The kids’ ad dollars are all right: While some sectors have seen slower ad growth, that’s not the case when it comes to childrens’ programming.
India regulators challenge Google business models: Accused of abusing its dominant position to push pre-installed software, Google failed to allow users to uninstall apps or choose preferred search engines.
YouTube TV looks to become more user friendly: Content library, live tabs are revamped to include personalized programming suggestions.
TikTok broadens effort to call out state-controlled media: US, China among countries added to labeling program in bid for greater transparency.
Microsoft is the latest to resort to layoffs: The company is reducing its headcount by 5% as it pivots to plug AI into its key products, subscriptions, and cloud services. But AI still has a lot of hurdles to jump.
Possible jail time for tech execs over content moderation: The UK’s Online Safety Bill raises the stakes for tech companies that don’t take child safety precautions. Expect long-term contention.
Warner Bros. Discovery is enlisting partners to grow outside the US: The company’s debt is making it turn to Amazon’s Prime Video in France.
Podcast production tones down: Difficulty in finding new shows makes creation a poor use of resources in the slower-growing industry.
Slowing growth forces Beijing to capitulate to Big Tech: Facing the weakest growth in decades, China seeks cooperation with the EU and will loosen its iron grip on tech monoliths to spur the economy.
Cancel culture comes for EVs: The Wyoming state senate’s EV ban proposal targets other states’ gas vehicle bans. It’s a political antic that puts a spotlight on challenges for the EV industry.
Netflix thinks its next big hit will come out of South Korea: Many of its major shows in 2022 came from abroad, and Netflix is trying to expand in Asia-Pacific.
TikTok’s recommendation oversight could usher in a new era for social media: The embattled app promised regulators access to its algorithm, which could mean similar changes for competitors.
After years of growth, esports hits a bump in the road: Competitive gaming leagues are experiencing slower viewer growth and could lose share to metaverse campaigns.
HBO Max is upping prices right before its merger with Discovery+: While it’s peculiar timing, it should allow debt-riddled WBD to invest in user experience.
Netflix’s upfront debut could be bumpy for advertisers: In a significant media power shift, streaming’s upfront takeover could drive CPMs even higher.
TSMC’s strategic expansion: The world’s largest contract chip manufacturer is eyeing expansion into Japan and Europe, a move that could prove useful in any future conflict with China.
The best-laid plans of game publishers could go awry: The gaming industry has big title releases planned at high prices this year. Inflation makes the timing questionable and the quality mandatory.
Netflix may have something to learn from Disney’s video game troubles: Disney turned around a troubled history with carefully selected licensing deals.
DirecTV’s layoffs are a bad sign for pay TV: The long-dominant format is entering a very long goodbye as power shifts toward digital channels.
President Biden urges regulators to move fast on Big Tech reforms: He called for a ban on targeting ads to minors and reforms to the controversial Section 230.