Deadline Hollywood reports: “Netflix has selected cloud services provider Ownzones Entertainment Technologies to be part of its newly formed Post Technology Alliance, a program for manufacturers whose products serve the post-production community. Manufacturers who are part of this program have early access to the Netflix technical roadmap and collaborate with Netflix on technical support, training, and updates.”
The Hollywood Reporter reports: “Europe’s antitrust regulators have set an Oct.19 deadline for their ruling on Walt Disney’s planned $71.3 billion takeover of the entertainment assets of 21st Century Fox. The U.S. Justice Department gave the green light to the deal in June on the condition that Disney sell off Fox’s 22 regional sports networks.”
Variety reports: “Warner Music Group today announced it has entered into a “definitive agreement” to acquire EMP Merchandising Handelsgesellschaft mbH (EMP), a European specialty music and entertainment merchandise e-tailer, for approximately $180 million. EMP is currently owned by Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm based in New York.”
Hypebot reports: “Spotify will launch across the Middle East and North Africa this upcoming November. According to a leaked internal email, the streaming service, which joins rivals Anghami, Deezer and Apple Music who are already operating in these markets, will be headquartered in Dubai. Also according to the email, Spotify is currently seeking to secure six advertisers for its roll-out in the regions at a cost of USD $200,000 each.”
Venture Beat reports: “Blockchain is coming to Hollywood. A financial technology company that leverages blockchain technology and digital assets within the film and entertainment industry, MovieCoin, has announced today the start of its public presale. With a hard cap of 10,000 Bitcoin (BTC), the public presale follows the conclusion of MovieCoin’s private presale, which successfully reached the company’s soft cap of 2,000 BTC.”
The Void reports: “Virtual reality arcade The Void is partnering with Lucasfilm and Industrial Light and Magic’s immersive entertainment wing ILMxLAB to develop a new slate of experiences based on Disney and Marvel Studios properties, with the first, Ralph Breaks VR, debuting this fall.”
Hypebot reports: “One of the most valuable types of data for artists and labels is demographic information on exactly who is listening to their music. This is why a new deal being struck between Spotify and Nielsen Research could have implications for not just advertisers, but also artists.”
Variety reports: “CBS All Access subscribers can now keep watching after their plane takes off: The broadcaster’s video subscription service added support for offline viewing this week (hat tip to Techcrunch). The new feature, dubbed ‘Download & Play,’ allows eligible subscribers to download up to 25 movies or TV show episodes, and play them on the go without internet access.”
Tech Crunch reports: “Nintendo is at last (at last!) bringing some new content to the Switch! Yes! In a Nintendo Direct, the company let fly a number of games and a couple of original titles. The biggest Nintendo-produced titles we had glimpses of are a new Animal Crossing in development for the Switch and Luigi’s Mansion 3.”
Variety reports: “Netflix will continue to look to new international partnerships for growth but has no plans to pursue live sports broadcasting, Maria Ferreras, the streaming giant’s vice president of business development EMEA, said Friday. She also focused on the company’s commitment to local television production.”
