Media Insider: Apple Shutters Texture, Bumble Launches Print Magazine, New York Times Expands in UK

Welcome to Media Insider, PR Newswire’s round-up of media stories from the week.

NEW YORK POST | KEITH J. KELLY
Apple to Shutter Texture for News+ App, Leave Android Users out of Luck

After paying at least $485 million, Apple said it will shut down Texture, its online magazine subscription service, now that it’s being replaced with the newly unveiled Apple News Plus. And if you’re part of the 30% who used Texture to get your favorite magazines digitally on Android or Windows devices, you will soon be out of luck. Only Apple iOS devices will be able to access the 300 magazines available from publishers. If a consumer does not own an Apple device, the $9.99 monthly subscription for digital editions will simply lapse as Texture fades away. At the time of the March 2018 sale to Apple, Texture had about 240,000 subscribers.

ICYMI: The Athletic launches 20 podcasts exclusive to subscribers.

TECHCRUNCH | SARAH PEREZ
Bumble Goes to Print With Its New Lifestyle Magazine, Bumble Mag

Bumble is the latest digital brand to try extending its reach through a print publication. The dating app maker announced the launch of Bumble Mag, a lifestyle publication it produced in partnership with Hearst that offers stories and advice about dating, careers, friendship, and more to Bumble’s 50 million-plus users. The magazine is organized into four sections that align with the Bumble app’s different modes: “You First,” “You + BFFs,” “You + Dating,” and “You + Bizz.” The company says the new magazine will be distributed by its 3,000+ brand ambassadors — marketers and event hosts who work with Bumble to promote its brand. Users also can request a free copy of the first issue within the app.

In more print news, Zagat New York City restaurants guide is about to be revived in print.

CNN BUSINESS | BRIAN STELTER
Women Are Now Running All Three Network Morning Shows for the First Time Ever

For decades, the TV morning shows that are designed to appeal primarily to women have been produced mostly by men. But that’s changing. CBS named Diana Miller the new executive producer of “CBS This Morning,” filling a void that was left when Ryan Kadro exited the show in December 2018. For the first time, all three network morning programs have female executive producers, the day-to-day boss of the show. Roxanna Sherwood became EP of ABC’s “Good Morning America” in July 2017 and Libby Leist became EP of NBC’s “Today” show in February 2018. The gender dynamics of morning TV have gained more attention in recent years due to the downfalls of Charlie Rose at CBS and Matt Lauer at NBC.

In related news, Folio magazine recently announced its list of top women in media for 2019.

USA TODAY | NATHAN BOMEY
Hedge Fund-Owned Newspaper Company Asks Gannett Shareholders to Support Board Takeover

A hedge fund-owned newspaper company is asking shareholders of Gannett Co. to vote for its nominees to Gannett’s board of directors, the latest clash in a battle to control the owner of USA Today and more than 100 other publications. MNG Enterprises Inc. said it had mailed proxy materials to Gannett shareholders seeking their support for its bid to seize control of the company, saying that Gannett has “no plan” in place to grow. The latest development comes after Gannett disclosed that before attempting a hostile takeover of Gannett, MNG representatives repeatedly floated the idea to Gannett officials that Gannett should acquire MNG’s newspapers. Gannett suggested in a letter to shareholders last week that “MNG is using its proposal as a ploy to open discussions for such a transaction.”

Over at the Los Angeles Times, Shani Hilton joins the paper as deputy managing editor for news.

THE DRUM | IAN BURRELL
As It Strives for 10m Subscribers, The New York Times Is Expanding in the UK

The New York Times has big ambitions internationally. The company’s president and CEO, Mark Thompson, has set a target of 10 million subscriptions by 2025. Currently, the Times has 4.3 million subscribers worldwide, with 3.3 million of those paying for its digital products. And after the United States, the UK is its biggest market. In the past year, it has grown UK ad revenues by 30%, and its London-based commercial operation has grown rapidly to 25 people. The global push “has been a very deliberate focus of the business,” says advertising chief Sebastian Tomich. “It’s really exciting, the opportunity in international as a whole — we have the product and the talent in the journalists and the commercial operation now in place to capitalize on that.”

On the flip side, another iconic brand, Johnson Publishing — former owner of Ebony and Jet magazines — filed for bankruptcy.

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Maria Perez is Director, Web Experience & Operations at PR Newswire. An animal lover, she curates content for @PRNPets – that is, when she’s not busy cuddling with her 11-year-old blind Maltese, Toody.