Digital

WarnerMedia’s nascent streaming service will launch in beta form by the end of 2019 with three tiers of programming options: an “entry-level” package focused on movies; a premium service with “original programming and blockbuster movies” and a third “that bundles content from the first two plus an extensive library of WarnerMedia and licensed content.”

Instagram is adding a feature to make it easier to share photos and videos with fewer folks. Called Close Friends, the new feature lets users share Stories — photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours — with people they put on a special list. The idea is people may feel more comfortable sharing some things with just close friends, rather than all followers.

Despite differences in size, staffing, user demographics and consumption trends, there are common threads to be considered when reorganizing newsrooms. Three important considerations are multi-platform efficiency and focus, content expansion and reducing costs.

An Alabama meteorologist used Facebook Live and satellite imagery to pinpoint weather information for viewers affected by Hurricane Michael. Because of his creative efforts to serve the viewers during a difficult time, Josh Johnson of WSFA has won the Social Media Excellence Awards’ top distinction — the Innovator Award.

Snap Inc. has pinned its hopes on the over-35 crowd to revive user growth for its photo messaging app, a shift ad buyers say could backfire, warning that wooing older people to Snapchat, known for disappearing messages and cartoon selfie photo filters, could alienate its cult following of youngsters.

WBTV’s Kristen Hampton took top honors in the talent category in TVNewsCheck’s inaugural Social Media Excellence Awards. Charlotte viewers appreciate her authenticity, she says. “That’s pretty much all me.”

It doesn’t take an Einstein to know that in this age of streaming and on-demand viewing, linear TV notions of time and space don’t apply. But it did take a Breland — Sandy Breland, group vice president at Raycom Media — to apply that new reality to investigative reporting.

YouTube plans to make all future original programing available to users for free with advertising, as the video streaming unit of Alphabet Inc’s Google seeks a bigger audience for shows and movies that had mostly been restricted to paid subscribers. The shift in strategy means that starting in 2020, a YouTube Premium subscription will no longer be the only way to watch most original programs, with all users having some access.

Fox’s WTVT Tampa won first place in the large market category in TVNewsCheck’s inaugural Social Media Excellence Awards. Its news director reveals how the station uses the natural beauty and character of the area to heighten user engagement.

Disney’s Direct-To-Consumer & International unit has reached a deal with Google for advertising technology in a bid to increase revenue across its vast digital footprint.

Simon Trudelle, NAGRA senior director, product marketing: “The solution is driven by a combination of technology, collaboration, and innovation to fight pirate services across all distribution networks. Sports leagues must partner with vendors and service providers, as well as providing their own OTT services if not already the case, to ensure all fans get the best experience possible, anywhere.”

Hearst’s KCCI Des Moines, Iowa, took top honors in the small-medium market category in TVNewsCheck’s inaugural Social Media Excellence Awards. Its social media producer explains how the station captured a “beautiful moment” to lift it above the pack.