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Monday, September 12, 2016
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An island no more: Inside the business of the podcasting boomThrough its early history, podcasting seemed separated from the waves of change happening in other sectors of digital media. But today, it’s increasingly facing the same questions. Part 1 of a five-part series on the business of on-demand audio. By Ken Doctor. |
What We’re Reading
Online News Association / Josh Hatch
Irving Washington will be the next head of ONA →
“Our sweet spot is bringing together people with cutting-edge ideas from all backgrounds to help solve our industry's toughest challenges.”
Digiday / Jessica Davies
UK publishers give mixed reviews of Facebook Instant Articles →
Several publishers told Digiday that revenue they're making from Instant Articles is in the range of "tens of thousands" of pounds a month.
Bloomberg / Alex Sherman
Tronc is reportedly in talks with Gannett for a $673 million takeover bid →
“The companies are discussing an offer by Gannett in the neighborhood of $18.50 a share, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private negotiations. While the talks are in full swing, it's possible a deal may not materialize.”
The New York Times / Phyllis Korkki
How a New York Times editor learned how to use Snapchat →
“Along the way I learned important lessons about the strengths and weaknesses of the middle-aged brain, and how learning new things can keep it in top working order. It also made me realize that organizations and individual workers could do a lot more to bridge the gaps between generations. Each age group has untapped resources that can benefit others at a different stage of life.”
The New York Times / Nick Corasaniti
Data scientists and Slate are partnering to provide real-time election results before polls have closed →
“The company will make its projections by looking at who is actually turning out to vote, and then processing that data through a method known as predictive turnout modeling. The process is similar to how presidential campaign war rooms operate on Election Day, when they track turnout by likely supporters so they can adjust get-out-the-vote efforts accordingly.”
Politico / Jack Shafer
Why print news still rules →
“As a more rudimentary form of media, newsprint has the power to focus me. It blocks distractions. Give me 20 minutes with the newsprint version of the Times and I’m convinced I could clobber anybody in a news quiz who used the same time reading from the Times website. (Make no mistake, I like the Times website!)”
The Wall Street Journal / Jeffrey A. Trachtenberg
Time Inc. enters video-streaming fray with debut of People/Entertainment Weekly Network →
“The channel, which will be available as an app and streaming service on popular web-connected devices and on People's website, represents Time Inc.'s latest bet on digital advertising. As print ad page sales continue to decline, the launch represents an opportunity for the magazine publisher to diversify by gaining audience and scale in the fast-growing video advertising business.”
Politico / Peter Sterne
Univision deletes six controversial Gawker Media posts →
“The six posts include two Gizmodo posts about Shiva Ayyadurai, who claims to have invented email; two Deadspin posts about former major league baseball player Mitch Williams; a Deadspin post about conservative provocateur Chuck Johnson; and a Jezebel post about Meanith Huon. Ayyadurai, Williams, Johnson and Huon have all sued Gawker Media for defamation over those posts.”
Wall Street Journal / Jack Marshall
Apple News tweak dings traffic to publishers’ websites →
Last month Apple made a change to Spotlight (which users can access by swiping left from the home screen) so that news articles are now displayed from the Apple News app, instead of from publishers' websites, according to some of Apple's publishing partners.
The Guardian / Sam Levin
‘Facebook needs an editor’: media experts urge change after photo dispute →
"What Facebook has to do now is think very hard about what it really means to be a publisher," said Emily Bell, director of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University. "If they don't," she warned, "this is going to happen to them over and over again."
HoldTheFrontPage / David Sharman
Pro-European British pop-up newspaper prints its 10th issue →
“Originally slated for a four-week run, the company announced it would continue to publish [The New European] on a rolling basis after exceeding its sales targets.”