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Time Inc. Sells Itself to Meredith Corp., Backed by Koch Brothers

nytimes.com

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Re: Time Inc. Sells Itself to Meredith Corp., Backed by Koch Brothers

#121

Post by 5555624 »

jccalhoun wrote: post #119
danso wrote: post #12

I grew up in a home that subscribed to Time Magazine, and am young to remember how often that brand was touted in advertisements on TV. But it's been a long time since I've associated prestige with that media brand, especially after it was spun off from the actually profitable parts of Time Warner. With the exception of their "Person of the Year" tradition, which draws attention but seems to have as little actual inf…

I think that Time is still a brand that is thought of as being credible which could be troubling if it is turned into propaganda. However, I think the value is the web site not the actual paper publication. A couple years ago Time ran a story I was interested in and wanted a paper copy. I went to the local grocery store and they didn't have it and then I went to the local chain bookstore and they didn't have it eithe…

I had a similar problem looking for a copy of Time this past July. (I was really just looking for something to read.)

I wonder if it's different for Time's "Person of the Year" issue? I'm not sure where I'd find Time or Sports Illustrated this week; but, in February, the Sport's Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is everywhere.

Re: Time Inc. Sells Itself to Meredith Corp., Backed by Koch Brothers

#122

Post by dictum »

tanepiper wrote: post #112

Much like the "world" winners of things like the Superbowl and WWE Wrestling - Time I think is very much seen as an American brand and not much notice is take of things like "Man of the Year" outside of it. It's a shame it's being bought by this lot though - of course they can make their man of the year whoever the like now, including Trump and other controversial people.

> of course they can make their man of the year whoever the like now, including Trump and other controversial people

Can't beat their historical picks, Hitler and Stalin (twice), both of which met the original goal of the award: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15785040

Re: Time Inc. Sells Itself to Meredith Corp., Backed by Koch Brothers

#123

Post by Spooky23 »

danso wrote: post #12

I grew up in a home that subscribed to Time Magazine, and am young to remember how often that brand was touted in advertisements on TV. But it's been a long time since I've associated prestige with that media brand, especially after it was spun off from the actually profitable parts of Time Warner. With the exception of their "Person of the Year" tradition, which draws attention but seems to have as little actual inf…

Time is unique in that the articles are written by the editors, not the writers. It has a culture that is amenable to manipulation by the owners.

My guess is that it’s a platform to inject fringe-y stuff into the national conversation with a fading mainstream brand. It probably still has pull with old people.

Re: Time Inc. Sells Itself to Meredith Corp., Backed by Koch Brothers

#124

Post by astura »

tanepiper wrote: post #112

Much like the "world" winners of things like the Superbowl and WWE Wrestling - Time I think is very much seen as an American brand and not much notice is take of things like "Man of the Year" outside of it. It's a shame it's being bought by this lot though - of course they can make their man of the year whoever the like now, including Trump and other controversial people.

???

Trump has already been Person of the Year, 2016.

There have already been controversial figures named Person of the Year in the past, such as Vladimir Putin, politicians (including American presidents, Newt Gingrich), popes, and protesters. I think Kissinger was Person of the Year too. It's meant to be someone who has had the most influence, not necessarily someone whose been "the best."

Also you got the World Series confused with the Super Bowl.

Re: Time Inc. Sells Itself to Meredith Corp., Backed by Koch Brothers

#125

Post by gaius »

zimablue wrote: post #117
mc32 wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On the other hand the state sponsored one forces you to pay an involuntary fee and it is not all that balanced a source.

I'll pay a fee all day to have some fraction of the population getting less of their news from the Daily Mail etc. Let's triple the fee and get some state newspapers and advertising.

What if the BBC's politics (ie where it advertises all its jobs) were aligned with the Mail rather than the Graun? Would you still be so keen, or would you be among those calling for it to be abolished?

Re: Time Inc. Sells Itself to Meredith Corp., Backed by Koch Brothers

#126

Post by zimablue »

gaius wrote: post #125
zimablue wrote: post #117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'll pay a fee all day to have some fraction of the population getting less of their news from the Daily Mail etc. Let's triple the fee and get some state newspapers and advertising.

What if the BBC's politics (ie where it advertises all its jobs) were aligned with the Mail rather than the Graun? Would you still be so keen, or would you be among those calling for it to be abolished?

Abolished but it's never going to get close to being that gross.

They'll have plenty of spin and perspective that I disagree with but the rest of our media is absolutely festering. Anything that isn't owned by an 80 year old billionaire is welcome to me. They simply can't be any worse.

Re: Time Inc. Sells Itself to Meredith Corp., Backed by Koch Brothers

#127

Post by throwawayjava »

scandox wrote: post #118

Last time I read Time magazine I was shocked at the almost childlike simplicity of the content. It reminded me of a magazine we have here for elderly people of minimal education called Ireland’s Own...it does interviews with sweater wearing singers from country towns and articles on the potential historical reality of Fairies...now that I think about it it is a cut above Time.

I had the same reaction when reading Time recently.

Has anyone gone back through the archives to determine if this has always been the case?

Re: Time Inc. Sells Itself to Meredith Corp., Backed by Koch Brothers

#128

Post by slivym »

Hasz wrote: post #36

Allegedly, the Koch Brothers don't plan to take an active role in the company. "Steve Lombardo, a spokesman for Koch Industries, also said that the Kochs had no plans to take an active role in the expanded company. “This is a passive financial investment made through our equity development arm,” Mr. Lombardo said. The company’s role in the transaction, he said, was similar to that of a bank." Regardless of what you t…

When is the last time an investor was held to the statements they made before they acquired a company? In the UK we actually have competition laws that stop large companies being sold if it would result in significantly layoffs or lack of competition. Senior execs in the purchasing company often have to speak to parliamentary committees. They routinely directly lie to parliament and no action is taken.

What the investor says is worth nothing. They are buying a media company that would let them significantly influence in the market.

Re: Time Inc. Sells Itself to Meredith Corp., Backed by Koch Brothers

#129

Post by lghh »

stochastic_monk wrote: post #96
Hasz wrote: post #36

Allegedly, the Koch Brothers don't plan to take an active role in the company. "Steve Lombardo, a spokesman for Koch Industries, also said that the Kochs had no plans to take an active role in the expanded company. “This is a passive financial investment made through our equity development arm,” Mr. Lombardo said. The company’s role in the transaction, he said, was similar to that of a bank." Regardless of what you t…

If conservative billionaires are alike, the way WSJ has tanked since being bought by Murdoch portends that Time will be a disaster. (For example, it started peddling "Mueller needs to resign" nonsense after the indictments under easily falsifiable excuses.) [See https://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/30/murdoch-fox-muelle... ]

Like most people, I'm sure no two conservative billionaires are alike.

Re: Time Inc. Sells Itself to Meredith Corp., Backed by Koch Brothers

#130

Post by ComputerGuru »

twblalock wrote: post #21
mc32 wrote: post #9

Now we have two (more) major newsoutlets owned by activist owners --WaPo and Time Mag. Wish there were more independence in the media. Or at least fewer owners who will push agendas. Time will tell.

I like the British media, because they don't pretend to be impartial. Impartiality is impossible, so it's better to be honest about that fact than to pretend to be impartial as the American media does.

What about the BBC is openly impartial?
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