YouTube tipped to strike licensing deals for TV shows and films

SUMMARY:

YouTube is preparing to strike deals with Hollywood studios and television firms to bring films and TV shows to its YouTube Red subscription service. The online video service is keen for its $9.99-a-month service to compete more directly with rivals such as Netflix, Amazon and Hulu, according to the Wall Street Journal  report suggests that YouTube is in the “early stages” of these talks, but that it hopes to commission original shows and films rather than simply license existing content.

FACTS:

• It’s based on people paying $12.99 for a monthly subscription within the app – YouTube has added $3 to the cost of YouTube Red to account for Apple’s 30% cut of in-app purchases.
• YouTube is not the only tech giant hoping to strike streaming licensing deals with the TV and film industries for 2016

 

 

Yahoo board 'weighing sale of core business and Marissa Mayer's future

 

 

 

SUMMARY:

The Yahoo board will weigh a sale of its core internet business when it meets this week, according to sources. Its meeting comes amid a broader debate about the future of the company and that of high-profile chief executive Marissa Mayer. The Wall Street Journal first reported the possible sale of the internet business late on Tuesday. People familiar with the matter told the newspaper the board was expected to also discuss during meetings from Wednesday to Friday whether to proceed with a plan to spin off more than $30bn (£20bn) in shares of Alibaba. The company could also pursue both options, the paper said.

 

FACTS:

 

• The company’s shares were up more than 7% in extended trading.
• Yahoo’s core business, which includes popular services such as Yahoo Mail
• Yahoo declined to comment on the report.
• The news comes as Mayer faces growing pressure over the company’s performance.