Oliver Darcy, the former CNN media reporter who launched the independent newsletter Status, is expanding his media-focused publication with new editorial hires, a daily publishing schedule and a push into video.
Darcy, who left CNN in August 2024 after serving as senior media reporter and writing the network’s Reliable Sources newsletter, has recruited two high-profile journalists: Brian Lowry and Natalie Korach.
Lowry, most recently media editor at The Wrap and formerly with CNN and Variety, joins as Hollywood correspondent and editor. He will lead a new Friday edition and contribute film and television reviews, reflecting Status’s growing emphasis on Hollywood’s influence within the media ecosystem.
Korach, who previously wrote for Vanity Fair, becomes media correspondent. Known for her investigative reporting and profiles, she will anchor two daily instalments of the newsletter, adding both breaking media news and longer-form features.
The expansion coincides with Status moving to a daily publishing schedule and launching Power Lines, a new video podcast unveiled earlier this year. On the business side, Darcy has brought in Stacey Farish, former chief revenue officer at Deadline, to develop advertising and sponsorship initiatives to support the outlet’s independent model.
Darcy frames Status as an answer to growing concentration of media ownership and threats to independent journalism. “We’re not owned by billionaires, we are accountable to readers,” he told The Hollywood Reporter.
With about 85,000 subscribers, Status is positioning itself as a critical voice covering the intersection of news, Hollywood and politics. The additions of Lowry and Korach, along with the shift to daily publishing, signal Darcy’s intent to grow Status into a leading source of rigorous, independent media reporting.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with no prior publications found. The report is based on a press release from The Hollywood Reporter, which typically warrants a high freshness score. The earliest known publication date is August 2024, when Oliver Darcy left CNN. The addition of Lowry and Korach and the expansion to a daily release are recent developments. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. No recycled content or republishing across low-quality sites was identified.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
No direct quotes were identified in the provided text. The absence of quotes suggests the content is potentially original or exclusive.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Hollywood Reporter, a reputable organisation known for its coverage of the entertainment industry. This enhances the credibility of the report.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims about the expansion of Status, including the hiring of Brian Lowry and Natalie Korach, and the launch of a new video podcast, align with recent developments in the media industry. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, but this is not uncommon for exclusive reports. The language and tone are consistent with industry reporting standards.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, original, and sourced from a reputable organisation. The claims are plausible and align with recent industry developments. The absence of direct quotes and supporting details from other outlets is noted but does not significantly impact the overall assessment.