Top News:
New York Times:
WaPo begins widespread layoffs, cutting into international coverage and more; sources: it is laying off 30% of its employees, including 300+ of 800 journalists — The layoffs will cut into The Post's local, international and sports coverage, and reduce the number of all its employees by about 30 percent.
Discussion:
New Republic, Poynter, The Guardian, Publishers Weekly, Awful Announcing, Press Gazette, Politico, The Ankler, Fox News, @lizziejohnsonnn, @maxwelltani, @barrysvrluga, Mediaite, Business Insider, New York Post, Ace of Spades HQ, Fast Company, The Hill, Le Monde, MLive.com, Bloomberg, Forbes, @gerryshih, @ngreenberg, @jeremymbarr, @jeremymbarr, Washington Times, @laurahelmuth.bsky.social, @sjvn@mastodon.social, To the Contrary, The Post Millennial, @smekhennet, No More Mister Nice Blog, @taylorlorenz, @davidfolkenflik, @postguild, @jesusrodriguezb, @brianstelter, @drewharwell, @ryanlcooper.com, @tiredgenerally.bsky.social, @ryanlcooper.com, @ishaantharoor, @davidfolkenflik, Nina Melendez Ibarra on LinkedIn, Jason Skog on LinkedIn, @davidfolkenflik, @senwarren, @edmundlee.bsky.social, @jeremymbarr, @hshaban, @ceodonovan, @pranshuverma_, @rmac18, @bencjacobs, @charlesarthur, @aliceallonym.bsky.social, @jacob_brogan, @jackshafer, @quentinaries.bsky.social, @jeremymbarr, @migold, @hshaban, @mikeisaac, @petertl.bsky.social, @jeremymbarr, @timbontemps, @jerrybrewer, @maxwelltani, @peterbakernyt, @leadergrev, @sabrinamalhi, @davidfolkenflik, @nicoleasbury, @catebrown12, @jeremymbarr, Reuters, @benstandig, Deadline, @marissa_jae, @cairo_claire1, @mikemillerdc, CBS News, @benmullin.bsky.social, @benmullin, @jeremymbarr, @brianstelter, @scottsallen, @ellabrockway, @gbbranstetter.bsky.social, @chriscillizza, @jeremymbarr, @jmart, @maxwelltani, @cooperlund.online, @geoffreyfowler, @byheatherlong, @mattyglesias, @caioalmendra.bsky.social, @bykevinclark, @maxwelltani, @bradheath.bsky.social, @yjtorbati, @dylanbyers, @brendelbored.bsky.social, @jakesherman, Straight Arrow News, @stange.shakespeareinthe.pub, @tom_schad, @benjysarlin, @mattyglesias, @cfishman, @rickmaese, @peterbakernyt, @charles_lister, @danwetzel, @leveloneminiboss.bsky.social, @mlcalderone, @maxwelltani, @corbinbolies, @jstein_wapo, @mccartneywp, @davidfolkenflik, @mattzeitlin, @joonlee, @annmlipton@esq.social, @benmullin, @seungminkim, @baileyajohnson_, @sallyjenki, @rachelvand, @jasonlacanfora, @davidklion, @guinnesskebab, @guinnesskebab, @ashleyrparker, @thewillhobson, @speechboy71, @ledonneessential.bsky.social, @bruce_arthur, @danpfeiffer, @zachdcarter, @samstein, @metalshayne.bsky.social, @jackshafer, @sallyjenki, @shaneharris, @wyche89, @lpolgreen, @ishaantharoor, @jeremymbarr, @millicentsomer, @cmclymer, @melbuer.bsky.social, @jakesherman, @pjoshidc, @margarita.bsky.social, @benmullin, @davidfolkenflik, @dwaldenwrites, @ntabrizy, @sethwickersham, @neeratanden, @davidfolkenflik, @jadabird, @candacedbuckner, @benmullin, @markmaske, @mateagold, @robyndixon__, @mattyglesias, @nataliekorach, @richarddeitsch, @brandonetc, @benmullin, @frank_seravalli, @turbl.es, @tashanreed and WPXI-TV
RELATED:
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Ex-WaPo Executive Editor Marty Baron says “this ranks among the darkest days in the history of” the paper; WaPo laid off Amazon beat reporter Caroline O'Donovan — The Washington Post, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is making layoffs that will eliminate “hundreds” …
Discussion:
gofundme.com, @ceodonovan, The Hill, The Wrap, Talking Biz News, @ceodonovan, Yahoo Finance, Mediaite, Entrepreneur, @susanrinkunas.com, New Republic, @karaswisher.bsky.social, @juliaangwin.com, Lori Montgomery on LinkedIn, @drewharwell.com, @mat, Fox News, @mlcalderone, The Independent, @jeremymbarr, Jane Friedman, @reevesjw.bsky.social, @davidzipper.bsky.social, @davidfolkenflik and WBUR
Ruth Marcus / New Yorker:
How Jeff Bezos has forced WaPo into severe decline in Trump's second term, including today's mass layoffs that seem to transform it into a kind of Politico-lite — The Amazon founder bought the paper to save it. Instead, with a mass layoff, he's forced it into severe decline.
Discussion:
BY GLENN KESSLER, The Atlantic, Meidas+, IJR, Associated Press and New York Post
@washpostcomms:
WaPo Executive Editor Matt Murray says the paper will “concentrate on areas that demonstrate authority, distinctiveness, and impact” and today is “painful” — From @WashingtonPost Executive Editor @murraymatt: Dear All, As we shared in our live stream earlier, the company is taking actions today to place The Washington Post on a stronger footing and better position us in this rapidly changing era of new technologies and evolving user
Max Tani / Semafor:
Sources: WaPo Executive Editor Matt Murray says that politics and government will remain the largest desk and are central to the paper, alongside national news — The News — The Washington Post is making significant cuts in a bid to usher in the biggest strategic shift since being bought by billionaire Jeff Bezos in 2013.
Discussion:
The Guardian, The Hill, Fox News, Newsbusters, The Daily Caller, @christianham.bsky.social, @maggieastor.bsky.social and @danprimack
David Folkenflik / NPR:
An anonymous WaPo Metro staffer who was just laid off says there are now just ~12 people left on the desk, down from more than 40 — The Washington Post moved Wednesday at the behest of owner Jeff Bezos to make deep cuts to every department in the newsroom.
Discussion:
Awful Announcing, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, @simonowens.bsky.social, @craigwelch.bsky.social, @stephengaskill.bsky.social, @froomkin.bsky.social, @tcobserver12.bsky.social, @dan-sinnamon.bsky.social, @actfortransit.bsky.social, @thrasherxy.bsky.social, @thelincoln.bsky.social, @joshuasweitz.bsky.social and Blue Virginia
CNN:
Memo: Matt Murray says WaPo's international coverage is being markedly reduced, though some bureaus outside the US will maintain a “strategic overseas presence” — The Washington Post laid off about one in three employees across the company Wednesday morning …
Dan Shanoff / The Athletic:
Sources: WaPo told its ~45-person sports staff that some will be re-assigned within the newsroom, as it cuts one of the great American newspaper sports sections
Katie Robertson / New York Times:
NYT reports adding 450K digital subscribers in Q4 and 1.4M in 2025 for 12.78M in total, putting it on a pace to reach its stated goal of 15M by the end of 2027 — The company reported total revenue of $802.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2025, up 10.4 percent from a year earlier.
Discussion:
Benzinga, Cautious Optimism, The Wrap, @katie_robertson, @bmdrew73.bsky.social and Bloomberg, more at Techmeme »
RELATED:
Deadline:
At a US Senate hearing, Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos committed to a 45-day theatrical window and discussed a meeting with Trump, YouTube, residuals, and more — Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) questioned Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos over reports that he met with President Donald Trump on Nov. 24 …
Discussion:
CNN, Breitbart, Deadline, Deadline, UPI, Fox Business, BMI, Reuters, TheDesk.net, mxdwn Television, Los Angeles Times, Variety, NBC News, Bloomberg and The Daily Beast
RELATED:
Mason Leib / ABC News:
An interview with Disney's incoming CEO Josh D'Amaro and Bob Iger on the CEO transition, the company's future, including streaming and embracing AI, and more — D'Amaro talks company's future, AI and taking the reins from Iger. — Future and current CEO of The Walt Disney Company …
Discussion:
CNN, The Hollywood Reporter, Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Los Angeles Times, @mistercoat, @danielrpk, @0x_vivek, @loudmouthjulia, @loudmouthjulia, @michael_eisner, @brianstelter, @drewdisneydude, @petersciretta, @offbrandthoosie, @vashsky, @loudmouthjulia, @benfritz, @frshbakeddisney, @artwithinpod, @sherman4949, @timsweeneyepic, @smc429, @benfritz, Josh D'Amaro on Instagram, The Hollywood Reporter, Gamereactor UK, Barrett Media, Deadline, Deadline, Variety and Variety
J. Scott Trubey / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution plans to cut around 50 positions, or ~15% of its workforce, with about half of them in the newsroom, as it seeks to cut costs — The Atlanta Journal-Constitution said Tuesday it will lay off staffers in the newsroom and other segments of the business.
Discussion:
Fox Business, @joshkraushaar, @fitztrubey and @alexip718.com
Rick Porter / The Hollywood Reporter:
Nielsen: CBS' Grammy broadcast averaged 14.41M viewers, down 6% from 15.4M in 2025 and a 17.09M post-pandemic high in 2024; Disney will broadcast it from 2027 — The audience for the awards falls by about 6 percent from 2025. — The final Grammy Awards on CBS took a small ratings hit compared to the previous year.
Discussion:
Breitbart, Digital Music News and @rickporter.bsky.social
Jeff Horwitz / Reuters:
US Senators introduce the bipartisan SCAM Act, a bill requiring social media platforms to verify advertiser identities via government-issued ID or legal docs — U.S. Senators Ruben Gallego and Bernie Moreno have introduced anti-scam legislation requiring social media platforms to vet their advertisers.
Discussion:
@burgessev.bsky.social, more at Techmeme »
Erik Pedersen / Deadline:
Unionized Hearst staffers represented by the WGA East conducted half-day walkouts on Tuesday after a month of contract negotiations with management failed — Unionized staffers at Hearst Magazines are taking to the streets for half-day walkouts today after a month of contract negotiations with management has failed to reach a deal.
Ray Schultz / MediaPost:
People Inc. reports Q4 digital revenue up 14% YoY to $355M, total revenue down 2% YoY to $512M, print revenue fell 21% to $168.5M, and ad revenue up 9% to $209M — IAC's People Inc. (formerly Dotdash Meredith) had a stellar year in digital in 2025, judging by parent IAC's financial results released on Tuesday.
Discussion:
Proactive, A Media Operator and IAC
Mark Stenberg / Adweek:
Memo: Bloomberg Media now has 707,000 paying subscribers, reports revenue up 6% YoY, subscriptions revenue up 10%, and advertising and sponsorship revenue up 5% — According to a memo obtained by ADWEEK, the publisher posted gains across subscriptions, advertising, and live events.
Discussion:
Talking Biz News
Sam Bradley / Digiday:
Lego is building up an in-house programmatic media buying team and hiring programmatic staff in the US and Denmark, part of a trend of companies going in-house — Lego is building up an in-house programmatic media buying team and hiring programmatic experts in the United States and Denmark.
Discussion:
@dannygroner.bsky.social
Max Tani / @maxwelltani:
Email: Matt Murray says WaPo's organic search fell by 50% in three years, daily story output fell substantially, and “we often write from one perspective” — Notable bits from this email: - WaPo search has declined by half in three years - Daily story output has “substantially fallen” in the last five years - Murray argues: “we too often write from one perspective, for one slice of the audience.”
Discussion:
The Information and @kalihays.bsky.social
