Here are the editor's top picks for the week.
Data Dispatch: Disney-Fox deal's termination fees in context
The $1.53 billion termination fee for Walt Disney Co. should it decide to end its pursuit of 21st Century Fox Inc. assets represents 2.8% of the $55.27 billion deal's value, less than the 3.9% average for other large media and communications deals in the past decade. The separate $2.50 billion fee should the Disney/Fox deal fail due to regulatory reasons is both higher, at 4.50% of the deal's value, and more rare for such agreements.
Pac-12 Networks widens multiplatform playing field with Google VR pilot program
Pac-12 Networks, continuing to experiment with new platforms, jumped on to the short-form, virtual reality playing field with content surrounding the conference's championship football contest. Members of Pac-12 Networks' production team, working with a camera and software provided by Google Inc., produced a pair of VR180 pieces of pre- and post-game content in conjunction with the Dec. 1 game matching the University of Southern California and Stanford.
Star Wars still biggest present under the tree for Christmas box office
Despite six new wide releases for Christmas, Walt Disney Co.'s "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," is likely to dominate going into its sophomore weekend. Runners-up behind "The Last Jedi" will include a reboot and a sequel, with "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" perhaps edging ahead of "Pitch Perfect 3" at the ticket counter.
ESPN to tip off 2nd-screen NBA experience on app, ESPNEWS
The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers will meet for the second time this week, and ESPN (US) will provide fans with a second-screen experience. ESPN's linear telecast of the Lakers visiting the defending champions at Oracle Arena on Dec. 22 at 10:30 p.m. ET will be flanked by a mix of varied commentary, statistics, a high-angle view of the game proceedings and a reduced commercial load, according to NBA on ESPN senior coordinating producer Tim Corrigan.
Google, Facebook defend ad models as calls for regulation grow in UK
Alphabet Inc.'s Google and Facebook Inc. defended their digital advertising businesses in the U.K. amid calls for a level playing field from a regulatory perspective between online platforms and more traditional forms of media.