Internal memo: Axios CEO Jim VandeHei says the company is laying off about 50 employees, or ~10% of the company, due to "changes in the media business" (Katie Robertson/New York Times)

Mediagazer: Internal memo: Axios CEO Jim VandeHei says the company is laying off about 50 employees, or ~10% of the company, due to “changes in the media business” (Katie Robertson/New York Times)

Top News:

New York Times:

Red Ventures sells CNET, an early pioneer of online tech coverage, to Ziff Davis, which owns Mashable, PC Mag, and other brands, a source says for $100M+— Ziff Davis is acquiring CNET for more than $100 million. Its chief executive thinks more acquisitions are on the horizon.
Discussion: The Wrap, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Adweek, @dctrjack, @ldignan, @photomatt, Axios, @jeffjarvis, @danackerman, @saschasegan, @film_girl, @rhunwords, @benmullin, @felixsalmon, @rafat, @seangriffey, @rafat, @tsuvik, @tvgrimreaper, @rogerwcheng, @bombur, The Verge and TVNewsCheck, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Adam Chitwood /
The Wrap: Ziff Davis Buys CNET for $100 Million

Todd Spangler /
Variety: CNET to Be Acquired by Ziff Davis for $100 Million

Alex Weprin /
The Hollywood Reporter: Broadcasting & Cable to Shutter As This Year's Media Meltdown Escalates

Mark Stenberg /
Adweek: Ziff Davis Acquires Tech Publisher CNET for Over $100M

Jack Ryan /
@dctrjack: Sounds like Ziff Davis (IGN, Eurogamer, gamesindustry dot biz, Humble Bundle) is buying CNET. My advice is the same: Archive. Your. Work. Grab a little PDF of that thing. Do a little screenshot. Save your audiovisuals. Be free.

Larry Dignan /
@ldignan: @mediagazer @BenMullin For those original ZDNet folks, this is beyond weird, but good news for CNET people since Ziff actually has media knowhow. If CNET still includes ZDNet then Ziff gets to reunify the brand after more than two decades. ZDNet was hatched from Ziff Davis, CNET bought ZDNet to avoid

Matt Mullenweg /
@photomatt: @rafat CNET is what got me to drop out of college and move to San Francisco!

Sara Fischer /
Axios: Red Ventures sells CNET to Ziff Davis @jeffjarvis: In other words, Vivek Shah rescues CNET. I seriously wish Ziff Davis would similarly save a certain tech podcast company. CNET Sold to Ziff Davis in Sign of Possible Media Deals to Come https://www.nytimes.com/...

Dan Ackerman /
@danackerman: Hearing, from multiple sources, that Ziff-Davis is buying CNET — unimaginable five years ago! Feels like good news for the team.

Sascha Segan /
@saschasegan: @danackerman It would be a good move. ZD is actually interested in running tech media, unlike some owners.

Christina Warren /
@film_girl: The crazy thing here is that CNET bought ZDNET (itself a spin-off of Ziff Davis) in the year 2000 for a truly stupid amount of on-paper money. Unclear if Red Ventures selling just CNET or if ZDNet will be sold too, thus finally reunifying the zombie brands? @rhunwords: Potentially huge for CNET and Interesting Times for brands like Mashable, PC Gamer and Lifehacker already covering the tech beat at ZD

Ben Mullin /
@benmullin: News: Ziff Davis has acquired CNET from Red Ventures for more than $100 million. Ziff Davis' chief executive, Vivek Shah, said it's a sign of more deals on the horizon as the digital media industry comes under additional pressure https://www.nytimes.com/...

Felix Salmon /
@felixsalmon: This story is basically a game of digital-media mad libs @rafat: Wow. I am old enough to remember the opposite when it happened 22 years ago, reported the story back then for Silicon Alley Reporter. [image]

Sean Griffey /
@seangriffey: Ziff Davis knows how to operate media properties like CNET. Good home for them. Thought they were one more bad stop away from me being able to scrape money together to buy it. The history: 2008: CBS buys for $1.8B 2020: RD - $500M 2024: ZD - $100M

@rafat:
Thus proves that @VivekRShah is one of the canniest — and unheralded — media CEOs of our times.

Vikas SN /
@tsuvik: How tables turn 2002 - CNET buys Ziff Davis for $1.6 billion (After multiple change of hands...) 2024- Ziff Davis buys CNET for around $100M https://www.nytimes.com/.... @tvgrimreaper: CNET history: 2008: CBS, $1.8 billion! 2020: Red Ventures, $500 million 2024: Ziff Davis, $100 million 2028: Four Seasons Landscaping, $1.50?

Roger Cheng /
@rogerwcheng: Good luck to the talented journalists of @cnet, who I'm hearing from multiple folks will be purchased by Ziff Davis. It's been a topsy turvy ride for the storied tech brand.

Mike Epstein /
@bombur: Assuming this is right, Ziff now owns PCMag, Mashable, and CNET, as well as IGN, which covers tech, and Lifehacker, which does tech service. I'm happy for CNET to get out from under Red Ventures, but I'm also nervous for all the good ppl I used to work with at the other brands.

Jess Weatherbed /
The Verge: Ziff Davis is buying CNET for just $100 million

Benjamin Mullin /
TVNewsCheck: CNET Sold To Ziff Davis In Sign Of Possible Media Deals To Come

Mediaite:

Jennifer Jacobs, the Bloomberg News reporter fired for allegedly breaking Russian prisoner swap story embargo, suggests she didn't decide to publish prematurely— Bloomberg News senior White House reporter Jennifer Jacobs shot back at the news outlet on Monday after she was fired …

Discussion:
@jenniferjjacobs, @charlottetklein, The Wrap, Media Nation, New York Times, @politicussarah, @arrowofartemis, @shiramstein, @saramorrison, @mctothstl, @genepark, @schreckreports, @scottnover, @bendreyfuss, @mattdpearce, @brianmfloyd, @neontaster, @ericnewcomer, @jim_newell, @justinbaragona, @byajperez, @eisingerj, @moorehn, @aulia@mementomori.social, @johnmcquaid@threads.net, The Desk and HuffPost

Discussion:

Jennifer Jacobs /
@jenniferjjacobs:

Charlotte Klein /
@charlottetklein: Jennifer Jacobs—one of the two Bloomberg reporters who bylined the embargo-breaking Gershkovich piece—has been fired, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Natalie Korach /
The Wrap: Bloomberg Reporter Fired for Russian Prisoner Swap Story Defends Herself: 'Reporters Don't Have Final Say'

Dan Kennedy /
Media Nation: Bloomberg fires reporter over breaking an embargo. But what really happened?

Katie Robertson /
New York Times: Bloomberg Disciplines Journalists Over Prisoner Swap Article

Sarah Reese Jones /
@politicussarah: @JenniferJJacobs I've always learned something from your questions on WH calls and deeply respect your work. Rather horrified that you are being blamed for the publication timing. No one worth anything thinks you would jeopardize a fellow journalist. I'm so sorry for what you're going

CeCe Q /
@arrowofartemis: @JenniferJJacobs Then who exactly was responsible for publishing the article in violation of the embargo which is what Bloomberg did?

Shira Stein /
@shiramstein: Proud to know @JenniferJJacobs. One of the best reporters I've ever worked with and kindest humans I've ever known. She didn't deserve this; the blame should lay at her editors' feet.

Sara Morrison /
@saramorrison: not too hard to read between the lines on this one

Mark Toth /
@mctothstl: @JenniferJJacobs To be sure, as I can personally attest, journalists do not decide when stories are published or what headlines are used. Sometimes, not even the presiding editors make those choices. In some online publications, timing & headlines are determined by the web admins — and long

Gene Park /
@genepark: reporters never hit the publish button, especially not at a place like Bloomberg. i obviously don't know what happened but putting the onus on a reporter doesn't sound right

Ben Schreckinger /
@schreckreports: “The chain of events here could happen to any reporter tasked with reporting the news” Don't know the details of what occurred here, but it seems reminiscent of when @JimLaPorta was fired for the screw-ups of his higher-ups at the AP

Scott Nover /
@scottnover: The more I've thought about this story, the more I cannot imagine a reporter being the one at fault for breaking an embargo that every editor involved and their superiors should be aware of—all the way up to the top for a story as big as this.

Ben Dreyfuss /
@bendreyfuss: this whole story is so weird. I'm very curious to eventually get the tick-tock of what happened. like, it seems like it was probably just a mistake, but it's a strange mistake. it's also not the sort of mistake you'd normally blame on the reporter.

Matt Pearce /
@mattdpearce: implication here is that Bloomberg threw Jennifer under the bus for an institutional failure

Brian Floyd /
@brianmfloyd: still have some follow up questions about the very high up news editor who was celebrating breaking this story before deleting their tweet

Noam Blum /
@neontaster: Jacobs denying any wrongdoing in a statement. Wouldn't be the first or second or third time I've seen editors throw bylined writers under the bus for something that's ultimately their fault. We need more information about what happened here.

Eric Newcomer /
@ericnewcomer: bloomberg really should explain what happened here. given the power of editors at bloomberg, there needs to be more transparency about what played out exactly. unfair to put all the blame with a respected reporter.

Justin Baragona /
@justinbaragona: The implication here is that Jennifer was thrown under the bus by Bloomberg for something where the fault almost certainly lies with her editors.

A.J. Perez /
@byajperez: @JenniferJJacobs This is maddening. I'm sorry you had to take the fall for your bosses.

Jesse Eisinger /
@eisingerj: Reporters don't edit stories. Reporters don't top-edit stories. Reporters don't schedule stories. Reporters don't copyedit. Reporters don't publish stories. This was a big fuckup. But I'm not sure it's a firing offense*—and I especially don't think it was down to one person.

Heidi N. Moore /
@moorehn: @JenniferJJacobs it's awful that they threw you under the bus. Hoping you land somewhere good 🙏

Aulia Masna /
@aulia@mementomori.social: Yeah, this whole thing with Bloomberg firing Jennifer Jacobs is weird to me because in my more than a decade of being a journalist reporters don't get a final say on when a story gets published, that's solely the responsibility of the managing editor or the chief editor if there isn't one. …

John McQuaid /
@johnmcquaid@threads.net: Would be useful to know how/why such a major editorial breakdown took place, and how staffers high-fiving each other on social media could have been unaware of the problem ... over to you, Bloomberg ombudsman https://www.thewrap.com/...

John McQuaid /
@johnmcquaid@threads.net: Jennifer Jacobs, who was fired over Bloomberg's embargo breaking, implies that she did not make the decision to publish prematurely https://www.huffpost.com/... https://x.com/...

Matthew Keys /
The Desk: Bloomberg fires reporter who broke prisoner swap story

Paige Skinner /
HuffPost: Bloomberg Reporter Fired Over Breaking Embargo On Evan Gershkovich's Release: Reports

RELATED:

Mediaite:
Bloomberg EIC John Micklethwait says he has apologized to the freed prisoners and to the Wall Street Journal editor-in-chief over breaking the embargo

Discussion:
Poynter, The Guardian, New York Post, Talking Biz News and TVNewsCheck

Discussion:

Andrew Roth /
The Guardian: Bloomberg fires reporter for ‘premature’ publication of Evan Gershkovich release - reports

Ariel Zilber /
New York Post: Bloomberg reportedly fires White House reporter for breaking embargo on Evan Gershkovich deal

Chris Roush /
Talking Biz News: Bloomberg White House reporter Jacobs departs

The Wrap:
Email: Bloomberg EIC John Micklethwait says the outlet has taken disciplinary action against those involved in breaking the Russia prisoner swap embargo

Discussion:
CNN, @jayrosen_nyu, @deggans, @parismartineau, @weareyourfek, @taliaotg, @dpd_, @jimlaporta, @dnvolz, @maxwelltani, @warondumb, @benadida, Associated Press, @dan_munz, @bgrueskin, Newser, The Hill, Fox News, Deadline and @katie_robertson

Discussion:

Jay Rosen /
@jayrosen_nyu: Bloomberg's editor in chief: “We prematurely published a story on the release of Evan Gershkovich and the other prisoners, which could have endangered the negotiated swap that set them free.” Read the rest: https://x.com/...

Paris Martineau /
@parismartineau: notes app apology on terminal

Foster Kamer /
@weareyourfek: Apologies for the galaxy-brained read, here, but nobody needed this mea culpa but the people involved in the swap. I'm reading self-aggrandizing BS that really feels like a crass marketing blast ("sorry for being first") and self-flagellation to recover favor. No thanks!

Daniel D'Addario /
@dpd_: It takes a lot to shock me at this point, and one prominent Bloomberg editor crowing about this “scoop” on here — a scoop anyone with common sense could have seen was a truly disastrous misjudgment — did. This is the right call.

Jim LaPorta /
@jimlaporta: I broke the story of President Biden going into Ukraine before anyone. Even though I wasn't under embargo like the press pool traveling with him. I held the story until well after he arrived because I knew security was paramount. These types of stories need additional restraint.

Dustin Volz /
@dnvolz: I want to thank Bloomberg for this apology. Their premature story on Thursday caused a lot of people to panic and could have led to real harm. It didn't, thankfully, but it's nice to see them own the mistake.

Max Tani /
@maxwelltani: Follows an internal review, which we first reported in last night's @semafor media newsletter https://www.semafor.com/... [image]

Kyle Whitmire /
@warondumb: I had wondered why Bloomberg was so far out front without corroborating reports from other outlets.

Ben Adida /
@benadida: I will always applaud those who correct their mistakes and apologize. The willingness to admit a mistake and make amends is the most important skill, and also the one in far too short supply today. Thank you Bloomberg. Associated Press: Bloomberg apologizes for premature story on prisoner swap, disciplines journalists involved

Bill Grueskin /
@bgrueskin: WSJ Publisher @almarlatour is asked by @JoeNBC about news orgs that reported Evan Gershkovich's release before he cleared Russian airspace. “Embargoes are embargoes. When people's lives are at stake, you take those embargoes even more seriously.”

Rob Quinn /
Newser: Bloomberg Broke Embargo on Reporting Prisoner Swap

Dominick Mastrangelo /
The Hill: Bloomberg disciplines multiple staff over premature prisoner swap story Fox News: Bloomberg admits it ‘prematurely published’ story on historic prisoner swap, disciplines journalists

Ted Johnson /
Deadline: Bloomberg Takes Disciplinary Action Against Staffers For Breaking Embargo On Prisoner Swap Plan To Release Evan Gershkovich And Others

New York Times:

Internal memo: Axios CEO Jim VandeHei says the company is laying off about 50 employees, or ~10% of the company, due to “changes in the media business”— Jim VandeHei, the company's chief executive, said in an email that the cuts were necessary to adapt to “changes in the media business.”

Discussion:
The Wrap, @katie_robertson, @daniellealberti, @justinbaragona, @selenesanfelice, TVNewsCheck, @jdawsey1, @sopandeb, @chrisjollyhale, @aulia@threads.net, @billygribbin, @keitholbermann, @redsteeze, @ethangach, @ethanscorey, @benkesslen, @chaykak, @brandyljensen, @chriscillizza, @mikebrice and @katie_robertson

Discussion:

Natalie Korach /
The Wrap: Axios Lays Off 50 Staffers Amid Media Landscape Shift

Katie Robertson /
@katie_robertson: Internal memo: Axios CEO Jim VandeHei says the company is laying off ~50 people as part of “changes to adapt fast to a rapidly changing media landscape”

Danielle Alberti /
@daniellealberti: The Visuals team was exceptionally hit hard by this news. Please reach out if you're looking for data viz designers, developers, data analysts, visual storytellers or illustrators.

Justin Baragona /
@justinbaragona: There's just something so unsettling that they used the Axios “smart brevity” bulletpoint format to fire their staffers. WHY IT MATTERS: You will no longer have a job.

Selene San Felice /
@selenesanfelice: 1 big thing: Axios laid me off.

Natalie Korach /
TVNewsCheck: Axios Lays Off 50 Staffers Amid Media Landscape Shift

Josh Dawsey /
@jdawsey1: Why it matters: you might not have a job anymore.

Christopher Hale /
@chrisjollyhale: @katie_robertson @JimVandeHei The “why it matters” headline is a vicious way to present this.

Billy Gribbin /
@billygribbin: Imagine getting fired with a “why it matters” explainer

Keith Olbermann /
@keitholbermann: The suck catches up to Axios

Stephen L. Miller /
@redsteeze: Wonder if laid off Axios people think we're entering a recession now. [image] @ethangach: I love how this is framed around being forward thinking and then has no idea what is a really coming beyond “change”

Ethan Corey /
@ethanscorey: Oh God, they formatted their layoff notice like an Axios story. Horror compounding horror.

Ben Kesslen /
@benkesslen: It's nasty work to do this in the Axios format. Make it a regular email...

Kyle Chayka /
@chaykak: smart brevity: why you got laid off

Brandy Jensen /
@brandyljensen: announcing this in the house style ("why it matters" bullet points) is so dark

Chris Cillizza /
@chriscillizza: Mainstream media journalism has a broken business model. Even Axios, which I think has led the way in terms of innovation and forward-thinking, isn't immune. If we want to have journalism going forward, we have to convince people they need to pay for it.

Mike Brice /
@mikebrice: It is the common curve with these media start ups. Promise the stars, attract talent with above market wages and then crash and burn. What was the name of the last company to do this? I already forgot.

Katie Robertson /
@katie_robertson: More from the Axios note https://x.com/... [image]

The Verge:

A US federal judge rules Google has a monopoly in “general search text advertising” and Google's exclusive agreements enabled it to raise prices on that product— A federal judge ruled that Google violated US antitrust law by maintaining a monopoly in the search and advertising markets.

Discussion:
US District Court for the District of Columbia, MediaPost, The Media Leader, CNN, Politico, New York Times, TechRadar, BIG by Matt Stoller, One Man & His Blog, Beyond Search, Android Central, 9to5Mac, Sportico, Engadget, Ars Technica, AV Club, Financial Times, @digitalsamiam, @jason_kint, Jill Caren on LinkedIn, @jason_kint, AdExchanger, @marie_haynes, Boing Boing, PhoneArena, The Information, UPI, @jeff@newsie.social, TVNewsCheck, ScheerPost.com, W Media Research, MediaPost, Reuters, @SomeGadgetGuy@techhub.social, Deadline, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, @parismarx@mastodon.online, MarTech, 9to5Google, BGR, CNBC, @theory@xoxo.zone, Quartz, The Wrap, @webology@mastodon.social, WTOL-TV, Ad Age, @kottke@mastodon.social, New York Post, The Drum, Fox Business, @Nonya_Bidniss@mas.to, TechCrunch, Bloomberg, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and News/Media Alliance, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Laurie Sullivan /
MediaPost: Google Antitrust Loss Will Change Search Forever

Sabrina Quagliozzi /
The Media Leader: Federal judge rules against Google in antitrust case

Josh Sisco /
Politico: DOJ, states win Google search antitrust case

Lance Ulanoff /
TechRadar: Judge rules Google is a search monopolist and you might not like what comes next

Matt Stoller /
BIG: BOOM: Judge Rules Google Is a Monopolist

Adam Tinworth /
One Man & His Blog: Google is on the naughty step

Stephen E. Arnold /
Beyond Search: Googzilla Is Not A Happy Camper

Jerry Hildenbrand /
Android Central: The Pulse: Google is now a monopoly but nothing will really change

Michael McCann /
Sportico: Google's Monopolist Ruling Could Bring Significant Sports Changes

Ashley Belanger /
Ars Technica: Google loses DOJ's big monopoly trial over search business

Matt Schimkowitz /
AV Club: In a banner ruling for Bing, federal judge deems Google a monopoly

Sam /
@digitalsamiam: A few things here are interesting: (1) Mehta refers to Text Ads as a “submarket” - I'm sure Google's attorneys are going to use that (along with the attempted disintermediation of search ads + shopping ads) in an appeal. (2) I genuinely don't see a world where this [image]

Jason Kint /
@jason_kint: In fact, the Court found Google just spread out its manipulations of pricing in order to make it appear to just be “noise.” This is the part where my screaming in joy (thanks for all of the messages everyone :) ) turned to anger as I consider impact to Rest of World. /14 [image]

Jill Caren /
Jill Caren on LinkedIn: I would not be lying if I said I was actually shocked they lost. — But I am really glad they did. It will be interesting to see if anything comes of this. …

Jason Kint /
@jason_kint: it also found Google manipulated its ad prices without - even considering - competitive effects. Reminder they doubled their search text ads on surfaces so THIS ABUSE SCREWED THE PUBLIC AND PUBLISHERS BY MANY MANY TENS OF BILLIONS. /3 [image]

Marie Haynes /
@marie_haynes: There are 2 kinds of ads Google shows, general search text ads and shopping ads, also known as Product Listing Ads, PLA's. [image]

Rob Beschizza /
Boing Boing: Judge rules Google has illegal monopoly on search

Alan Friedman /
PhoneArena: Federal judge rules that Google runs a monopoly with its search and search advertising businesses

Jeff /
@jeff@newsie.social: A stunning sentence from the Court. — “Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly,” — https://www.cnn.com/... #Google #News #Court #Search #business

Mark K. Miller /
TVNewsCheck: Judge: Google Illegally Maintains Monopoly Over Internet Search

Julia Conley /
ScheerPost.com: US Court Rules Google a Monopoly in ‘Biggest Antitrust Case of the 21st Century’ W Media Research: Monopoly Ruling Vs Google: For Advertisers, More Choice, Better Products, Lower Prices @SomeGadgetGuy@techhub.social: Our legal system seems to FINALLY be catching up to the absolutely TERRIBLE business practices of big tech. — This case against Google might help set the stage for future investigations against Apple, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, etc. — https://www.politico.com/... …

Winston Cho /
The Hollywood Reporter: Google's Search Business Violates Antitrust Laws, Court Finds In Major Ruling

Paris Marx /
@parismarx@mastodon.online: Google being found guilty of monopoly practices is a landmark finding that will affect the coming tech antitrust cases, but now the question is about consequences. — The remedies haven't been decided. Microsoft escaped the worst of them two decades ago. — https://www.theverge.com/... …

Anu Adegbola /
MarTech: Federal judge rules Google violated antitrust law

David Wheeler /
@theory@xoxo.zone: “After having carefully considered and weighed the witness testimony and evidence, the court reaches the following conclusion: Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly.” — https://www.theverge.com/...

Laura Bratton /
Quartz: Google just lost the biggest tech antitrust case in decades

Jeff Triplett /
@webology@mastodon.social: 🍿 This was not the monopolist breakup I wanted to read about in my timeline today, but it's a damn good start. — (In all fairness, it was in my top 2.) — https://www.theverge.com/... @kottke@mastodon.social: Google, a monopoly, loses its antitrust case against the Dept of Justice. “A federal judge ruled that Google violated US antitrust law by maintaining a monopoly in the search and advertising markets.” https://www.theverge.com/...

Thomas Barrabi /
New York Post: ‘Google is a monopolist’: Search giant broke antitrust law in landmark case, judge rules

Kendra Barnett /
The Drum: Google's search business violates US competition law, judge rules in landmark case @Nonya_Bidniss@mas.to: “After having carefully considered and weighed the witness testimony and evidence, the court reaches the following conclusion: Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly,” Mehta wrote in Monday's opinion. “It has violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act.” https://www.cnn.com/... News/Media Alliance: Statement: News/Media Alliance Applauds Department of Justice Ruling Against Google in Landmark Antitrust Lawsuit

Financial Times:

Sources: WBD looks to avoid breaking up the company by offloading smaller assets, such as selling Polish broadcaster TVN or a stake in WBD's gaming business— Executives fear ‘years of legal challenges’ if they split its TV and movie studio businesses — Warner Bros Discovery's senior management …

Discussion:
The Wrap, @tvgrimreaper, PlayStation LifeStyle, @meowzawowza_, Broadband TV News and @annaknicolaou

Discussion:

Lucas Manfredi /
The Wrap: Warner Bros. Discovery Looks to Pursue Smaller Asset Sales After Mulling Possible Break-Up | Report

@tvgrimreaper:
Cable bundle fees drive the entire legacy video entertainment business. Those fees are melting away, and there's nothing comparable to replace them with. The industry's future is smaller and less profitable. [image]

Melissa /
@meowzawowza_: Looks like WBD is trying to avoid a break-up due to fears of legal challenges. Instead, they're considering an asset sale starting with smaller assets. This is obviously not enough to turn the company around & investors might not be patient much longer. https://www.ft.com/...

Julian Clover /
Broadband TV News: Warner Bros Discovery turns to asset sales

Axios:

ProRata, which aims to attribute and share AI chatbot subscription revenue with content owners, raised a $25M Series A and inks deals with major media companies— A handful of major news and music companies have agreed to license their content to ProRata.ai, a generative AI startup that claims …

Discussion:
The Wrap, Gabriel Brotman on LinkedIn, @danprimack and @sarafischer

Discussion:

Natalie Korach /
The Wrap: AI Startup ProRata Inks Major Media Partnerships With Promise of Compensation and Accurate Attribution

Gabriel Brotman /
Gabriel Brotman on LinkedIn: ✊ At Axel Springer, we've long advocated for respecting intellectual property and compensating content owners for their work. …

Dan Primack /
@danprimack: Zero points for naming originality...

Sara Fischer /
@sarafischer: Exclusive: @FT, @axelspringer. @TheAtlantic, @FortuneMagazine, @UMG have all struck deals to license their content to new AI startup called ProRata (not affiliated w @danprimack newsletter) —The firm, which raised $25M, claims it can attribute & share $ w content owners from AI

Axios:

X files an antitrust lawsuit against GARM and its members, alleging GARM abused its influence over marketers and ad agencies to discriminate unfairly against X— Members include major tech companies, advertisers, agencies, ad tech firms and advertising coalitions.

Discussion:
TechCrunch, Digiday, @lindayax, Fox Business and Fox News

Discussion:

Brian Heater /
TechCrunch: X files antitrust suit against advertising groups over ‘systematic illegal boycott’

Krystal Scanlon /
Digiday: X files federal antitrust suit against GARM, WFA, CVS Health, Mars, Orsted, Unilever

Linda Yaccarino /
@lindayax: A Message to X Users [video]

Adweek:

Uber says its Advertising annual revenue run-rate passed $1B in Q2, up from $650M+ in Q2 2023; Uber began selling in-app Journey Ads programmatically in June— The company broke out its ad revenue in quarterly earnings today and based the estimate on 2024 results to date

Discussion:
Business Insider, Fast Company, Uber, New York Post and @thetranscript_, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Lara O'Reilly /
Business Insider: Uber Ads just became a $1 billion business — and it has plenty of room to grow

Michael Grothaus /
Fast Company: Uber stock price gets a lift as earnings report shows people ordered more rideshares

Taylor Herzlich /
New York Post: Uber tops second-quarter revenue, profit estimates on high demand as employees return to office @thetranscript_: $UBER CEO @dkhos: “Our advertising business performed well in Q2, reaching a revenue run-run rate of over $1B” Previous Milestones: —Feb 2024: $900M: —Sep: 2023: $650M —Nov 2022: $350M [image]

The Verge:

Google unveils the $100 Google TV Streamer, with better performance than Chromecast with Google TV, Thread and Matter support, and more, shipping September 24— Google isn't waiting for its upcoming hardware event to announce the Chromecast's successor. Alongside the new, sleeker Nest Thermostat …

Discussion:
The Streamable, TechCrunch, StreamTV Insider, The Keyword, Tech Advisor, TechRadar, 9to5Google, Cord Cutters News, The Keyword, ZDNET, Wired, Next TV, Engadget, Android Central, TechRadar, Forbes, Digital Trends, Android Faithful, LifeHacker, 9to5Google, 9to5Google on YouTube, CNET on YouTube and PhoneArena, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Brian Heater /
TechCrunch: Chromecast is dead. Meet Google TV Streamer

Bevin Fletcher /
StreamTV Insider: Google TV Streamer debuts replacing Chromecast, doubles as a smart home hub

Christina Cao /
The Keyword: Google TV Streamer: Our new entertainment and smart home hub

Mark Wilson /
TechRadar: Want a cheap Chromecast? You'd better hurry - the discontinued dongle is only available ‘while supplies last’

Ben Schoon /
9to5Google: The Google TV Streamer can't use Nest speakers for audio beyond speaker groups

Majd Bakar /
The Keyword: 7 memorable moments in Chromecast's history

Maria Diaz /
ZDNET: The $99 Google TV Streamer is the official Chromecast successor I've been waiting for Wired: Google 4th-Gen Nest Learning Thermostat and Google TV Streamer: Specs, Features, Price, Release Date

Daniel Frankel /
Next TV: Google TV Streamer Gets Official Price, Release Date

Nickolas Diaz /
Android Central: The Google TV Streamer steps in for Chromecast and doubles as a smart home hub

Jacob Krol /
TechRadar: RIP Chromecast, hello Google TV Streamer - the new Gemini-powered streaming box is here to take on the Apple TV 4K

Janhoi McGregor /
Forbes: Google Releases New TV Streamer Device To Replace Chromecast

Phil Nickinson /
Digital Trends: Google TV Streamer is bigger, faster, and more expensive than Chromecast

Mishaal Rahman /
Android Faithful: The Google TV Streamer is a 4K streaming box that doubles as a smart home hub

Michelle Ehrhardt /
LifeHacker: Google Is Killing the Chromecast in Favor of the Google TV Streamer

Abner Li /
9to5Google: Google TV Streamer is a $99 set-top box that replaces Chromecast, coming Sept.

Johanna Romero /
PhoneArena: Google's next 4K set top box TV Streamer could be more expensive than we thought

Columbia Journalism Review:

Interviews with news executives and editors about running split newsrooms, as the Washington Post builds a “third newsroom”— When split newsrooms work, and when they falter — In 2011, I attended an advertising conference that seemed like a rather workaday affair …

Discussion:
@davidfolkenflik, @bgrueskin and PenguinRandomhouse.com

Discussion:

David Folkenflik /
@davidfolkenflik: fair handed look at how innovation and progress work inside divided newsrooms (like the 3rd newsroom at WaPo)

Bill Grueskin /
@bgrueskin: The Washington Post is about to create a separate newsroom to appeal to new audiences who feel traditional news “is not for them.” So, how does that work out in the real world? I asked some news bosses who tried this before. (I also interviewed myself.) https://www.cjr.org/...

Adam Nagourney /
PenguinRandomhouse.com: Buy the Audiobook Download:

The Hollywood Reporter:

Fox Corp reports Q4 revenue up 2% YoY to $3.1B, affiliate fee revenue up 5% YoY to $1.9B, ad revenue flat YoY at $1B, and $320M net income, vs. $369M in Q4 2023— The company said that revenue rose slightly in the quarter thanks to its carriage agreements, but that the election and Super Bowl are setting it up for a big year.

Discussion:
Reuters, The Wrap, Variety, Fox Corporation, Next TV and WORLD SCREEN

Discussion:

Harshita Mary Varghese /
Reuters: Fox reports rise in quarterly revenue, beats profit estimates

Natalie Korach /
The Wrap: Fox Corporation Net Income Slips to $320 Million as Company Reports Mixed Q4 Results

Brian Steinberg /
Variety: Fox Sees Q4 Profit Slip Despite Boost in Revenue Fox Corporation: FOX REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER FISCAL 2024 REVENUES OF $3.09 BILLION, NET INCOME OF $320 MILLION, AND ADJUSTED EBITDA OF $773 MILLION

Jon Lafayette /
Next TV: Fox Q4 Net Income Dips to $319 Million

Mansha Daswani /
WORLD SCREEN: Revenues Rise At Fox Corporation

Awful Announcing:

FAST channels NEWSnet and SportsNewsHighlights, owned by Manoj Bhargava's Bridge Media, abruptly shuts down, resulting in the layoffs of 80 employees— Manoj Bhargava at a NewsNet desk. (NewsNet.) — The strangeness around former Sports Illustrated publisher Arena Group and its majority owner …

Discussion:

Nick Manes /
Crain's Detroit Business: 5-hour Energy founder shuts down news network he bought 2 years ago, laying off 80 Jay Plyburn: Happy Friday! I lost my job today. Actually everyone at NEWSnet lost their job today. …

A.J. Perez /
@byajperez: 5-Hour Energy founder Manoj Bhargava—who acquired a controlling interest in now-former Sports Illustrated publisher Arena Group last year—has shut down NEWSNet, a streaming network he launched two years ago. Eighty employees of the Bridge Media Networks subsidiary were laid off. Ruby Shane: I'm sure most of you have heard the news. NEWSnet is shut down, leaving about 80+ people out of work, including me. …

A.J. Perez /
@byajperez: Bhargava spent $70M on NEWSNet's studios in Michigan and another $100M to acquire dozens of small digital stations that broadcast NEWSNet and Sports News Highlights. Sports News Highlights is showing news from a couple days ago, so looks like that network was also impacted.

Barak Shapiro /
@barak_shapiro: Over the last few years, I've had the most incredible job working with a group of phenomenal people! Unfortunately, yesterday our owners made a tough choice and permanently shut down NEWSnet. 😞I'm super bummed!!! However, I am excited to see what destiny has in store. [image]

Brad Gibson /
@sdavis60: @Manoj_Bhargava ... you're an entrepreneur that failed NewsNet because you had no sound biz plan and hired idiot people to run it (among other things). Real potential, but you blew what could have been a good thing.

Andrew Bucholtz /
@andrewbucholtz: In an interview published in May, Manoj Bhargava said combining ex-SI publisher Arena Group with his NewsNet/Sports News and Highlights TV networks would be “good for both,” with “many more win-win opportunities to come.” Now, he's shut down the channels. https://awfulannouncing.com/ ...

Kurt Nagl /
@kurt_nagl: “We believed people would want to watch a clean, non-bias news network, but we were wrong.” Reporting via @nickrmanes https://www.crainsdetroit.com/ ...

Joe Pallozzi /
@joepallozzi42: Right after this post, NEWSnet laid off every single employee and ceased operations - myself included. Wild final post.

Brad Gibson /
@sdavis60: @YourNewsNet ... well, well, NewsNet ceases operations. Big surprise (not). Inevitable. Badly run with no good plan for distribution, marketing and sales. Eric Wotila gave up and took the $$. Manoj Bhargava bought smthng with no sound plan. Sad. Was never going to work. #newsnet

Nick Manes /
@nickrmanes: The metro Detroit founder of Five Hour Energy has shut down the tv news network he initially bought two years ago as an advertising play for his flagship brand https://www.crainsdetroit.com/ ...

Ray Schultz /
MediaPost: The Arena Group Closes Two Streaming Networks: Report

Matthew Keys /
The Desk: NewsNet, Sports News Highlights shut down

Adam Jacobson /