THE LATEST ARTICLES
HOLLYWOOD
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February 3, 2022
Inside the CNN Newsroom’s Clash with Jason Kilar
Fear, anger, profound loyalty to Jeff Zucker and full-blown resentment for Jason Kilar dominated a confidential meeting in CNN’s D.C. newsroom on the night of Zucker’s February surprise.
HOLLYWOOD
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February 2, 2022
Notes on the Zucker Scandal
Jeff Zucker’s resignation has upended the calculus within CNN, the broader cable news industry, and entertainment ecosystem. Here’s what I’m hearing about how it’s going down in the newsroom, and what’s next for the network.
HOLLYWOOD
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January 28, 2022
“It’s Ari Emanuel’s Network Now”
After Maddow’s work-less-for-more mega-deal, Emanuel has now negotiated a fifth hour for Joe & Mika, and helped Stephanie Ruhle take over for BriWi. What’s going on at MSNBC? (Will they start airing bull-riding at midnight?)
HOLLYWOOD
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January 26, 2022
The CBS News Blues
The former House that Cronkite Built is reeling from the ill-fated recruitment of Brian Williams, insults to Norah O’Donnell’s ratings, and botched crisis communications. Meanwhile, they’ve hired a consulting firm to analyze the news division as Shari Redstone presumably sets up ViacomCBS for an eventual sale.
HOLLYWOOD
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January 21, 2022
What’s Brian Roberts Gonna Buy Now?
After missing out on 21st Century Fox and the Zaz-Warner merger, Comcast seemed like a natural acquirer for Activision. But $69 billion of Microsoft’s money later, is there a plan B?
MEDIA
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January 19, 2022
The Real Story Behind the Kotick-Nadella Deal
How a peace offering from Phil Spencer, Microsoft’s gaming chief, led Activision’s Bobby Kotick to a $69 billion deal.
HOLLYWOOD
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January 14, 2022
Is Netflix Eating ESPN’s Lunch?
Some thoughts on whether Netflix is trying to steal ESPN’s playbook, and Axios’ turning point. Plus some other dish.
HOLLYWOOD
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January 12, 2022
The Cable News Afterlife
A number of recent personnel moves in the sharp-elbowed, rapidly declining, and soon-to-be-evolving cable news industry portend the next wave of deals, chaos, and a streaming afterlife.
MEDIA
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January 7, 2022
The Times & Athletic Make It Official
My chat with Times C.E.O. Meredith Kopt-Levien, plus reporting on the latest news at CNN and BenSmithCo.
MEDIA
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January 4, 2022
News on the Ben Smith News
Despite the sudden, and seemingly out-of-nowhere news that Ben Smith was leaving the Times, and that Justin Smith was stepping down as C.E.O. of Bloomberg Media, the Two Smiths had been quietly discussing their new media ambitions, on and off, for years. And it may take a decade to pull off. I chatted with the Smiths on the day of their big reveal.