Companies
Paramount Skydance circles Warner Bros Discovery
Fresh off their $8.4 billion merger, Paramount Skydance is weighing up an even bigger move: a possible bid for Warner Bros Discovery.
As Deadline’s Jill Goldsmith, Dominic Patten, Ted Johnson write, sources say David Ellison and his backers, led by Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison, are assessing the upside of swallowing the whole company rather than just Warner Bros Studios.
The deal that put Skydance in charge of Paramount only closed in August, but talk of another bold play has been bubbling ever since.
Meanwhile…
Warner Bros Discovery shares surge on takeover chatter
According to Capital Brief’s Paulina Durán and Paige McNamee its shares spiked more than 37% after reports of that Paramount Skydance bid.
Warner closed almost 29% higher at USD 17.24, while Paramount Skydance stock jumped 15.5%.
Legal
MCoBeauty exec sues over burnout
MCoBeauty’s ex-finance chief Stuart Sher is suing after being dismissed mid-sale, claiming extreme hours left him burned out – literally.
The Australian Financial Review’s Max Mason writes that court filings say he once fell asleep at his desk at 1am, spilling hot water and suffering second-degree burns.
Sher says he warned then-CEO Shelley Sullivan of his declining health during the $1 billion sale to Dennis Bastas’ DBG Health, arguing his dismissal was unfair while he was still working on the deal.
Napster copyright fee fight ends with a whimper
A long-running copyright battle against Rhapsody International/Napster has fizzled to a fraction of what was once on the table.
Digital Music News’ Dylan Smith writes that Judge Jeffrey White has cut the plaintiffs’ legal-fee request down from a proposed $1.7 million to just over $86,000, plus $13,000 in costs.
The case began nearly a decade ago when songwriters accused Napster of using their work without permission.
Publication
Chaser slammed for Charlie Kirk joke
Satirical paper The Chaser has sparked outrage after joking about the assassination of US conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
This was the ‘gag’ they posted:
Critics, such as The Daily Telegraph’s James Morrow, said the post was “entirely indicative of the juvenile glee with which too many on the left have joined in.”
Social Media
France looks to Australia as TikTok faces fresh scrutiny
A French inquiry has urged banning under-15s from social media and setting a curfew for older teens, slamming TikTok as a “production line of distress” that feeds harmful content to young users.
The BBC’s Paul Kirby reports that TikTok has rejected the claims, pointing to its 70-plus safety features, but the commission said the platform had failed to protect teens and must rethink its model.
The push comes as other nations watch Australia, with our world-first social media ban on under-16s set to come into play in December.
Influencers weigh in on Charlie Kirk reactions
Sky News Australia’s Oscar Godsell writes that Cheek Media’s Hannah Ferguson and podcast host Abbie Chatfield have commented on Kirk’s assassination.
Ferguson’s Cheek Media announced it would publish a piece on how progressives should respond, posting that Kirk had encouraged a culture of guns and violence.
Chatfield reposted the content and added her own view, saying that while she disliked Kirk, his killing could deepen political violence and elevate his status among supporters.
Sports
Robson tipped for TNT Sports Ashes role
Former tennis star turned pundit Laura Robson is in talks with TNT Sports to join their Ashes coverage from Australia this summer.
The Guardian’s Matt Hughes writes that it would mark Robson’s first big TV assignment outside tennis.
TNT is reportedly planning to use her as an on-the-ground reporter while the main commentary team calls the series from Europe.