Eriq Gardner • December 26, 2024

Murdoch v. Prince Harry: “They’re Going to Try to Destroy Him”

It’s been nearly 30 years since Rupert Murdoch’s News Group tabloid empire allegedly first hacked Prince Harry’s voicemail messages. But rather than settle, like Hugh Grant and Sienna Miller, the Duke of Sussex is putting The Murdoch Machine on trial. I spoke with a U.K. lawyer for a preview of the legal drama.

John Ourand • December 24, 2024

Netflix’s Next Step Toward World Domination

In a surprise move, Netflix has acquired the rights to the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cup, stunning the industry and amplifying expectations about its live sports ambitions.

Dylan Byers • December 20, 2024

And Then There Was Matt…

After six excruciating months, Washington Post C.E.O. Will Lewis is naming acting executive editor Matt Murray as his new editorial leader—a fitting capstone to a lackluster search effort that never quite came to fruition.

John Ourand • December 20, 2024

The NBA’s Long December

With aging and often injured stars—and competition from an ever-expanding NFL schedule—the NBA is struggling to find an early-season audience. Will Christmas deliver for the league this year?

Dylan Byers • December 19, 2024

Stephanopoulos’s Renewal & Will’s Plan B

News and notes on the most pressing topics at the intersection of the D.C. media axes of intrigue: Stephanopoulos’s sloppy electronics, and Washington Post top editor contingency planning.

John Ourand • December 17, 2024

Stephen A.-ology & Bristol Postpartum

Matthew Berry, the fantasy football purveyor and former ESPNer, talks candidly about “needle-movers,” the Bristol star system, the changing nature of talent deals, and building Fantasy Life.

Dylan Byers • December 14, 2024

Zaz’s CNN Situation Room

The restructuring of Warner Bros. Discovery, designed to cleave the company’s declining cable assets from its studio and streaming business, has left CNN insiders and executives wondering where the network fits into WBD’s future—or if it does at all.

John Ourand • December 13, 2024

ESPN Prepares the Deion Playbook for Belichick

For the past two seasons, Fox executives cashed in by betting on Deion Sanders’ ratings potential. Now ESPN, which has rights to the ACC, will run the same play with Belichick’s Tar Heels.

Dylan Byers • December 12, 2024

Mrs. Burns Goes to Washington

News and notes on the recruitment of Dasha Burns, raided from the increasingly gloomy halls of 30 Rock, as Politico seeks their new Maggie. Plus the latest updates on Jeff Bezos’s narrowing talent search for a “change agent” to transform The Washington Post.

John Ourand • December 10, 2024

The Zaz Shocker & The Reinsdorf Mess

News and notes on the latest deal intrigue consuming the sports media industrial complex: Brian Roberts’ surprisingly generous deal for Zaslav’s cable networks and the simmering R.S.N. warfare in the Second City.

John Ourand • December 6, 2024

Stephen A. Backs Up the Brink’s Truck

The true value of Stephen A. Smith’s soon-to-be historic ESPN deal isn’t the $20 million annual salary or the half-decade term. Rather, it’s what’s not included.

Dylan Byers • December 5, 2024

Rashida Revisionism & Will’s Editor-Hunting

News and notes on the yuletide fixations of legacy media and its stalwarts as corporate holiday party season beckons: Rashida Jones’ impending MSNBC exit, SpinCo spin, and the denouement of the Washington Post (first newsroom!) executive editor sweepstakes.

John Ourand • December 3, 2024

Stream Weavers

As they play chicken with their valuable sports content, legacy media companies are projecting out customer behavior, the future of A.V.O.D.s, cash management, and the decline of cable. Michael Nathanson tries to game it all out.

Dylan Byers • November 29, 2024

Politico vs. Punchbowl & The Daily Wire’s Future Payday

News, notes, frontline observations, and confessions from a smattering of new-media-age entrepreneurs, all of whom have much to be thankful for this time of year. (And some gripes too…)

Eriq Gardner • November 27, 2024

A New Murdoch Suit & R.F.K.’s Cable Bomb

A group of angry investors is suing Fox News, claiming that its pandering to right-wing conspiracies saddled the company with legal costs they should have avoided. Murdoch is claiming free speech outweighs fiduciary responsibility, and many in the media are hoping he wins.