Top News:
Alyssa Ray / The Wrap:
The NYT defends Nicholas Kristof's op-ed “The Silence That Meets the Rape of Palestinians”, calling it “deeply reported”, after Israeli government criticism — “Details were extensively fact-checked, with accounts further cross-referenced with news reporting …
Discussion:
New York Times, Al Jazeera, Mediaite, @nytimespr, @nickkristof, The Forward, twitchy.com, Algemeiner.com, @israelmfa, RedState, HotAir, Zeteo, The Daily Signal, @israelmfa, Washington Examiner, @sturgeons_law, @davidharsanyi, @redsteeze, @noahpollak, @chuckrossdc, @scottjenningsky, @salhachimi, @ryangrim, @infinite_jaz, @waltersobchaksr, @maxblumenthal, @noahpollak, @paulskallas, @susanabulhawa, @bonchieredstate, @ratlpolicy, @aaronjmate, @amasad, @havivrettiggur, @elikowaz, @redsteeze, @leibowitzadak, @zaidjilani, Fox News, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Newsbusters and U.S. Home
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The Guardian:
Israel threatens to sue the NYT for defamation over the article on sexual abuse of Palestinian prisoners but the legal viability of the lawsuit is in doubt — Media law experts cast doubt on viability of a defamation lawsuit promised by Netanyahu over Nicholas Kristof essay
Discussion:
@israelmfa, @netanyahu, @jillfilipovic, Straight Arrow News, Truthout, @etanetan23, @adamsteinbaugh, The Washington Free Beacon, Zeteo, The Free Press, CBS News, @patrickodonne11, @rvawonk, @scalzi.com, @jeremymbarr, Washington Times, @etanetan23, Newsbusters, The Daily Wire, New York Sun, MS NOW, The Hollywood Reporter, Townhall, RedState, Financial Times, Breitbart, The Hill, Boing Boing, Asia Times, The Gateway Pundit, Jewish Insider, Reuters, New York Post, Haaretz and The Wrap
Angela Fu / Poynter:
Indiegraf acquires News Revenue Hub's donation management tool RevEngine, its third acquisition in three months after Hearken and Stylebot — Indiegraf, known for its content management system, has made acquisitions a part of its strategy to help promote newsroom independence
Discussion:
Mary Walter-Brown on LinkedIn
Axios:
Sources: Paramount is weighing expanding its podcast business into distribution and has had talks with Katie Miller, the Paragon Collective, and Jubilee Media — Paramount is evaluating a potential distribution deal with Katie Miller as it considers expanding its podcast business beyond creative …
Discussion:
Business Insider, @aidnmclaughlin, Raw Story, @drewharwell, Mediaweek and Washington Examiner
Janko Roettgers / The Verge:
Job listings indicate Netflix has been building an internal studio called INKUbator that aims to use AI to produce short-form animated content — The newly formed unit is staffing up to produce ‘feature-quality content’ with generative AI. … Netflix has been building …
Discussion:
Engadget, AR Insider, TVBEurope, TVREV, Android Authority, Tech Times, Digital Trends, Animation Magazine and Sherwood News
Brian Steinberg / Variety:
Sources: Disney has sold more than 10 Super Bowl ad slots of 30 seconds for around $9M each, after sources said it was seeking $10M from advertisers — Mickey Mouse may have to execute some tricky plays in a quest for Super Bowl cheddar. … Disney has sold more than 10 30-second ad slots …
Discussion:
Awful Announcing, Sports Business Journal, The Drum, Marketing Brew and Barrett Media
Isabella Simonetti / Wall Street Journal:
Versant reports Q1 revenue down ~1% to $1.69B, net income down 22% to $286M, pay-TV distributor revenue down 7.3% to 1.01B, and platforms revenue up 9% to $192M — Company beats Wall Street expectations in its second earnings report since Comcast spinoff — Versant Media Group reported lower revenue …
Discussion:
TheDesk.net, Forbes, Media Play News, Benzinga, Cord Cutters News, CNBC, The Wrap, Reuters and Variety
Katie Kilkenny / The Hollywood Reporter:
BET partners with microdrama company aTwist, formerly known as Microco, to develop and distribute the latter's series across linear and digital platforms — The Paramount brand inks a deal with the startup firm from Hollywood vets Jana Winograde, Susan Rovner and Lloyd Braun.
Discussion:
The Wrap, Media Play News and C21Media
Elisa Shearer / Pew Research Center:
When asked what it means to be a good news consumer, 20% of US adults mention being discerning, 17% following the news, 13% getting news from quality sources — The Pew-Knight Initiative supports new research on how Americans absorb civic information, form beliefs and identities, and engage in their communities.
Discussion:
American Press Institute
Todd Spangler / Variety:
A look at Matthew McConaughey's novel legal strategy to fight unauthorized AI use of his image, which involves trademarking video and audio clips of him — The actor has secured trademarks covering his persona, hoping to deter unauthorized AI use. Will it make a difference?
Discussion:
@kennysmith.org
Erik Hayden / The Hollywood Reporter:
Q&A with Byron Allen on his plan to place BuzzFeed and HuffPost content on his AVOD service, Local Now, and his plan to buy Starz, in which he has an 11% stake — The mogul went to the bargain bin to snap up a Millennial media brand. That's just one part of his plan.
Discussion:
Bloomberg, Variety, New York Magazine, TheDesk.net, The A.V. Club and Puck
Kyle Chayka / New Yorker:
A look at neighborhood newsletters in NY and elsewhere, which tend to be solo operations with small-scale followings, but point to a desire for local media — Local newsletters from the “Boerum Bulletin” in Brooklyn to “The Eastside Rag” in L.A. are providing a sense of community that's missing from our algorithmic feeds.
Discussion:
@hamishmckenzie and @caseymlewis
Joel Hills / ITV News:
Sources: a Sky-ITV merger deal could be reached within weeks; ITV would split in two, with Sky acquiring its TV channels and ITVX streaming service — Sky and ITV are closing in on a deal that would pave the way for the TV and telecoms operator to take over the UK's most-watched free …
Discussion:
@itvjoel, @paulosbourne, @thetvroom.com, @peternimmo.bsky.social and The Independent
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Max Goldbart / Deadline:
ITV says it remains in “active discussions” with Sky over a sale of its M&E business, and reports Q1 revenue flat YoY to £877M and Studios up 4% YoY to £400M
Discussion:
Reuters, Advanced Television, Broadband TV News, The Independent, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters and TVBEurope
Zac Hall / 9to5Mac:
Spotify says it will adopt Apple's HTTP Live Streaming tech for video podcasts later in 2026, helping creators distribute podcasts on Apple Podcasts and Spotify — Spotify is making two video podcast announcements today, including one related to Apple's big video podcast enhancement.
Discussion:
Spotify for Creators, iPhone in Canada and The Mac Observer, more at Techmeme »
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