Top News:
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Paramount Skydance lays off ~1,000 staff, mostly in the US; in a memo, David Ellison says the cuts “are necessary to position Paramount for long-term success” — Paramount Skydance, aiming to get leaner and meaner, today is laying off about 1,000 employees, mostly in the U.S. David Ellison …
Discussion:
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Los Angeles Times:
Sources: Paramount layoffs will affect CBS, CBS News, and cable channels including MTV and Comedy Central — - Paramount began laying off 1,000 workers this week with another 1,000 planned later on as new owners pursue $2 billion in expense cuts across the company.
Emma G. Fitzsimmons / New York Times:
The Times of London takes down a story about former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio criticizing Zohran Mamdani, after de Blasio says the outlet fabricated his comments — The former New York City mayor said comments attributed to him about Zohran Mamdani, reported in The Times of London on Tuesday, were fabricated.
Discussion:
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Simon Goodley / The Guardian:
The Telegraph's sale to RedBird Capital faces new controversy after the paper linked RedBird's John Thornton to Chinese leader and suspected spy chief Cai Qi — Media group's own paper publishes photo of RedBird Capital chair with alleged spy ring chief — The sale of the Telegraph Media Group …
Discussion:
@thequentinletts, @mpiainds and Telegraph
Ana Marie Cox / Talking Points Memo:
Patron-supported journalism, including newsletters on platforms like Patreon and Substack, offers only a precarious income for many journalists — Writing about the failure of patron-supported journalism is itself a kind of confession. It hasn't worked for me, and I struggle to weigh my guilt around that …
Discussion:
Poynter, @ethanpfreedman.com, @tubaboy.bsky.social, @leximcmenamin.com, @volts.wtf, @anamariecox.bsky.social, @anamariecox.bsky.social, @anamariecox.bsky.social, @joshtpm.bsky.social, @talkingpointsmemo.com, @brosandprose.bsky.social, @anamariecox.bsky.social, @bartona104.bsky.social, @cmcanning.bsky.social, @joshgondelman.bsky.social, @js@podcastindex.social, @volts.wtf, @motomatters.com, @anamariecox.bsky.social, @volts.wtf, @anamariecox.bsky.social, @ketanjoshi.co, @volts.wtf and @dankennedy.net
Jess Weatherbed / The Verge:
YouTube is using AI to upscale videos uploaded at between 240p and 720p to HD on TV screens, but users can opt out, and plans 4K upscaling “in the near future” — The platform is optimizing its TV experience with new resolution upscaling and shopping features.
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Alphabet reports YouTube's Q3 ad revenue rose 15% YoY to $10.26B, vs. $10.01B est., and Google's advertising revenue reached $74.18B, up from $65.85B a year ago — YouTube, the internet's biggest video streaming platform, continues to flex its muscles as an advertising powerhouse …
Scott Nover / Washington Post:
Radio Free Asia CEO Bay Fang says RFA will stop publishing on October 31 and close its bureaus across Asia, amid a crisis brought on by US federal funding cuts — The government-funded nonprofit, a staple of U.S. soft power in the region since 1996, is facing nearly total closure …
Discussion:
Axios, TVNewsCheck, New York Times and @scottnover
The Verge:
Grokipedia hands-on: many articles clone Wikipedia, but deviate significantly on topics Elon Musk cares about, with inaccuracies on some scientific topics — xAI's Wikipedia-like website offers a generous take on Musk's worldview. … On Monday, a new online “encyclopedia” sputtered to life.
Discussion:
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Financial Times:
John Malone steps down as chair of F1 owner Liberty Media and Liberty Global; he remains the shareholder with the most voting rights — Tycoon is relinquishing board roles at Liberty Media and Liberty Global after buccaneering 50-year career — John Malone is stepping down as chair …
Sara Fischer / Axios:
Apollo Global reaches a deal to sell AOL to Bending Spoons, sources say in a deal valued at ~$1.5B; AOL has about 30M MAUs across its email and web properties — Apollo Global Management has reached a deal to sell AOL to Italian tech holding group Bending Spoons in a deal valued at roughly $1.5 billion, Axios has learned.
Discussion:
Deadline, The Wrap, Variety, TVNewsCheck, Wall Street Journal, TechCrunch, Business Wire, The Verge, Cord Cutters News, @fedesimio, Forbes, The Information, Tech.eu, Reuters and @phkeane, more at Techmeme »
Gene Park / Washington Post:
Nintendo plans to release the soundtrack for The Legend of Zelda on vinyl globally, a year after launching its own music app, as it seeks to expand beyond games — A “Breath of the Wild” vinyl release is another sign that Nintendo wants to be a broader entertainment company.
Discussion:
Pitchfork, My Nintendo News, GoNintendo, Variety, Video Games Chronicle, The Shortcut and Polygon.com
Winston Cho / The Hollywood Reporter:
A US judge turns down Dr. Phil's bid to proceed under Chapter 11 bankruptcy for his media startup Merit Street and converts the case to a Chapter 7 liquidation — A court determined that the TV host improperly filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to protect his own interests, with the intention of paying certain creditors over others.
