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Financial Times:
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
Mike Vorkunov / New York Times:
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 …
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Hong Kong Free Press:
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, National Union of Journalists …, Eric Wishart on LinkedIn, Al Jazeera, @laurengoode, The Atlantic, @jonamorem, @jfsteinfeld, @missanabeem, @maryhui, @lewispants, @semaforben, @lilahass, @compliancememe, @tulikabose_, @moorehn, @sharp_writing, @nate_dicamillo, @mike_hixenbaugh, @dancow, @wesleylowery, @johnsimpsonnews, @selina_cheng, @_karenhao, @usa_baozilover, @feliciasonmez, @debbychan_hk, @tomgrundy, Associated Press, Semafor, Sheila Coronel on LinkedIn, @jenvalentino_nyt@threads.net, The Guardian, Reuters, Dr. Eric Yan-ho Lai on LinkedIn and Talking Biz News
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Verizon offers customers who subscribe to Peacock Premium at the new $79.99 per year rate one year of Netflix Premium for free — Verizon keeps reshuffling its deck of various and sundry streaming bundle deals, aiming for new ways to appeal to bargain hunters — and to cater to particular sign-up goals of its content partners.
Discussion:
ComingSoon.net, The Hollywood Reporter and @tvgrimreaper
Reuters:
An Italian court orders a journalist to pay PM Giorgia Meloni €5K for mocking her height; in 2023, journalist Roberto Saviano was fined €1K for insulting Meloni — A Milan court has ordered a journalist to pay Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni damages of 5,000 euros ($5,465) …
Discussion:
The Guardian
Peter White / Deadline:
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, The Hollywood Reporter, GoldDerby, Variety, Variety, AppleInsider, Variety, The Ringer, Los Angeles Times, SWAMY WORLD, Media Play News, Associated Press, Next TV, The Wrap, 9to5Mac and ComingSoon.net
Brian Steinberg / Variety:
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:
Radio Ink, Mumbrella, Digiday, The Information, MediaPost, Adweek, AdExchanger, The Media Leader, Next TV and Ad Age
Jess Weatherbed / The Verge:
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:
Music Ally, @glenngabe, Axios, Digital Trends, Engadget, Music Business Worldwide, Spotify and TechCrunch, more at Techmeme »
Ben Werdmuller / Werd I/O:
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 …
Daniel Thomas / Financial Times:
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:
Adweek, The Drum, Publicis Groupe, Bloomberg, Reuters, Publicis Groupe, Wall Street Journal, Publicis Groupe and MediaPost
Bloomberg:
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:
Quartz, Raw Story, @hugolowell and Reuters
Om Malik / On my Om:
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:
Ad Age, @joejanecek, @playon.bsky.social, Spyglass, Media Voices, @om, @ainemacdermot.bsky.social, @ckrewson, AppleInsider, @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
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