We really need to bring back enforcement of anti-trust laws
$10 billion including Trump’s $2 billion bribe.
Curious about where the $2 billion figure is coming from?
Efficiencies and synergies according to the messaging but it could mean AI given references to harnessing Silicon Valley is the $ 2 billion reference in the article.
$16 million is given as the out of court settlement for the 60 minutes suit.
There’s definitely an AI focus, as Ellison expanded on in his introductor letter:
He touched on a “thoughtful” use of AI integrated across businesses, on supercharging streaming, spending on premium, exclusive content, focusing on sports and investing in media networks “appropriately based on the future business opportunity.”
“Technology is not—and never will be—a replacement for human creativity; rather, it serves as a powerful multiplier. From virtual production stages that unleash filmmakers’ limitless imaginations, to AI‑assisted localization that brings shows to new language markets overnight, to a proprietary ad‑tech stack that maximizes yield across streaming and linear platforms, we will thoughtfully integrate these tools into every aspect of our work,” Ellison wrote.
Given that there is almost no French language dub options on Paramount+, it’s good on one hand to know that Ellison is aware that lack of ‘localization’ is a significant barrier.
As a regular viewer of shows produced in other languages, do I think that an AI translation subtitles would get me watching more Paramount+? — not likely. Certainly not if it was a matter of AI generated dubbing.
One of the reasons that I watch most dubbed shows in French rather than English is that the quality of the dubbing and the translations are usually much higher in French.
It’s not just enough to have subtitles or a dub, the quality of these is make or break. I’m impressed that Netflix lists the dubbing actors by name for each language in the credits. That’s taking ‘localization’ seriously!
On investigation, out of my faulty memory.
I have no idea where that figure came from, but it was the one lodged in my brain for the “settlement”/bribe that Paramount paid Trump.
Ah well…
Fair enough - none of this should diminish the fact that the $16 million “legal settlement” from the former owners of the company was pretty definitely a bribe.
And Skydance is alleged to have promised the government free advertising in the form of “PSAs,” which I don’t think they’ve confirmed or denied.
Why not turn this into a place to collect articles about the various news stories coming out of this transition?
CBS Boss George Cheeks On The Decision To Cancel ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’
The Star Trek situation is touched on in the final paragraph:
Then there is Alex Kurtzman and Secret Hideout, which is in charge of the “Star Trek” TV franchise. While the company has produced a number of new “Trek” shows over the last decade, there are currently two — “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” and “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.” “Strange New Worlds” is currently airing its third season and has already been renewed through its fifth and final season. “Starfleet Academy” is expected to premiere in 2026 and has been renewed for Season 2.
Interestingly, there’s no mention of the fact that the Secret Hideout contract should be expiring in 2026, and therefore needs to be renegotiated (or not)…pretty much immediately.
