Dominion vs. Fox News: Case Is Settled For $787.5 Million
Issue #120 — Despite the historic settlement, many felt disappointed that this case did not go to trial.
Dominion vs. Fox News: Case Is Settled For $787.5 Million
There were many broken hearts as Fox News managed to finagle a last-second settlement agreement with Dominion Voting Systems to the tune of $787.5 million.
Many wanted to see the news network endure a grueling trial period hoping to see executives, staffers, and on-air talent admitting on the witness stand that they did not believe in the 2020 election falsities and only aired them as a financial decision.
Fox News wanted no part of that and knew a lengthy trial would damage its identity.
The pretrial phase of this case already introduced us to the inner workings of the Fox News operation. It was astounding to see how much of what was said on Fox News air was not embraced behind the scenes by executives and staffers, and on-air talent.
By going to trial, it was felt that this would be the chance for the news network to be held accountable for its influential role in the election disinformation of the 2020 presidential election season.
It also felt like this trial was not just about Dominion’s defamation suit but also represented a chance for Fox News to stand trial for the many other instances they have wilfully spread misinformation over the years.
As historic as the settlement was, it still felt like a total letdown to its detractors. Fox News was not even forced to apologize, adding more salt to the wound.
There is another chance for Fox News to be put on trial, courtesy of Smartmatic's $2.1 billion defamation lawsuit against the network.
High probability a settlement may happen there too, but for now, Smartmatic says they will go to trial, and if they do happen to settle, they will seek an apology.
DOMINION VS. FOX NEWS RECAP
Smartmatic vs. Fox News: They want more than Dominion and an apology. (CNN Business)
Smartmatic vs. Fox Dominion: Network defends its election coverage as “newsworthy.” (Mediaite)
Dominion vs. Fox News: Biggest libel payout in history. (PressGazette)
Dominion vs. Fox News: Five takeaways from this settlement. (The Hill)
Dominion vs. Fox News: Fox News to claim settlement as a tax write-off. (The Lever)
Dominion vs. Fox News: Could settlement deter the spread of misinformation? (The Washington Post)
Dominion vs. Fox News: Fox News keeps going unapologetically and looks to raise cable fees to cover lawsuit costs. (Vanity Fair)
Dominion vs. Fox News: CNN's Jake Tapper confronts Dominion CEO on why they didn’t demand an apology. (Mediaite)
Dominion vs. Fox News: More charges against the media are likely as a result of this outcome. (The New York Times)
Dominion vs. Fox News: What the outcome means for the other conservative news networks. (The Daily Beast)
Dominion vs. Fox News: What is the real cost of the settlement? (TVNewser)
Dominion vs. Fox News: Newsmax “stands by its coverage.” (Oliver Darcy/Twitter)
Dominion vs. Fox News: The ‘Fair and Balanced’ claim no longer exists at the network. (Forbes)
Dominion vs. Fox News: The defamation case exposed how Fox News damaged democracy. (The Guardian)
Dominion vs. Fox News: This settlement is just the beginning for the network. (Axios)
Dominion vs. Fox News: What was learned will define the network for many years. (NPR)
Dominion vs. Fox News: Jerry Roscoe was the mediator who made the settlement happen. (CNN)
Dominion vs. Fox News: Who will take the fall at Fox News? (Financial Review)
Dominion vs. Fox News: Why Fox News had to settle. (Politico)
Dominion vs. Fox News: Former Fox News producer Abby Grossberg’s attorney says the settlement doesn’t bring any actual change. (Oliver Darcy/Twitter)
Dominion vs. Fox News: Who gets fired? (Semafor)
Dominion vs. Fox News: Settlement news barely gets mentioned on Fox News. (Nikki McCann Ramirez)
Dominion vs. Fox News: With no apology given, Dominion still scores a victory. (Quartz)
Dominion vs. Fox News: How Fox News took over Trump’s ‘Big Lie.’ (The Daily Beast)
RECAP
Netflix Adds 1.75 Million Users In The First Quarter
Netflix can thank Fox News for dominating the media spotlight this past week, especially on Tuesday when it delivered its latest quarterly earning report. The news wasn’t so bad, but when compared with the final quarter of 2022, it certainly would have raised some eyebrows. The streaming company added 1.75 million subscribers, down from the 7.66 million it brought in from the previous quarter. The good news is that revenue grew to $8.16 billion, up from $7.87 billion. Netflix also announced that it would end its DVD business, yes it still exists, and that the long-planned crack down on password sharing was being pushed back from the first to the second quarter. (Variety, CNBC)
ESPN Layoffs To Begin This Week
This coming week is shaping up to be a busy one at ESPN; it’s gearing up for the 2023 NFL Draft, NBA and NHL playoffs are in full swing, and it’s settling in with its MLB broadcasts. Amidst all that activity, employees also have to ready themselves for layoffs, which are set to hit the worldwide leader in sports this week. These layoffs are part of the projected 7000 jobs Disney wants to eliminate as it looks to cut back on spending and boost its free cash flow. How many people will be eliminated from this division has not been revealed, but the cuts will also affect management and on-air staff. Those on-air personalities with expiring contracts or only a year left on their deals look like the most vulnerable ones. Be ready to say goodbye to some familiar faces. (CNBC, Front Office Sports)
WNBA Gets A Broadcast Deal With Scripps Sports
Scripps Sports is trying to be a player within the sports media space, while the WNBA wants to capitalize on its growing popularity. Having the two entities working together would mean that WNBA games will now air on Friday nights on Scripps-owned over-the-air broadcaster ION. ION, also available on all major pay TV and connected TV services, will air 44 games during the season in what is being branded as WNBA Friday Night Spotlight on ION. The multi-year deal kicks off May 26 and runs till Sept. 8 and will feature WNBA games airing during two windows, with some games airing nationally and some being relegated to regional windows. In a statement, Scripps president Adam Symson said, “Scripps is fully committed to serving and growing the number of American women’s basketball fans who value the athleticism, professionalism, and excitement the WNBA brings into their living rooms.” (Sports Media Watch, Scripps Public Relations)
QUICK RECAP
NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell: Unexpected weekend bombshell as the boss who also oversees Peacock, NBC News, MSNBC, and NBC Sports announces he is leaving the company after a misconduct investigation. (The Hollywood Reporter)
NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell: Admits to having an inappropriate relationship with a colleague. (Deadline)
NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell: NBCU executives to report, in the interim, to Comcast president Mike Cavanagh. (CNBC)
Mary Bruce named ABC News’ Chief White House correspondent. (ABC News Public Relations)
Jim Trotter moves from NFL Network to The Athletic. (New York Times Press)
Elisabeth Buchwald was hired by CNN as an economy explainer reporter. (TalkingBizNews)
Michael Irvin is still on the suspension list at NFL Network. (USA Today)
Laura Coates no longer has her 11 pm show on CNN. (TVNewser)
Fox News and Dan Bongino part ways. (Forbes)
Profile: ESPN's Steven A. Smith will say whatever he wants. (New York Times)
Profile: MSNBC's Chris Hayes reflects on his ten years in primetime. (People)
Profile: CNN's Boris Sanchez on CNN News Central. (Forbes)
NFL Draft: NFL Network reveals its coverage plans. (NFL Communications)
King Charles III Coronation: ABC News reveals coverage plans. (ABC News Public Relations)
Awards: CBS News’ 60 Minutes honored at NAB show. (TVNewser)
Walter Cronkite Award: PBS, CNN, ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, and Vice News are winners. (Cronkite Awards)
CBS News’ Gayle King and WBD Sports’ Charles Bakley to host a weekly primetime show on CNN this fall. (TVNewser)
ESPN and TNT will have broadcast rights for the inaugural NBA in-season tournament. (Andrew Marchand/Twitter)
CBS News to bring back its White House Correspondents’ Dinner after-party. (Mediaite)
NewsNation to launch a new afternoon news program. (TVNewser)
Two former Pac-12 Networks executives file lawsuit alleging unlawful termination, defamation, and breach of contract. (Sports Business Journal)
CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC lose their Twitter verification check marks. (Mediaite)
Diamond Sports Group ordered to pay the MLB half of what it owes them. (Next TV)
Why is the color blue loved by streaming services? (Vulture)
CNN's Look Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace moved to Fridays. (CNN Press Room)
CBS Sports’ soccer studio show Champions League Today is earning rave reviews. (Awful Announcing)
CNN launches the afternoon edition of CNN News Central. (NewscastStudio)
Netflix blames bug for its Love Is Blind debacle. (CNBC)
Streaming is not taking over TV; it’s behaving like it. (Axios)
CNN's Chris Licht says he underestimated the level of scrutiny that came with the job. (New York Post)
NBC Sports’ Peter King is disappointed with YouTubeTV's NFL Sunday Ticket deal. (Awful Announcing)
The potential writers’ strike may not affect Netflix. (CNBC)
Phil Simms doesn’t see Tom Brady in the Fox Sports broadcast booth anytime soon. (ProFootball Talk)
How NHL on TNT is moving on without Coach Rick Tocchet. (Awful Announcing)
How ESPN is thriving in Connecticut. (News 12 Connecticut)
Spectrum launches a national news streaming network. (TVNewser)
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A MarkHenry Media LLC publication - Issue #120 - 2023