Top News:


Interviews with 25+ people who worked with Bob Iger and Bob Chapek between 2020 and 2022 detail how Disney's succession plan went awry and led to Iger's return — - What did a private bathroom, Oogie Boogie and a hippo have to do with the behind-the-scenes chaos between Bob Iger and Bob Chapek at Disney?
Discussion:
Awful Announcing, @jbflint, @sherman4949, @mattrosoff, @sherman4949, KNSD-TV, @murraymatt and @sherman4949


Roku plans to lay off 300+, or 10% of its staff, close offices, and take an up to $65M impairment charge in Q3 2023 for cutting some content; ROKU jumps 5%+ — Roku will cut more than 300 staffers — laying off 10% of its workforce — as the streaming-platform company continues its battle to control costs.
Discussion:
The Verge, TechCrunch, MediaPost, WORLD SCREEN, Bloomberg, Deadline, Media Play News, Hollywood Reporter and Cord Cutters News, more at Techmeme »


Google has been rolling out Chrome's “Enhanced Ad Privacy” via a popup, part of its Topics API; some say the “Got It” button is misleading as tracking is active — YMMV, based on where you are — Google has been gradually rolling out Chrome's “Enhanced Ad Privacy.”
Discussion:
The Verge, @nixCraft@mastodon.social and The Messenger, more at Techmeme »


Wall Street analysts say the Disney-Charter dispute could be a tipping point for cable TV and adds uncertainty to the industry even if it's resolved quickly — Wall Street analysts debate whether the standoff between the studio and the cable giant is “the end of the end,” …
Discussion:
The Wrap, The Walt Disney Company, Deadline, @philmeyer, WVXU, Reuters, Stratechery, MediaPost, Axios, Sports Business Journal, Fox News, CBS News and Variety


Comcast CEO Brian Roberts says Comcast and Disney moved up Hulu sale talks to September 30 from the January 2024 deadline, and Hulu could be worth $30B — Comcast and Disney last week signed a modification agreement to bring forward the timing of their formal Hulu sale talks to Sept. 30 …
Discussion:
The Wrap, Deadline, The Information and Hollywood Reporter


Jeff Jarvis says he plans to leave CUNY's Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the end of this term and will “technically” retire — I have news: I am leaving CUNY's Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the end of this term. Technically I'm retiring, though if you know me you know I will never retire.
Discussion:
@jeffjarvis, @brizzyc, @decodingfoxnews, @craignewmark, @ckrewson, @jsamditis, @brizzyc and @dave@social.masto.land


Fox says its free ad-supported streaming TV service Tubi now has 74M MAUs, up from 64M in February 2023; Nielsen: Tubi has a 1.4% share of total TV viewing time — Fox Corp's free ad-supported streaming platform Tubi TV has grown sharply over the last six months — up 16% to more than 74 million monthly active users.
Discussion:
Hollywood Reporter and Cord Cutters News


Allen Media Group's Local Now streaming service adds Washington Post Television, which offers breaking news, interviews, and in-depth reporting, to its lineup — Newspaper started channel in May — Allen Media Group said its Local Now digital platform had added Washington Post Television to its channel lineup.
Discussion:
The Desk, TVNewsCheck and Washington Post


Disney plans to run a Disney+ deal until September 20 offering its ad tier for $1.99/month for three months, down from $7.99, for new and existing subscribers — Disney will offer Disney+ for $1.99 per month as it prepares to debut ‘Elemental’ on Sept. 13 and the live-action ‘Little Mermaid’ on its streaming service.
Discussion:
The Streamable, TVLine, CNET, IGN, Deadline, The Verge, Engadget, Variety and Cord Cutters News


X rolls out Community Notes for videos and says the tool offers a “highly-scalable way of adding context to edited clips, AI-generated videos, and more” — Social network X, formerly known as Twitter, has introduced Community Notes for videos. Community Notes is an existing program for crowdsourced moderation.
Discussion:
Gizmodo and @senoj.bsky.social, more at Techmeme »


UMG and Deezer sign a deal to give songs from professional artists, who generate 1,000+ listens a month, double the weight when calculating streaming royalties — Agreement with Deezer aims to boost royalties for artists and labels and reduce payouts for ‘noise’
Discussion:
Variety, Music Business Worldwide, Billboard, Bloomberg, Music Ally, Music Industry Blog, @postindustria12 and Deezer Press, more at Techmeme »


BBC Director of Sport Barbara Slater plans to retire later in 2023 after four decades with the corporation and 14 years of running its sport's coverage — - French Studio Magical Society Launches UK Arm Helmed By ‘Saving Mr Banks’ Producer Paul Trijbits — As Success-Based Residuals …