Naver-owned Webtoon shares closed up 9.5% at $23 in the online comics company's Nasdaq debut, giving it a market value of ~$2.9B, after an IPO that raised $315M (Bloomberg)

Mediagazer: Naver-owned Webtoon shares closed up 9.5% at $23 in the online comics company's Nasdaq debut, giving it a market value of ~$2.9B, after an IPO that raised $315M (Bloomberg)

Top News:

@maxwelltani:

CNN responds to the WHCA on debate access: the print pool reporter gets studio access at the first ad break, and a tight pool of photographers gets full access— In a statement, CNN responded to concerns from the WHCA on press access to the debate room. The network says the “debate is being held without an audience in a CNN studio and is closed to press.” [image]
Discussion: Washington Examiner and Bloomberg

RELATED:

@benmullin:

The WHCA says it is “deeply concerned” that CNN blocked repeated requests to let the White House travel pool in studio for tonight's presidential debate— scoop: The White House Correspondents' Association says it's “deeply concerned” that CNN “has rejected our repeated requests to include the White House travel pool inside the studio.” The full statement: [image]

Discussion:
Fox News: Journalists call out CNN for limiting in-person press access to the debate: ‘Deeply concerned’

Raquel ‘Rocky’ Harris /
The Wrap: White House Correspondents Call on CNN to Let Presidential Debate Journalists in Studio After ‘Repeated Requests,’ Rejections

Raquel ‘Rocky’ Harris /
TVNewsCheck: White House Correspondents Call On CNN To Let Presidential Debate Journalists In Studio After ‘Repeated Requests,’ Rejections

Alex Weprin /
The Hollywood Reporter: With CNN Debate Hours Away, Multiple News Outlets Are Still Seeking More Access

Sean Davis /
@seanmdav: CNN has banned non-CNN apparatchiks from even being physically present at the debate, because CNN plans to rig the debate—and potentially even edit or fabricate footage—without any third-party observers to hold them accountable. The level of corruption here is so insane that it's

Andrew Restuccia /
@andrewrestuccia: A reasonable request from the WHCA. The presence of a print pooler at the debate should be a no-brainer

Byron York /
@byronyork: A pool reporter should absolutely be in the room. No objection from Biden or Trump. CNN refusing access.

Bryan S. Myrick /
@bryanmyrick: This is bad, bad form by CNN. Plenty of time to reverse course and do the right thing. A single pool reporter should be allowed to observe the entire event in situ.

Kai Ryssdal /
@kairyssdal: It's completely amazing that CNN — a journalism organization — would stiff arm other journalism organizations. Very bad look. Then again remember they had to be shamed into sharing the feed of the debate. I legit wonder what the though process is here.

Ashley Parker /
@ashleyrparker: Off the top of my head, I can think of at least two high profile instances where the WHCA immediately supported CNN when the Trump admin. tried to ban them. Now, CNN is banning the WHCA travel pool — OF WHICH THEY ARE A MEMBER — from access to the debate hall. The mind reels.

Ben Mullin /
@benmullin: NEWS, w/@katie_robertson: A group of senior Washington journalists have signed a letter to CNN on behalf of the White House Correspondents' Association asking the network to widen access to tonight's debate. The letter: [image] @deadline: The White House Correspondents' Association is urging CNN to allow at least one print pool reporter inside the studio for the duration of tonight's presidential debate, after the network rejected previous requests https://deadline.com/...

@deadline:
White House Correspondents' Association Protests After CNN Limits In-Studio Print Pool Access During Duration Of Biden-Trump Debate https://deadline.com/...

@deadline:
When President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump debate at CNN's studios in Atlanta, they will do so without any audience. Most reporters credentialed to cover the event will be in a press area in a separate building https://deadline.com/...

Ted Johnson /
Deadline: White House Correspondents' Association Protests After CNN Limits In-Studio Print Pool Access During Duration Of Biden-Trump Debate @cbcpac:

The head of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC calls on CNN to give credentials to Black-owned media outlets for tonight's debate; none were credentialed so far— Full statement from @RepGregoryMeeks: [image]

Discussion:

Elie Mystal /
@elienyc: CNN excluding Black owned press from attending the presidential debate IN ATLANTA is so very on point for late stage American corporate media https://www.11alive.com/... @fly_sistah: @ElieNYC The wild part is CNN claims Black media outlets missed the June 7 deadline although CNN never told any of them about the process to get credentials nor any deadline. They did ZERO outreach to Black media outlets but international outlets have credentials. https://theatlantavoice.com/ ...

Elie Mystal /
@elienyc: @Fly_Sistah Yeah, CNN is pulling the Jim Crow thing of “Anybody COULD HAVE showed up to vote. We just didn't tell any Black people when or where the election was but, IF THEY HAD FOUND OUT, we totally would have let them vote. Promise.”

Stephanie Myles /
@stefmylestennis: Like ANY high-profile event, there was a deadline to apply for credentials. It seems these outlets didn't .. inquire before the deadline or as soon as the date and location were set. They just expected an invite. That's not “being excluded”. Now, they're complaining.

Chris Evans /
@notcapnamerica: .@CNN explain why you have excluded every Black media outlet from covering this debate?? cc: @jaketapper @andersoncooper @wolfblitzer @stacybrownmedia: @rolandsmartin ... also requested credentials and were denied. Here's the denial: Hi Stacy, Thanks for reaching out. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of requests and space and security constraints, we are unable to accommodate any additional credential requests following our

Gerald A. Griggs /
@attorneygriggs: .@CNN should allow media credentials for black media for the #PresidentialDebate. Full Stop! This is unacceptable. @rolandsmartin: “It was a disappointment to hear that you got 6 or eight hundred credentialed organizations and the Black media outlets don't have a shot at it” - Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens talks CNN SNUBBING Black media for prez debate 👀 https://www.youtube.com/... #RolandMartinUnfiltered [video]

@rolandsmartin:
“... all those excuses ...” - CNN's failed security clearance arguments for freezing out Black media at the first presidential debate REVEALED 👀 FULL VIDEO 👉🏾 Atlanta Mayor DISAPPOINTED With CNN After Black Media Credential SNUB https://www.youtube.com/... #RolandMartinUnfiltered [video]

Nyamekye Daniel /
Atlanta Black Star: ‘Disrespectful’: CNN Excludes Black American Media from 2024 President Debate In Atlanta But Approved Credentials for Reporters from Other Countries

Symone D. Sanders Townsend /
@symonedsanders: The @CBCPAC has now weighed in on this with a statement from @RepGregoryMeeks: “This afternoon we learned that CNN has credentialed 800 members of the media for the first presidential debate of the election cycle. Not one represents a Black-owned media outlet. CNN's exclusion of

Atlanta Black Star /
@atlblackstar: Who's surprised? CNN excludes Black media from presidential debate despite proximity to Black-owned outlets in Atlanta. https://atlantablackstar.com/ ... [image]

Patricia Murphy /
@murphyajc: The Atlanta Voice is among the Black media turned down for credentials to the CNN debate *in* Atlanta. Also, the biggest political story in Atlanta now is campaigns' outreach to Black voters who, for some reason, don't feel like a part of the political process.

Kianga Moore /
EBONY: CNN's Exclusion of Black Media Raises Concerns Over Influence and Voting Suppression

Atlanta Black Star /
@atlblackstar: The Chairman of CBCPAC criticized CNN in a statement for excluding Black-owned media from the upcoming presidential debate's credentials. Despite hosting the debate in Atlanta near Black media outlets, CNN did not invite any Black-owned publications. https://atlantablackstar.com/ ... [image]

Joy-Ann Reid /
@joyannreid@threads.net: One of the Blackest cities in America is hosting a presidential debate and Black-owned media are reportedly having trouble getting access. Make it make sense... @cnn

Bloomberg:

Naver-owned Webtoon shares closed up 9.5% at $23 in the online comics company's Nasdaq debut, giving it a market value of ~$2.9B, after an IPO that raised $315M— - Online comics company's first-time share sale priced at top — Firm sees growth beyond Korea coming from Japan, France

Discussion:
Forbes, Reuters, Crunchbase News, @nasdaqexchange and Deadline

Discussion:

Rob Salkowitz /
Forbes: Post IPO, WEBTOON Executives Talk Future Plans And Market Trends

Joanna Glasner /
Crunchbase News: Webtoon Rises Modestly In IPO Debut @nasdaqexchange: 🌟170M monthly active users. 🚀$1.3B annual revenue. 🌎150+ countries. 🎨24M Creators. Millions of people have found their story on WEBTOON (@webtoonofficial)—and now we get to be a part of that story! #WEBTOON is #NasdaqListed, and we're thrilled to be their exchange partner! [video]

Jesse Whittock /
Deadline: Naver's Comic Platform Webtoon Entertainment Seeks To Raise $315M Through U.S. IPO

RELATED:

Financial Times:
Naver-owned online comics platform Webtoon raised $315M in its Nasdaq IPO at $21 per share, the top of its $18-$21 marketed range, valuing the company at $2.7B

Discussion:
Publishing Perspectives, BBC, Yahoo Finance, WEBTOON, @lucas_shaw, @nasdaqexchange, Fast Company, KED Global and Reuters, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Porter Anderson /
Publishing Perspectives: South Korea-Owned Webtoon Launches Its Nasdaq IPO

João da Silva /
BBC: Korean web comic giant set for $2.7bn market debut

Lucas Shaw /
@lucas_shaw: A webtoon business is about to go public with a value of $3 billion. https://www.bloomberg.com/...

@nasdaqexchange:
🎉Welcome to the Nasdaq family, WEBTOON (@webtoonofficial)! 🎉 📚Now trading on @NasdaqExchange, $WBTN is a global storytelling platform that enables Creators and users to discover, create, and share stories. #NasdaqListed [video]

Michael Grothaus /
Fast Company: Webtoon IPO: Stock price will be closely watched today as comics platform debuts on Nasdaq

Seok-Cheol Choi /
KED Global: Naver's webtoon unit to raise $315 mn via Nasdaq IPO

Front Office Sports:

A Los Angeles jury sides against the NFL in a Sunday Ticket antitrust trial, saying the league owes $4.7B+ to subscribers and $96M to bars and restaurants— A jury in Los Angeles sided against the NFL on Thursday in the Sunday Ticket trial that could cost the league billions.

Discussion:

Todd Spangler /
Variety: NFL Socked With $4.7 Billion-Plus Verdict in Sunday Ticket Case, League to Appeal Decision

Sam Farmer /
Los Angeles Times: NFL ordered to pay billions in damages for ‘overcharged’ Sunday Ticket

Meghann Cuniff /
@meghanncuniff: @NFL @DIRECTV Jury in the Sunday Ticket antitrust trial orders NFL to pay $96 million in damages to commercial class and $4 BILLION in damages to the residential class.

Mike Florio /
NBCSports.com: NFL vows to “certainly contest” multi-billion-dollar verdict in Sunday Ticket case

Michael McCann /
Sportico: NFL Ordered to Pay $4.7 Billion in Sunday Ticket Trial Verdict

Julia Alexander /
@loudmouthjulia: Appeals will happen, but what a significant ruling. https://frontofficesports.com/ ...

Eriq Gardner /
@eriqgardner: And as much as $12 billion is 👀, the more significant impact could be each NFL team becoming free to make their own streaming deals. Yes, there will be an appeal (calling Brett Kavanaugh), but this may be a real game-changer.

Eriq Gardner /
@eriqgardner: Wow! And good chance it gets tripled to $12 billion! https://frontofficesports.com/ ...

Erik Gruenwedel /
Media Play News: L.A. Jury Orders NFL Pay $4.7 Billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ Class-Action Antitrust Lawsuit Damages

Meghann Cuniff /
@meghanncuniff: NFL Sunday Ticket is currently available through YouTube TV. Neither Google nor YouTube are defendants in this case, but plaintiffs' attorneys squarely implicated them in trial, telling jurors the price-fixing conspiracy continues to this day.

Joe Reedy /
ABC7: Jury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages

Meghann Cuniff /
@meghanncuniff: @NFL @DIRECTV “It's a great verdict for the consumers of America,” lead @SusmanGodfrey attorney Bill Carmody told reporters. Carmody said the jury upheld antitrust laws “despite the star power of the defendants.”

Associated Press:

The Center for Investigative Reporting, which produces Mother Jones and Reveal, has sued ChatGPT maker OpenAI and Microsoft, saying OpenAI violated copyrights— The Center for Investigative Reporting said Thursday it has sued ChatGPT maker OpenAI and its closest business partner, Microsoft …

Discussion:
The Wrap, Engadget and The Hollywood Reporter

Discussion:

Natalie Korach /
The Wrap: The Center for Investigative Reporting Launches Lawsuit Against OpenAI, Microsoft Over Copyright Infringement

Associated Press:

Seven nonprofits including the Freedom of the Press Foundation file a brief saying the US law forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban is unconstitutional— A group of nonprofits argued in a legal filing that the federal law requiring TikTok's parent company to sell the platform …

Discussion:
MediaPost

Discussion:

The Desk:

Comcast is adding the sports-focused Fubo app to supported Xfinity Flex, Xumo TV, and Xumo Stream boxes— Customers of Comcast's broadband product Xfinity Internet now have access to sports-centric streaming service Fubo on the company's lased streaming boxes.

Discussion:
The Streamable, Next TV and Cord Cutters News

Discussion:

Daniel Frankel /
Next TV: Fubo Launches Natively on Xumo and Xfinity Flex Streaming Devices

Chicago Sun Times:

Chicago Public Media names Vox co-founder Melissa Bell as its new CEO, starting September 3; CPM owns the Chicago Sun-Times and public radio station WBEZ— The founder and former publisher of Vox Media will take over in September. — Melissa Bell, former publisher of Vox Media …

Discussion:
Radio & Television …, Current, Tracy Brown on LinkedIn, @dicktofel and WBEZ

Discussion:

Adam Jacobson /
Radio & Television Business Report: Moog's Successor Is A Former Vox Media Publisher

Austin Fuller /
Current: Vox.com co-founder Melissa Bell will lead Chicago Public Media

Tracy Brown /
Tracy Brown on LinkedIn: Chicago Public Media names its new CEO. Welcome to Chicago, Melissa Bell. Excitement abounds. I look forward to the many great things ahead. …

Richard Tofel /
@dicktofel: Great choice!

Axios:

Time strikes a multi-year content licensing deal with OpenAI; Time will gain access to OpenAI's tech and tools to develop new products— - It also gives the AI giant access to Time's real-time content to help answer user queries as news unfolds. — Under the agreement …

Discussion:

Kris Holt /
Engadget: Time strikes a deal to funnel 101 years of journalism into OpenAI's gaping maw

Melody Khodaverdian /
Melody Khodaverdian on LinkedIn: Today, TIME and OpenAI announce a multi-year content deal and strategic partnership to bring TIME's trusted journalism — including our archives from the last 101 years — to Open AI's products. …

Laurie Sullivan /
MediaPost: OpenAI Signs Multiyear Data Deal With ‘Time’

Jeff Li /
Jeff Li on LinkedIn: TIME has announced a multi-year content licensing deal and strategic partnership with OpenAI. Our deal gives #OpenAI access to TIME's archives from the last 101 years to train its models. …

Hayden Field /
CNBC: OpenAI and Time strike multi-year deal to improve ChatGPT with journalistic content

Eric J. Kelliher /
Eric J. Kelliher on LinkedIn: Today, TIME and OpenAI announce a multi-year content deal and strategic partnership to bring TIME's trusted journalism, including our archives from the last 101 years, to Open AI's products. …

Adam Chitwood /
The Wrap: Time and OpenAI Strike Content Partnership

Sharon Milz /
Sharon Milz on LinkedIn: Thrilled to announce that TIME has partnered with OpenAI, providing access to our extensive 101-year media archive to advance its AI models. …

The Verge:

Microsoft plans to launch its Xbox TV app on Amazon's Fire TV Sticks in July in 25+ countries, letting Game Pass Ultimate subscribers access Xbox Cloud Gaming— The Xbox app will provide access to Xbox Cloud Gaming so subscribers to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate can stream a variety of games directly to Fire TV devices.

Discussion:
Xbox Wire, Android Headlines, BGR, TechSpot, 9to5Google, Screen Rant, Digital Trends, VG Charts, Engadget and TechRadar, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Joe Wituschek /
BGR: Xbox Cloud Gaming coming to Amazon Fire TV is another step towards the future of gaming

Cal Jeffrey /
TechSpot: Microsoft partners with Amazon to bring Game Pass cloud gaming to Fire TV Sticks

Glenn Bunn /
Screen Rant: It Just Got A Whole Lot Easier To Play Xbox Games (Even Without A Console)

Carli Velocci /
Digital Trends: Game Pass is coming to your Amazon Fire TV, even if you don't own an Xbox

William D'Angelo /
VG Charts: Xbox Cloud Gaming Coming to Amazon Fire TV

Cristina Alexander /
Engadget: Xbox Gaming coming to select Amazon Fire TV devices in July

The Atlantic:

A look at WaPo's leadership issues under Jeff Bezos, as his hands-off approach and selection of publishers left the paper without a long-term strategy— How the world's greatest businessman drove his newspaper into a ditch — If you want to understand the current crisis at The Washington Post …

Discussion:
Talking Points Memo, @benmullin, @jamiestelter, @michaelluo, @loudmouthjulia, @brianstelter, @nkulw, @bgrueskin, @mattgertz, @semaforben, @nathanmart, @tvgrimreaper and @elaheizadi

Discussion:

Ben Mullin /
@benmullin: .@brianstelter on The Washington Post: “News organizations are raucous, living organisms, made up of people who know stuff and want to tell it to the world. What they need more than anything else is leadership.” https://www.theatlantic.com/ ...

Jamie Stelter /
@jamiestelter: DRIVING THE DAY @brianstelter for @TheAtlantic 💪🏼💪🏼 via @politico https://www.theatlantic.com/ ... [image]

Michael Luo /
@michaelluo: This is a smart piece by @brianstelter, offering an X-ray into what it's like for not just WaPo but other publications trying to find a sustainable path. Worthwhile for editorial and business leaders alike. (In fact, they should be reading it together.) https://www.theatlantic.com/ ...

Julia Alexander /
@loudmouthjulia: I am so, so curious what the research tells WaPo about the overlap between people willing to purchase a one-time article (which likely means in-app payments for ease of access in overcrowded information market vs rerouting to site) and those who can easily get around paywalls. [image]

Brian Stelter /
@brianstelter: Meanwhile, shares in Amazon are hitting a new all-time high today $AMZN

Noah Kulwin /
@nkulw: The biz situation is very bad and all of the ideas presented (micropayments for individual articles, lol) are unproven or proven to fail, and will make it worse. The paper needs investment from above which is the one thing Bezos doesn't want to give. Oh, but he is talking up AI!

Bill Grueskin /
@bgrueskin: Lots of interesting bits in this @brianstelter ticktock on the Washpost's woes. I was struck by the fact that the former publisher (who is blamed for much of the decline) would go home at 5 pm. https://www.theatlantic.com/ ... [image]

Matthew Gertz /
@mattgertz: The most detailed account I've seen of Fred Ryan's total failure to develop and implement a business strategy for the paper when it was riding high in the Trump years.

Ben Smith /
@semaforben: A great @brianstelter story that in the end is about the peril of running a company for an audience of one https://www.theatlantic.com/ ...

Nathan Martin /
@nathanmart: this feels like an obituary for the washington post (would be tragic for american discourse to lose this institution) https://www.theatlantic.com/ ... @tvgrimreaper: Sometimes you get the red ink tolerant billionaire owner you want, but not the red ink tolerant billionaire owner you need. [image]