Top News:
Benjamin Mullin / New York Times:
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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Sara Fischer / Axios:
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:
RetailWire, al.com, Washington Post, Yahoo Finance and Cord Cutters News
Katie Deighton / Wall Street Journal:
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
Discussion:
Press Gazette, The Information, Substack Reads, @jryedinak, @jryedinak, @kantrowitz, @mediaevan.bsky.social and Feed Me, more at Techmeme »
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Lauren Forristal / TechCrunch:
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, Bloomberg, @ernie.tedium.co and The Verge, more at Techmeme »
Dade Hayes / Deadline:
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
Hannah Miller / Bloomberg:
Filing: Disney CEO Bob Iger's total pay rose by 30% YoY in FY 2024 to $41.1M, primarily as bigger stock and option awards and a bonus — Disney's CEO earned $41.1 million in the year that ended in September, up from $31.6 million in fiscal 2023, according to a filing Thursday.
Discussion:
The Wrap, The Hollywood Reporter, Wall Street Journal, Deadline and MickeyBlog.com
Charlotte Tobitt / Press Gazette:
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.
Robert Channick / Chicago Tribune:
Chicago Public Media offers buyouts to Chicago Sun-Times journalists and WBEZ business staff; CEO Melissa Bell is aiming to shave $3M-$5M from the annual budget — Struggling with declining revenue in its groundbreaking nonprofit radio/newspaper model, Chicago Public Media is offering voluntary buyouts …
Munir Ahmed / Associated Press:
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:
@fariehaaziz, @fariehaaziz, @fariehaaziz, @fariehaaziz, @usamakhilji, @naofpakistan, @fariehaaziz and @ptiofficialca, more at Techmeme »
Etan Vlessing / The Hollywood Reporter:
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:
Deadline, TVNewsCheck and WORLD SCREEN
Emma Roth / The Verge:
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.
Discussion:
Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, MediaPost, Awful Announcing, Front Office Sports, Engadget, The Desk, Streaming Better, Reuters, CNET, Light Reading, The TV Answer Man!, @dannygroner.bsky.social, The Wrap, Cord Cutters News, @tvgrimreaper, TVNewsCheck, Variety, Comcast Corporation, @thebauminator, The Streamable, @rltsports, TVLine and Media Play News
Katie Campione / Deadline:
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
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