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Producer David Kelley, Winner Of Approximately A Gazillion Emmys, Refused To Move Production Out Of California After The Fires

Kelley - producer of, just to name a few, Picket Fences, Allly McBeal, The Practice, Big Little Lies, and so many more - chose not to flee to New Mexico for shooting on new series as the fires raged. And staying in California has been an economic boom. - Los Angeles Times (Yahoo)

You’d Expect A Video Game To Cause Hand Injuries, Right?

This one helped the player, whose joints and tendons had been absolute toast, to heal. "I thought slowing down would dampen my enjoyment, but it’s made the game better. I notice more. I find more.” - Aftermath

Free Speech’s Corporate Media Problem

Paramount isn’t the only media company that needs FCC approval for something — and thus finds itself needing to kiss Carr’s ring. Nexstar, which owns many local TV stations, wants to merge with Tegna, which also owns many local TV stations. That merger will need FCC approval. - NiemanLab

What Happens To Democracy When The Comedians Are Gone

"Because there’s no platform, no space or infrastructure for that kind of satire to be accepted, we were basically pushed out … We are up against generations of people who don’t have this kind of mindset. That’s why it was an uphill battle for us.” - The Guardian

How Late Night TV Fell Apart

Though late-night shows still attract millions of viewers across more channels than ever—including YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram—writers say that networks have still not figured out how to monetize that engagement. There are mitigating factors, but sources say the networks themselves have dropped the ball, in increasingly catastrophic ways. - Vanity Fair

Despite Federal Funding Cuts, Rhode Island’s Public Radio And TV Avoid Layoffs

“Rhode Island’s newly created public media entity will not lay off any employees, after enough workers opted to take voluntary buyouts, Pam Johnston, CEO of Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio, said in an email to company employees Wednesday.” - Rhode Island Current

The TikTok Deal: China Would Keep The Algorithm

Ultimately, China gets to keep the TikTok algorithm, simply licensing the algorithm to the US instead of handing over the heart of TikTok's success. As Ars previously reported, that means the US could end up with a glitchier version of TikTok. - Ars Technica

Without Federal Funding, Tribal Public Radio Stations Fear For Their Survival

“If we lose the radio station, it’s like you lose an arm or a leg,” said the tribal council vice-chair in Warm Springs, Oregon. Said a co-host at KILI on South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation, “We are barely surviving as a people. We don’t have the option of a GoFundMe.” - The New York Times

Emergency Campaign For Alaska Public Radio Stations Raises $3.5 Million

The state’s far-flung public radio stations are among the most vulnerable to the rescission of federal funding. The legislature has eliminated state funding as well, and many of these stations serve communities too small and isolated for local fundraising. The Voices Across Alaska Fund aims to make up the difference. - Anchorage Daily News

NPR Cuts $5 Million From Next Year’s Budget

“CEO Katherine Maher announced during a board meeting that while listener donations have surged (since the elimination of federal funding for public broadcasting), it’s unclear how long this generosity will last or how severely local NPR member stations will be affected.” - Inside Radio

Agreement Is Near On Keeping TikTok Available In U.S.

In 2024, due to data security concerns, Congress passed legislation requiring the Chinese company ByteDance to either sell TikTok to an American owner or withdraw the app from the U.S. market. Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping will reportedly speak on Friday to finalize a deal. - AP

Cleveland’s Ideastream Public Media Gets $1 Million Gift For Dedicated Jazz Studio

“Since its launch in February 2024, (the station’s) JazzNEO (channel) has been operating without a dedicated studio and airing all pre-recorded programming. The new state-of-the-art space will allow for live hosting, interviews, and live jazz performances.” - Inside Radio

YouTube Says It Has Paid $100B To Creators In The Past Four Years

“Twenty years ago, YouTube launched with the idea that everyone should have the opportunity to create and find a global stage. Since then, we’ve seen creators shape culture and entertainment in ways we never thought possible." - Deadline

Penn State Will Shut Down NPR/PBS Affiliate WPSU

A committee of Trustees of the university, which owns and operates the station, unanimously rejected a plan to transfer ownership of the station licenses to Philadelphia station WHYY for $1. WPSU-TV reaches 515,000 households in 24 Pennsylvania counties; WPSU-FM serves more than 450,000 listeners. - Centre Daily Times (State College, PA)

Layoffs And Cancellations At D.C. PBS Station WETA

“The workforce reduction includes layoffs of 12 active workers and the elimination of nine vacant positions, representing approximately 5% of the employee roster of more than 400 staff. … WETA also canceled its local television shows If You Lived Here, Get Out of Town and WETA Best Bets.” - Current

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