MEDIA
Dylan Byers
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October 22, 2021
The New York Times Succession Sweepstakes Is Probably Settled
The inside scoop on the three media stories that everyone is talking about this Friday: The New York Times’ forthcoming succession horse race, Axel’s consummation of Politico, and a little more juice about Facebook’s new identity.
Dylan Byers
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October 15, 2021
Will Disney and ESPN Consciously Uncouple?
Bob Chapek has asked some of his closest deputies to explore the strategic rationale for potentially spinning off the sports network, sources say. As one person with knowledge of the discussions told me, “There are now conversations happening regularly at Disney about whether or not to spin off ESPN.”
Matthew Belloni
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October 11, 2021
‘Hits’ Magazine Will Give You Great Coverage for Just $150,000 a Year
I’m no Pollyanna when it comes to the trade press. But I’ve never seen a quid pro quo as explicit as this proposed contract sent to a major talent agency.
Dylan Byers
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October 8, 2021
Facebook Faces the Media’s Existential Crisis
Despite coverage suggesting the contrary, Facebook is not facing an existential crisis, and Frances Haugen is far from Facebook's worst nightmare. In fact, she might even be the company’s ideal whistleblower.
Baratunde Thurston
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October 6, 2021
After The Tide: Confronting Race in America Now
It’s hard enough sometimes just living in Black skin in America. But I’ve chosen to work as a sense-maker and storyteller to help others process this often nonsensical and maddening land we share. This piece is the first in a series.
Dylan Byers
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September 29, 2021
“CNN Light—Until It Isn’t”: Jeff Zucker Will Build His News Trojan Horse
Zucker, who was expected to depart from CNN in December, will now stay on through the inception of CNN+, and into 2022. Amid rumors of a high-profile promotion at the forthcoming Warner Bros. Discovery, he has told at least one friend that he would be happier staying in his current position, building out the new company's global news and sports businesses.
Julia Ioffe
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September 28, 2021
The Powerbroker: How Bob Woodward Conquered Washington
At 78, Woodward has become the ultimate Washington monument: a subject of public adulation and private eye-rolling, essentially making him no different from the public figures he covers.
Dylan Byers
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September 24, 2021
More Maddow-Mania—and an Update on the Cuomo Scandal
A few high-level NBC sources have told me that Maddow's departure will likely have ripple effects across the network, and could precipitate an overhaul of the entire evening lineup.
Dylan Byers
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September 22, 2021
MSNBC Stares Down the Maddow-pocalypse
The broadcast icon’s $30 million-a-year overall deal is a triumph for her (and Ari, and even Shell and Conde). But who will replace her at 9 p.m.? A potential successor has emerged.
Baratunde Thurston
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September 21, 2021
What TV Executives Don’t Understand About the Climate Emergency
Broadcast and cable news have done an abysmal job of dramatizing the reality of climate change. I should know: I’ve been in the rooms where those conversations have happened.
Dylan Byers
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September 17, 2021
Modern Day Greek Gods: Assessing Media Mount Olympus, Circa 2021
Our culture is changing, and so is the media. The story behind it all has never been more fascinating or important.
Julia Ioffe
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September 17, 2021
The Divorce Heard Around Washington
The Trump administration made strange bedfellows of the left, the media, the permanent political class, and the foreign policy establishment known as The Blob. Amid the fallout from Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, the political knives are out.
Peter Hamby
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September 14, 2021
The D.C. Media Comes for Biden
A post-Labor Day narrative has taken hold in the mainstream media: Biden the old-timer, now hobbled by his first crisis, is outmatched by today’s world and running out of time to be a consequential president.
Julia Ioffe
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August 5, 2021
Felicia Sonmez and the Truth About Objectivity
After #MeToo, after the George Floyd protests, after the Trump presidency, what is objectivity? Is it an attainable or even appropriate goal of our coverage? And does striving for it do more harm than good?
Peter Hamby
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August 5, 2021
What Jen Psaki Really Thinks About the Media
The White House press secretary discusses Biden's beef with Facebook, how the media changed during the Trump years, and why Democrats should talk to Fox News.
Julia Ioffe
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July 30, 2021
The Existential Anxiety of Cable News After Trump
Journalists resented Trump for all the obvious reasons. But his presidency also reversed a long erosion of the industry—and transformed the economics of media careers.
Julia Ioffe
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July 8, 2021
The Agony and Ecstasy of the Trump Reporters
Six months since he left office after dispatching a mob to ransack the Capitol, the journalists who covered Trump are still adjusting to a post-Trump reality.