The Hollywood Reporter reports: “DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Digital Networks have unveiled new details about DC Universe, the upcoming streaming service that combines original and archive video content, comic books and more. The news, including pricing information and pre-order deals, came Thursday at San Diego Comic-Con.”
Variety reports: “Comcast Corp. has bowed out of its bidding war with Disney to acquire major 21st Century Fox assets, and instead focus on acquiring the European satellite TV provider Sky. Comcast’s move clears the way for Disney to take control of the Murdoch family’s Fox assets and intensify a looming battle with Netflix and other video-streamers for media-industry dominance.”
Tech Crunch reports: “Microsoft is teasing new Xbox hardware and accessories will launch at Gamescom in Germany next month. Details are limited. The word comes from a Microsoft blog post about the event in which it lists the date and time of the August 21 event, which will feature ‘lots of news, all-new Xbox hardware and accessories, and features on upcoming titles’.”
Gamesindustry.biz reports: “Seismic Games has been acquired by Pokémon Go developer Niantic, making it the fourth addition company’s roster in under a year. Founded in 2011 by industry veterans from EA, Pandemic, and Activision, mobile and VR developer Seismic has worked on licensed properties such as mobile game Marvel Strikeforce, and VR experience Blade Runner: Revelations.”
Tech Crunch reports: “We are in the era of peak TV. Hundreds of expensive, scripted television shows are splayed across streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime. That’s where Brat hopes to make its mark. The LA-based production studio and media company makes scripted dramas such as Chicken Girls on platforms like YouTube targeting a purely teen audience.”
Billboard reports: “The European Union on Wednesday hit Google with a record $5.06 billion fine, saying the online giant had been abusing its power in the smartphone market. It was the latest move by European antitrust officials to reduce the market influence of U.S. technology powerhouses. The penalty of 4.34 billion euros was a record for the EU.”
The Hollywood Reporter reports: “Viacom is leading a $15 million investment round in kids media startup pocket.watch, the companies disclosed Wednesday. The two companies have already teamed up to develop sketch comedy show Skoogle, created by and starring Kenan Thompson, for Nickelodeon. Viacom’s Paramount Players has also purchased feature film The Unboxing Movie from pocket.watch. Further collaborations are expected.”
Variety reports: “Netflix is getting into the radio biz: The streamer has entered into a pact with SiriusXM to launch a 24-hour comedy channel set to debut by January 2019. For Netflix, the channel on SiriusXM will be a promotional vehicle for its broad lineup of stand-up specials from comedians including Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Amy Schumer and Jerry Seinfeld.”
Variety reports: “Mobile games spending grew 19% in the first half of 2018 to an estimated $26.6 billion worldwide, according to market intelligence company Sensor Tower. They now represent about 78% of the total money spent in apps across both the App Store and Google Play. App Store mobile game spending reached $16.3 billion for the first two quarters of this year.”
Venture Beat reports: “Ubisoft released its financial results for the first quarter of the financial year 2018-19, showing sales of $466.5 million for the period. This is a record first quarter for the French publisher. The period took place in the three months ending on June 30.”
