Top News:
Lucas Shaw / Bloomberg:
AT&T's purchase of Time Warner was a money-losing failure for AT&T but a big win for HBO, which has topped peers FX, Showtime, and AMC Networks at streaming — AT&T's acquisition of Time Warner was a failure for the phone company, which spent $85 billion to acquire the media conglomerate …
Discussion:
@shiraovide, @lucas_shaw, @pkafka, @ldignan, @tvmojoe and @jonfriedman
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Variety:
A look at AT&T's disastrous merger with WarnerMedia, an attempt to compete with big tech companies that cost tens of billions of dollars and thousands of jobs
A look at AT&T's disastrous merger with WarnerMedia, an attempt to compete with big tech companies that cost tens of billions of dollars and thousands of jobs
Discussion:
Adweek, @davechensky, @mikevanesler, New York Times, @harrymccracken, @loupas, MediaPost, @film_girl, @digitalshields, CNN, @timcarvell, @xpangler, @bristei, @loudmouthjulia, @brentalang, The Ankler and The Streamable
Brian Stelter / CNN:
Discovery takes control of HBO, CNN, and Warner Bros., forming Warner Bros. Discovery led by CEO David Zaslav and set to begin publicly trading on Monday
Discovery takes control of HBO, CNN, and Warner Bros., forming Warner Bros. Discovery led by CEO David Zaslav and set to begin publicly trading on Monday
Discussion:
AT&T, Reuters, Variety, @jasonkilar, TechCrunch, @wbd, Fast Company, @brianstelter, Variety, @donie, @kirbyslastsnack, @cdncapedcrusadr, @oliverdarcy, @brianstelter, @lamarrwilson, @nemalki, Ad Age, Deadline, Too Much TV Newsletter and Variety
Janko Roettgers / Protocol:
Netflix is rolling out a Double Thumbs Up ratings option, which will appear next to the thumbs up and down buttons, to let it refine content recommendations — For nearly five years, Netflix has had simple thumbs-up and thumbs-down icons to express viewing preferences and help its algorithms provide better recommendations.
Discussion:
Variety, Forbes, LostRemote, TechCrunch, @richontech, About Netflix, 9to5Mac and @jank0, more at Techmeme »
Pranshu Verma / Washington Post:
A look at an international group of 1,300 librarians, historians, teachers, and children using open-source tools and Slack to back up Ukraine's digital archives — In early March, two weeks into Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Carrie Pirmann stumbled upon a website dedicated to Ivan Mazepa …
Discussion:
@jeancase, @aimeerawlins, @vabvox, @jake_bernstein, @jrosenworcel and @internetarchive
Foo Yun Chee / Reuters:
Source: Apple will face an additional EU antitrust charge in the coming weeks, in an investigation into music streaming triggered by a complaint from Spotify — Apple (AAPL.O) faces an additional EU antitrust charge in the coming weeks in an investigation triggered by a complaint from Spotify …
Discussion:
CNET, AppleInsider, MacRumors and 9to5Mac, more at Techmeme »
Gavin Bridge / Variety:
The success of Paramount Network's cable TV hit Yellowstone proves that limiting streaming exposure provides value for cable TV and traditional media companies — Look no further than the stunning success of cable drama “Yellowstone” in 2021 for indication of how the TV industry got streaming wrong.
Discussion:
@variety, @ahszone and The Streamable
Brendan I. Koerner / @brendankoerner:
[Thread] A nonfiction writer chronicles the times his books and articles have been “ripped off” without attribution by podcasters and YouTubers — This podcast series is a shameless rip-off of my @TheAtlantic story from last April. No credit is given and the creator did zero original reporting. He even mispronounces the main character's name through all 8 episodes. (It's “kuh-SEE,” not “KEY-see.") 🧵 https://open.spotify.com/...
Discussion:
@xoxogossipgita, @stevenkjohnson, @rothschildmd, @charley_locke, @webjournalist, @cianmaher0, @lfteveryvoice, @mmasnick, @tannenbaumr, @jswatz, @emilybazelon, @beguiledgamer, @brendankoerner, @runwithskizzers, @katzonearth, @grace_panetta, @cjmortimer, @as_a_worker, @tj_cooney, @sarahspain, @rustystubbs, @karenkho, @courtneyesmith, @lpolgreen, @squirelskitchen, @wesleysmorgan, @allahliker, @taylorlorenz, @kentdriscoll, @alexhern, @anildash, @j_zimms, @ourobororoboruo, @brendenwrensink, @reblavoie, @ugarles and @pabresnan
Brian Steinberg / Variety:
NBC News congressional correspondent Leigh Ann Caldwell will join the Washington Post as a writer on its The Early 202 newsletter and an anchor on WaPo Live — Leigh Ann Caldwell is reversing the dynamic. — Caldwell, who has been with NBC News since 2014, will join The Washington Post …
Discussion:
Washington Post, @lacaldwelldc, @katyturnbc, @bristei and @lacaldwelldc
Colin Kirkland / MediaPost:
Forbes launches its first NFT collection, featuring 100 fictional billionaire investors with theoretical portfolios and virtual net worths based on NYSE pricing — Forbes, famous for its “Richest People In The World” list, is now offering anyone the chance to become a billionaire — a virtual billionaire, that is.
Manori Ravindran / Variety:
Ukraine's top film studio halted production at the war's outbreak to shelter those taking cover, and is now rallying support to help the local industry survive — A vestige from past conflicts, the sealed shelter remained unused next to the company's extensive wardrobe department for years.
Discussion:
@thejeffnorton and @manori_r
Washington Post:
Lachlan Murdoch, once seen as an ambivalent heir who kept his politics quiet, parroted Fox News' prime time opinion hosts during a March 29 speech in Sydney — Lachlan Murdoch's first major media moment was also his first public humiliation. — It was 2005, and the oldest son of Rupert Murdoch …
Discussion:
@mettabhavana1, @davidalexander5, @kurtbusiek, @donmoyn, @mattsheffield, @maxboot, @darickr, @chrisfholm, @wajahatali and @mehdirhasan
A.J. Katz / TVNewser:
CNN+ launches on Roku in the US — CNN+ will now be available in the U.S. on top streaming platform Roku, the two companies announced Monday morning. Roku users can now download the all-new CNN app through the Roku channel store, which will contain both the CNN+ subscription streaming service …
Discussion:
Deadline, The Streamable, LostRemote, CNN and Media Play News
Financial Times:
The Guardian will test a paywall in its news app for a sample of regular users as it explores the best pricing approach; The Guardian's website will remain open — Media group says it is committed to free-access journalism as financial position strengthens
Discussion:
@pressgazette, @newley, @epro, @davidclinchnews and @martinsfp