Click here to receive mediabistro.com's Daily Newsfeed via email.
NY Times changes CIA headline for White House (Politico)
The New York Times changed the subheadline in Wednesday's front-page story on the CIA's destruction of secret interrogation tapes, following a formal request by the White House. The correction was made immediately online, and there will be a print correction in the paper, according to a Times representative. WH press secretary Dana Perino had called the subheadline inaccurate.
Late Shows to Return, but Who'll Be Talking? (NYT)
The late-night talk show hosts are returning. But the stars are not yet ready to come out for them. Uncertainty over whether many of Hollywood's biggest stars will be willing to cross picket lines and appear on the programs has producers in a frenzy as they try to book guests for the shows, which are scheduled to return with fresh episodes Jan. 2.
National Enquirer Enters 2008 Presidential Race With Edwards Love-Child Story (HuffPo)
The National Enquirer has gone political in their most recent issue, alleging that John Edwards has fathered a love-child with a filmmaker who once worked on a series of Webisodes for his One America Committee. Rumors of the affair between Edwards and the filmmaker, a 43-year-old divorcee named Rielle Hunter, have been denied by both parties.
Viacom, Microsoft Strike 5-Year, $500M Ad Deal (AdAge)
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman have been two of the most bullish media magnates this year when it comes to aggressive digital-revenue strategies. So it's only fitting that the two teamed up today for a multiyear digital content and advertising partnership in which Microsoft's and Viacom's media properties will collaborate on advertising, content distribution, event promotions, and games.
Lynne Spears' Parenting Book Delayed Indefinitely With Revelation of Younger Daughter's Pregnancy (AP)
Lynne Spears' book about parenting has been delayed indefinitely, her publisher said. Lindsey Nobles, a spokeswoman for Christian book publisher Thomas Nelson Inc., said Wednesday that the memoir by the mother of Britney Spears was put on hold last week. She declined to comment on whether the delay was connected to the revelation that Spears' 16-year-old daughter, Jamie Lynn, is pregnant. NYDN: Lynne's parenting advice book was to have been called Pop Culture Mom: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World.
Tribune Chief FitzSimons Announces He Will Step Down as Newspaper Chain Goes Private (NYT)
A day before an $8.2 billion deal is expected to take the Tribune Company private, Dennis J. FitzSimons said that he would step down as chairman and chief executive as soon as the transaction was done, clearing the way for the real estate billionaire Samuel Zell to assume control. LAT: Radio veteran expected to play a big role at Tribune.
Washington Post Raises Newsstand Price to 50 Cents (WaPo)
The Washington Post will raise its newsstand price from 35 cents to 50 cents beginning with editions on Dec. 31, the company said yesterday, responding to the paper's decline in circulation and advertising revenue. The home delivery price for The Post and the Sunday newsstand price will not change. The Post's most recent newsstand price increase came in 2001, when it went from 25 cents to 35 cents.
Writers Initiate Separate Talks (LAT)
With no talks scheduled with Hollywood's major studios, the Writers Guild of America has begun negotiating with several small independent television and movie production companies on new employment agreements, John Bowman, the union's chief negotiator, told reporters Wednesday after a news conference. Some deals may be announced as early as next week, he predicted. AP via USAT: People's Choice Awards being revamped amid strike.
Web Giants to Settle Gambling Allegations (LAT)
Three of the world's most-popular Web sites have agreed to pay a collective $31.5 million to settle allegations that they promoted illegal online gambling operations. The U.S. attorney in St. Louis announced the settlements Wednesday with Microsoft Corp., Yahoo Inc., and Google Inc., which she accused of selling ads that steered U.S. Web surfers to offshore gambling Web sites.
Iraqi Media Brave Assaults From All Sides (CSM)
Iraqi journalists working for print, television, radio, and other outlets say they are sometimes bribed to relay the views and pronouncements of the organization that funds their operations or paid off by politicians who want positive coverage. Others say they face ongoing pressure from the US military, as illustrated by the case of award-winning Associated Press photographer Bilal Hussein.
Former Inky, Chron Editor Rosenthal to Head Center for Investigative Reporting (E&P)
Robert J. Rosenthal, former editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer and most recently managing editor of the San Francisco Chronicle, has been named executive director of the Center for Investigative Reporting in Berkeley, Ca. CIR describes itself as the "first and oldest nonprofit journalism organization in the world devoted to producing original investigative reporting."
MTV Greenlights Spinoff Show for Tila Tequila (Hollywood Reporter)
After taking A Shot at Love, MTV is now saying, That's Amore. The channel has greenlighted a spinoff of its hit reality competition series A Shot at Love With Tila Tequila, which ended its run at 10 p.m. Tuesday with a whopping 6.2 million total viewers tuning in to make it MTV's most-watched series telecast.
Writerless Networks to Spotlight Karaoke (NYP)
In a move that illustrates how television networks are girding for a protracted battle with striking TV writers while also scrambling to fill major programming holes, interactive karaoke restaurant Spotlight Live is closing in on a production deal. Broadcast networks ABC, CBS, NBC, The CW, and a handful of cable networks held informal talks with Spotlight about developing a show based on Spotlight's concept.
An Open Letter to Drudge Readers (Variety)
Brian Lowry: Every time a column or article of mine gets posted on the Drudge Report, I invariably wake up to a torrent of hostile emails. For awhile, it was like a perverse "Where's Waldo?" game — "Oh, that one's rage-filled and anti-Semitic — I must have made Drudge!" Frankly, all this vitriol seems slightly misplaced, given that there are so many outlets now for people who would write such things. Starting with prison.
F+W Shutters Multiple Hobbyist Magazines (Folio:)
F+W Publications has shuttered five magazines under its Wisconsin-based Krause Publications division. The titles include Antiques and Collectibles Journal, Comics & Games Retailer, Toy Cars & Models, Toy Shop, and Vintage Motorcycles, the publisher confirmed.
FriendFeed
