AFP names Mehdi Lebouachera as its next global EIC, replacing Sophie Huet, who will take on a new role leading AFP's AI strategy, starting November 2024 (Charlotte Tobitt/Press Gazette)

Mediagazer: AFP names Mehdi Lebouachera as its next global EIC, replacing Sophie Huet, who will take on a new role leading AFP's AI strategy, starting November 2024 (Charlotte Tobitt/Press Gazette)

Top News:

Wall Street Journal:

Sources: ex-Warner Music head Edgar Bronfman Jr. looks to offer $2B to $2.5B for National Amusements, which is already in advanced talks to sell to Skydance— Bronfman, backed by Bain Capital, has expressed interest in Shari Redstone's National Amusements, which is already in advanced negotiations to sell to Skydance Media
Discussion: Media Play News, @fhoro, @jbflint, @lowrytom, @tvgrimreaper, Financial Times, @jtoonkel, The Wrap, Bloomberg, Variety, Cord Cutters News and Reuters

Discussion:

Erik Gruenwedel /
Media Play News: Billionaire Edgar Bronfman Jr. Reportedly Eyeing National Amusements Acquisition Bid

Frances Horodelski /
@fhoro: For me, this is a name from the past Edgar Bronfman. $PARA https://www.wsj.com/...

Tom Lowry /
@lowrytom: Where's Edgar? For media folks asking this question: Edgar Bronfman Jr. returns to the spotlight as a possible suitor for the Redstones' Paramount Global https://www.wsj.com/...

Jessica Toonkel /
@jtoonkel: SCOOP: Edgar Bronfman Eyes $2 Billion-Plus Bid for Company That Controls Paramount w/⁦@laurenthomas⁩ ⁦⁦@JeffreyT1⁩ $PARA https://www.wsj.com/...

Lucas Manfredi /
The Wrap: Edgar Bronfman Jr., Bain Capital Eyeing $2 Billion Bid for Shari Redstone's National Amusements | Report

Todd Spangler /
Variety: Paramount M&A Saga Continues: Edgar Bronfman Jr., Bain Capital Mulling up to $2.5 Billion Bid for Shari Redstone's National Amusements

Washington Post:

Sources: Jeff Bezos has been closely engaged with Will Lewis, as the WaPo's new publisher developed the plan to create a “third newsroom” for new audiences— Critics raise concerns about the values of a new team of executives. Meanwhile, the business woes are real. What does Jeff Bezos want?

Discussion:
The Daily Beast, @farhip, @ashleyrparker, @elaheizadi, @washingtonpost, Poynter and MediaPost

Discussion:

Paul Farhi /
@farhip: Another great story about the ⁦@washingtonpost⁩ 's travails by ⁦@ElaheIzadi⁩ and ⁦@sarahellison⁩, this one summarizing the current state of play. Almost everything worth knowing is right here. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...

Paul Farhi /
@farhip: It's a credit to the Post's management that stories like this appear in the Post. No burying the bad news.

Ashley Parker /
@ashleyrparker: Instead of all the breathless reporting, read this from @ElaheIzadi + @sarahellison on the current situation at The Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ... 🧵(1/2)

Elahe Izadi /
@elaheizadi: “The Post at a crossroads: Existential questions in a dire season for news” https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ... Our latest story takes a look at this moment for The Washington Post. With @sarahellison @washingtonpost: Critics question the values of William Lewis and a new team of Washington Post executives. Meanwhile, the business woes are real. What Jeff Bezos wants from and for The Post has remained the compelling question through a week of internal turmoil. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...

Tom Jones /
Poynter: After a week of chaos, Washington Post and embattled publisher try to move forward

Press Gazette:

AFP names Mehdi Lebouachera as its next global EIC, replacing Sophie Huet, who will take on a new role leading AFP's AI strategy, starting November 2024— Mehdi Lebouachera has been named the next global editor-in-chief at news agency AFP, starting in November after the US election.

Discussion:
Agence France-Presse

TechCrunch:

News reader Particle, which uses AI to summarize stories, raised a $10.9M Series A led by Lightspeed and announces Reuters as a news source for its service— Traffic is down, newsrooms are undergoing layoffs, and publishers fear that AI technologies will only make matters worse.

Discussion:

Gabe Brotman /
@gbrotman: Excited to announce @axelspringer's investment in @particle_news, an innovative startup creating new AI-powered experiences for everyone to read and discover the news. 🧵(1/6)

Eric Newcomer /
@ericnewcomer: genuinely curious how particle thinks that it is going to deliver on driving value to journalists “And AI also has the power to eliminate layers of operational inefficiency, ensuring more of the value in media goes to the people who matter most. In the case of the news, that's

Eric Newcomer /
@ericnewcomer: @pandemona if AI delivers people better news and information, I'm all for it. clearly lots of opportunity when it comes to inhaling and synthesizing public datasets etc. but everything we've seen so far with the internet and technology has basically been cannibalizing novel reporting. how

Steve Jang /
@stevejang: congrats to @pandemona and @noradio on partnering with @lightspeedvp and @mignano and filling up the batteries at @particle_news with $10.9M! stoked to continue our support at @kindredventures of their vision for AI-enabled news service! more details below plus a waitlist

Sara Beykpour /
@pandemona: We are thrilled that @Axel_Springer has also joined this round, underscoring how important strong partnerships are to Particle.

Jason Goldman /
@goldman@threads.net: Heyyyyyy been using this app daily; it's a delight. Happy to be an investor. @rafat: I am so so genuinely curious: why do founders/startups keep trying to solve this “news problem” AND why do reputed VCs keep funding it? What problem are they solving AND what returns can VC expect? This will be gone in two years. https://techcrunch.com/...

Sara Beykpour /
@pandemona: Today we're announcing that @Particle_news has raised $10.9mm in Series A funding, led by @mignano at @LightspeedVP, fueling our mission to deliver the best, personalized news experience. [video]

Sara Beykpour /
@pandemona: Additionally, we have established a deal with @Reuters to be a source of news content for our service, helping deliver current information about topics in the news.

Gabriel Brotman /
Gabriel Brotman on LinkedIn: Excited to announce Axel Springer's investment in Particle, an innovative startup creating new AI-powered experiences for everyone to read and discover the news. …

Scott Belsky /
@scottbelsky: Particle is a new daily app for me. In an era where news is increasingly slanted in one direction, Particle leverages AI to synthesize different viewpoints together and personalize your experience. Reading “one take” as news will be a relic of the past. 🙌 @particle_news team

Bloomberg:

Source: Spotify plans to launch a higher-priced premium plan later in 2024, charging $5+ more per month for better audio, playlist and library tools, and more— The plan will cost at least $5 more per month and include access to high-fidelity audio and new playlisting tools.

Discussion:

Jaspreet Singh /
Reuters: Spotify to introduce expensive plan later this year, Bloomberg News reports

Derek Malcolm /
Digital Trends: Spotify HiFi could finally be coming, but it'll cost you

Oscar Gonzalez /
Gizmodo: Spotify Reportedly Adding Pricey HiFi Audio Tier Later This Year

Kris Holt /
Engadget: Spotify's HiFi plan could finally arrive this year, but you may need to pay extra

Andrew Romero /
9to5Google: Spotify HiFi offering will come as an add-on at $5 per month, reports say

Lucas Shaw /
Lucas Shaw on LinkedIn: Spotify is about to introduce a new plan for its most active users. — Fans will be able to listen to high-fidelity audio and get access to new tools for playlisting... for a price. …

Joe Weisenthal /
@thestalwart: Doesn't matter what Spotify charges, or what premium services or anything. I'll keep paying that. Whatever @autismcapital: Spotify is introducing a $5/month more expensive plan offering higher quality music after people online were saying Apple Music was better. Honestly, YouTube Premium comes with YouTube Music and it's really not that bad. 🤷 ♂️ [image]

Murray Stassen /
Music Business Worldwide: Spotify to launch pricier Premium music tier that includes high-fidelity audio (report)

Press Gazette:

The UK's Future launches Elevate, which offers ad-serving tech to publishers and helps them sell their online ad inventory through programmatic and direct sales— Future plc has launched a new brand called Elevate based around selling its own advertising technology to other publishers.

Discussion:
Future, @futureplc, Ad Age and Digiday

Discussion:
@futureplc: Today we've unveiled Future Elevate, a suite of premium services aimed at expanding the revenue streams of publishers by leveraging Future's deep expertise in operating, growing and monetizing a diverse portfolio of specialist content! Learn more here: https://futureplc.com/... [image]

Garett Sloane /
Ad Age: How Hearst Magazines is using first-party data and AI for post-cookie ad targeting

Pew Research Center:

Survey: 88% of Black Americans say they sometimes come across news about Black people they think is inaccurate; 72% say the inaccuracies were created on purpose— Table of Contents Table of Contents — Most Black adults say they experience racial discrimination

Adweek:

The New York Times and Instacart announce a two-year partnership to let users order ingredients for New York Times Cooking recipes with Instacart— It's part of a growing trend of retail media-publisher partnerships — Shoppers can now order ingredients for New York Times Cooking recipes thanks …

Discussion:
Ad Age, AdExchanger and The New York Times Company

Variety:

Ampere: SVOD services' spending is set to hit €10B in Europe's major TV markets by the end of 2024, surpassing public and commercial broadcasters' investment— Spending by subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) platforms is set to hit €10 billion ($10.7 billion) …

Discussion:
Media Play News, Broadband TV News, Advanced Television, Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter

Discussion:

Erik Gruenwedel /
Media Play News: Ampere: Europe's Pay-TV Operators Must Embrace Streaming Video to Remain Competitive

Julian Clover /
Broadband TV News: Ampere: Europe's commercial broadcast groups must embrace streaming

Max Goldbart /
Deadline: Streamers Set For Major European Spending Landmark In 2024 - Ampere Research

The Verge:

Discord music bot Rythm relaunches three years after YouTube forced it offline, with a $4.99/month paid tier and plans to launch a mobile app later this year— Three years ago, YouTube turned its attention to Discord music bots that were using the video service to stream music into Discord voice channels.

Discussion:
@discord and @tomwarren

Discussion:
@discord: RYTHM IS BACK Listen to tunes with your friends through @rythmfm, available now as a new Activity on Discord [video]

Tom Warren /
@tomwarren: Discord's Rythm music bot is back 🎶 YouTube forced Rythm offline 3 years ago, but it's relaunching as a Discord app today with licensed music and a mission to overhaul shared music listening. I spoke to Rythm's creator about the relaunch, story below 👇 https://www.theverge.com/...

Punchbowl News:

Punchbowl News announces a tech policy vertical as part of its Premium Policy membership, which will launch in early 2025— Punchbowl News is taking on tech coverage. Let us tell you why. — How Washington tackles the perils and promises of technology is one of the biggest questions of the day.

Discussion:
@lutherlowe, @davecclarke, @mpetricone and @jakesherman

Discussion:

Luther Lowe /
@lutherlowe: This “Punchbowl News Tech” launch is beyond parody: “We'[re]... pulling the curtain back on the industry's attempts to influence policy...” NEXT SENTENCE: “We are thrilled that [Big Tech front group] American Edge is ... our ... launch partner.” [image]

Dave Clarke /
@davecclarke: 🚨 GREAT JOB ALERT 🚨 @PunchbowlNews is hiring two reporters as we expand into covering tech policy. Learn more about what we're up to: https://punchbowl.news/... And apply here: https://punchbowl.news/... Reach out with any questions: daveclarke@punchbowl.news

Michael Petricone /
@mpetricone: Terrific news! Tech issues are complex, nuanced, and absolutely vital to our nation's success. Looking forward to @PunchbowlNews increasing public and policymaker understanding of these critical topics.

Sky News:

Sources: Cineworld is exploring a sale or restructuring of its UK business, which includes ~100 theaters; the Regal parent exited bankruptcy in August 2023— The multiplex giant is working with AlixPartners on options for its UK business which could lead to a sale or restructuring …

Discussion:
@ozseekerview, @pixieglas, @neilramjee, @elliot_grove, Reuters, The Wrap and Deadline

Discussion:

John Sullivan /
@ozseekerview: This has been a long time coming - throws up interesting possibilities and Challenges as 👌#Cineworld plots blockbuster sale of British cinema operations | Business News | Sky News ⁦@RobArthur⁩ ⁦@myelbacha⁩ ⁦@vuecinemas⁩ https://news.sky.com/... @pixieglas: Thinking of Cineworld colleagues today as more uncertainty looms. Cineworld truly strive to be more progressive in thinking about audiences and for their staff, so hope this situation doesn't throw the baby out with the bathwater. https://news.sky.com/...

Neil Ramjee /
@neilramjee: Not seen any mention of this - ‘disposal of UK operations’ sounds like the Greidigers are generating income to shore up the Regal brand. And yes, thoughts are with all the pawns who will inevitably have to deal with all the fallout from on high. https://news.sky.com/...

Elliot Grove /
@elliot_grove: More trouble in movie town! https://news.sky.com/...

Nancy Tartaglione /