sports streaming platform — has been shut down after a year long investigation …
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Ronan Shields / Digiday:
Some ad industry executives express anger and disappointment at the US v. Google ruling, and say it will do little to alter Google's dominance of the ad market — “Even when they lose, they win.” — That summarizes the response to yesterday's remedies ruling in Google's antitrust trial …
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Jennifer Elias / CNBC:
US v. Google: a US federal judge rules that Google will not be required to divest Chrome or Android, but it must share Search data with rivals; GOOG jumps 6%+
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Wall Street Journal:
A US judge bars Google from paying to be the exclusive search engine on devices and browsers, but allows payments for product distribution, including to Apple
A US judge bars Google from paying to be the exclusive search engine on devices and browsers, but allows payments for product distribution, including to Apple
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Molly Schuetz / Bloomberg:
WBD CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels says the company is considering selling a 20% stake in its studio and streaming business before its planned separation in Q2 2026 — Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., which is splitting itself in two, could sell a 20% stake in its studio and streaming business before the planned separation next year.
Discussion:
Deadline, The Wrap, TVNewsCheck and Media Play News
Mark Stenberg / Adweek:
Semafor announces an expansion of its live journalism business, led by the growth of its World Economy Summit, and says events account for 50%+ of its revenue — The news publisher Semafor is doubling down on live journalism, unveiling four senior hires on Wednesday as part of a broader bid …
Sophie Culpepper / Nieman Lab:
High Plains Public Radio plans to expand rural coverage with a “contributors network” of part-time and volunteer community members after receiving a $750K grant — To expand regional coverage while keeping costs down, HPPR aims to build out a “contributors network” …
Charlotte Tobitt / Press Gazette:
An internet hoaxer claims responsibility for creating fake freelance journalist Margaux Blanchard, whose AI-generated articles were published by six outlets — An internet hoaxer calling themselves Andrew Frelon has claimed responsibility for the fake (likely AI-generated) freelance journalist Margaux Blanchard.
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Etan Vlessing / The Hollywood Reporter:
Jean Prewitt, president and CEO of the Independent Film & Television Alliance, plans to step down at the end of 2025 after 25 years with the trade organization — Her departure at the end of 2025 will end a 25-year stint at the trade association behind the American Film Market.
