UMG, ABKCO, and Concord sue Believe and its subsidiary TuneCore for $500M+, alleging Believe built its business via "industrial-scale copyright infringement" (Mandy Dalugdug/Music Business Worldwide)

Mediagazer: UMG, ABKCO, and Concord sue Believe and its subsidiary TuneCore for $500M+, alleging Believe built its business via “industrial-scale copyright infringement” (Mandy Dalugdug/Music Business Worldwide)

Top News:

Nieman Lab:

Around 75% of the largest US newspapers aren't endorsing anyone for president this year, as publishers try not to annoy any sliver of their remaining customers— Led by risk-averse corporate owners, dozens of the biggest U.S. newspapers have decided their editorials should express opinions …
Discussion: TVNewsCheck, @dilanesper, @tianran, @alexanderrusso, @tysonbrody, Crikey, @frasermatthew, @farhip, @jbenton, Axios, MediaPost and The Guardian

Discussion:

Alex Weprin /
TVNewsCheck: Kristen Welker's Quest For ‘Meet The Press’ To Survive, And Thrive, In This Moment

Dilan Esper /
@dilanesper: this was a trend everyone missed for years before dumping on Bezos. Presidential endorsements were a luxury of a more profitable media that could afford to alienate some readers.

Randeep Ramesh /
@tianran: I've run the @guardian leader room since '16 and penned almost every endorsement column including '24 US election. The leader column speaks for the Guardian, but it doesn't speak for everyone in it. But I doubt few disagreed with backing @KamalaHarris https://www.theguardian.com/ ...

Alexander Russo /
@alexanderrusso: I feel like this misses the point of what happened last week.

Tyson Brody /
@tysonbrody: I feel like a lot of newspapers are misreading the room here: as subscribers matter more than advertisers and newspapers lose their ‘local info provider’ monopoly, shouldn't the older model of outwardly partisan actually be more appealing?

Christopher Warren /
Crikey: Poor news judgment has shredded US legacy media's influence. What about in Australia?

Matthew Fraser /
@frasermatthew: Led by risk-averse corporate owners, dozens of the biggest American newspapers have decided their editorials should express opinions on everything —except who should be US President. https://www.niemanlab.org/...

Paul Farhi /
@farhip: Newspapers have opinions about everything —except who should be president: Roughly 3/4 of major American newspapers aren't endorsing anyone for president this year. ⁦@jbenton⁩ @NiemanLab https://www.niemanlab.org/...

Joshua Benton /
@jbenton: New by me —> It's not just @washingtonpost. Roughly 3/4 of major U.S. newspapers aren't endorsing anyone for president this cycle. Just 20 years ago, only about 1/10th skipped out on endorsing. https://www.niemanlab.org/...

Margaret Sullivan /
The Guardian: The candidates' closing campaign messages could not be more different

Music Business Worldwide:

UMG, ABKCO, and Concord sue Believe and its subsidiary TuneCore for $500M+, alleging Believe built its business via “industrial-scale copyright infringement”— Universal Music Group (UMG), along with ABKCO Music & Records, and Concord Music Group, filed a major copyright infringement lawsuit …

Discussion:

Rob Freund /
@robertfreundlaw: In short, UMG says Believe and TuneCore distributes infringing copies of popular songs, disguised as fraudulent “artists” with names like “Arriana Grande.” TuneCore allegedly distributed tracks that are slight variations of UMG records, including sped up versions.

Gene Maddaus /
Variety: Universal Music Accuses Rival of Rampant Piracy Via Knockoff Tracks by ‘Kendrik Laamar’ and ‘Llady Gaga’

Ashley King /
Digital Music News: Universal Music Files $500 Million Lawsuit Against Believe and Tunecore for ‘Rampant Piracy’ and Copyright Infringement

Reuters:

French judicial source: investigators searched Netflix's offices in France and the Netherlands as part of a preliminary investigation into tax fraud laundering— Investigators searched the offices of U.S. streaming giant Netflix (NFLX.O) in France and the Netherlands as part …

Discussion:
Deadline, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Melanie Goodfellow /
Deadline: Netflix Offices in France & The Netherlands Raided In Alleged Tax Fraud & Concealed Employment Investigation

Variety:

Heretic's directors say they put a message in the credits that “no generative AI was used in the making of this film” to warn Hollywood about the danger of AI— Scott Beck and Bryan Woods explain why they ended their movie with a pointed message about generative AI.

Discussion:
@bdisgusting, @beckandwoods, Screen Rant and GQ

Discussion:
@beckandwoods: We spoke with @Variety about the credits of @hereticmovie and our passionate position on generative AI. [image]

Tatiana Hullender /
Screen Rant: Heretic Directors Scott Beck & Bryan Woods Explain How They Conjured Up Hugh Grant's Villainous Yet Charming Mr. Reed

New York Times:

An interview with Craig Garnett, the publisher of The Uvalde Leader-News, about his new book Uvalde's Darkest Hour, the aftermath of the school shooting, more— Craig Garnett, the publisher of The Uvalde Leader-News, opens up about covering a tragedy that was — and is — too close to home.

What Works:

After The Minnesota Star Tribune decided last summer not to endorse anyone for president, 15 former opinion staffers posted their own endorsement online— The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times shocked readers, staff and political observers when their billionaire owners killed editorial endorsements …

Discussion:
@dankennedy_nu and Media Nation

Discussion:
@dankennedy_nu: At What Works, our website about the future of local news, Ellen Clegg writes that at The Minnesota @StarTribune , a non-endorsement leads 15 former staffers to write their own. #journalism #localnews https://whatworks.news/...

Bloomberg:

Sources: Shari Redstone does not plan to stay on the board of Paramount Global after the company completes its planned merger with Skydance Media— Shari Redstone won't stay on the board of Paramount Global after the company completes its planned merger with Skydance Media, according to people familiar with her plans.

New York Times:

A profile of Town & Country EIC Stellene Volandes, who is trying to keep the Hearst-owned 178-year-old magazine relevant via social media and its website— Stellene Volandes has brought new life to Town & Country, with snappy cover lines and an active social media presence.

The Hollywood Reporter:

Altice USA's Optimum lost 77K subscribers in Q3, bringing total subs to 2.1M; revenue fell 4% YoY to $2.2B, with a loss of $43M, down from a $66.8M profit YoY— The cable operator, led by Dennis Mathew, has introduced new digital TV packages to target cord-cutters and consumers shifting online.

Discussion:
TVNewsCheck, The Desk and Altice USA

Discussion:

Christopher Palmeri /
TVNewsCheck: Paramount Chair Shari Redstone Will Leave Board After Skydance Merger

The Verge:

Netflix plans to delist nearly all of its interactive shows and films as of December 1 saying the tech “served its purpose”, after launching the format in 2017— Netflix's “Interactive Specials” page lists 24 titles, but only four will remain: Black Mirror: Bandersnatch …

Discussion:
The Mirror, Tech Advisor, DNyuz, Gizmodo, BGR and Engadget, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Lucas Hill-Paul /
The Mirror: Netflix fans slam ‘dumb move’ as streamer to remove huge block of programmes - with just four remaining

Petter Ahrnstedt /
Tech Advisor: Netflix is scrapping most of its interactive content

Thomas Maxwell /
Gizmodo: Netflix Finally Gives Up on Interactive Shows, Pivots to ‘GenAI for Games’

Lawrence Bonk /
Engadget: Netflix is removing much of its interactive content

@maxwelltani:

In email to staff, AG Sulzberger says the NYT Tech Guild strike will likely continue through the election and accuses the Guild of blocking essential journalism— NYT publisher AG Sulzberger emails the Times newsroom saying the NYT Tech Guild strike will likely continue through the election. He says it is “troubling that the Tech Guild would try to block this public service at such a consequential moment for our country.” [image]

Discussion:
DNyuz: The Times Tech Guild, representing 600+ NYT devs, data analysts, and more, goes on strike ahead of the US election; management offered a 2.5% annual wage rise

Rebekah /
@rebekahentralgo: the guild warned management of this for MONTHS and they still didn't come to the bargaining table with serious proposals management is more willing to risk its election coverage than agree to a fair deal with its workers

Rat King /
@mikeisaac: incredible tweet from ceo of perplexity, the AI search engine that has ticked off a number of publications, for a few reasons 1. reporters already not happy w/ them 2. NYT (and others) recently served them with a C&D 3. they are supposedly on a charm offensive with the press [image]

Alex Kantrowitz /
@kantrowitz: NYT Tech Workers want, among other things, trigger warnings in meetings discussing events in the news. Folks, you work at the New York Times! https://www.semafor.com/... ht @austin_rief [image]

Hamilton Nolan /
@hamiltonnolan: Whatever you do in life, never do this https://www.wsj.com/... [image]

Lee Drake /
@lee__drake: No needle. Vibes immaculate

Brandon Lorenz /
@bllorenz: Seems like a pretty avoidable problem tbh. Solidarity with all the @nyguild members taking a stand.

Justin Kloczko /
@justinkloczko: They're gonna blame trump's win on the techies

Taylor /
@tkaaaaaaaaaay: strikes are supposed to be disruptive!! If the tech guild's work is so valuable and important give them a fair contract instead of trying to pit your team against each other you fucking COWARD

Eric Newcomer /
@ericnewcomer: it would seem that the NYT has been able to recruit talented technical staff by attracting very progressive / socially-minded workers who are turned off by Silicon Valley only for the radical nature of those staffers to come back to bite it.

Eric Newcomer /
@ericnewcomer: going on strike during the election is so hostile to the mission of the New York Times

Joanne Haner /
The Hill: New York Times tech workers go on strike before election

Lucia Moses /
Business Insider: New York Times tech workers are going on strike at the worst possible time

Devin Coldewey /
TechCrunch: Perplexity CEO offers to replace striking NYT staff with AI

Matthew Gault /
Gizmodo: Support Striking New York Times Tech Workers by Breaking Your Wordle Streak

Jenny Goldsberry /
Washington Examiner: NYT tech guild begins strike on eve of Election Day

David Gilmour /
Mediaite: NY Times Tech Guild Goes On Strike One Day Before Election

RELATED:

TechCrunch:
As the NYT Tech Guild goes on strike, Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas offers the AI company's services to the NYT to help ensure election coverage is available

Discussion:
@aravsrinivas, @nytguildtech, @aravsrinivas, @coreypein.bsky.social, @albertfong98, acecomments.mu.nu, Latin Times, PCMag, @carnage4life@mas.to, @simonkp, @AnnemarieBridy@mastodon …, @jeffjarvis@mastodon.social, @Sobieck@hachyderm.io, @WarnerCrocker@mastodon.social, The Information, NBC News, Fast Company, 404 Media, ZeroHedge News, HuffPost and Semafor, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Aravind Srinivas /
@aravsrinivas: Hey AG Sulzberger @nytimes - sorry to see this. Perplexity is on standby to help ensure your essential coverage is available to all through the election. DM me anytime here. @nytguildtech: We are on ULP strike. We gave @nytimes management months of notice of our strike deadline, we made ourselves available around the clock, but the company has decided that our members aren't worth enough to agree to a fair contract and stop committing unfair labor practices. [image]

Aravind Srinivas /
@aravsrinivas: It would be bad for the country if https://nyt.com/ were down on Election Day. Everyone should pitch in to help. To be clear, the offer was *not* to “replace” journalists or engineers with AI but to provide technical infra support on a high-traffic day.

Corey Pein /
@coreypein.bsky.social: Our unreliable investment scam can also scab for you, you should just plug it in and see how it works on Election Day, what's the worst that could happen? Everyone will love you. I am a smart business man. [embedded post]

Albert Fong /
@albertfong98: Odd couple or bosom buddies? Perplexity's proposal to offer its AI services to replace striking NYT staff strikes an awkward tone. Regardless of the motive, there's an underlying tone about replacing striking workers with AI https://techcrunch.com/... #newyorktimes #perplexity #ai Latin Times: CEO Blasted for Offering to Replace Striking New York Times Employees with AI: ‘F—k You Scab’

Dare Obasanjo /
@carnage4life@mas.to: I'm convinced AI companies believe there's no such thing as bad publicity. — This offer seems to be in particularly poor taste given the existing narrative about AI's negative impact on fields like journalism. — https://techcrunch.com/...

Simon P /
@simonkp: Perplexity CEO offers AI support to NYT amid tech workers' strike, igniting backlash for crossing picket lines. While trying to assist on Election Day, many see it as undermining labor rights. Can AI really replace human effort? #LaborRights #AI #NYT https://techcrunch.com/...

Annemarie Bridy /
@AnnemarieBridy@mastodon.social: When you are a supergenius with an uncanny knack for saying exactly the wrong thing at exactly the wrong time. https://techcrunch.com/...

Jeff Jarvis /
@jeffjarvis@mastodon.social: How to make friends and influence nerds.... Perplexity CEO offers AI company's services to replace striking NYT staff https://techcrunch.com/...

Thomas Sobieck /
@Sobieck@hachyderm.io: I hope management at the NYTimes take perplexity up on this. It would be so fucking funny to see bullshit machines take down the NYTimes because management doesn't understand what technologists do. — https://techcrunch.com/...

Warner Crocker /
@WarnerCrocker@mastodon.social: Guessing AI has as much of a problem reading a room as humans do. — Perplexity CEO offers AI company's services to replace striking NYT staff | TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/... [image]

Kevin McLaughlin /
The Information: Perplexity CEO Offers Help to NYT Amid Tech Staff Strike

Marlene Lenthang /
NBC News: New York Times tech union goes on strike, one day before election

Chris Morris /
Fast Company: Perplexity rolls out an AI election information hub. Use it at your own risk

Dave Jamieson /
HuffPost: New York Times Tech Workers Strike Just Ahead Of Election Day

Mathias Hammer /
Semafor: New York Times tech workers go on strike

The Wrap:

Source: Garrett Ventry, who will join NBC News' Election Night coverage as a Republican pundit on election day, registered as an agent of Qatar in September— Garrett Ventry is paid $960,000 per year by Qatar's media office for PR work — Garrett Ventry, who will be joining NBC News …

Discussion:
Deadline, @posselist, @SteveThompson@mastodon.social and TVNewsCheck

Discussion:
@posselist: NBC's Election Night Republican Pundit Disclosed as Foreign Agent of Qatar Oops 🤦 ♀️. Garrett Ventry is paid $960,000 per year by Qatar's media office for PR work https://www.thewrap.com/... @SteveThompson@mastodon.social: “NBC's Election Night Republican Pundit Disclosed as Foreign Agent of Qatar” — https://www.thewrap.com/... “Ventry is paid $960,000 per year by Qatar's media office for PR work. Ventry is the head of...a lobbying firm that provides ‘strategic advice about navigating Capitol Hill legislation and investigations..’. …

Variety:

Amazon unveils X-Ray Recaps on Prime Video, an AI feature that generates “spoiler-free and concise summaries” of TV shows, in beta to Fire TV users in the US— On Monday, Amazon announced X-Ray Recaps on Prime Video, touting the generative-AI-based feature as …

Discussion:
About Amazon, Benzinga, The Verge, The Desk, Tech Advisor, BGR, Hani Suleiman on LinkedIn and Cord Cutters News, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Anusuya Lahiri /
Benzinga: Amazon Takes on Netflix With New AI Recaps

Matthew Keys /
The Desk: Amazon's Prime Video unveils AI-powered recap feature

Viktor Eriksson /
Tech Advisor: Prime Video's new AI feature can remember it for you

Hani Suleiman /
Hani Suleiman on LinkedIn: One of my projects publicly launched today! This was an interesting rollercoaster ride and I'm particularly proud of how quickly it came together. …

Raymond McCain /
Cord Cutters News: Amazon's Prime Video Launches X-Ray Show Recaps, Using Generative AI-Powered to Quickly Recap Shows

New York Times:

The NYT reports adding 260K digital subscribers in Q3, for 11.9M in total, with digital ad revenue up 8.8% YoY to $81.6M, and The Athletic had its first profit— The Times reported steady growth in digital subscriptions in the third quarter and a profit for The Athletic for the first time since it acquired the sports site in 2022.

Discussion:

Jordan Weissmann /
@jhweissmann: The NYT added about as many subscribers in one quarter as WaPo lost due to Bezos' non-endorsement. [image]

Ben Strauss /
@benjstrauss: “The Athletic, the sports news website that The Times bought in 2022 for $550 million, made a quarterly profit for the first time since the purchase.” https://www.nytimes.com/...

Ben Mullin /
@benmullin: The @nytimes just added another 260,000 paid digital subs, @katie_robertson reports. And @TheAthletic turned in its first profitable quarter: https://www.nytimes.com/...

Anthony Vargas /
AdExchanger: NYT's Ad And Subscription Revenue Surge As WaPo Flails

Ben Axelrod /
Awful Announcing: The Athletic is now profitable — Nearly nine years after its creation and three years …

Alexei Barrionuevo /
The Wrap: New York Times Adds 260,000 Digital Subs, Boosts Profits by 19.6%

Charlotte Tobitt /
Press Gazette: New York Times-owned The Athletic reports quarterly profit for first time

Aki Mandhar /
Aki Mandhar on LinkedIn: ♥️ congrats and well done The Athletic — New York Times Passes 11 Million Subs — The Times reported steady growth …

Claudio E. Cabrera /
Claudio E. Cabrera on LinkedIn: An amazing moment for the Times [we've passed 11 million subscribers] and most importantly for my beloved The Athletic which made its first quarterly profit since being acquired in early 2022. …

RELATED:
The New York Times Company: The NYT reports Q3 revenue up 7% YoY to $640.2M, subscription revenue up 14.2% YoY to $322.2M, and operating profit up 20.7% YoY to $76.7M

Discussion:
Poynter, @tvgrimreaper, Benzinga, Bloomberg and @aulia@mementomori.social

Discussion:
@tvgrimreaper: The NYT & WSJ are effectively the only “for profit” newspapers in the US. All the rest are “non-profits”. Whether by design or not.

Dylan Berman /
Benzinga: What's Going On With New York Times Stock Monday?

Hannah Miller /