1 big thing: Duolingo ... for news

Illustration of an arcade machine with a newspaper icon on the screen.

Paste acquires Jezebel and Splinter from G/O Media

2. The BFD: Jezebel revived

Illustration of a manicured hand holding a phone with a spinning black and white vortex on the screen

3. Deal flow

4. Movin' on up (or out)

5. Channel surfing

🗣️ Quote of the day: "I did not think everyone would run with a story that everything is being sold, which is not the case," Disney CEO Bob Iger said during yesterday's employee town hall on his comments earlier this year to CNBC.

In July, Iger appeared to hint that he was open to selling ABC and other cable networks. 

@tim_bays: "Spirited" on Apple TV+. Missed this last holiday season and had to wait 365 days before my next chance.

@kerrymflynn: "Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God" on Max. Essentially everyone I know has begged me to watch this documentary.

✏️ Thanks to Michael Flaherty for editing and Katie Lewis for copy editing this newsletter.

Thank you for reading Axios Pro Media Deals! Please ask your friends, colleagues and Duolingo fans to sign up.

Media Deals

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1 big thing: High in fiber 

Reddit weighs another IPO

2. The BFD: Reddit upvotes another IPO

3. Charted: 🍿 Long weekend box office

4. Deal flow

5. Movin' on up (or out)

6. Channel surfing

Illustration of a surfer with a television in the place of his head.

🗣️ Situational awareness: Axios AI+ summit kicked off this morning in Washington, D.C. Tune into the livestream.

@tim_bays: "Squid Game: The Challenge" on Netflix. To say this game show version misses the entire point of the Korean series would be an understatement.

@kerrymflynn: "The Killer" on Netflix. Felt slow and was unsatisfied by the ending. Left me wondering if Michael Fassbender is actually good at yoga or that's all a body double.

Thank you for reading Axios Pro Media Deals! Please ask your friends, colleagues and Crown Castle investors to sign up.

💼 New hires

🗳️ Elections and appointments

📢 Promotions

🛫 Departures and layoffs

🔔 Announcements

📰 In the news

Welcome to the first weekend of December. Axios Pro Deals research associate Natalie Breymeyer here, with your monthly recap of who's working where now.

Did you or a friend recently change jobs? Tell us! Get wind of layoffs somewhere? Tell us! How do you tell us? Reply to this email.

You can skim below to find New hires; Elections and appointments; Promotions; and Departures.

📥 Your opinion matters to us. Please share your thoughts by replying to this email!

There you have it. Make sure to continue sending us your personnel-related news throughout the month.

🌞 Natalie was able to take a long weekend in November to visit the San Juan Islands with friends, where she enjoyed unseasonably sunny weather and lots of good food.

✏️ Special thanks to copy editor Katie Lewis. Catch you next month!

1 big thing: Talent-run communities

NASCAR signs new $7.7B TV deal

2. The BFD: NASCAR revs up new TV deal

 Illustration of racing flags made of hundred dollar bills.

3. 🔥 Disney-Trian proxy fight

Illustration of two hands grabbing for a Mickey Mouse ears hat surrounded by abstract shapes.

4. Elon blasts X boycotts

5. Deal flow

6. Movin' on up (or out)

7. Channel surfing

Illustration of a TV color test screen in the shape of a wave.

🏈 Situational awareness: The pending XFL-USFL merger has gained regulatory approval as they work toward a definitive agreement. The two leagues plan to play a combined season kicking off March 30, per a statement this morning.

@tim_bays: Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow Winter Stroll. They had me at ugly sweater contest. 

@kerrymflynn: "Silent Night" at AMC Theatres. John Wick but with even less dialogue? I'm in.

Thank you for reading Axios Pro Media Deals! Please ask your friends, colleagues and Jack Harlow to sign up.

1. Music money-making

Illustration of a collage featuring headphones and pieces of money.

2. SPAC part deux 

3. High in fiber

4. Duolingo ... for news

5. Jezebel revived

6. Talent-run communities

7. Revving up rights 

We made it to Friday, media readers. Research associate Natalie Breymeyer here, with your weekly digest.

💼 Situational awareness: Blackstone-backed Moonbug Entertainment, the company behind the "CoComelon" franchise, named Netflix marketing veteran Peter Stone as its first chief marketing officer. 

📌 Of note: Apple and Paramount have discussed bundling their streaming services at a discount, the WSJ reports, a sign that the long-awaited push to consolidate in this space is gaining ground. 

🩰 Natalie is going to Seattle this weekend to see the Pacific Northwest Ballet perform "The Nutcracker."

✏️ Special thanks to Michael Flaherty for editing and Katie Lewis for copy editing this newsletter.

🙏 Thank you for reading Axios Pro Media Deals! Please ask your friends and colleagues to sign up.

FetchError

National

Elon Musk's X Corp. sued Media Matters for America for defamation on Monday after the left-leaning nonprofit released a report on ads on X running next to pro-Nazi content and helped trigger an advertiser exodus.

Driving the news: The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas Fort Worth Division, alleged the organization's tactics were manipulative and deceptive. 

X alleged that Media Matters "exploited" the platform to have ads appear this way, which included "excessive scrolling" and curating its feed with "fringe" content. 

"The overall effect on advertisers and users was to create the false, misleading perception that these types of pairings were common, widespread, and alarming," the lawsuit reads. 

What they're saying: X CEO Linda Yaccarino, who has received messages from marketing leaders pushing for her to resign, defended the company in a statement on Monday. 

"If you know me, you know I'm committed to truth and fairness," she posted. 

"Here's the truth. Not a single authentic user on X saw IBM's, Comcast's, or Oracle's ads next to the content in Media Matters' article. Only 2 users saw Apple's ad next to the content, at least one of which was Media Matters. Data wins over manipulation or allegations. Don't be manipulated. Stand with X."

Meanwhile, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said on Monday that he is "opening an investigation into Media Matters for potential fraudulent activity," noting Musk's accusation of the organization "manipulating data" on X.

The other side: "This is a frivolous lawsuit meant to bully X's critics into silence. Media Matters stands behind its reporting and looks forward to winning in court," Media Matters president Angelo Carusone said in a statement on Monday night.

Carusone said over the weekend in response to Musk's threat to sue that far from "the free speech advocate he claims to be, Musk is a bully who threatens meritless lawsuits in an attempt to silence reporting that he even confirmed is accurate."

Yes, but: Advertisers are not just concerned with brand safety on the platform. Musk backing an antisemitic conspiracy theory last week also drew ire from marketing chiefs. 

Musk denounced claims that he is antisemitic in a post on X on Sunday. Yaccarino has not acknowledged those concerns in her public remarks or in her recent memo to X employees. 

Read the complaint in full, via DocumentCloud:

Musk threatens to sue ADL after blaming it for X ad sales slump

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

Elon Musk's X sues Media Matters for America

IBM, Apple and Comcast are among the companies that have paused advertising on X.

 Tesla and SpaceX's CEO Elon Musk smiles during an in-conversation event with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Lancaster House on November 2, 2023 in London, England. 

Elon Musk. Photo: Kirsty Wigglesworth - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Elon Musk

Media

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Elon Musk&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/business/elon-musk" data-vars-content-id="2847187b-0816-4e42-a5da-b0df42de904a" data-vars-headline="Elon Musk&#x27;s X sues Media Matters for America" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/business/elon-musk" target="_self">Elon Musk&#x27;s</a> X Corp. sued Media Matters for America for defamation on Monday after the left-leaning nonprofit released a report on ads on X running next to pro-Nazi content and helped trigger an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="advertiser exodus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/18/twitter-x-boycott-apple-ibm-advertisers" data-vars-content-id="2847187b-0816-4e42-a5da-b0df42de904a" data-vars-headline="Elon Musk&#x27;s X sues Media Matters for America" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/18/twitter-x-boycott-apple-ibm-advertisers" target="_self">advertiser exodus</a>.Driving the news: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lawsuit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24172809-x-v-media-matters-complaint-filestamped-1" data-vars-content-id="2847187b-0816-4e42-a5da-b0df42de904a" data-vars-headline="Elon Musk&#x27;s X sues Media Matters for America" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24172809-x-v-media-matters-complaint-filestamped-1" target="_blank">lawsuit</a>, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas Fort Worth Division, alleged the organization&#x27;s tactics were manipulative and deceptive.

Latest news on Wall Street, Corporate America and financial regulation.

Business

From the Valley to D.C., Big Tech players like Facebook, Google and Amazon are under more scrutiny than ever as new technology develops and privacy and antitrust concerns grow in lockstep with companies’ ambitions.

Technology

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

World

Jeff Zucker's RedBird IMI has shared its plan to acquire the Telegraph newspaper and Spectator magazine.

Why it matters: A deal could set a regulatory precedent as it involves a U.S. firm, funded by Abu Dhabi money, buying U.K. publications.

The latest: The boards of the Telegraph Media Group and the Spectator announced Tuesday morning that the sale processes are paused until after a court hearing scheduled for Dec. 4.

Of note: RedBird IMI is a joint venture between investment firm RedBird Capital and International Media Investments, an Abu Dhabi-based investment company. Zucker is RedBird IMI's CEO.

Details: Under terms of the agreement, RedBird IMI will provide a package of loans to the Barclay family that owns the publications, including a £600 million loan against the Telegraph and Spectator, which it plans to convert into equity.

IMI alone will also provide a similarly sized loan secured against other Barclay family businesses and commercial interests, RedBird IMI said in a statement.

RedBird Capital will manage the titles, while IMI will be a passive investor only, according to a RedBird IMI spokesperson, who added that acquirers would be "entirely committed" to maintaining the existing editorial team and its editorial independence.

Press Gazette first reported the details.

Catch up quick: David and Frederick Barclay bought the titles for £665 million in 2004. Lloyds Banking Group seized control of the publications in June of this year over its debts.

Other reported bidders for the publications include Rupert Murdoch, The Daily Mail owner DMGT, GB News investor Sir Paul Marshall, UnHerd Ventures and German media group Axel Springer.

What they're saying: A group of Conservative lawmakers raised concerns over the potential deal's foreign influence in a recent letter to deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden, business secretary Kemi Badenoch and culture secretary Lucy Frazer, according to The Guardian.

"Material influence over a quality national newspaper being passed to a foreign ruler at any time should raise concerns, but given the current geopolitical context, such a deal must be investigated," the lawmakers wrote.

RedBird IMI publicizes interest in Telegraph

A group of Conservative lawmakers raised concerns over the potential deal's foreign influence.

Illustration of a handshake forming part of the Union Jack.

Media deals

Jeff Zucker&#x27;s RedBird IMI has shared its plan to acquire the Telegraph newspaper and Spectator magazine.Why it matters: A deal could set a regulatory precedent as it involves a U.S. firm, funded by Abu Dhabi money, buying U.K. publications.

From TikTok to Tumblr, brands have myriad ways to connect with fans. One startup, backed by a talent agency, wants to make it easier for individuals and companies to understand and monetize those communities.

Driving the news: MITH has raised $3.5 million in seed funding for building a fan relationship platform, executives tell Axios.

Why it matters: The startup is a test case for the value of web3 and blockchain technology.

How it works: MITH offers community forums, content like photos, videos, text and livestreams, and commerce — physical and digital — to fans through tiered memberships.

Jack Harlow, who serves as a founding talent adviser along with Emilia Clarke and Halle Berry, launched on MITH earlier this month. His Private Garden members can access pre-show parties during his tour, exclusive content and limited edition apparel.

The company plans to operate with a SaaS model, charging clients a monthly fee and a percentage of revenue.

MITH's first project, Private Garden, is built on Polygon, though the team is also working with other blockchain partners.

Details: Management and production firm Range Media Partners, which is backed by Point72 Ventures and A+E Networks, incubated MITH in 2022. It maintains a minority stake. Range CEO Peter Micelli serves as chairman of MITH.

Range managing partner Natalie Bruss tells Axios that she shares a vision with MITH CEO Michelle Sanchez and her team on using web3 "to give artists more power and ownership and control of their distribution and their relationships with their audience."

MITH has five full-time employees. Range and TinyWins — a product and design studio whose co-founder Matty Ayers is also a co-founder and acting chief product officer for MITH — provide resources.

Warner Music Group, CMT Digital, Winklevoss Capital, Synergis Capital, The Near Foundation, 4RC and Alpha Praetorian Capital participated in the round, which closed earlier this year.

What's next: MITH plans to launch a self-serve platform early next year.

MITH raises $3.5M for fan engagement platform

Jack Harlow launched on MITH, where members can access pre-show parties.

Jack Harlow talks to Taylor Lautner and his wife, also Taylor Lautner, before a Detroit Lions game in October. Photo: Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images

Creator economy

From TikTok to Tumblr, brands have myriad ways to connect with fans. One startup, backed by a talent agency, wants to make it easier for individuals and companies to understand and monetize those communities.Driving the news: MITH has raised $3.5 million in seed funding for building a fan relationship platform, executives tell Axios.

Paste Magazine has acquired the feminist-focused brand Jezebel and political news site Splinter from G/O Media in an all-cash deal.

Why it matters: The publisher plans to revive the two defunct news outlets, despite the previous owner's revenue concerns.

Catch up quick: Axios scooped in October that G/O Media had been looking for a buyer for Jezebel. Earlier this month, it shut down the site and laid off 23 editorial staffers across the company.

Details: Jezebel may relaunch as soon as Wednesday while Splinter could come back next year, Paste co-founder and editor-in-chief Josh Jackson told the New York Times.

"We have been working on the sale of Jezebel for months and are delighted that the site has found a new home," G/O Media CEO Jim Spanfeller said in a statement.

The publisher also bought Splinter from G/O Media.

News media

Paste Magazine has acquired the feminist-focused brand Jezebel and political news site Splinter from G/O Media in an all-cash deal.Why it matters: The publisher plans to revive the two defunct news outlets, despite the previous owner&#x27;s revenue concerns.

RocaNews is building out its gamified news app as the non-partisan news brand explores raising more funding, executives tell Axios.

Why it matters: The plan aligns with other news startups' efforts to grow engaged audiences and diversify revenue while staying lean.

Catch up quick: Three co-founders — CEO Max Towey, president Max Frost and chairman Billy Carney — launched RocaNews in August 2020.

In its first year, RocaNews hit 1 million Instagram followers. It has more than 200,000 newsletter subscribers. The co-founders say its 5-month-old app has about 100,000 downloads and 40,000 monthly active users.

Details: Speaking from RocaNews' office in New York's SoHo neighborhood, the co-founders and executive director Jennifer Flanagan repeatedly mentioned the language learning app Duolingo as inspiration.

Duolingo "has taken one of the driest things in the world — learning a language — and made it something that tens of millions of people do every single day ... [and] pay to do," Frost says.

The RocaNews app rewards users for engagement like usage streaks, reading news stories — organized as vertical cards with bullets of text — or playing trivia.

The intrigue: Last month, it launched subscriptions. The app has three tiers that cost $2.99-$7.99 per month for additional content and gamification. It also offers a separate paid subscription for its newsletter.

The co-founders declined to share numbers.

Yes, but: Other news brands experimented with apps only to end them. Quartz shut down its app in 2019. BuzzFeed News closed its app in 2022, ahead of the news operation shutting down the following year.

By the numbers: RocaNews' audience of about 5 million followers across social media, its newsletter and app has a median age of 26 and is 57% male, 43% female.

RocaNews has raised $5.3 million, most recently a $4.4 million seed round led by Allon Ventures in January 2022.

It projects $350,000 in 2023 revenue and is not profitable.

It has 11 full-time employees, the majority based in New York.

What's next: Towey says the focus is business maturity. Vivienne Bially, a six-year veteran of The Wall Street Journal, recently joined as executive vice president of sales.

The co-founders say they have spoken to some funds but do not have a timeline for a future round, which could be a bridge or a Series A.

RocaNews grows app for non-partisan news

The 3-year-old startup is building out its subscription product.

RocaNews is building out its gamified news app as the non-partisan news brand explores raising more funding, executives tell Axios.Why it matters: The plan aligns with other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="news startups&#x27; efforts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/pro/media-deals/2023/11/15/daily-aus-us-expansion" data-vars-content-id="e8a9c5b7-9e99-4082-ab6c-94de2f2ed64d" data-vars-headline="RocaNews grows app for non-partisan news" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/pro/media-deals/2023/11/15/daily-aus-us-expansion" target="_self">news startups&#x27; efforts</a> to grow engaged audiences and diversify revenue while staying lean.

Kerry Flynn

Stories

MITH raises $3.5M for fan engagement platform

RocaNews grows app for non-partisan news

Paste acquires Jezebel and Splinter from G/O Media

RedBird IMI publicizes interest in Telegraph

Elon Musk's X sues Media Matters for America

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