Latest Media and entertainment industry News
This week: Retail sales, United Airlines and Netflix earnings
Retail receipts On Monday, the government releases its report on retail sales for the month of March. After pulling back in January, Americans picked up their spending a bit in February, but the 0.6% gain was weaker than expected and suggested that consumers are...
Faced with possibly paying for news, Google removes links to California news sites for some users
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Google on Friday began removing California news websites from some people's search results, a test that acted as a threat should the state Legislature pass a law requiring the search giant to pay media companies for linking to their content. Google...
Hits for sale: Notable artists who have had their music catalogs sell for big money
On Thursday, it was announced that American rock band Kiss had sold their catalog, brand name and IP to Swedish company Pophouse Entertainment Group in a deal estimated to be over $300 million. They're the latest to participate in an ongoing trend of blockbuster acts and their rights holders inking...
Disney shareholders back CEO Iger, rebuff activists who wanted to shake up the company
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Disney shareholders have rallied behind longtime CEO Robert Iger, voting Wednesday to rebuff activist investor Nelson Peltz and his ally, former Disney Chief Financial Officer Jay Rasulo, who had sought seats on the company’s board. The company had...
Trump Media stock falls more than 21% after company discloses $58 million loss for 2023
NEW YORK (AP) — Less than a week after a flashy stock market debut, Donald Trump's social media company on Monday disclosed that it lost nearly $58.2 million last year, sending its stock tumbling more than 21%. Losses in 2023 for Trump Media & Technology Group — whose...
Strippers' bill of rights bill signed into law in Washington state
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Legislation in Washington state known as the strippers’ bill of rights, which advocates say includes the most comprehensive statewide protections in the nation, was signed into law on Monday. Gov. Jay Inslee signed the measure, which creates safer working...
Spotify paid $9 billion in royalties in 2023. Here's what fueled the growth
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Spotify paid out $9 billion in streaming royalties last year, the streaming giant said Tuesday in its latest “Loud and Clear” report. Spotify's fourth annual report, which originally launched in 2021 following criticism over its lack of transparency, noted...
Sports Illustrated will continue operations after agreement reached with new publisher
Sports Illustrated will continue operations after the company that owns the brand agreed with a new publisher for its print and digital products. Minute Media took over on Monday after reaching a licensing agreement with Authentic Brands Group. On Jan. 19, Authentic announced that it...
Want to feel special? Stores and restaurants with paid memberships are betting on it
NEW YORK (AP) — How much does it cost to feel special? At Chuck E- Cheese, the family entertainment and pizza chain, the price is $7.99, $11.99 or $29.99 per month. At the other end of the spectrum, the founder of a shopping app called Long Story Short wants to charge members...
Libraries struggle to afford the demand for e-books, seek new state laws in fight with publishers
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Whenever bestselling author Robin Cook releases a new medical thriller, the head of the public library in West Haven knows demand for digital copies will be high. So will the price. Like many libraries, West Haven has been grappling with the soaring costs of...
