Top News:
Wall Street Journal:
Sources: Disney explores a membership program akin to Amazon Prime, bundling streaming, theme parks, and merchandise, and adding a commerce feature to Disney+ — Entertainment giant looks to package streaming, parks and merchandise offerings together; aims to add commerce feature to Disney+
Discussion:
Axios, Variety, Deadline, IndieWire, @asharma, CBR, The A.V. Club, @modestproposal1, Gizmodo, The Verge, @richlightshed, TechCrunch, Media Play News, @peterschorschfl, @awolk, @davezatz, @skiswm, @mattnavarra, @profgalloway, @ednever, @bullandbaird, @frankpallotta, @renegadestyle, Too Much TV Newsletter, Skift, The Streamable, Reuters and Insider, more at Techmeme »
Jem Aswad / Variety:
US music publishers settle on 15.35% for mechanical streaming rates in 2023-2027, avoiding costly legal fights with Amazon, Apple, Google, Pandora, and Spotify — The announcement comes as a surprise, as the NMPA has been saying for months that it would push for a 20% rate for the forthcoming period.
Mike Masnick / Techdirt:
The Journalism Competition and Preservation Act is a dangerous link tax bill and a bizarre attempt to circumvent antitrust, copyright, and common carrier laws — Look, I'm a small journalism outfit. A very small one. So, in theory, a law that effectively lets me demand free cash from Google …
Discussion:
@daphnehk, @robinberjon, @blakereid, @mmasnick, @zoelle, @georgeprof, @daphnehk, @pt, @newsalliance, @mattdpearce, @halsinger, MediaPost and News/Media Alliance
David Bauder / Associated Press:
Media Insight Project's May-June 2022 survey: ~71% of younger Americans get news daily from social media and 32% enjoy following the news, down from 53% in 2015 — Young people are following the news but aren't too happy with what they're seeing. Broadly speaking, that's the conclusion …
Angela Fu / Poynter:
Sources: in a staff Q&A, CEO Mike Reed said Gannett laid off 3% of its US workforce in August 2022, or ~400 people; he and the CFO defended Reed's compensation — The round of layoffs, which started Aug. 12, followed a dismal second quarter. — Gannett CEO Mike Reed told staff …
Jonathan Spicer / Reuters:
An investigation details how Turkey President Tayyip Erdoğan's regime shapes the nation's news, dictated by the ~1,500-strong Directorate of Communications — From an office tower in Ankara, Turkish officials shape the nation's news, media insiders say - always to President Tayyip Erdogan's advantage.
Discussion:
@sinanciddi, @reuters, @reuters and @specialreports
Suzanne Vranica / Wall Street Journal:
Sources: Netflix seeks to charge brands a ~$65 CPM on its ad-supported tier, more than most other streaming services, and cap every brand's annual spend at $20M — Streaming giant aims for Nov. 1 launch of ad-supported tier, ad buyers say — Netflix Inc. NFLX 1.32%▲ …
Discussion:
Ad Age, The Streamable, @eric_seufert, New York Post, IndieWire, Deadline, @tkawaja, @tim_bays, @bristei, @asharma and Digiday
Lucas Shaw / Bloomberg:
Sources: Comcast is looking to cut as much as $1B from the budget of NBCUniversal's TV networks, including through layoffs and programming changes — Comcast Corp. is looking to cut as much as $1 billion from the budget of the TV networks in its entertainment division, NBCUniversal …
Discussion:
@markhtoo, @kevdgrussing, @tvgrimreaper, @lucas_shaw, @lucas_shaw, @lucas_shaw, The Hot Button and RAIN News
Jim Waterson / The Guardian:
Almost every UK TV production company signed a letter to candidates for the next prime minister, warning a Channel 4 sale would hurt businesses and the country — Letter from 768 firms lends support as broadcaster hopes government won't relish divisive debate on issue
Stefania D'Ignoti / Nieman Reports:
A look at Dispatches in Exile, Migratory Birds, and other newsrooms inside refugee camps covering migrant news for migrants and tackling misinformation — As more people are displaced from their home countries, newsrooms inside of refugee camps are popping up to give voice to these marginalized communities
Reuters:
India's antitrust watchdog says Sony and Zee's merger requires further investigation; sources say the findings will delay regulatory approval of the deal — A merger between the Indian unit of Japan's Sony (6758.T) and Zee Entertainment (ZEE.NS) to create a $10 billion TV enterprise …
Discussion:
@reutersbiz, @adityakalra, Digital TV Europe, @adityakalra and @adityakalra
Kaya Yurieff / The Information:
OnlyFans reports revenue for the year ending November 2021 rose 160% YoY to $932M, creators up 34% YoY to 2.1M, earning nearly $4B, and fans up 128% YoY to 188M — OnlyFans, the adult content site best known for explicit content, reported revenue soared 160% to $932 million year-over-year …
Discussion:
Variety, BBC, @louwhiteman and @kylebrussell, more at Techmeme »