The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved the merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media after Skydance agreed to end DEI efforts. The settlement has removed the final step for media and entertainment companies to close the deal. “It is time for a change. That is why I welcome Skydance’s commitment to make significant changes at the once storied CBS broadcast network,” FCC Chair Brendan Carr said in a statement, according to CBS News. Carr mentioned Skydance’s plans to hire a CBS News ombudsman to examine complaints of editorial bias
Etsy Users are urging customers to boycott the online marketplace after “Alligator Alcatraz” merch was found on its website. The term refers to the Trump administration detention centre in the Florida Everglades. Sky News reported that the facility has been compared to a “dog cage” with some detainees saying “not even sunlight gets in.” It’s built from Federal Emergency Management Agency trailers and temporary shelters at the site of a training airport in Miami-Dade County and is situated in the middle of a natural alligator habitat, according to Fast Company.
R&B singer SZA raised the alarm about the environmental impact of AI, especially on Black and brown communities, in a series of Instagram Story posts on July 16. The R&B singer said the only AI she is interested in using is “actual imagination,” according to a screenshot captured by Vibe. “AI is killing and polluting black and brown cities. None of you care cause your codependent on a machine. Have a great life,” the singer added. SZA Calls Out Environmental Racism Fans had flocked to SZA’s page in search of
Join our Patreon for extra-long episodes and ad-free content: https://www.patreon.com/techish This week, Techish hosts Michael and Abadesi dive into the incident that everyone is talking about: two execs spotted getting cozy at a Coldplay concert. They unpack the drama, talk about trust in the workplace, and explore how social media turns everything into a spectacle. They also chat about the blurry lines in work relationships, Hailey Bieber’s Rhode, and ask if influencer culture is losing its grip? Let’s get into it. Chapters 00:26 Tech Execs Caught on Coldplay Kiss Cam06:59 Trust,
The Digital Law Company has applied to hold Meta Platforms in contempt of court after it did not provide data on individuals who posted harmful content about South African school children on WhatsApp. If Meta does not comply with the order to release the alleged perpetrators’ data, the law firm wants the judge to jail Thabo Makenete, Meta’s public policy head for Southern Africa. This came after the Digital Law Company received an urgent court order, urging Meta to remove explicit content and share identifying details, such as names, emails,
Fantasy sports and gaming platform, Fantasy Life, has secured $7 million in a new round, which included investors like LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Gerry Cardinale, John Legend, and Fortnite co-creator and former Epic Games C-suiter Donald Mustard, as reported by Variety. The investment will help expand Fantasy Life’s platform to a more customizable app and mobile experiences for players. It will also help the platform complete its acquisition of a rival company, Guillotine Leagues. The venture was created in 2024 by veteran fantasy sports entrepreneur Paul Charchian through his Heavy Blade
Don Lemon’s lawsuit against Elon Musk and his social network X over the cancellation of their partnership can proceed to trial, a San Francisco judge ruled this week. CNBC reported that Musk’s team had attempted to transfer the case to a Texas court and sought to persuade the judge to dismiss the complaint altogether. Judge Harold Kahn said in an order on Tuesday that Lemon and his attorneys plausibly alleged, along with other claims, that X and Musk had committed “fraud by false promise” and that there was “an implied contract” between the two. Don
Join our Patreon for extra-long episodes and ad-free content. This week on Techish, Michael and Abadesi dive into the latest round of tech layoffs, questioning why job cuts continue despite record profits. They chat about how AI is changing roles, the value of networking, and staying financially ready in shaky times. Plus, tips on job hunting, social media’s influence on spending, and a reminder to take charge of your career. Chapters 00:24 Microsoft Cuts 9,000 Jobs: What’s Really Going On?09:39 Layoff Prep + Recovery 10120:43 The Overemployed Engineer: Soham Parekh
Paramount Global is waiting for one last step before completing its sale to independent film and TV producer David Ellison’s Skydance Media. The Federal Communications Commission must approve the transfer of the company’s broadcast licenses, according to Bloomberg. The agency is concerned about news bias inside the media company, as well as the legality of its DEI efforts. Paramount’s merger with Skydance Media Paramount’s transfer to Skydance Media progressed after the media group settled Trump’s news-bias lawsuit against its CBS News division by agreeing to pay $16 million for his legal expenses and a donation
AMP, a streaming group comprising influencers, has secured a deal with Target, but some consumers are unhappy with the move. The group that creates collaborative videos on YouTube and Twitch consists of Duke Dennis, Kai Cenat, Fanum, Agent 00, ChrisNxtDoor, and ImDavisss. They have now launched a personal care brand called Tone, which will be sold exclusively at Target. “We really saw a gap in the shelves for a new brand to break through — and for a brand that is fresh and represents who we and our community are. Products that don’t just look good
