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YouTube plans paid music service; trial date set for DOJ's AT&T/Time Warner case

Top News

* Google Inc.'s YouTube is working to launch a paid music service in March 2018 with music from major record labels, Bloomberg News reports, citing people familiar with the matter. YouTube is said to have already agreed to a deal with Warner Music Group Corp., and is currently in talks with the Sony Corp.'s Sony Music Entertainment Inc., Vivendi SA's Universal Music Group and Merlin Network, a global digital rights agency that represents independent labels.

* The trial to determine if the U.S. Department of Justice can block AT&T Inc.'s purchase of Time Warner Inc. will begin March 19, 2018, Variety reports. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon reportedly said the trial will last for three weeks, but a decision before April 22, 2018, the deadline agreed upon by AT&T and Time Warner to close the deal, "is not happening."

* Verizon Communications Inc. integrated Netflix Inc.'s streaming service on three of its set-top-boxes, according to a Netflix support page. The three models are the IPC1100P2 and IPC1100P1 (client), and the VMS1100 DVR.

* The Peloton-networked stationary bike and Latin dance-inspired Zumba workout are having an outsized impact on the American fitness industry, which generated $27.6 billion in 2016, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association. Although Peloton and Zumba will likely generate in aggregate under $500 million in 2017, they are significant because of their media-driven brand and social-media footprint, blogger Bishop Cheen noted in his latest post.

TV Networks

* Fuse Media and DISH Network Corp. struck a continued carriage deal for music-centered network FM (US), Multichannel News reports. FM is available on channel 180 on DISH programming packages, including America's Top 120, America's Top 200, America's Top 250 and America's Everything Pack.

Internet & OTT

* Facebook Inc.'s Instagram unit is testing a stand-alone messaging app called Direct, Kevin Weil, vice president of product at Instagram, said in a tweet. The app will initially be available in six countries.

* Facebook unveiled live streaming and videos chats for Instant Games on the Messenger app. According to a Facebook post, the company will introduce the "Angry Birds" game in early 2018.

* DISH Network's Sling TV will offer CuriosityStream as a premium add-on "channel" for $6 per month, Multichannel News reports. The new add-on will be available to users who subscribe to Sling Orange or Sling Blue packages, or Sling TV's Spanish-language and international services.

Technology

* Sony Interactive Entertainment sold more than 70.6 million PlayStation 4 consoles worldwide as of Dec. 3. Also, more than 617.8 million copies of PS4 games have been sold at retail stores globally and through digital downloads on PlayStation Store, the company said. Sony also sold 2 million PS VR headsets and 12.2 million PS VR titles.

The day ahead

Early morning futures indicators pointed to a higher opening for the U.S. market.

In Asia, the Hang Seng increased 1.19% to 28,639.85, and the Nikkei 225 increased 1.39% to 22,811.08.

In Europe, around midday, the FTSE 100 was up 0.31% to 7,343.59, and the Euronext 100 was up 0.45% to 1,046.90.

On the macro front

The employment situation report, the consumer sentiment report, the wholesale trade report and the Baker-Hughes Rig Count report are due out today.

Featured news

The Daily Dose Europe: KPN denies foreign acquisition plans; TIM receives offers for Persidera: KPN NV is not looking at foreign acquisitions, while Telecom Italia SpA has received initial non-binding offers for Persidera.

The Daily Dose Asia-Pacific: Bain Capital closes ADK tender offer; Japan court makes TV license fee mandatory: Bain Capital LP finalized its tender offer for Asatsu-DK Inc., while the Japanese Supreme Court ruled the payment of public broadcasting fees to support the NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corp.) mandatory.

Hires and Fires: Ergen steps down as DISH CEO; comScore to cut 10% of workforce: DISH Chairman Charlie Ergen stepped down as CEO of the company to focus on the wireless business. ComScore Inc. is cutting about 175 jobs, while Cameron Meierhoefer stepped down as executive vice president and COO of comScore.

Featured research

Economics of TV & Film: Kagan Box Office Report – Week 49: Week 49 was another week at the box office with no new wide-release film, but the big hits from previous weeks were able to fill seats and propel total weekly box office into growth over the prior year.

Technology: Global spending on FTTH gear up modestly in Q3, while DSL spending slows again: After an improved second quarter, service providers continued to ramp their purchases of combined DSL and fiber-to-the-home, or FTTH, equipment in the third quarter, though only modestly.

Consumer Insights: Netflix users find original content most enjoyable: Netflix users get the most enjoyment out of the service's original content, according to results of our U.S. Consumer Insights survey.

The Daily Dose is updated as of 7 a.m. ET. Some external links may require a subscription.