Top News:
Sara Fischer / Axios:
Document: The Guardian US reports FY 2026 revenue up 25% YoY to a record $81M and profit up 41% to $34.5M; digital reader donations make up 70.7% of revenue — - Digital reader donations make up most (70.7%) of the annual revenues for The Guardian U.S., according to the presentation.
Discussion:
@jeffjarvis.bsky.social and Steve Sachs on LinkedIn
New Jersey Online:
Donald Newhouse, who inherited a media empire, led Advance Publications' newspaper and cable TV divisions, and was Newark Star-Ledger president, dies at 96 — Donald E. Newhouse, who as President of The Star-Ledger and head of Advance Publications' newspaper group presided over a prolonged period …
Discussion:
TVNewsCheck, Vogue, New York Times, Gigi Cohen on LinkedIn, Newhouse School …, Newser, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The Wrap, BuzzMachine and New Jersey Globe
Michael Sainato / The Guardian:
The US OPM releases a draft NDA for federal workers to prevent leaks to journalists; the government would be entitled to all “royalties” received from leaks — The OPM released a draft NDA designed for federal agencies to use with new and existing employees
Discussion:
Washington Post, The Wrap, Mother Jones, WJBK-TV, Associated Press, @beyerstein.bsky.social, Poynter, @impactofficer.bsky.social, Can We Still Govern?, Reality Tea, @dwilliams1210.com, @freedomofpress, New York Times, NewsMax.com, Vox, GovExec.com, CNN, Federal News Network, @jan6risingvoice.bsky.social, NBC News, @justiceconnection.bsky.social, NPR, NOTUS, ABA Banking Journal, Washington Examiner, Al Jazeera, UPI, CBS News, Time, HuffPost, @justinhendrix.bsky.social, @wedefendthevote.org, @socialmedialab.ca, @karlauerbach@sfba.social, Baller Alert, @justinbaragona.bsky.social, Courthouse News Service, Politico, @elfsternberg.bsky.social, Raw Story, Bloomberg, @jcbua.bsky.social, @fightingliberal.bsky.social, @kylegriffin1.bsky.social, @hellishchildren.bsky.social, @kimmasters.bsky.social, MS NOW, Mediaite, @bcfinucane.bsky.social, @michaelsderby.bsky.social, @robertscotthorton.bsky.social, @Nonilex@masto.ai, The Hill and New Republic
Liz Hoffman / Semafor:
Sources: US DOJ antitrust regulators appear ready to approve Paramount's $110B WBD takeover after a two-hour meeting Tuesday; DOJ staff grilled David Ellison — The Scoop — US antitrust regulators appear ready to approve Paramount's $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery …
Charlotte Tobitt / Press Gazette:
The Economist says President Luke Bradley-Jones will become group CEO on August 1, as Lara Boro steps down after seven years; he became president in 2024 — Lara Boro steps down after seven years leading The Economist Group. — The Economist president Luke Bradley-Jones …
Brian Steinberg / Variety:
Nielsen: Tony Dokoupil's CBS Evening News averaged 4M+ viewers and 605K in the 25-54 demographic for the week ending May 22, the show's best ratings in weeks — Tony Dokoupil is pushing back. — The “CBS Evening News” anchor, who has been under intense scrutiny since taking the role in early January …
Discussion:
The Wrap
Axios:
Sources: Bond Capital is leading a new investment for AI startup Suno, which would value it at ~$5B, up from $2.45B last fall; Suno is expected to raise $250M+ — Bond Capital is leading a new investment for AI music startup Suno, which would be valued at around $5 billion, Axios Pro has learned.
Todd Spangler / Variety:
YouTube makes its AI content labels more prominent on desktop and mobile, and will apply them automatically if it detects “significant photorealistic AI use” — Is that YouTube video clip you're watching real or was it made with AI? — YouTube wants to make it easier for viewers …
Bloomberg:
Bolloré, UMG's largest shareholder, says Bill Ackman's UMG offer undervalues UMG and it should reject the bid; the deal needs two-thirds shareholder approval — Bolloré SE's chief executive officer said billionaire Bill Ackman's offer for Universal Music Group NV undervalues the record label.
Discussion:
Billboard, Financial Times, Dow Jones Newswires, Forbes, Reuters, @lucas_shaw, The Next Web, Deadline, Music Business Worldwide, Music Ally and The Independent
Amanda Meade / The Guardian:
ABC Director of News Justin Stevens is leaving effective immediately after 19 years with the Australian broadcaster, including four years managing ~2,000 staff — Managing director Hugh Marks says Stevens made ‘incredible commitment’ to broadcaster over 19 years
Discussion:
ABC, Mediaweek, Sydney Morning Herald, TV Blackbox, Variety and Mumbrella
Alexandra Heal / Financial Times:
Sources: software-specialist PE firm Hg agrees to acquire Rightsline, whose software helps Disney, the BBC, WBD, and others manage IP licensing, for $500M — Acquisition of rights and royalties management company for $500mn comes after plunge in software stocks
Discussion:
Ventureburn
Max Tani / Semafor:
A 2023 California law that requires creators to disclose payments for political ads reveals how paid influencers have radically changed political communication — On May 15, the Instagram gossip hub The Shade Room shared a lengthy post to its 28 million followers on Instagram promoting …
Discussion:
@mattgertz.bsky.social, Sacramento Bee, @shoe.bsky.social, @karlbode.com, Washington Examiner and New York Post
