Top News:
Natalie Korach / @nataliekorach:
Memo: HuffPost EIC informs staff that ~15 editorial jobs will be cut, the first layoffs under new owner Byron Allen, and executive editor Kate Palmer is leaving — Scoop: Byron Allen has begun his first round of layoffs since acquiring the BuzzFeed properties, with HuffPost staffers being notified of 15 editorial cuts Thursday [image]
Discussion:
Status, TheDesk.net, @fitzador.bsky.social, @matthewkeyslive and @jvl.bsky.social
New York Times:20 minutes ago
Filing: Paramount and a group of state AGs reach a deal to freeze the WBD merger as the case moves through courts, extending a shorter pause a judge imposed — The company agreed to a proposed freeze until June 2027, unless a judge issues a ruling before then on a lawsuit blocking the deal.
Discussion:
CNN, NBC News, @mgsiegler and @benmullin
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Ted Johnson / Deadline:
A judge extends the temporary order pausing the Paramount-WBD merger for 14 more days and writes that the WGA can participate in a scheduled hearing on August 3 — U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín wrote on Thursday that the TRO was extended to give the parties …
Discussion:
The Wrap, New York Post, Cord Cutters News, @balancecrafting, @balancecrafting, @balancecrafting, Radio & Television …, @balancecrafting, @balancecrafting, Variety, New York Times, US District Court, Northern District of California, Media Play News, The Hollywood Reporter, TheDesk.net, Barrett Media and r/MediaMergers
Alex Weprin / The Hollywood Reporter:
Facebook plans to test a full-screen “immersive video” player when users open the app, replacing the newsfeed, in select international markets this year — The social platform says it will test a video-first look for users when they open the app in select countries, potentially bringing it to the U.S. next year.
Associated Press:
The DOJ withdraws subpoenas that would have forced three NYT reporters to testify about sources, after a federal judge criticized the DOJ for sloppy legal work — Criticized by a federal judge for sloppy legal work, the government on Thursday withdrew subpoenas that would have compelled three …
Discussion:
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James Faris / Business Insider:
Internal docs: Paramount+ plans to launch a free tier for movies and shows in Q3, requiring users to register via email — Paramount+ is looking to level up by making more of its content free. — Paramount's flagship streamer plans to expand access to movies and shows available …
Discussion:
@ejgertz.bsky.social, Streaming Better, Decider, The Streamable, Cord Cutters News and @phillysky.bsky.social
Munsif Vengattil / Reuters:
Delhi High Court rules OpenAI's use of ANI content to train ChatGPT wasn't copyright infringement as the news agency didn't show ChatGPT reproduced its reports — An Indian court said on Friday that OpenAI's use of news agency ANI's content to train its ChatGPT service did not amount to copyright infringement.
Discussion:
Moneycontrol, The Indian Express, MediaNama, Financial Express, Inc42, Reuters, Chat GPT Is Eating the World, Live Law India and BMI
Brian Stelter / CNN:
The WHCA dinner goes forward Friday night with tighter security, a smaller guest list, and ongoing tensions as Trump's administration tries to weaken news media — Media Donald Trump Gun violence Human rights — Friday's rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner will be smaller …
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Katie Kilkenny / The Hollywood Reporter:
QVC and HSN hosts vote to unionize and join SAG-AFTRA, an organizing drive fueled by concerns around generative AI — About 80 percent of participating presenters supported joining the performers' union SAG-AFTRA. … During the election, 37 hosts voted to join the national performers' union …
Discussion:
Philadelphia Business Journal and The Wrap
Nicole Sperling / New York Times:
How special-edition popcorn buckets designed for major movies became lucrative; AMC Theatres estimates they will generate $100M in revenue this year — Fans of “The Odyssey,” the summer blockbuster directed by Christopher Nolan, could choose between two popcorn buckets …
Discussion:
@elvialimon, Entrepreneur, KTLA, @dannygroner.bsky.social, CinemaBlend and PC Gamer
Brooks Barnes / New York Times:
Sony Pictures Entertainment plans to restore the Cinerama Dome and adjacent 14-screen theater in Los Angeles, reopening in 2028 and operated by Alamo Drafthouse — The iconic Cinerama Dome and adjacent 14-screen theater complex will reopen in 2028 after a renovation. The venue closed in 2020 because of the pandemic.
Corbin Bolies / Variety:
Patreon lays off 20% of its employees, or 93 people, citing a “painful” restructuring due to “profound” changes in the creator economy over the past six months — Patreon, the creator-focused monetization platform, said on Thursday it was laying off 20% of its employees …
Discussion:
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