Welcome back to irl Media NEWS. The only newsletter bringing you the business behind the news, with a healthy dose of sarcasm.

In today’s newsletter we discuss how Sabrina Carpenter delights in her Netflix holiday special "A Nonsense Christmas", Rupert Murdoch loses fight to secure Fox News future in family trust, you better prepare for the cyborg cockroach invasion, checking out Sabrina Carpenter’s $4.4 Million dollar Hollywood Hills home, and inside Juan Soto’s insane $765 Million dollar deal with the New York Mets.

• Gal Gadot & Rachel Zegler Are Turning Heads In Disney’s Snow White

• Episode 54

• Rupert Mudoch loses family trust court battle

• Invasion of the cyborg cockroaches

• Sabrina Carpenter delights in Netflix holiday special

• Sabrina Carpenter’s $4.4 Million dollar Hollywood Hills home

• Juna Soto’s insane $765 million dollar contract with the NY Mets

Scroll on!

NOTES FROM THE EDITOR

Traction is a tough thing for entrepreneurs.

I’ve been a startup founder and serial entrepreneur for 20+ years now, and while the “startup phase” is my favorite part of any new venture, it’s also perhaps the hardest.

With the end of 2024 approaching, I’m feeling a little nostalgic as I think back on this last year and all the successes and failures I’ve gone through.

I’d love to say that in the interest or projecting positivity during this holiday season I’ll focus on the positives, but I don’t think you can move forward without some introspection.

In the last year we’ve launched our irl Media NEWS PODCAST, and have now completed our 54th episode! We spun up new YouTube channels dedicated to Business, Sports, Real Estate, and Tech - and while I’m incredibly proud of the content we’ve created the views, the subscriber growth has been disappointing. The YouTube algorithm is just plain hard to figure out. We’ve done everything to optimize, but even praying to YouTube’s algorithmic lords hasn’t helped. So 2025 will bring some tough decisions on what content to prioritize, and where to scale back. That’s just a reality of content creation I’m afraid.

The bright spots of our new media ventures have been our Entertainment channel which is getting real close to being monetized, and the growth of this Newsletter which I have have big plans to expand (more on that in future editions).

Then there’s the launch of not 1, not 2, but 3 new original YouTube series we have planned for 2025. I’ve hinted at the 1st one if you’ve been following along or if you saw my pitch at the October edition of Startup Tech Valley in Saratoga Springs, NY, and that is now set to launch in January 2025.

Our 2nd YouTube series starts production in January, and we’re probably realistically going to be ready to launch by the end of February. This is something I’m very passionate about that not many people know about me, but it’s also outside of my comfort zone. I see it as a way of pushing myself past my boundaries to try news things. I’ll be experimenting with videography IRL, which is both exciting and petrifying, but it makes me feel so alive.

Then the 3rd series is probably my most ambitious YouTube project yet, because it involves some traveling I have planned in 2025, but I don’t want to reveal too much just yet. I think it’ll be more about the destination and reason for my trips, and less about the traveling part. How’s that for vague?

So as we draw closer to the end of 2024, I’m feeling even more energized than ever, and excited to share with the world all we have in store for irl Media in 2025!

Enjoy today’s edition!

YOUTUBE

Gal Gadot & Rachel Zegler Are Turning Heads In Disney’s Snow White

PODCAST

BUSINESS

Rupert Murdoch Loses Fight to Secure Fox News Future in Family Trust

In a real-life drama mirroring the hit HBO series “Succession,” media titan Rupert Murdoch attempted to alter the family trust that controls his vast media empire, including the conservative powerhouse Fox News. The goal, as reported, was to grant his eldest son, Lachlan Murdoch, sole control after his passing, potentially ensuring the continuation of Fox News’ editorial direction. Read More

Rupert Murdoch loses battle to control succession to his media empireTECH

TECH

Prepare For The Cyborg Cockroach Invasion

Could giant cyborg cockroaches be the unlikely heroes of the future? According to Dr. Robert Fitzgerald, a researcher at the University of Queensland who is pioneering a groundbreaking technology that equips cockroaches with miniature backpacks containing microchips, sensors, and even cameras, they might just be. This futuristic vision, while still in its early stages, holds immense promise for the field of search and rescue. Read More

Giant cyborg cockroaches could be the search and rescue workers of the future

ENTERTAINMENT

Sabrina Carpenter’s Career Is Reaching New Heights With Her Netflix “A Nonsense Christmas” Special

Sabrina Carpenter’s “A Nonsense Christmas” on Netflix is a holiday delight that has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. This festive extravaganza showcases Sabrina Carpenter’s undeniable talent, charisma, and versatility as she takes on the role of host, singer, and comedian. The special is a whirlwind of musical performances, hilarious sketches, and celebrity guest appearances, all wrapped up in a bow of holiday cheer. Read More

A Nonsense Christmas With Sabrina Carpenter review – an exceptionally good gift

REAL ESTATE

Sabrina Carpenter’s $4.4 Million Hollywood Hills Home

Sabrina Carpenter, the multi-talented singer, songwriter, and actress, has added a luxurious new chapter to her life story with the purchase of a stunning $4.4 million home nestled amidst the iconic Hollywood Hills. This impressive acquisition signifies not only Sabrina Carpenter’s flourishing career but also her growing desire for a private haven amidst the vibrant energy of Los Angeles. Read More

Sabrina Carpenter Snaps Up an Alluring Hollywood Hills Retreat for $4.4 MillionSPORTS

SPORTS

Inside Juan Soto’s INSANE $765 Million Dollar Deal With The New York Mets

In a move that has sent shockwaves through Major League Baseball, star outfielder Juan Soto spurned his former team, the New York Yankees, and agreed to a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract with the crosstown New York Mets. The deal, which dwarfs all previous MLB contracts in total value, signifies a new era in player compensation and underscores the Mets’ commitment to winning a World Series title. Read More

Juan Soto signing with Mets on 15-year, $765 million contractPROMOTION

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So much news, so little time. Until tomorrow we’re signing out.

— Chris Thompson

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