Top News:
Alyssa Ray / The Wrap:
The NYT defends Nicholas Kristof's op-ed “The Silence That Meets the Rape of Palestinians”, calling it “deeply reported”, after Israeli government criticism — “Details were extensively fact-checked, with accounts further cross-referenced with news reporting …
Discussion:
New York Times, Mediaite, @nytimespr, @nickkristof, @israelmfa, Algemeiner.com, The Forward, twitchy.com, RedState, Al Jazeera, HotAir, Zeteo, The Daily Signal, @israelmfa, Washington Examiner, @sturgeons_law, @davidharsanyi, @redsteeze, @noahpollak, @chuckrossdc, Fox News, @scottjenningsky, @salhachimi, @ryangrim, @infinite_jaz, @waltersobchaksr, @maxblumenthal, @noahpollak, @paulskallas, @susanabulhawa, @bonchieredstate, @ratlpolicy, @aaronjmate, @amasad, @havivrettiggur, @elikowaz, @redsteeze, @leibowitzadak, @zaidjilani, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Newsbusters, U.S. Home and The Times of Israel
RELATED:
The Guardian:
Israel threatens to sue the NYT for defamation over the article on sexual abuse of Palestinian prisoners but the legal viability of the lawsuit is in doubt — Media law experts cast doubt on viability of a defamation lawsuit promised by Netanyahu over Nicholas Kristof essay
Discussion:
@israelmfa, @netanyahu, @etanetan23, @jillfilipovic, New York Sun, @rvawonk, The Daily Wire, Straight Arrow News, Truthout, @etanetan23, @jeremymbarr, @scalzi.com, @adamsteinbaugh, The Washington Free Beacon, Washington Times, Zeteo, Newsbusters, The Free Press, CBS News, @patrickodonne11, Townhall, The Hollywood Reporter, RedState, Financial Times, Breitbart, The Hill, MS NOW, Asia Times, Jewish Insider, Reuters, Boing Boing, The Gateway Pundit, New York Post, Haaretz and The Wrap
Axios:
Sources: Paramount is weighing expanding its podcast business into distribution and has had talks with Katie Miller, the Paragon Collective, and Jubilee Media — Paramount is evaluating a potential distribution deal with Katie Miller as it considers expanding its podcast business beyond creative …
Discussion:
Business Insider, @aidnmclaughlin, Raw Story, @drewharwell, Mediaweek and Washington Examiner
Angela Fu / Poynter:
Indiegraf acquires News Revenue Hub's donation management tool RevEngine, its third acquisition in three months after Hearken and Stylebot — Indiegraf, known for its content management system, has made acquisitions a part of its strategy to help promote newsroom independence
Discussion:
Mary Walter-Brown on LinkedIn
Janko Roettgers / The Verge:
Job listings indicate Netflix has been building an internal studio called INKUbator that aims to use AI to produce short-form animated content — The newly formed unit is staffing up to produce ‘feature-quality content’ with generative AI. … Netflix has been building …
Discussion:
Engadget, TVREV, Android Authority, Tech Times, Digital Trends, Animation Magazine and Sherwood News
Isabella Simonetti / Wall Street Journal:
Versant reports Q1 revenue down ~1% to $1.69B, net income down 22% to $286M, pay-TV distributor revenue down 7.3% to 1.01B, and platforms revenue up 9% to $192M — Company beats Wall Street expectations in its second earnings report since Comcast spinoff — Versant Media Group reported lower revenue …
Discussion:
TheDesk.net, Forbes, Media Play News, Benzinga, Cord Cutters News, CNBC, The Wrap, Reuters and Variety
Brian Steinberg / Variety:
Sources: Disney has sold more than 10 Super Bowl ad slots of 30 seconds for around $9M each, after sources said it was seeking $10M from advertisers — Mickey Mouse may have to execute some tricky plays in a quest for Super Bowl cheddar. … Disney has sold more than 10 30-second ad slots …
Discussion:
Awful Announcing, Sports Business Journal, The Drum, Marketing Brew and Barrett Media
Katie Kilkenny / The Hollywood Reporter:
BET partners with microdrama company aTwist, formerly known as Microco, to develop and distribute the latter's series across linear and digital platforms — The Paramount brand inks a deal with the startup firm from Hollywood vets Jana Winograde, Susan Rovner and Lloyd Braun.
Discussion:
The Wrap, Media Play News and C21Media
Erik Hayden / The Hollywood Reporter:
Q&A with Byron Allen on his plan to place BuzzFeed and HuffPost content on his AVOD service, Local Now, and his plan to buy Starz, in which he has an 11% stake — The mogul went to the bargain bin to snap up a Millennial media brand. That's just one part of his plan.
Discussion:
Bloomberg, Variety, New York Magazine, TheDesk.net, The A.V. Club and Puck
Elisa Shearer / Pew Research Center:
When asked what it means to be a good news consumer, 20% of US adults mention being discerning, 17% following the news, 13% getting news from quality sources — The Pew-Knight Initiative supports new research on how Americans absorb civic information, form beliefs and identities, and engage in their communities.
Discussion:
American Press Institute
Todd Spangler / Variety:
A look at Matthew McConaughey's novel legal strategy to fight unauthorized AI use of his image, which involves trademarking video and audio clips of him — The actor has secured trademarks covering his persona, hoping to deter unauthorized AI use. Will it make a difference?
Charlotte Tobitt / Press Gazette:
Sistrix: health and tech are the topics most vulnerable to losing clicks to Google's AI Overviews; Ipsos iris says Healthline's audience fell 48% YoY in March — New data reveals the impact of Google AI Overviews on clickthroughs to different publishers and topic areas.
Joel Hills / ITV News:
Sources: a Sky-ITV merger deal could be reached within weeks; ITV would split in two, with Sky acquiring its TV channels and ITVX streaming service — Sky and ITV are closing in on a deal that would pave the way for the TV and telecoms operator to take over the UK's most-watched free …
Discussion:
@itvjoel, @paulosbourne, @thetvroom.com, @peternimmo.bsky.social and The Independent
RELATED:
Max Goldbart / Deadline:
ITV says it remains in “active discussions” with Sky over a sale of its M&E business, and reports Q1 revenue flat YoY to £877M and Studios up 4% YoY to £400M
Discussion:
Reuters, Advanced Television, Broadband TV News, The Independent, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters and TVBEurope
Zac Hall / 9to5Mac:
Spotify says it will adopt Apple's HTTP Live Streaming tech for video podcasts later in 2026, helping creators distribute podcasts on Apple Podcasts and Spotify — Spotify is making two video podcast announcements today, including one related to Apple's big video podcast enhancement.
Discussion:
Spotify for Creators, iPhone in Canada and The Mac Observer, more at Techmeme »
RELATED:
Managing Ed. - AUS and NZ, Sydney — 
Sports Editor, MD — 
Newsletter Editor, London — 
Reporter - Trust in Science — 
Pharma Reporter, NY — 
Associate Editor, WI — 
Editor-in-Chief, WA — 
Metro Editor, OR — 
Business Reporter, IA — 
Editor-Writer - Wellness, NY/GA/DC — 
Managing Editor - Arizona — 
Head of Content, NY — 
Sr. Writer & Press Mgr., Remote — 
Lifestyle Editor - M/F, Paris — 
Social Media Editor, NY — 
Managing Editor, OK — 
Head of Editorial - Euro Finance — 
Correspondent - AI & Emerging Tech, NY — 
Indigenous Affairs Reporter, CA — 
Editor-in-Chief, FL — 
Features & Enterprise Editor, NY — 
Executive Editor, Remote — 
WH Enterprise Reporter, DC — 
Defined Contributions Reporter, NY — 
North Coast Contributing Editor, CA — 
Money Editor - CNBC Make It, NJ — 
Executive Director, MN — 
Executive Editor, AZ — 
Bureau Chief - US, DC — 
Investigative Reporter, TX — 
Associate Legal News Editor, OH — 
Editor, AZ — 
Night & Weekend Newswriter, Remote — 
Live Blog Editor, CA — 
