OpenAI last week requested NYT documents, including reporters' notes and interview memos, to show that its articles are original; NYT calls it harassment (Sherin Shibu/Entrepreneur)

Mediagazer: OpenAI last week requested NYT documents, including reporters' notes and interview memos, to show that its articles are original; NYT calls it harassment (Sherin Shibu/Entrepreneur)

Top News:

Reuters:

Paramount Global and Skydance Media announce a merger of the two companies, ending months of chaotic talks; a memo says the deal is expected to close in H1 2025— Skydance Media and Paramount Global (PARA.O) agreed to merge, the companies announced late Sunday evening, opening a new chapter for one of Hollywood's oldest studios.
Discussion: SlashFilm, New York Times, Bloomberg, The Streamable, The Hollywood Reporter, The Wrap, Ad Age, CNBC, Fast Company, Billboard, Los Angeles Times, Business Insider, Deadline, Newser, Variety, The A.V. Club, MediaPost, Wall Street Journal, The Hollywood Reporter, @lucas_shaw, Los Angeles Times, The Information, The Verge, Associated Press, @jbflint, The Daily Beast, Cord Cutters News, @richlightshed, Financial Times, Reuters, @lkimmasters@threads.net, @lucas_shaw, B&T, The Media Leader, @loudmouthjulia, @mattnicholas, @andykleinman, @benmullin, The Hollywood Reporter, @lucas_shaw, @mattbelloni, The Guardian, CBS News, The Information, Axios, Mumbrella, @btmcclure, Sara Fischer on LinkedIn, @benmullin, CNN, @xpangler, @harrisharrisev9, The Wrap, New York Times, Media Play News, New York Post, r/MediaMergers, r/boxoffice, r/startrek and r/wallstreetbets

Discussion:

Ryan Scott /
SlashFilm: The Paramount Merger Is Finally Official - And It Could Have Been So Much Worse

Lucas Shaw /
Bloomberg: Source: Paramount board's special committee approves Skydance merger; the board is set to approve the deal today, with an announcement coming as soon as Monday

David Satin /
The Streamable: Paramount Global's Deal with Skydance Gets Board Approval, Set to Close by 2025

Kayla Cobb /
The Wrap: Paramount Global Will Pay Skydance $400 Million Breakup Fee If It Accepts a Stronger Offer

Lillian Rizzo /
CNBC: Paramount agrees to merge with Skydance, ending monthslong negotiations and Redstone era

Michael Grothaus /
Fast Company: Everything you need to know about the Paramount Skydance merger

Marc Schneider /
Billboard: Paramount Agrees to Merger With Skydance, Ending Redstone Family's Reign

Samantha Masunaga /
Los Angeles Times: David Ellison's goal for Paramount: Make it a ‘media and technology’ company

Dade Hayes /
Deadline: Skydance Media Gets Board Committee Approval For Control Of Paramount Global After Lengthy Chase

Jenn Gidman /
Newser: Say Hello to the ‘New Paramount’ — And goodbye to the reign of the Redstone family, as Paramount plans its merger with Skydance

Cynthia Littleton /
Variety: David Ellison Set as Chairman-CEO, Jeff Shell as President of Paramount; Shari Redstone to Sell Family Empire to Skydance Media in $8 Billion Deal

Mary Kate Carr /
The A.V. Club: Paramount is finally welcoming their new Skydance overlords

Wayne Friedman /
MediaPost: Paramount Global, Skydance To Merge In $8B Deal

Jessica Toonkel /
Wall Street Journal: Paramount Global Agrees to Skydance Deal

Etan Vlessing /
The Hollywood Reporter: Movie Theater Owners to “Look Closely” at New Paramount-Skydance Deal Terms

Lucas Shaw /
@lucas_shaw: I take reader questions and pose one of my own. Such as: Would you pay $25 a month for Spotify? https://www.bloomberg.com/... Los Angeles Times: Paramount and Skydance agree to merge, marking a new chapter for the storied media company

Martin Peers /
The Information: Skydance and Paramount Unveil Merger

Jess Weatherbed /
The Verge: Paramount agrees to sweetened Skydance merger deal

Joe Flint /
@jbflint: Paramount Global co-head Chris McCarthy says the success is all possible because of the people associated with Paramount. ((Ed. Note: Now lets move onto that cost-cutting and layoff agenda))

AJ McDougall /
The Daily Beast: Paramount Board OK's Merger Deal With Skydance After False Start: Report

Luke Bouma /
Cord Cutters News: The Sale of Paramount+ & Pluto TV to Skydance Gets Several Major Approvals to Move Forward @richlightshed: Most telling paragraph of the @Skydance merger with @paramountco release $PARA Speaks to “why” this deal won for Shari Redstone (beyond the 💰💰💰) “Importantly, the transaction preserves the over 100-year-old legacy of Paramount as one of Hollywood's most iconic production

Reuters:
Special committee of Paramount Global endorses plan to merge with Skydance Media, source says

Kim Masters /
@lkimmasters@threads.net: So we're on the cusp of a deal for Skydance to end up with Paramount. The Skydance guys really hung in there. David Ellison gets his dream: running a studio. (Beware what you wish for?) Jeff Shell gets back in the game after that little contretemps at NBC Universal. …

Lucas Shaw /
@lucas_shaw: The deal still needs to be formally signed. Considering everything that has happened in this negotiation... it's official when it's announced.

Arvind Hickman /
B&T: Paramount Global And Skydance Agree To Merge

Ella Sagar /
The Media Leader: Paramount ends merger saga after reaching ‘definitive’ Skydance agreement

Julia Alexander /
@loudmouthjulia: If I'm to understand what just happened between Paramount and Skydance — the selling of one former mogul family's declining media empire to a wealthier new mogul family who got a strong boost from the patriarchal tech lord — then this guy is about to be CEO. [image]

Matt Nicholas /
@mattnicholas: Skydance officially bought NA & with that, full control of Paramount Global. I hope David Ellison keeps Paramount + and some of their core linear assets, but I know changes will come. Hoping for the best for all of my friends still working there per the upcoming layoffs 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽.

Andy Kleinman /
@andykleinman: I'm personally excited and intrigued about the Skydance and Paramount merger. The growing, disruptive studio absorbing the large (but shrinking) legacy studio. I like that combination much better than Amazon/MGM or WBD/Discovery. Let's see what they do.

Ben Mullin /
@benmullin: Shari Redstone emails Paramount employees: “My father was governed in all of his decisions by his belief that content was indeed king. That has never been more important than it is today...” [image]

Alex Weprin /
The Hollywood Reporter: New Paramount-Skydance Deal Nears Finish Line As Board Special Committee Signs Off

Lucas Shaw /
@lucas_shaw: Shari Redstone has agreed to sell her company to David Ellison. Paramount's special committee has agreed to merge with Ellison's Skydance. Neither one blessed this deal last month. What changed? https://www.bloomberg.com/...

Lucas Shaw /
@lucas_shaw: News: Paramount's board has approved a merger with Skydance. Link TK. A deal should be announced officially tomorrow.

Matthew Belloni /
@mattbelloni: Money wins! [image]

Martin Peers /
The Information: Ellison's Skydance Gets Closer to Paramount Deal

Brandon T. McClure /
@btmcclure: Well... this is honestly the best case scenario for Paramount if they were so determined to sell. At least it wasn't to another giant media company. Small buying big is the better of two evils 🤷 ♂️

Sara Fischer /
Sara Fischer on LinkedIn: #Breaking: It's a done deal. Paramount's board has approved a deal to merge with Skydance Media. — The deal breathes new life …

Ben Mullin /
@benmullin: The Paramount investor call about the Skydance merger is a big Avengers team up. Basically everyone except Shari Redstone is on the call.

Todd Spangler /
@xpangler: Shari Redstone, Paramount Co-CEOs Tell Employees Skydance ‘Has a Clear Strategic Vision for the Future’ https://variety.com/... via @variety

Evan /
@harrisharrisev9: This is BEST case scenario and I'm so glad the deal got approved. From everything I've heard, yhe people at Skydance respect the legacy and work from Paramount Global and won't drastically change things moving forward.

Benjamin Mullin /
New York Times: Meet David Ellison, Paramount's Future Boss and Hollywood's Newest Mogul

Erik Gruenwedel /
Media Play News: Paramount Agrees to Tentative Merger With Skydance Media

Josh Kosman /
New York Post: Paramount investor Mario Gabelli ‘may not sell stock’ in proposed Skydance merger

RELATED:

Variety:

Jeff Shell, set to become “New Paramount” president, says Skydance executives have identified $2B+ in cost cuts, much of it from its linear media operations— To help Paramount Global to grow, its new owner needs to make cuts. — Skydance executives who are set to take over the owner of CBS …

Discussion:
Sportico, Sanjay Raina on LinkedIn, The Hollywood Reporter, @jbflint, @alexweprin and CBS News

Discussion:

Anthony Crupi /
Sportico: Paramount and Skydance Will Beef Up CBS' Sports Portfolio

Sanjay Raina /
Sanjay Raina on LinkedIn: Same story being played over and over again. It started with the ‘mouse’ gobbling Fox and we all know what has subsequently been the state of affairs. …

Caitlin Huston /
The Hollywood Reporter: Skydance Team Would “Be Supportive Of” Paramount Selling Off Some Assets

Joe Flint /
@jbflint: Sky Dance has a $400 million breakup fee if Paramount finds another buyer in next 45 days. (I think I got that figure right)

Joe Flint /
@jbflint: “We know we're getting a lot of great, talented people at Paramount,” says incoming Paramount SKD president Jeff Shell. (some reason animal house “There's a lot of great guys here...” scene playing in my head.

Alex Weprin /
@alexweprin: Skydance would get a $400 million breakup fee if Paramount finds another buyer in the next 45 days.

Variety:

A look at Skydance's vision for “New Paramount”, of which David Ellison will be the CEO: a $1.5B cash infusion to help woo creatives, a focus on tech, and more— Now that Shari Redstone has signed on the dotted line to sell her father's media empire to Skydance and RedBird Capital, what future awaits?

Discussion:
Radio & Television …, The Wrap, Skydance Media, Deadline, Next TV, @colbyhall, @jbflint, Broadband TV News, @alexweprin and @jbflint

Discussion:

Adam Chitwood /
The Wrap: Theater Owners to ‘Look Closely’ at Details of Skydance-Paramount Deal, Stress Need for More Movies in Cinemas Skydance Media: Skydance Media and Paramount Global Sign Definitive Agreement to Advance Paramount as a World-Class Media and Technology Enterprise

Dade Hayes /
Deadline: Top Of The Mountain: David Ellison's Skydance Taking Over Paramount After $8 Billion Investment

Daniel Frankel /
Next TV: Paramount Global Agrees to Merge with David Ellison's Skydance, Jeff Shell Named President

Colby Hall /
@colbyhall: I'm having a very hard time not seeing this guy as the real life Kendall Roy.

Joe Flint /
@jbflint: Incoming Paramount Global - Sky Dance head David Ellison says better user experience needed at Par+ to continue to build and scale it. “We are also open to partnership,” Ellison says, including sharing licensing (of content).

Joe Flint /
@jbflint: Jeff Shell says, “you would literally spit out David Ellison” if you went into a lab to create an entertainment executive for the future of the biz.

Julian Clover /
Broadband TV News: Paramount signs agreement with Skydance Media

Alex Weprin /
@alexweprin: Jeff Shell: “If you went into a lab and designed the perfect executive for the next-generation Hollywood company, you would literally spit out David Ellison.”

Reuters:

Memo: Paramount's co-CEOs say Paramount will continue reducing the size of its workforce and look to divest some of its assets until the Skydance deal closes— Paramount Global (PARA.O) will continue reducing the size of its workforce until its merger with Skydance Media closes …

Discussion:
Business Insider, Deadline and @tvgrimreaper

Discussion:

Geoff Weiss /
Business Insider: Paramount co-CEOs tell workers it's ‘business as usual’ — and remind them that there'll be layoffs

Anthony D'Alessandro /
Deadline: Paramount Global Co-CEOs Tell Staff “It's Business As Usual” Until Skydance Deal Closes

Variety:

Memo: Shari Redstone says Skydance “have a clear strategic vision for the future”; Paramount co-CEOs say “it's business as usual” until the deal closes in 2025— Cheeks, McCarthy and Robbins say they will continue carrying out their restructuring plan, including layoffs and asset sales

Discussion:
IF Magazine, Deadline and The Wrap

Discussion:

Sean Slatter /
IF Magazine: Paramount Global to merge with Skydance Media

Anthony D'Alessandro /
Deadline: Shari Redstone Tells Staff That Skydance Has “Resources To Build On Paramount Global's Competitive Advantages” The Hollywood Reporter: The Paramount-Skydance deal has a “go shop” policy, where Paramount would pay Skydance a $400M breakup fee if Paramount finds another buyer within 45 days

Discussion:
New York Post, Next TV, The Wrap, Variety, Deadline, WORLD SCREEN, IndieWire and Media Play News

Discussion:

Alexandra Steigrad /
New York Post: Skydance CEO David Ellison — and scandal-scarred media exec Jeff Shell — signal $2B in cost cuts for Paramount

Jon Lafayette /
Next TV: David Ellison Spells Out Goals for ‘New Paramount’

Lucas Manfredi /
The Wrap: David Ellison and Jeff Shell Outline Plan for New Paramount: Tech, Animation and Rebuilding Paramount+

Todd Spangler /
Variety: Paramount Global Will Pay Skydance $400 Million Breakup Fee if It Lands a Better Offer

Dade Hayes /
Deadline: Paramount President-To-Be Jeff Shell Says Linear TV Will Remain “A Strong Business For Decades To Come”

Mansha Daswani /
WORLD SCREEN: Paramount & Skydance Clinch Merger Deal

Brian Welk /
IndieWire: It's Official: Paramount and Skydance Are Merging

Entrepreneur:

OpenAI last week requested NYT documents, including reporters' notes and interview memos, to show that its articles are original; NYT calls it harassment— Key Takeaways … Now OpenAI is asking for proof that NYT articles are actually original — and the NYT is calling the request “irrelevant, improper, and harassing.”

Discussion:
@bobbyallyn, @loudmouthjulia and @rahll

Discussion:

Bobby Allyn /
@bobbyallyn: OpenAI's legal team trying to get all “reporter's notes” in discovery in NYT lawsuit. [image]

Julia Alexander /
@loudmouthjulia: Completely missed OpenAI was demanding to see NYT reporters' “notes, interview memos, records of materials cited or other ‘files’” to prove articles are original as it pertains to the copyright suit. And cites the WBD/The Batman copyright case as precedent https://storage.courtlistener.com/ ...

RELATED:

The Intercept:

Leaked code: NYT tested using OpenAI tech to generate article headlines and help apply its styleguide; NYT says the “experiment was not taken beyond testing”— In the courtroom, the New York Times has taken a hard line against OpenAI. The newspaper sued the artificial …

Sydney Morning Herald:

Memo: Nine's Pedestrian Group restructures as CEO departs, staff faces cuts, and licensing deals to publish Vice, Gizmodo, Kotaku, others in Australia get axed— The chief executive of Nine-owned Pedestrian Group, Matt Rowley, will leave the youth publisher as part of a major restructure …

Discussion:
@stephentotilo, @constababble, @alexkidman@aus.social, @bengrubb, @screelman, Mumbrella, @hack_packer, B&T, The Guardian, @a_choros and @lukehopewell

Discussion:

Stephen Totilo /
@stephentotilo: Kotaku Australia was a really cool operation, with writers who consistently took pride in making it more than just a licensor of U.S. Kotaku stories. I'm bummed to see it go and wish the staff of all of today's shuttered Pedestrian sites that best.

Lee Constable /
@constababble: So many youth-focus media outlets have gone by the wayside while youth are most likely to gain news from social media. Young people deserve quality information within the platforms and media landscapes where they spend their time. What's the solution? https://www.smh.com.au/...

Alex Kidman /
@alexkidman@aus.social: I have words to express my thoughts about what's happened to Giz AU, Kotaku AU and Lifehacker AU... and all of them are made up of four letters exactly. — https://www.smh.com.au/...

Ben Grubb /
@bengrubb: Gizmodo, Lifehacker and Kotaku will no longer be published in Australia as part of a major restructure and cost-cutting effort by Nine-owned Pedestrian Group Up to 40 jobs will go across the business https://www.smh.com.au/...

Sarah Creelman /
@screelman: This makes me mad, sad and just so disappointed that traditional media business models are falling to pieces. We're poorer for not having a fourth estate to report on tech categories/experiences that are increasingly part of our everyday life😧 https://www.smh.com.au/...

Nathan Jolly /
Mumbrella: Refinery29, Gizmodo staff among ‘dozens’ of Pedestrian employees made redundant

George Dunford /
@hack_packer: Sorry to hear of job losses at ⁦⁦@pedestriandaily⁩. As well as putting great people out of work, it also means fewer media outlets for Australian audiences and less opportunities for writers and creatives. https://www.smh.com.au/...

Arvind Hickman /
B&T: Matt Rowley Leaves Pedestrian As Nine Cuts Titles & Up To 40 Staff

Josh Taylor /
The Guardian: Vice, Kotaku, Refinery29 to no longer publish in Australia after Pedestrian Group announces restructure

Alex Choros /
@a_choros: Absolutely devastating news. Australia's tech media landscape is worse off without Gizmodo, Kotaku, and Lifehacker, and the talented writers behind them https://www.smh.com.au/...

Washington Post:

LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman invests in Smartmatic, in part to help the company sustain its costly litigation against Fox News and Newsmax— LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, a longtime funder of left-leaning causes, has invested in Smartmatic, the election technology company suing …

Discussion:
Mediaite, CNN, @jeffjarvis and @jeremymbarr

Discussion:

Diana Falzone /
Mediaite: Billionaire Reid Hoffman Invests Millions in Smartmatic to Help Blockbuster Defamation Lawsuit Against Fox News CNN: LinkedIn billionaire bankrolls voting firm Smartmatic as it fights Fox News in 2020 election defamation case @jeffjarvis: G'bless @reidhoffman, investing in Smartmatic to bolster its finances while it goes after Murdoch's Fox. God's work. A billionaire is boosting a major defamation lawsuit against Fox News https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...

Jeremy Barr /
@jeremymbarr: Some news: LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman has a made a multi-million dollar investment in Smartmatic to help fund its suits against Fox & Newsmax. “This was a way to provide capital that would allow the truth to be found in the courts,” an advisor said https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...

New York Times:

Biden aides provided questions for radio interviews on The Source on Philadelphia's WURD, on July 3, and The Earl Ingram Show on Wisconsin's WAUK, on July 4— The host of “The Source” on WURD in Philadelphia said officials provided her with a list of eight questions to choose from.

Discussion:
WURD Radio, HuffPost, Newser, Variety, @micchiato@mastodon.social, Fox News, Deadline, @justinbaragona, ABC News, Mediaite, @charlesarthur, @jonkarl, @jabeale, @victorblackwell, @alexthomp, @aghamilton29, New York Post, TMZ.com, @ethank@threads.net, CNN, CBS News, Axios and The Wrap

Discussion:

Josephine Harvey /
HuffPost: Radio Station Parts Ways With Host Who Interviewed Biden After Debate

Kate Seamons /
Newser: Radio Host Resigns After Asking Questions From Biden Camp

William Earl /
Variety: ‘Black Media Matters’: Philadelphia's WURD Parts Ways With Radio Host Involved in Biden Interview Questions Flap @micchiato@mastodon.social: “On July 3, the first post-debate interview with President Joe #Biden was arranged and negotiated independently by WURD Radio host Andrea Lawful-Sanders without knowledge, consultation or collaboration with WURD management. … Fox News: Radio station ‘parts ways’ with host after admitting White House gave her questions before Biden interview

Glenn Garner /
Deadline: Philadelphia Radio Host Resigns After Revealing Biden Team Gave Her Questions To Ask

Justin Baragona /
@justinbaragona: After it was revealed that her interview with Joe Biden featured questions drafted and fed to her by Biden aides, WURD Radio announced today that they've “mutually agreed to part ways” with host Andrea Lawful-Sanders. https://wurdradio.com/... [image]

Olivia Rubin /
ABC News: 2nd local radio host says they were given questions ahead of Biden interview

Joe DePaolo /
Mediaite: Second Biden Interviewer Confirms He Too Was Given Questions in Advance By Biden's Team: 'Didn't Get a Chance' to Ask Everything ‘I Wanted’

Charles Arthur /
@charlesarthur: This is pitiful, on both sides. You dictate the questions? You accept the questions?

Jonathan Karl /
@jonkarl: This is malpractice. When you give the interviewer questions, it is no longer an interview. Why did the White House do this?

Jason Beale /
@jabeale: The radio host who interviewed Biden two days ago - Andrea Lawful-Sanders - just told @CNN that the White House sent her 8 questions in advance and she picked four of the 8 WH questions to ask Biden during the interview. @victorblackwell: A radio host who interviewed President Biden Wednesday tells me the White House sent her the questions before the interview. [video]

Alex Thompson /
@alexthomp: New: Biden's team drafted the questions for his 2 first post-debate interviews (both on Black radio). The WH was involved in drafting the q's, per person familiar WH Black media director wasn't part of the process Biden campaign denies WH's involvement. https://www.axios.com/... @aghamilton29: Holy smokes. The Biden camp has been pointing to the local radio interviews he did after the debate as evidence that he's fine, but the radio hosts who conducted those interviews told CNN this morning the questions were scripted and provided by the White House. [video]

Rich Calder /
New York Post: Biden campaign will no longer feed questions to media after being outed by radio host: source

Ethan Kaplan /
@ethank@threads.net: Quick: everyone who has ever worked with a publicist, hide your media briefs you've received or given. What in the ever fuck is going on with the beltway media right now?

Ethan Kaplan /
@ethank@threads.net: One guy's press shop pre-screens questions (as any press shop does, you think late night interviews are “spontaneous?"). The other candidate is a felon whose supporters staged a coup at his direction. Media: we gotcha Joe! Fucking clowns.

Stephanie Kaloi /
The Wrap: White House Gave Radio Hosts Questions to Ask Biden Ahead of Interviews | Video

RELATED:

The Philadelphia Inquirer:
WURD says Biden's interview, with questions provided by his aides, was conducted without management knowledge and is parting ways with Andrea Lawful-Sanders

Discussion:
Politico, NPR, New York Times, Washington Post, @brianstelter, CNN, @brianstelter, Fox News, New York Post, @alexthomp, Axios, Ashanti Maya Martin on LinkedIn, Inside Radio, The Wrap, Mediaite and PennLive

Discussion:

Isabella Ramírez /
Politico: Radio station parts ways with Biden interviewer for using questions sent in advance

Rachel Treisman /
NPR: A radio host resigned after interviewing Biden with questions provided by his campaign

Simon J. Levien /
New York Times: Radio Host Resigns After Asking Biden Questions His Campaign Had Provided

Azi Paybarah /
Washington Post: Radio station parts ways with host who interviewed Biden with questions from his aides

Brian Stelter /
@brianstelter: Host Andrea Lawful-Sanders “and WURD Radio have mutually agreed to part ways, effective immediately,” because Lawful-Sanders used “pre-determined questions provided by the White House,” the station says (statement via @AlexThomp) [image]

Eva Rothenberg /
CNN: Radio host who interviewed Biden leaves station after admitting campaign aides gave her pre-selected questions

Brian Stelter /
@brianstelter: “WURD Radio is not a mouthpiece for the Biden or any other Administration,” the station says. “Internally, we will commit to reviewing our policies, procedures, and practices to reinforce WURD's independence and trust with our listeners. But mainstream media should do its own

Fox News:
FLASHBACK: Biden has history of coordinating ‘scripted’ interviews, press conferences with media ahead of time

Ryan King /
New York Post: Radio station cuts ties with host who revealed she only asked President Biden questions fed to her by campaign

Alex Thompson /
@alexthomp: Update: WURD, which had Biden's first interview post debate but used q's drafted by the Biden team, says they have parted ways w/ the host. Adds: “practice of de-legitimizing Black voices continues today. WURD Radio is not a mouthpiece for the Biden or any other Admin” [image]

Rebecca Falconer /
Axios: Radio host resigns after asking Biden questions sent by his campaign

Ashanti Maya Martin /
Ashanti Maya Martin on LinkedIn: WURD Radio had an exclusive interview with Joe Biden that aired last Thursday. It was his first post-debate interview. …

Stephanie Kaloi /
The Wrap: Black-Owned Station Parts Ways With Host Who Asked Biden Questions Provided by the Campaign

Joe DePaolo /
Mediaite: JUST IN: Philadelphia Radio Station Parts Ways With Host Who Asked Biden Questions Supplied in Advance By His Team

Drop Site News:

The Intercept co-founder Jeremy Scahill and DC bureau chief Ryan Grim leave the outlet to launch Drop Site News, an investigative news site on Substack— A year ago, I never would have imagined sending this email, not to mention publishing on Substack. But here I am.

Discussion:
@lakewitchhouse.bsky.social: interested to see if they take the left hand path that other Intercept leavers have taken (directly into the garbage bin) [embedded post]

Ryan Grim /
@ryangrim: Scahill and Grim Launch New Media Outlet With The Intercept's Support https://theintercept.com/...

Dr. Annelle Sheline /
@annellesheline: The first reason @jeremyscahill gives for launching his and @ryangrim's new news org is Gaza 🇵🇸

Naomi Klein /
@naomiaklein: Just bought an annual subscription. I have no doubt that @DropSiteNews is going to become a vital tool to help us understand this deranged world. I know this team well and they are going to make news, not just cover it. @dropsitenews: It's been 11 years since @jeremyscahill co-founded The Intercept. Now, he's joining forces with @ryangrim to build something new. Subscribe to Drop Site News today to support our non-aligned, independent, investigative reporting. More from Jeremy here: https://www.dropsitenews.com/ ...

Jameel Jaffer /
@jameeljaffer: A hugely talented journalist who has done fearless, principled, and indispensable reporting about American foreign policy and war. Few people did as much to puncture the propaganda around the “war on terror.” Hope this new endeavor gets lots of support. @theintercept: .@ryangrim and @jeremyscahill shaped @theintercept's identity as a source of adversarial journalism. We're continuing that legacy with bold, deeply reported journalism. We have big stories coming on the war in Gaza, AIPAC's influence on elections, the DNC and more.

@theintercept:
News: After years of impactful reporting for @theintercept, @ryangrim and @jeremyscahill are starting their own journalism venture, Drop Site News, generously supported by The Intercept. We're excited to see what they do next.

Jeremy Scahill /
@jeremyscahill: I'm leaving The Intercept and starting @DropSiteNews. https://www.dropsitenews.com/ ... [video]

Financial Times:

A profile of French TV presenter Cyril Hanouna, who has played an important role in boosting billionaire Vincent Bolloré's Fox News-like media empire in France— Cyril Hanouna is a key player in Vincent Bolloré's Fox News-like media empire — One way to understand …

Discussion:
Columbia Journalism Review and Crikey

Discussion:

The Verge:

A look at Redbox's downward spiral since COVID-19, as pandemic-induced movie shortages and the declining number of DVD rental kiosks led to a big revenue drop— The bankruptcy of Redbox's parent company came after months of chaos, cash crunch, and corporate upheaval.

Discussion:
@peterhallhuman, Ai-Thanh Le on LinkedIn, @jnicholsonindc and Cord Cutters News

Discussion:

Peter Hall /
@peterhallhuman: Sad, but comprehensive, reporting on what happened to Redbox. https://www.theverge.com/...

Ai-Thanh Le /
Ai-Thanh Le on LinkedIn: Echoing Robert's sentiments. I and everyone around me were honored and truly lucky to be a part of redbox because of the leadership, culture and people first mentality. …

Jonathan Nicholson /
@jnicholsonindc: Redbox may be a cringey symbol of a hopelessly bygone era in cities, but in small towns like my mom's — which has at least two — it's a legit biz, an alternative to cable, streaming or driving 40 minutes to a theater. If it dies, it should be mourned. https://www.theverge.com/...

CNN:

A look at concerns about Saudi Arabia “sportswashing”, as the country hosts the Esports World Cup; Saudi Arabia's PIF owns some of the biggest gaming companies— In the heart of Saudi Arabia's capital, a seismic moment for esports is underway; one which has triggered both excitement and concern across the industry.

Discussion:
@slasher, @obiexyz, @jacobwolf, @myra__davis, @fishstix, @devrelcallum, @rlewisreports, @jacobwolf, @dszajnuk, @jimohagan, @fishstix, @rlewisreports, @invert_lol, @pengu, @bekahboo1290, @middlecottisme, @thechowderhead, @hoffasaurusx, @owcesports, @ewc_en, @ow_svb, @moneyfolder5, @mattomattik, @cointree_ow, @daesanghyeokie, @lsxyz9, @jimohagan, @lsxyz9, @teadvocated, @liquid112, @slasher, @liquidnazgul, ABC News (Australia) on YouTube, BBC, VG247, BBC News on YouTube, The Esports Advocate, CBC News and BBC

Discussion:

Rod Breslau /
@slasher: I spoke to CNN on the Saudi govt's growing control of esports with the launch of EWC. there's no going back now https://www.cnn.com/... [image] @obiexyz: hot take: the US also sportswashes its military all the time. The number of times Football & Baseball games have fighter jets fly above, all the military events. It's all propaganda just that American citizens are used to it https://www.cnn.com/...

Jacob Wolf /
@jacobwolf: SGDQ, a community event to benefit charity, has more viewers than the Esports World Cup, a Saudi state-backed tournament with the largest prize pool in esports history. I'm sure the Crown Prince is very happy with their investment 👍 [image] @myra__davis: LinkedIn is full of people who value a direct influx of unsustainable cash into their industry over building sustainable ecosystems not beholden to the Saudi Crown's blood money. The event is a soulless attempt at SA rebranding via (e)sportswashing and will be dead within 2 years

Ben Goldhaber /
@fishstix: It's a much needed lifeline for a sponsorship-dependent industry who has had gambling and crypto sponsors evaporate over the past half decade. Yeah, I'm extremely conflicted, but oil money is already all over the biggest sports in the world. Esports is not immune or special.

Callum UwUnderwood /
@devrelcallum: A non-games friend texted me about it, and I heard it on the BBC that “thousands of gamers are heading to Qatar” yet I'd seen barely any discussion on twitter, other than some folks apologising for working it [image]

Richard Lewis /
@rlewisreports: And everybody clapped. https://x.com/...

Jacob Wolf /
@jacobwolf: Anyone who thought EWC was going to do any better than other regular esports events — aka mid viewership with exception of the major calendar hallmarks of each game — is super dense. It's not the lack of money that's the industry's problem. It's the lack of interest.

David Szajnuk /
@dszajnuk: The fact that the most viewed stream was Twitter and not where gaming culture actually is should tell all You'll see “200K for the opening ceremony” mentioned a lot and the feeling of 2018 VC talk will come flooding back

James O'Hagan /
@jimohagan: This is textbook sportswashing. It is a cruel paradox, highlighting freedoms those who live in the shadows see but not experience. North Korean playbook in full effect here.

Ben Goldhaber /
@fishstix: The Esports World Cup has officially kicked off with a $60,000,000+ prize pool, most in esports history, and I've legitimately seen more “hype” and discussion about it on LinkedIn than X.

Richard Lewis /
@rlewisreports: @FishStix That's because that's who it's for, the esports grifter class who've found a reservoir of tainted money to keep their careers alive. @invert_lol: Generously, half the esports LinkedIn crowd is composed of snake oil salesmen and inauthentic entry points into the space. Any “hype” coming from that group is not surprising to me @pengu: The lack of streams for EWC have been very puzzling? Huge event, loads of big teams, and all it would take is 1 spectator and a co-streamer or community casters - so many upsets, yet no vods or hype to really share it =(

Bekah /
@bekahboo1290: I hope EWC doesn't make everyone forget that Saudi Arabia and their Crown Prince MBS murdered an American citizen and has some of the worst human rights abuses in the world. Don't let streamers try to make it sound glamorous. @middlecottisme: The whole purpose of sports washing is the sanitisation of the external view of Saudi Arabias government. Gestures like this further their aims by demonstrating that Saudi is a “safe” place for western members of the LGBT community to go and work. Emphasising that the Saudi @thechowderhead: Now, personally, if I was the Saudi government and I saw that my like 60+ million dollar event was having the brakes beaten off it in terms of viewership by fucking Mario Kart DS, I'd be slightly miffed. [image]

Michael Hassall /
@hoffasaurusx: I'd worry that this move could limit the potential of women and LGBT people to be employed in roles within esports organizations. Notionally, you'd be required to operate an a full office in the KSA and staff it. Or you could operate a kind of token office for the money. @owcesports: Masaa will not be attending EWC, stating he does not want to support the Saudi Arabian regime 🚫 [image] @ewc_en: His Royal Highness Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud greeting the South Korean representatives from @T1LoL and @GenG at the #EsportsWorldCup 2024. [image] @ow_svb: Esports went from taking from gambling/crypto to Saudi blood money & yet they've learned 0 lessons along the way If the only way esports can be viable is as pump & dump marketing gimmicks for scummy people to dupe some teens then... maybe not all games should try to be esports @moneyfolder5: no offense to the numerous people im going to offend but if the survival of OW esports hinges on saudi oil money, maybe it doesnt deserve to survive anyway @mattomattik: Esports World Cup created by Saudi Arabia's is rather interesting, Saudi Arabia has no place in esports today, or very little, because the market was too controlled by Europe/America/China, it's going on all weekend, and so far the production looks good, I get the impression @cointree_ow: Overwatch esports need Saudi oil money to survive this year so it can actually have a chance to attract more worldwide investment next year After that, you can do whatever you want without Saudi money getting in the way of morals This year might unironically be Overwatch's last [image]

Liz /
@daesanghyeokie: Hello, just want to say this. I know majority are boycotting EWC. Valid by the way. But I still want to say this and I hope you take this with an open mind. While we label this as an event “for funsies” for our LoL teams, I hope we also understand that these are pro games. + @lsxyz9: @MiddlecottIsMe It doesn't matter if it benefits them, it benefits lgbt of saudi arabia and others too. Why do you not care that it's a micro win just because it isn't big? You're not going to change their government, large change isn't going to happen, it will come via 1000 micro wins from all

James O'Hagan /
@jimohagan: Watching the #sportswashing play out in real time at the @EWC_EN in Riyadh, while Manahel al-Otaibi sits in al-Maraz prison less than 20 miles from the spectacle, is a cruel juxtaposition of fantasy and the reality of rights for the Saudi people. https://esportsadvocate.net/ ...

@lsxyz9:
Don't know how in any world I'm reading negative or ironic tweets or quote retweets on this. Change doesn't happen overnight. People can scoff that it doesn't mean anything but it does even if it's just a needle. Planck's principle will absolutely occur regardless, and actions @teadvocated: Double Dip: TEA has unearthed some early details on the @QiddiyaGaming Club Program, which encourages esports orgs to set up shop in the Kingdom. Orgs that are already a part of the @EWC_EN Club Support Program will likely be a part of this. ✍🏻 @jfudge https://esportsadvocate.net/ ... [image] @liquid112: In my last retweet, Victor explains the competitive and commercial considerations that influenced our choice to participate in this year's inaugural EWC. We have not come to this decision lightly, and the video details our concerns about human rights in Saudi Arabia, the

Rod Breslau /
@slasher: Team Liquid players and teams across all games have been permitted and will wear Pride jerseys while competing at EWC in Riyadh, team confirms.

Victor Goossens /
@liquidnazgul: On our participation in the Esports World Cup: [video] ABC News (Australia) on YouTube: Esports World Cup boss defends holding event in Saudi Arabia | The World

Andrew Rogers /
BBC: Esports World Cup boss defends holding event in Saudi Arabia

Connor Makar /
VG247: First F1, the World Cup, and golf - now esports: gaming's biggest ever sports-washing tournament starts today BBC News on YouTube: Esports World Cup: ‘Everyone is welcome - but adhere to Saudi culture’, says CEO | BBC News

James Fudge /
The Esports Advocate: Qiddiya City Club Program Details Unearthed

RELATED:
Bloomberg: A look at the inaugural Esports World Cup, a multi-genre tournament in Riyadh funded by Saudi Arabia, featuring 1,500+ gamers and a record $60M+ prize pool

Discussion:
Insider Gaming, DAZN, The Sun, The UBJ, The Sun, VSPN Tournaments Limited, USA Today and VentureBeat

Discussion:

Grant Taylor-Hill /
Insider Gaming: The $60 Million Esports World Cup Is Now Live in Riyadh

Nyle Smith /
The Sun: Esports World Cup 2024 prize money: How much cash be won at huge gaming tournament?

Sourabh Singh /
The UBJ: With millions of dollars on the line, the Esports World Cup has begun: Timetable and methods for viewing.

Nyle Smith /
The Sun: Esports World Cup 2024: FULL schedule, stream, TV channel and results for first-ever Saudi gaming competition VSPN Tournaments Limited: Esports World Cup Enters Full Swing, Co-organizer VSPO Brings Immersive Coverage

Amaris Encinas /
USA Today: The Esports World Cup, with millions at stake, is underway: Schedule, how to watch

Jordan Fragen /