CNN Staff Panic as Major Media Deal Looms
Suffice to say, the mood inside CNN is not good tonight. “We are doomed," one staffer texted me. “The panic at CNN right now is off the charts,” an insider added. Details in @get_status: https://www.status.news/p/cnn-david-ellison-trump-paramount-wbd-netflix-deal
Excited for Liz Garbus Murdoch Doc, Proud Contributor
Eager to see @lizgarbus doc on Murdochs - proud to have participated along with other longtime Murdoch chroniclers
Schiff Demands Independent Review of Paramount Merger
Sen. Adam Schiff: “What was true for Netflix is still true now for Paramount. The merger of two of Hollywood's biggest studios must be subject to the highest levels of scrutiny, free from White House political influence, to determine...
Journalist Joins Board to Champion AI Accountability and Power Redistribution
So excited to join the board of this phenomenal organization. AI Now has played a defining role in shaping how I understand my work as a journalist: to hold the AI industry accountable and radically reimagine how this technology could...
Zuffa Boxing Near Sky Sports UK Media Rights Deal
TKO’s Zuffa Boxing is on the precipice of a media rights deal with Sky Sports for the U.K. market. The latest news in The Varsity: https://t.co/whUqSmkk1E
Netflix Skips Pricey Bid, Shares Jump 8%
Bottom line: Netflix walked away from an expensive bidding war that wasn't prudent and in doing so, it conveniently leaves one competitor saddled with debt and two competitors burdened by a very long, distracting regulatory approval process — Investors agree. $NFLX...
Get Answers on Paramount‑WBD Deal Impact
Tomorrow’s IN THE ROOM will have answers to all your questions about what the Paramount-WBD tie up means for CNN, CBS, Bari Weiss, etc… Sign up here: https://t.co/aUkyssMv7F
Guardian Finds Unverified Trump Abuse Claim in Missing Epstein Files
Guardian says it has read the three missing Epstein files. Epstein files contain explicit but unsubstantiated claim that Trump abused minor https://t.co/fe3OEmOU2v
Use $280M Fee to Fund Next‑Gen Investigative News
Dear Ted, Take 10% of the $2.8B breakup fee—roughly $280 million—and go hire the best investigative journalists in the world. Build a next-gen 60 Minutes. A better CNN. Think of the revenge possibilities.
My December Take on the Netflix‑Warner Bros. Deal
Here’s what I wrote back in December, the day after the Netflix deal with WBD was announced: https://t.co/aiNBd98ACC
Paramount's Full-Asset Bid Keeps WBD Movies and Cable United
So Netflix ending its WBD bid means WBD's movie business and cable channels should stay together. Paramount has sought the whole package even as WBD planned to spin off its cable assets. Lots of sports media angles now with...
CNN Becomes Authoritarian
There goes CNN into the clutches of Bari Weiss and Scott Jennings: state media for the authoritarians. This is fucked. Netflix drops out of bidding after WBD deems Paramount’s takeover bid ‘superior’ https://t.co/BFoQBv1MBa
Ellisons Aim to Merge Paramount, Warner as Netflix Backs Out
Confirmed: Netflix pulls offer for Warner Bros Discovery's streaming & studio assets The Ellisons look to roll up Paramount and Warner into a Hollywood behemoth Justice Department antitrust regulators have yet to weigh in... but Trump has warming ties to Ellisons
Triple Win: Netflix, WBD, and Paramount All Profit
As I wrote months ago, there was only one “win win win” here … 1) Netflix gets the break fee 2) WBD gets even more money from Para 3) Para gets the bone it wants
Netflix Rejects Paramount Offer, Cites Brand Stewardship
Netflix declines to match Paramount offer for WBD: We believe we would have been strong stewards of Warner Bros.’ iconic brands, and that our deal would have strengthened the entertainment industry and preserved and created more production jobs in the U.S.
AI-Generated YouTube Shorts Flood Kids with Unhinged Content
can attest that my kid tells me the most unhinged stuff he sees is on YouTube Shorts https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/26/us/ai-videos-children-youtube.html?unlocked_article_code=1.PFA.qpas.CuJAM3oRnyix&smid=url-share
Paramount Ups Bid, Netflix Faces Critical Decision
Axios Pro Rata on Feb. 11: "It feels like the next act already has been written. The 'Davids' get over themselves, Paramount raises its bid and then Netflix has a decision to make."
WonderMan's Modest Debut: 10.3M Hours, Hopes for Longevity
#WonderMan debuted to 10.3M U.S. hours, per @nielsen. As a ~half hour binge release, that's not awful but it's not great. Longer hit shows tend to premiere to 20M+ hours. I hope it has legs and can stay on the...
Warner Bros. Chooses Paramount Over Netflix, Matching Window Opens
To explain this in English: Warner Bros. has decided that Paramount's offer is better than its Netflix deal, but Netflix has a window to match or best Paramount. Does Netflix stick with it? Or will it bail? https://t.co/W9rTU1YRbY
Warner Says Paramount Offer Outpaces Netflix, Challenges Sarandos
WBD says Paramount bid > Netflix. Mr Sarandos, the ball is now in your court.
Warner Bros Declares Paramount Deal Superior, Challenges Netflix
Warner Bros says the Paramount deal is now superior. The ball is in Netflix’s court.
Censorship Targets Content, Not Platform Design, After OSA
This is how you know it’s about the CONTENT and not the “designs of the platforms” or “addictive features” as proponents of these bans claim. Immediately after OSA passed they began openly targeting and censoring specific content
Colbert’s Texas Democrat Interview Reshapes CBS Political Strategy
Podcast: Why the Colbert interview with that Texas Dem carried outsized importance to CBS -- The NPR Politics Podcast https://t.co/qVlZSMe1Xg
FCC Chair Warns on Sports Shift, May Sue Network
FCC Chair Unfiltered: Protecting Local News, Sports on Broadcast TV and May Sue a Network @BrendanCarrFCC did not hold back in a wide-ranging, must-watch conversation with @semaforben yesterday. The interview came shortly after Carr issued an FCC Public Notice seeking...
Print Publishers Demand Optimal Length; Ebooks Allow Flexibility
Book length is a lot more important for traditional publishers because too long & it might be too expensive to print, but distributors/stores also don't like super skinny books that much. But someone whose main market is ebooks, as is...
Markiplier's Indie Horror Proves Creators Can Redefine Hollywood Distribution
From YouTube to $48 million box office hit @markiplier's self-financed indie horror film 'Iron Lung' more than 15x'd it's budget and is a glimpse into how the right creators will redefine distribution in Hollywood 00:00 The Story of Iron Lung 05:54 By...
Metacritic's Rising Relevance Threatened by Dwindling Quality Sources
Metacritic has only become more important as algorithms flatten and fracture the internet, but its authority relies on quality inputs from sources that are being hallowed out at an alarming rate. https://t.co/OotCnOjnz5
Threads Adds Instant DM Me Shortcut for Private Chats
Threads is rolling out a new DM shortcut to select users in the U.S. and Canada “DM Me” is a new feature that automatically hyperlinks the phrase “DM me” in any post or reply, allowing people to message you with...
Broken Firewall Shat
Let’s be honest in any assessment. I wouldn’t call it a credible news agency if this firewall is broken. It’s impossible. Completely destroys any trust from any remaining independence. 1/2 https://t.co/ykQW73VmPB
TVREV FAST Report Lands Puck News Cover Story
Our new @TVREV Special Report on FAST, "All Grown Up: FAST Comes Of Age" was featured in a cover story in @PuckNews https://t.co/drKZBs8Gi9
Heritage Brands Embrace Creator Economy: Nat Geo Launches Program
As audience behavior continues to shift toward personality-driven media, more heritage brands are adapting. National Geographic is the latest legacy institution to launch its own creator program.
FCC Examines Shift of Sports From Broadcast to Streaming
D.C. Memo: @BrendanCarrFCC Has @FCC Looking at Migration of Sports Programming from Free TV to Streaming Platforms https://t.co/9Jr851pmvN
Swarm AI Agents Build Websites From Scratch, Editable
This is probably the most insanely cool AI product I've tried in recent memory. A swarm of AI agents designing a website from scratch. And you can edit things manually at any time (see my manual edit at the end 😅)....
Snapchat Launches Inaugural Snappys Awards for Creators
Snapchat announced The Snappys Awards Show, its first-ever awards show dedicated to celebrating the creators shaping culture on Snapchat.🏆 Hosted by Matt Friend, the event will take place on March 31 at Snapchat’s Santa Monica headquarters and will bring together creators,...
Investors Question Netflix's Push for WBD Amid Skepticism
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos will say he looks long term, but if Netflix ups its bid for WBD, investors who clearly are skeptical about the deal — even as is — may get even more concerned: why does Netflix want...
Seeking Creators Pro ID Verification and Child‑Safety Censorship
Are there any content creators out there who you’ve seen defending Discord’s ID verification, criticizing Section 230 or boosting these “child safety” censorship efforts?? I’m looking to talk to creators who are pro ID verification/KOSA
Substack Co‑founder Calls Polymarket Attribution False
Interesting to see Semafor reporter ask co-founder of Substack a question about a statement Polymarket falsely attributed to Substack over Twitter…according to Substack co-founder (Hamish McKenzie). Live at their event. ps not a healthy information flow…sourcing Polymarket. https://t.co/cw1a8YKFIS
CEO Remains Bullish as Shares Plunge 70%
"The best days of @TheTradeDesk are ahead of us. I want to thank our employees, our clients, and our Partners for their trust and support throughout 2025. I am as confident as I have ever been in the opportunity in...
IMAX Sets 2025 Record, Eyes 1.4B in 2026
#IMAX execs in party mode: ALL TIME RECORD 1.28B grossed in IMAX screens at Global #BoxOffice in 2025, beating 2019’s previous 1.1B record, and up +40% from 2024. Top #IMAX 2025 grossers: 1 #NeZha2 2 #AvatarFireAndAsh 3 #F1 4 #DemonSlayerInfinityCastle What’s more: 2026 is expected to be...
Paramount+ Gains 1 Million Subscribers, Reaches 78.9 M
Paramount+ subscribers rose 1 million to 78.9 mil in the 3 months ended Dec 31, '25. the parent, Paramount Skydance is set to have its earnings call shortly
Mega‑Corp Era Ends: Companies Must Downsize First
The difficult thing is managing the reality that all these companies need to become much smaller to reflect new reality + sell-offs need to happen before expansion. But self-fulfilling profit wheel that allowed for mega co's isn't coming back to...
KOSA and SCREEN Act Will Worsen Situation
This is going to get so so much worse if KOSA, SCREEN Act etc pass
Post-Game Libraries Unlock ROI Amid Rising Sports Costs
Audiences love sports, but the cost of sports rights are getting out of control. How can streaming platforms ever hope to generate an ROI? By building the perfect post-game library funnel. My latest for @observer https://t.co/UNOXVWp3wA
Matt Murray Opens Town Hall Applauding Natanson’s Lawyers
tidbit: I’m told The Washington Post town hall with Matt Murray and Jeff D’onofrio is underway. Per source, Matt kicked it off with a shoutout to the lawyers representing Hannah Natanson, leading the room in applause
Axel Springer CEO Meets White House Chief of Staff
scooplet: Mathias Dopfner, C.E.O. of Axel Springer (Politico, Business Insider, Welt) met with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles earlier today. Source says it was an introductory, get-to-know-you meeting.
Crypto YouTube Viewership Drops Steadily Since 2021
This chart shows views to various crypto youtube channels. Retail interest (at least in terms of watching these channels) has declined since 2021. https://t.co/D6n1vfcPVF
Design for AI Agents First, Not Human Users
Here's my new deep dive on why you need to build your product for AI agents first. I spent a decade obsessing over intuitive user experiences (and I still do!). But the "user" in UX is quickly becoming an AI agent instead. For...
Apple Could Monetize Default AI Like Safari Search
AI Tracking Transparency In November, Apple updated its App Store developer guidelines to require developers to obtain affirmative, opt-in consent from users before sending “personal data” to third-party AI services. A pertinent question is: if Apple is able to dissuade developers...
TV Agency Launches Book Division Targeting YA, Romance, Women’s Fiction
Recently, the LA-based TV literary agency Kaplan Stahler brought on Jillian Davis to start their book department. She focuses on authors of YA, romance, and women’s fiction. I’m grateful to Jillian for answering a few questions about the unique space she’s...
Andrew Marchand Analyzes MLB Rights, ESPN Sunday, NBC Olympics
New pod: @AndrewMarchand returns to gab about MLB media rights, ESPN's Sunday night strategy and NBC's Olympic performance. https://t.co/unMXYcxV6h