Top News:
Justin Kroll / Deadline:
Amazon MGM Studios, Michael G. Wilson, and Barbara Broccoli form a JV to house James Bond IP rights, under which Amazon gains creative control of the franchise — In news that will send shock waves through the industry, longtime James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli …
Discussion:
Variety, About Amazon, CNN, Axios, SlashFilm, Wall Street Journal, TVNewsCheck, IndieWire, Reuters, The Wrap, Screen Rant, Mirror, Financial Times, Bloomberg, CNBC, WPXI-TV, The Verge, The Information, Quartz, Los Angeles Times, WFAA-TV, Comic Book, The Playlist, GB News, LADbible, @vinzenzhediger.bsky.social, Gizmodo, The Hollywood Reporter, BBC, FemaleFirst, Carlo Bertucci on LinkedIn, @richlightshed, Cord Cutters News, @taraconlan.bsky.social, @mgsiegler, @joerussotweets, @ronmarz.bsky.social, LADbible, CBR, Consequence, @deeketweak, @moviessilently.bsky.social, Collider, World of Reel, @jacobkleinman, @nextbestpicture, Media Play News, @gigawattconduit.bsky.social, @benroyturner, @bunndumm, @jjdotbiz.bsky.social, @josie.zone, @sonnybunch, @caseym.org, @gigawattconduit.bsky.social and Just Jared
Oliver Darcy / Status:
40 news organizations signed a letter delivered to the White House this week, asking the White House to lift its AP ban immediately in support of press freedom — News outlets across the political spectrum have united behind the AP, signing a WHCA-backed letter urging the White House …
Discussion:
Media Nation, @brianstelter, @mattgoerzen.bsky.social, @charliebeckett.bsky.social, @susangardner.bsky.social, @alansunderland.com, @chathamharrison.bsky.social, @oliverdarcy.bsky.social, @oliverdarcy.bsky.social, The Wrap, @sharonwaxman.bsky.social, The Atlantic, RADIO ONLINE, The Rio Times and Inside Radio
Financial Times:
Mathias Döpfner calls Trump's Politico attacks a “misunderstanding” and says many Europeans had “intentionally misunderstood” JD Vance's speech in Munich — Mathias Döpfner says many Europeans had ‘intentionally misunderstood’ the US vice-president's speech that caused widespread horror
Discussion:
@shakeelhashim, @jonworth.eu, @lilouzovert.bsky.social and @jeffjarvis.bsky.social
Alex Sherman / CNBC:
Sources: ESPN plans to add some user-generated content to its flagship streaming service, which will debut later in 2025 and could be priced at $25 or $30/month — In an attempt to court younger audiences, Disney's ESPN is planning to add some user-generated content to its yet …
Discussion:
Awful Announcing and Barrett Media
Jess Weatherbed / The Verge:
Spotify will begin accepting AI-narrated audiobooks recorded using ElevenLabs software; Spotify already allows AI-recorded audiobooks, with several restrictions — A new ElevenLabs partnership aims to help authors bring AI-narrated audiobooks to Spotify listeners.
Discussion:
TechCrunch, more at Techmeme »
BBC:
BBC News says it made the “reluctant decision” to close its office in Azerbaijan after the government ordered the suspension of its operation in the country — The Azerbaijani government has ordered the suspension of BBC News' Azerbaijani operation in the capital city, Baku.
Alex Weprin / The Hollywood Reporter:
A+E Networks launches a digital division to unify its digital efforts, including YouTube channels and SVOD platforms, and plans a History.com relaunch — Ann McGowan will join the company as its digital GM, with a relaunch of History.com as the first big project.
Discussion:
Adweek, Variety, The Wrap and WORLD SCREEN
Nellie Andreeva / Deadline:
Apple says Severance has become the most-viewed series on Apple TV+ globally, surpassing Ted Lasso; the series also helped bump subscription signups in January — According to the streamer, Severance has broken Apple TV+ records, launching as the platform's #1 series in history based on number …
Discussion:
Forbes, Decider, Collider, MacRumors, Inverse, Dexerto, @carlquintanilla.bsky.social, @benstiller.redhour.com, BGR, Comic Book, 9to5Mac, Screen Rant and Just Jared
Michael Levenson / New York Times:
A Mississippi judge has ordered a local newspaper to remove an editorial criticizing Clarksdale city officials; the paper's owner plans to challenge the order — The owner of The Clarksdale Press Register said he planned to challenge a judge's order against an editorial that criticized city officials.
Discussion:
TVNewsCheck, Reason, @nxthompson, @bgrueskin.bsky.social, @mediaevan, Associated Press, @adamsteinbaugh, @adamsteinbaugh, @adamsteinbaugh, @adamsteinbaugh, Twitchy, @adamsteinbaugh, @adamsteinbaugh, Freedom of the Press …, @adamsteinbaugh, Scioto Valley Guardian, John Robinson on LinkedIn, @caseyseiler.bsky.social, @zelbel.bsky.social, @nytimes.com, MediaPost, The Independent and Raw Story
Abid Rahman / The Hollywood Reporter:
MPA: Max added 1.4M subscribers in Q4 2024 in Southeast Asia, capturing 26% of net customer additions for streaming services, while Netflix accounted for 48% — A new report from Media Partners Asia reveals that Warner Bros. Discovery's streamer added 1.4 million subscribers in Q4 2024 in five key SEA markets.
Discussion:
WORLD SCREEN, Decider, Deadline and Variety
Suzanne Vranica / Wall Street Journal:
Sources: top X executives hinted to Interpublic and other ad firms that not spending on X could lead to legal woes, due to X's lawsuit against some advertisers — Interpublic recently signed an advertising agreement with the platform; other agencies are also in negotiations
Discussion:
TVNewsCheck, The Information, @nkulw, Paul Semenza on LinkedIn, @wsjbusiness, @harrymccracken.com, @ryanbarwick, @jtoonkel, @bgrueskin.bsky.social, Sarah Thompson on LinkedIn, @proggrrl.bsky.social, @rani.bsky.social, Arielle Garcia on LinkedIn, @whetmoser.com, @chronotope.aramzs.xyz, @pppgrifter.bsky.social and @baymama.bsky.social, more at Techmeme »
Georg Szalai / The Hollywood Reporter:
Netflix commits to invest $1B in Mexico for the production of series and films over the next four years, including $2M for the iconic Churubusco Studios — “This country holds a special place in Netflix's own history,” co-CEO Ted Sarandos said during a press conference in Mexico City …
Discussion:
The Ankler, The Wrap, TVNewsCheck, Reuters and Variety
Georg Szalai / The Hollywood Reporter:
TelevisaUnivision reports Q4 revenue down 1% YoY to $1.3B, operating expenses flat at $892M, and says its DTC business generated $1B in annual revenue — “2024 was a year of continued momentum for TelevisaUnivision, and my early days at the helm have reinforced the tremendous opportunity ahead of us," says CEO Daniel Alegre.
Discussion:
TVNewsCheck, Variety, Deadline and TelevisaUnivision
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