Merck Mercuriadis plans to step down as the chairman of Hipgnosis Song Management after closing the proposed acquisition of Hipgnosis Songs Fund to Blackstone (Marc Schneider/Billboard)

Mediagazer: Merck Mercuriadis plans to step down as the chairman of Hipgnosis Song Management after closing the proposed acquisition of Hipgnosis Songs Fund to Blackstone (Marc Schneider/Billboard)

Top News:

New York Times:

Sources: Barry Diller is exploring a bid to take control of Paramount; his digital media conglomerate, IAC, has signed NDAs with National Amusements— Mr. Diller, a digital media pioneer, lost a bidding war for Paramount Pictures decades ago. Now, he's making a run at its parent company.
Discussion: The Wrap, @benmullin, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, @jbmp51, @webbarr, Forbes, @jgdean14, @davidgura, @davidkeithlaw, Los Angeles Times, @davidpoland, IndieWire, @susanlitv, TVNewsCheck, Deadline and Bloomberg

Discussion:

Alexei Barrionuevo /
The Wrap: Over 3 Decades Later, Barry Diller Takes Another Swing at Paramount

Ben Mullin /
@benmullin: scoop w/@LaurenSHirsch: Barry Diller makes a run at Paramount https://www.nytimes.com/... $PARA

Jason Miller /
@jbmp51: Memories....of deals of the past Barry Diller Explores Bid to Take Control of Paramount https://www.nytimes.com/...

Antonio Pequeño IV /
Forbes: Billionaire Barry Diller In Potential Takeover Talks With Paramount Following Skydance's Failed Bid, Report Says

David Gura /
@davidgura: Barry Diller scrambles the Sun Valley agenda. Los Angeles Times: Barry Diller expresses interest in Redstone family firm (and Paramount controlling shareholder)

David Poland /
@davidpoland: Ha. Diller has been saying studios are dead for years. But this is pretty much why Redstone dumped Ellison. If the company is being sold for parts, Diller is more skilled than most at that. Barry Diller Explores Bid to Take Control of Paramount - NYT https://www.nytimes.com/...

Brian Welk /
IndieWire: The Latest Contender for Paramount Is Its Former CEO Who Once Let the Studio Slip Away

Susan Li /
@susanlitv: Barry Diller Explores Bid to Take Control of #Paramount Diller tried to acquire Paramount Pictures in early '90s Also head of Paramount Pictures in 1974 at the age of 32 Day of interest in $para after Zaz & #WarnerBrosDiscovery explore a streaming tieup https://www.nytimes.com/...

Erik Pedersen /
Deadline: Barry Diller Kicking Tires On Paramount Bid - Report

Hannah Miller /
Bloomberg: Barry Diller Explores Possible Paramount Bid, NY Times Says

RELATED:

CNBC:

Sources: Paramount Global is in discussions with other companies about merging Paramount+ with their streamers; WBD is interested in merging Max and Paramount+— Paramount Global is holding talks with other entertainment companies about merging its Paramount+ streaming service with an existing platform.

Discussion:

David Satin /
The Streamable: Is ‘Paramount+ Max’ Coming Soon? Paramount Discussing Merging Streaming Services With Warner Bros. Discovery

Todd Spangler /
Variety: Could Max and Paramount+ Merge? Warner Bros. Discovery Open to Exploring Paramount Streaming Joint Venture

Wayne Friedman /
MediaPost: Paramount Seeks More Aggressive Streaming Merger Deal: CNBC @cynicalfate: @DiscussingFilm I want to be happy for more content in one place but they just always get way more expensive as a result.

Alex Sherman /
@sherman4949: Could Warner Bros Discovery's Max be the partner Paramount+ is looking for? There's interest from David Zaslav's company in a deal. And it could jumpstart a “streaming 2.0” re-rationalization of the industry that could help all players. https://www.cnbc.com/...

Martin Peers /
The Information: Meta Falls Afoul of Europe's Regulators

Alex Sherman /
Alex Sherman on LinkedIn: Paramount Global is looking for a partner for Paramount+. Warner Bros Discovery has interest in a deal. … @culturecrave: @CNBC Combined the companies carry nearly $60B in debt, with a substantial part due to the aggressive pivot to streaming Paramount also confirms they're looking at partnering with a technology platform https://www.cnbc.com/...

Luke Bouma /
Cord Cutters News: Paramount+ & Max Are Reportedly In Talks to Merge Streaming Services @cnschedules: https://www.cnbc.com/... Should note Paramount has been kinda wishy-washy so who knows what the hell is gonna happen. They passed merger talks with WBD, Sony, and Skydance for Paramount as a whole. Paramount is also considering partnering with a technology platform.

Matthew Keys /
The Desk: WBD expresses interest in unifying Max, Paramount Plus

Deadline:

VFX company DNEG raised $200M from Abu Dhabi's UASG at a $2B valuation, to expand its division Brahma, which is developing an AI-powered, photo-real CGI creator— London-based The DNEG Group has secured a $200M capital injection from Abu Dhabi investment firm United Al Saqer Group (UASG).

Discussion:
The Hollywood Reporter, Proactive, Business Standard, @dneg, DNEG, @malhotra_namit and Financial Times

Discussion:

Etan Vlessing /
The Hollywood Reporter: ‘Dune’ VFX House DNEG Raises $200M for AI Innovation From Abu Dhabi-Based Fund @dneg: The DNEG Group is pleased to announce a $200 million investment from @UnitedSaqer , valuing the DNEG Group at over $2 billion. With this investment, the DNEG Group will accelerate its strategy of innovation & diversification. More: https://www.dneg.com/...

Namit Malhotra /
@malhotra_namit: Excited about the partnership with @UnitedSaqer. This strategic investment will accelerate our plans to redefine our business model & position our Group as a global provider of the highest-quality solutions across media, entertainment, and gaming. #AI #PrimeFocus #DNEG

Wall Street Journal:

Sources: Imagine Entertainment, led by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, is seeking a buyer after receiving some inbound interest from a potential suitor— Production company behind ‘Apollo 13’ is working with bankers to explore a sale — Imagine Entertainment, the Hollywood production company known …

Discussion:
Deadline, Variety, The Wrap and TVNewsCheck

Discussion:

Mike Fleming Jr /
Deadline: Imagine Partners Brian Grazer & Ron Howard Tap JP Morgan To Explore Possible Sale

Cynthia Littleton /
Variety: Imagine Entertainment Enlists J.P. Morgan to Field Sale Offers

Umberto Gonzalez /
The Wrap: Ron Howard and Brian Grazer Look to Sell Imagine Entertainment | Report

New York Times:

Terence Samuel, the editor-in-chief of USA Today, leaves the role after a year; Caren Bohan, the executive editor of politics, is named interim EIC— Terence Samuel, a veteran journalist, had been in the role for a year. — Terence Samuel, the editor in chief of USA Today …

Discussion:
USA Today, Poynter, The Wrap, @tatecurtis, @davidfolkenflik, @deggans, TVNewsCheck, @dankennedy_nu, @katie_robertson, MediaPost, The Hill and Deadline

Discussion:

Tom Jones /
Poynter: Former Biden press secretary Jen Psaki weighs in on the ‘bad debate’ — plus more media news and tidbits

David Folkenflik /
@davidfolkenflik: News: USAToday editor-in-chief Terence Samuel @terencesamuel ousted, one week shy of a year in the role, according to two people with knowledge of events. Managing Editor @carenbohan said to lead newsroom on interim basis.

Katie Robertson /
TVNewsCheck: USA Today's Top Editor Abruptly Steps Down

Dan Kennedy /
@dankennedy_nu: @davidfolkenflik ... I wouldn't count on that being “interim.” This is Gannett. They probably eliminated the EIC job to save a few bucks.

Katie Robertson /
@katie_robertson: NEW: Terence Samuel @terencesamuel tells me his exit from USA Today was sudden: “I wished that this had lasted a lot longer because it was a great year. We did great things in that newsroom and I wish them the very best.” https://www.nytimes.com/... https://x.com/...

Ray Schultz /
MediaPost: ‘USA Today’ Editor Terence Samuel Is Leaving Post

Billboard:

Merck Mercuriadis plans to step down as the chairman of Hipgnosis Song Management after closing the proposed acquisition of Hipgnosis Songs Fund to Blackstone— The company's founder calls it the “right time” to “undertake a strategic shift of focus.” — Hipgnosis Song Management announced …

Discussion:
Digital Music News, Music Week and Music Business Worldwide

Discussion:

Dylan Smith /
Digital Music News: Breaking: Merck Mercuriadis Announces Hipgnosis Exit, Plans to Step Away ‘Upon Closing’ of Blackstone's Acquisition

Axios:

CNBC launches a sports vertical as part of its broader plan to shift its editorial and business focus to cross-platform verticals led by subject-matter experts— - The company is expected to make more announcements about other topic areas soon. … - CNBC has hired sports valuation expert …

Discussion:
Variety, @bmccandless and CNBC Press Releases

Discussion:

Brian Steinberg /
Variety: CNBC Ramps Up Sports-Business Coverage

Bill McCandless /
@bmccandless: If you know you know but this idea is hilarious There are no new ideas there's only good press releases about old ideas @darrenrovell @jonathanwald @SandyCannold

The Wrap:

Ampere Analysis: in Q1 2024, Netflix and Amazon commissioned 53% of all original streaming titles globally, spurred by increased investment outside of the US— The growth comes from increased investment in international territories, according to Ampere Analysis

Discussion:

John Koblin /
New York Times: Netflix and Amazon Drive Bump in TV Show Market

Tony Maglio /
IndieWire: Netflix and Amazon Are Giving Us the World

David Satin /
The Streamable: Netflix and Prime Video Are Investing More in Streaming Content as Global Strategies Shift to Forefront

Matthew Keys /
The Desk: Netflix, Prime Video commissioned most originals in Q1 2024

Mansha Daswani /
WORLD SCREEN: Netflix & Prime Video Lead Streaming Originals

Erik Gruenwedel /
Media Play News: Ampere: Netflix, Prime Again Dominate Original Streaming Content Production

Julian Clover /
Broadband TV News: Netflix and Amazon dominate Originals production

Patrick Frater /
Variety: Netflix and Amazon Dominate Commissioning by Streamers, Tilting the Content Market Away From U.S., Towards Local - Study

Max Goldbart /
Deadline: Netflix & Amazon Ordered Majority Of Originals From Outside U.S. Last Quarter, Ampere Research Finds

The Moscow Times:

Spotify has removed the songs and profiles of pro-war Russian artists sanctioned by the EU; their profiles remain accessible on Apple Music and YouTube— Music streaming service Spotify has removed the songs and profiles of pro-war Russian artists sanctioned by the West, the Sweden-based company told The Moscow Times on Thursday.

Discussion:
Music Ally, Radio Free Europe/Radio …, Breitbart, @moscowtimes, @irgarner, Stereogum, Billboard, The Kyiv Independent, Consequence, Digital Music News and Hotpress

Discussion:

Stuart Dredge /
Music Ally: Spotify has removed music from some pro-war Russian artists

John Hayward /
Breitbart: Report: Spotify Removes Russian Artists Supportive of Vladimir Putin's War in Ukraine @moscowtimes: In a statement sent to The Moscow Times, Spotify said its “Platform Rules clearly state that we take action when we identify content which explicitly violates our content policies or local laws.” “Upon review, these artists met the threshold for removal,” the statement added.

Dr. Ian Garner /
@irgarner: The fash pop is all gone from Spotify, what a shame https://www.themoscowtimes.com/ ...

Chris Eggertsen /
Billboard: Spotify Removes Music by Russian Artists Supportive of Ukraine Invasion

Nate Ostiller /
The Kyiv Independent: Spotify removes music by pro-war Russian singers

Ashley King /
Digital Music News: Spotify Reportedly Removes Russian Pro-War Artists, Raising Takedown Policy Questions

Caroline Kelly /
Hotpress: Spotify removes music by pro-war Russian artists

TechCrunch:

YouTube rolled out a policy change in June that lets people request the takedown of AI-generated or other synthetic content that simulates their face or voice— Meta is not the only company grappling with the rise in AI-generated content and how it affects its platform.

Discussion:
Shelly Palmer, @baekdal, Engadget, MEDIANAMA, Mashable and The Register, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:
Shelly Palmer: You Can Ask YouTube to Take Down AI-Generated Content That Simulates Your Face or Voice

Thomas Baekdal /
@baekdal: This is a good first step, but fundamentally, it should be illegal to do this at all without explicit prior consent from the person being used. We need legislation around AI.

Will Shanklin /
Engadget: New YouTube policy lets you request the removal of AI-generated content that uses your likeness

Kamya Pandey /
MEDIANAMA: YouTube allows users to take down AI-generated content featuring their likeness

Elizabeth de Luna /
Mashable: YouTube says Gen Z may love fan-made content more than original content

Matthew Connatser /
The Register: YouTube confirms it'll pull AI fakes in 48 hours if a complaint's upheld

TechCrunch:

Meta changes its “Made with AI” label to “AI info”, to indicate images were not necessarily created with AI but that AI editing tools may have been used— After Meta started tagging photos with a “Made with AI” label in May, photographers complained …

Discussion:
The Verge, Fast Company and Engadget, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Richard Lawler /
The Verge: Instagram's ‘Made with AI’ label swapped out for ‘AI info’ after photographers' complaints

Hunter Schwarz /
Fast Company: Meta's making a change to the way it labels AI on its apps. Here's why

Karissa Bell /
Engadget: Meta changes its labels for AI-generated images after complaints from photographers

Reuters:

Preliminary findings: the EU says Meta's pay or consent ad model breaches the DMA; Meta faces a fine of up to 10% of its global annual turnover if found guilty— Meta Platforms (META.O) was charged by EU antitrust regulators on Monday for failing to comply with landmark tech rules …

Discussion:
European Commission, The Guardian, MEDIANAMA, Music Ally, Wall Street Journal, The Overspill, @thierrybreton, @eu_competition, The Register, @eu_commission, New York Post, @jason_kint, @benedictevans@threads.net, @edri@eupolicy.social, @andrewpardoe@threads.net, MarTech, @tjasa_pet, @florian4gamers, @vestager, @jefflonsdale, Benedict Evans on LinkedIn, @benedictevans@threads.net, The Information, AdExchanger, @beuc, @pernillet@mastodon.online, The Verge, @GottaLaff@mastodon.social, Quartz, @Jeremiah@alpaca.gold, Financial Times, @Frederik_Borgesius …, Wired, @Jeremiah@alpaca.gold, TechCrunch, @maik.zumstrull.net, CNN, Engadget and TVNewsCheck

Discussion:
European Commission: Commission sends preliminary findings to Meta over its “Pay or Consent” model for breach of the Digital Markets Act

Dan Milmo /
The Guardian: Meta accused of breaking EU digital law by charging for ad-free social networks

Sharveya Parasnis /
MEDIANAMA: EU Preliminary Findings Show Meta In Violation of Digital Markets Act

Charlesarthur /
The Overspill: Start Up No.2246: EU threatens Meta with DMA fine, the tech unemployment line, Florida man shoo(t)s drone, and more

Thierry Breton /
@thierrybreton: The #DMA is here to give back 🇪🇺 users the power to decide over their #data #Meta has forced millions of users across EU into a binary choice : “pay or consent”. In our preliminary conclusion this is a breach of the DMA. Today we take an important step to ensure Meta complies. [image] @eu_competition: #EUCompetition #DMA #DigitalMarketsAct Commission 🇪🇺 sends preliminary findings to Meta over its “Pay or Consent” model for breach of the Digital Markets Act 👇 🔗➡️ https://europa.eu/!yjjm9k [image]

Brandon Vigliarolo /
The Register: Antitrust cops cry foul over Meta's pay-or-consent ultimatum to Europeans @eu_commission: The “Pay or Consent” advertising model of Meta fails to comply with the Digital Markets Act. Our preliminary findings show that this choice forces users to consent to the combination of their personal data and fails to provide them a less personalised but equivalent version of [image]

Thomas Barrabi /
New York Post: Meta charged with violating Europe's landmark tech competition law, faces billions in fines

Jason Kint /
@jason_kint: HUGE FT scoop on EU regulators finding that Meta is violating the new DMA (gatekeeper law) by forcing users to subscribe/pay if they don't want Meta's ubiquitous surveillance of them. Meta's comment here is deceptive based on a non-binding comment deep in a prior option. /1 [image]

Benedict Evans /
@benedictevans@threads.net: The interesting problem is that the EU is telling Meta that it must offer a product that 1: does not use relevant ads and 2: that has an equivalent experience... B+ut a product with irrelevant ads is not equivalent to one with with relevant ads. it's worse.

Edri /
@edri@eupolicy.social: 1/3 🎉 The European Commission finds #Meta's #PayOrOkay approach of pushing users into consent violates the Digital Markets Act #DMA. — This (preliminary) decision is a great win & confirms what we've been saying all along: your right to #privacy is not for sale. …

Andrew Pardoe /
@andrewpardoe@threads.net: Is the EU's position really “supply Facebook without a revenue source”? This isn't my area: I have little stake in this (except for the obvious.) What incentive would Meta have to continue in the EU? Or any other ad-supported business, for that matter?

Constantine von Hoffman /
MarTech: EU says Meta ad model violates Digital Markets Act @tjasa_pet: Not surprisingly, Commission's preliminary findings indicate Meta's pay or consent model does not comply with Article 5(2) DMA, as it fails to provide users with a less personalised but equivalent version of Meta's social networks.

Florian Mueller /
@florian4gamers: Unlike the EU, Meta can't finance its service through taxes. That's why there has to be a working revenue model, some quid pro quo between Meta and users. The DMA doesn't outlaw letting users pay for services.

Margrethe Vestager /
@vestager: 📢We informed @Meta of our preliminary finding that its “pay or consent” model fails to comply with the Digital Markets Act 👉It forces users to consent to the combination of their personal data, and fails to provide a less personalised equivalent 📰 https://www.shorturl.at/jCj8Y

Jeff Lonsdale /
@jefflonsdale: The question is how long can the EU fine these global tech companies on a percentage of their global revenue without them strategizing how to exit the market. The companies won't leave all at once, first they will offer nerfed products rather than leave a hole in the market for

Benedict Evans /
Benedict Evans on LinkedIn: As expected, the EU says the Meta is allowed to charge, or use interest based advertising, but must also offer the product for free with ads ‘using less user data’ - which means little or no revenue. …

Benedict Evans /
@benedictevans@threads.net: So... Meta is allowed to charge, or use interest based advertising, but must also offer the product entirely for free. Why? Of course, the model the EU is objecting to here is one that's been used without controversy by a whole bunch of European newspapers for years now. …

Sylvia Varnham O'Regan /
The Information: EU Regulators Charge Meta with Breaching New Tech Rules @beuc: Good news the @EU_Commission is taking enforcement action based on #DMA against Meta's pay-or-consent model! It comes on top of various, recent complaints the BEUC network launched against Meta for breaches of consumer law and data protection law. ➡️ https://www.beuc.eu/...

Pernille Tranberg /
@pernillet@mastodon.online: Meta's “pay or consent” advertising model, which it invented because it did not comply with the GDPR for 6 years, is not compliant with the DMA either. Can be fined now of up to 10% of Meta's global turnover. #meta #dma #gdpr #privacy — https://ec.europa.eu/...

Wes Davis /
The Verge: Facebook and Instagram's ‘pay or consent’ ad model violates the DMA, says the EU

Laffy /
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social: Meta Platforms (META.O) was charged by EU antitrust regulators on Monday for failing to comply with landmark tech rules as they took aim at the U.S. company's newly introduced pay or consent advertising model, already the target of privacy regulators and activists' ire. — https://www.reuters.com/...

Jeremiah Lee /
@Jeremiah@alpaca.gold: @Techmeme One benefit of applying DMA instead of GDPR is that DMA only applies to massive companies like Meta. — Many EU newspapers introduced “forced consent” after the EU Court of Justice's ruling last July contained a 6-word loophole for Meta to provide an alternative to tracking “if necessary, for an appropriate fee.” …

Javier Espinoza /
Financial Times: Brussels follows up Apple charges with Meta ‘pay or consent’ case

Frederik Borgesius /
@Frederik_Borgesius …: EU 'Commission has informed Meta of its preliminary findings that its “pay or consent” advertising model fails to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). In the Commission's preliminary view, this binary choice forces users to consent to the combination of their personal data and fails …

Morgan Meaker /
Wired: Meta's Pay-for-Privacy Model Is Illegal, Says EU

Jeremiah Lee /
@Jeremiah@alpaca.gold: While we continue to wait for the Irish Data Protection Commissioner to do its job enforcing GDPR after the European Data Protection Board opined as strongly as legally permitted against ‘consent or pay’ models in April, the EU Commission now is using the DMA to rid of this scourge. …

Natasha Lomas /
TechCrunch: Meta's ‘pay or consent’ model fails EU competition rules, Commission finds

Maik Zumstrull /
@maik.zumstrull.net: The elephant in the room on this is that hundreds of EU based press outlets are illegally using pay-or-accept on their websites. — By citing the DMA as the issue, and not the more appropriate GDPR, they can avoid enforcing the law against their client media - which aren't DMA gatekeepers. …

Olesya Dmitracova /
CNN: Meta accused of breaking European law with its ‘pay or consent’ model

Sarah Fielding /
Engadget: Meta could get slapped with a massive fine for violating the EU's Digital Markets Act

Kim Mackrael /