Top News:
Corbin Bolies / Variety:
Meta says it will discontinue a feature that allowed users to generate images in Meta AI using public Instagram accounts, following days of criticism — Meta said on Friday it would discontinue an AI feature that allowed users to generate images using public Instagram accounts following days …
Discussion:
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Ina Fried / Axios:
Privacy advocates, CAA, and SAG-AFTRA slam Meta's Muse Image, which lets users create AI images using the likenesses of people with public Instagram accounts — Meta's move to allow users to create AI images using the likenesses of people with public Instagram accounts is drawing criticism …
James Faris / Business Insider:
Sources: Disney is discussing a potential free tier for Disney+; product and tech chief Adam Smith discussed the initiative at a town hall but gave no timeline — Disney is exploring making some of its streaming content available at an unbeatable price: free.
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Todd Spangler / Variety:
Alisa Bowen, president of Disney+ since late 2022, is leaving to become CEO of Disney-controlled Fubo, succeeding David Gandler, who led Fubo for over a decade
Alisa Bowen, president of Disney+ since late 2022, is leaving to become CEO of Disney-controlled Fubo, succeeding David Gandler, who led Fubo for over a decade
Discussion:
The Wrap, The Streamable, Barrett Media, Radio & Television …, Advanced Television, Sports Business Journal, Benzinga, Deadline, Cord Cutters News, Telecompaper, TheDesk.net, Jessica Casano-Antonellis on LinkedIn, ir.fubo.tv, Wall Street Journal, Reuters, The Hollywood Reporter and Media Play News
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Report: Letterboxd's owners have held early talks with potential buyers, including Netflix, Sony Pictures, Paramount, and PE giant TPG — Sony Pictures Entertainment, Paramount and Alexis Ohanian also supposedly eyeing movie social platform — Could Letterboxd, the popular film-review social network …
Discussion:
Puck, @mtsw.bsky.social, @joshuadysart.bsky.social, The Guardian, Kotaku, The Wrap, The A.V. Club, @matt.evil.gay, @thereeljon.cryptoanarchy …, Polygon.com, @marvelousdeath, Inc.com, @asiahoe.com, Nerdist, @aleixpitarch.bsky.social, @okwithmydecay@en.osm.town, @moviessilently.bsky.social, OloriSuperGal, @coreyatad.com, @dansheehan.bsky.social, @_zeets, Far Out Magazine, IndieWire, 9to5Mac, @normwilner.bsky.social, @zakfilm, @maddiewhittle, @baileylikemovie, Digital Trends, @colettearrand.bsky.social, @thecoratee.bsky.social, @mhwilliams.bsky.social, ScreenRant and World of Reel
Ben Fritz / Wall Street Journal:
As Hollywood looks for its next Obsession-type hit, 11 studios bid on YouTube series The Mandela Catalogue and sources say WBD paid $1M for rights to Siren Head — Creator of monster called Siren Head scores rich deal as studios hunt for next ‘Backrooms’-style hit
Discussion:
Digital Trends
Lucas Manfredi / The Wrap:
Oregon's AG withdraws a motion to delay the Paramount-WBD merger while he sought company documents; EU agencies and some state AGs are still examining the deal — Dan Rayfield was seeking a court order to delay the $110 billion deal's closing by 60 days as it reviewed records from the David Ellison-led media giant
Discussion:
@brianstelter, @brianstelter, Gadget Review, CNN, Cord Cutters News and The Streamable
Matthew Keys / TheDesk.net:
Sources: over 50 Scripps-owned local TV stations returned to DirecTV's satellite and streaming platforms after a distribution dispute ended on Friday — The new deal brings more than 50 Scripps-owned local stations back to DIRECTV's platforms, but the broadcaster is staring …
Discussion:
The Wrap, Radio & Television …, TVNewsCheck, Deadline, Bloomberg and Cord Cutters News
Winston Cho / The Hollywood Reporter:
NYT countersues the US EEOC, accusing it of retaliation for NYT's coverage of the agency by suing NYT for passing over a white man for a top editorial role — The publication accuses the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission of filing a lawsuit in retaliation for its reporting.
Discussion:
Wall Street Journal, CNN, New York Times, Associated Press, Deadline, Reuters, Benzinga and Reuters
Brent Lang / Variety:
Department M is acquiring a significant stake in indie studio Neon; founder Tom Quinn remains Neon CEO, and The Friedkin Group remains a significant shareholder — Department M has closed a transaction to acquire a significant stake in Neon, the Oscar-winning indie studio behind “Parasite” and “Anora.”
Discussion:
@timxai.ai, Screen, The Wrap, IndieWire and The Hollywood Reporter
Malia Mendez / New York Times:
PEN America's president resigns, citing the group's publication of an article that opposed cultural boycotts and detailed challenges Jewish writers face now — The novelist Dinaw Mengestu, who was elected seven months ago, said the article “continues this approach toward defending some rights while not defending others.”
Discussion:
PEN America, New York Sun and r/TrueLit
Ellyn Briggs / Front Office Sports:
Sports is garnering new attention from media outlets, like Politico and VF, as it offers content that readers actively seek out rather than stumble upon — Sports coverage has ballooned in every corner of media, including some of the unlikeliest publications.
Discussion:
@readdanwrite and @wolfereports.bsky.social
Wall Street Journal:
Sources: Netflix executives are increasingly worried about declining engagement and are exploring adding live TV and bundling streaming services like Peacock — Streamer is rethinking some of its core strategies to compete with rivals — Top Netflix executives who gathered …
Discussion:
Puck, The Wrap, Barron's Online, iDrop News, Barrett Media, PCMag, Thurrott, Newsmax, ZeroHedge News, Streaming Better, Gadget Review, Android Authority, The Bulwark, Tech Brew, @pabastien.bsky.social, How-To Geek, @bakerdphd.bsky.social, @mattbelloni.bsky.social, The Streamable, @johnrogers.bsky.social, Android Police, Breitbart, TechCrunch, TechRadar, Cord Cutters News, The Mac Observer, @matthewkeyslive, Advanced Television, Blockonomi, T3, Radio Times, @claireatki, @djniconv, Digital Trends, The A.V. Club, @carnage4life@mas.to, Ben Fritz on LinkedIn, 9to5Mac, @blackazizanansi.blacksky.app, @michaelsderby.bsky.social, @zugernat.bsky.social, Awful Announcing, @whoa-magic.lol, @scout6.bsky.social, @andonthedrums.bsky.social, @bryanmurphy.bsky.social, @brianstorms@mastodon.social, @stevemking.bsky.social, @firerock31@threads.com, @jakevk.bsky.social, @benfritz.bsky.social, The Verge, Benzinga and Proactive, more at Techmeme »
