Top News:
Joe Bel Bruno / The Intersect:
Sources: Patrick Soon-Shiong is in talks to sell The Los Angeles Times to Penske Media CEO Jay Penske; LAT says “The Soon-Shiongs have no interest in selling” — Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong and entertainment trade publishing magnate Jay Penske are discussing …
Discussion:
@scottnover, @saramorrison, @latimesfreshink and The Wrap
Bloomberg:
Antenna: June 2023 was Netflix's best US growth month in years, with a gross ~3.5M signups, 100%+ above its recent averages, amid its password sharing crackdown — Netflix just had its best month in years and Disney is looking to sell its TV assets. What does that mean for the future of Hollywood?
Discussion:
@lucas_shaw and @carnage4life@mas.to, more at Techmeme »
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Wall Street Journal:
A look at Disney's challenges, some of which are rooted in Bob Iger's previous decisions as CEO, including acquiring Fox assets and entering the streaming race
A look at Disney's challenges, some of which are rooted in Bob Iger's previous decisions as CEO, including acquiring Fox assets and entering the streaming race
Discussion:
The Desk, Forbes, Awful Announcing, @asharma, @asharma, @tim_bays, @jtoonkel, @pkafka, The Verge, New York Post and Broadband TV News
Sara Guaglione / Digiday:
Analyses: 53% of weekly US podcast listeners listen to non-US podcasts; in February 2023, Latin America saw the fastest growth in podcast listeners, up 7.7% YoY — Though the podcast industry is in a state of correction after a period of significant investment, some podcast networks have found …
Discussion:
Podcast Advertising Platform, Podnews and Inside Radio
Gene Maddaus / Variety:
Sources detail some of SAG-AFTRA's demands, including paying 2% of streaming revenue to performers, compensation when using AI likenesses, pay raises, and 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
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
Discussion:
Financial Times, @mikedrucker, @pat_kc, @rilaws, @coelasquid, @baddestmamajama, @bishilarious, @dcpierson, @rohitakadambi, @johnlevenstein, @mattzollerseitz, @carolineframke, @therealvali, @somebadideas, @eden_eats, @mcjesse, @massawyrm, @peteascolese, @massawyrm, @carolinerenard_, Associated Press, The Week, @discussingfilm, IndieWire, The Guardian, Wall Street Journal, The Hollywood Reporter, The Wrap, SAG-AFTRA, Washington Post, @shayz0rz@mastodon.online, Variety, The A.V. Club, @ElleGray@mstdn.social, Insider, Screen Rant, New York Times, Variety, Los Angeles Times, New York Post, CBS News, Vox, Deadline, Gizmodo and Variety
Brian Schwartz / CNBC:
Sources: Tucker Carlson agrees to a seven-figure ad deal with Public Square, an anti-ESG shopping app, making it one of his Twitter show's first advertisers — - Tucker Carlson has agreed to a seven-figure ad deal with Public Square (PublicSq.), a conservative-friendly shopping app, for his Twitter show.
Discussion:
Axios, @schwartzbcnbc, @cacoreyu, The Information, Wall Street Journal and Forbes
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, @soi, Insider, @ballmatthew, @lewis_gordon, @adrianhon@mastodon.social, Comic Book and CBS News, more at Techmeme »
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, New York Post, Insider and The Guardian
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.
Discussion:
AllAccess.com, Digital Music News, The Desk, @miguelfuller, @timmurphytalks, @jbleach85, @foxebenbrown, @jamescridland, @tonylorino, @jaredhalpern, Inside Radio and Deadline
Clayton Davis / Variety:
Letter: the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences affirms its commitment to DEAI programs; at least four Black leaders left the Academy in the past year — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences sent a letter to its members on Friday evening, addressing the recent departure …
Discussion:
@disparutoo, @lamardcheraime, @littlecharlestv, @blackamazon, @carolinerenard_, @shannon_sense, @kirkwrites79, @lizfilmnyc, The Wrap, Deadline, IndieWire 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
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.
Discussion:
@elonmusk, Reuters, Semafor, The Hill, Insider, @cullend, @edzitron, Deadline, @dkthomp, @nycsouthpaw, The Information, @mcuban, New York Daily News, @kurtwagner8, @superpixels, @lordravenscraft, @rmac18, @wallstcynic, @gordonjohnson19, @buccocapital, @briannawu, @lolgop, @zaackhunt, @oalexanderdk, @mattboxer94, @ivanthek, @secretcfo, @dsdoc97, @rammitycap, @clarajeffery, @gaetendugas, @ridim_luv, @netcapgirl, @devin_gain, CNN, @carnage4life@threads.net, @carnage4life@threads.net, @buccocapital@threads.net, Bloomberg and Fast Company, more at Techmeme »
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.