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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, Associated Press, Comic Book, Gizmodo, LADbible, 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, @gigawattconduit.bsky.social, @benroyturner, @bunndumm, Media Play News, @jjdotbiz.bsky.social, @josie.zone, @sonnybunch, @caseym.org, @gigawattconduit.bsky.social and Just Jared


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


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


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.


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.


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


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, Collider, MacRumors, Inverse, Dexerto, @carlquintanilla.bsky.social, @benstiller.redhour.com, BGR, Comic Book, 9to5Mac, Screen Rant and Just Jared


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:
Reason, TVNewsCheck, @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


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


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 »


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


Twitch plans to implement a 100-hour storage cap for Highlights and Uploads from April 19, automatically deleting content from streamers who exceed the limit — Streamers who have exceeded this limit will have their content automatically deleted until it meets the threshold.