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:
gofundme.com, @maxtani.bsky.social, New Republic, The Guardian, Forbes, Poynter, @maxwelltani, @barrysvrluga, Awful Announcing, @gerryshih, @ngreenberg, Gizmodo, Joah Spearman on LinkedIn, Publishers Weekly, @lizziejohnsonnn, Aftermath, Press Gazette, @postguild, Politico, Abubakar Idris on LinkedIn, twitchy.com, Baller Alert, Feed Me, @jacob_brogan, @sadiemaetn.bsky.social, HotAir, @Wen@mastodon.scot, The Ankler, @sabrinamalhi, @lahoare.bsky.social, @nicoleasbury, The Hill, Ace of Spades HQ, Fast Company, Le Monde, MLive.com, Bloomberg, The Washington Free Beacon, @cairo_claire1, The Kyiv Independent, @mikemillerdc, Washington Times, @rmac18, @jeremymbarr, @brianstelter, @scottsallen, @catebrown12, @davidfolkenflik, Nina Melendez Ibarra on LinkedIn, @ellabrockway, @gbbranstetter.bsky.social, @jacquep.bsky.social, @jeremymbarr, @senwarren, @chriscillizza, @curious_kurz, @jeremymbarr, @jmart, @maxwelltani, @cooperlund.online, @sarafischer, @ryanlcooper.com, @geoffreyfowler, @joemenn.bsky.social, @byheatherlong, @mattyglesias, @caioalmendra.bsky.social, @bykevinclark, @maxwelltani, @benmullin.bsky.social, @bradheath.bsky.social, The Post Millennial, @yjtorbati, @dylanbyers, @aliceallonym.bsky.social, @edmundlee.bsky.social, @brendelbored.bsky.social, @jakesherman, Straight Arrow News, @stange.shakespeareinthe.pub, @tom_schad, @benjysarlin, @mattyglesias, @cfishman, @ishaantharoor, @drewharwell, @rickmaese, The Gateway Pundit, @peterbakernyt, @charles_lister, @danwetzel, @pranshuverma_, @jeremymbarr, Jason Skog on LinkedIn, @leveloneminiboss.bsky.social, @mlcalderone, @maxwelltani, To the Contrary, @corbinbolies, @jeremymbarr, @jstein_wapo, @mccartneywp, @davidfolkenflik, @jeremymbarr, @mattzeitlin, @jeremymbarr, @joonlee, @annmlipton@esq.social, @benmullin, @seungminkim, @peterbakernyt, @baileyajohnson_, @bencjacobs, @sallyjenki, @susanrinkunas.com, @davidfolkenflik, @rachelvand, @hshaban, @jasonlacanfora, @ryanlcooper.com, @fluffykontbiscuits …, @davidklion, @guinnesskebab, @guinnesskebab, @marissa_jae, @ashleyrparker, @thewillhobson, @speechboy71, @ledonneessential.bsky.social, @bruce_arthur, @danpfeiffer, @migold, @zachdcarter, @samstein, @ceodonovan, @metalshayne.bsky.social, @jeremymbarr, @jackshafer, @sallyjenki, @shaneharris, @wyche89, @benstandig, New York Post, @laurahelmuth.bsky.social, @lpolgreen, @ishaantharoor, No More Mister Nice Blog, @jeremymbarr, @maxwelltani, @quentinaries.bsky.social, @jeremymbarr, @millicentsomer, @cmclymer, @jerrybrewer, @melbuer.bsky.social, @jesusrodriguezb, @jakesherman, @pjoshidc, @taylorlorenz, @margarita.bsky.social, @benmullin, @davidfolkenflik, @jeremymbarr, @sjvn@mastodon.social, @tiredgenerally.bsky.social, @brianstelter, @benmullin, @dwaldenwrites, @davidfolkenflik, @ntabrizy, @jeremymbarr, @sethwickersham, @neeratanden, @charlesarthur, @leadergrev, @davidfolkenflik, @jadabird, @candacedbuckner, @benmullin, @markmaske, @hshaban, @mateagold, @robyndixon__, @mattyglesias, @nataliekorach, @richarddeitsch, @davidfolkenflik, @brandonetc, @mikeisaac, @benmullin, @frank_seravalli, @jackshafer, @smekhennet, @petertl.bsky.social, @turbl.es, @tashanreed and @timbontemps
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:
The Guardian, Associated Press, @ceodonovan, Talking Biz News, Business Insider, The Independent, The Hill, Joseph Menn on LinkedIn, Miriam Smallman on LinkedIn, @nhannahjones.bsky.social, @nhannahjones.bsky.social, Salon, GeekWire, @viacristiano.bsky.social, @alissawilkinson.bsky.social, @kateconger.com, The 51st, @jeremymbarr, @heidireinberg.bsky.social, Washington Times, Yahoo Finance, New Republic, Entrepreneur, @reevesjw.bsky.social, @noahshachtman.bsky.social, @harrisondsmith.bsky.social, @laurenkaorigurley.bsky.social, @karaswisher.bsky.social, @anoraker.com, @ceodonovan, @davidakaye.bsky.social, @drewharwell.com, Daniel Wolfe on LinkedIn, @davidzipper.bsky.social, @davidfolkenflik, @tierneymaps.bsky.social, @raphae.li, @mlcalderone, Lori Montgomery on LinkedIn, @timrecuber.bsky.social, @juliaangwin.com, @kensweet, @sifu.tweety.fish, @mat, @sadbumblebee.buzz and @justinbaragona.bsky.social
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, @gonebabygone.bsky.social, Techdirt, @gonebabygone.bsky.social, @csammells.bsky.social, Breitbart, The Nation, @nitashatiku, Associated Press, @lunaluvgood2020.bsky.social, @denk_tweets, @jkavanagh.bsky.social, @timothynoah.bsky.social, @susanrinkunas.com, @brianpjcronin.bsky.social, Meidas+ and @susanrinkunas.com
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:
ARLnow, Media Nation, LinkedIn News, @scalzi.com, John Goodman on LinkedIn, Yahoo Finance, @actfortransit.bsky.social, @leahmcelrath.bsky.social, @simonowens.bsky.social, Business Insider, @thrasherxy.bsky.social, @drzilwhite.bsky.social, @tcobserver12.bsky.social, @thelincoln.bsky.social, @froomkin.bsky.social, @victoriastrauss.com, @joshuasweitz.bsky.social, @craigwelch.bsky.social, @stephengaskill.bsky.social and @dan-sinnamon.bsky.social
Ashley Parker / The Atlantic:
With the WaPo layoffs, we're seeing a business and leadership failure, and the death of a newspaper where the actual journalism still stands strong — Today's layoffs are the latest attempt to kill what makes the paper special. — We're witnessing a murder.
Discussion:
Al Jazeera, NextDraft, The Wrap, @wuwei2024.bsky.social, Puck, @markjacob.bsky.social, @markleibovich, @peterbakernyt.bsky.social, @jenduende.bsky.social, The Independent, @calscherm.bsky.social, @bgrueskin.bsky.social, @randalljstephens.bsky.social, @67rn.bsky.social, @adriennelaf.bsky.social, @jbz@indieweb.social and @teddyamen.bsky.social
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
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
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
@washpostcomms:
WaPo Executive Editor Matt Murray says the paper will “concentrate on areas that demonstrate authority, distinctiveness, and impact” and today is “painful”
WaPo Executive Editor Matt Murray says the paper will “concentrate on areas that demonstrate authority, distinctiveness, and impact” and today is “painful”
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”
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”
Discussion:
@kalihays.bsky.social
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:
Plain Dealer, Benzinga, @katie_robertson, Cautious Optimism, The Wrap and @bmdrew73.bsky.social, more at Techmeme »
RELATED:
Jonathan Vanian / CNBC:
Snap reports Q4 revenue up 10% YoY to $1.72B, vs. $1.7B est., DAUs up 5% to 474M, vs. 478M est., and announces a $500M share buyback; SNAP jumps 7%+ after hours — Snap shares were up over 5 percent in after-hours trading on Wednesday after the Snapchat-parent released fourth-quarter earnings that beat on sales.
Discussion:
Barron's Online and Snap Inc.
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Alphabet reports YouTube's Q4 ad revenue rose 9% YoY to $11.38B, vs. $11.84B est., and YouTube's annual revenue surpassed $60B across ads and subscriptions — YouTube continues to vacuum up digital advertising dollars, mostly at the expense of traditional TV ad budgets …
Discussion:
The Wrap, Benzinga, Cord Cutters News, Alphabet Inc. and Search Engine Roundtable, more at Techmeme »
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, Atlanta Business Journal, @joshkraushaar, @fitztrubey and @alexip718.com
Katie Campione / Deadline:
In statements to the US Senate antitrust subcommittee, the DGA, PGA, and WGA raise concerns over the WBD sale amid hearings about Netflix's pending acquisition — As Ted Sarandos endured hours of questioning from the Senate Judiciary antitrust subcommittee about Netflix's pending acquisition …
Discussion:
The Wrap
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
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
Discussion:
Ars Technica, Barron's Online, CNN, Breitbart, Deadline, Deadline, UPI, Reuters, Los Angeles Times, Variety, NBC News, Bloomberg and The Daily Beast
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:
Engadget, Blockonomi and @burgessev.bsky.social, more at Techmeme »
Jennifer Maas / Variety:
Ad tech company Consumable acquires Radio.com and Mark Cuban's Fireside platform and plans to develop a streaming platform to help creators deepen audience ties — The Radio.com and Fireside acquisition by Consumable, financial details of which were not disclosed, will see the combined assets become …
Discussion:
Digital Music News
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, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, The Movie Blog, Los Angeles Times, @mistercoat, @danielrpk, @0x_vivek, @loudmouthjulia, @loudmouthjulia, @michael_eisner, @brianstelter, @drewdisneydude, @petersciretta, @offbrandthoosie, Fortune, @vashsky, @loudmouthjulia, @benfritz, @frshbakeddisney, @artwithinpod, @sherman4949, @timsweeneyepic, @smc429, @benfritz, Wall Street Journal, Josh D'Amaro on Instagram, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, Deadline, Variety and Variety
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 and @rickporter.bsky.social
New York Times:
Sources: the NFL is set to open negotiations to revise its broadcast and streaming contracts in the coming months despite a $120B deal that runs to the 2030s — The league is so important to the business of media companies that they are likely to have little choice but to agree to renegotiations.
Discussion:
TV Tech, Sports Business Journal and Chicago Tribune
