MEDIA
Dylan Byers
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February 4, 2022
Inside CNN: From Anger to Fear
After a head-spinning 72 hours, CNN staffers are coming to terms with the Zucker news in their own ways. Some are seeing it as the end of an era for the industry. Others are mired in conspiracy theories. And pretty much everyone is pissed at Cuomo and Kilar—and wondering what Zaz is going to do.
Dylan Byers
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February 4, 2022
Is There Another Zucker Shoe?
Despite contrary reports, WarnerMedia’s investigation into Jeff Zucker is a closed matter. So if there is another shoe to drop, they aren’t dropping it.
Eriq Gardner
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February 3, 2022
The Hockey Mom vs. The Gray Lady
It’s a strong possibility that Sarah Palin’s embarrassment makes First Amendment history, but not for the reasons you think.
Dylan Byers
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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.
Dylan Byers
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February 3, 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.
Dylan Byers
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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?)
Baratunde Thurston
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January 27, 2022
Fauci Fatigue & Maddow in the Metaverse
Notes on Jack Dorsey's successor, the stratification of digital media, and Omicron-era information overload.
Dylan Byers
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January 27, 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.
Brian Morrissey
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January 26, 2022
The Rebooting: The Wordle-ification of Media
In digital media, the new trend is the flight to scarcity. And the subscription reset impacting streamers like Netflix will soon descend on publishers, too.
Matthew Belloni
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January 24, 2022
Why Does Showtime Still Exist?
Short-term cash and executive turf wars are preventing ViacomCBS C.E.O. Bob Bakish from doing the obvious: merging Showtime and Paramount+ into a single, more valuable streaming service
Dylan Byers
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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?
Dylan Byers
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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.
Dylan Byers
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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.
Dylan Byers
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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.
William D. Cohan
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January 12, 2022
The Worst Media Deal in History?
NBCUniversal is now probably worth well north of $100 billion—a significant chunk of Comcast’s $230 billion market value. So why the hell did GE sell it for $30 billion a decade ago?
Brian Morrissey
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January 12, 2022
The Rebooting: Ben Smith & His Times
With the roaring ’20s of digital publishing, we’re entering a long-overdue cycle of media innovation.
Jon Kelly
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January 8, 2022
The Backstory: The Smiths’ NewMediaCo
News media has entered the next stage of an important evolution. After a long somnolence, our industry is changing faster than it has in generations.