Is it the most exciting debut? No. But it does highlight that with enough gumption, one can take a magazine business into the digital age and keep aggregate revenue growing. That’s worth something.
China bans celebrity rankings in bid to ‘rectify chaos in the fan community’
Authorities increase regulation of fame and fan culture that they say will tackle online bullying and protect childrenChinese authorities have banned online lists ranking celebrities by popularity, as regulators continue a drive to “clean up” fame and …
Elizabeth Holmes stands trial – podcasts of the week
The acclaimed Dropout podcast returns to chronicle legal proceedings against the Theranos founder. Plus: good cops go bad in a new series with shades of The WireThe Dropout (available from 31 August)The polo neck wearing, deep voice-imitating, Stanford…
Netflix begins testing mobile games in its Android app in Poland
Netflix today announced it will begin testing mobile games inside its Android app for its members in Poland. At launch, paying subscribers will be able to try out two games, “Stranger Things: 1984” and “Stranger Things 3” — titles that have been previously available on the Apple App Store, Google Play and, in the case […]
Apple lowers commissions on in-app purchases for news publishers who participate in Apple News
Apple today is launching a new program that will allow subscription news organizations that participate in the Apple News app and meet certain requirements to lower their commission rate to 15% on qualifying in-app purchases taking place inside their apps on the App Store. Typically, Apple’s model for subscription-based apps involves a standard 30% commission […]
Bright raises $15M for its live video platform that lets you learn from top creators
Bright, a live video platform that lets fans engage in live conversations with their favorite creators and celebs, has raised $15 million in new funding, the company announced today. The round was co-led by co-founder and talent manager Guy Oseary’s Sound Ventures, the fund he founded with Ashton Kutcher. RIT Capital and Regah Ventures also […]
‘Netflix is a lifesaver!’ The over-65s embracing the streaming boom
Netflix has reported a surge in older viewers tuning in to its shows, from Grace and Frankie to Never Have I Ever. We meet the recent convertsI’m 66, live alone and have no children, and for many years I watched hardly any TV. Now I adore streaming. It…
BBC presenter Lisa Shaw died of Covid vaccine complications, coroner finds
Shaw died of a brain haemorrhage caused by a blood clot three weeks after her first AstraZeneca doseAn award-winning BBC radio presenter died as a result of complications from the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, a coroner has concluded.Lisa Shaw, who …
September fashion glossies hail the arrival of a post-lockdown roaring 20s
Vogue, Harper’s and Elle turn the spotlight on razzle dazzle and bright colours as we emerge from Covid gloomIn an unusual move, the cover of British Vogue features the time the photograph on it was shot: 4.57am. The image, of actor and activist Gemma …
Who’s to blame for the Afghanistan chaos? Remember the war’s cheerleaders | George Monbiot
Today the media are looking for scapegoats, but 20 years ago they helped facilitate the disastrous interventionEveryone is to blame for the catastrophe in Afghanistan, except the people who started it. Yes, Joe Biden screwed up by rushing out so chaoti…