National Geographic pulled the documentary Retrograde from all its platforms after the Taliban killed an Afghan mine-clearer the 2022 film prominently featured (Washington Post)

Mediagazer: National Geographic pulled the documentary Retrograde from all its platforms after the Taliban killed an Afghan mine-clearer the 2022 film prominently featured (Washington Post)

Top News:

Northwest Asian Weekly:

The publisher of Seattle's Northwest Asian Weekly sells the outlet to four local partners, seven months after donating the Seattle Chinese Post to a nonprofit— After decades of nurturing one of the most influential Asian American community media publications in the Pacific Northwest …
Discussion: Sam Cho on LinkedIn, @nwasianweekly and Northwest Asian Weekly

Discussion:

Sam Cho /
Sam Cho on LinkedIn: Earlier today, it was announced that founder and long time editor Assunta Ng of the Northwest Asian Weekly sold the news publication to a new group of owners. … @nwasianweekly: After four decades, #Seattle publisher Assunta Ng is selling @nwasianweekly and passing the torch to a group of local partners. Stay tuned for the next chapter of https://nwasianweekly.com/ ! https://nwasianweekly.com/... . @seattletimes @aaja [image]

Wall Street Journal:

A look at Sony's entertainment unit, which accounted for ~60% of Sony revenue in FY 2023, up from 30% a decade ago, ahead of a potential Paramount deal— Company aims to make better use of intellectual property across gaming, films and more — Sony is well known for gadgets …

Discussion:
Deadline, The Streamable, Reuters and The Wrap

Discussion:

Jill Goldsmith /
Deadline: Sony & Paramount Sign Non-Disclosure Agreement Allowing Deal Talks To Start, But It's Not Looking Like A $26 Billion Bid For Whole Company Anymore

David Satin /
The Streamable: Sony ‘Rethinking’ Paramount Bid as List of Suitors for the Company Dwindles

Mrinmay Dey /
Reuters: Sony and Apollo move ahead with Paramount bid process but reticent about earlier plan, NYT reports

Chattanooga Times Free Press:

Carpenter Media acquires 10 newspapers in Alabama and Georgia and a Georgia printing facility from Community Newspaper Holdings— The Carpenter Media Group announced Thursday it has acquired the Dalton Daily Citizen in North Georgia as part of an acquisition of 10 newspapers and a Valdosta …

Discussion:
Editor and Publisher, The Tribune-Democrat and Media Nation

Discussion:

Washington Post:

National Geographic pulled the documentary Retrograde from all its platforms after the Taliban killed an Afghan mine-clearer the 2022 film prominently featured— National Geographic has pulled the Emmy-winning film “Retrograde” from its streaming platforms after criticism from veterans and inquiries from The Washington Post.

Discussion:
Telegraph, @ryp__, @hopeseck, @roigfranzia, @nickkristof, @sawyerdane, @honosuteyo and Michael M on LinkedIn

Discussion:

Raoul Simons /
Telegraph: Afghan mine-clearer killed by Taliban after it sees him in Emmy-winning film

Robert Young Pelton /
@ryp__: When documentaries kill. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...

Hope Hodge Seck /
@hopeseck: After his release from Taliban custody, the interpreter said the man told him: “They showed me Retrograde Movie and said you have worked with foreign forces and also worked in the movie. ... They found me through Retrograde Movie.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...

Manuel Roig-Franzia /
@roigfranzia: After questions from @washingtonpost, Hulu, National Geographic & Disney erase the Emmy-winning film, “Retrograde,” from all platforms. Some congressmen & vets call the film a “Taliban target list.” w/ @HopeSeck https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...

Nicholas Kristof /
@nickkristof: This tragedy should remind all of us journalists that our obligation is not only to get the story, but above all to do so in a way that keeps our sources safe: https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...

Dane Sawyer /
@sawyerdane: I am really conflicted with the ethics of the Retrograde film, but support the decision to blur the subject's faces. I don't think filmmakers have the right to prove how dire a situation is by putting their subjects lives' in further danger. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...

Colin /
@honosuteyo: no film, let alone a single scene, could merit the violent death of the person you're filming. the irresponsibility describef in this article is horrifying https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...

Lowpass:

Comparisons between streaming bundles and the cable bundle are misplaced: the latter was much more expensive and had channels viewers didn't want and junk fees— Like comparing apples to a $125 fruit salad — In light of this week's news that Comcast is now offering a bundle of Netflix …

Discussion:
@tvgrimreaper

Committee to Protect Journalists:

Q&A with Gaza journalist Shrouq Al Aila, on the difficulty of her outlet Ain Media's work given a dearth of equipment and the cost of internet, and more— Gaza journalists Shrouq Al Aila and Roshdi Sarraj were on a work trip in Saudi Arabia last fall when their home became a war zone.

Discussion:
Doja Daoud on LinkedIn

Press Gazette:

UK passes the Media Bill, repealing the not-yet-enacted Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act, which required publishers to pay all court costs, win or lose— The Media Bill has been passed removing the threat of state-backed press regulation and modernising broadcasting regulations for the streaming age.

RELATED:

Press Gazette:
A bill strengthening the CMA, UK's competition watchdog, heads toward approval; the CMA could push tech giants to pay publishers for news linked on their sites

Discussion:
The Verge, Engadget, AppleInsider, TechCrunch and Game Developer

Discussion:

William Gallagher /
AppleInsider: UK rushes through Digital Markets Act copycat to regulate mostly US big tech

Natasha Lomas /
TechCrunch: ‘Pro-competition’ rules for Big Tech make it through UK's pre-election wash-up

Wall Street Journal:

Trump says that if he's elected, Russia would release WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich; the Kremlin denies any contact between Putin and Trump on the matter— Kremlin says Russian leader isn't in contact with former U.S. president about journalist — Former President Donald Trump …

Discussion:
Washington Post, @dicktofel, The Nation, Newser, Mediaite, The Guardian, New York Times, Metro.co.uk, The Atlantic, Reuters, New Jersey Online, The Daily Beast and The Hill

Discussion:

Patrick Svitek /
Washington Post: Trump claims he'd use relationship with Putin to free detained reporter

Richard Tofel /
@dicktofel: I hope everyone understands that this amounts to “Russia, if you're listening [which they are], please continue to hold this innocent person prisoner for another six months as a political favor to me” [image]

Jeet Heer /
The Nation: Will Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu Bless Donald Trump With an October Surprise?

Arden Dier /
Newser: Trump: Elect Me, Putin Will Give Me Gershkovich

Colby Hall /
Mediaite: Overhead Shot of Trump's Bronx Rally Tells a Different Story About Crowd Size

Michael Gold /
New York Times: Trump Plays Up His Putin Ties in Claiming He Could Get Gershkovich Released

Allison Quinn /
The Daily Beast: Putin Admits Prigozhin Was Right With Wild New Purge

Wall Street Journal:

Apple Music's “100 Best Albums” list, based on votes from about 250 employees, artists, and industry executives, is eclectic, unpredictable, and controversial— Why did a trillion-dollar company make a music list that would make people lose their minds?

Discussion:
Variety, Apple Music, DJ Mag, CBS News, The Hollywood Reporter, @obsofdeviance.bsky.social, @deadline, @carrasquillo, Barstool Backstage on YouTube, @erniesuggs, @therourke, @abcnewslive, TMZ, @zearl, Entertainment Weekly, @abbydphillip, @variety, @judgedillard, @stoolbackstage, @applemusic, @jermainedupri, Deadline, UPROXX and Music Ally, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Chris Willman /
Variety: Yes, Apple's 100 Best Albums List Is Ridiculous and Exists Almost Expressly to Make You Mad

Olivia Stock /
DJ Mag: Apple Music reveals its top 100 albums of all time

Eric Henderson /
CBS News: Roll over Beatles. Lauryn Hill tops Apple Music's new list of top 100 albums of all time.

Rudie Obias /
The Hollywood Reporter: Apple Unveils Their Top 100 Albums of All-Time: Here's the Best Apple Music Deals @deadline: Apple Music's 100 Best Albums list today named its top 10 albums of all-time, with The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill crowned No. 1 https://deadline.com/...

Adrian Carrasquillo /
@carrasquillo: Apple Music made a list of the 100 best albums and it has just one Latino artist, just one Spanish-language album: Bad Bunny's Un Verano Sin Ti I'm a huge Bad Bunny fan but this is the US and there is one Latin album ever?! Embarrassing & I think Bad Bunny and others would agree Barstool Backstage on YouTube: Apple Music's “100 Best Albums” List is Absolutely WILD: Barstool Backstage

Ernie Suggs /
@erniesuggs: I've no problem with “Miseducation” topping the @AppleMusic 100 list, though “Thriller,” “Purple Rain,” & “Songs in the Key of Life,” can argue. But how can “Sgt. Pepper,” considered for decades as the best album of all-time, not even make the 100 list? https://100best.music.apple.com/ us [image]

Daniel Rourke /
@therourke: I have 1,000,001 things to say about the Apple Music #100BestAlbums. My main take away is how insanely Anglo-American this list is. 97% of the albums in the final list are by UK or N. American artists (depending how you count) https://100best.music.apple.com/ @abcnewslive: Apple Music releases its 100 Best Albums list. ABC News Contributor Megyn Ryte has the top picks and how people are reacting online. [video]

Zak /
@zearl: The thing that annoys me most about this list is how clunky the carousel is. I mean I have an iPhone 13 and you're Apple, I could do a better job building this. https://100best.music.apple.com/ us

Lester Fabian Brathwaite /
Entertainment Weekly: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill tops Apple Music's list of the 100 best albums

Abby D. Phillip /
@abbydphillip: The great debate! @Toure breaks down Apple Music's top 100 Albums list. What do you think? [video] @variety: Apple Music's list of the 100 best albums of all time is “ridiculous and exists almost expressly to make you mad,” writes @ChrisWillman. https://variety.com/...

Judge Stephen Dillard /
@judgedillard: Excluding “In Rainbows” (by @radiohead) is just astonishing. @stoolbackstage: The Apple Music “100 Best Albums” List blew our minds this week 🤯 Is “1989” a Top 20 album in history? Is “Blond” top 5???? FULL BREAKDOWN HERE @barstoolsports: https://www.youtube.com/... [video] @applemusic: The full #100BestAlbums list is here. Explore now. http://100best.music.apple.com/ [video]

Jermaine Dupri /
@jermainedupri: Looking at this @AppleMusic top 100 albums list is sad, the disrespect to R&B is CRAZY!!!!! It's giving not worthy 🤦🏾 ♂️

Bruce Haring /
Deadline: ‘The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill’ Named No. 1 Album Of All-Time By Apple Music

Steven Hyden /
UPROXX: Indiecast Discusses Apple Music's ‘Best Worst’ 100 Albums List

Stuart Dredge /
Music Ally: Lauryn Hill tops Apple Music's 100 Best Albums rankings

Variety:

Sony India head NP Singh plans to step down, after a merger with Zee collapsed in January, citing age and personal reasons; Singh has been at SPNI for 25 years— NP Singh, the well-respected head of Sony's entertainment businesses in India, is to step down. — The announcement was made on Friday local time.

Discussion:
Deadline

Discussion:

Nieman Lab:

Documented, which covers immigration in New York City, experiments with posts on Nextdoor to reach Caribbean immigrants and uses WeChat and WhatsApp for others— “We are bringing onto this platform — where people usually talk about their lost cat or that they're looking for an apartment …

Variety:

Leave the World Behind was the most-watched title on Netflix globally in H2 2023, with 121M views, while One Piece was the most-watched series, with 71.6M views— Dystopian thriller “Leave the World Behind” was the most-watched film — and title overall — on Netflix globally in the second half of 2023 …

Discussion:
About Netflix, Awful Announcing, Screen Rant, Davy Cox on LinkedIn, Marion Boeri on LinkedIn, @jake_kanter, Adam Woodgate on LinkedIn, Jerome Mazandarani on LinkedIn, Deadline, @emohorgan, @marypot, @jgolden5, @shamankingnews, @loudmouthjulia, @joshacarpenter, @podkatz, @kasey__moore, @whatonnetflix, @zonozi, Business Insider, Polygon, Business Insider, The A.V. Club, Benzinga, Screen Rant, Deadline, The Streamable, Next TV, Digital Trends, Deadline, Media Play News, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, Bollywood and The Wrap

Discussion:

Greg MacArthur /
Screen Rant: Netflix's Apocalyptic Thriller Accomplished Something In 3 Weeks That Most Movies Can't Do In A Year

Davy Cox /
Davy Cox on LinkedIn: I love Netflix myself, and we all need time to switch off, but 90 Billion hours watched by all of us over the 6 last months of 2023 is maybe not a great evolution as a society. …

Jake Kanter /
@jake_kanter: Want to gauge the UK's global creative influence? Look at the top 10 shows on Netflix: 1. Produced by ITV-owned firm 3. Courtesy of The Crown indie Left Bank 5. Filmed in Surrey 6. Shot in Wales by UK's Eleven 7. Made in Britain; about English icon 8. From kids TV giant Moonbug [image]

Adam Woodgate /
Adam Woodgate on LinkedIn: It's almost June '24 and Netflix has released it second edition of “What We Watched: A Netflix Engagement Report” covering 99% of all viewing on the streamer between July and December 2023. …

Jerome Mazandarani /
Jerome Mazandarani on LinkedIn: Netflix have just dropped their “What We Watched Second Half of 2023” total hours viewed report and it's fascinating. …

Katie Campione /
Deadline: Netflix Releases Another Batch Of Viewership Data, Touting ‘Leave The World Behind’ & ‘One Piece’ — See The Latest Insights

Emily Horgan /
@emohorgan: Netflix just dropped their next half year worth of data! Headlines for kids... 1. Kids and family represented 15% of all viewing, with titles like Gabby's Dollhouse (90M), Family Switch (62M), and The Monkey King (43M). 2. CoComelon still reigns with nearly 200M “views”.

Mary /
@marypot: Shadow and Bone S1 and 2 have 3.3/3.2M views (22.5/26.4M hours) and those aren't shabby figures. What @netflix needs to realise is that YA fantasy shows with strong fan bases bring loyalty and growth potential. Not everything is mainstream. #SaveShadowAndBone #SixOfCrowsSpinoff

Jess Golden /
@jgolden5: Netflix is out with its “What We Watched” for the second half of 2023 report. *Sports shows/series amassed a combined 184M views. *Favorites include: Beckham (44M), Untold: Johnny Football (14M), and Quarterback (13M). @shamankingnews: The Shaman King (2021) anime had 600,000 views and 12,100,000 hours streamed on Netflix between July through December 2023. It was the 2763 most popular TV series on the platform worldwide. Previously the series had 19,300,000 hours streamed between January-June 2023.

Julia Alexander /
@loudmouthjulia: Not enough time to do any kind of actual analysis with this list, but it is striking to me (as it is each week) that the only show that appears five times in the Netflix ~global~ top 50 (views) only has ONE of those seasons available outside of the US. And it's a YouTube series

Josh Carpenter /
@joshacarpenter: Netflix released its second half results for 2023 today. From July-December, Season 1 of “Full Swing” had 800,000 views and 4.9 million hours watched. For the first half of 2023 (debuted in Feb.), Netflix reported 53.1 million hours viewed. It did not release total views [image] @podkatz: The latest @netflix “What We Watched” report is out. Very grateful to those who spent 40,900,000 hours on #ThePopesExorcist over this period. Awesome to see us up there among all the family movies in the non-worldwide film leaders. Highest horror title at first look as well. 🙏🛵

Kasey Moore /
@kasey__moore: @Nina_Metz Views is Netflix's completed viewing equivalent, which takes the hours watched and divides them by the runtime. It allows you to compare titles better against each other and takes the advantage away from shows with loads of hours to watch.

Kasey Moore /
@kasey__moore: Well that Netflix engagement report came out of nowhere... They've changed the way they rank titles by adding views and ranking by that instead of viewing hours like in the first report. Into the bunker! @whatonnetflix: The Most Watched Movies on Netflix Globally in the Second Half of 2023 (July to December) 1. Leave the World Behind (121M Views) 2. Heart of Stone (109.6M Views) 3. Leo (96M Views) 4. Nowhere (86.2M Views) 5. The Out-Laws (83.8M Views) 6. Hidden Strike (73.3M Views) 7. Reptile [image]

@whatonnetflix:
Netflix has just released the most-watched titles of the second half of 2023! 1. ONE PIECE: Season 1 (71.6M views) 2. Dear Child: Limited Series (52.5M views) 3. Who is Erin Carter? (50.1M views) 4. Lupin: Part 3 (49.7M views) 5. The Witcher: Season 3 (47.9M views) 6. Sex [image]

Amir Zonozi /
@zonozi: Why is Netflix investing more in sports? 184M Views on Sports Docs in 2023 https://about.netflix.com/... H/T @GeoffTBlosat [image]

Matt Patches /
Polygon: Gal Gadot and Boss Baby are actually huge for Netflix

Lucia Moses /
Business Insider: Netflix's most-watched series and movies slumped in viewership in its latest engagement report

William Hughes /
The A.V. Club: The human race watched 62,000 years of One Piece on Netflix last year

Hayden Buckfire /
Benzinga: Netflix Releases Second Engagement Report: Everything You Need To Know

Adam Bentz /
Screen Rant: Netflix's Apocalyptic Movie Was Their Most-Watched Title From 2nd Half Of 2023

Matt Grobar /
Deadline: Animated Films Are 33 Of The Most Watched In Netflix's New Data Dump: How Streamer's Originals Stacked Up Against Licensed Titles

Ben Bowman /
The Streamable: What the New Netflix Data Dump Reveals

Daniel Frankel /
Next TV: ‘One Piece’ Wins Audience Crown in Netflix's Second Half of 2023 ‘Engagement Report’

Dan Girolamo /
Digital Trends: Leave the World Behind, One Piece top Netflix's most-watched list for second half of 2023

Nellie Andreeva /
Deadline: Netflix's Live Sports Efforts Got To Very Modest Start With The Netflix Cup, Viewership Data Shows

Erik Gruenwedel /
Media Play News: Netflix: Subscribers Consumed 183 Billion Hours of Content in 2023

Peter White /
Deadline: How German Miniseries ‘Dear Child’ Became Netflix's Second Biggest Series Of Second Half Of 2023 Bollywood: Indian series and films get over 1 billion views in 2023 as per the second edition of What We Watched: A Netflix Engagement Report