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OpenAI:
OpenAI launches Sora, available as part of ChatGPT Plus, letting users generate up to 50 videos at 480p or fewer videos at 720p each month, in select countries — We're moving our video generation model out of research preview. — Learn more System Card
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Kyle Wiggers / TechCrunch:
OpenAI says it will give only a “subset” of Sora users access to a feature for creating videos of a real person using uploaded photos or footage of the person — OpenAI launched its video-generating tool, Sora, on Monday. But the company's opting not to release a key feature for most users pending further testing.
Ben Sisario / New York Times:
Taylor Swift Touring says the Eras Tour made $2B in ticket sales, double the gross of any other concert tour in history, with an average seat price of ~$204 — Over 21 months, the pop superstar's culture-dominating stage show doubled the gross of its closest competitor, according to ticket sales figures confirmed for the first time.
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Dominic Ponsford / Press Gazette:
The Guardian publishes a letter by 125 Guardian and Observer staff contradicting Scott Trust claims of “extensive consultations” with staff over Observer sale — The Guardian has published two letters from current and former staff attacking the chair of the Scott Trust, the limited company which owns Guardian Media Group.
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The Guardian, @filmlecturer, @soniasodha, @hermionegingol1, @soniasodha, @etansmallman, @soniasodha, @soniargallego, @hadleyfreeman, @joolsjuevans, The Guardian, @soniasodha, MediaPost, The Times, Sky News, Associated Press, Reuters, Financial Times, London Evening Standard, New York Times, Le Monde and New Statesman
Max Tani / Semafor:
Source: Vox Media will not renew its deal to distribute Taylor Lorenz's video podcast, set to expire at the start of 2025; the first episode aired in March 2024 — The Scoop — Vox Media is ending its deal to distribute Taylor Lorenz's podcast and YouTube show.
Dade Hayes / Deadline:
Brendan Carr, Donald Trump's pick to chair the FCC, vowed to back local TV stations even if it conflicts “with the interests of national broadcast networks” — Video … Appearing Friday on CNBC's Squawk on the Street, Carr continued to draw attention to broadcast networks' …
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TVNewsCheck, CNBC and Business Insider
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Sarah Perez / TechCrunch:
In a mockup posted on GitHub, Bluesky teases Bluesky+, a $8 per month paid subscription offering profile customizations, higher video upload limits, and more — Social networking startup and X competitor Bluesky is working on subscriptions. The company first announced plans to develop …
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@brianstorms@mastodon.social, @dennisobell.bsky.social and @jeffgreco.com
Ben Smith / Semafor:
Source: Fox is talking to potential acquisition targets in political media, particularly on the right, including Daily Wire and Red Seat Ventures — THE SCOOP — My colleague Liz Hoffman has written that “SpinCo,” the new proprietor of NBC's cable assets, will be born with a strong balance sheet …
Discussion:
@brianstelter, @semaforben and @bmccandless
Mark Sweney / The Guardian:
ITV CEO Carolyn McCall has fared well in an embattled sector, turning around the UK's biggest commercial public broadcaster despite a stubbornly low share price — CEO has fared well in an embattled sector, turning around the UK's biggest commercial public broadcaster despite the stubbornly low share price
Elsa Keslassy / Variety:
Vivendi's shareholders approve a plan to spin off Canal+, Havas, and Louis Hachette; Canal+ will list in London, Havas in Amsterdam, and Louis Hachette in Paris — Vivendi, the Paris-headquartered media conglomerate, is about to enter a new era with its flagship pay TV banner Canal+ Group set for a bow at the London Stock Exchange.
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Comcast and WBD announce a multiyear distribution pact, including letting Comcast bundle Max in the US; Sky will launch the Max app in the UK in April 2025 — Sky gets U.K. rights to HBO's forthcoming Harry Potter series, will distribute Max in the country
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Oliver Darcy / Status:
Q&A with Vox Media CEO Jim Bankoff on The Verge's paywall, New York Magazine's new app, podcast renewal talks, and layoffs at Thrillist, PS, and Eater — The Vox Media boss spoke to Status about the tough reality digital publishers are facing, with “compounding changes in technology …
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@oliverdarcy.bsky.social and @carlquintanilla.bsky.social