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☆ CNBC Daily Open: Debt ceiling detours and divisiveness
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Yeo Boon Ping | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The good news: Biden will meet McCarthy in person later today to discuss the debt ceiling, after a pause in negotiations over the weekend. This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our new, international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. The Writers Guild of America may be on strike now, but we don't lack gripping drama — in the form of the U.S. debt ceiling negotiations. Subscribe here to get this report sent directly to your inbox each morning before markets open.

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Debt ceiling detours
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Yeo Boon Ping | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

☆ Warner Bros Discovery chief booed at Boston University graduation, videos show
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 21 (Reuters) - Warner Bros Discovery chief executive David Zaslav was booed by students after taking the stage at Boston University to accept his honorary degree and give the 2023 commencement speech, amid an ongoing strike by film and television writers over pay, videos that surfaced on social media show. Boston University did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Zaslav, who is an alumni of the school, was repeatedly disrupted by angry chants and boos from Boston University students, including cries of “we don’t want you here” and “pay your writers”, the report said. The Writers Guild of America had earlier said they would be picketing the ceremony when Boston University announced Zaslav would be giving the commencement speech at the graduation, the report added. The writers' strike has disrupted production of late-night shows and some TV series, but some filming is continuing.

☆ Sean Penn: Studios' AI stance in Hollywood writers strike a 'human obscenity'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] The 76th Cannes Film Festival - Press conference of the film "Black Flies" in competition - Cannes, France, May 19, 2023. Cast member Sean Penn attends. REUTERS/Gonzalo FuentesCANNES, May 19 (Reuters) - Actor Sean Penn said on Friday he supported striking Hollywood writers and called studios' rejection of their demand to restrict the use of artificial intelligence in writing scripts a "human obscenity". "There are a lot of new concepts that are being tossed about, you know, including the use of AI," Penn said at a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival. The Writers Guild of America is seeking to restrict the use of AI in writing scripts.

While there have been improvements in diversity within writers' rooms in recent years, writers of color, women of color, disabled writers and LGBTQ+ writers in Hollywood still lag in opportunities. Demands for more compensation and larger writers' rooms may be newer concerns for what Hines refers to as the "upper echelon of writers," but this has been an unresolved struggle for underrepresented writers for years. "When it comes to the issues of writers of color, there's a constant feeling of being left out of the negotiation," Hines said. Many WGA members also believe the specific strike demands, including adding larger writers' rooms, offer a better chance for writers on the sidelines to join in. "That would be absolutely huge for all kinds of underrepresented writers, and disabled writers as well, because we are wildly underrepresented," said Jamey Perry, vice chair of the WGA's Disabled Writers Committee and "Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector" writer.

☆ Hollywood actors' union asks members to authorize possible strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Lisa Richwine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LOS ANGELES, May 18 (Reuters) - The board of Hollywood's actors union asked members on Thursday to give negotiators the power to call a strike, a move that would add new pressure to major studios already facing a writers' strike. The SAG-AFTRA actors union set a June 5 deadline for its 160,000 members to cast ballots in a strike authorization vote. If approved, the measure would allow union leaders to call a work stoppage if they cannot reach a new contract agreement with major Hollywood studios. The writers' strike has disrupted production of late-night shows and some TV series, but some filming is continuing. A strike by actors would lead to a broader shutdown across the industry.

☆ Netflix ad tier now has nearly 5 million monthly active users
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LOS ANGELES, May 17 (Reuters) - Netflix Inc's (NFLX.O) recently launched tier that offers lower subscription fees but includes commercials on its programming now has nearly 5 million global monthly active users, a company executive said on Wednesday at a presentation to advertisers. The median age of those viewers is 34, said Jeremi Gorman, Netflix's president of worldwide advertising. Netflix launched a $7-per-month ad-supported tier in November in 12 markets. A Netflix subscription without advertising starts at $10 a month. Netflix had planned to make the presentation live in New York but switched to a virtual event to avoid protests from striking members of the Writers Guild of America.

☆ Netflix ad tier has nearly 5 mln monthly active users
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Lisa Richwine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LOS ANGELES, May 17 (Reuters) - Netflix Inc's (NFLX.O) recently launched ad-supported tier reaches nearly 5 million active users per month, executives said on Wednesday in a pitch that emphasized the breadth of its programming to potential advertisers. On Wednesday, Netflix made its first presentation to advertisers at the annual ritual known as the upfronts, where networks aim to lock in ad commitments for upcoming shows. Jeremi Gorman, Netflix's president of worldwide advertising, said that global monthly active users had reached 5 million. Monthly active users count all adult profiles used on one account with ads. Netflix reported 232.5 million paying subscribers around the world as of the end of March.

☆ Cannes jury president to striking Hollywood writers: 'Yeah, go!'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] The 76th Cannes Film Festival - Press conference of the jury - Cannes, France, May 16, 2023. Jury President Ruben Ostlund and jury member Brie Larson attend a press conference. REUTERS/Yara NardiCANNES, May 16 (Reuters) - Swedish director Ruben Ostlund, who heads the jury awarding the Cannes Film Festival's top award this year, expressed solidarity with striking Hollywood film and TV writers on Tuesday, saying industrial action was the only way to change work conditions. "It's great that people have a strong collegial feeling so you can go out and have a strike. Top executives close to the discussions have told Reuters that the strike could continue into the summer and possibly beyond.

☆ ‘Picket’: Once a Military Barrier, Now a Tool of Protest
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Ben Zimmer | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Linguist and lexicographer Ben Zimmer analyzes the origins of words in the news. Read previous columns here. Since May 2, when the Writers Guild of America called for a strike after contract talks fell through with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, WGA union members have joined picket lines in Los Angeles and New York City. Picketers have gathered every day in front of the offices of major studios, streaming services and networks, showing their solidarity with chants and creative signs.

☆ Tony Awards Broadcast Can Proceed After Striking Writers’ Union Agrees
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Michael Paulson | John Koblin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

This year’s Tony Awards ceremony, which had been in doubt ever since Hollywood’s screenwriters went on strike earlier this month, will proceed as scheduled in an altered form after the writers’ union said Monday night that it would not picket the show. “As they have stood by us, we stand with our fellow workers on Broadway who are impacted by our strike,” the Writers Guild of America, which represents screenwriters, said in a statement late Monday. Several nominated shows have been operating at a loss, holding on in the hopes that a Tony win — or even exposure on the broadcast — could boost sales. The union made it clear that the broadcast, which is scheduled to air on CBS on June 11, would be different from past ceremonies. But the union did not detail what those differences would be, and the Tony Awards administrators did not have any immediate comment.

☆ Striking Hollywood Writers Disrupt TV’s Major Ad Event
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( John Koblin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Other major media companies — including Fox, Disney and Warner Bros. Still, media executives have been anxiously awaiting the fallout from the prospect of hundreds of writers assembling on picket lines. Negotiations between the major Hollywood studios and the Writers Guild of America, the union that represents the writers, broke down on May 1, and 11,500 writers for television and film immediately went on strike. But the writers are not just demonstrating outside the major studios. They have gone far afield as well, setting up pickets outside productions in Maplewood, N.J., Chicago and Philadelphia.

☆ These 22 top reality TV companies making hits like 'Love Is Blind' and 'The Kardashians' could see a boom if the Hollywood writers' strike drags on
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Lucia Moses | Reed Alexander | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Hollywood writers' strike could drive an increase in demand for unscripted programming. Insider identified companies dominating the genre, producing reality content for top networks and streamers. Check out 22 companies making top titles including "90-Day Fiancé," "Real Housewives," and more. Even if the writers' strike is resolved more quickly than pundits generally are predicting, reality TV's future looks bright. Reality shows are also a way for streamers to grow their international audience as much of it translates globally.

Fox Corp. , Disney , Warner Bros. Media executives' messaging to advertisers could center around value this year, particularly as companies continue to offer more content on their streaming services. Cost cuttingWhile media executives will try to convince advertisers to maximize their spending, they'll be pushing that narrative while making fewer shows. The logo of the streaming service Paramount+ on a logo wall at the Paramount+ launch event. Jörg Carstensen | Picture Alliance | Getty ImagesParamount, in particular, has seen a big reliance on franchises, especially for its Paramount+ streaming service.

☆ Cannes director open to letting green activists onto red carpet
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CANNES, May 15 (Reuters) - Cannes Film Festival director Thierry Fremaux said on Monday he was open to letting climate demonstrators onto the red carpet, as the showbiz extravaganza prepared to launch amid bursts of activism on both sides of the Atlantic. But the confluence of at least three major protest movements has put unusual pressure on the organisers. "It's not impossible that we will welcome them at the top of the steps to express themselves," he added. It was too early to tell what effect the writer's strike would have on the festival, he said, but the right to strike had to be respected. Reporting by Miranda Murray and Mindy Burrows; Editing by Andrew HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ 'I got a check the other day for $8': TV and film writers share why they're on strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( Gili Malinsky | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

TV and film writers at the picket line in New York on the first day of the WGA strike, May 2, 2023. Every three years, the Writers Guild of America, the TV and film writers' union, negotiates a contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. "You go from job to job," and each contract can look different from writer to writer depending on their experience, for instance. TV writer Sheri Holman on strike in New York. TV and film writer Chisa Hutchinson.

☆ Striking Writers’ Union Denies Waiver, Imperiling Tony Awards Telecast
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( Michael Paulson | John Koblin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The denial by the union, the Writers Guild of America, described by people who were granted anonymity to disclose confidential discussions, is imperiling one of Broadway’s biggest nights — a key marketing opportunity that is even more crucial in the fragile post-shutdown theater economy. Industry leaders say that without the ability to reach the broad audience that tunes into a Tony Awards broadcast, several of the newest musicals are likely to close. Broadway boosters are still hoping that over the weekend the writers’ guild might be persuaded to change its mind. Without a waiver from the writers’ guild, a live broadcast ceremony is essentially impossible because much of Broadway, including nominees and presenters, would refuse to cross a picket line. The management committee of the Tony Awards, which is the group charged with overseeing the broadcast, has scheduled an emergency meeting on Monday at which it will discuss how to proceed.

BURBANK, California, May 11 (Reuters) - As striking Hollywood writers protest working conditions, some are seeking more than a new labor contract. Single members of the Writers Guild of America gathered outside the Universal Studios lot this week for a combination of picketing and a dating mixer that later moved to a taco eatery. "Writers love to multitask, so this is perfect for us," said 42-year-old "Feed the Devil" writer Matt Altman. Workers and supporters of the Writers Guild of America protest outside Universal Studios Hollywood after union negotiators called a strike for film and television writers, in the Universal City area of Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 3, 2023. "Love, Victor" writer Van B. Nguyen, 37, said she thought it was a fun idea to combine fighting for change with fighting for love.

☆ 'iCarly' writers join the WGA strike as showrunner Ali Schouten calls out Hollywood studios' 'corporate greed'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Reed Alexander | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Insider spoke to Ali Schouten, the showrunner behind Paramount+ series "iCarly," about what's at stake. The "iCarly" writers will link up with the picket line outside the lot where the show is filmed, according to Ali Schouten, the series' showrunner and executive producer. Ahead of the "iCarly" writers' picketing on Thursday, I spoke with Schouten to understand what she and her colleagues are fighting for. Lisa Rose/Paramount+The last writers' strike resulted in $2 billion worth of losses for the California economy, and some experts predict the impact of this work stoppage could be even greater. How is the writers' strike impacting you, your business, or your family?

☆ TV’s War With the Robots Is Already Here
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( James Poniewozik | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Davis.” With the Writers Guild of America strike, that premise has broken the fourth wall. The robots are here, and the humans are racing to defend against them, or to ally with them. In essence, writers are asking the studios for guardrails against being replaced by A.I., having their work used to train A.I. The big-ticket items in the strike involve, broadly, how the streaming model has disrupted the ways TV writers have made a living. And when it comes to distinguishing features, the ability to conjure imaginary worlds is simply sexier than the opposable thumb.

☆ 22 red-hot reality TV companies producing shows like 'The Kardashians' and 'Queer Eye' that could grow amid Hollywood's writers' strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Lucia Moses | Reed Alexander | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Hollywood writers' strike could drive an increase in demand for unscripted programming. Insider identified companies dominating the genre, producing reality content for top networks and streamers. Check out 22 companies behind top titles including "The Kardashians," "Queer Eye," and more. Even if the writers' strike is resolved more quickly than pundits generally are predicting, reality TV's future looks bright. Reality shows are also a way for streamers to grow their international audience as much of it translates globally.

☆ Film and TV writers 'should not fear' AI, the chairman of UCLA's screenwriting program says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The chairman of UCLA's film program said writers may find AI tools useful despite their flaws. "Writers should not fear it," Walter told Insider regarding AI. "Writing and the writing process evolves," Walter, who has been "writing professionally for over half a century," said. He compares the advent of generative AI tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT to the invention of writing tools like Microsoft Word, saying they could potentially make the jobs of writers easier. For Walter, the more "profound" question is less about the current capabilities of AI and more about what's to come.

☆ Disney's revenue is on the rise, giving CEO Bob Iger a victory lap amid legal battle with Florida's Ron DeSantis
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Disney announced its fiscal second quarter earnings, with 13% revenue growth in the three months ending April 1. The results come as CEO Bob Iger reorganizes the company and pursues a legal battle with Florida Gov. Walt Disney Co. reported $21.79 billion in second quarter revenue, which topped Wall Street expectations for the period and marked 13% growth for the three months through April 1, the company said. The company noted decreases in advertising revenue at non-sports channels including both ABC network and A&E cable channels. Still, Disney's direct-to-consumer unit grew revenue by 12% in the second quarter to $5.5 billion while its operating losses decreased.

☆ With writers' strike already underway, film and TV studios start labor talks with directors
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Television and film studios, already dealing with a strike by the Writers Guild of America, started contract negotiations Wednesday with the Directors Guild of America. If those talks break down, they could lead to even broader work stoppages on film and television sets nationwide. Writers Guild of America members and supporters picket outside Sunset Bronson Studios and Netflix Studios, after union negotiators called a strike for film and television writers, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 3, 2023. There’s a good chance the Writers Guild could still be on strike at that point. Late night television shows were the first to be halted by the writers strike, and some other popular shows now in production, including Stranger Things, have been postponed as well.

☆ 'Avengers' director Joe Russo says everyone should be scared of AI
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

"Avengers" director Joe Russo says everyone should be scared of artificial intelligence. The director told Variety AI must work as a "tool servicing us rather than us servicing the tool." "Avengers" director Joe Russo has weighed in on the development of artificial intelligence. "I think everyone should be scared of AI," Russo told Variety at the Los Angeles premiere of "Citadel." Russo told Variety AI must work as a "tool servicing us rather than us servicing the tool."

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