Top News:
Isabella Simonetti / New York Times:
Research: the rate of US newspaper closures, about two per week, did not change during the pandemic; 360+ US newspapers closed between late 2019 and May 2022 — The same pace — about two closures per week — was occurring before the pandemic. — Give this article- - - Read in app
Alex Heath / The Verge:
Snap launches Snapchat+, offering exclusive, experimental, and pre-release Snapchat features for $3.99 per month, starting in nine countries — No, it doesn't let you turn off ads — Starting this week, Snap will begin offering an optional subscription called Snapchat Plus that unlocks exclusive and early access features.
Discussion:
NBC News, Snap Newsroom, Insider, @alexeheath, Music Ally, Variety, @snapchat, @mattnavarra, @kiruti, ScreenRant, Tubefilter, Axios, The Hollywood Reporter, Doubt is Welcome, Reuters, Adweek, Engadget, 9to5Mac and The Hill
Peter Kafka / Vox:
Netflix faces higher subscription churn rates than in the past, apparently leading to the strategy of releasing shows like Stranger Things and Ozark in chunks — One chart that tells you a lot about the state of the streaming service. — Netflix spends around $17 billion a year on new TV shows and movies.
Discussion:
@masasoncap and The Streamable
RELATED:
Benjamin Mullin / New York Times:
Substack lays off 13 of its 90 employees as it tries to conserve cash during a funding crunch for startups; source: cuts hit HR, writer support, and other roles — The newsletter start-up discussed raising funding last year but abandoned the plan after the market for venture investments cooled.
Discussion:
Defector, Axios, @leavittalone, @benmullin, @mslopatto, @stevekovach, The Verge, @josephpillidge, TechCrunch, @sarafischer, @s_m_i, The Wrap, Bloomberg and Variety
Adam Piore / Columbia Journalism Review:
A look at DC-based Punchbowl, which had 3,000+ subscribers paying $300 per year in late 2021, as critics question the ethics of hosting events with lobbyists — A Friday morning last fall, in the subterranean labyrinth of the Capitol building, on either side of thick double doors: a throng of reporters and the House Democratic Caucus.
Discussion:
@betsymorais, @rafat, @hemjhaveri, @cjr, @cjr, @jayrosen_nyu, @jon_allsop, @claireatki, @_cingraham, @elwasson and @lutherlowe
Adlan Jackson / New York Times:
A look at YouTube “media critics”, who use humor to dissect the output of more popular YouTubers, discuss the absurdities of social media influencers, and more — One of the most popular genres of videos online is to comment on other videos online. Are they comedians or media critics?
Discussion:
@niemanlab and @jeffjarvis, more at Techmeme »
Nathan Bomey / Axios:
Maria Ressa says the Philippines' SEC told Rappler to shut down; Ressa: Rappler will fight the order affirming an earlier decision revoking incorporation papers — HONOLULU — Nobel Peace Prize laureate and journalist Maria Ressa said Tuesday that the Philippine government has ordered her news organization to shut down.
Discussion:
icfj.org, The Guardian, BBC, RAPPLER, @reaproy, The Diplomat, @pressfreedom, @moonalice, @icfj, @ronwyden, @lauraedelson2, @icfj, @rapplerdotcom, @ilda_talk, Newser, @rapplerdotcom, @lianbuan, @article19org, @kenroth, SPJ News, Associated Press, @ancalerts, @karaswisher, Committee to Protect …, CBS News, Bloomberg, CNN, @brooklynmarie, @jairaroxas_, @maxwalden_, @icijorg, @kylecmatthews, @jason_kint, @nathanbomey, @dangillmor, @davetroy, @khadijapatel, @sarakgoo, @marklittlenews and Al Jazeera
Joe Flint / Wall Street Journal:
Sources: Nexstar is close to a deal to acquire 75% of The CW, with Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery each retaining 12.5% stakes — Owner of local TV stations is looking to broaden CW's programming to cater to older audience — Nexstar Media Group Inc., NXST -1.19%▼ …
Discussion:
MediaPost, Benzinga, The Wrap, @tim_bays, Deadline, Next TV, @tvgrimreaper and @nottheribbons
David Bauder / Associated Press:
Nielsen: during two daytime hearings last week, Fox averaged 727K viewers vs. 3.09M on MSNBC and 2.21M on CNN; Fox audience dropped when hearings started at 3pm — NEW YORK (AP) — Fox News Channel is airing the Jan. 6 committee hearings when they occur in daytime hours and a striking number …
Discussion:
Adweek, @ap, Mediaite, Columbia Journalism Review and CNN
Glenn Kessler / Washington Post:
Duke Reporters' Lab says fact-checking projects grew from 168 in 2016 to 391 in 2021 globally; Meta says it has spent $100M to underwrite fact-checking outlets — OSLO — Members of fact-checking organizations from around the globe met last week for their first in-person conference in three years …
Discussion:
@jordylancaster, @pcunliffejones, @neontaster, @maxblumenthal, @washingtonpost and Poynter
David Hellier / Bloomberg:
Sources: Amazon is nearing a deal with UEFA for three-year broadcast rights to its flagship Champions League soccer competition and two others — Amazon.com Inc. is nearing a deal to broadcast Europe's top football tournament in the UK for the first time, according to people familiar with the matter …
Discussion:
Medallion XLN's Newsletter
Reuters:
Antonio de la Cruz, a reporter for Mexican newspaper Expreso, was shot dead on Wednesday, the 12th journalist killed in the country in 2022 — A Mexican reporter was killed Wednesday in one of the country's most violent northern border states, authorities and his employer said …
Discussion:
@kylie_madry and @jbwashing
Consumer Tech Reporter, CA — 
Associate Editor, Remote US — 
Curation Editor (Contract), NY — 
Business Editor, CA — 
Executive Ed. - Tech & Electronics, AZ — 
Economy & Industry Reporter, TX — 
ESPN FC Associate Editor, CA/CT — 
Political Enterprise Editor, DC — 
Housing & Real Estate Reporter, ME — 
Associate Reporter - Yahoo Finance — 
Senior Editor, Remote — 
News Reporter, MA — 
Freelance Contributor, FL — 
Senior Reporter, CA — 
Managing Editor - State, CT — 
Sr. VP & Chief Content Officer, OR — 
Writer - Streaming (Temporary), GA — 
Data Graphics Reporter, CA — 
Data Reporter, TX — 
Town Reporter, CT — 
Weekend Audience Editor, VA — 
Managing Editor, FL — 
Business Reporter, WA — 
Associate Editor, NY — 
Freelance Reporter, NC — 
Crypto/Markets Reporter - Europe — 
Education & Family Reporter, OR — 
Red Sox Reporter, MA — 
Cockburn Editor, DC — 
Investigative Reporter, NC — 
Writer - Women's Soccer, Remote US — 
Senior IP Correspondent, London — 
Computational Journalist, NY — 
