Media Insider: Sinclair Hit By Hackers, Facebook Teases New Name, MLB Pitches Streaming Service

Welcome to Media Insider, PR Newswire’s roundup of media news stories from the week.

CNN | SEAN LYNGAAS AND BRIAN STELTER
Sinclair Broadcast Group hit by ransomware attack, upending local TV newscasts

Sinclair Broadcast Group released a statement saying it experienced a ransomware incident this past weekend that disrupted some of its office and operational networks. Sinclair began investigating a potential cyberattack on Saturday, Oct. 16, and found certain servers and workstations in its environment were encrypted with ransomware. The company is working with law enforcement and US government agencies to determine what data was taken during the attack. Sinclair told staffers that the full ramifications are not yet known and reporters do not know the timetable for getting back to normal.

Continue reading: Hacking tool used in Sinclair ransomware attack linked to Russian crime group, Evil Corp.

THE VERGE | ALEX HEATH
Facebook is planning to rebrand the company with a new name

Facebook will soon change its company name to reflect its expanding ambitions to build the metaverse, according to a source. CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated, “We will effectively transition from people seeing us as primarily being a social media company to being a metaverse company.” Facebook has been laying the groundwork to focus on the next generation of technology. Earlier this year, Facebook began building a metaverse team and hired a head of AR and VR. Just this week, Facebook announced it would hire 10,000 more employees to work on the metaverse in Europe. Zuckerberg will discuss the rebrand and name change at the company’s annual Connect conference on October 28.

More from The Verge: How public radio is trying to save print.

NEW YORK POST | JOSH KOSMAN
MLB in talks to launch nationwide streaming service for home games without cable TV

Major League Baseball is in negotiations to launch a nationwide video-streaming service. According to insiders, the NBA and NHL are also considering partnering with MLB on the new streaming service. The service would allow fans to watch games without a cable-TV subscription. Subscription rates would vary by geographic market but are estimated to be between $10 and $20 a month. To alleviate concerns about subscriber and compensation losses, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred proposed sharing streaming revenue with both cable-TV giants and MLB teams.

Read Next: Conversation with MEL Editor-in-Chief Josh Schollmeyer and Executive Editor Lindsay Schrupp on how MEL tells fascinating male-focused stories.

AXIOS | SARA FISCHER
Scoop: James and Kathryn Murdoch’s next media investment

James and Kathryn Murdoch are considering a multi-million dollar investment to support a new climate reporting hub at the Associated Press. The investment would be made through their non-profit organization, Quadrivium Foundation, which focuses on the advancement of technology and society, climate change, ocean health, and more. The new hub would employ around 20 journalists and will be backed by multiple donors.

ICYMI: Gannett has entered into a $516 million senior secured loan facility to pay down an existing loan and PayPal is making a $45B bid to purchase Pinterest.

PRESS GAZETTE | ROBERT SAWYER
Guardian’s first diversity executive Joseph Harker says: ‘I want to make sure all people from all backgrounds feel at ease here’

The Guardian appointed Joseph Harker as its new senior executive for diversity and development. Harker joined the Guardian in 1992 as editor and publisher of the weekly newspaper Black Briton. In Harker’s new role, he will focus on implementing the company’s race action plan, which was created to improve the diversity of both the Guardian’s editorial staff and its coverage. This will include recruiting new voices and training current staff to ensure the newsroom follows the initiatives set out in its various diversity action plans. Guardian editor-in-chief Katharine Viner said, “The new role will allow us to make significant progress in attracting and representing new voices – covering Britain and the world through the eyes of people with a wide variety of perspectives and life experiences.”

More personnel news: Washington Post announced changes to newsroom leadership and Hearst Magazines named a president of Hearst Magazines International.

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.