Top News:
Betsy Morais / Columbia Journalism Review:
Several women attest to Pulitzer winner and author Wesley Lowery's pattern of predatory behavior toward young women in journalism between 2018 and 2024 — Lowery rose to prominence as a reporter and media thinker. Women in the industry say he engaged in sexual harassment and assault.
Discussion:
Reuters, @farhip, @drewharwell.com, @miasato.bsky.social, @emilybell.bsky.social, @freeblackgirl.bsky.social, @jpodhoretz, @chuckrossdc, @brosandprose.bsky.social, @felipedlh.bsky.social, @joshsternberg.com, @jbenmenachem.com, @evacide@hachyderm.io, @kattenbarge.bsky.social, @neontaster, @jmacnyc, @watchdogdiva, @jtlol, @karr_pe, @kimzetter.bsky.social, @melissagiragrant.com, @gracepanetta.bsky.social, @watchdogdiva.bsky.social, @trevellanderson.bsky.social, @dankennedy.net, @juliametraux.bsky.social, @mdruker.app, @nikkimcr.bsky.social, @jaredlholt.bsky.social, @melodyschreiber.com, @jessicawluther.com, @clancyny.bsky.social, @sarahscire.com, @bwd.bsky.social, @ihavethatonvinyl.com, @espiers.bsky.social, @oliviamesser.bsky.social, @oliviamesser.bsky.social, @rotkoff.bsky.social, @sivav.bsky.social and @columjournreview.bsky.social
Andrew Romero / 9to5Google:
AI videos from Google's Veo 3, which features synchronized audio as well as crisper, more detailed video, are both impressive and terrifying — If the internet wasn't already full of misinformation and general filler content, Veo 3 is going to take it to an entirely new level.
Discussion:
@picotop, @thewapplehouse, @superloafcat, @deedydas, @minchoi, @tunguz, @markgadala, @techhalla, @diesol, @theblackhokage, @hashemghaili, @fakehistoryhunt, Saurabh Aggarwal on LinkedIn, Puja Hait on LinkedIn, Erica Fitzpatrick on LinkedIn, @tamaleaver.bsky.social and The Verge, more at Techmeme »
RELATED:
Kyle Wiggers / TechCrunch:
Google tests bringing ads to AI Mode, both below responses as well as “integrated into” them, and expands ads in AI Overviews to desktop in the US
Discussion:
The Verge, Digiday, The Keyword, The Hill, CBS News, The Business Times, Benzinga, The Information, Yahoo Finance, MarTech, Business Insider, The Keyword, The Verge, Adweek, The Indian Express, Stratechery, Search Engine Roundtable, News/Media Alliance, Engadget, Associated Press, 9to5Google, Wired, BGR, The Business of Fashion, Axios and Sourcing Journal, more at Techmeme »
CNBC:
Google announces new video and image generation models Veo 3 and Imagen 4, alongside a new AI filmmaking tool Flow and expanded access to Lyria 2
Google announces new video and image generation models Veo 3 and Imagen 4, alongside a new AI filmmaking tool Flow and expanded access to Lyria 2
Discussion:
The Indian Express, @arikuschnir, @fofrai, @nearcyan, 404 Media, @cokanestudio, @googledeepmind, @emollick, @googledeepmind, @google, @martinnebelong, @angrytomtweets, @skirano, @sherveen, @nearcyan, @emollick, @mattshumer_, @pizza_later, Music Ally, The Keyword, The Keyword, Engadget and The Verge
Wall Street Journal:
Sources: NBCUniversal made an offer to take over MLB rights after ESPN opted out of continuing its contract, but is offering far less than ESPN currently pays — Comcast's NBCUniversal has made an offer to Major League Baseball to take over the package of regular-season and postseason games …
Discussion:
The Desk, Variety, Sports Media Watch, Awful Announcing, Media Play News, TVNewsCheck, Multicast News, The Wrap, New York Post and StyleCaster
Ashley Spencer / New York Times:
How Disney's Lilo & Stitch, released in 2002, became one of its most merchandised characters, rivalling Winnie the Pooh and Mickey Mouse, ahead of a new movie — Step aside, Moana, Elsa and Simba. In recent years, Stitch has quietly become one of Disney's most popular — and most merchandised — characters.
Discussion:
The Movie Blog
Sarah Perez / TechCrunch:
Epic v. Apple: Spotify says its recent update supporting web payments has resulted in “a significant increase in iOS users upgrading to a Premium subscription” — Spotify says its ability to direct its customers to external payment links in its iOS app has already had a positive impact on sales.
Discussion:
Digital Music News, Reason, 9to5Mac, MediaPost and San Diego Union-Tribune, more at Techmeme »
Wall Street Journal:
An overview of major streamers' revenues, subscriber churn, cancellation rates, shares of US TV viewing time, and shares of US sports TV rights deals since 2023 — Media companies are seeing financial bright spots in their streaming businesses, but navigating the options is still tough for consumers
Ashifa Kassam / The Guardian:
More than 90 European EICs and publishers call on the EU to act over proposed Hungarian legislation that could ban media organizations that get foreign funding — Media figures speak out as Orbán's party proposes penalising organisations that receive foreign funding
Discussion:
@olko-fragrance.bsky.social, @deadfish1965.bsky.social and Reuters
Richard Headland / Press Gazette:
The Economist details its new engagement model, assigning different weightings to content types like narrated articles and podcasts, to reduce subscriber churn — The Economist has rolled out a new content engagement model designed to build habits and improve retention among its 1.2 million global subscriber base.
Discussion:
@pinemikey.bsky.social
Ira Boudway / Bloomberg:
Ampere: sports made up 12% of newly commissioned TV docs in Q2, up from 3% in Q1 2019, as the number of first-run unscripted shows rose from <600 to ~1.3K — Customers love them, but streamers are getting choosier in what they say yes to. — Last season the Boston Red Sox were the picture …
Brian Stelter / CNN:
Live Nation, which is facing a US DOJ antitrust probe, adds Trump ally and the newly installed President of the Kennedy Center Richard Grenell to its board — Amid an antitrust battle with the Justice Department, global entertainment company Live Nation is adding one of President Trump's closest advisors to its board of directors.
Jake Kanter / Deadline:
Channel 4 unveils its Creative Investment Fund to invest in production companies as part of a move to in-house production; the UK broadcaster has £111M in cash — Channel 4 is planning to take majority stakes in third-party production companies as part of its plan to move into in-house production.
Benjamin Mullin / New York Times:
Every, which runs an online magazine, released an AI-powered word processor, and advises media companies on using AI, raised $2M from Reid Hoffman and others — The start-up Every centered its business model on artificial intelligence, and has raised $2 million from backers including Reid Hoffman, the founder of LinkedIn.
