Subject: Trump Tower newscast; day of reckoning; Morales moving; Henry away; Discovery layoffs; Tribune rejects Gannett; Wambach joins ESPN; Wilmore's regret
From: CNN's Reliable Sources <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 5 May 2016 03:12:14 +0000
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By Brian Stelter and the CNNMoney Media team - [email-masked] (mailto:[email-masked])

** May the 4th be with Trump?
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We will remember this day for a very long time. It's the day Donald Trump's final competitor, John Kasich, dropped out... The day that it sunk in for many people, "This is really happening..." The day the press really firmly pivoted to the general election... And the day "NBC Nightly News" broadcast its entire newscast from Trump Tower.

There is an enormous amount of media news to get to, so keep scrolling for all of it...
Counting Trump's interviews...
Trump was so busy today, he barely had time to tweet. He called into "Morning Joe" at 6:15, "Today" and "GMA" at 7, "Fox & Friends" at 7:30, and he taped a long-form interview (http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/04/politics/donald-trump-john-kasich/)  with Wolf Blitzer. He spoke with the NYT, WSJ, Time magazine, and I'm sure I'm missing some others. He taped an interview with Bill O'Reilly. And at 6:30 he talked live (http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/presumptive-gop-nominee-trump-goes-one-on-one-with-lester-holt-679516739918) with Lester Holt from his Trump Tower office. He told Holt that he wants to raise ~$1 billion for the general, but said "I'm not even sure that's necessary, because I have a big voice, I go on shows like yours, I explain the truth." A preview of his "free media" strategy for the fall?
"Nightly News" live from Hillary HQ next?
http://deadline.com/2016/05/lester-holt-anchors-nbc-nightly-news-trump-tower-twitter-reaction-1201749420/
Readers of this newsletter from CBS, ABC and NBC texted/emailed "WTF?" reactions while watching Holt anchor his nightly newscast from the golden lobby of Trump Tower. Mediaite collected the critical tweets about it. (http://www.mediaite.com/tv/nbc-makes-curious-decision-to-let-lester-holt-anchor-nightly-news-from-trump-tower/)  After the broadcast, an NBC News spokesman said "Nightly" will make the same offer to the presumptive Dem nominee. A rival's response: "Pahleeeze..."

-- Noted, part one: Anderson Cooper interviewed Hillary Clinton in Chappaqua today, but didn't anchor "AC360" from there...

-- Noted, part two: Mark Halperin co-anchored "With All Due Respect" from HRC's Brooklyn campaign HQ one day last July...
Day of reckoning for reporters
I can barely keep up with all the "why we were wrong about Trump" columns and thinkpieces. The scripts for Sunday's "Reliable Sources" almost write themselves. The WashPost's Dana Milbank will join me live... Last fall he swore he'd "eat my words" if Trump became the nominee, so now he's preparing to digest some newsprint. (http://money.cnn.com/2016/05/04/media/dana-milbank-washington-post-eat-column/index.html) (Newspaper-lined tacos or ground newspaper falafel?) Other must-reads:

-- E.J. Dionne:"I was dead wrong as a pundit..." (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dont-mainstream-trump/2016/05/04/ebf8d7e8-1233-11e6-81b4-581a5c4c42df_story.html)
-- Callum Borchers: "12 of the most misguided media predictions about Trump..." (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/05/04/12-of-the-most-misguided-media-predictions-about-donald-trump/?postshare=4041462363795918&tid=ss_tw)
-- Nate Cohn:"We will never know just how wrong we were..." (http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/05/upshot/what-i-got-wrong-about-donald-trump.html)
For the record, Trump edition
-- Trump defended his National Enquirer citation on the morning shows, but then told Blitzer that "I didn't believe" the tabloid's claim about Ted Cruz's dad... (Politico (http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/trump-cruz-jfk-assassination-222817) )

-- CNN has topped Fox in the 25-54 demo on most primary nights, but last night Fox ranked No. 1... (TVNewser (http://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/race-changing-indiana-primary-gives-fox-news-a-ratings-win/292809) )

-- Sean Hannity tweets: "This is and has been a voter rebellion unlike anything I’ve ever seen in my lifetime, or maybe we’ll ever see again"

-- Sinclair CEO David Smith says a Trump-Clinton general, putting new states in play, "could go well for us," meaning new markets for local $$ spending (B&C (http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/sinclairs-smith-trump-could-mean-cash-local-tv/156182) )
Tribune rebuffs Gannett
Dylan Byers reports: Today Tribune Publishing formally rejected Gannett's $815 million takeover offer, arguing (http://investor.tribpub.com/investor-relations/press-releases/press-releases-details/2016/Tribune-Publishings-Board-Unanimously-Rejects-Gannetts-Unsolicited-Proposal/default.aspx) that it "understates the company's true value and is not a basis for further discussion." Here's the statement. (http://investor.tribpub.com/investor-relations/press-releases/press-releases-details/2016/Tribune-Publishings-Board-Unanimously-Rejects-Gannetts-Unsolicited-Proposal/default.aspx)

Gannett chair John Jeffry Louis fired back: It's "unfortunate that Tribune's board would deny their shareholders this compelling, immediate and certain cash value by rejecting our offer without making a counterproposal or otherwise negotiating or providing any constructive feedback." Here's Dylan's story... More TK, for sure...  (http://money.cnn.com/2016/05/04/media/tribune-rejects-gannett/index.html?iid=Lead)
Seven new L.A. Times bureaus
Also today, Tribune described plans (http://money.cnn.com/2016/05/04/media/tribune-rejects-gannett/index.html?iid=Lead) to boost the L.A. Times by breaking it out as a distinct business unit and by adding seven foreign bureaus. Dylan says CEO Justin Dearborn is "setting the stage for a re-expansion of a paper that recently shuttered international desks." The bureaus will be in "entertainment-oriented" cities like Hong Kong, Seoul, Mexico City, Moscow, and Mumbai. This is all part of chairman Michael Ferro's (fantastical?) plan to make the LAT a global news brand that competes with the NYT... A plan that Gannett might make obsolete...
Discovery planning layoffs
The exact #'s are not yet known. But Discovery Communications is planning a round of layoffs this summer/fall "as part of a cost-savings plan," The Wrap's Tony Maglio reports. (http://www.thewrap.com/discovery-communications-layoffs-david-zaslav/)  First, though, the company will offer voluntary buyouts. "Other actions will include some restructuring and budget reallocations. Severance pay and other voluntary buyout actions should cost the company between $40 million and $60 million..."
Why Ed Henry is away
This story just makes me really sad. Fox News chief White House correspondent Ed Henry has been off the air for a week. Why? Well, In Touch Weekly reported today (http://money.cnn.com/2016/05/04/media/ed-henry-fox-news-affair/index.html) that he had a "secret double life" with a "Las Vegas hostess." The woman shared texts and photos with the tabloid and described her alleged sex life with Henry in detail. Fox said, "We recently became aware of Ed's personal issues and he's taking some time off to work things out." More... (http://money.cnn.com/2016/05/04/media/ed-henry-fox-news-affair/index.html)
A trio of NBC stories...
Natalie Morales heading west
Remember when Ann Curry was named "Today" show "anchor at large" -- and then remained "at large?" NBC says that is NOT what's happening with Natalie Morales. This summer Morales will become (http://money.cnn.com/2016/05/04/media/nbc-natalie-morales-today-show/index.html) the morning show's "West Coast anchor" and a host of "Access Hollywood"/"AH LIve."

She's leaving her news anchor job, and she won't be replaced -- the "Today" producers are phasing out the job. She's also leaving the 9 a.m. hour of "Today." Billy Bush's takeover of the hour will be announced in a couple of weeks.

I'm told Morales is expected to appear on "Today" from the Burbank bureau most days -- well before dawn, of course, in the Pacific time zone. What the title really means... Whether it's just a fancy way of saying "contributor," or if it's something more...will be revealed over time. Here's my story...  (http://money.cnn.com/2016/05/04/media/nbc-natalie-morales-today-show/index.html)
Hot talk on Chris Matthews' hot mic
Dylan reports: Chris Matthews was caught on a hot mic commenting on Melania Trump's "runway walk" last night. "Did you see her walk? Runway walk. My God is that good," Matthews could be heard saying during MSNBC's primary night coverage. "I could watch that runway show," Matthews added.

Reps for MSNBC and NBC News have yet to comment. But Melania Trump's spokeswoman sorta-responded... Get the details here... (http://money.cnn.com/2016/05/04/media/chris-matthews-melania-trump/index.html)

-- MZ Hemingway's retort: (https://twitter.com/MZHemingway)  "Um. She’s a gorgeous model. Noticing she’s a gorgeous model is not exactly newsworthy is it?"
Another "60 Minutes?"
Newsmagazine vet Andy Lack is trying something new: "On Assignment," (http://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/video/on-assignment-a-special-series-from-dateline-nbc-676611139676) a "Dateline" spinoff that sounds a lot like CBS's "60 Minutes." Unlike "Rock Center," which emphasized Brian Williams' NYC location, this newsmag will be led by Lester Holt and will be all about in-the-field investigations and interviews. Like "60," it will have three "in-depth" stories per hour. The first of six episodes will air this Sunday at 7pm, right up against "60..."
For the record, part one
-- 21st Century Fox (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/shares-21st-century-fox-rise-890677)  and Time Warner (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-time-warner-earnings-20160504-snap-story.html) both reported pretty rosy earnings today... And Fox News and CNN, respectively, both received shoutouts. Election interest = higher ratings = greater ad revenues...

-- Thank goodness: Apple is revamping Apple Music... Look out for details next month... (Bloomberg (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-04/apple-to-revamp-streaming-music-service-after-mixed-reviews-departures) ).

-- Peter Kafka's sources say "Disney is looking to acquire as much as one-third of BAM Tech [[the streaming arm that MLB Advanced Media is looking to spin off]] at a valuation approaching $3 billion, with 'path to control...'" (Recode (http://recode.net/2016/05/04/disney-mlb-video-streaming-company/) )

-- p.s.: Re/code is now just Recode, no more slash!

-- Two CNN hires from Mashable today: Amanda Willis will be a senior editor on CNN's digital news desk (the first such position based in NYC) and Brian Reis will be a senior producer on the social publishing team...

** Wilmore: "I know I lost the room early"
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"From a pure comedic point of view, I know that I lost the room early — that was apparent, and I knew I was not going to be able to bring them back, so I just tried to have fun and enjoy it." That's what Larry Wilmore says in a post-WHCD interview with the WashPost. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/larry-wilmore-on-his-whca-dinner-speech-i-know-i-lost-the-room-early/2016/05/04/c67e035a-120e-11e6-93ae-50921721165d_story.html) He reveals that he actually cut some jokes as he went along. And it sounds like he regrets his dig at Wolf Blitzer. Read more... (https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/larry-wilmore-on-his-whca-dinner-speech-i-know-i-lost-the-room-early/2016/05/04/c67e035a-120e-11e6-93ae-50921721165d_story.html)

** Growth slows at Hulu
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Hulu expects to pass the 12 million subscriber mark sometime this month. (It announced the new number this morning. (http://money.cnn.com/2016/05/04/media/hulu-subscribers-cable-bundle/index.html?iid=SF_LN) ) Now, this time last year, Hulu was closing in on the 9 million subscriber mark... a "50% increase in subscriber base since 2014." Today, it touted "30% growth in subscribers" year over year. Subscriber growth has slowed...

** Not a "declaration of war?"
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Maybe a live TV bundle will drive subscriber growth? At Hulu's NewFront this morning, Mike Hopkins confirmed (http://money.cnn.com/2016/05/04/media/hulu-subscribers-cable-bundle/index.html?iid=SF_LN) the company's plans for a cablelike bundle of channels that will cost about $40 a month. Speaking with the NYT, (http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/04/business/media/hulu-aims-to-deliver-what-you-want-to-watch-next.html) he refuted suggestions that this is a "declaration of war" against traditional TV providers. It's not designed for people who love their existing service, he said, it's for the people who are "falling out of love with pay TV. We want to have a product for them."

-- Also announced today: (http://money.cnn.com/2016/05/04/media/hulu-subscribers-cable-bundle/index.html?iid=SF_LN) New seasons of "The Path" and "The Mindy Project..." And a new Hulu documentary films division...
-- Also, also: Bloomberg reported new details today (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-04/youtube-said-to-plan-unplugged-online-tv-service-for-2017) about YouTube's interest in selling a cablelike bundle of channels, joining Sling and Vue. Variety's Andrew Wallenstein argued that none of this is "gamechanging..." (http://variety.com/2016/digital/opinion/skinny-bundles-at-hulu-youtube-fat-chance-opinion-1201766588/?platform=hootsuite)

** "Kelly without Michael" lineup -->
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Here's the co-host lineup for Kelly Ripa's first week without Michael Strahan, as emailed by ABC tonight:

May 16 – Jimmy Kimmel
May 17 – "Empire" star Jussie Smollett
May 18 – Comedian Cedric the Entertainer
May 19 – David Muir
May 20 – Actor Daniel Dae Kim

** Abby Wambach joins ESPN
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CNNMoney's Ahiza Garcia sends this along: Abby Wambach will be joining ESPN as an analyst and contributo (http://money.cnn.com/2016/05/04/media/abby-wambach-espn-analyst/index.html?iid=SF_LN) r. The retired U.S. Women's Soccer star will also host a new podcast called "Fearless Conversation with Abby Wambach." She will cover soccer during the Rio Olympics but will also work on non-soccer-related projects for ESPN Films and shows like "Outside the Lines..."

** Kobe Bryant, writer?
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While we're talking the second careers of star athletes, Kobe Bryant may be a basketball legend, but he justcan't stop talking about his other passion: Writing (http://money.cnn.com/2016/05/04/investing/kobe-bryant-retirement-write/index.html?iid=SF_LN) . "I love being here with you fine folks but I'd rather be at the office writing stories right now," Bryant said to a packed ballroom at the Milken conference today. "I love storytelling, I love it, love it, love it." CNNMoney's Patrick Gillespie has more... (http://money.cnn.com/2016/05/04/investing/kobe-bryant-retirement-write/index.html?iid=SF_LN)
For the record, part two
-- "OWN is shaking up its leadership team, with co-president Sheri Salata set to step down..." Erik Logan will be the sole president... (Variety (http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/own-oprah-winfrey-president-exit-sheri-salata-1201766473/) )

-- Your final three hosts of "SNL" this season: Brie Larson with Alicia Keys... Drake as host and musical guest... And Fred Armisen and Courtney Barnett...

-- Russell Crowe is in talks to join Tom Cruise in Universal's "Mummy" reboot... (Variety (http://variety.com/2016/film/news/russell-crowe-mummy-dr-jekyll-1201725688/)

-- Ellen DeGeneres is launching the "Ellen Digital Network" and doing a development deal with Tyler Oakley... (Deadline (http://deadline.com/2016/05/ellen-degeneres-digital-network-development-deal-with-youtube-star-tyler-oakley-newfront-1201749199/) )

-- Matt Zoller Seitz breaks down "Spoiler Etiquette" for all you "Game of Thrones" fans out there... (Vulture (http://www.vulture.com/2016/05/spoiler-alert-this-post-is-on-spoiler-etiquette.html) )

-- And Brian Lowry tweets (http://twitter.com/blowryontv) about the new sci-fi dramedy that Fox green-lit (http://deadline.com/2016/05/seth-macfarlane-create-star-fox-sci-fi-series-2017-18-season-1201749292/) today: "Seth MacFarlane's new Fox series is set 300 years in the future. Based on current events, have to say that sounds optimistic..."

** May the Fourth Be With You
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Frank Pallotta emails: Happy "Star Wars" day to you and yours!

What a great day to be a Star Wars fa-- actually, you know what? I don't like "May the Fourth Be With You." There, I said it.

Listen, before you think I've gone to the Dark Side, let me say that I love "Star Wars" (as anyone who reads this newsletter is probably aware), but "Star Wars Day" is kind of overrated. There's really no news that comes with it, and if you love the films then everyday is kind of "Star Wars" day.

Plus, the tweets that brands send out to align themselves with the holiday (http://money.cnn.com/2016/05/04/media/star-wars-day-2016-tweets-may-the-fourth-be-with-you/index.html?iid=SF_LN) are as oppressive as the Empire. I did find this one from Dominos to be pretty good though...
With multiple movies planned over the next few years, TV shows, video games, merchandising, and -- hoo boy -- even a theme park, there may be such a thing as "Star Wars" fatigue. That said, any day I get to wear my "Empire Strikes Back" T-shirt on CNN is a good day (https://twitter.com/frankpallotta/status/727863732756488192) . So, in the end, May The Fourth Be With You... Always.

** Spider-Man may weave box office web for 'Civil War'
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Frank isn't done talking about Disney franchises: "Captain America: Civil War" is setting up for one of the biggest openings in box office history, and it may get some extra help from everyone's favorite web-slinger. (http://money.cnn.com/2016/05/04/media/spider-man-captain-america-civil-war-box-office/index.html?iid=SF_LN)

The next film in Disney's Marvel Cinematic Universe opens Friday with Cap fighting Iron Man alongside a cavalcade of heroes including, for the first time, Spider-Man.

The character is one of the most popular characters in box office history -- to the tune of $3.9 billion. That may boost ticket sales (http://money.cnn.com/2016/05/04/media/spider-man-captain-america-civil-war-box-office/index.html?iid=SF_LN) (even though Marvel doesn't really need the help). "His presence can only help because the character is still counted among the most popular superheroes in all of comic book lore," said Shawn Robbins, senior analyst at Boxoffice.com. "The rule of thumb in any fan-driven movie genre or adaptation is that if the fans are happy, you're on the right track."

** Whew. What a day. And I'm sure I forgot something...
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