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TL;DR
In a hurry? Here's our pick of the top news items of the week.
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OpenAI no longer relies on API customer data to train its large-language models and ChatGPT. (CNBC)
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Amazon is forming Amazon MGM Studios Distribution to handle the placement of its shows and movies on outside services. (The Verge)
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By the end of 2023, 330M SVOD subscriptions, or 20% of the global SVOD market by subscriptions, will be via operator bundles. (Digital TV Europe)
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Google dropped its waitlist for AI chatbot Bard and announced new features including dark mode and export functions. (The Verge)
Audiences
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A majority of US Gen Z adults (56%) and millennials (52%) have bought a product because it had an interesting logo while 34% of all US adults have. (Morning Consult)
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Two-thirds (64%) of TV/video buyers think that creator-driven video can be considered premium. (Media Post)
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34% of US adults used points or rewards on travel purchases to save money, a 6 point increase since last summer. (Morning Consult)
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Only 22M urban Indian adults (1.6% of the total population) see 3+ Hindi films/year in theater, indicating movie-going is actually a luxury. (Ormax)
Platforms
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TikTok creators are rushing to build their Instagram and YouTube followings amid threats of a potential ban, leading to a surge in content migration between platforms. (CNBC)
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Amazon launched a new service, “Amazon Anywhere,” that lets customers purchase physical products from its online store while playing video games or interacting in virtual reality. (AP)
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TikTok is launching a new “TikTok World Hub” for brands that's designed to help them learn how to connect with audiences and get discovered. (Tech Crunch)
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The total number of Disney+ subscribers declined slightly in Q1 to 157.8M, down from 161.8M in the prior quarter. (THR)
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Twitter introduced new features including emoji reactions for DMs and end-to-end DM encryption. (The Verge)
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Total ad revenue for the podcast industry reached $1.8B during 2022, falling short of the $2.1B expectation and indicating a slowdown. (THR)
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Sony’s Pure Flix, a faith-based streaming service, will merge with Great American Media, putting Pure Flix's content in front of traditional TV viewers. (CNBC)
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Hulu content will be added to Disney+ to create a "one app experience." (CNBC)
Content
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Production of shows including "Stranger Things" and "Severance" has been paused due to the ongoing writers' strike. (HuffPost)
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Taylor Swift announced the re-recording of her album "Speak Now (Taylor's Version)" as part of her ongoing efforts to regain control of her music catalog. (Pitchfork)
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"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" had the second biggest US opening of the year, bringing in $118M in its domestic box office debut (Variety). It also generated $28M in China over its debut weekend, making it Hollywood’s biggest China opening of 2023 thus far. (THR)
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"Atlanta" and "Better Call Saul" earned their second Peabody Awards, having previously won the honor for their respective first seasons. (THR)
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LATAM is the second fastest growing region for the music industry, just behind Sub-Saharan Africa, seeing 2022 revenue gains of 25.9%. (IFPI)
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Engagement with sports content is rising fast on TikTok, with virtually all major sports seeing increases in activity over the past year. (Social Media Today)
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Peacock will stream all 2024 Olympic events, and the opening ceremony and key finals will stream live. (THR)
Tech & AI
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Amazon is building a team to generate photos and videos for advertisers using AI. (The Information)
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Microsoft is introducing a new chat ads API that lets publishers pick their own ad formats. (Marketing Dive)
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Spotify has pulled tens of thousands of AI-generated tracks from its platform that were made with the AI platform Boomy. (Engadget)
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Google is testing generative AI technology for shopping that will present unique product recommendations and create personalized images for shoppers. (BoF)
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Eventbrite integrated GPT capabilities into its platform, helping creators save time on event pages, email campaigns, and social media ads. (Tech Crunch)
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GSMA, the organizer of Mobile World Congress, faces a potential fine of up to €20M for GDPR violations related to its AI-driven event participant matchmaking service, AEDP. (Tech Crunch)
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In addition to AI-generated profile summaries and job descriptions, LinkedIn is also experimenting with generative AI feed posts. (Social Media Today)
Location-based entertainment
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Restaurants are embracing reservations that target higher-income diners as more consumers book their tables ahead of time. (CNBC)
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The Immersive Disney Animation experience is coming to Los Angeles in June and incorporates Disney titles like Snow White, The Little Mermaid, Frozen and Encanto. (THR)
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Oakland and Bally's Corp have an agreement in place for the Athletics MLB team to construct a $1.5B stadium on a portion of the Tropicana Las Vegas site. (NBC)
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Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, and Shania Twain will headline at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2023. (KXAN)
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Disney World will lift park reservation requirements and bring back dining plans in 2024. (USA Today)
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Knott’s Berry Farm in California and Carowinds in North Carolina have joined Worlds of Fun in Missouri in implementing new chaperone policies due to unruly behavior. (BlooLoop)
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Bally's received site plan approval for its $1.7B Chicago casino, solidifying its plans to begin construction in late 2024. (Yogonet)
