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n a letter to Justice Department leaders, an outside lawyer for Google said the “reality, and the appearance, of partiality are fairly called into question” by Jonathan Kanter’s past work for the company’s critics. Google pointed to his work with Yelp and the News Media Alliance, which represents publishers including The New York Times Company.
Source: Google questions if the new Justice Department antitrust boss can be impartial.
The extended COVID-19 pandemic has upended traditional windows. On Nov. 5, Netflix was hence able to book Red Notice — an action-comedy starring Dwayne Johnson opposite Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot and billed as the most expensive movie Netflix has ever made at a price tag of $200 million-plus — in 750 theaters nationwide a week before its launch on the streamer. That’s not a token release.
Source: Cinemark Puts Theater Chain Rivals on Notice: Why Not Carry Netflix Films?
Audible’s “Cinnamon Bear: A Holiday Adventure” audio series with original musical numbers stars Alan Cumming and Ryan Reynolds. The original “Cinnamon Bear” radio series debuted in 1937 as a cliffhanger-style children’s show that featured daily episodes during the holiday season. Audible is bringing the event back with a modern makeover in a series adapted by Eric Gilliland.
IATSE Local 871 president Crystal Hopkins has resigned from her post due to personal obligations and because she says she “could not in good conscience” lead members amid the ratification of a new contract that has deeply divided membership.
Source: IATSE Local 871 President Resigns, Describing Frustration Over Recent Contract Ratification
Journalists and producers with experience at some of the U.K.’s top outlets, including The Economist, The Times of London and the BBC have formed a new podcast and IP pipeline, Blanchard House. The company has already secured $1 million seed investment and set up a partnership with “The Shrink Next Door” podcast journalist and presenter Joe Nocera.
Source: Top Producers Launch Podcast, IP Incubator Blanchard House (EXCLUSIVE)
According to the announcement, the rebrand brings into focus key aspects of Warner Music’s value proposition to artists, including a centralized in-house creative agency that encompasses merch and D2C, alongside expertise in streaming, vinyl, ticketing, fashion collaborations, gaming, social, experiential, and other fan experiences.
Source: Warner Music Launches WMX Services Division for Artists, Labels and Brands
The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Jonathan Kanter, a corporate lawyer and Big Tech critic, to the top antitrust role in the nation, the latest action in efforts to curb the power of Silicon Valley giants. The White House has made clear that it wants to rein in consolidation in American business, especially among powerful tech companies like Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon.
Source: Senate approves Jonathan Kanter, a Big Tech critic, as the top U.S. antitrust official.
NFTs are a growing trend in the games industry, with publishing heavyweights like EA and Ubisoft investing in the volatile and environmentally dangerous cryptocurrency sector. Speaking to Stephen Totilo for Axios, Xbox’s Phil Spencer expressed concern over the movement.
Source: Xbox boss Phil Spencer says NFT game plans ‘feel more exploitive than about entertainment’ | VGC
The company has introduced a new service for artists to distribute their music directly into the music libraries of social media platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Reels. Dubbed ‘Social Platforms’, TuneCore says that its new service is “a first of its kind,” whereby artists can distribute their music to social media networks “as a pre-step” to releasing music to streaming and download platforms.
With an estimated 50 million creators and an ecosystem about to generate $14 billion in 2021, the creator economy is bigger than Brunei’s GDP. One of its defining features is its grassroots involvement. A recent study reveals that ”58% of users say that, in the next 12 months, they would pay a monthly subscription fee between $1 and $15 to access their favorite creator’s exclusive content”. Content is directly paid for by those who consume it.