Top News:
Max Tani / Semafor:
Sources: NYT and WaPo learned of the Venezuela raid soon before it was scheduled to begin but held off publishing what they knew to avoid endangering US troops — The Scoop — The New York Times and Washington Post learned of a secret US raid on Venezuela soon before it was scheduled …
Discussion:
Washington Post, New York Times, Mediaite, The Wrap, @teroterotero.bsky.social, CNN, @sarahjeong.bsky.social, @scottdagostino.ca, @meustermint, @katienotopoulos, @msjamshidi.bsky.social, @dicktofel.bsky.social, @hasanthehun, @dilanesper, @redsteeze, @sunbirdie.bsky.social, @infinite_jaz, @MaryAustinBooks@mstdn.social, @semaforben, @steveguest, Eschaton, @timfrye.bsky.social, Daily Caller News Foundation, @maxblumenthal, HuffPost, @nickturse.bsky.social, Raw Story, @AkaSci@fosstodon.org, @thcarter123.bsky.social, @lopatto.bsky.social, @beijingpalmer.bsky.social, @jsatz.bsky.social, @nprinskeep, @kennysmith.bsky.social, @brianosgood6, Townhall, @marinamedvin, Payday Report, @adamjohnsonchi, @jonzoidberg.xyz, @jeffjarvis@mastodon.social, @sentdefender, ZeroHedge News, @awinston.bsky.social, @maxwelltani, @adamscochran, @banditelli.org, @growing_daniel, @brianwilcox.bsky.social, @juliaazari.bsky.social, The Independent and Althouse, more at Techmeme »
Brian Steinberg / Variety:
Tony Dokoupil began anchoring CBS Evening News on Saturday night, two days earlier than expected, after US military action in Venezuela — This probably wasn't the kickoff to a run on “CBS Evening News” that Tony Dokoupil — or his bosses — envisioned. — The anchor, a veteran …
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@cbseveningnews:
Announcing the new CBS Evening News, anchor Tony Dokoupil says people lost trust in legacy media in part due to a focus on “the analysis of academics or elites” — “On too many stories, the press has missed the story. Because we've taken into account the perspective of advocates and not the average American. Or we put too much weight in the analysis of academics or elites, and not enough on you.” That changes now. The new CBS Evening News [video]
Discussion:
@cbseveningnews, Variety, The Wrap, CBS News, Deadline, TV Insider, @jayrosen.bsky.social, @theastutegaloot.bsky.social, Mediaite, The Hollywood Reporter, @gelliottmorris.com, @scottnover, @davebondytv, @802_indy, @speechboy71, @eric_adelson, @schultzmedia, @davebondytv, @peterjukes, @nickriccardi, @stealthygeek, @kylehunter, @queensofbravo, @broadwaybabyto, @dougeyolfson, @arkenor.bsky.social, @karaswisher.bsky.social, @mcjulie.bsky.social, @ecmclaughlin.bsky.social, @cwarzel.bsky.social, @lendami.co, @krasdale.bsky.social, @cwebbonline.com, @shanembailey.com, @samthielman.com, @jamellebouie.net, @3fecta.bsky.social, @jamellebouie.net, @jamellebouie.net, @jamellebouie.net, Dallas Express, RADAR, @ericcolumbus.bsky.social, @swin24.bsky.social, ROB SHUTER'S Naughty But Nice, Deadline, @megynkelly, @ericcolumbus.bsky.social, @jayrosen.bsky.social, @ashtonpittman.bsky.social, @joshsternberg.com, @karaswisher.bsky.social, Hollywood in Toto, Wonkette, New York Post, Barrett Media, RedState, Newser, NewsMax.com, twitchy.com, Showbiz411, Hollywood Life, Raw Story, People and r/Journalism
Justin Baragona / The Independent:
Sources: CBS Evening News staffers expressed concern about the planned 10-day, multicity US reboot tour, citing Bari Weiss' last-minute changes and jet charters — EXCLUSIVE: The new CBS News editor-in-chief has chartered private flights for her armed security detail, made last-minute logistical changes …
Discussion:
@justinbaragona.bsky.social, Variety, @jeremymbarr, @sueinrockville.bsky.social, @markruffalo.bsky.social, @jayrosen.bsky.social, @stevemnomoremister …, @mattmcneilshow.bsky.social, @joshuafoust.com, @nick_field90, @nick_field90, @herman________, @climatebrad.hillheat.com, @glegum.bsky.social, Mediaite, @joshsternberg.com, @teamkaos1998.bsky.social, @helen121.bsky.social, @kimmasters.bsky.social, @maura.bsky.social, @trumpstaxes.com, @jesseltaylor.bsky.social, Crooks and Liars, @dmnd.me, @rincewind.run, @frogsgent.bsky.social, @rincewind.run, @brendannyhan.bsky.social, @hamiltonnolan.bsky.social, @mollyknight.bsky.social, @jamellebouie.net, @chrispps.bsky.social, Newsbusters, The Wrap and Instapundit
Barrett Media:
Newsmax asks the FCC to block the proposed $6.2B merger between Nexstar and Tegna, saying the deal is an unprecedented consolidation that Congress prohibits — “This merger would create an unprecedented and dangerous consolidation within the broadcast TV industry, giving them immense control …
Discussion:
TheDesk.net, @jbflint, Federal Communications Commission, Newsmax and Radio & Television …
Anthony D'Alessandro / Deadline:
Sources: theaters earned $25M+ from Netflix's Stranger Things finale over New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, selling concession vouchers in a new price strategy — Sources are telling us this morning that the Stranger Things finale cleared well north of $25M, possibly even $30M …
Discussion:
mxdwn Movies, IGN, Variety, Gizmodo, The Verge, indy100, @seamusbyrne.me, AMC Entertainment Holdings …, mxdwn Television, The A.V. Club, The Daily Beast, Forbes, Deseret News, MarketWatch, @akelacooper.bsky.social, Cord Cutters News, Los Angeles Times, /Film, Cageside Seats …, @coreyatad.com, Screen Rant, World of Reel, Spyglass, Dread Central, The Wrap, Media Play News, Instapundit and The Hollywood Reporter
Michael Savage / The Guardian:
Reddit surpasses TikTok as the fourth most-visited social media service in the UK, likely driven by changes to Google's search algorithms and AI deals — Platform is now Britain's fourth most visited social media site as users seek out human-generated content
Discussion:
EasternEye, more at Techmeme »
Ian Hodgson / Financial Times:
US immigration lawyers, talent managers, and creators say influencers and OnlyFans models now dominate O-1B visas, which are reserved for “exceptional” artists — Work permits increasingly being awarded on basis of online reach, favouring content creators
Lucia Moses / Business Insider:
A look at eight pitch decks startups used to raise funds for AI tools for Hollywood, offering scaled dubbing, script analysis, synthetic voice/video, and more — - AI had a turning point in Hollywood in 2025 with Disney striking an OpenAI deal. — Elsewhere, startups are raising money …
Discussion:
@whoa-magic.lol
Alexandra Bruell / Wall Street Journal:
How newsletter platforms attracted a wave of writers, comedians, publications, and brands, as publishers and creators relied less on Facebook and Google traffic — Writers, investors and pop stars alike are building new media businesses to connect directly with readers and fans
Katherine Rosman / New York Times:
Without disclosure, New York Magazine digitally removed a senior adviser to NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani from a December 17 cover photo after she resigned — Catherine Almonte Da Costa was part of a photo shoot on the mayor-elect's inner circle. The next day she resigned amid an uproar …
Discussion:
The Independent, The Times of Israel, @jtes, The Hill, @nbj914.bsky.social and NewsMax.com
David Forbes / Trans News Network:
An interview with ex-NYT editor Billie Jean Sweeney, who says the NYT shifted to anti-trans bigotry and disinformation in about 2022, with guidance from the top — Follow the Trans News Network Bluesky starter pack here, and find our other socials here. — The New York Times headquarters, taken from Wikimedia Commons.
Discussion:
@rachellarris.bsky.social, @awinston, @agoldmund, @awawawhoami, @dinfontay.com, them., @joesdog.bsky.social, @marisakabas.bsky.social, @marisakabas.bsky.social, @drsaddison.bsky.social, @totallyrandombut.bsky.social, @profkfh.bsky.social, Eschaton, @remixtures@tldr.nettime.org, @ryanlcooper.com, @michaelhobbes.bsky.social, @kelciemmorris.bsky.social, @esqueer.net, PinkNews, @perrybaconjr.bsky.social, @thcarter123.bsky.social, @shelleybwoke.bsky.social, @bstacey@icosahedron.website, @Willow@chaosfem.tw, @munin@infosec.exchange, @pollyschattel.bsky.social, @dceiver.bsky.social, @tillybridges@mastodon.social, @chanda.blacksky.app, @transnews.network and r/Journalism
