The CW's potential sale; Epic Games-Google deal on Bandcamp sales

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

TOP NEWS

Upfronts: The CW sets revamped fall lineup, awaits possible sale

The CW owners Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. may be nearing a sale for the young-adult skewing network, with Nexstar Media Group Inc. reportedly the top contender.

Epic and Google to put 10% of Bandcamp's sales in escrow

Epic Games Inc.-owned music service Bandcamp will continue to use its existing payment system on Android devices, and 10% of its digital sales will be held in escrow starting June 1 until the court rules on its case against Google LLC over alleged violations of antitrust laws, Dow Jones Newswires reported.

➤ Consumer Insights: Inflation changes buying behavior regardless of income level

Nearly half, 45%, of internet adults in the U.S. reported delaying a purchase due to inflation, according to the Kagan first-quarter U.S. Consumer Insights survey.

➤ Economics of TV & Film: KBOX Week 20: 'Dr. Strange' takes 1st place across the multiverse

People continued to fill seats in theaters to watch "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" but appeared to be in interested in little else as week 20 box office was down nearly $100 million from week 19.

➤ Economics of TV & Film: Turner cable networks 'turning' in scripted originals for sports

Turner entertainment cable networks grew content spend to $3.6 billion in 2021 as then-owner AT&T Inc. leaned on acquisitions and sports; future linear original spending remains uncertain amid a merger and a revamp of content distribution strategy.

SECTOR HIGHLIGHTS

Technology

* Bank of America sees HPE backlog introducing risk

Internet and OTT

* Keywords Studios' executive pay gets low shareholder support

* Bezos' and Musk's tax data leaked a year ago, and IRS leaders still wait for answers

* Prosus selling Russian business will not solve all its problems

* Welcome to the 'network generation'

Telecommunications

* Vantage Towers seen with value creation in M&A

Advertising

* Google's competitive behavior in digital ads gets renewed regulatory pressure

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in record engagement levels within gaming, but it also caused severe workflow disruptions at most major studios, resulting in longer development cycles and even delays for a host of high-profile titles. This led to Activision Blizzard Inc. and Electronic Arts Inc. missing analyst estimates in the March quarter. Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., which has suffered from a slew of delayed games since 2021, also missed analyst estimates on its earnings forecast for the coming quarters.