Here are the top media industry stories we’re following this week:
The Big News:
- 18 million tune in to GOP debate – recap from political pundits (CNN) and fact check/analysis (USA Today)
- Serena Williams named Sportsperson of the Year – the first woman to receive the honor in more than 30 years (Adweek)
- Martin Shkreli, the man who raised AIDS pill by 4000% overnight, is arrested on securities fraud (Mashable)
Talking Points:
- The Force Awakens world premiere press and celebrity reactions (Los Angeles Times)
- Jordan Smith wins Season 9 of The Voice (People)
- Alfred I. duPont journalism awards include ABC News’ Bruce Jenner interview, Serial podcast, Al Jazeera America, 60 Minutes, Frontline, HBO, Vice, among others (winner’s list here)
- Las Vegas Review and several local papers are bought for $140 million by casino mogul and GOP power player/CNN debate host Sheldon Adelson (The Huffington Post)
- The Good Wife is 2015’s “Favorite” Show, followed by Walking Dead and Game of Thrones, according to social platform study from Amobee Brand Intelligence (Adweek)
- Local TV KIMT-TV reporter witnesses bank robbery suspect during live shot (KIMT-TV Online)
- FAA announces deadline for drone registration is February 19 (The Verge)
Scooptastic – Check out some of Cision Blog‘s top scoops for this week:
- Dan Diamond joins POLITICO Pulse as a writer (Cision Blog)
- Ruthie Fierberg joins Playbill.com as features editor (Cision Blog)
Teases & Trailers:
- Netflix’s “Fuller House” will premiere on Feb. 26 with 13 episodes (Variety)
- Star Trek Beyond trailer analyzed for July 22 release (The Guardian)
- Will Smith is not in Independence Day: Resurgence, but Jeff Goldblum , Bill Pullman and Vivica A. Fox return to co-star with Liam Hemsworth (YouTube)
- Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will be in theaters in November 2016 (Slate)
Hosts with the Most:
- Larry Wilmore to host White House correspondents’ dinner (Variety)
- LL Cool J is back to host the 58th Grammy Awards in February (Broadcasting & Cable)
- NBC News announces partnership with YouTube to host online telecast of Democratic debate on January 17 (Variety)
- Howard Stern signs new Sirius XM five-year deal (The Hollywood Reporter)
New Launches:
- Twitter Moments launch in the UK (The Next Web)
- Fox Sports launches live streaming show/quadcast called “Outkick the Show” – only available on platforms Facebook, Periscope, YouTube and Fox Sports Go (NetNewsCheck)
Cancellations and Goodbyes:
- E!’s The Soup signs off on Friday (E! Online)
- CBS sitcom Mike & Molly is cancelled (Cinema Blend)
- Trib Total Media shuts down two century-old papers in Pennsylvania (Poynter)
- Founding editor Roy Sekoff is leaving HuffPo (POLITICO States)
- Rdio to officially shut down on Dec. 22 (Mac Rumors)
- Neil Patrick Harris’ variety show “Best Time Ever” on NBC is canceled after eight week run (Variety)
- December is National Journal’s last print edition; an obit for the magazine by editorial director Ron Brownstein (National Journal)
Photo courtesy of @pooniesphotos via flickr
