Google TV rolls out Freeplay as a new home for its free, ad-supported TV channels, which grew to 150, up from 80 in early 2023 (Ben Schoon/9to5Google)

Mediagazer: Google TV rolls out Freeplay as a new home for its free, ad-supported TV channels, which grew to 150, up from 80 in early 2023 (Ben Schoon/9to5Google)

Top News:

CNBC:

Disney and DirecTV reach an agreement that will bring Disney's ESPN and other channels back to the pay-tv provider's customers after a roughly two week blackout— DirecTV and Disney have reached a deal that will bring Disney's ESPN and other channels back to the pay-tv provider's customers after a roughly two week blackout.
Discussion:

Katina Arnold /
ESPN Press Room U.S.: DIRECTV and The Walt Disney Company Reach Agreement in Principle for Distribution of Disney's Linear Networks and Direct-to-Consumer Services

Benjamin Mullin /
New York Times: Disney and DirecTV Reach Deal, Ending ESPN Blackout

Anthony Crupi /
Sportico: DirecTV, Disney Reach Carriage Deal, End 2-Week Blackout

Matthew Keys /
The Desk: Tentative deal brings Disney-owned ABC, ESPN back to DirecTV

Ben Mullin /
@benmullin: News: Disney and DirecTV have reached a deal. Our long national nightmare is over

Sara Fischer /
@sarafischer: NEW: Disney, DirecTV reach in-principle deal to end TV blackout day before @abc slated to host Emmys — Deal gives DirecTV customers access to Disney's streaming services — DirecTV gets rights to distribute Disney's upcoming ESPN DTC service Flagship https://www.axios.com/...

Todd Spangler /
Variety: Disney, DirecTV Reach Deal Ending Two-Week Blackout of ESPN, ABC; Agreement Encompasses New Streaming Options

John Ourand /
@ourand_puck: Official DirecTV-Disney release just went out. Disney nets will be back up on the service for the first kickoff today.

Matthew Keys /
@matthewkeyslive: DirecTV won't say whether its tentative deal with Disney includes an agreement that DirecTV will no longer describe Disney's bundling arrangements as anticompetitive. Executives had previously criticized that proposal. https://thedesk.net/... $DIS $T

John Ourand /
@ourand_puck: Importantly: DirecTV will distribute ESPN flagship direct-to-consumer service when it launches “at no additional cost to DirecTV customers.”

Matthew Keys /
@matthewkeyslive: The deal is done. ABC and ESPN have returned to DirecTV and U-Verse.

Sara Fischer /
Axios: Disney, DirecTV reach deal to end TV blackout

John Ourand /
@ourand_puck: Deal points listed in the release: * ABC, ESPN networks, Disney channels, Freeform, FX networks and NatGeo channels will return to DirecTV. * DirecTV will offer “multiple” skinny bundles: sports, entertainment, kids & family, plus Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+.

Daniel Frankel /
Next TV: DirecTV Says Its Subscriber Losses During the Ongoing Disney Blackout Are ‘Not Immaterial’

Lucas Manfredi /
The Wrap: DirecTV Says Subscriber Losses During Disney Carriage Dispute Are Short-Term but ‘Not Immaterial’

Jill Goldsmith /
Deadline: DirecTV Customer Defections Not “Immaterial” Exec Says Amid Disney Blackout - “The Annoyance Factor Is Very High”

RELATED:

Bloomberg:

Sources: DirecTV is in talks with Dish for a merger, which could create the largest pay-TV provider in the US with about 20M subscribers— - On-again, off-again efforts date back more than two decades — DirecTV-Dish merger would create largest US pay-TV distributor

Discussion:

Anirban Sen /
Reuters: US satellite-TV providers DirecTV and Dish are in talks to merge again, source says

Michelle F. Davis /
@michellef_davis: friday night scoop: AT&T and TPG are in talks to combine their DirecTV service with Dish, sources say, in a long-talked-about deal that could create the largest pay-TV provider in the US. $SATS $T $TPG they say deals always come back around... https://www.bloomberg.com/...

Luke Bouma /
Cord Cutters News: DIRECTV & Dish Are In Early Talks to Merge @bsdtectr.bsky.social: Dish is still around? — Didn't they talk about doing this some years ago? Didn't. [embedded post]

Politico:

The US State Department says Russia's RT is operating a military procurement network to supply Russian forces and is growing global covert influence operations— The state-backed media outlet has been sending weapons to Russian units, including sniper rifles and suppressors, body armor …

Discussion:
CNN: Biden administration expected to unveil new evidence of RT's key role in Russian intelligence operations globally @rt_com: Blinken: ‘RT possesses cyber capabilities’ Cyber capabilities in question: MEMES Follow us to enjoy the full range of our capabilities! [video] @tatatfender: Biden admin is to announce a major effort to blunt the global influence of RT & expose russian state media network's key role in the Kremlin's global intel & influence ops https://www.cnn.com/...

Peter Jukes /
@peterjukes: 👀A key finding from the new US intelligence is that, for more than a year, the Russian government has quietly embedded an intelligence-gathering unit within RT that is focused on influence operations globally 👀 https://www.cnn.com/...

Joseph Gedeon /
@jgedeon1: RT has evolved from a Kremlin-linked outlet to secretly supplying Russian forces in Ukraine with weapons - including sniper rifles, body armor, and drones - using a crowdfunding platform + now has a cyber apparatus, according to the State Department https://www.politico.com/...

Dave Troy /
@davetroy: Folks really need to understand that the Russian state uses any tools available to project power into the West, and the rest of the world.

Zach Edwards /
@thezedwards: There are over 1k accountIDs in the RT ads.txt file — and while ~300 of these have already seen their corresponding sellers.json records removed, dozens of major ad tech brands still partner with RT and are sending them money that supports these intelligence operations. 🛑🛑🛑💸

Rob Fardon /
@robfardon: No one interested in this issue could be surprised by this in general, but (i), this will help spread awareness, and, (ii), the details always matter

Julia Davis /
@juliadavisnews: The State Department will reveal declassified US intelligence findings that suggest RT is fully integrated into Russia's intelligence operations around the world. https://www.cnn.com/...

Julia Davis /
@juliadavisnews: For more than a year, the Russian government has quietly embedded an intelligence-gathering unit within RT that is focused on influence operations globally. The activity goes beyond propaganda and covert influence operations. https://x.com/...

Nina Lloyd /
London Evening Standard: UK joins US in accusing Russian state media of ‘covert’ interference @erosalie@infosec.exchange: Biden administration unveils new evidence of RT's key role in Russian intelligence operations globally. Declassified US intel shows RT is integrated into Russia's global spy operations. — https://www.cnn.com/... 1/6 @rvps2001@mastodon.social: 🇺🇲 🇷🇺 The Biden administration is expected on Friday to announce a major effort to blunt the global influence of RT and expose what it says is the Russian state media network's key role in the Kremlin's global intelligence and influence operations. — https://www.cnn.com/... …

RELATED:
Associated Press:

The US State Department announces new sanctions on Russian state media and their leaders, including RT parent TV-Novosti and a related group, Rossiya Segodnya— The U.S. State Department announced new sanctions on Russian state media Friday, accusing a Kremlin news outlet of working hand …

Discussion:
@sputnikint, Voice of America, The Desk, The Guardian, New York Post, Reuters, @cdarwin@c.im, New York Times, @markmetz@sfba.social and Boing Boing

Discussion:
@sputnikint: Margarita Simonyan responded to new US sanctions against RT, saying she hasn't lived in vain. The US State department complained that “one of the reasons Ukraine doesn't have as much support in other countries is because of RT,” said the editor-in-chief of Rossiya Segodnya, [image]

Matthew Keys /
The Desk: State Department imposes more sanctions tied to Russia's RT

Caitlin Doornbos /
New York Post: Russian propaganda outlet RT behind crowdfunding campaign for Moscow's troops in Ukraine: State Department

Chuck Darwin /
@cdarwin@c.im: The U.S. State Department announced new #sanctions on #Russian #state #media Friday, — accusing a Kremlin news outlet of working hand-in-hand with the Russian military and running #fundraising campaigns to pay for sniper rifles, body armor and other equipment for soldiers fighting in Ukraine. … @markmetz@sfba.social: “RT has also created websites posing as legitimate news sites to spread disinformation and propaganda in Europe, Africa and elsewhere, officials said. They say the outlet has also expanded its use of cyber operations with a new unit with ties to Russian intelligence.” — https://apnews.com/...

Jason Weisberger /
Boing Boing: Anticipated intelligence report on RTs influence campaigns

Financial Times:

Sources: Mathias Döpfner and KKR near a deal to split up Axel Springer, valuing the company at €13.5B; KKR would get control of the €10B+ classifieds business— Agreement to be discussed next week could cement Mathias Döpfner's control over media outlets Politico and Bild

Discussion:

Lauren Irwin /
The Hill: Axel Springer, KKR near $13.5 billion break-up deal

Susanne Barton /
Fortune: Media giant Axel Springer reportedly near deal with KKR to split up @hrreisen: “A deal would enable #Döpfner, who has served as CEO since 2002, to cement his control over the company's media outlets.” Will Döpfner turn #Bild and #Welt even wilder? https://www.ft.com/...

Bloomberg:

Sources: Netflix is in talks with BuzzFeed to stream Hot Ones, to add to its live lineup; Sean Evans would host several live episodes specifically for Netflix— - Streaming company holds talks with show owner BuzzFeed — Program would add to lineup of live fare, including NFL, WWE

Discussion:
Forbes, TechCrunch, TV Insider, Variety, @daveleebbg@threads.net, AV Club, The Wrap, The Hollywood Reporter, TVNewsCheck, The Verge and Decider

Discussion:

Ethan Shanfeld /
Variety: Netflix in Talks to Air ‘Hot Ones’ Live Shows

William Hughes /
AV Club: Netflix reportedly wants to get a bite of Hot Ones

Ethan Shanfeld /
TVNewsCheck: Netflix In Talks To Air ‘Hot Ones’ Live Shows

Jay Peters /
The Verge: Netflix wants to stream live episodes of Hot Ones

9to5Google:

Google TV rolls out Freeplay as a new home for its free, ad-supported TV channels, which grew to 150, up from 80 in early 2023— After adding a few more new channels recently, Google TV has started rolling out “Freeplay” as a new home for its free, ad-supported TV channels.

Discussion:
Neowin, Android Authority, TechRadar, Android Police, Gizchina.com, SamMobile, The Verge and BGR

Discussion:

Sagar Naresh Bhavsar /
Neowin: The free, ad supported ‘Fast’ TV channels on your Google TV are now called ‘Freeplay’

Mark Wilson /
TechRadar: Google TV hits new mark of 150 free channels as the TV Streamer prepares for lift-off

Karandeep Singh Oberoi /
Android Police: Google TV's FAST channels finally have a proper name

Abid Ahsan Shanto /
Gizchina.com: Google TV Expands Free Channel Offerings with FreePlay

Abid Iqbal Shaik /
SamMobile: Samsung TV Plus competitor from Google is now called Google TV Freeplay

Jacob Siegal /
BGR: Google TV Freeplay now offers over 150 live TV channels for free

Nieman Lab:

Q&A with Ken Doctor, the news industry analyst who founded Lookout, on its Santa Cruz newsroom in California, expansion into Oregon, revenue streams, and more— After finding success — and a Pulitzer Prize — in Santa Cruz, Lookout aims to replicate its model in Oregon.

Discussion:
@sarahscire and @jbenton

Discussion:

Sarah Scire /
@sarahscire: “All of these playbooks are at least partially written. You sometimes hear people say, 'Nobody's figured it out yet.' But this is all about execution.” @kdoctor on lessons learned, expansion plans, and being “rigorously digital” https://www.niemanlab.org/...

Current:

Email: New York Public Radio's CEO announces 26 layoffs, including 12 voluntary departures, or 8.5% of jobs, as NYPR plans to cut back on podcasts and events— New York Public Radio is eliminating 26 positions and will cut back on podcasts and live events, CEO LaFontaine Oliver announced in an email to staff Thursday.

Discussion:

Robert Wildeboer /
Gothamist: New York Public Radio is cutting staff and programming — again

Jason Barrett /
Barrett Media: More Layoffs At New York Public Radio

Beth Fertig /
Beth Fertig on LinkedIn: I worked at WNYC for 26 years. Over that time, we created an astonishing news operation that won every award in broadcast journalism. …

Ashley King /
Digital Music News: More Staffing Cuts at NY Public Radio — Digital Formats, Declining Radio Listenership Blamed

Ilya Marritz /
Ilya Marritz on LinkedIn: WNYC was my professional home for many years — this is heartbreaking — please support public radio now! — https://lnkd.in/...

Associated Press:

Two brothers are charged with assaulting New York Times photographer Erin Schaff on January 6, 2021, in the Capitol and stealing her camera— Two brothers were arrested Thursday on charges that they assaulted a New York Times photographer inside the U.S. Capitol during a mob's attack on the building more than three years ago.

Discussion:
NBC News, HuffPost and The Philadelphia Inquirer

Discussion:

Ryan J. Reilly /
NBC News: DOJ charges two brothers in Jan. 6 assault on a New York Times photographer

Lydia O'Connor /
HuffPost: Capitol Rioter Brothers Charged With Assaulting Journalist On Jan. 6

Bloomberg:

Google ad trial: an ex-Facebook ad exec testifies the company signed the 2018 Jedi Blue deal with Google because it couldn't compete against Google's “monopoly”— - Employees concluded ad tech ‘monopoly’ hurt competition — The social network eventually signed an agreement with Google

Discussion:

Vidushi Dyall /
@vidushi_law: We heard a lot about FB's views of G as a competitor, an email stating some were “...worried about the strategic issue that arises once G sits b/t pubs and FB. We have seen them take very aggressive steps once they have a footprint. I would hate for DCLK to use AN to gain a strong

Vidushi Dyall /
@vidushi_law: FB in attempting to develop a full ad stack, acquired a publisher ad server (LiveRail) which failed. But on cross, we learned it wasn't G or DFP to blame and that FB shut things down because of major integration issues and a culture clash following the acquisition among other

Vidushi Dyall /
@vidushi_law: Boland was crossed on this email and his prior praise of G for dynamic allocation, where he agreed that it raises CPM for pubs and makes it easier for targeted ads to be delivered- reinforcing G's point that its conduct has benefited its customers, even if rivals didn't like it.

Vidushi Dyall /
@vidushi_law: On cross we saw a doc where FB found that G achieved its position in the market, that it characterizes as a monopoly, by “offering the best in class product & continually investing in improvements, investing heavily in servicing customers, and aggressively pricing tools.”

Vidushi Dyall /
@vidushi_law: Boland also stated that header bidding sent G into “defense mode” and that it benefited everyone but G because it took away its unfair advantage that gave AdX full visibility of publisher inventory.

Vidushi Dyall /
@vidushi_law: FB's “point of view on the ad tech market” was that “G's market share will continue to grow regardless of partnership because they are the only competition still investing heavily in both tech & services, and they have the most compelling feature rich products.” @bigtechontrial: For followers of the Google Search case, this strategy might sound familiar to Google's revenue share agreement with Apple, in exchange for Apple curbing the development of its own competing search engine. That case didn't end well for Google...

Jason Kint /
@jason_kint: While “Jedi Blue” deal between Google and Facebook surfaced for the first time today in a Virginia courtroom at the US v Google antitrust trial, an Eastern District of Texas court just denied Facebook's protective order in the same matter. Pop some corn please. It's Friday. [image] usvgoogleads.com: Trial Update, September 13: Case moves at warp-speed, as we hear about FB and Google's secret Network Bidding Agreement

Press Gazette:

DMGT's Mail Online and News Corp's The Sun trim US newsrooms; sources: Mail Online's cuts hit up to 10% of staff, and The Sun's cuts were a larger percentage— US Sun cites “seismic change” in digital landscape. — The Sun and the Mail have both made redundancies to their US editorial teams this week.

Discussion:
@markkleinmansky, @pressgazette, The Guardian, Gabriella Iannetta on LinkedIn and Sky News

Discussion:

Mark Kleinman /
@markkleinmansky: Exclusive: News UK and DMGT, the publishers of The Sun and MailOnline respectively, are taking the axe to their workforces in the US, eliminating scores of jobs between them in a further sign of the mounting financial pressures afflicting the media sector. https://news.sky.com/... @pressgazette: Sun and Mail make journalist redundancies in US - US Sun cites “seismic change” in digital landscape amid platform changes and falling traffic https://pressgazette.co.uk/...

Gabriella Iannetta /
Gabriella Iannetta on LinkedIn: Time to write this dreaded LinkedIn post...again. — #opentowork I was part of mass layoffs at the US Sun this week nearly nine months after being laid off last year. …

Mark Kleinman /