Mediagazer: TV writers say the development backlog created by the pandemic remains a challenge even with production back up, as buyers have little appetite for new projects (Joe Otterson/Variety)

Sara Fischer / Axios:

Sources: AT&T is in discussions to sell Xandr to Indian ad tech company InMobi; the mismanaged ad unit has annual revenue of ~$300-$380M and losses of $50-$90M — AT&T is in discussions to sell its ad unit to Indian ad tech giant InMobi, sources tell Axios.

Discussion: Ad Age, @sarafischer, @acfou, @reckless, @alexweprin, @awolk, @aripap, @loupas, @loudmouthjulia, @catthekin, @karlbode and Bloomberg, more at Techmeme »

Jay Peters / The Verge:

Netflix says its expansion into gaming will start with mobile games, which will be included with a subscription at no additional cost — Games will be included at no added cost with a Netflix subscription — Netflix revealed that its initial efforts in gaming will be focused on mobile games …

Discussion: The Streamable, The Wrap, Daily Herald, AppleInsider, Nerdist, @starfire2258, Hollywood Reporter, Fast Company and Cord Cutters News, more at Techmeme »

Jessica Bursztynsky / CNBC:

Netflix reports Q2 revenue of $7.34B vs. $7.32 est., up 19% YoY, global paid net additions of 1.54M vs 1.75M expected; US and Canada region lost 433K subs — - Netflix reported earnings that missed on the bottom line. — The company's revenue and global paid net subscriber additions beat estimates.

Discussion: Variety, TechCrunch, The Wrap, IndieWire, @davidlaz, @stockmktnewz, @sherman4949, @sherman4949 and @lucas_shaw, more at Techmeme »

Sara Fischer / Axios:

Substack is funding the launch of podcast network Booksmart, which will start with five podcasts; subscribers will get extra content for $7/month or $70/year — Substack is funding the launch of a new podcast network called Booksmart Studios, executives tell Axios.

Discussion: @tnwhiskeywoman, @tomgara, @sarafischer, @rfaughnder, axios.com and @nwquah, more at Techmeme »

Lindsey Turrentine / CNET:

CNET, acquired last year by Red Ventures from ViacomCBS, is looking to fill 150 new roles, its biggest expansion since the 1990s — As part of our largest expansion since the 1990s, CNET is adding more than 150 new roles. … CNET, newly a part of Red Ventures, is making moves to reinvent the modern media model.

Discussion: @qwongsj and @techledes

Jessica Toonkel / The Information:

Sources: Vice Media's plan to go public by merging with a SPAC has stalled as it struggles to raise more financing amid questions about Vice's valuation — Vice Media's plan to go public by merging with a special purpose acquisition company has stalled as the company struggles …

Discussion: @lauramandaro, @sherman4949 and @kerrymflynn

Erich Schwartzel / Wall Street Journal:

Sources: Apple wants to lease a large campus in LA for film and TV production as competition for soundstages heats up — The producer of ‘Ted Lasso’ and ‘The Morning Show’ wants to expand its presence in the competitive streaming landscape — Apple Inc. told real-estate developers it wants …

Discussion: Forbes, New York Post, @mattbelloni, @richlightshed, AppleInsider and @pat_garofalo

Todd Spangler / Variety:

WarnerMedia is letting Snapchat users in the US watch pilot episodes of some HBO Max original series, like Gossip Girl and Euphoria, for free — In a new sampling strategy to boost HBO Max signups, WarnerMedia is letting Snapchat users in the U.S. watch select pilots of the streaming service's …

Discussion: The Verge, The Streamable, Forbes, TechCrunch, Adweek, Hollywood Reporter, FierceVideo and @xpangler, more at Techmeme »

Wall Street Journal:

Sources: ViacomCBS' Shari Redstone and Bob Bakish and Comcast CEO Brian Roberts met in June to discuss potential streaming partnership for international markets — Late June meeting also included ViacomCBS CEO Robert Bakish; focused on potential to join forces in international markets

Discussion: @benmullin, @lilliannnn, FierceVideo, @michaelsocolow, @entstrategyguy, @masasoncap, @wsj, @pkafka, @great_katzby, @gregobr, @richlightshed and @richlightshed

Hollywood Reporter:

ESPN's Patricia Mays is named executive editor of news at The Hollywood Reporter, where she will oversee digital strategy — Mays, who oversaw the national coverage team for ‘SportsCenter’ as well as other TV studio shows, live events and digital while at ESPN, has been named to a top editor role at THR.

Discussion: Insider and Talking Biz News

Mark Sweney / The Guardian:

Ampere: between Q3'20 and the end of March 2021, the proportion of internet-connected people aged 55 to 64 in UK who subscribed to Netflix grew from 38% to 50% — Streaming service to report lowest new subscriber numbers since 2011, with young viewers largely signed up

Discussion: Digital TV Europe

Cynthia Littleton / Variety:

Univision announces executive changes: Luis Silberwasser will oversee entertainment, news, and sports, and Leopoldo Gomez will be head of the news division — Univision has unveiled a massive overhaul of its corporate ranks as well as the leadership of its entertainment, news and sports divisions.