Top News:


Sources: WBD weighs splitting off its streaming and studio businesses from its legacy TV networks including CNN, leaving most of its debt with the TV networks — Group behind CNN and HBO has discussed options including spin-off of its streaming service and movie studio
Discussion:
The Desk, The Wrap, @aysrick, @edgecliffe, Deadline, Yahoo Finance and The Hollywood Reporter


Sources: the WNBA's media rights deals mirror the NBA's, and the league is set to get at least $2.2B over 11 years or $200M/year, up from the current ~$50M/year — The WNBA's next national media rights package has come into shape. The league is set to receive roughly $2.2 billion …
RELATED:


The NBA's Board of Governors approves the league's next media rights deals with Disney, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video; WBD could still match one of the deals — The NBA's Board of Governors approved the league's next media rights deals with Disney, NBC and Amazon Prime Video at its meeting Tuesday …


Hong Kong-based reporter Selina Cheng says she was fired by The Wall Street Journal for taking up the position of chair of the Hong Kong Journalist Association — American newspaper The Wall Street Journal has fired Hong Kong-based reporter Selina Cheng weeks she was elected chair …
Discussion:
Washington Post, @selina_cheng, Al Jazeera, @jonamorem, @jfsteinfeld, @maryhui, @selina_cheng, @mike_hixenbaugh, @dancow, @moorehn, Eric Wishart on LinkedIn, @sharp_writing, @_karenhao, @semaforben, The Atlantic, @lewispants, @lilahass, @missanabeem, @compliancememe, @tulikabose_, @nate_dicamillo, @johnsimpsonnews, @laurengoode, @wesleylowery, @usa_baozilover, @feliciasonmez, @debbychan_hk, @tomgrundy, Sheila Coronel on LinkedIn, Semafor, @jenvalentino_nyt@threads.net, The Guardian, Reuters, Dr. Eric Yan-ho Lai on LinkedIn, Associated Press and Talking Biz News


Emmy nominations numbers: Netflix took the top spot with 107; FX had 93, HBO/Max 91, Apple TV+ 72, ABC and CBS 38 each, Prime Video 37, Hulu 26, and Disney+ 19 — The revolving door of Emmy nominations leader continues to swing. — Netflix has taken top spot with the most Emmy nominations …
Discussion:
Variety, Variety, Adweek, BGR, GoldDerby, The Ringer, Variety, Los Angeles Times, SWAMY WORLD, AppleInsider, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Media Play News, Associated Press, Next TV, The Wrap, 9to5Mac and ComingSoon.net


Spotify launches an AI DJ that speaks Spanish in beta for Premium users in markets where its English-language DJ is available alongside Spain and Latin America — The new Spanish-language voice has been provided by Spotify's senior music editor, Olivia “Livi” Quiroz Roa …
Discussion:
@glenngabe, Axios, Digital Trends, Engadget, Music Business Worldwide, Spotify and TechCrunch, more at Techmeme »


The news media seems to be trapped in a place where technical innovation is nonexistent, perhaps due to the risks of experimentation or due to top-down culture — If you're waiting for permission to build something, or if you want to see how well something has worked for your peers …


WPP's GroupM names Brian Lesser, a veteran Madison Avenue operative who has worked in senior media investment roles on both sides of the table, as global CEO — Brian Lesser, a veteran Madison Avenue operative who has worked in senior media-investment roles on both sides of the table …
Discussion:
Digiday, Mumbrella, The Information, MediaPost, Adweek, AdExchanger, The Media Leader, Next TV and Ad Age

The Apple News deal with Taboola is shocking and off-brand, calling into question Apple's commitment to good customer experience, including privacy — I've been a happy Apple One customer. It made perfect sense signing up for the package considering I was paying for Apple TV+, Apple Music and iCloud storage.
Discussion:
Media Voices, @joejanecek, @playon.bsky.social, Spyglass, @om, @om, AppleInsider, @ainemacdermot.bsky.social, @ckrewson, @ianb@mastodon.well.com, @simondowens@threads.net, @thomholwerda@exquisite.social, @benedictevans@threads.net, @joesteel@duck.haus, Jay Friedman on LinkedIn, @franksting@theblower.au, One Man & His Blog, Simon Owens's Media Newsletter, The Drum, The Verge, MediaPost, 9to5Mac, Reuters and Axios


Publicis reports H1 2024 revenue up 7.7% YoY to €7.7B and raises revenue growth guidance from 4%-5% to 5%-6% for 2024, as US tech clients' ad spending picks up — Paris-based advertising agency nudges up annual forecast on recovery in marketing budgets
Discussion:
Reuters, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Publicis Groupe, Publicis Groupe, Publicis Groupe and MediaPost


The US SEC sues former DWAC CEO Patrick Orlando for allegedly misleading investors about his company's plans for a SPAC merger with Trump's social media company — - Patrick Orlando eyed Trump Media before IPO, SEC claim — SEC settled with DWAC for $18 million over similar issue
Discussion:
Raw Story, @hugolowell and Reuters


Source: PE firm CVC Capital Partners is considering a bid for the Telegraph, ahead of a deadline for the first round of auction of the newspaper group this week — Potential bid by CVC Capital Partners believed to be structured to back newspaper group's management team
Discussion:
Telegraph