Media News

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Content-Search Deals Make Twitter Profitable (Bloomberg BusinessWeek)
Twitter is ending 2009 on a high note. The microblogging site has reached profitability after inking $25 million of deals that make its content searchable. In October, Twitter said it had struck multiyear arrangements that make users' short blog postings available on Google and on Bing.

Google Said to Be Near Yelp Deal (NYT)
As originally reported by TechCrunch, Google is in discussions to buy Yelp. The talks show how intently the biggest Web companies are setting their sights on getting ads from the smallest neighborhood businesses. One source said the price was more than $500 million. AllThingsDigital/Media Memo: Google has also been in on-again, off-again acquisition talks with Trulia, the real estate search engine. Sources estimate that Trulia's valuation ranges between $150 million and $200 million.

Charlie Gibson Signs Off From World News (ABC News)
After nearly 35 years at ABC News, Charlie Gibson signed off from World News Friday evening. He served as the anchor of World News since May 2006. "I thank you for investing trust in us each evening," he said in his final broadcast. "I've had so many good days here." TVNewser: ABC News colleagues celebrate Gibson's career. WebNewser: ABC relaunches World News Web site for Diane Sawyer's broadcast takeover.

BBC Given TV Internet Go-Ahead (FT)
The BBC has been given the go-ahead for the controversial venture to bring Internet services to the television set, a decision that could make the public service broadcaster a leading player in a new TV technology.

Condé Nast Springs a Leak (WWD)
As if the year-end newsstand competition weren't enough, Condé Nast Publications said in court documents Thursday that GQ's December issue had to contend with a hacker who leaked a large swath of its editorial content before the magazine even hit shelves.

Radio Giant Citadel Files for Bankruptcy Protection (Associated Press)
Citadel Broadcasting Corp., the nation's third-largest radio broadcasting company, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Sunday in an effort to restructure its hefty debt load as it continues to face declining advertising revenue.

Keller: There Is 'No Next Round' of NYT Layoffs (NYO)
Bill Keller sent a memo to staff Friday saying the paper's layoffs are over and 100 jobs have been cut. Unlike the serial cutting we've seen at so many newspapers lately, Keller said the cutting is over (for now). "There is no further newsroom staff cut planned or foreseen, no 'next round' on the agenda," he said.

Tiger Woods Officially More Important Than 9/11 in Eyes of NYP (Mediaite)
Glynnis MacNicol: Friday marked the 20th straight day in a row that Tiger Woods hit the cover of the New York Post. Want to put that in perspective? The previous holder of the most consecutive Post covers title was the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, which dominated for 19 straight days. WSJ: How Tiger protected his image after the National Enquirer discover an affair in 2007.

Russian Publisher in Talks to Buy British Newspapers (NYT)
The former Soviet spy Aleksandr Y. Lebedev is seeking to expand his British media empire by adding two newspapers, The Independent and Independent on Sunday, less than a year after buying a London daily tabloid.

Think-Tanks and the Reporters Who Heart Them (Wired/Danger Room)
The relationship between reporters and think-tanks, at least in the national-security arena, is starting to shift. Think tanks are starting to become full-time patrons of the news business, and they are bankrolling book projects, blogs and even war reporting.

CBS Schedules Post-Super Bowl Slot (THR)
In a surprising move, CBS will premiere the new reality show Undercover Boss after the Super Bowl. It will be the first time since 2005 that a broadcast network has elected to air a new program after the most-watched television event of the year.

Networks Plot Emmy Rival (Variety)
Several networks have been approached in recent weeks about mounting an alternative to the Emmys. Sony Pictures Television prexy Steve Mosko is leading the effort, contacting network officials about potentially partnering with the Paley Center for the awards broadcast, according to sources.

Esquire's New iPhone App: A 'Reimagined' Version Of The Mag (FishbowlNY)
Starting with its January issue, Esquire will publish a full issue available for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The $2.99 app will give digital readers a "reimagined" version of the print magazine, so that it can be enjoyed in a small, digital format on an iPhone screen. AllThingsDigital/Media Memo: Condé Nast has put a second edition of its GQ magazine up for sale on Apple's iTunes Store.

After a Year of Ruin in Media, Some Hope (NYT)
David Carr: Blogs and new-media sites are cartoonishly written off as places where people write up the soup they just ate, but in the past year, many sites have added muscle and resources to the pursuit of news. You know things have changed when Gawker is hiring the kind of reporters who pick up the phone.

Harvard Business Review Site Is All-Ivy (min)
Steve Smith: Harvard Business Review has been one of the quiet magazine success stories online. In the last three years a hybrid paid and free content model has evolved that leverages the popularity of more than 30 HBR bloggers and a full slate of artfully-made products.