Top News:
New York Times:
Penske Media announces a strategic investment in Vox Media; sources: Penske acquired a ~20% stake for $100M, becoming the largest shareholder of Vox Media — The deal is the latest in a series of acquisitions and investments made by Penske Media, the owner of a swath of entertainment …
Discussion:
Variety, Talking Biz News, @benmullin, @nytimes, @imranzomg, @samitsarkar, @rafat, @bmorrissey, @bigmeaninternet, @budelliott3, @devancoggan, @scottnover, @laurabockov, @lmoses, @tvgrimreaper, @miarsato, @bydankadar, @jackmirkinson, @jayasax, @opheligarcia, @katierosman, @benmullin, The Wrap, IndieWire, The Information, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, Press Gazette and Axios
Mélissa Godin / The Guardian:
A profile of Elaíze Farias, the editor of Amazônia Real, a digital media outlet focused on covering marginalized people and their rights in the Brazilian Amazon — Elaíze Farias, editor of news outlet Amazônia Real, wants her ‘post-colonial’ journalism to put the voices of marginalised people first
Discussion:
@thecelticist, @risj_oxford, @janebsinger and @melissagodin21
CNBC:
Interviews with 10+ TV industry leaders, including Barry Diller, Kevin Mayer, and Bela Bajaria, on bundling, the fate of linear TV and cable networks, and more — - CNBC asked media insiders, including Barry Diller, Bela Bajaria, Jeff Zucker and Bill Simmons, for their predictions about what TV will be like in three years.
Discussion:
@sherman4949, @jyarow, @tsoh_investing, @sportstvratings, @nina_metz, The A.V. Club, @lionelmedia and @jason_kint
Alex Weprin / The Hollywood Reporter:
A look at Disney documentary division ABC News Studios, which feeds ABC, Disney+, Hulu, and more; source: the unit is already profitable after a 2022 launch — With premieres at Sundance and SXSW, a growing slate and profitability, the in-house studio is a textbook example of media companies adapting to a streaming-first world.
Alex Weprin / The Hollywood Reporter:
Tom Brady plans to join Fox Sports as the lead NFL analyst in the fall of 2024, “take some time to really learn” the job, and catch up on his personal life — The quarterback signed a deal with Fox Corp. last year to become an NFL broadcast analyst.
Discussion:
@theherd, @nfl_dovkleiman, NPR, The Desk, People.com, al.com, Sporting News, CNN, USA Today, Yahoo Sports, NFL.com, The Athletic, CBS News, @mikeasti11, @weesesports, @schadjoe, ESPN, ProFootballTalk, Observer, Hollywood Life, New York Post, Mediaite, The Guardian, Front Office Sports, Forbes, Variety, Deadline, The Big Lead and The Comeback
Joe Flint / Wall Street Journal:
DAZN strikes a 10-year deal with the NFL to distribute regular, postseason, and Super Bowl games outside the US, excluding China, starting in the 2023/24 season — NFL's Game Pass International service to be available in most of the world—but not China — The National Football League …
Discussion:
Axios, The Streamable, Sports Business Journal, Daily Mail, The Hollywood Reporter, WORLD SCREEN, NFL.com and DAZN
Matthew Keys / Radio Ink:
In a first, NPR will offer member stations and listeners bilingual coverage of the SOTU address, with Spanish-language coverage hosted by journalist A Martínez — NPR will offer member stations and listeners bilingual coverage of the State of the Union address for the first time.
Discussion:
Colorado Public Radio, Thanks:@thedeskdotnet
Rebecca Rubin / Variety:
AMC Theatres introduces ticket prices based on seat location, pricing seats in the middle of the auditorium higher, coming to all US theaters by the end of 2023 — At your next visit to AMC Theatres, getting a prime seat may cost you a little extra. — The country's largest exhibition chain …
Discussion:
The Wrap, The Hollywood Reporter, Collider, Fox News, @karlbode, CNN, @jeremylevick, @joshelman, @redrum_panda, @the_acumen, @grantthethief, @docadam, @jpalmiotti, @ryanhorton, @therealjuliaann, @drindyeinstein, @joeutichi, @jbillinson, @bruce_arthur, @thejovenshire, @theerinmaher, @cartridgegames, AMC Theatres, @mrjakeabel, @bpopetv, @seanmburns, @samuelaadams, Lifting Fog, @emilyuribe, @geekvibesnation, @richardlnewby, LAist, CNBC, The Verge, USA Today, NPR, Screen Rant, BroBible, UPI, Associated Press, The Week, The Playlist, Bloomberg, CBR, CBS News, CNET, Insider, Los Angeles Times, The Hill, SlashFilm, The Wrap, IndieWire, Collider, Media Play News and Deadline
Axios:
Sources: in its investor pitch deck, India-based Sun Group values Forbes at $800M and says it had roughly $285M in revenue and $50M in earnings in 2022 — A group of investors led by India-based Sun Group is trying to lure tech billionaires and Hollywood types to join its bid for Forbes …
Discussion:
@sarafischer
David Smith / The Guardian:
How studios increasingly use AI de-aging VFX on actors, including Harrison Ford in the new Indiana Jones movie, and the possible impact on Hollywood's economics — Stars like Tom Hanks and Harrison Ford are being rendered younger digitally but voices in the industry express concern about where we might be heading
Discussion:
@paul_franklin_ and @adribbleofink, more at Techmeme »
Loree Seitz / The Wrap:
Nielsen: the 2023 Grammys attracted 12.4M viewers across CBS' live broadcast and Paramount+ livestream, up 30% YoY and drawing its largest audience since 2020 — The 2023 Grammys bounced up 30% from the 2022 awards show broadcast, drawing 12.4 million viewers - the most since 2020.
Discussion:
Deadline, The A.V. Club, UPI, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, @wildaboutmusic, The A.V. Club, Axios, Mediaite, New York Post, Billboard, IndieWire, TVLine and Digital Music News
John Ourand / Sports Business Journal:
The Super Bowl won't have crypto ads in 2023 as FTX and others back out after buying several spots early; crypto companies had around five spots in 2022's game — Fox Sports officially sold out Super Bowl LVII inventory, selling its final in-game spot in the week before the NFL conference championship games.
Discussion:
@ourand_sbj, The Verge, Fortune, New York Post, Awful Announcing, Adweek, Insider, Front Office Sports and Deadline, more at Techmeme »
Jim Waterson / The Guardian:
GB News presenter Mark Steyn quits after the channel told him he has to pay Ofcom fines for breaches of the broadcasting code over his COVID-19 vaccine comments — Mark Steyn could face sanction by media regulator after he cast doubt on safety of Covid vaccines
Discussion:
Press Gazette, Broadband TV News, @vexwerewolf, @troyliss, @john_castlevale, @shentonstage, @juwanthewriter, @rj_abel, @eddierobson and @davideledingue
RELATED: