Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Television Broadcasts (TVB), long the dominant free-to-air TV operator in Hong Kong is to dismiss 300 staff, or 8% of its already reduced workforce, in a further cost cutting move. The company said in a regulatory filing on Monday that it will shed 200 staff from its program production operations, merge two of its five channels and reduce its Zstore e-commerce business, with the loss of an additional 100 jobs. The moves, some of which require regulatory approval, are the second staff reduction to be announced this year. In March, TVB cut 255 employees, taking its headcount to 3,600 as of June.TVB is proposing to merge its J2 channel (offering content and programs aimed at a young audience) with its TVB Finance, Sports & Information channel and to create TVB+.
Jezebel Shutting Down, Parent Company G/O Media Laying Off 23 Staffers
09.11.2023 - 16:27 / variety.com
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor After more than 16 years, Jezebel, the sharp-edged feminist news and opinion website, is shutting down. Originally launched in 2007 by Gawker Media, Jezebel — which carried the tagline “Sex. Celebrity.
Politics. With Teeth” — is being shuttered by current owner G/O Media, after an unsuccessful attempt to sell the site. In addition, G/O Media editorial director Merrill Brown is leaving the company after less than a year as part of a company restructuring.
“As of this week we are making the very, very difficult decision to suspend publication of Jezebel,” G/O Media CEO Jim Spanfeller wrote in a memo to staff Thursday announcing the shutdown. “Few decisions over the course of my career have been as excruciating, and I want to make clear this is in NO WAY a reflection on the Jezebel editorial team.” The shutdown of Jezebel and the G/O Media editorial restructuring will result in a layoff of 23 editorial staffers (including the Jezebel team), Spanfeller wrote in the memo, adding that “Over the longer term we will be adding new positions with updated or perhaps new goals in mind.” “Unfortunately, our business model and the audiences we serve across our network did not align with Jezebel’s,” Spanfeller wrote in the memo. “And when that became clear, we undertook an expansive search for a new, perhaps better home that might ensure Jezebel a path forward.
It became a personal mission of Lea Goldman [G/O Media deputy editorial director], who worked tirelessly on the project, talking with over two dozen potential buyers. It is a testament to Jezebel’s heritage and bonafides that so many players engaged us. Still, despite every effort, we could not find Jez a new home.” They have had many successes
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Sports Illustrated’s Parent Says Articles by Allegedly Fake Writers With AI-Generated Photos Came From Third-Party Provider
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor After Sports Illustrated was called out for publishing articles from apparently nonexistent authors with AI-generated headshots, the company that operates SI said the content in question came from a third party that had provided assurances those were written by humans. The Arena Group, which publishes Sports Illustrated, said it has ended its partnership with AdVon Commerce, the company that supplied the posts.
Elon Musk’s X/Twitter Sues Media Matters After Advertiser Exodus, Alleging ‘Blatant Smear Campaign’ by Research Group
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Elon Musk, as promised, is hauling Media Matters into court — alleging the liberal watchdog group “knowingly and maliciously manufactured” images depicting neo-Nazi and white-nationalist posts on X next to major marketers’ ads. The complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages, as well as an injunction requiring Media Matters to “immediately delete, take down or otherwise remove” the article titled “As Musk endorses antisemitic conspiracy theory, X has been placing ads for Apple, Bravo, IBM, Oracle, and Xfinity next to pro-Nazi content.” Media Matters reps did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the suit.
Christopher Nolan Says Streaming-Only Content Is a ‘Danger’ and Can ‘Get Taken Down,’ Guillermo del Toro Calls Owning Physical Media a ‘Responsibility’
Zack Sharf Digital News Director Christopher Nolan made headlines earlier this month when he took a playful jab at streaming platforms while discussing the upcoming home release of “Oppenheimer.” The atomic bomb drama, which grossed a staggering $950 million in theaters worldwide, is hitting Blu-ray and other digital platforms this month. Nolan said at a recent “Oppenheimer” screening that it’s important to own the film on Blu-ray so that “no evil streaming service can come steal it from you.” “It was a joke when I said it. But nothing’s a joke when it’s transcribed onto the internet,” Nolan recently told The Washington Post in a follow-up interview.
Elon Musk Says He’s Suing Media Matters Over Reports That Found X/Twitter Ads Ran Next to Pro-Nazi, White-Pride Posts
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor After a spate of major advertisers said they were halting spending on X over owner Elon Musk’s support of an antisemitic conspiracy theory, the tech mogul said he plans to file a “thermonuclear lawsuit” against a research group that had claimed to find ads on X/Twitter running against pro-Nazi and white nationalist posts. On Friday, Disney, Warner Bros.
ChatGPT Parent Company's CEO Sam Altman Fired, Accused of Lying to Board
OpenAI is the parent company of ChatGPT and Sam Altman has been part of the company since its inception in 2015, but now he has been fired.
ChatGPT Parent OpenAI Ousts CEO Sam Altman, Board Says It ‘No Longer Has Confidence in His Ability’ to Lead
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor In a dramatic shakeup at artificial intelligence pioneer OpenAI, the organization said chief exec and co-founder Sam Altman is exiting after its board lost confidence in his “ability to continue leading OpenAI.” San Francisco-based OpenAI is a private research lab that develops AI, founded in 2015 as a nonprofit organization by Altman, Elon Musk (who is no longer on the board of OpenAI) and others. With Altman’s exit, CTO Mira Murati will assume the role of interim CEO while a replacement is sought. In addition, OpenAI president Greg Brockman will step down as chairman of the board and will remain in his role at the company, reporting to the CEO.
Dixie D'Amelio Is Shutting Down Plastic Surgery Speculation
Dixie D’Amelio is shutting down speculation about her body – Just Jared Jr Did Prince Harry call his dad on his birthday? – Celebitchy See Shakira‘s best beauty moments over the years – Popsugar Sydney Sweeney reveals which celeb is like a sister to her – Just Jared Jr
IBM Immediately Suspends Advertising From X/Twitter After Discovering Its Ads Appeared Next to Pro-Nazi Content
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor IBM said it was immediately pulling advertising from Elon Musk‘s X, formerly known as Twitter, after a report found that ads for the tech giant had appeared next to posts supporting Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. “IBM has zero tolerance for hate speech and discrimination and we have immediately suspended all advertising on X while we investigate this entirely unacceptable situation,” a company rep said in a statement to Variety.
Hollywood And Highland Intersection Shut Down By Protest Group Over Gaza Ceasefire
One of Hollywood’s busiest main intersections was shut down during rush hour today by a group advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Paris Hilton Shuts Down Controversy Over Son's Head Size With ADORABLE New Video!
No amount of online drama is going to stop Paris Hilton from showing off her adorable baby!
Who Should Play Elon Musk in A24’s Biopic? Nicolas Cage, Rami Malek, Kathy Bates and More Picks
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor The actors strike is over, and news has emerged that a biopic of Elon Musk, directed by filmmaker Darren Aronofsky, is in the works. The movie from A24 is to be based on Walter Isaacson’s authorized biography of Musk.
WGAE Members “Devastated” Over Closure Of Jezebel Amid Layoffs Across Parent Company G/O Media
Writers Guild of America East members are reacting to today’s news of the shuttering of G/O Media‘s Jezebel after an unsuccesful attempt to sell the site. The closure came amid word that parent company G/O Media was laying off 23 staffers, including Jezebel’s team.
Vice Media Group Lays Off More Staff
Vice Media Group is beginning a restructuring process that will see the departure of a number of employees.
Sony’s PlayStation Consoles Are Cutting Off Access to Twitter/X
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Elon Musk famously is a huge video-game fan. But gaming companies apparently aren’t fans of what Musk is doing with X, the social network formerly called Twitter. Sony said it is removing support for Elon Musk’s X/Twitter from its PlayStation game consoles, effective next week.
Time Magazine Hires Majordomo Media’s Dave O’Connor to Head Studios Group
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Dave O’Connor is exiting production company Majordomo Media to take over the reins of Time Studios as president. O’Connor will report to Time CEO Jessica Sibley, who announced his hiring in a memo to staff Monday.
ITV Big Brother 'love triangle' ends as Jordan brutally dumps Henry and shuts down Matty
After weeks of juggling a will-they-won’t-they romance, Big Brother star Jordan finally appeared to bring an end to the ongoing ‘love triangle’ between himself, Henry and Matty, as he brutally dumped Henry on Friday night’s episode. The 26-year-old lawyer has enjoyed a complicated relationship with both Matty and Henry ever since the rebooted version of Big Brother returned to our screens last month, with both stars having expressed an interest in him.
Julian Alvarez shuts down Erling Haaland theory and Man City star's reaction to Ballon d'Or
Manchester City have had nearly a full week to bask in their comprehensive victory over Manchester United but now focus is set on this weekend's Premier League action.
Starz Laying Off 10% Of Staff, Exiting UK And Australia Ahead Of Split From Lionsgate
Starz plans to lay off 10% of its staff and exiting the UK and Australia ahead of its separation next year from Lionsgate.
Starz to Lay Off More Than 10% of Staff, Exit U.K. and Australia Amid Separation From Lionsgate
Selome Hailu As Starz prepares to separate from parent company Lionsgate in 2024, it will reduce its staff size by 10%. Starz will also cease business operations in the U.K.