Friday Media Notes – Late West Coast Edition
Washington Post Newsroom Leadership Update
Washington Post CEO and Publisher William Lewis shared this note today:
Dear colleagues,
It is with regret that I share with you that Robert Winnett has withdrawn from the position of Editor at The Washington Post. Rob has my greatest respect and is an incredibly talented editor and journalist. The leadership at The Telegraph Media Group are reaffirming his continued role as deputy editor.
We will immediately launch a new search for Editor of our core coverage. We will soon announce both the recruiting firm and process we will utilize to ensure a timely but thorough search for this important leadership role.
In the meantime, we are fortunate to have the leadership of Matt Murray who will continue in his role as Executive Editor until after the U.S. elections and also carry forward planning and leading the third newsroom. In parallel, we will continue our Build It efforts on the third newsroom with the timeline for full implementation in Q1 2025.
Thank you,
William
According to The Washington Post, “the change of plans comes after days of turmoil surrounding The Post, triggered by the abruptexit of executive editor Sally Buzbee on June 2 and questions about past journalistic practices of both Winnett and William Lewis, The Post’s CEO and publisher.”
CNN: Jeff Bezos is under fire at the Washington Post as patience wears thin among staffers
OWN’s ‘The Never Ever Mets’ Gets Early Season Two Renewal
Today, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced ‘The Never Ever Mets’, its freshman dating and relationship series, will be renewed for a second season ahead of its finale airing Friday, June 21 at 8/7c. The first season ranked as Friday night’s #1 original series on ad-supported cable in its time period across all key African American demos, consistently drove double-digit growth over the season and has been watched by nearly 4 million total viewers to date on the cable network.
Hosted by actor and musician Ta’Rhonda Jones, ‘The Never Ever Mets’ follows seven couples who have been virtually dating, some for months and others for years, as they take their online relationships into the real world – all while living in a house together and navigating a variety of challenges and relationship-building exercises. The host, together with relationship experts, facilitate these challenges and meetings, which include couples therapy sessions as well as unconventional bonding activities, to test if the couples’ internet love can survive off the screen.
Kevin Costner Says He Won’t Be Back on ‘Yellowstone’
As Many As One in Four (25%) Americans Anticipate Increases to their Travel Spending this Summer
A new Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of BMO reveals that about twice as many Americans expect to spend more (25%) than less (13%) on travel this summer compared to what they spent last summer. Around two in five (38%) expect to spend the same, while one in four (24%) say they won’t be traveling at all this summer. The appetite for summer travel is highest among the younger generations – Gen Z and Millennials – who lead as the cohorts most likely to anticipate increases in their summer travel spending this year (30% vs. 21% of Gen X and Boomers).
One in ten expect to spend more on weddings (11%) this summer, whereas slightly higher proportions anticipate increases in spending on home renovations (17%), special events like graduations (15%), and/or large purchases such as appliances or cars (13%). Three in ten parents of children under 18 (30%) say they have no plans to do summer camp or childcare for their children this summer. One in five (20%) parents of children under 18 say they will be spending more this summer than they did last summer on this category. [Ipsos]
Fox News and others sign on to carry CNN’s presidential debate
Broadcast and cable networks, including Fox News and ABC, are falling in line to carry the simulcast of CNN’s presidential debate on June 27, the first general election face-off of this cycle between President Biden and former president Trump. [LA Times]
