Top News:
Javier Espinoza / Financial Times:
The EU Commission fines Apple €1.8B for stifling competition from rival music streaming services, the EU's third-largest antitrust fine; Apple plans to appeal — iPhone maker hit by first-ever Brussels fine as competition watchdogs step up scrutiny of Big Tech
Discussion:
European Commission, Spotify, The Verge, TechCrunch, Los Angeles Times, Bloomberg, Business Insider, Ad Age, The Wrap, @carnage4life@mas.to, TechCrunch, Deadline, TechCrunch, CNN, @willoremus, Media Play News, CityAM, CNBC, Advanced Television, @lisaocarroll, CBS News, @sarafischer, @eu_commission, CMU, @samuelstolton, @pkafka, @vestager, @lisaocarroll, Wall Street Journal, Music Ally, New York Times, Semafor, Fox Business and The Hollywood Reporter, more at Techmeme »
RELATED:
Apple:
Apple says Spotify was the “primary advocate” and “biggest beneficiary” of the EU's ruling, Spotify pays Apple nothing, and that “free isn't enough for Spotify” — CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Today, the European Commission announced a decision claiming the App Store …
Discussion:
TechCrunch, Digital Music News, BleepingComputer, 9to5Mac, @timsweeneyepic, New York Post, Rolling Stone, The Hill, Al Jazeera, @ugambini, @raulpesch, AppleInsider, @danielpunkass@mastodon.social, @bostoenfriso, @florian4gamers, @lewis_crofts, @oliverhaslam@mastodon.social, Music Business Worldwide, Music Ally, @zach_cer, @james@bne.social, BGR, Variety, Open Web Advocacy, The Verge and Spotify, more at Techmeme »
Laura Wagner / Washington Post:
The NewsGuild of New York accuses the NYT of targeting staff with Middle Eastern or North African backgrounds in a investigation into October 7 coverage leaks — In a letter to the publisher, a union leader said the leak probe has singled out employees ‘for their national origin, ethnicity and race’
Max Goldbart / Deadline:
Ofcom has “significant concerns about GB News' editorial control of its live output” after finding GB News in breach over Laurence Fox's misogynistic comments — Ofcom has said it has “significant concerns about GB News' editorial control of its live output” …
Discussion:
Ofcom, Variety, Mediaite, The Guardian, HuffPost, @alistaircoleman, Advanced Television, @parody_pm, @drmatthewsweet, Broadband TV News and Press Gazette
Lucas Shaw / Bloomberg:
While HBO hit streaming DTC profitability under David Zaslav, via licensing to Netflix, slashing marketing, layoffs, and more, WBD's stock is down 25%+ YTD — They chased Netflix and then they cut costs. Neither has worked. — Good afternoon from Las Vegas; I am here for The Netflix Slam …
Discussion:
The Streamable, 9to5Mac, @lucas_shaw, @lucas_shaw, BGR, @lucas_shaw, @masasoncap, @lucas_shaw and @tvgrimreaper
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch says the Fox, Disney, and WBD sports streaming joint venture is anticipating signing up 5M customers in the first five years — The 5 million mark will be where the JV “settles after five years,” Murdoch said, speaking Monday at the 2024 Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference in San Francisco.
Discussion:
The Desk, Awful Announcing, The Wrap, Deadline, @jbflint, @sherman4949, @jbflint, Bloomberg and Media Play News
Bron Maher / Press Gazette:
An interview with Mehdi Hasan about his new media company Zeteo, which he says has gained “thousands more” paid subscribers than expected in its first week — Hasan said focusing on subscribers, not advertisers, is “better for business”. — Mehdi Hasan has told Press Gazette …
Discussion:
@matt_walsh, @ernie.tedium.co, Zeteo, The Hill and WNYC Studios
Bron Maher / Press Gazette:
Semafor launches a Global Election Hub; Ben Smith says the hub will feel like what Twitter “used to do well” as readers look for “human editorial judgment” — Editor Ben Smith said the hub could do something that Twitter “used to do well”.
Discussion:
Semafor, @semaforben, @pressgazette and Semafor
Ax Sharma / BleepingComputer:
An India-based content farm impersonates 60+ major media outlets, including the BBC and CNN, reposting articles and selling advertorial slots for press releases — BleepingComputer has discovered a content farm operating some 60+ domains named after popular media outlets, including the BBC …
Discussion:
Ax Sharma on LinkedIn and @BleepingComputer …
Marah Eakin / Wired:
A profile of Lanny Smoot, Disney's first and only research fellow who holds 100+ patents and has built an omnidirectional HoloTile Floor to let users walk in VR — If you've ever seen a lightsaber at a Disney park or marveled at BB-8, you've seen Lanny Smoot's work.
Discussion:
@vishalmisra and @waterslicer, more at Techmeme »
K.J. Yossman / Variety:
Internal memo: incoming BBC Chair Samir Shah says safeguarding the BBC's independence and the corporation's finances are his top priorities — Incoming BBC chair Samir Shah has indicated the corporation's finances and independence are at the top of his priority list.
Discussion:
@raypride, Hollywood Reporter, Deadline and Advanced Television
Reece Rogers / Wired:
As music from Universal Music Group artists disappears from TikTok, creators turn to royalty-free, almost-contextless sound clips — More Universal Music songs are disappearing from TikTok as the two companies fail to reach new agreements. Sound clips are ready for their big break.
Discussion:
@crowslabyrinth@threads.net, @wired, @wiredculture, The Atlantic and CMU
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