The New Math of Media Deals

The sales of three giants of the old-media world — The Washington Post, The Boston Globe and Newsweek — in as many days suggest one kind of change, but their prices suggest another.

    

Common Sense: After Post Sale, Spotlight Shines More Intensely on The Times

The New York Times, one of the last of the family-owned newspapers, is optimistic about staying competitive in an increasingly digital world. Should it be?

    

The Times Isn’t for Sale, Its Publisher Declares

The recent sales of The Boston Globe and The Washington Post make The New York Times the nation’s last major newspaper run by a family.

    

Bezos Brings Promise of Innovation to Washington Post

It would not be surprising to see Jeff Bezos worry little about turning a quick profit at The Post and instead try to shake up the newspaper industry.

    

Advertising: Even if Elected, He’s Just Serving Coffee

The New York coffee company Vassilaros & Sons is using a mock political campaign to promote its expansion into direct sales to consumers.

    

Axel Springer’s New Focus on Digital Draws Cries of Betrayal

The German publisher’s sale of two regional newspapers and several magazines shocked Germans despite the company’s vow to stay in journalism.

    

A Mogul Gets a Landmark in the Capital

Jeff Bezos, the founder and chief executive of Amazon, has kept a low profile in politics and has said almost nothing about his interest in newspapers, except that he reads them.

    

In Germany, Union Culture Clashes With Amazon’s Labor Practices

Unions say the company has imported American-style business practices that stand at odds with European norms.

    

Bits Blog: U.S. Proposes Solutions for Apple’s E-Book Price-Fixing

After the United States government won an antitrust suit against Apple, it now wants to discipline Apple in other markets where it does business, like movies and music.

    

Odd Fox News Interview Lifts Reza Aslan’s Biography on Jesus

A Fox News interviewer awkwardly questioned the Muslim author on why he had written about Jesus, and sales of his book, “Zealot,” surged once the video caught fire online.

    

The Media Equation: TV Foresees Its Future. Netflix Is There.

Netflix has given a good shaking to the settled world of television: it has provided its own series, streamed them over the Internet and made them available all at once everywhere.

    

Advertising: Apple’s Move Into TV Relies on Cooperation With Industry Leaders

Apple’s steps to reimagine television, like teaming up with ESPN, stand in stark contrast to efforts by Google to compete with established companies.

    

Rowling Book Skyrockets to Instant Hit

Booksellers who struggled to sell a book by Robert Galbraith are now struggling to get hold of the same book, whose author was revealed to be J. K. Rowling.

    

The Media Equation: Why Barnes & Noble Is Good for Amazon

Having a bookstore in your neighborhood, as opposed to one that is bookmarked on your browser, is an invitation.

    

E-Book Ruling Gives Amazon an Advantage

A federal judge’s antitrust finding against Apple over e-book prices underscores how much the book industry has changed and bolsters the advantage held by the online retailer.

    

As Competition Wanes, Amazon Cuts Back Discounts

After years of lowering book prices, Amazon is offering smaller discounts on some books. Authors and small publishers said this put some books beyond an audience’s reach.

    

Actors Today Don’t Just Read for the Part. Reading IS the Part.

As audiobooks flourish, thanks in part to digital technologies, the industry has given many aspiring actors a steady paycheck.

    

Publisher Drops Book Deal With TV Chef Paula Deen

Fans had made a to-be-published book by Paula Deen a top seller on Amazon, but the publisher, Random House, joined the list of business partners that have cut ties to the embattled chef.

    

Diabetes Drug Maker Suspends Deal With Deen

The pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has altered its ties with the celebrity chef Paula Deen, the public face of Victoza, its diabetes medication.

    

Advertising: Commercials With a Gay Emphasis Are Moving to Mainstream Media

Until recently, ads with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender themes were usually limited to media those consumers watched and read.