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A look at D Billions, a network of YouTube channels run by Kyrgyzstan-based media company AWA and which got billions of views by teaching kids words via songs — A landlocked country in Central Asia is home to an international hit. — The US has Mr. Beast. The Kyrgyz Republic has D Billions.


German prosecutors say Elon Musk's X has complied with hundreds of hate-crime user data requests; Twitter used to push back if requests threatened free speech — The social media company has complied with hundreds of hate-crime user data requests from German authorities since Musk's purchase, prosecutors say
Discussion:
@pir8qu33n, @tempf451 and Futurism, more at Techmeme »


Q&A with Rolling Stone co-founder Jann Wenner on interviewing his friends, boomers' legacy, and his new book, The Masters, about seven white male rock musicians — “We've lived really privileged lives,” says the co-founder of Rolling Stone. “Now we get to rest.”
Discussion:
The Messenger, Awful Announcing, @jayrosen_nyu, @jodyrosen, @moorehn, @franklinleonard, @johntomlinson, @jacobtwop, @jkarsh, @lebassett, Insider, The Hollywood Reporter, @kbeninato@mstdn.party, @nedraggett@spaceballs …, ET Canada, Consequence, @mitchellepner.bsky.social, @bowiesongs.bsky.social, @thisismari.at, @nberlat.bsky.social, @nedraggett.bsky.social, @electriceden92.bsky.social, @bowiesongs.bsky.social, @usefulnoise.bsky.social, @bowiesongs.bsky.social and UPROXX


Mexican journalist Emilio Gutiérrez Soto wins the right to US asylum after a 15-year legal battle against deportation to Mexico, whose military threatened him — Emilio Gutiérrez Soto fled with his son to the U.S. border in 2008 after his reporting on the Mexican military led to threats.
Discussion:
@pressfreedom, @juliaprestonnow, @dabeard, @dabeard, National Press Club, Reuters, LatAm Journalism Review, Washington Post and Al Jazeera


Canada-based Metroland Media Group makes its 70+ local newspapers digital-only and cuts 605 jobs, as its parent company seeks bankruptcy protection for the unit — Daily papers will continue to operate in print and online — Nordstar, the company that owns the Toronto Star and other newspapers …
Discussion:
@cbcnews, @palewire, @theactualkjm, @dgrdon, @mattdagley, @jgreig, @winstarvander, @michaeltaube, @kevinnimmock, Unifor National, Unifor Local 87-M, Reuters and CTV News


Sources: Fox News fired veteran executive John Finley on September 8 following a woman alleging he sexually harassed and stalked her; Fox settled with the woman — John Finley, a top Fox News executive who was fired last week after more than 20 years at the network, was ousted after a woman alleged …
Discussion:
@seeleycat, @travelurownpath, @matthewkeyslive, @dianafalzone, @matthewkeyslive, Adweek, The Wrap and @joelmathis.bsky.social


Nielsen: Thursday Night Football's 2023 season debut averaged a record 15.05M viewers on Amazon Prime Video and local broadcasters, up 15.5% from 2022's opener — The NFL's weeknight game scores its biggest audience since moving to streaming. — Thursday Night Football scored …
Discussion:
Sports Media Watch, Sportico, Associated Press, NBCSports.com, TVLine, Deadline, Decider and New York Post


Hedge fund Citadel founder Ken Griffin subpoenas ProPublica and five journalists for docs tied to stories on his tax returns; ProPublica vows to protect sources — - ProPublica vows to protect sources amid ‘sprawling’ requests — Griffin suing IRS over failure to protect his secret tax data
Discussion:
@dmihalopoulos, @stocksensefrank, @dmihalopoulos, @eisingerj and Insider


WBD's General Manager for Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, Hannes Heyelmann, steps down, following the exits of EMEA head Priya Dogra and UK head Antonio Ruiz — Warner Bros. Discovery Germany boss Hannes Heyelmann has become the latest to exit from Gerhard Zeiler's international team.
Discussion:
Variety and Broadband TV News


After a backlash, Drew Barrymore apologizes to writers and unions for her show returning on September 18, saying “we will be in compliance” with strike rules — Drew Barrymore is offering up an explanation as to why her daytime talk show is returning, amid fierce criticism during the writers strike.
Discussion:
The Guardian, The Wrap, NBC News, The Onion, Axios, TV Insider, @mollyjongfast, @itsmecarolamptp, @marlownyc, Insider, Bleeding Cool News, Sydney Morning Herald, @erinbiba.bsky.social, @mikedrucker.bsky.social, The A.V. Club, Decider, Los Angeles Times, @hellolanemoore@threads.net, @hellolanemoore@threads.net, Fox News, @themeteor@threads.net, @themeteor@threads.net, @themeteor@threads.net, Mediaite, @brendelbored.bsky.social, TVLine, CNN, The Daily Beast, Vanity Fair, The Week, @beccalew.bsky.social, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, UPROXX, Consequence and The Messenger


Plex notifies users that the streaming company plans to block access in October for those who use the hosting company Hetzner, citing large-scale TOS violations — Plex is a multifunctional media software and service that allows users to easily access all their entertainment in one place.
Discussion:
@bytebln, @hackbard and Plex Forum


Sources: VFX firm DNEG told staff to take 20%+ pay cuts for seven months or agree to a 36-month loan scheme; DNEG cut ~7.5% of its London HQ workforce in July — EXCLUSIVE: Just weeks after laying off dozens in its London HQ, Dune VFX firm DNEG is asking staff to take up to 25% pay cuts …
Discussion:
@_harvey__dent_, @godofash1, @ryandeel, @filmupdates, @cartoonbrew, @stephanfleet, @irishaniworkers, LinkedIn, Sydney Morning Herald, ComingSoon.net, Collider and r/vfx