In a pitch deck, AI search engine Perplexity told advertisers it plans to start running ads in Q4; a source says Perplexity's CPM prices will be $50+ (Hayden Field/CNBC)

Mediagazer: In a pitch deck, AI search engine Perplexity told advertisers it plans to start running ads in Q4; a source says Perplexity's CPM prices will be $50+ (Hayden Field/CNBC)

Top News:

New York Times:

Sources: Paramount extends its deadline for sales talks until early September to evaluate Edgar Bronfman Jr.'s new bid, which could shake up the Skydance deal— Edgar Bronfman Jr. and his bidding group now have until September to sell Paramount on their offer.
Discussion: The Special Committee of the Board …: PARAMOUNT GLOBAL'S SPECIAL COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES RECEIPT OF ACQUISITION PROPOSAL AND 15-DAY EXTENSION OF “GO SHOP” PERIOD TO CONTINUE ENGAGEMENT

Sabrina Quagliozzi /
The Media Leader: Bronfman sweetens bid for National Amusements, Paramount Stake

Matthew Keys /
The Desk: Bronfman raises bid for Paramount, now offers $6 billion

Robert Briel /
Broadband TV News: Edgar Bronfman Jr increases last-minute bid for Paramount Global to $5.5 billion

Tess Patton /
The Wrap: Paramount Shareholder Mario Gabelli Doesn't See a Negative in Granting Potential Bronfman Bid Extension

Astaropoli /
Commercial Observer: Edgar Bronfman Jr. Challenges Skydance-Paramount Merger With $4.3B Bid

Mary Kate Carr /
AV Club: A rogue billionaire enters the Paramount sale conversation

Eric Fisher /
Front Office Sports: New $4.3 Billion Paramount Bid Puts Future of CBS Sports in the Balance

RELATED:
Wall Street Journal:

Sources: Edgar Bronfman Jr. raises his Paramount bid to $6B, adding $1.7B to let non-Redstone, nonvoting Paramount shareholders cash out at $16 a share— The bid gives non-Redstone, nonvoting Paramount shareholders an option to sell shares at a premium — Edgar Bronfman Jr. has sweetened …

Discussion:

David Satin /
The Streamable: Bronfman Ups Bid for Paramount to $6 Billion as Company Extends ‘Go-Shop’ Period

Anthony Pascale /
TrekMovie.com: Paramount Extends Skydance Merger Deal Date To Consider Competing Bid

Bethy Squires /
Vulture: Edgar Bronfman Jr. and His $6 Billion Bet on Paramount

Aimee Picchi /
CBS News: Paramount extends its Skydance go-shop period to consider acquisition bid from Edgar Bronfman

Sahil Patel /
The Information: Paramount Receives New Bid From Edgar Bronfman Jr., Extends ‘Go-Shop’ Period

Ben Kesslen /
Quartz: Edgar Bronfman Jr. upped his Paramount bid to $6 billion, extending negotiations

Jessica Toonkel /
Jessica Toonkel on LinkedIn: Things are getting interesting in Paramount land. Edgar Bronfman Jr ups his offer, including a tender offer to nonvoting shareholders. …

Rick Howe /
Rick Howe on LinkedIn: As I said yesterday, This feels like a #BreakUp Strategy. Certainly Skydance would have discarded some non-strategic assets. But methinks …

Erik Gruenwedel /
Media Play News: Paramount Extends Acquisition Bid Window 15 Days as Bronfman Ups Offer to $6 Billion

Lucas Manfredi /
The Wrap: Paramount Extends Negotiating Window As Edgar Bronfman Jr. Raises Bid to $6 Billion

Todd Spangler /
Variety: Edgar Bronfman Jr. Boosts Paramount Bid to $6 Billion, Board Extends Deal-Negotiation Period Deadline: Paramount Merger Saga Continues: Go-Shop Period Extended As Edgar Bronfman Vies With Skydance, Boosts His Offer To $6B

Jill Goldsmith /
Deadline: Edgar Bronfman Jr. Sweetens Bid For Paramount To $6 Billion

CNN:

Unions and some state senators criticize Google's plan for a California local news fund, which stalled bills that would have forced Big Tech to fund journalists— New York CNN — — Google struck a first-in-the-nation deal with California lawmakers on Wednesday to fund newsrooms …

Discussion:

Jeff Jarvis /
BuzzMachine: California's Deal for News

Hayley Milloy /
LION Publishers: Scaling sustainability: How Knight Foundation's investment strategy uplifts the entire local news ecosystem

Jon Passantino /
@passantino@threads.net: Google agrees to first-in-the-nation deal to fund California newsrooms, but journalists are calling it a disaster. ""The Legislature embarked on an effort to regulate monopolies and failed terribly. Now we question whether the state has done more harm than good." https://www.cnn.com/...

Dan Kennedy /
Media Nation: California's proposed deal with Google to support local news comes under criticism

Laurie Sullivan /
MediaPost: Google Signs Deal To Serve Digital News Content, Funding California Media

Amy Kroin /
Free Press: Closed-Door Deal Between Google, Gov. Newsom and State Lawmakers Sells Californians and Local News Short Amy Kroin August 21, 2024 … Editor and Publisher: A draft plan circulating among California lawmakers and media leaders would create a Local News Fund with Google and state money, run by a board at UC Berkeley

RELATED:
Politico: Google and California strike a deal to jointly contribute $125M+ over five years to support local news; the deal also includes support for an AI project

Discussion:
KQED, Editor and Publisher, New York Post, Associated Press, a14.asmdc.org, CalMatters, The Information, UPI, The Verge, Los Angeles Times, @jamesqueallylat, @eytanwallace, @davidfolkenflik, @eytanwallace, @gaufre, @jeffjarvis, MediaPost, Media Guild of the West and Engadget, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Diane Sylvester /
Editor and Publisher: Google avoids content payment mandates in California with surprise media partnership deal

Thomas Barrabi /
New York Post: California, Google's paltry $250M million deal to fund newsroom blasted as ‘disastrous’ by critics

Erin Ivie /
a14.asmdc.org: Assemblymember Wicks secures agreement with State, major tech companies to support the work of California journalists

Jeanne Kuang /
CalMatters: California tried to make Google pay news outlets. The company cut a deal that includes funding AI

Jess Weatherbed /
The Verge: Google reaches a $250 million deal to skirt proposed journalism bill

Laurel Rosenhall /
Los Angeles Times: Deal reached in feud between California news outlets and Google: $250 million to support journalism but no new law

James Queally /
@jamesqueallylat: This is not a deal. It's capitulation. Any legislator who campaigns off this later saying they tried to save local journalism is lying to you.

Eytan Wallace /
@eytanwallace: @MediaGuildWest @Steve_Glazer Senate President Pro Tempore @ilike_mike (D-North Coast) expresses concerns with the deal: “We have concerns that this proposal lacks sufficient funding for newspapers and local media, and doesn't fully address the inequities facing the industry...” Full statement: [image]

Eytan Wallace /
@eytanwallace: @MediaGuildWest @Steve_Glazer Statement from Gov. Gavin Newsom: “This agreement represents a major breakthrough in ensuring the survival of newsrooms and bolstering local journalism across California — leveraging substantial tech industry resources without imposing new taxes on Californians.”

Eytan Wallace /
@eytanwallace: On a ZOOM call, Matt Pearce of the @MediaGuildWest says this deal “is bad for journalists.” “I'm worried this deal actually causes harm to journalists,” he said. This is “willfully short of what Google should be providing,” said Sen. @Steve_Glazer (D-Orinda).

David Folkenflik /
@davidfolkenflik: Some journos do not love this Google deal

Eytan Wallace /
@eytanwallace: JUST IN: Asm. @BuffyWicks (D-Oakland), Gov. @GavinNewsom, & @Google announce deal to provide nearly $250 million in public and private funding to newsrooms over the next 5 years. Supporters say this will provide ongoing financial support to newsrooms across CA & invest in AI.

Eytan Wallace /
@eytanwallace: @MediaGuildWest @Steve_Glazer Glazer believes the funding in the deal is not enough to prevent mass layoffs we have seen across the local news industry. @gaufre: We don't support the backroom @BuffyWicks deal. It's giving taxpayer dollars to AI startups and hedge funds. America's journalists did not sign up for that. @jeffjarvis: I am proud to have been involved in this process, testifying in Sacramento, talking with legislators and aides, and researching a paper on the bills that proposed a solution such as this. A fund is preferable for it involves goals and accountability.

@jeffjarvis:
Breaking news: The two protectionist bills for the news industry in California are superseded by a negotiated deal with Google (and, I hope, more tech companies), creating a fund, which is what I advocated in my testimony. in Sacramento. https://a14.asmdc.org/...

CNBC:

In a pitch deck, AI search engine Perplexity told advertisers it plans to start running ads in Q4; a source says Perplexity's CPM prices will be $50+— Perplexity AI, the artificial intelligence startup that's been embroiled in controversy due to accusations of plagiarizing content from media outlets …

Discussion:
Hayden Field on LinkedIn, @haydenfield and Adweek, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Hayden Field /
Hayden Field on LinkedIn: Perplexity AI, the AI startup that's been embroiled in controversy due to accusations of plagiarizing content from media outlets …

Hayden Field /
@haydenfield: Scoop: Perplexity AI plans to start running ads on its search app in Q4, CNBC has learned. The company, which focuses on AI-assisted search & in April doubled its valuation to $1 billion, is circulating a pitch deck, promoting its reach & increasing usage.https://www.cnbc.com/...

T.L. Stanley /
Adweek: Tech Tussle: Perplexity Jabs at Google With Remake of a Classic Super Bowl Ad

Vulture:

Lionsgate recalls its trailer for Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis that used fake quotes from multiple critics, and apologizes “for this inexcusable error”— Since this story published, Lionsgate has taken the trailer down and issued an apology: “Lionsgate is immediately recalling our trailer for Megalopolis.

Discussion:
Variety, SlashFilm, Defector, ComingSoon.net, New York Post, The Guardian, TMZ.com, Dexerto, Metro.co.uk, @bilgeebiri, Mashable, @ajroach42@retro.social, @bilgeebiri, David Sehring on LinkedIn, AV Club, @bilgeebiri, The Playlist, British GQ, Fox News, CBR, Newser, The Daily Beast, USA Today, Boing Boing, New York Times, The Verge, IndieWire, Consequence, HuffPost, New York Daily News, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, Empire, The Wrap, Screen Rant, Inverse, Digital Trends, The Indian Express and Rolling Stone

Discussion:

Katcy Stephan /
Variety: Lionsgate Pulls ‘Megalopolis’ Trailer Offline Due to Made-Up Critic Quotes and Issues Apology: ‘We Screwed Up’

Hannah Shaw-Williams /
SlashFilm: Lionsgate Deletes Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis Trailer After Unexpected Controversy

Lauren Theisen /
Defector: ‘Megalopolis’ Wants It To Be Francis Ford Coppola Vs. Everybody

Brandon Schreur /
ComingSoon.net: Megalopolis Trailer Taken Down, Lionsgate Apologizes for Fake Quotes

Lauren Sarner /
New York Post: Lionsgate pulls Francis Ford Coppola's ‘Megalopolis’ trailer featuring fake quotes from film critics: ‘We screwed up’

Daisy Phillipson /
Dexerto: Why was the Megalopolis trailer pulled? Lionsgate “AI” scandal explained

Tori Brazier /
Metro.co.uk: 2024's most controversial film in new ‘fakery’ storm as bosses admit they ‘screwed up’

Bilge Ebiri /
@bilgeebiri: Because if it *was* ChatGPT, that company is out here selling its services and, frankly, people should know its cars are exploding on the roads.

Andrew /
@ajroach42@retro.social: lmfao — all the quotes at the start of the megalopolis trailer were fabricated. — https://variety.com/... So... It's most likely that they just asked an AI chatbot for citations for bad reviews of Coppola's films right? — I can't wait to see this piece of shit.

Bilge Ebiri /
@bilgeebiri: Update:

Bilge Ebiri /
@bilgeebiri: Btw I appreciate the fact that Lionsgate pulled the trailer and apologized to the critics and to FFC (who I doubt had anything to do with cutting the trailer). I'd still like to know HOW this happened, however.

David Sehring /
David Sehring on LinkedIn: If this is true - Lionsgate has a lot more explaining to do. Were they using A.I.? Who created the spot? Who approved the spot? …

William Hughes /
AV Club: Lionsgate apologizes after getting caught faking Megalopolis trailer quotes

Bilge Ebiri /
@bilgeebiri: The trailer for Francis Ford Coppola's MEGALOPOLIS features a history of dismissive quotes from noted critics about the director's earlier masterpieces. There's one problem, however. The quotes appear to be made up. https://www.vulture.com/...

Charles Barfield /
The Playlist: ‘Megalopolis’ Trailer Taken Down By Lionsgate After Fabricated Quote Controversy Fox News: Lionsgate pulls Francis Ford Coppola's ‘Megalopolis’ trailer over fabricated critics quotes

Darren Okafor /
CBR: ‘We Screwed Up’: Lionsgate Admits Fault as Megalopolis Trailer Quotes Are Revealed as Fake

Bob Cronin /
Newser: Studio Pulls Trailer With Invented Quotes

Cory Woodroof /
USA Today: The controversy surrounding the Megalopolis trailer and its fake review quotes, explained

Jay Peters /
The Verge: The bad movie reviews quoted in Lionsgate's Megalopolis trailer were mostly made up

Wren Graves /
Consequence: It Definitely Looks Like the Megalopolis Trailer Uses Fake Quotes Hallucinated by ChatGPT

Daniel Welsh /
HuffPost: The Trailer For Francis Ford Coppola's New Movie Has Been ‘Pulled’ For This 1 Bizarre Reason

Evan Rosen /
New York Daily News: ‘Megalopolis’ trailer pulled offline due to made-up critics quotes

Aaron Couch /
The Hollywood Reporter: Lionsgate Pulling ‘Megalopolis’ Trailer Featuring Fake Movie Critic Quotes

Matt Grobar /
Deadline: Lionsgate Recalling ‘Megalopolis’ Trailer Amid Fabricated Quote Controversy: “We Screwed Up”

Jordan King /
Empire: Megalopolis Trailer: Francis Ford Coppola Aims To Pass The Test Of Time With Adam Driver Sci-Fi Epic

Drew Taylor /
The Wrap: Lionsgate Recalls ‘Megalopolis’ Trailer After Apparently Making Up Quotes: ‘We Screwed Up’

Matthew Rudoy /
Screen Rant: The Godfather & Apocalypse Now Review Quotes In Megalopolis Trailer Are Seemingly Fake

Tamil Cinema /
The Indian Express: Megalopolis trailer: Francis Ford Coppola's fable set in a surreal world appears to be his boldest work yet

The Hill:

Judy Woodruff apologizes for saying she had read reports that Trump urged Israel's PM not to cut a deal to end fighting in Gaza because it would help Harris— PBS NewsHour senior correspondent Judy Woodruff issued an apology Wednesday after her comments about former President Trump's role in Gaza cease-fire talks sparked criticism.

Discussion:
@judywoodruff, Black America Web, Plain Dealer, Poynter, @jeremyschulman, Reuters, MSNBC, The Daily Wire, New York Post, Fox News and Mediaite

Discussion:

Judy Woodruff /
@judywoodruff: I want to clarify my remarks on the PBS News special on Monday night about the ongoing cease fire talks in the Middle East. As I said, this was not based on my original reporting; I was referring to reports I had read, in Axios and Reuters, about former President Trump having

D.L. Chandler /
Black America Web: Report Alleges Donald Trump Contacted Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu To Halt Ceasefire Talks In Dig To Harris-Walz Campaign

Jeremy Schulman /
@jeremyschulman: I hope we get similar apologies from all the influential people — journalists and others — who portrayed this video as some sort of substantive scoop from PBS without asking even basic questions about the sourcing.

Ryan Saavedra /
The Daily Wire: PBS News Reporter Retracts False Claim That Trump Tried To Sabotage Israel Hostage Deal

Katherine Donlevy /
New York Post: PBS' Judy Woodruff apologizes for falsely telling live audience Trump tried to talk Israel out of cease-fire deal

Fox News:
PBS host apologizes for reporting Trump pressed Netanyahu to abandon hostage deal: ‘This was a mistake’

The New York Times Company:

The NYT hires Vox Media exec Amanda Kludt, who built up Eater, as senior editor overseeing Projects and Initiatives, working across the newsroom and company— Amanda Kludt joins The Times next month to oversee an innovative team that works across the newsroom and the company.

Discussion:
@nytimespr and @edmundlee@threads.net

Discussion:
@nytimespr: We're thrilled to announce that @kludt is joining The Times as senior editor overseeing Projects and Initiatives. https://www.nytco.com/...

Deadline:

Sources: Chick-Fil-A plans to launch a slate of original media productions for its own streaming platform and has worked with studios on family-friendly shows— Deadline understands that the fast-food firm has been working with a number of major production companies, including some of the studios …

Discussion:
The Ankler, Global News, Business Insider, Tubefilter, The Verge, Neal Zuckerman on LinkedIn, @mikebeauvais, @tomzohar, @adamjohnsonchi, Fortune, New York Post, Variety, @mikeorren, Axios, The Overspill, The Hill, Los Angeles Times, @aaronserna, Mashable, @chrisvalentino0, @cafastfoodunion, @deadline, @c_a_huggins, @mfg_iwpj, Too Much TV Newsletter, @kennysmith.bsky.social, Ars Technica, Vibe, @LilahTovMoon@tech.lgbt, CBR, Vanity Fair, AV Club, @sleestak.bsky.social, The Daily Beast, The Desk, Streaming Better, @acidrains.bsky.social, Quartz, The Media Leader, SlashFilm and Cord Cutters News

Discussion:

Sean McNulty /
The Ankler: ☀️As the PAR Turns 🌎: Inside The Edgar Surprise

Sarah Do Couto /
Global News: Chick-fil-A plans to launch streaming service with original shows, reports say

Lucia Moses /
Business Insider: Laugh if you want, but Chick-fil-A's plan to make TV shows is serious business for Hollywood

Sam Gutelle /
Tubefilter: Chick-Fil-A's streaming service will offer family friendly programming (even on Sundays)

Charles Pulliam-Moore /
The Verge: Chick-fil-A is reportedly launching a streaming service for some reason

Neal Zuckerman /
Neal Zuckerman on LinkedIn: What do Harley-Davidson Motor Company Red Bull recently Northwell Health and now Chick-fil-A Restaurants have in common? …

Mike Beauvais /
@mikebeauvais: “We're competing with restaurants now, Lemon. Chick-fil-A won't be the last. Sebastian Maniscalco is hosting a variety show for Arby's. It streams only at participating drive-thru windows. They're paying him in Beef 'N Cheddars and launching a Horsey Sauce-scented cologne.” [image]

Adam Johnson /
@adamjohnsonchi: Ok what tax law changed that's being exploited here, there's no way the market for Christian chicken sandwich hospital themed content is this high [image]

Chris Morris /
Fortune: Chick-Fil-A is reportedly starting its own streaming service

Brooke Steinberg /
New York Post: Chick-fil-A is launching a new product — but you won't be able to eat it

Mike Orren /
@mikeorren: I don't know about this, but I'm all for every neighborhood pizzeria having a public access talk show.

Charlesarthur /
The Overspill: Start Up No.2273: Harris v Trump online, the car park solar solution, Medium makes a profit, self-driving taxi night ballet, and more

Rich Johnson /
The Hill: Chick-fil-A reportedly launching its own streaming platform

Caroline Petrow-Cohen /
Los Angeles Times: Chick-fil-A to launch new streaming service, report says

Aaron Serna /
@aaronserna: imagine your rep telling you “Chick-Fil-A passed”

Chris Valentino /
@chrisvalentino0: @DEADLINE There's a lot at steak here. They should focus on what they create in-house and not try to ruffle any feathers. They don't want any beef with these stream services. [image] @cafastfoodunion: @DEADLINE Chick-Fil-A was prepared to spend over $11 million to get out of paying us $20/hour. Now they're funding a trade association who is lobbying local electeds to stop us from knowing our rights while running a PR campaign to ensure we don't get another raise. @deadline: It is also in talks to license and acquire content. We hear that this includes a family-friendly gameshow from Glassman Media and Michael Sugar's Sugar23. Deadline understands this show has been handed a ten-episode order https://deadline.com/...

@deadline:
Budgets on the unscripted side are believed to be in the range of $400,000 per half-hour. Sources told us the idea is to launch later this year and there's also talk of scripted projects and animation. MORE: https://deadline.com/...

@deadline:
Deadline understands that the fast-food firm has been working with a number of major production companies, including some of the studios, to create family-friendly shows, particularly in the unscripted space https://deadline.com/...

Rick Ellis /
Too Much TV Newsletter: Too Much TV: Your TV Talking Points For Wednesday, August 21st, 2024

Kenny Smith /
@kennysmith.bsky.social: Generally speaking, the best brand extensions address a genuine consumer need and have a clear value proposition that differentiates them from competitors. — Anything else, like this, runs the risk of being a brand overextension. [embedded post]

Scharon Harding /
Ars Technica: Chick-fil-A plans to launch streaming service with original shows

James R. Sanders /
Vibe: Chick-Fil-A Is Greasing It's Way Into The Streaming Business

Shoshana /
@LilahTovMoon@tech.lgbt: Hahaha, the Onion is so funny...wait, this isn't the Onion. This is real? 😭 — Chick-Fil-A Hatches Plans For Streaming Service As Reality TV Comes Home To Roost — https://deadline.com/...

Darren Okafor /
CBR: Chick-fil-A Fast Food Restaurant Launching New Streaming Service

Chris Murphy /
Vanity Fair: Um, Chick-Fil-A Is Starting a Streaming Service?

Emma Keates /
AV Club: Chick-fil-A's streaming service sounds like a Community gag, but it's mother clucking real @sleestak.bsky.social: Isn't there enough anti-gay programming and hate speech on TV already? [embedded post]

Matthew Keys /
The Desk: Chick-Fil-A readies launch of streaming TV platform

Stephanie Rains /
@acidrains.bsky.social: I'm sorry, what?? [embedded post]

Sabrina Quagliozzi /
The Media Leader: Chick-fil-A cooks up new streaming service

BJ Colangelo /
SlashFilm: Chick-Fil-A Is Launching A Streaming Platform And No, This Is Not A Joke, Sorry

Committee to Protect Journalists:

In Nigeria, Kenya, and Senegal, journalists have been targeted, assaulted, and detained by security forces as they covered anti-government protests— “He hit me with a gun butt,” Premium Times newspaper reporter Yakubu Mohammed told the Committee to Protect Journalists …

Discussion:
Freedom of the Press …, Reporters Without Borders, The Intercept and Voice of America

Discussion:

Seth Stern /
Freedom of the Press Foundation: Chicago police ignore warnings about press freedom at DNC protests Reporters Without Borders: USA: RSF condemns arrests of journalists covering DNC protest, calls for charges to be dropped The Intercept: “I Was Pulled Off of the Sidewalk”: At Least 3 Journalists Arrested Covering DNC Protests

Siddhi Mahatole /
Voice of America: Dozens of journalists injured covering Bangladesh protests

Variety:

Chinese streamer iQiyi reports Q2 revenue down 5% YoY to ~$1.04B and net profit down 80% YoY to ~$9.6M, as subscription revenue shrinks for a second quarter— China-based video streaming company iQiyi recorded a 5% decrease in revenue in the second quarter and an 80% plunge in net profits.

Reuters:

Russia's FSB opens criminal cases against British CNN reporter Nick Paton Walsh and two Ukrainian journalists for illegally entering Russia to report from Kursk— Russia's FSB security service said on Thursday it had opened a criminal case against a journalist working for CNN …

Discussion:
CNN, The Moscow Times, Al Jazeera and Politico

Discussion:

John T Psaropoulos /
Al Jazeera: Russia faces manpower woes after failing to stop Ukraine's Kursk incursion

Seb Starcevic /
Politico: Russia accuses top CNN reporter of illegally crossing border

The Guardian:

David Anderson, head of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, plans to step down in 2025 after ABC finds a managing director, after a 35-year career at ABC— In a note to staff Anderson - who was first appointed to role in 2019 - says it was an honour and privilege to lead the ABC

Discussion:

Neil Griffiths /