A new round of Facebook data controversies has incensed lawmakers and added to the social network’s mounting problems. Lawmakers have roundly criticized Facebook and its executives but it is unclear if they are any closer to bridging the divisions over a federal privacy law.
Gov. Kate Brown issued an executive order establishing the Oregon Broadband Office within the Oregon Business Development Department. The governor’s recommended budget includes funding to fully staff the new broadband office. “This is an economic and equity issue, ” said Brown. “Broadband is essential for businesses to grow, and for schools, health care providers and first responders to deliver the highest quality of service.”
ABC exec Channing Dungey’s move to the streamer signals a new front in Reed Hastings’ battle with Bob Iger in the run-up to the Mouse House digital competitor’s debut next year.
The dominant online video streamer started 2018 with almost 118 million subscribers, went on to win its first feature-film Oscar, briefly surpassed Disney as the most valuable U.S. media company, lured the likes of superstar show runners Shonda Rhimes, Kenya Barris and Ryan Murphy — not to mention Barack and Michelle Obama — and is expected to end the year with 146 million subscribers and a likely best picture Oscar nominee in Roma. In a sign of how influential the giant streamer has become, it also got what every celebrity gets — a gentle mocking on Saturday Night Live.
Mike Wise Joins WUSA As Digital Columnist
WUSA, Tegna’s CBS affiliate in Washington, today hired Mike Wise, a sports columnist, feature writer and sports TV expert, has joined the news team as a digital journalist and on-air […]
Exclusives
NBCUniversal’s boss sent a holiday greeting to employees this week, and it contained an intriguing hint about the coming year. Steve Burke, head of the Comcast Corp. division, suggested that the company might unveil an online TV service in 2019 — though it’s hard to know how seriously to take a message written in the rhyming style of Dr. Seuss: “While you all go off to relax, swim or ski,” Burke wrote. “Maybe, just maybe, next year we will announce our plan for OTT.”
This year was a tumultuous one, characterized by a relentless stream of stories that dominated newscasts across America. From national and international headlines such as the midterms elections and the […]
In the age of social media, the audience has been making its way into the newsroom by contributing to journalistic content and by distributing and sharing the news. But just how much impact does social media have on journalism as a whole? Three comprehensive studies offer unique insights into the new jobs social media has created and the ways in which various social media platforms influence what journalists report.
See It At CES: 3.0, 5G, IoT, Connected Cars
For broadcasters, January’s Consumer Electronics Show will be a chance to drum up interest in ATSC 3.0 and check in on products — especially connected cars, voice-enabled devices and the internet of things — that will define consumers’ experiences over the next year.
Former Fox News executive, Ken LaCorte, has enlisted former NPR news boss Michael Oreskes and former Fox News executive editor John Moody to join him in creating LaCorte News, which he said will be a truly “fair and balanced” alternative in these polarized times.
AT&T is activating its mobile 5G network in parts of 12 cities this week, with plans to add seven more cities in the first half of 2019. Consumers in the cities can try out the Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot on the 5G network with AT&T supplying select consumers and businesses their first mobile 5G device and data usage an no cost for 90 days
Pivotal Research Group, in its analysis of Nielsen data, says there were gains of near 50% earlier in the year for internet-connected device viewing. Share of viewing on internet-connected devices was 16.5% for adults 18-49 during November 2018, 11.9% in November 2017 and 8.4% in November 2016.
Through this latest partnership, YouTube TV members will be able to stream Local Now at any time of day for up-to-date information about news, weather, sports, concerts and live events, restaurant and food recommendations, and more.
Charter Communications has agreed to refund $62.5 million to 700,000 customers and provide streaming services and premium channels at no charge to 2.2 million active Spectrum customers to settle a consumer fraud lawsuit. On Tuesday, the office of the New York Attorney General announced the deal collectively valued at $174 million, which it says represents the largest-ever payout to consumers by an Internet service provider in U.S. history.
Comcast is turning on YouTube in 4K for pay TV subscribers on its X1 platform after integrating YouTube in 2017. So, X1 subscribers will be able to enjoy higher resolution content from YouTube, but only if they have a compatible XG1v4 or Xi6 TV Box with a compatible 4K TV.
It’s one of primetime’s biggest mysteries: Why does afterlife sitcom The Good Place keep getting renewed — despite dismal weekly ratings? NBC recently rewarded the series — starring Kristen Bell and Ted Danson — with a fourth season, a head-scratcher given that The Good Place averages less than 3 million viewers per week. The answer: streaming. The Good Place is actually one of NBC’s highest-rated shows, averaging around 10 million viewers each week once viewership from other platforms is factored in. That puts it on par with the network’s hit competition show The Voice, which averages between 8 and 10 million viewers each week.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A former detective is suing the filmmakers who produced the Netflix series “Making a Murderer” alleging the documentary defamed him. WBAY-TV reports that former Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Detective […]
Funding from the Google News Initiative/YouTube Innovation Program will support new formats of video storytelling.
One month after announcing her departure from ABC, Channing Dungey is heading to Netflix, where she will oversee the streaming service’s original content. Dungey will become the platform’s co-vice president of originals, a title she will share with Cindy Holland. In this role, Dungey will make strategic decisions about Netflix’s in-house content. She also will oversee a portion of the service’s overall deals, including contracts with such high-profile producers as Shonda Rhimes, Kenya Barris, the Obamas and Jenji Kohan, among others.
Major League Baseball is discovering the upside of streaming and moving away from a pay-TV-focused model, according to some league insiders. The prospect for change is happening because MLB’s current contract with 22 Fox regional sports networks expires at year-end. As part of that deal, each RSN pays the league $2 million for those streaming rights. MLB is said to favor a plan to transfer in-market streaming rights from the league to individual teams.
Jessell | Stations Need To Forge Ahead With OTT
Many TV stations have been experimenting with packaging their local news for OTT consumption. So far the results are underwhelming. My best advice: keep at it, but lower expectations.
Verizon is parting ways with 10,400 employees in “a voluntary separation program,” despite the Trump administration providing a tax cut and various deregulatory changes that were supposed to increase investment in jobs and broadband networks. The cuts represent nearly 7% of Verizon’s workforce and were announced along with a $4.6 billion charge related to struggles in Verizon’s Yahoo/AOL business division, which it admits is a failure.
