News

Netflix is investing heavily in live events

Published

2 years ago

January 24, 2024

Netflix has experienced robust subscriber growth, adding 13.1 million subscribers in the fourth quarter, marking its strongest final quarter for net additions.

This impressive growth is attributed to the company’s successful crackdown on password sharing, with paid sharing now becoming the norm.

The company’s total subscriber count reached 260.28 million at the end of the year, a nearly 13% increase from the previous year, leading to an 8% rise in shares during after-market trading.

Live events

Netflix is diversifying its content offerings, with a particular focus on live events, sports-related content, games, and expanding its advertising business.

This shift toward livestreaming provides an opportunity for more regular, appointment-based viewing, appealing to both advertisers and subscribers, as the platform aims to replace traditional TV networks as the primary source of entertainment for households.

Netflix will invest up to $17 billion in content this year.

However, the company’s net profit for the final quarter of 2023 was slightly below expectations, standing at $938 million compared to the forecasted $956 million.

Nevertheless, the operating margin rose significantly to 16.9% from 7% a year earlier, surpassing the projected 13.3%.

WWE Raw

Netflix announced a 10-year deal valued at over $5 billion to become the new home of the hit wrestling show “WWE Raw” and other WWE shows, effective January 2025.

This deal grants Netflix exclusive rights to the show in the U.S. and international distribution rights in various regions, including Canada, Latin America, and the U.K. Netflix may expand its territorial rights as existing agreements expire.

Netflix’s foray into livestreaming aligns with its growing focus on sports entertainment, although it does not signal a shift toward high-profile, costly sports-rights packages. Additionally, the company recently announced “Dinner Time with David Chang,” a live cooking show, further diversifying its content offerings.

News

Oil prices surge as U.S.-Iran tensions escalate

Published

3 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Crude oil prices jumped over 3% on Wednesday as U.S.-Iran nuclear talks showed signs of faltering, pushing WTI futures above $65 per barrel. Axios reported disagreements over the venue and scope of Friday’s talks, while President Trump warned Iran’s supreme leader to “be very worried,” stoking fears of military escalation.

Tensions in the Persian Gulf added to the volatility. A U.S. F-35C shot down an Iranian drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln, and Iranian vessels threatened a U.S.-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The USS McFaul escorted the tanker to safety, highlighting the region’s fragile oil supply routes.

Despite the clashes, nuclear talks will go ahead on Friday in Oman, but uncertainty continues to drive oil market volatility, with traders closely watching both diplomatic and military developments.

#OilPrices #IranUS #NuclearTalks #PersianGulf #WTI #EnergyMarket #Geopolitics #OilSupply

News

Washington Post layoffs: Hundreds of journalists cut as Bezos faces criticism

Published

5 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

The Washington Post has laid off hundreds of employees, marking what former executive editor Martin Baron calls “one of the darkest days” in the paper’s history. Approximately one-third of the newsroom staff were affected, as the company undertakes a so-called “strategic reset” to compete in a crowded media landscape.

The cuts hit key areas, including the sports desk, local coverage, international reporting, the books desk, and the flagship daily news podcast. Editor-in-Chief Matt Murray said the changes aim to prioritise national security, politics, science, health, technology, climate, and business coverage while positioning the Post for the future.

Critics have called out owner Jeff Bezos for his silence during the layoffs and alleged efforts to influence the paper’s political stance. Former editor Baron warned that the newspaper’s ambitions would be sharply diminished and its credibility could suffer.

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News

Amazon launches AI tools to change film and television production

Amazon MGM Studios tests AI to streamline production, reduce costs, enhancing but not replacing human creativity, says AI Studio team.

Published

10 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Amazon MGM Studios tests AI to streamline production, reduce costs, enhancing but not replacing human creativity, says AI Studio team.

Amazon MGM Studios is stepping into the future of entertainment by developing artificial intelligence tools designed to reduce production costs and streamline filmmaking processes. This closed beta, launching in March, will let industry partners test how AI can enhance creativity and efficiency on set.

Amy Cheng, leading the AI Studio team, emphasises that while AI can accelerate workflows, it will never replace the unique contributions of human creativity. The initiative represents Amazon’s push to innovate in content creation while maintaining the art of storytelling.

The use of AI in Hollywood is expanding rapidly, sparking discussions about its impact on jobs and the future of the industry. As studios explore automation, the balance between efficiency and human artistry remains a central concern.

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