CNN president resigns; Alphabet CEO flags 'consequences' of Big Tech bills

The Daily Digest highlights top news and exclusive insights on the technology, media and telecommunications sectors.

TOP NEWS

CNN president Jeff Zucker resigns, citing relationship with colleague

CNN (US) President Jeff Zucker has resigned from the cable news network, citing his failure to disclose a consensual relationship with a close colleague, Dow Jones Newswires reported, citing an email Zucker sent to staff.

Alphabet CEO flags potential 'unintended consequences' of Big Tech bills

Alphabet Inc. CEO Sundar Pichai warned of potential risks to key internet businesses like Google LLC's search and services during an otherwise upbeat fourth-quarter 2021 earnings update.

➤ Data Dispatch: China leads Asia-Pacific's box office to 48% growth in 2021

Movie theater revenue totaled $8.76 billion in 2021 across China, Japan, South Korea and Australia. Most of this was from China, which saw revenue rise 74.5% year over year to $6.76 billion.

➤ Data Dispatch: Latin America records highest 2021 box office revenue in December

The region recorded $124.78 million in box office revenue in December, despite an 11.1% drop in film releases during the month.

➤ Economics of Advertising: Broadcast TV viewership dips 0.2% YOY in November 2021

After four consecutive months of year-over-year growth, combined prime-time C3 delivery for 11 broadcast networks Kagan tracked in November 2021 declined 0.2%, based on Nielsen Holdings PLC's data.

➤ Economics of Networks: 2021 RSN sports rights deals, extensions; Sinclair secures streaming rights

2021 regional sports network sports rights are highlighted by Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc.'s highly anticipated direct-to-consumer streaming platform.

SECTOR HIGHLIGHTS

Technology

* US, European allies plan how to protect Ukraine from Russian hacks

* EA will stand fine alone

* Xerox buys IT services provider Powerland in cash deal

Internet and OTT

* TikTok hires Panasonic executive to expand compliance function

* Comcast, ViacomCBS secure approval for European streaming launch

Telecommunications

* T-Mobile US Inc. expected to post higher sales, lower profit in Q4

Publishing

* New York Times confronts labor strife as tech workers push to organize

* New York Times tops 10 million subscriptions as profit soars

With broadband growth slowing, wireless has ascended to become the long-term growth driver for Charter Communications Inc. and Comcast Corp., analysts say. Both cable operators announced record wireless subscriber additions for the fourth quarter of 2021. Charter added 380,000 mobile lines, compared to 315,000 in the same quarter of 2020. Meanwhile, Comcast added 312,000 wireless lines, up from 246,000 in the fourth quarter of 2020.