Top News:
Matt Donnelly / Variety:
Paramount's streaming head Cindy Holland says streaming movies are “not a priority”, as CEO David Ellison says debate on value of theatrical releases is “over” — The leadership team at Skydance's Paramount have no interest in playing the original streaming movies game …
Discussion:
Gamereactor UK, Deadline, Deadline, TrekMovie.com, The Wrap, @variety and Deadline
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James Rogers / MarketWatch:
Paramount Skydance's shares jumped 36.7% on August 13, and trading volume exploded; CNBC's Jim Cramer called the stock a meme stock earlier in the day — Shares of newly merged — and highly shorted — media company Paramount Skydance soared Wednesday, fueling a ‘meme-on-steroids feel’
Discussion:
@jimcramer, Deadline, @sergiustrading, Barron's Online, Mumbrella, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, Bloomberg, Capital Brief, @drpatelphd, Variety, Investopedia, MarketWatch and Yahoo Finance
Cynthia Littleton / Variety:
Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison says BET Networks is no longer for sale and he plans to operate the new company with Paramount's assets intact — New regime meets the press in wide-ranging Q&A session held at Melrose studio lot following Aug. 7 acquisition
Discussion:
Deadline, The Wrap, TheDesk.net, Cord Cutters News, @tvgrimreaper, TVNewsCheck, Benzinga and Collider
David Folkenflik / NPR:
A look at the disputes over Kari Lake's official title and power at USAGM, as she uses the title of acting CEO while lawsuits challenge her status — By the close of business Wednesday, Trump administration official Kari Lake must explain to a federal judge how she intends to ensure that Voice …
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Toluse Olorunnipa / The Atlantic:
Kari Lake pushes to deport some of her former employees who worked for Voice of America; they were invited to the US under J-1 visas that are no longer valid
Kari Lake pushes to deport some of her former employees who worked for Voice of America; they were invited to the US under J-1 visas that are no longer valid
Discussion:
@brettbruen, @davidfolkenflik, Daily Mail, @susanmcp.bsky.social, @frasermatthew, Daily Kos, @toluseo, @savevoa.bsky.social, @mediaevan.bsky.social, Poynter, @davidfolkenflik.bsky.social, The Atlantic on LinkedIn, AZ FREE NEWS, Raw Story, Lawyers, Guns & Money, @patriotprogressive …, @newsguy.bsky.social, @cas7217.bsky.social and r/Journalism
Brooks Barnes / New York Times:
A look at MicroCo, a Hollywood startup aiming to tap into the micro drama craze, as Chinese apps gain US traction with millions of downloads, per Sensor Tower — A new app will focus on super-short TV shows shot for phones, a bit like Quibi, an earlier app aimed at quick content. — Remember Quibi?
Alex Weprin / The Hollywood Reporter:
How the NFL changed its streaming strategy as the TV landscape shifted; in a first, every NFL game will be available on streaming by the end of August — The league isn't content to be a ratings juggernaut for partners. As it takes equity in ESPN and Paramount Skydance, it's muscling into Hollywood's end zone.
Neel Dhanesha / Nieman Lab:
CPB's closure threatens tribal radio and TV stations, endangering critical services like emergency alerts in areas lacking broadband or reliable cell service — “These stations are not just media outlets, they are cultural infrastructure.” — In the most remote parts of Alaska …
Hadas Gold / CNN:
A US judge rules Infowars will go up for sale yet again, paving the way for The Onion to revive its bid for the conspiracy-driven outlet and its assets — Alex Jones' far-right platform Infowars can be sold once again to help pay the more than $1 billion he owes the families …
Discussion:
NPR
Vivian Nguyen / Crypto Briefing:
Justin Sun sues to block Bloomberg from publishing details of his crypto holdings that he had divulged “confidentially” to be included in its Billionaires Index — The 14-page complaint accuses Bloomberg of public disclosure of sensitive financial information and promissory estoppel.
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Paramount investor Mario Gabelli sues Shari Redstone's National Amusements, claiming NAI received “unfair and inequitable” terms in the Skydance merger — Now his investment firm has officially taken the matter to court. — On Wednesday, Gabelli's GAMCO filed a lawsuit …
Discussion:
Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, Business Wire and The Wrap
Caitlin Huston / The Hollywood Reporter:
Netflix VP of Consumer Products Josh Simon, who oversaw merchandising and experiences, leaves to be CEO of Funko, which makes bobbleheads and other collectibles — Josh Simon had created products for the streaming giant's biggest titles, including ‘Stranger Things,’ ‘Bridgerton’ and ‘Squid Game.’
Discussion:
GeekWire, Seattle Business Journal, Kidscreen, Retail Dive, The Wrap, Deadline, Variety, Business Wire and Bloomberg
Matthew Keys / TheDesk.net:
Marco Gaudino, charged in 2024 for allegedly giving Tim Burke credentials to access systems used by Fox News and others, avoids prison time after a plea deal — A Washington man has avoided prison time after he confessed to helping a Florida media consultant and former video journalist break …
Discussion:
@thedesk.net
