Top News:
Spotify:
Spotify says Daniel Ek will step down as CEO and become executive chairman in January 2026, and names CPTO Gustav Söderström and CBO Alex Norström as co-CEOs — Today, Spotify (NYSE: SPOT) announced that Founder and Chief Executive Officer Daniel Ek will transition to the role …
Discussion:
Spotify, Observer, Inside Radio, @kevinakwok, @bernhardsson, @arudansk, @packym, @eladgil, @harrystebbings, @iamjackstephens, @mark_mez, @jason, @eastdakota, @lucas_shaw, @mignano, Stereogum, Forbes, The A.V. Club, CBS News, Benzinga, Engadget, The Information, Radio Ink, Axios, CMU, Entrepreneur, USA Today, Nairametrics, Moneycontrol, Anna Lundström on LinkedIn, Digital Music News, Wall Street Journal, The Independent, @iamjackstephens, Music Business Worldwide, @spotifynews, Financial Times, UPROXX, @eldsjal, PYMNTS.com, UPI, Billboard, Fortune, The Wrap, Rolling Stone, Proactive, NPR, TechCrunch, Reuters, Thurrott, Barrett Media, Yahoo Finance, ArcticStartup, Hypebot, Music Ally, TVNewsCheck, Variety, Sifted, Investor's Business Daily, The Hollywood Reporter, New York Daily News, CNBC, Bloomberg, The Verge, Tech.eu, Politico, Daily Sabah and BelfastTelegraph.co.uk, more at Techmeme »
Ted Johnson / Deadline:
The FCC launches a Congressionally mandated review of its media ownership rules, including a rule limiting a company from owning over two stations in a market — The FCC launched a new review of its media ownership limits, amid broadcasters' lobbying push to modernize the restrictions in the face of competition from tech giants.
Discussion:
Reuters, TV Tech, The Hollywood Reporter, Inside Radio, Radio Ink, The Wrap, @airbagmoments.bsky.social, TVNewsCheck, Bloomberg and TheDesk.net
Jessica Golden / CNBC:
Versant, the NBCUniversal spinoff, signs an 11-year media rights deal with the WNBA, starting in the 2026 season and including at least 50 WNBA games annually — Versant has signed a new 11-year media deal with the Women's National Basketball Association, the company announced Tuesday.
Scott Murdoch / Reuters:
Australia's Seven West Media agrees to merge with Southern Cross Media, forming a ~$274M metropolitan and regional group to better compete with streaming giants — - Southern Cross shareholders to own 50.1% of merged group — Merger expected to save A$25-30 million annually
Discussion:
The Australian, The Australian, news.com.au, Business News Australia, Daily Mail, Sky News Australia, The Australian, 7NEWS, TV Tonight, @markdistef, Mediaweek, Business News, @markdistef, The Advertiser, ABC News (Australia) on YouTube, Broadcast, Colitco, The Australian, The Canberra Times, 7NEWS Australia on YouTube, Sky News Australia, @daanysaeed, The Australian, The Australian, ABC, Mumbrella, Australian Financial Review, Australian Financial Review, Australian Financial Review, Australian Financial Review, Mediaweek, ABC, Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney Morning Herald, 9News and MarketWatch
Kurt Schlosser / GeekWire:
Amazon announces new features ahead of its NBA on Prime streams, starting Oct. 24: multiview, shoppable merch, and Rapid Recaps and Key Moments, both AI-powered — Amazon is planning a number of interactive features and personalization for fans when it begins airing NBA games on Prime Video starting Oct. 24.
RELATED:
Ryan Epps / Tom's Guide:
Amazon launches new Fire TVs and a $40 Fire TV Stick 4K Select with a new OS called Vega and built in Alexa+ — A new Fire TV Stick also one-ups the competition — When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. … The new Mini-LED set will come in five sizes …
Discussion:
Android Police, TechRadar, Android Authority, PYMNTS.com, Android Central, The Information, Streaming Better, 9to5Google, PCMag, SlashGear, AFTVnews, NDTV Profit, About Amazon, Gizmodo, Phandroid, Android Headlines, Engadget, How-To Geek, Cord Cutters News, TechCrunch, The Verge and Pocket-lint, more at Techmeme »
Ram Iyer / TechCrunch:
Imgur blocks UK access after the ICO notified it of a possible fine over its handling of kids' data; the ICO calls Imgur's move a “commercial decision” — Imgur, one of the web's most popular image sharing and hosting platforms, has shut off access to its site to users in the United Kingdom …
Ina Fried / Axios:
OpenAI releases an invitation-only Sora app on iOS, powered by Sora 2, to let people create and share AI-generated videos of themselves and their friends — An Android version will follow eventually, OpenAI told Axios. — The social app is powered by Sora 2, a new version of OpenAI's video model, which also launched Tuesday.
Discussion:
OpenAI, Implicator.ai, Maginative, Forbes, The Hollywood Reporter, Platformer, eWeek, Search Engine Journal, France 24, TestingCatalog, The Verge, Associated Press, Gizmodo, Thurrott, Blockchain.News, ZDNET, Bloomberg, Music Ally, Decrypt, Business Insider, Dexerto, BGR, Livemint, CNBC, MacRumors, The Indian Express, Reuters, Android Headlines, Venturebeat, Motley Fool, PCMag, CNET, iClarified, The Decoder, iPhone in Canada, MarkTechPost, Yahoo Finance, TechCrunch, Tom's Guide, 9to5Mac, Curb Cuts, TVNewsCheck, CBS News, Redmond Pie, Wall Street Journal, Silicon Republic, Engadget, WinBuzzer, SiliconANGLE, The Hans India, Times Now, TipRanks Financial, Notebookcheck, Simon Willison's Weblog, Barron's Online, Techstrong.ai, Crypto Briefing and Wired, more at Techmeme »
Erik Gruenwedel / Media Play News:
Ampere: in July, 39% of all TV seasons and movies on US streaming platforms appeared on 2+ services, while 21% of titles were on 3+ services, up from 9% in 2020 — There's a reason you can stream episodes of “Young Sheldon,” “NCIS” and “Suits” across multiple platforms.
Discussion:
The Hollywood Reporter, Broadband TV News and Advanced Television
Samantha Cole / 404 Media:
Google's Ad Transparency tool no longer shows any political ads, past or present, from any EU countries ahead of new EU ad transparency regulations — Google's Ad Transparency tool no longer shows political online advertisements that ran on its platforms, in the past or present …
Discussion:
@josephcox.bsky.social, @susanpotter.net, @404media.co and Beyond Search, more at Techmeme »
Sara Fischer / Axios:
Disney sent a cease-and-desist to Character.AI for misusing its characters in harmful ways, including sexual exploitation; the startup removed Disney characters — - Disney said the report underscores its concern with the way its characters have been utilized on the platform.
Matthew Keys / TheDesk.net:
A group of ~40 First Amendment watchdogs and civic organizations urge FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to resign over his comments about ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! — The chairman's veiled threat against ABC over a “Jimmy Kimmel Live” monologue was overly political, the groups argue.
Discussion:
The Hollywood Reporter, @imlistening51.bsky.social, Weekend Reading, Reuters, Free Press and techfreedom.org
Lucas Manfredi / The Wrap:
Philo adds ad-supported tiers of HBO Max and Discovery+ to its Core package, raises the price from $28 to $33/month, and plans ad-free upgrades for early 2026 — The Warner Bros. Discovery-owned streaming services will be available in an enhanced package for $33 per month
