Bangladesh orders a nationwide shutdown of its mobile internet amid student protests that killed dozens of people to "ensure the security of citizens" (Daryna Antoniuk/The Record)

Mediagazer: Bangladesh orders a nationwide shutdown of its mobile internet amid student protests that killed dozens of people to “ensure the security of citizens” (Daryna Antoniuk/The Record)

Top News:

CNBC:

Netflix reports Q2 revenue up 16.8% YoY to $9.56B, vs. $9.53B est., paid memberships up 16.5% YoY to 277.65M, vs. 274.4M est., net income up 44% YoY to $2.15B— Netflix reported second-quarter earnings Thursday that showcased the media giant's position at the head of the streaming race …
Discussion:

Alyssa Boyle /
AdExchanger: Netflix's Advertising Business Is Boosting Profit Margins

Emma Roth /
The Verge: Netflix is getting more comfortable with ads

Colin Mann /
Advanced Television: Netflix ad tier subs up 34%

Anna Washenko /
Engadget: Netflix will drop a new multiplayer game when Squid Game season 2 premieres this year

Paolo Confino /
Fortune: Netflix vanquishes doubts about its ability to keep growing just about every profit metric

Lillian Rizzo /
Lillian Rizzo on LinkedIn: Netflix reported second quarter earnings on Thursday, with the media giant beating analyst estimates as it added more global subscribers and saw its advertising business grow. …

Áine /
@ainemacdermot.bsky.social: Cut the prices 44%, then you'd be doing something worthwhile. [embedded post]

Loree Seitz /
The Wrap: Netflix's VP of Ad Sales Pete Naylor to Depart as Streamer Expands Global Reach

Todd Spangler /
Variety: Netflix Tops 277 Million Subscribers With Strong Q2 Gain, Beats Earnings Forecasts

Martin Peers /
The Information: Netflix's Advertising Cloud Looms Larger

Nicole Sperling /
New York Times: Netflix Adds 8 Million Subscribers

Dade Hayes /
Deadline: Could A Price Hike Be Coming To Netflix Ad Tier? Co-CEO Greg Peters Doesn't Rule It Out, But Says Execs “Love” Being “Lower” Netflix: Fellow shareholders, — We had a strong Q2 with 17% revenue growth and an operating margin of 27% vs. 22% last year.

Harshita Mary Varghese /
Reuters: Netflix's efforts to grow ad tier in focus as subscriber growth slows

RELATED:
The Hollywood Reporter:

Peter Naylor, Netflix VP of ad sales since August 2022, is leaving, and the company will hire a head of US and Canada ad sales to fill his spot— The executive has been at the streaming giant since August 2022. … Naylor has been at Netflix since August 2022.

Discussion:
Variety, Next TV, Deadline, The Information, Adweek, @pkafka, Ad Age, @pkafka, TVNewsCheck, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Brian Steinberg /
Variety: Peter Naylor is Latest Senior Ad-Sales Executive to Exit Netflix

Jon Lafayette /
Next TV: Another Senior Executive Leaves At Netflix Says Ad Business Won't be a ‘Primary Revenue Driver’ in 2025

Dade Hayes /
Deadline: Netflix Ad Exec Peter Naylor To Exit

Sahil Patel /
The Information: Top Netflix Ad Exec Peter Naylor to Exit

Bill Bradley /
Adweek: Netflix Ad Sales VP Peter Naylor Shockingly Exits Streamer

Peter Kafka /
@pkafka: Peter Naylor, one of two execs Netflix hired from Snapchat to boot up its ad business in 2022, is out. Jeremi Gorman, the other snap hire, only lasted a year. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/ ...

Garett Sloane /
Ad Age: Netflix's ad sales shakeup—what Peter Naylor's departure means for its business

Peter Kafka /
@pkafka: Naylor has a long digital ad track record and was onstage for Netflix at its upfront this spring and was schmoozing for them at Cannes last month. Netflix hasn't named a successor.

Peter Kafka /
@pkafka: Amy Reinhard who runs ads for Netflix, was previously running studio operations for the streamer and didn't have any ad experience prior to taking the job.

Brian Steinberg /
TVNewsCheck: Peter Naylor Is Latest Senior Ad-Sales Executive To Exit Netflix

The Wrap:

Netflix says its ad tier now accounts for over 45% of all signups in the markets where it's available, and ad tier memberships grew 34% QoQ in Q2— The company expands its lead over competitors with 277.65 million subscribers globally — Netflix beat Wall Street expectations …

Discussion:
MediaPost, Financial Times, The Drum, Quartz, Reuters, The Information, TVNewsCheck, Next TV, Deadline, @sharonwaxman, IGN and Business Insider, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Wayne Friedman /
MediaPost: Netflix 2Q Grows Ad-Subscribers 34%

Christopher Grimes /
Financial Times: Netflix earnings surge on boost from ‘Baby Reindeer’ and ‘Bridgerton’

Kendra Barnett /
The Drum: Netflix Q2 subscribers & revenue jump as streamer doubles down on burgeoning ads business

Bruce Gil /
Quartz: Netflix's ad strategy is working

Mark K. Miller /
TVNewsCheck: Netflix's Subscriber And Earnings Growth Gather More Momentum As Password-Sharing Crackdown Pays Off

Daniel Frankel /
Next TV: Netflix Solidly Beats Revenue Forecasts With 17% Growth in Q2, Adds More Than 8 Million Subscribers @sharonwaxman: Wow, #Netflix - amazing results. The divide between legacy studios & this streamer just keeps growing: Netflix Q2 Profits Surge 44% to $2.15 Billion As Streamer Adds 8 Million Subscribers https://www.thewrap.com/...

Rebekah Valentine /
IGN: Netflix Bracing for Subs Decline After Sustained Growth Thanks to Ad Tiers

Alex Bitter /
Business Insider: Netflix had another blowout quarter

Financial Times:

Sources: WBD weighs splitting off its streaming and studio businesses from its legacy TV networks including CNN, leaving most of its debt with the TV networks— Group behind CNN and HBO has discussed options including spin-off of its streaming service and movie studio

Discussion:
IndieWire, @iamkingwilliams, IGN, Breitbart, @loudmouthjulia, Front Office Sports, Business Insider, @edmundlee, AV Club, Quartz, New York Post, @aysrick, @edgecliffe, The Streamable, The Information, Advanced Television, The Media Leader, Reuters, Deadline, The Desk, The Wrap, Yahoo Finance and The Hollywood Reporter

Discussion:
@iamkingwilliams: If this happens, expect even more of these companies to be sold off and loaded with debt... Then shut down all together after a series of fire sales And in Atlanta where most of these businesses are located, expect a more media people to be unemployed over the next few years

Alex Stedman /
IGN: Warner Bros. Discovery Is Considering Splitting in Half - Report

Julia Alexander /
@loudmouthjulia: Warner Bros. and Discovery could become their own companies, Apple is potentially licensing library content from Hollywood studios for its service, advertising being the big new push everywhere. I can't wait to see what Hollywood's going to look like in 2014!!

Eric Fisher /
Front Office Sports: WBD at a Crossroads: NBA Rights Decision Could Determine Its Future

Mary Kate Carr /
AV Club: Warner Bros. Discovery might split up to pay the bills

Alexandra Steigrad /
New York Post: Warner Bros. Discovery reportedly mulls breaking up media giant to boost sagging stock

Rick Ellis /
@aysrick: I have no doubt that Zaslav would *like* to spin off the linear networks and most of the debt. But aside from the fact that it's not likely he'll find someone willing to take on that financial suicide mission, it doesn't solve his streaming problems. In fact, it makes them worse @edgecliffe: Big @FT scoop from @HeeterMaria @AntoineGara @sindap @JFK_America @grimes_ce - Warner Bros Discovery has discussed the idea of splitting its streaming and movie studio business from its TV networks to boost its stock $WBD https://www.ft.com/...

David Satin /
The Streamable: Warner Bros. Discovery Reportedly Considering Max, Studio Spinoff and Asset Sales to Right Financial Ship

Martin Peers /
The Information: Warner Bros. Discovery Considers Splitting in Two

Anthony D'Alessandro /
Deadline: Warner Bros Discovery Mulling Split To Boost Stock Price

Matthew Keys /
The Desk: WBD considers splitting streaming, legacy TV businesses

Ross A. Lincoln /
The Wrap: Warner Bros Discovery Weighs Splitting Studio, Streaming Into Standalone as Stock Sags | Report

The Record:

Bangladesh orders a nationwide shutdown of its mobile internet amid student protests that killed dozens of people to “ensure the security of citizens”— Authorities in Bangladesh have reportedly ordered a nationwide shutdown of mobile internet networks amid student protests …

Discussion:
The Guardian, Al Jazeera, Agence France-Presse, Bloomberg, New York Times, Associated Press, SWAMY WORLD, Engadget, Reuters, Semafor and Courthouse News Service

Discussion:

Niki Koswanage /
Bloomberg: Bangladesh Internet Goes Dark as Widening Protests Kill 39 New York Times: The Protests in Bangladesh — Demonstrators in Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital, on Thursday.Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters Associated Press: Internet and mobile services cut off in Bangladesh amid violent protests that have killed 28 people SWAMY WORLD: Bangladesh students protest set fire to government buildings 39 people died and internet services shut down across the country

Pranav Dixit /
Engadget: Bangladesh is experiencing a ‘near-total’ internet shutdown amid student protests

Washington Post:

Sue Mi Terry, wife of WaPo columnist Max Boot, has been charged with acting as an agent of South Korea; the indictment cites a WaPo column she wrote with Boot— Sue Mi Terry, a senior fellow for Korea studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, was charged with failing to register as a foreign agent.

Discussion:
The Daily Beast, @chuckrossdc, US District Court, Southern District of New York, @reporterhal, @koryodynasty, @dfriedman33, @chuckrossdc, @leznver, @dfriedman33, CNN, freebeacon.com, New York Post, Mediaite, @kevinrothrock@infosec …, Fox News, New York Times, Hollywood Life, Breitbart, WWD and Associated Press

Discussion:

Dan Ladden-Hall /
The Daily Beast: Ex-CIA Analyst Worked for South Korea in Exchange for Louis Vuitton Handbag: Prosecutors

Chuck Ross /
@chuckrossdc: NEW: WaPo Columnist Max Boot Accused Trump Figures of Acting as Foreign Agents. Now, His Wife is Accused of Working Covertly for a Foreign Government https://freebeacon.com/... US District Court, Southern District of New York: Sealed indictment — The Grand Jury charges: INTRODUCTION + Li For more than a decade … @reporterhal: This is uncomfortable for WaPo, to say the least; national security columnist's wife accused of being international spy: Ex-CIA analyst accused of working for South Korean intelligence service https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...

Raphael Rashid /
@koryodynasty: Another wild piece about the analyst accused of spying for S. Korea. Except WaPo reveals that the accused, who has been their occasional op-ed contributor, is married to a WaPo columnist... who covers national security. Her latest was co-authored with him. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...

Dan Friedman /
@dfriedman33: The think tank and op-ed parts of this indictment, I'd think, might worry a lot of DC pundit/scholar types. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ... [image]

Chuck Ross /
@chuckrossdc: “During the Trump years, Boot called for ‘ramp[ed] up enforcement’ of foreign agent laws to curb ‘foreign influence’ in American politics. The federal government has indeed beefed up enforcement of those statutes, but it may have hit closer to home than Boot expected.

Britt Robinson /
@leznver: This was not on my bingo card. Golden rule—never take the handbags. But on a serious note, there are so few women at the top of the Korea field, now there is one less. Very disheartening. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...

Dan Friedman /
@dfriedman33: Who could've imagined this op-ed headlined “South Korea takes a brave step toward reconciliation with Japan” was not 100% on the level? https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ... [image]

Chuck Ross /
freebeacon.com: WaPo Columnist Max Boot Accused Trump Figures of Acting as Foreign Agents. Now, His Wife Is Accused of Working Covertly for a Foreign Government New York Post: Glam ex-CIA analyst denies she's a South Korean spy, runs red light in cab to flee from The Post

David Gilmour /
Mediaite: Wife of Washington Post Columnist Max Boot Charged With Espionage By Justice Department

Kevin Rothrock /
@kevinrothrock@infosec.exchange: Sue Mi Terry, a senior fellow for Korea studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (and the wife of columnist Max Boot), has been indicted for failing to register as a foreign agent and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ... Fox News: Former CIA analyst charged for acting as secret agent for South Korean intel in exchange for gifts

Joel B. Pollak /
Breitbart: Wife of Never Trump's Max Boot, CNN Analyst and Washington Post Columnist, Indicted as Foreign Agent

Rosemary Feitelberg /
WWD: Former CIA Official and Media Analyst Is Accused of Working as an Agent for South Korea for Luxury Goods

NBC News:

Social media influencers backing Trump include Bryce Hall, with 23.7M TikTok followers, FaZe Banks, with nearly 5M YouTube subscribers, and Jake and Logan Paul— Following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, influencers with large followings spoke out in his support.

Variety:

Fox Entertainment announces a restructuring of its operations that includes layoffs for about 30 people— Fox Entertainment has unveiled a restructuring of its operations that includes layoffs for about 30 staffers. — “While there are many exciting aspects to realizing our path forward …

Discussion:
The Wrap, Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter

Discussion:

Nellie Andreeva /
Deadline: Fox Entertainment Undergoes Layoffs Following Restructuring

Reuters:

FilmLA: from April through June 2024, the number of on-location filming days in LA fell 12.4% YoY, driven by a 56.9% drop in reality TV production— Los Angeles experienced a hefty decline in reality TV production as Hollywood worked to recover from dual labor strikes last year, according to statistics released on Wednesday.

Discussion:
The Wrap, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline

Discussion:

Jeremy Fuster /
The Wrap: LA On-Location Filming Drops 12% From Last Year Due to Declining Content Spend, ‘Post-Strike Paralysis’

Mediaite:

Veteran cable news host Lou Dobbs, who made his name on CNN and then Fox Business, has died at 78; Trump announced his death on Truth Social— Lou Dobbs, the veteran broadcaster who made his name on CNN and then Fox Business as an icon of financial news, passed away at the age of 78 …

Discussion:
CNN, Washington Post, @loudobbs, Variety, Los Angeles Times, The Independent, Newser, @yashar, al.com, The Daily Beast, USA Today, The Wrap, New York Post, The Desk, TMZ.com, Deadline, @mehdirhasan, @carolmswain, The US Sun, NPR, @markjacobnews@threads.net, The Hollywood Reporter, @carolmswain, Washington Examiner, TVLine, Reuters, HuffPost, New York Times, TVNewsCheck, Next TV, Fox News, Talking Biz News and ABC13

Discussion:

Ethan Shanfeld /
Variety: Lou Dobbs, Conservative Pundit and Former CNN Host, Dies at 78

Justin Rohrlich /
The Independent: Trump announces former Fox Business and CNN host Lou Dobbs has died

KiMi Robinson /
USA Today: Lou Dobbs, political commentator and former ‘Lou Dobbs Tonight’ anchor, dies at 78

Patrick Reilly /
New York Post: Lou Dobbs, iconic conservative pundit, dead at 78

Matthew Keys /
The Desk: CNN, Fox Business broadcaster Lou Dobbs dies at 78

Denise Petski /
Deadline: Lou Dobbs Dies: Conservative Political Commentator & Former CNN, Fox Business Network Host Was 78

Mehdi Hasan /
@mehdirhasan: For the record, Lou Dobbs was an election denier, a climate denier, accused Obama of being a foreigner, accused Romney of being a traitor, accused Antifa of doing 1/6, pushed antisemitic tropes about George Soros, and accused immigrants of bringing disease into the country.

Dr. Carol M. Swain /
@carolmswain: @clk657 He was a great mentor. We both got booted off CNN the same year.

Israel Salas-Rodriguez /
The US Sun: Controversial commentator Lou Dobbs dead at 78 as Donald Trump mourns his ‘incredible talent’

Alana Wise /
NPR: Lou Dobbs, the controversial Fox News host, has died

Mark Jacob /
@markjacobnews@threads.net: Lou Dobbs was primarily responsible for turning my dad into a person who demonized immigrants. It made no sense. One of my dad's best friends was an immigrant. But Lou Dobbs poisoned by father's mind. I never forgave Dobbs for that.

Dr. Carol M. Swain /
@carolmswain: This deeply saddens me. I loved Lou's heart for America. He was a friend and supporter who gave me my first break on national TV. Thanks to Lou, I became a paid contributor for CNN's #LouDobbsTonight. We reconnected after the Harvard scandal. #LouDobbs https://www.mediaite.com/...

Jack Birle /
Washington Examiner: Lou Dobbs dead: Trump announces conservative commentator's death at 78

Matt Webb Mitovich /
TVLine: Lou Dobbs, Conservative Political Commentator, Dead at 78

Kanishka Singh /
Reuters: Lou Dobbs, former Fox Business and CNN host, dead at 78

Lydia O'Connor /
HuffPost: Fox Business Personality Lou Dobbs Has Died, Trump Announces

Michael Levenson /
New York Times: Lou Dobbs, Former Fox Business Host and Trump Booster, Dies at 78

Denise Petski /
TVNewsCheck: Lou Dobbs Dies: Conservative Political Commentator & Former CNN, Fox Business Network Host Was 78

R. Thomas Umstead /
Next TV: Veteran Cable TV Journalist Lou Dobbs Dies

Chris Roush /
Talking Biz News: TV biz news anchor Dobbs dies at 78

Committee to Protect Journalists:

The CPJ supports an urgent appeal filed to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture on behalf of Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora, imprisoned since 2022— The Committee to Protect Journalists supports the urgent appeal filed to UN officials by an international legal team …

Discussion:
@pressfreedom, doughtystreet.co.uk

Discussion:
@pressfreedom: “Jose Rubén Zamora's treatment in prison and pre-trial detention is appalling and constitutes a grave violation of international human rights standards,” said Carlos Martínez de la Serna, CPJ's Program Director. “The international community must act urgently to ensure his [image]

@pressfreedom:
CPJ supports the urgent appeal filed to UN officials by an international legal team on behalf of Guatemalan investigative journalist José Rubén Zamora, who the appeal says has been wrongfully imprisoned since 2022 and held in conditions “that amount to torture or other cruel, [image]

@pressfreedom:
José Rubén Zamora's real crime “has been doing journalism.” As jailed Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora began the first stages of his trial on spurious charges of money laundering last year, his son @jczamora spoke at the @UN. Zamora was arrested on spurious charges of [video]

Bloomberg:

Sources: Apple has spoken to many of the largest Hollywood studios about acquiring more programming from their libraries to offer customers in the US and abroad— - Apple TV+ has relied on original series like ‘Ted Lasso’ … The iPhone maker has spoken to several of the largest studios …

Discussion:
Lucas Shaw on LinkedIn, Spyglass, Ars Technica, AppleInsider, The Streamable, 9to5Mac and Reuters, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Lucas Shaw /
Lucas Shaw on LinkedIn: Apple TV+ is the only major streaming service with no library. You pay for original series, but have nothing to watch in between. …

M.G. Siegler /
Spyglass: Apple Should Buy HBO

Samuel Axon /
Ars Technica: Report: Apple TV+ will soon get a lot more movies made by studios other than Apple

David Satin /
The Streamable: Apple Talking With Studios About New Movie Licensing Deals for Apple TV+

Ryan Christoffel /