Top News:

Sources: Disney explores a membership program akin to Amazon Prime, bundling streaming, theme parks, and merchandise, and adding a commerce feature to Disney+ — Entertainment giant looks to package streaming, parks and merchandise offerings together; aims to add commerce feature to Disney+
Discussion:
Axios, Variety, Deadline, @asharma, CBR, The A.V. Club, @modestproposal1, Gizmodo, The Verge, @richlightshed, TechCrunch, Media Play News, @peterschorschfl, @awolk, @davezatz, @skiswm, @mattnavarra, @profgalloway, @ednever, @bullandbaird, @frankpallotta, @renegadestyle, Too Much TV Newsletter, Skift, The Streamable, Reuters and Insider, more at Techmeme »

US music publishers settle on 15.35% for mechanical streaming rates in 2023-2027, avoiding costly legal fights with Amazon, Apple, Google, Pandora, and Spotify — The announcement comes as a surprise, as the NMPA has been saying for months that it would push for a 20% rate for the forthcoming period.

The Journalism Competition and Preservation Act is a dangerous link tax bill and a bizarre attempt to circumvent antitrust, copyright, and common carrier laws — Look, I'm a small journalism outfit. A very small one. So, in theory, a law that effectively lets me demand free cash from Google …
Discussion:
@daphnehk, @robinberjon, @blakereid, @mmasnick, @zoelle, @georgeprof, @daphnehk, @pt, @newsalliance, @mattdpearce, @halsinger, MediaPost and News/Media Alliance

Media Insight Project's May-June 2022 survey: ~71% of younger Americans get news daily from social media and 32% enjoy following the news, down from 53% in 2015 — Young people are following the news but aren't too happy with what they're seeing. Broadly speaking, that's the conclusion …

Sources: in a staff Q&A, CEO Mike Reed said Gannett laid off 3% of its US workforce in August 2022, or ~400 people; he and the CFO defended Reed's compensation — The round of layoffs, which started Aug. 12, followed a dismal second quarter. — Gannett CEO Mike Reed told staff …

An investigation details extensive efforts by Erdoğan's regime in Turkey to shape the nation's news, dictated by the 1,500-strong Directorate of Communications — From an office tower in Ankara, Turkish officials shape the nation's news, media insiders say - always to President Tayyip Erdogan's advantage.
Discussion:
@sinanciddi, @reuters, @reuters and @specialreports

Sources: Netflix seeks to charge brands a ~$65 CPM on its ad-supported tier, more than most other streaming services, and cap every brand's annual spend at $20M — Streaming giant aims for Nov. 1 launch of ad-supported tier, ad buyers say — Netflix Inc. NFLX 1.32%▲ …
Discussion:
Ad Age, The Streamable, @eric_seufert, New York Post, IndieWire, Deadline, @tkawaja, @tim_bays, @bristei, @asharma and Digiday

Sources: Comcast is looking to cut as much as $1B from budgets of NBCUniversal's TV networks, including through layoffs and programming changes — Comcast Corp. is looking to cut as much as $1 billion from the budget of the TV networks in its entertainment division, NBCUniversal …
Discussion:
@markhtoo, @kevdgrussing, @tvgrimreaper, @lucas_shaw, @lucas_shaw, @lucas_shaw, The Hot Button and RAIN News

Almost every UK TV production company signed a letter to the candidates for next prime minister, warning a Channel 4 sale would hurt businesses and the country — Letter from 768 firms lends support as broadcaster hopes government won't relish divisive debate on issue

OnlyFans reports revenue for the year ending November 2021 rose 160% YoY to $932M, creators up 34% YoY to 2.1M, earning nearly $4B, and fans up 128% YoY to 188M — OnlyFans, the adult content site best known for explicit content, reported revenue soared 160% to $932 million year-over-year …
Discussion:
BBC, @louwhiteman and @kylebrussell, more at Techmeme »

A look at Dispatches in Exile, Migratory Birds, and other newsrooms around the world working in refugee camps to cover news of migrants and fight misinformation — As more people are displaced from their home countries, newsrooms inside of refugee camps are popping up to give voice to these marginalized communities

India's antitrust watchdog says Sony and Zee's merger requires further investigation; sources say the findings will delay regulatory approval of the deal — A merger between the Indian unit of Japan's Sony (6758.T) and Zee Entertainment (ZEE.NS) to create a $10 billion TV enterprise …
Discussion:
@reutersbiz, @adityakalra, Digital TV Europe, @adityakalra and @adityakalra