Top News:
Bloomberg:
Sources: Comcast is looking to merge NBCUniversal, including NBC TV, studios, and theme parks, with WBD, whose shareholders would get cash and stock — Comcast Corp. is looking to merge its NBCUniversal division with Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., according to people familiar with the company's plans.
Discussion:
The Wrap
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Bloomberg:
Sources: Netflix files a new bid for Warner Bros. Discovery that is mostly cash, and is working on a bridge loan that totals tens of billions of dollars — Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. was fielding a second round of bids on Monday, including a mostly cash offer from Netflix Inc. …
Discussion:
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Todd Spangler / Variety:
Sources: Comcast, Netflix, and Paramount submitted second-round WBD bids on December 1; Paramount's includes financing from Apollo and Middle East wealth funds — Netflix reportedly made a mostly cash bid for the Warner Bros. streaming and studios entity; Comcast is also in the mix
Jess Weatherbed / The Verge:
YouTube launches Recap, which lets users review their most notable video habits over the past year, in the US on desktop and mobile, arriving globally next week — The new annual insights feature lets you review your top channels, interests, and other viewing habits.
Discussion:
Deadline, YouTube Official Blog, TechCrunch, KHOU-TV, Android Authority, iPhone in Canada, Dexerto, DNYUZ, Thurrott, Search Engine Journal, TechRadar, CNET, Variety, 9to5Google, Destructoid, Pocket-lint, MakeUseOf, Android Police, Chrome Unboxed, MacRumors, WeRSM and The Keyword, more at Techmeme »
Wall Street Journal:
Sources: as Disney prepares to name Bob Iger's successor in early 2026, parks chief Josh D'Amaro and TV head Dana Walden met with Disney's board this summer — Company is expected to promote from within, with parks chief Josh D'Amaro and TV head Dana Walden considered leading contenders
Discussion:
GameSpot, Axios, Cord Cutters News, @benfritz, @nick_field90, Fortune and TVNewsCheck
Brian Steinberg / Variety:
TelevisaUnivision creates a shoppable “microdrama” series for JCPenney, with five 90-second scripted episodes, and plans to expand its microcontent production — JCPenney is betting on short stories — and hoping for long-term benefits. — Spanish-language media giant TelevisaUnivision …
Jessica Hammers / Marketing Dive:
Snapchat launches the Winter Village, a shoppable AR experience that includes Chopard, Lancome, and Boss virtual shops, available through December 31 — Chopard and other luxury brands are featured in the Snapchat Winter Village, a digital activation meant to mimic the in-person shopping experience.
Discussion:
MediaPost, Snap Newsroom, @naomishambles.bsky.social and Social Media Today
Sam Gutelle / Tubefilter:
Acast, with Little Dot Studios, is launching a UK-based program to boost ad opportunities for podcasters on YouTube; a beta version launches in January — In the US, podcast ad revenue is projected to soar to $2.5 billion this year. Meanwhile, across the pond, podcaster fortunes are improving as well …
Discussion:
Journalism.co.uk, Acast, Advanced Television and Podnews
David Bauder / Associated Press:
The Pentagon denied the AP and others access to a few news briefings, claiming they're orientation events for the new press corps, which now includes Matt Gaetz — Outlets that reach millions of news consumers are being denied access to rare briefings by Pentagon officials this week …
Discussion:
The List, @seth_hettena, InsuranceNewsNet, Mirror US, al.com, @quakerorts.bsky.social, Alternet.org and IJR
Ben Jiang / South China Morning Post:
Chinese short-video company Kuaishou launches Kling Video O1, saying it is the first multimodal AI model to unify video generation, editing, and post-production — Kuaishou expects the new model's abilities to drive its adoption by filmmakers, production studios, advertisers and influencers
Georg Szalai / The Hollywood Reporter:
Luma AI opens its first international office in London and appoints former WPP and Monks executive Jason Day to lead its global expansion outside the US — Putting multimodal artificial generative intelligence (AGI) into “the hands of creative professionals around the world - be they marketers …
Discussion:
TVNewsCheck, COINOTAG, Deadline, @lumalabsai, CNBC, @gravicle, @lumalabsai, Luma AI and Realscreen
Dominic Ponsford / Press Gazette:
The UK's Observer says editor Lucy Rock stepped down in September after being announced as the title's first female print editor in December 2024 — The Observer has confirmed the departure of Lucy Rock who was announced in December as the first female editor in the title's 234-year history.
