Top News:

Nielsen and Paramount settle a monthslong contract dispute with a new agreement that covers both linear and streaming measurement across Paramount's portfolio — The new agreement covers both linear and streaming measurement across Paramount's portfolio. — Nielsen and Paramount have settled a months-long contract dispute.
Discussion:
Benzinga, @whatsonpplus, Media Play News, @nielsen, TV Tech, Awful Announcing, Deadline, TVNewsCheck, @bradat, @mrschimpf, Axios, @kerrymflynn, Reuters, @jbflint, @bristei, The Wrap, MediaPost, Radio & Television … and WORLD SCREEN

Sources: Bill Owens, the head of 60 Minutes, told staff he would not apologize as part of any prospective settlement in a lawsuit brought by Trump against CBS — Bill Owens, the show's executive producer, addressed his staff as CBS's parent company, Paramount, pursues a legal settlement with the president.

Patrick Soon-Shiong, who called for a more tempered approach at LAT to covering politics, posted 18 times on X last week to boost RFK Jr.'s nomination — With trust in the news media at deep lows, Los Angeles Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong is calling for a more tempered approach …

Journalists Lachlan Cartwright and Ravi Somaiya launch Breaker Media, based out of New York City, with a $12 per month weekly newsletter and podcast — The News — Two prominent New York journalists are launching a scoopy new media venture aimed at storming the city's interlocking scenes of media, culture, and power.
Discussion:
Sewell Chan on LinkedIn, @shantrs, @lachcartwright, @semaforben, Peter Rubin on LinkedIn, @lachcartwright and @ravisomaiya

Tegna lays off at least 18 journalists from its national fact-checking team at Verify and directs viewers to its local TV stations where Verify's work continues — Local television broadcaster TEGNA has laid off nearly two dozen journalists who worked on the company's national fact-checking team.
Discussion:
NewscastStudio, @qualityhammer@techhub.social, @thedesk.net and TVNewsCheck

Spotify reports Q4 revenue up 16% YoY to €4.2B, MAUs up 12% YoY to 675M, subscribers up 11% YoY to 263M, and €1.14B in 2024 net income, vs. a €532M loss in 2023 — Price increases, cost discipline help audio-streaming giant pivot from heavy spending on growth to sustained profits
Discussion:
Spotify, Spotify Technology S.A. and Bloomberg, more at Techmeme »

In a letter to CBS Monday, Sony says it is taking over worldwide distribution of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! on February 10; CBS plans a restraining order — In a letter to CBS Monday, Sony said it has assumed those duties for shows scheduled to start airing the week of Feb. 10.
Discussion:
Variety, Deadline, AV Club, Reuters, TVNewsCheck, The Hollywood Reporter, The Wrap, One America News Network, Los Angeles Times, Cord Cutters News and The Verge

Facing the Trump administration's attacks, US public media should expand its public funding pool, focus on local content, and reduce its reliance on syndication — The system needs more stable funding, a greater emphasis on local content, and reduced reliance on private financing and syndicated programs.

How California newsrooms are fighting mass deportation rumors: developing toolkits, publishing resource guides, training readers in media literacy, and more — As rumored raids fuel anxiety about mass deportations, outlets are offering resources and debunking falsehoods

Largo.ai, an AI analytics platform for the film, TV, and ad industries, raised a $7.5M Series A from Sylvester Stallone and others — Co-led by Los Angeles-based TI Capital and Switzerland and Los Angeles-based QBIT Capital, funding round participants for Largo.ai include Boston's Atreides Management …

Q&A with Warner Bros. Records CEO Aaron Bay-Schuck and co-chairman and COO Tom Corson about reviving the label, seeding music on TikTok first, and more — Two music bosses share the future of TikTok, the right price for Spotify and the key to breaking new music acts.

Ampere Analysis: the US streaming market will reach $17B in advertising revenue in 2025; 24% of US-based Netflix subscribers are on the Standard with Ads tier — Ampere Analysis monetization ad-supported video Netflix — The U.S streaming market will approach $17 billion in advertising revenue …
Discussion:
The Media Leader and @tvgrimreaper