April News Roundup: ECV/VisuNews Look to Acquire WBD in Merger Madness
Power hungry podcasters look to acquire more content for their newsletters.
ECV and Zach’s VisuNews are heading toward a more symbiotic merger in a name/brand yet to be decided (if you have any ideas, post comments) but we do not yet have the backing of the Saudi’s to purchase Warner Brothers. Zach’s long record of calling the Saudi regime “a journalist charnel house” is hurting the deal - but if Joe Rogan can keep getting hundreds of millions of dollars from your Spotify membership fees after being an open bigot and supporting Trump - anything is on the table.
In all seriousness we’re starting a new, monthly podcast that has us wrapping up the months on entertainment news. This won’t be the only one that we’ll be announcing soon so please subscribe! Some of our new features will be behind the paid subscription, so please consider joining and supporting our work. Anyone who subscribe to ECV also gets a complimentary subscription for that same length of time at Visu.News.
Here’s the show notes:
Newsarama Dead
Newsarama was one of the preeminent voices where people could talk (and talk@) comics in North America for almost 30 years - but now, that voice has become silent. After a storied 28-year career breaking news mega events from Marvel and DC, the dissolution of the Comics Code Authority, the fracturing of the comics market during the COVID-19 era, and the pivotal acquisition of Jim Lee's WildStorm (and Jim Lee as an exclusive creator) by DC, Newsarama as we knew it is no more.
Netflix will use AI to make ad breaks look less like ad breaks
If you’re on Netflix’s ad-supported plan, that means you might see an ad that blends in with the show you’re watching, whether it’s Bridgerton or Wednesday. Netflix says advertisers can insert this new ad format in the middle of what you’re watching, or put them on the screen when you hit pause. They could contain an overlay or call to action when they roll out by the end of this year.
Story behind Zaslav’s killing Coyote V Acme.
-Reminder that Zaslav “axing Batgirl took “courage” — willingness to throw his creative partners under the bus”
-if Coyote v. Acme becomes a hit, fans may find themselves reminded that their voices really do have some power to shake up how the entertainment industry does business.
Letterboxd selling itself
The controlling investor in Letterboxd, the social platform for movie lovers that’s one of the few success stories in 2020s digital media, is looking to sell its stake in a company that plays a powerful and growing role in the global film business.
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Coming next week, Zach has an interview and review of the new documentary American Agitators. A film about the life of Delores Huerta and many others mentor, Fred Ross.
