Top News:
Gene Maddaus / Variety:
Sources detail some of SAG-AFTRA's demands, including paying 2% of streaming revenue to performers, compensation when using likenesses for AI, pay raises, more — According to sources on both sides, the biggest sticking point is the union's demand for 2% of the revenue generated by streaming shows.
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The Hollywood Reporter:
SAG-AFTRA and WGA members picketed at two NYC and 10 LA studio sites, with Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery HQs among the bigger targets for crowds — Fran Drescher and her 160,000-strong union hit the streets on day one of the SAG-AFTRA strike — and day 74 of the WGA strike.
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Jessica Nicholson / Billboard:
Radio and music industry trade website All Access plans to close on August 15, 2023, after 28 years, over a revenue drop “that makes moving forward impossible” — “We will all miss serving and working with all of you — our readers and clients," said founder/president/publisher Joel Denver in a statement.
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AllAccess.com, The Desk, @miguelfuller, @timmurphytalks, @jbleach85, @foxebenbrown, @jamescridland, @tonylorino, @jaredhalpern, Deadline and Inside Radio
Financial Times:
A look at Russian warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin's online media empire, which stands in post-mutiny limbo after Russia's internet censor banned Prigozhin websites — Vladimir Putin has blocked access to mutinous warlord's websites but his troll accounts remain active
Discussion:
@valentinapop, @kenroth, @galajulianm, @justincormack, The Sun, New York Post, Insider and The Guardian
Lewis Gordon / The Ringer:
After DVDs and streaming, Netflix gears up for what appears to be its third and most ambitious act: video games, with 67 in its library and 86 in development — First came DVDs. Then came streaming movies and TV. Now, Netflix is betting big on video games—and new release 'Oxenfree II …
Discussion:
@ringer, @lewis_gordon, @lewis_gordon, @ballmatthew, @lewis_gordon, @soi, @adrianhon@mastodon.social, Comic Book, The Sun and CBS News, more at Techmeme »
Clayton Davis / Variety:
Letter: the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences affirms its commitment to DEI programs after the exit of at least four Black leaders since July 2022 — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences sent a letter to its members on Friday evening, addressing the recent departure …
Discussion:
IndieWire, The Wrap, @lizfilmnyc, Deadline and ET Canada
Sohee Kim / Bloomberg:
A look at Sony-owned Crunchyroll, which has 100M+ registered members, including 11M paid subscribers, as the anime streaming service looks to India for growth — - President says new anime markets like India will drive growth — Global expansion helps owner Sony boost entertainment content
Discussion:
@ncsh, @thejidetaiwo, @soheefication and @sidcoins, more at Techmeme »
David Satin / The Streamable:
The Phoenix Suns and Gray Television's broadcasting deal, announced in April 2023, becomes official; report: Diamond Sports' RSN could not match Gray's offer — Bally Sports Arizona may not have any teams' games left to broadcast by the end of business on Monday.
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Sports Business Journal, Sportico, The Desk, Awful Announcing, Barrett Media, Cord Cutters News and The Athletic
Jahnavi Nidumolu / Reuters:
Elon Musk says a ~50% ad revenue drop and a heavy debt load kept Twitter cash flow negative; he said in March 2023 the company could be cash flow positive in Q2 — Elon Musk said Twitter's cash flow remains negative because of a nearly 50% drop in advertising revenue and a heavy debt load.
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Rhiannon Williams / MIT Technology Review:
Study: ChatGPT helped writers complete tasks, such as writing press releases or reports, 40% faster and produce work that assessors scored 18% higher in quality — People who use ChatGPT to help with writing tasks are more productive and produce higher-quality work than those who don't, a study found.
Charlotte Klein / Vanity Fair:
Sources: at an all-hands, New York Times staff expressed frustration at how the sports desk was cut and raised concerns over differing standards at The Athletic — A routine all-company meeting turned tense as New York Times employees pressed management on its decision to disband …
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@dvnjr, @dvnjr, @alex_shephard, @charlottetklein, @dvnjr, @fakebook, @sidhubaba, @GW@newsie.social, New York Magazine, Editor and Publisher and Talking Biz News
Amanda Silberling / TechCrunch:
Creator monetization platform Passes, founded in 2022, plans to acquire rival Fanhouse, founded in 2020; some creators are worried and one Fanhouse founder quit — The creator monetization platform Fanhouse announced yesterday that it was acquired by Passes, a similar startup that only launched in beta in December.
Discussion:
The Information, @asilbwrites, @lucy_guo, @lucy_guo, @itsbellaxrose, @lucy_guo, @lucy_guo, @rileyrosez, @jasminericegirl and The Passes Blog, more at Techmeme »