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Netflix unveils its ChatGPT-powered search that lets users express preferences using natural phrases, to be rolled out this week to iOS users as an opt-in beta — After hinting at a new AI-powered search experience during its recent earnings call, Netflix officially unveiled the feature at its tech and product event on Wednesday.
Discussion:
About Netflix, Hamdi Hmimy on LinkedIn, Shreyas Chavan on LinkedIn, Mashable, BGR, 9to5Google, Reuters and Gadgets 360, more at Techmeme »
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Netflix unveils a new homepage design for TVs, its first major update since 2013, featuring fewer titles but more video and animation, rolling out next week — The implications for the industry could be significant, given that most other streaming services have copied Netflix's design.
Discussion:
The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix Tudum, Netflix on YouTube, NBC News, Android Authority, Android Headlines, @mhwilliams.bsky.social, Variety, Streaming Better, Mercury News, The Sun, Fast Company, Engadget, Media Play News, Patrick Flemming on LinkedIn, BGR, @lucas_shaw and The Verge, more at Techmeme »

Netflix says it plans to start testing a TikTok-like feed of vertical videos in its mobile app “in the coming weeks” to help users find more content to watch — The streaming service has experimented with vertical video feeds before. … Netflix is going to start testing …
Discussion:
Business Insider, Comic Book, @aerocles, The Wrap, TechCrunch, WeRSM, @reckless.bsky.social, CNN and @lucas_shaw, more at Techmeme »

Kari Lake says OAN will provide its newsfeed and video service “free-of-charge” to USAGM networks, including VOA, OCB, and Radio Martí — Senior presidential adviser Kari Lake appears to have resolved any doubts about what she wants to do with the Voice of America.
Discussion:
@karilake, The Guardian, Reuters, Washington Post, Columbia Journalism Review, CNN, The Hill, Axios, Raw Story, @joshkovensky.bsky.social, @houseforeign.bsky.social, @dhnexon.bsky.social, The National Pulse, @karaswisher.bsky.social, @knittingknots2@mstdn.social, @pwidakuswara, @scottnover, @damon.kiesow.net, @iamfreetobeme.bsky.social, @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social, @annamerlan.bsky.social, @amanbatheja.bsky.social, @scottnover, Cord Cutters News, @nick-lynx.bsky.social, @davidfolkenflik, @timkarr.bsky.social, The Independent, @davidfolkenflik.bsky.social, @newsguy.bsky.social, @bgrueskin.bsky.social and The Gateway Pundit

In a letter, nine US senators urge Shari Redstone not to settle Trump's $20B lawsuit, saying it will only embolden him to “extort” CBS and other outlets — The letter signed by nine senators urges Redstone to “Stand up for freedom of the press and our democracy.”
Discussion:
New York Times, Variety, Mediaite, @benmullin, Semafor and Common Dreams

In Q2, Disney says Disney+ subscribers rose by 1.4M to 126M, while Hulu rose by 1.1M to 54.7M, and operating income hit $336M, up from $47M in Q2 2024 — Despite gathering economic storm clouds, chief Bob Iger said the Mouse House remains “optimistic” about its current fiscal year guidance.
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The NYT reports adding 250K digital-only subscribers in Q1, taking its total subscribers to 11.6M+; digital ad revenue rose 12.4% YoY to $70.9M — The company had nearly 11.7 million total subscribers at the end of March. Adjusted operating profit grew 21.9 percent compared with the same quarter a year ago.
Discussion:
Sports Business Journal, PR Daily, Front Office Sports, Adweek, Benzinga, Reuters, Streaming Better and TVNewsCheck
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The New York Times Company:
The New York Times reports Q1 revenue up 7.1% YoY to $635.9M, subscription revenue up 14.4% YoY to $335M, and operating profit up 21.3% YoY to $58.6M — NEW YORK, May 7, 2025 - The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT) announced today first- quarter 2025 results. Key Highlights
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Wall Street Journal

The Daily Dot laid off 15 people, or much of its staff, after a sudden and unexplained collapse in referral traffic starting April 10 that it couldn't fix — After a sharp and abrupt traffic collapse, the Daily Dot was forced to lay off much of its staff—and it may be a preview of the tough road ahead for digital publishers.

CPB is slated to receive $535M per year in the next two fiscal years; PBS and its stations get ~15% of their revenue from CPB, NPR stations 10%, NPR itself ~1% — Public-media leaders promise to challenge president's executive order slashing financial support
Discussion:
Tangle, Bloomberg and Inside Radio
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Benjamin Mullin / New York Times:
CPB says the Department of Education has terminated Ready To Learn, the grant program that funded Sesame Street and would've provided $23M for children's shows
CPB says the Department of Education has terminated Ready To Learn, the grant program that funded Sesame Street and would've provided $23M for children's shows
Discussion:
@americanhumanist.bsky.social, @the-goddess-speaks …, @brunojnavarro.bsky.social, CPB, TVNewsCheck, Deadline, @itspeeebs, @itspeeebs, @scottnover, @sifill.bsky.social, @shannonvallor.bsky.social, The Daily Wire, @kennysmith.bsky.social, @mariopro.bsky.social, TV Tech, MPR News and @kleinman.bsky.social

Lionsgate Entertainment completes the separation of its studio and Starz into two standalone companies; Starz had 20M subs in US and Canada at the end of 2024 — Lionsgate Entertainment has completed the full separation of its studio and Starz businesses into two standalone, publicly-traded companies.

After a documentary questioned whether Nick Ut took the famous Napalm Girl photo in 1972, the AP's year-long probe finds that Ut should retain his credit — A documentary called “The Stringer” called into question whether Nick Ut actually took the famous photograph in Vietnam.
Discussion:
@corbinbolies, @scottnover and The Associated Press

The Golden Globe Awards plans to add a best podcast category in 2026, featuring six nominees chosen from among the 25 most-listened-to podcasts — It would appear that Joe Rogan, Alex Cooper and Megyn Kelly could soon be invited to “Hollywood's Party of the Year.”
Discussion:
Deadline, Variety, The Wrap, Billboard, IndieWire, Rolling Stone, KDFX-TV, World of Reel, Engadget, @maxwelltani, Barrett Media, GoldDerby, Consequence and TV Insider

Fox News Media projects $500M in FY 2025 revenue for its non-cable TV businesses, which include Fox Nation; ads make up most of its digital business revenue — Fox News Media is projecting half a billion dollars in revenue this fiscal year for its non-cable TV businesses …
Discussion:
@sarafischer and TVNewsCheck
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