The Hollywood Reporter reports: “Development of mirror worlds is accelerating during COVID-19 as Hollywood increases its virtual production, says Magnopus co-founder and CEO Ben Grossmann, one of THR’s Top Hollywood Innovators.”
Variety reports: “Music livestreamer LiveXLive is diversifying its business with the acquisition of PodcastOne, a podcast network that hosts shows by Adam Carolla, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Shaquille O’Neal and others, in an all-stock deal valued at about $18 million.”
Variety reports: “Traditional cable and satellite TV providers posted their most massive quarterly subscriber losses in the first three months of 2020, as the COVID-19 tornado started to hit the U.S. economy in March. What’s more, internet-delivered “virtual” TV providers registered a net loss in the period, too.”
The Verge reports: “Streaming is one of ViacomCBS’s fastest-growing divisions, and to meet that demand, the company is accelerating significant changes to CBS All Access.”
VentureBeat reports: “Mobile game developers have increased free gifts, added more playable content, launched charitable campaigns, and adapted location-based titles during the pandemic, according to a new report from GameRefinery.”
Gamesindustry.biz reports: “The Nintendo Switch passed 55 million units sold in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, boosted by the strong performance of Animal Crossing and Pokémon.”
Billboard reports: “The Warner Music Group posted a $74 million net loss on revenues of $1.071 billion for the three-month period ended March 31, versus a net income of $67 million on $1.09 billion in corresponding year-earlier quarter. That represents a net income decline of $141 million and a 1.7% drop in revenue.”
The Hollywood Reporter reports: “The agreement covers 14 additional cable channels, including BET, MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and Paramount Network.”
The Verge reports: “Back in March, 9to5Google reported that Google’s next streaming device will run Android TV and thus offer a more traditional user experience that’s closer in line with Roku and Amazon Fire TV than the company’s previous Chromecast efforts.”
Billboard reports: “As 2021 looks more likely for live music to safely return, agents argue that releasing music — and finding new avenues for engagement — is more important than ever.”
