Alex Baker

“Warner Music Group (WMG) CEO Robert Kyncl has come out in favor of a US Senate bill that would crack down on unauthorized deepfakes, arguing that the technology could ruin lives, reputations and businesses if left unchecked. Although many in the music business are embracing AI, it’s also the case that “generative AI is appropriating artists’ identities and producing deepfakes that depict people doing, saying, or singing things that never happened,” Kyncl will tell a subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Commitee on Tuesday (April 30). “Through AI, it is very easy for someone to impersonate me and cause all manner of havoc,” Kyncl said, according to his pre-prepared remarks shared with MBW. “They could speak to an artist in a way that could destroy our relationship. They could say untrue things about our publicly traded company to the media that would damage our business.” #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Legal #GenerativeAi #GeAi #Music #MusicBusiness #Musicians #Musica #MusicIndustry #Musique #Musik #MusicLicensing #WMG #MusicVideos #Artists #MusicBiz #Streaming #StreamingServices #StreamingMedia #WarnerMusicGroup #USCongress #USA

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From the Latest FilmLA Report • Scripted TV production in Los Angeles dropped 99% in Q3 2023 compared to 2022. • FilmLA calls for a significant expansion of California’s $330 million production incentive due to a 20% drop in local filming. • Other jurisdictions like New York, Ontario, Georgia, and the U.K. offer more competitive, uncapped or larger subsidies, putting California at a disadvantage. • Strikes in 2023 and a decline in Peak TV also contributed to a production slowdown. • Global production declines occurred, with Georgia and the U.K. also seeing reduced TV releases. • California temporarily boosted its incentives in 2021, but ongoing state budget deficits limit further expansions. • FilmLA warns California must act to support its entertainment industry or face continued market share losses. FilmLA Seeks 'Vast Expansion' of California Tax Credit (variety.com) https://lnkd.in/gps_6c9A

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From programming show control to wiring LED walls and developing interactive content, Bridgewater's Media & Technology team's responsiblities are expansive. But what does Brian Dressel, our VP of Media and Tech consider his #1 job? Making the technology invisible. Because it's not about the tech, it's about the experience. #interactivemedia #experientialmarketing #experiencedesign

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Xbox announced that today marks the final season of the Xbox Ambassadors program. Xbox Ambassadors have been crucial in shaping a positive Xbox community for the past 13 years. 🎀 Programs like Fanfest, Xbox Insider Program & Rewards with Xbox will be prioritized. 🎀 Xbox Research will offer new ways to share feedback and influence the Xbox experience. 🎀 The website will go offline on 10/15. Claim your rewards! 🎀 Ambassadors will receive a legacy badge. As an Xbox Ambassador, I’m sad to see this change, but excited for what’s ahead. The gaming community landscape is evolving and there’s been such a shift even from 2020 to now. Gaming communities are no longer confined to specific programs or platforms. Instead, they're becoming more holistic, emphasizing values that make gaming a space where everyone can belong— though make no mistake, there’s still so much work to be done. Still, the new avenues for player engagement are designed to foster deeper connections and provide more meaningful ways for players to have an impact. #XboxAmbassadors #GirlyGamingGuide

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"Bundling, even with would-be competitors, is not a new idea and is a tactic multiple streamers have explored as they look, in part, to grow subscriber value and reduce churn and marketing expenses." "Who is best served to deliver streaming bundles is still somewhat a point of debate in the ecosystem, where WBD sees benefits in cutting out the middleman in some cases." "Zaslav acknowledged positive results from the Verizon-offered Max-Netflix bundle, saying it’s “doing much better than expected” and provides another example of “more strength together,” with the strategy behind bundles driven by the need for change in consumer experience in a very crowded streaming space. With Disney and WBD working together, he noted the companies get all of the data, can work directly with consumers and enhance that experience, as it’s already doing for Max." "A key theme emphasized throughout the call, is WBD’s belief that amid a crowded and fragmented streaming and TV viewing ecosystem where viewers are burdened by numerous options and rising prices, consumers will follow great content." #svod #ott #video #streaming #tv #bundle #content

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I had the privilege and pleasure of being able to present an Ecosystem keynote at PASS/PostgresConf Seattle this past week: Profit is the reward not the goal. It is probably my most well received presentation and I have been speaking for 30 years. Hopefully we will have the recording available soon but here is a tip: Are you a resource or an asset? Now look up the definitions of both of those. #leadership, #resource, #asset, #humanfirst, #payitforward

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📈 Streamflation Alert: Subscription prices are rising again! In 2024, platforms are boosting prices for the second time in two years. Streaming services like Peacock, Max, and Spotify are increasing costs, often coinciding with major events or new content launches. 💡 Why the price hikes? Streaming platforms are adding more content and employing strategic moves to drive users towards ad-supported tiers, which generate higher revenue. For example, Peacock raised prices right before the Paris Olympics, and Max did so ahead of the new season of House of the Dragon. Bundling services are also on the rise, with companies like Disney and Verizon offering attractive package deals to reduce subscriber churn and enhance value. 📊 What's next? Analysts believe these price hikes are just the beginning, expecting more increases by the end of the year. The goal is to boost margins and gently push consumers towards ads and bundles, supporting the company's larger financial objectives. #TV #svod #streaming #bundle https://lnkd.in/e8-uYitV

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“Music recording companies have been urging streaming services to raise their subscription prices for some time now, and over the past 18 months, they’ve succeeded, with most of the major DSPs hiking prices. Some in the music industry have hinted these price hikes – typically an increase of $1 per month for individual subscriptions – isn’t quite enough to keep up with inflation. But Sony Music Group Chairman Rob Stringer is setting his sights on another monetization goal: Getting the music streaming services to start charging for their ad-supported subscription tiers.” “The value of the paid music product remains incredible. And we appreciate that our partners recognized that with price increases over the past year. However, it also highlights that the price gap between free and paid has gotten wider in mature markets. We hope that our partners close that gap by asking consumers using ad-supported services to additionally pay a modest fee.” “Besides Sony’s take on ad-supported streaming services, here are five other things we learned from Rob Stringer’s presentation at Sony’s business segment meeting:” #Sony #SonyMusic #Spotify #AppleMusic #YouTubeMusic #Deezer #Streaming #Songwriters #StreamingRoyalties #Royalties #MusicTracks #MusicStreams #Music #MusicBusiness #Musica #MusicIndustry #Musique #Musik #MusicBiz #DSPs #StreamingServices #StreamingMedia

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Another one in the books! Check it out below.

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Exclusive content is at the heart of the SiriusXM product

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“This weekend music videos featuring songs by writers allied with American collecting society SESAC were blocked on YouTube in the US, because its SESAC licence was about to expire and no new deal had been agreed. But, at the very last minute, a deal was done and the videos are back.” “As music licensing bust ups go, the YouTube v SESAC dispute isn’t going to go down in history. Music videos featuring SESAC-represented artists started to be blocked on YouTube in the US over the weekend after licensing negotiations with the American collecting society stalled. But now they’ve unstalled and the videos are back. The YouTube support team announced on X yesterday evening, “if you’re in the United States we’re happy to share that YouTube has reached a deal with SESAC. Content that was previously blocked will be restored across YouTube services over the next day or two. We appreciate all your patience”. When Universal had its big bust up with TikTok earlier this year, its recordings were off the platform for three months, with songs that the major publishes and directly licenses in the digital domain being affected for two months. When it comes to YouTube, Warner Music had a nine month stand off with the Google-owned platform back in 2008 and 2009. Also in 2009, UK collecting society PRS had a licensing dispute with YouTube that ran from March to September. And German collecting society GEMA refused to licence YouTube for seven years between 2009 and 2016 in a disagreement over acceptable terms. So GEMA definitely wins the long drawn-out licensing dispute competition.” Read the article for more: #SESAC #YouTube #Streaming #CMOs #PROs #Adele #BobDylan #GreenDay #REM #BurnaBoy #Rush #Songwriters #MusicPublishing #Copyright #DerechoDeAutor #DroitdAuteur #Music #MusicBusiness #Musica #MusicIndustry #Musique #Musik #MusicBiz #DigitalRights #MusicRights #Songs #UniversalMusic #UMG #TikTok #WarnerMusic #WMG #PRS #GEMA

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Surprised? CONCERNED?? Although no surprises, as production is down everywhere (although it seems to be rebounding more outside of the U.S., e.g., Canada, the UK and Australia. Acknowledging Governor Newsom is doing all he can (given the political climate, and budgetary issues & concerns) Los Angeles and California will face further competition from Illinois (as announced last week, Illinois now allows National Talk Shows, (‘Jimmy Kimmel’ Live – note, ‘The Tonight Show’, ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ and “The Kelly Clarkson Show” – have already moved to NY because of incentives), Game Shows (e.g., ‘Jeopardy’ and ‘Wheel of Fortune’) and Contest Shows (e.g., “American Idol” and ‘America’s Got Talent’). Talk Shows, Game Shows and Contest Shows do not qualify for the California incentive. Also, NJ Governor just signed a new bill, further enhancing the NJ incentive – reviewing the Bill now and will summarize and share ASAP.  Also noting, there was pending legislation in other states (e.g., Oklahoma - while it didn’t pass in Oklahoma this year, Oklahoma will try again to incentivize live tv/episodic television (still LA/CA’s bread & butter!!! Entertainment Partners https://lnkd.in/gwfW572T https://lnkd.in/gB7_AjPq

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“How much do artists make per stream on the most popular streaming music services? Here’s a breakdown for Pandora, Napster, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and more (updated for 2022). Based on information directly received from artists and indie labels, as well as various published sources, we can rank streaming music services according to their per-stream rate. So how much do artists make per stream? Given extreme variations in payouts, the answer largely depends on the platform involved. Take a look.” Read the article for the details: #Streaming #Artists #Royalties #MusicRoyaties #Spotify #Napster #Pandora #AppleMusic #YouTube #Deezer #AmazonMusic #TIDAL #Beyonce #JayZ #Music #MusicBusiness #Musica #MusicIndustry #Musique #Musik #MusicBiz #DigitalRights #MusicRights #Songs

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📺 Apple will introduce a new version of its streaming television operating system, tvOS 18, later this year, featuring character-driven data and a dialogue enhancer. 🎬 The new feature, InSight, allows streamers to see timely updates about actors, characters, and music offered through Apple TV Plus content, integrating directly with other Apple services like Apple Music. 🗣️ Enhanced Dialogue will utilize machine learning and computational audio to deliver greater vocal clarity over music, action, and background noise on various devices including Apple TV 4K, HomePod, iPhones, and iPads. 🌍 Other features in tvOS 18 include smarter subtitles, updated screen savers, a revamped Apple Fitness Plus app, better integration with smart home devices, support for 21:9 aspect ratio videos on projectors, and improvements to FaceTime and Continuity Camera for video conferencing. #svod #ai #apple #tv https://lnkd.in/eAgubRGC

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Found this article in my TL;DR newsletter and reminds me of the value of a CompSci education in driving awareness of abstractions so you appreciate them but always “trust, but verify.”

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🔊 New Insight for Recording Engineers! 🔊 🎶 The secret to capturing the heart of Jazz, Funk, and R&B music lies in the tools you choose. In my latest blog post, “Capturing the Soul of Jazz, Funk, and R&B: Ribbon vs. Condenser Microphones in the Studio,” I reveal why the right microphone can make all the difference in creating a rich, authentic sound. 🎙️ Discover: How ribbon mics add warmth to brass and string sections 🎷 The versatility of condenser mics for capturing vocals and details 🎤 Why these choices matter for achieving that unmistakable, soulful tone. Benefit: Elevate your recording techniques with a deep dive into mic selection tailored for live musicianship in the studio. Perfect for sound engineers and musicians alike! 👉 Ready to up your game? Read the full post here:

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Another misguided political stunt. If you think this will make a difference, you don’t understand TV and film tax incentives. California’s 25% rate is one of the lowest—some states go as high as 45%, and internationally, incentives can be even more competitive. Newsom’s proposal also keeps restrictive rules, excluding actor salaries and above-the-line costs, which are big parts of film budgets. States like Georgia offer better incentives with no such limits and now have the infrastructure to support it. This won’t change the reality: other states offer better incentives, now have the infrastructure, and, ultimately, are simply more competitive.

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