Media Insider: NBCU Faces Layoffs, Facebook Launches TikTok Rival, RNC Closed To Press
Welcome to Media Insider, PR Newswire’s round-up of media stories from the week.
TECHCRUNCH | SARAH PEREZ
Instagram Reels launches globally in over 50 countries, including US
Facebook is challenging TikTok by launching Instagram Reels globally across 50 countries. Like TikTok, Reels allows users to create and publish 15-second videos using new editing tools such as AR effects, a countdown timer, and a new align tool to line up different takes. Reels is built into the Instagram Camera so experienced users will have an easy time navigating the new feature. The launch hits at the perfect time, as TikTok’s future in the U.S. is uncertain. Facebook has been testing different versions of Reels since 2018. In late 2018, Facebook launched a similar product called Lasso, which ended up failing but allowed the company to collect a sizable amount of user behavior data that it has since used to build new features for flagship apps.
For the first time, Facebook removed a post by the president for violating its policies on COVID-19 misinformation.
VARIETY | CYNTHIA LITTLETON
NBCUniversal Focuses on Layoffs and Streamlining as NBC’s Paul Telegdy Faces Probe
In the wake of the pandemic’s economic fallout, NBCUniversal announced it will reorganize leadership to streamline content and programming operations as it prepares for significant layoffs. Layoffs are expected to affect around 10% of the company’s 35,000 full-time staffers and will extend across divisions including its broadcast networks, movie studio, and theme parks. To cut significant costs, NBCUniversal plans to streamline its TV programming, marketing, and distribution operations into central groups that serve multiple networks. At the same time, NBCUniversal is moving forward with the investigation into allegations that NBC Entertainment chairman Paul Telegdy has made racist, sexist, and homophobic statements. Discussions are taking place this week to determine who will oversee the investigation, what form it will take, and on what timetable.
ICYMI: Historic black media Ebony and Jet magazines set for bankruptcy battle.
CNN | JEREMY DIAMOND AND RYAN NOBLES
GOP convention in Charlotte closed to press, portions will be livestreamed
According to a convention spokesperson, the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, will be closed to the press. Reporters will not be allowed on site as RNC delegates vote to formally nominate President Donald Trump as the 2020 Republican presidential nominee. “No final decision has been made and we are still working through logistics and press coverage options,” RNC communications director Michael Ahrens told CNN. “We are working with the parameters set before us by state and local guidelines regarding the number of people who can attend events.” Amid criticism that no reporters would be allowed on site, Ahrens confirmed that livestreaming portions of the convention, specifically the vote, is an option being considered.
Republicans and Democrats agree: America has lost confidence in mainstream media.
CNN BUSINESS | KERRY FLYNN
New York Times’ digital revenue exceeds print for first time ever
The New York Times released its second quarter report, showing its digital revenue exceeded print revenue for the first time in the company’s history. In Q2, The Times added 669,000 digital subscriptions for a total of 5.7 million digital-only subscriptions and 6.5 million subscriptions overall. The Times’ subscription revenue increased 8.4% but total revenue decreased by 7.5% due to the hard-hit to ad revenue, which fell 43.9% from the year prior. The Times CEO Mark Thompson stated, “We posted our best ever results for new digital subscriptions, and for the first time in our history total digital revenue exceeded print revenue – a key milestone in the transformation of The New York Times and a testament to how much we’ve achieved over the past eight years.”
The Guardian contemplates discontinuing its printed newspapers.
REUTERS | YEW LUN TIAN AND BRENDA GOH
China vows retaliation if any U.S. action against journalists
The tit-for-tat relationship between the United States and China continues to escalate. In March, the U.S. restricted the number of Chinese journalists allowed to work at the U.S. offices of major Chinese state-owned media and in retaliation, China expelled U.S. journalists working for three U.S. newspapers – The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post. In May, the U.S. limited Chinese journalists’ stay to 90 days, with an option to extend. However, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters at a daily briefing this week that journalists have yet to be granted an extension and said China is prepared to retaliate if Chinese journalists are forced to leave the United States. It is unclear how China will retaliate but China’s Global Times newspaper said U.S. journalists based in Hong Kong would be among those targeted.
Continue reading: With their visas in limbo, journalists at Voice of America worry that they’ll be thrown out of America.
Subscribe to Beyond Bylines to get media trends, journalist interviews, blogger profiles, and more sent right to your inbox.
[blog_subscription_form]
Erin Wade is a Senior Customer Content Specialist with PR Newswire. She is also an animal lover and aspiring world traveler. Tune into her insights as a social curator at @TotalCSR.
Andy, thank you for your commentary. Totally agreed.Here is advice for everyone who is new to the topic: choose a reliable company for your project. You might pay a higher hourly rate but the total development costs will be lower.When you start nearshoring with a reliable provider, you have the highest chances the project delivery will be on time and on budget. Here you can read about how to find programmers for your project.Hi, thanks for the post. I think this is a problem for many non-tech companies. They do not have enough workload or budget for an in-house team.When a company wants to hire local engineers, it faces competition for IT specialists. Top talents work for startups or tech giants like Google or Amazon. Moreover, it costs much to retain expensive developers. What if there is not much work for everyone? The entire IT department is unlikely to pay off. However, here is another pitfall, now with outsourcing. If a company’s management does not possess software development expertise, it will have no clue how to outsource programming to another company.
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
I do not even understand how I ended up here, but I assumed this publish used to be great
This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.
Hi there to all, for the reason that I am genuinely keen of reading this website’s post to be updated on a regular basis. It carries pleasant stuff.
I truly appreciate your technique of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark site list and will
I very delighted to find this internet site on bing, just what I was searching for as well saved to fav
I truly appreciate your technique of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark site list and will
Very well presented. Every quote was awesome and thanks for sharing the content. Keep sharing and keep motivating others.
Good post! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our site. Keep up the great writing
I really like reading through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am really happy to read everthing at one place
Hi there to all, for the reason that I am genuinely keen of reading this website’s post to be updated on a regular basis. It carries pleasant stuff.
Good post! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our site. Keep up the great writing
Good post! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our site. Keep up the great writing
naturally like your web site however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth on the other hand I will surely come again again.
I appreciate you sharing this blog post. Thanks Again. Cool.
very informative articles or reviews at this time.
I am truly thankful to the owner of this web site who has shared this fantastic piece of writing at at this place.
I’m often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your web site and maintain checking for brand spanking new information.
I do not even understand how I ended up here, but I assumed this publish used to be great
Awesome! Its genuinely remarkable post, I have got much clear idea regarding from this post
Very well presented. Every quote was awesome and thanks for sharing the content. Keep sharing and keep motivating others.
I just like the helpful information you provide in your articles
Great information shared.. really enjoyed reading this post thank you author for sharing this post .. appreciated
For the reason that the admin of this site is working, no uncertainty very quickly it will be renowned, due to its quality contents.
I just like the helpful information you provide in your articles
I appreciate you sharing this blog post. Thanks Again. Cool.
I’m often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your web site and maintain checking for brand spanking new information.
I’m often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your web site and maintain checking for brand spanking new information.
This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful post. Many thanks for providing these details.
There is definately a lot to find out about this subject. I like all the points you made
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
There is definately a lot to find out about this subject. I like all the points you made
For the reason that the admin of this site is working, no uncertainty very quickly it will be renowned, due to its quality contents.
I very delighted to find this internet site on bing, just what I was searching for as well saved to fav
Very well presented. Every quote was awesome and thanks for sharing the content. Keep sharing and keep motivating others.
Great information shared.. really enjoyed reading this post thank you author for sharing this post .. appreciated
I truly appreciate your technique of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark site list and will
This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.