Top News:
CNBC:
James Cameron blasts Netflix's proposed acquisition of WBD, in a letter to Senator Mike Lee, calling it “disastrous for the theatrical motion picture business” — Legendary “Titanic” director James Cameron is likening the theatrical experience to a “sinking ship” if Netflix acquires Warner Bros. Discovery's film studio.
Discussion:
Variety, Fast Company, International Business Times, Media Play News, Far Out Magazine, The A.V. Club, Lillian Rizzo on LinkedIn, Sarah Whitten on LinkedIn, Advanced Television, Deadline, Variety, World of Reel, The Hollywood Reporter, GamesRadar, The Wrap, Benzinga, The Motley Fool, Salt Lake Tribune, Bloomberg and Morningstar
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Bloomberg:
Ted Sarandos says a winning Netflix bid for WBD would lead to more films in theaters because Netflix would distribute its films via WBD's distribution system
Discussion:
The Streamable, Puck, @business, Forbes, The Wrap, Bloomberg, Bloomberg, Observer, Business Insider, What's on Netflix, Benzinga and World of Reel
Marina Adami / Nieman Lab:
Editors and freelance journalists say AI has brought more productivity, increased expectations of speed, a need for more vetting, and sometimes job-loss fears — One freelancer said he's been offering editors access to his Google Docs version histories as evidence that he does the writing himself.
James Hibberd / The Hollywood Reporter:
After a backlash, AMC opts out of screening an AI short film during its pre-show, programmed by ad company Screenvision, before feature films — AMC has opted out of screening the award-winning short film during its third-party programmed pre-show, and it's unclear if other chains will follow suit.
Charlotte Klein / New York Magazine:
How Will Lewis grew isolated from the WaPo newsroom, business side, and Jeff Bezos as he outlined big ideas without clear strategies for their implementation — When Will Lewis arrived at the Washington Post in January 2024, he was received as a potential redeemer.
Discussion:
@bananapeele and @sarahscire
Hanaa' Tameez / Nieman Lab:
Substack announces new tools to help writers use Polymarket data and adds Polymarket to its sponsorship pilot, prompting questions from some journalists — Predictions market Polymarket and Substack are now “exclusive,” the companies announced. And the relationship getting serious is raising a few eyebrows.
Discussion:
@polymarket, @kims@mas.to, @damon.kiesow.net, @chrisbest, Defector, @thebluenami.bsky.social, Truthout, @ketanjoshi.co, @ketanjoshi.co, @hanaatameez.bsky.social, @anniegirl.bsky.social, @bensaufley.com, On Substack, @cathygellis.bsky.social, The Hill, The Oracle, Feed Me, @jesseraub.online, @marisakabas.bsky.social and Wide World of News
Daniel Thomas / Financial Times:
Source: Axel Springer joins a group led by Dovid Efune that is making a ~£500M fully funded bid for the Telegraph, should DMGT's deal fail regulatory hurdles — New York Sun owner's £500mn offer promises more cash upfront if DMGT fails regulatory hurdles
Discussion:
The Wrap
Maxwell Zeff / Wired:
Perplexity's retreat from ads signals a strategic shift as it recognizes its product is not for a mass audience and expects growth to come from enterprise sales — The AI search startup once predicted advertising would be a massive business. Now it's betting on a smaller, more valuable audience.
Discussion:
Futurism, AdExchanger, Android Headlines, @wired.com, NextBigWhat, Profectio, The Indian Express, Semafor, Benzinga, KVIA-TV and SammyGuru, more at Techmeme »
Charlotte Tobitt / Press Gazette:
A look at The Sun's video strategy, which includes a shift to longform news and sponsored lifestyle content; it has 6.4M YouTube subscribers on its main channel — The Sun has grown its video operation “even more aggressively” than planned in the past year.
Discussion:
NERDBOT, Jon Lloyd on LinkedIn and News UK
Selome Hailu / Variety:
Matthew McConaughey and Timothée Chalamet discuss AI's potential to replace actors and win awards; McConaughey said AI actors will “infiltrate” the Oscars — Matthew McConaughey and Timothée Chalamet are telling young people to brace themselves and lead the entertainment industry through the rise of AI.
Discussion:
Dexerto, Los Angeles Times, Reality Tea, World of Reel, The Wrap, Fortune, Entertainment Weekly, @everyfilmnow.bsky.social and CNN
Charlotte Tobitt / Press Gazette:
The UK CMA says Getty and Shutterstock's $3.7B merger could lead to a “substantial lessening of competition” in the UK editorial market for news events — The $3.7bn merger of rival image providers Getty and Shutterstock could lead to a “substantial lessening of competition” …
Discussion:
Seattle Business Journal, GOV.UK and Reuters
Anhata Rooprai / Reuters:
Apple TV has signed a distribution deal with EverPass Media to bring live sports content to US businesses such as bars, restaurants, hotels, and gyms — Apple TV (AAPL.O) has signed a distribution agreement with EverPass Media to bring the streamer's live sports content to businesses such as bars …
Julianna Bragg / Axios:
Stephen Colbert's interview on YouTube with US Senate candidate James Talarico draws 7M+ views after it was posted on Monday, bypassing TV restrictions — Stephen Colbert alleged that President Trump's talk show directive kept his interview with a Texas Democratic Senate candidate off CBS airwaves …
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