Media future

Recent LA Observed posts on innovation and the future of news and media
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KCET and PBS SoCal agree to merge

kcet-rehearsal-control.jpg The station that used to be the PBS flagship in Los Angeles — KCET — and the current flagship — PBS SoCal, or KOCE — are going to save themselves and combine in a "merger of equals."

Endangered SoCal papers plead for your help to continue

ocr-ocr-4thestate-0415-001.jpg In a surprising set of weekend pieces, the editor of the SoCal News Group and each of his papers call on readers to support local news. Or else.

A reporter says farewell to his newspaper home

larry-altman-magic.jpg Larry Altman leaves the Daily Breeze after 28 years, much of that covering murder and mayhem. "For the most part, I loved being a reporter, but the job came with so much sadness and stress."

Deep layoffs began Monday at SoCal News Group

breeze-photo-desk-osier.jpg Tom Hoffarth, the longtime Daily News sports columnist, says he is one of 10 sports staffers to lose their jobs. The Breeze lost all but one photographer, per a report.

Read the memo: LA Times top editor warns staff about union

latimes-bldg-from-corner.jpg "Here are some other facts you may want to consider as you decide whether or not to unionize."

LA Weekly sold to mystery buyer and into uncertain future

laweekly-grim-sleeper.jpg The venerable free Los Angeles alt-weekly has been dished off by owner Voice Media Group.

LA Times gets a top editor with nothing but questions

lewis-dvorkin-2013.jpg Lewis D'Vorkin has never run a newspaper and brings no Los Angeles experience to the table. At Forbes he increased web clicks and gave advertisers more influence.
la-raza-raided-maria-varela.jpg Daily News photographer takes to the streets. Visiting critic blinded by the light. Media notes and obits. More PST:LA/LA. Selected tweets.

Marty Baron warns of what's ahead for the press

marty-baron-sarah-ellison-v.jpg The Washington Post editor known for the film "Spotlight" doesn't scare easily.

Tronc sale to Gannett could be imminent

michael-ferro-yt.jpg Ken Doctor reports that a deal may be announced as soon as Monday, over the oposition of LA billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong.

Sue Laris puts Downtown News up for sale after 44 years

dtnews-gary-leonard.jpg Weekly newspaper has chronicled the downtown boom all the way along.

Is Ferro looking to escape his own troncosphere?

ferro-screen-grab-cnbc.jpg Ken Doctor hears that Tronc chairman Michael Ferro may be considering his options.

New York Times unveils a California newsletter

nyt-newsletter-grab.jpg California Today has news from the NYT, the LA Times and other media outlets and is written by Ian Lovett of the LA bureau.

Patrick Soon-Shiong buys into Tribune Publishing

Patrick_Soon-Shiong_wikipedia.jpg He becomes the second largest shareholder, vice chairman of the board, and Michael Ferro's defense against a takeover by Gannett.

Tribune Publishing slides toward parody

michael-ferro-yt.jpg Ferro's secret plan to monetize his new toy includes LA Times bureaus in Lagos, Moscow and Mumbai. But nothing for LA or California.

Sadly for LAT, this might be worst Tribune yet

michael-ferro-grafic-chicago-mag.jpg Ferro might be the illegitimate offspring of Sam Zell and former Freedom Communications CEO Aaron Kushner.

Beware: Ferro has magical plans for LA Times

michael-ferro-yt.jpg More revenue than you've ever seen. Artificial intelligence. Revolutionize the strategy. Piece of cake.

Change of plans: Freedom papers going to Digital First*

oc-register-bldg.jpg Tribune's high bid is rejected after a federal lawsuit and temporary restraining order. Now on to the judge to decide.

Justice Dept. files lawsuit to block Register sale to Tribune

latimes-building-from-above.jpg The civil antitrust lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to block last night's auction results.

Tribune Publishing wins OC Register bidding*

oc-register-bldg.jpg LA Times parent puts up the most money, but questions remain.

U.S. throws wrench into LAT's bid for the Register

ocregister-newsroom-nyt-ma.jpg A letter from the Justice Department warns of antitrust concerns if Tribune Publishing were to acquire Freedom communications at auction.

Bidding for OC Register is a 3-way showdown

oc-register.jpg Digital First Media's offer is chosen as the stalking horse bid. Read the memo.

Tribune and Digital First bid for the OC Register

ocregister-newsroom-nyt-ma.jpg A third bidder may yet join the auction but a sale could close by the end of the month.

Davan Maharaj named publisher too of the LA Times*

davan-maharaj-320.jpg The editor since 2011 will be the first joint editor-publisher of the LAT possibly since the era of General Harrison Otis. He's the fourth publisher in two years.

Sunday LA Times section front will change color in the light

lat-oscars-cover.jpg The Los Angeles Times is experimenting with this Sunday's print Calendar section — that is the day of the Academy Awards ceremony and TV show. The cover images of...

Jose Antonio Vargas and the LA Times agree to break up

jose-antonio-vargas-michael-conti.jpg His #EmergingUS seeks to raise $1 million in 60 days in a new partnership with Beacon.
Drill down
In case you missed it
KCET control room
kcet-rehearsal-control.jpgA peek inside the TV station's Burbank studios.
Images of the refugees
father-daughter-reach-lesbos-stoddart.jpgA father celebrates his family's safe landing in Lesbos, Greece.
Gone but not forgotten
garment-and-citizen-sign.jpgA presence of the late downtown newspaper the Garment & Citizen remains on a Spring Street wall.
Murdered in Mexico
vice-grab-murder-victim.jpgVice News on the slaughter of photojournalist Ruben Espinosa and four women.
Beutner's LA Times
austin-beutner-gary.jpgWhat new publisher Austin Beutner had to say about his plans for the Times. Story Plus: Boyarsky column
Sign of the print apocalypse?
newsbox-apocalypse.jpgNews boxes on Ventura Boulevard in Tarzana. Bigger
KCRW breaks ground
KCRW-Rendering-Reception.jpgNew Santa Monica studios would free the station from its longtime basement. Story
Kushner spars with Larry Mantle
kushner-spitz-kppc.jpgDespite mandatory unpaid time off, newsroom buyouts and threat of layoffs, Register owner says "we are growing." Story
New magazine
Screen Shot 2014-01-30 at 12.59.12 AM.jpgCalifornia Sunday Magazine hopes to be the publication the state has never had. Digitally and otherwise. More
New hires at KCRW
kcrw-new-hires-walsh.jpgThe station staffs up for new Madeleine Brand show debuting in 2014. Details
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