Epic Games files preemptive lawsuit against Dancing Pumpkin Man
gamesindustry.biz reports: “The Fortnite dance emote controversy has reared its head once again, after Epic Games filed preemptive lawsuit against a dancer.”
Warner Music Group, Providence Equity Have $650M To Acquire Music Catalogs
Hypebot reports: “Warner Music Group and Providence Equity Partners are partnering to invest in recorded music and music publishing catalogs with a new joint venture, Tempo Music Investments.”
ASCAP Launches TuneUp Program to Support Music Creators’ Physical & Mental Health
Billboard reports: “With the help of a new program, ASCAP is hoping to provide its members with something that’s so often in short supply for music creators: peace of mind.”
AT&T’s Xandr Works for Closer Ties With WarnerMedia
Variety reports: “At Xandr, the ad-technology firm that is part of AT&T, the time to start talking about the advertising of the future is now. The AT&T unit is best known, perhaps, for selling commercial inventory related to the company’s DirecTV. But Xandr CEO Brian Lesser expects to be recognized soon for taking part in many other areas of the telecommunications-and-media giant.”
Sony Pictures TV Buying Silvergate Media for $195M in Kids Animation Push
Hollywood Reporter reports: “Sony Pictures Television has agreed to buy children’s animation studio Silvergate Media, in a deal that values the company at around $195 million.”
Soci raises $12M to help big brands manage local marketing
TechCrunch reports: “According to CEO Afif Khoury, we’re in the middle of “the third wave of social” — a shift back to local interactions. And Khoury’s startup Soci (pronounced soh-shee) has raised $12 million in Series C funding to help companies navigate that shift.”
Augmented Reality: The Music Release Format Of The Future?
Hypebot reports: “As streaming rates begin to level off, questions are being raised as to what’s coming next for the music industry, with some industry predictors are suggesting that augmented reality could be the format of the future.”
CBS Joins Open AP Audience-Targeting Alliance
Variety reports: “’Young Sheldon’ leads CBS’ Thursday-night schedule. Soon it may help to lead advertisers to a new way of placing their commercials. CBS has joined “Open AP,” the audience-targeting alliance working to accelerate the emerging advertising practice known as ‘audience buying.'”
Peacock Streaming Service to Break Even by Year 5, Comcast CFO Says
Hollywood Reporter reports: “Michael Cavanagh at a UBS investor conference in New York also said that NBCUniversal would invest $2 billion in the direct-to-consumer offering over two years, which will be free for Comcast subscribers.”
Netflix Leads Both Film & TV Golden Globe Fields, Streaming Dominates TV Nominations As Broadcast Is Shut Out
Deadline reports: “For the first time ever, it’s the same outlet that is leading both the film and television nominations at the Golden Globes. Netflix is the most nominated film distributor with 17 noms, led by Marriage Story and The Irishman, and the most nominated TV network, also with 17 noms, paced by The Crown and Unbelievable. The feat illustrates the media convergence on streaming platforms where TV series and feature films can co-exist.”
