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Mark Thompson previews CNN's paid streaming service, says CNN plans to launch a subscription in 2025 for “lifestyle” content, and cuts ~200 jobs in its TV unit — Mark Thompson has promised to reinvent CNN since he arrived in 2023. Now, he is remaking the network's TV lineup and its work force.
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Mark Thompson says CNN aims to reach $1B in digital revenue by 2030; memo details $70M to be invested in digital plans, a modernized ad sales approach, and more — - That was an important message, considering years-long speculation that WBD may look to sell the network someday to pay down its debt.
Discussion:
Washington Post, al.com, The Independent, Yahoo Finance and Cord Cutters News

A look at growth of sponsorships and ads for independent newsletters on platforms like Substack and Beehiiv: rates, formats, and management tools vary widely — Authors are using DIY methods to moonlight as media sellers as ads begin to infiltrate their newsletters
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Press Gazette, Substack Reads, @jryedinak, @jryedinak, @kantrowitz, @mediaevan.bsky.social and Feed Me
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Substack launches Creator Accelerator Fund to lure US creators who already have $2K+ per month in recurring revenue away from other subscription-based platforms — Substack on Thursday announced the launch of its Creator Accelerator Fund, which provides a $20 million funding guarantee aimed …
Discussion:
Substack Reads and The Verge, more at Techmeme »

Former Barstool Sports CEO Erika Ayers Badan joins Vice Media's board of directors; Vice Media launched a sports division in December 2024 — Deadline was the first to report last December on the creation of a sports division at Vice, which has a number of unscripted projects in the pipeline.
Discussion:
TVNewsCheck

The UK ICO says publishers can use the “consent or pay” cookie model provided that users have a “genuine free choice” and data protection laws are met — The UK's information watchdog has said publisher “consent or pay” cookie models are acceptable providing users have a …
Discussion:
@martinsfp.bsky.social and City A.M.

Pakistan's parliament passes a controversial bill giving the government sweeping controls on social media, including prison terms for spreading “disinformation” — Pakistan's lower house of parliament on Thursday passed a controversial bill that will give the government sweeping controls …
Discussion:
Hindustan Times, @fariehaaziz, @fariehaaziz, @fariehaaziz, @fariehaaziz, @usamakhilji, @naofpakistan, @fariehaaziz and @ptiofficialca, more at Techmeme »

Lionsgate renews its film licensing deal with Starz to bring ~20 studio films annually to Starz's services, ahead of the formal separation of the companies — The third installment of ‘Now You See Me,’ ‘Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,’ the Michael Jackson biopic and 'Ballerina …
Discussion:
TVNewsCheck, Deadline and WORLD SCREEN

Comcast launches a $70/month “Sports & News TV” streaming bundle, featuring 50+ news and sports channels and access to Peacock, available to Xfinity customers — Comcast is launching a $70 per month “Sports & News TV” streaming bundle featuring live games from the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and NCAA.
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Awful Announcing, The Hollywood Reporter, The Desk, Reuters, MediaPost, The Streamable, Front Office Sports, TVLine, TVNewsCheck, The Wrap, Variety, Deadline, CNET, Light Reading, The TV Answer Man!, @dannygroner.bsky.social, Cord Cutters News, @tvgrimreaper, Comcast Corporation, @thebauminator, @rltsports and Media Play News

Luminate: TV production declined 7% YoY in 2024, Netflix produced 22% fewer US series in 2024 than in 2022 but remains far ahead of its competitors, and more — TV production was still down last year, albeit decreasing at a slower rate than the year prior, down 7% from 2023 …
Discussion:
Advanced Television, The Hollywood Reporter and Luminate

Arizona State University launches NEWSWELL, a nonprofit that acquires local news outlets to provide operational support, backed by a $5M Knight Foundation grant — The nonprofit NEWSWELL, a project of Arizona State University, offers an innovative approach for giving newsrooms the support they need

Netflix gets 16 Oscar nominations, including 13 for Emilia Pérez, which is the most nominated film of the year; A24 came in second with 14 nominations — Netflix scored a leading 16 Oscar nominations on Thursday, most of which were awarded to “Emilia Pérez,” …
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