Top News:
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Comcast plans to spin off its media and entertainment assets, including NBCUniversal and Sky, into a new publicly traded entity, set to close by mid-2027 — Comcast, just months after shedding most of its cable TV business into Versant Media, is now again cleaving itself into two separate companies …
Discussion:
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Todd Spangler / Variety:
Mike Cavanagh will become NBCU CEO after the spin off; Comcast co-CEO Brian Roberts says the separation is not designed to pursue M&A deals; CMCSA jumps 9%+ — Now it's unwinding the media business from the broadband and TV pipes, planning to spin off NBCU and Sky into a stand-alone entity.
Amy Thomson / Bloomberg:
Comcast says NBCUniversal will hold theme parks, Universal studios, NBC, Telemundo, Peacock, Bravo, and Sky; Comcast will hold broadband, wireless, and cable — Comcast Corp. said it plans to split its media and technology businesses, spinning off NBCUniversal and Sky into a separate publicly traded company.
New York Times:
Sources: CNN CEO Mark Thompson told Paramount he would not share oversight of CNN with another exec, as David Ellison weighs whether to put Bari Weiss in charge — The tech scion David Ellison is close to completing a merger that would put the legacy broadcaster and the 24-hour cable news network under the same roof.
Discussion:
New York Post, The Nation, Poynter, RADAR, TV Insider, @benmullin, @mikeisaac, @dylanbyers, @josephwulfsohn, The Wrap, The Hollywood Reporter, Mediaite, Mediaite, RADAR, Mediaite, Raw Story and The A.V. Club
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Michael Savage / The Guardian:
Sources: BBC told Radio 4's Today staff that social and digital platforms were now the top priority for correspondents, effectively deprioritising TV and radio — Staff at Radio 4 show, which has 5 million listeners, told making content for likes of TikTok will take precedence for correspondents
Greg Stohr / Bloomberg:
The Supreme Court rejects Alan Dershowitz's bid to revive a defamation suit accusing CNN of mischaracterizing his remarks during Trump's first impeachment trial — Controversial lawyer Alan Dershowitz lost a US Supreme Court bid to revive a defamation suit accusing CNN of mischaracterizing remarks …
Discussion:
Deadline, Associated Press, CBS News, The Hill, The Independent, MS NOW, @brianstelter and Mediaite
Dan Mangan / CNBC:
SCOTUS rejects President Trump's bid to appeal a New York federal court jury's $5M verdict that found he sexually abused and defamed E. Jean Carroll — The Supreme Court on Monday said it would not hear an appeal by President Donald Trump of a New York federal court jury's verdict awarding …
Discussion:
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The Intercept:
The KIDS Act, set for a US House vote as early as next week, could eliminate online anonymity, raising the risk for journalists, dissidents, and whistleblowers — Democrats and Republicans in Congress have struck a deal on a bill they say will help keep children and teens safe online.
Discussion:
The Wizard House
Emily Dreyfuss / The San Francisco Standard:
An interview with Brian Stelter about the Murdoch family's moves to boost their political influence in California, including the launch of the California Post — There's an old rule in journalism: One occurrence is likely a fluke; two may be a coincidence. But three? Three's a story.
Ben Fritz / Wall Street Journal:
Rentrak: total US Box Office sales so far in 2026 are ~$4.46B, the highest since 2019 and above 2025's $3.91B; EntTelligence says tickets sold are up 7% to 312M — A boom year was accelerated by a franchise-best opening weekend for Disney's ‘Toy Story 5’ — Chris Randleman is feeling excited …
Discussion:
@philthepill.online and Ben Fritz on LinkedIn
Scharon Harding / Ars Technica:
Streaming services must comply with a California law that bans playing ads louder than the content being watched from July 1, but its implementation is unclear — On July 1, it will be illegal for streaming platforms to play ads louder than the content being watched in California.
Lucas Shaw / Bloomberg:
A look at AI's potential for animation as Hollywood stays cautious; some animators expect better, not cheaper, films, while others see costs falling 30% to 90% — Some animators believe AI will make films better. Others believe it will bring costs down. — Good afternoon from Los Angeles.
Discussion:
@dannygroner.bsky.social and Semafor
