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Amazon MGM Studios, Michael G. Wilson, and Barbara Broccoli form a JV to house James Bond IP rights, under which Amazon gains creative control of the franchise — In news that will send shock waves through the industry, longtime James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli …
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Memo: AP is launching its Local Investigative Reporting Program, to be led by Ron Nixon, to support US state and local newsrooms in investigative reporting — In a memo to staff Thursday, Executive Editor Julie Pace announced AP will launch a Local Investigative Reporting Program led by Ron Nixon:
Discussion:
TVNewsCheck, Ron Nixon on LinkedIn, @rebuildlocalnews.bsky.social and @sdkstl.bsky.social


40 news organizations signed a letter delivered to the White House this week, asking the White House to lift its AP ban immediately in support of press freedom — News outlets across the political spectrum have united behind the AP, signing a WHCA-backed letter urging the White House …
Discussion:
Adweek, New York Times, Deadline, NPR, The Nation, @katie_robertson, Mediaite, The Reporters Committee …, @jeremymbarr, Media Nation, @amptsuper.bsky.social, @brianstelter, @jeremymbarr, @jpmarthoz.bsky.social, @mattgoerzen.bsky.social, @charliebeckett.bsky.social, @susangardner.bsky.social, @alansunderland.com, @chathamharrison.bsky.social, @oliverdarcy.bsky.social, @oliverdarcy.bsky.social, The Wrap, @sharonwaxman.bsky.social, The Atlantic, RADIO ONLINE, The Rio Times and Inside Radio


YouTube plans to add a “premium lite” tier, a source says for the US, Australia, Germany, and Thailand, offering podcasts without ads and music videos with ads — - The service will continue to put ads in music videos — The tier will launch in areas that include the US, Australia
Discussion:
The Desk, The Information and 9to5Google, more at Techmeme »


Mathias Döpfner calls Trump's Politico attacks a “misunderstanding” and says many Europeans had “intentionally misunderstood” JD Vance's speech in Munich — Mathias Döpfner says many Europeans had ‘intentionally misunderstood’ the US vice-president's speech that caused widespread horror


Senator Warren urges the US DOJ to scrutinize Disney's deal to acquire a controlling stake in Fubo and merge it with Hulu + Live TV, citing antitrust concerns — Sen. Elizabeth Warren has urged the Justice Department to carefully scrutinize Disney's deal to acquire a controlling stake in Fubo …
Discussion:
Benzinga, Light Reading, Deadline, The Wrap, Media Play News and Yahoo Finance


National Association of Broadcasters CEO Curtis LeGeyt calls for the FCC to end ownership caps that prevent TV and radio conglomerates from growing larger — The chief executive of the commercial broadcasting industry's largest lobbying group has called on federal regulators to eliminate national …
Discussion:
TV Tech, Inside Radio, RADIO ONLINE, Barrett Media and Radio & Television …


Former Merit TV employees detail struggles at Dr. Phil McGraw's streaming service, including multiple rounds of layoffs, staff discontent, and low ratings — Merit TV has entered a crowded field of news networks. Can it find its audience? — Phil McGraw strolled onstage and waved at the cheering crowd.
Discussion:
The Desk, RADAR and TVNewsCheck


A look at London news startups, including Jim Waterson's London Centric, that launched since the Evening Standard's daily print edition closure in summer 2024 — Two upmarket London news start-ups are finding a growing (albeit small so far) market for paid online news about the UK capital.
Discussion:
Alexander Smith on LinkedIn, LinkedIn and @pressgazette


Gallery Media Group says it made $50M in 2024 revenue from its women's media title PureWow and 50+ social-only brands on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts — The chief revenue officer of profitable US publisher Gallery Media Group believes it has found the difference between publishers merely being …


Twitch plans to implement a 100-hour storage cap for Highlights and Uploads from April 19, automatically deleting content from streamers who exceed the limit — Streamers who have exceeded this limit will have their content automatically deleted until it meets the threshold.


Apple says Severance has become the most-viewed series on Apple TV+ globally, surpassing Ted Lasso; the series also helped bump subscription signups in January — According to the streamer, Severance has broken Apple TV+ records, launching as the platform's #1 series in history based on number …
Discussion:
9to5Mac, AppleInsider, Decider, Deseret News, Forbes, CBR, Collider, MacRumors, Inverse, Dexerto, @carlquintanilla.bsky.social, @benstiller.redhour.com, BGR, Comic Book, 9to5Mac, Screen Rant and Just Jared


A+E Networks launches a digital division to unify its digital efforts, including YouTube channels and SVOD platforms, and plans a History.com relaunch — Ann McGowan will join the company as its digital GM, with a relaunch of History.com as the first big project.
Discussion:
Adweek, The Wrap, WORLD SCREEN and Variety


Elon Musk says he will “fix” Community Notes as they are “increasingly being gamed by governments & legacy media”, after disagreeing with notes about Ukraine — The billionaire has a history of manipulating X to fit his far-right worldview.


Sources: ESPN plans to add some user-generated content to its flagship streaming service, which will debut later in 2025 and could be priced at $25 or $30/month — In an attempt to court younger audiences, Disney's ESPN is planning to add some user-generated content to its yet …
Discussion:
The Desk, Awful Announcing, @dannygroner.bsky.social and Barrett Media