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RAW On Netflix: News

 

 

Movie Box Office (North America)

January 12, 2025

1. Den of Thieves 2 - $15.5m
2. Mufasa: The Lion King - $13.2m
3. Sonic The Hedgehog 3 - $11m
4. Nosferatu - $6.8m
5. Moana 2 - $6.5m
6. Wicked - $5m
7. A Complete Unknown - $5m
8. Babygirl - $3.1m
9. Game Changer - $2.1m
10. The Last Showgirl - $1.5m

* others

Gladiator II
Homestead
The Fire Inside

* Correct at time of publication

News

As reported in past weeks, box office numbers are no longer down approx 70 percent from last year, thanks to more studios finally giving what fans have been asking for! Developing news story!

(References: Wikipedia, Box Office Mojo, IMDb, Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter)

 

 

 

Combat Sports Watercooler

Gonzo X N Grok News For Gonzo Journalists And Online Publishers Thirsty For Fresh News Of The Web Press; X/Grok Win Media Man 'Platform Of The Year' award; YouTube runner up, followed by LinkedIn. WWE wins Media Man 'Wrestling Promotion Of The Year'; UFC Wins Media Man 'MMA Promotion Of The Year"; Live Event Dates

December 2024

Cody Rhodes Hospitalized After Title Defense Against Kevin Owens

Cody Rhodes successfully defended his Undisputed WWE Championship against Kevin Owens at the historic return of Saturday Night's Main Event, but the victory came at a cost. Following the match, Rhodes was hospitalized with a spinal injury, though specifics like cervical swelling and axial compression remain unconfirmed. The wrestling community is abuzz with speculation about the repercussions for Owens, with some fans calling for his suspension, while others ponder potential storyline developments, including whether Triple H might strip Rhodes of his title or organize a tournament. Despite the uncertainty, the WWE Universe has rallied in support of Rhodes, wishing for his speedy recovery and return to the ring. (Grok)

News

Usyk vs Fury: The Rematch for Heavyweight Supremacy

The boxing world is abuzz with anticipation for the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, scheduled for December 21 in Riyadh. This fight is not just for the heavyweight titles but also for supremacy in the ring. Usyk, known for his technical boxing skills, is favored by some to repeat his victory over Fury, potentially by decision or knockout. However, opinions vary, with many still backing Fury due to his physical advantages and possible tactical improvements since their last encounter. Discussions around Fury's training camp challenges add an element of unpredictability. The event's significance is further amplified by the prospect of a trilogy fight, making this rematch a critical chapter in their storied rivalry. (Grok)

News

UFC Tampa: Buckley's Dominant TKO Over Covington Sparks Controversy

In the main event of UFC Tampa, Joaquin Buckley delivered a performance that left fans and critics talking, securing a TKO victory over Colby Covington due to a doctor's stoppage prompted by a severe cut on Covington's eyelid. Despite the stoppage, opinions are divided on its timing, with UFC President Dana White suggesting the fight would have continued in Las Vegas. Buckley's aggressive tactics and the subsequent stoppage have led to discussions about the fight's outcome, with some questioning whether the stoppage was premature. Covington, known for his resilience, remains optimistic about his future in MMA, although this loss has sparked conversations about his current standing in the sport. The event, held at Amalie Arena, concluded the UFC's year with a bang, leaving fans eager for what's next for both fighters. (Grok)

News

MJF and Big Boom AJ Face Off at Boca Raton Championship Wrestling

At a recent Boca Raton Championship Wrestling event, MJF and Big Boom AJ had a notable face-to-face encounter. This interaction followed an incident where Big Boom AJ knocked out QT Marshall, adding fuel to their ongoing feud. While MJF's match outcome with QT Marshall wasn't detailed in reports, the confrontation with Big Boom AJ has sparked discussions among fans and commentators. Speculation is rife about a potential high-profile match between MJF and Big Boom AJ, with some suggesting it could headline an event in Texas or even feature at AEW Revolution. This event continues to highlight the dynamic and unpredictable nature of professional wrestling. (Grok)

News

GCW: Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho, known by his real name Christopher Keith Irvine, is a prominent figure in professional wrestling, currently signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and holding the Ring of Honor (ROH) World Championship. His unexpected appearance at a Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) event, specifically at "Highest In The Room 3" on December 14, 2024, has made headlines. During this event, Jericho attacked both Matt Cardona and EFFY in what seems to be a continuation of his storyline with Cardona, who he is scheduled to face at ROH Final Battle on December 20, 2024.

Jericho's appearance at GCW was significant due to recent tensions between AEW and GCW. This event followed after AEW pulled talent like Ricky Starks from GCW shows, reportedly due to comments made by EFFY about AEW's Tony Khan. However, Jericho showing up in GCW wearing an AEW shirt might indicate either a thawing of relations or a strategic move to promote the upcoming ROH title match, showcasing the complexity of inter-promotional relationships in wrestling.

Jericho's actions at GCW included disguising himself before attacking Cardona during his match with EFFY, allowing EFFY to pick up the win, only for Jericho to then reveal himself and attack EFFY as well. This has been interpreted as both an angle to build up the match at Final Battle and a way to stir the pot between AEW and GCW, with Jericho's characteristic flair for drama and surprise.

The incident has sparked discussions on social media and wrestling news sites, with many noting it as a potential sign of collaboration or at least a temporary truce between AEW and GCW, highlighting how wrestling narratives can blur the lines between real-life business disputes and scripted entertainment. (Grok)

News

UFC: NFTS

UFC NFTs, or Non-Fungible Tokens associated with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), are digital collectibles that represent various moments and memorabilia from UFC fights. Here's a comprehensive overview based on available information:

What Are UFC NFTs?
Digital Collectibles: These NFTs are video clips or images capturing iconic fight moments in UFC history, similar to digital trading cards. They are verified using blockchain technology, ensuring their uniqueness and authenticity.

Types of NFTs: UFC NFTs include fighter collections, fight night artwork, event posters, championship belts, avatars, and more. Each type offers fans a different way to connect with the sport or celebrate specific events or fighters.

Partnerships:
Dapper Labs: UFC partnered with Dapper Labs to launch "UFC Strike," where fans could purchase packs containing multiple NFT moments for $50 each. These packs offered highlights from some of the most memorable UFC fights. Fighters featured in these NFTs share 50% of the revenue from their sales.

http://Crypto.com: Another collaboration was with http://Crypto.com, where unique UFC collectibles were introduced in the http://Crypto.com NFT marketplace. This included fan posters, event shards, and event belts, with royalties going to the athletes.

Market Dynamics and Sales

Sales and Popularity: Initial drops like UFC Strike sold out quickly, indicating a strong interest among fans. For instance, the first drop of UFC Strike sold out within hours, with each fighter involved earning around $18,000 per NFT they were featured in.

Marketplace and Trading: These NFTs can be bought, sold, and traded on specific marketplaces like UFC Strike's own platform or others linked to partnerships like http://Crypto.com. This trading aspect adds a layer of engagement for fans, akin to collecting and trading physical sports cards.

Current Status and Developments
2024 Updates: Recent posts on X suggest that UFC NFTs are still being traded, with examples like an Aljamain Sterling NFT from UFC 228 being sold for $150.

Innovations: There's an ongoing evolution in how these NFTs are used, with ideas like integrating them with betting or offering additional perks like sweepstakes or exclusive content access.

Challenges and Criticisms

Market Volatility: Like all NFTs, UFC NFTs are subject to the volatility of the crypto market. The value can fluctuate dramatically, leading to skepticism about their long-term investment potential.

Fan Reception: While some fans are enthusiastic, there's also criticism, as seen in discussions on platforms like Reddit where the concept of buying digital moments is questioned.

Conclusion
UFC NFTs represent a blend of sports memorabilia with modern blockchain technology, aiming to engage fans in new ways through digital ownership of fight moments.

While they've experienced both success and skepticism, they continue to be part of UFC's strategy to connect with fans and offer new revenue streams to fighters. However, like any digital asset, they come with inherent risks and market fluctuations. (Grok)

News

WWE Saturday Night's Main Event: Texas

The next WWE Saturday Night's Main Event is scheduled to take place in San Antonio, Texas, at the Frost Bank Center on January 25, 2025. This event marks a return of the classic show to primetime television, airing live on NBC and simulcast on Peacock. It will be the second primetime special under WWE's new five-year media rights deal with NBCUniversal. (Grok)

News

WWE Royal Rumble 2025

The WWE Royal Rumble 2025 is an upcoming professional wrestling event set to take place on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. This event marks the 38th annual Royal Rumble and will notably be the first time the event is not held in January. Here are some key details:

Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium, which can accommodate up to 70,000 people for this event, is also home to the Indianapolis Colts.

Streaming and Broadcast: The event will be available via pay-per-view (PPV) and livestreaming. In the US, it will stream on Peacock, and for most international markets, it will be the first WWE PPV and livestreaming event to air on Netflix following the WWE Network's move to the service in January 2025.

Matches: The event will feature the traditional men's and women's Royal Rumble matches, where the winners typically earn a world championship match at WrestleMania. For 2025, the winners can choose which championship they will challenge for at WrestleMania 41; men can choose between Raw's World Heavyweight Championship or SmackDown's Undisputed WWE Championship, while women can select between Raw's Women's World Championship and SmackDown's WWE Women's Championship.

Special Appearances: John Cena has been announced to compete, marking his last Royal Rumble appearance before his retirement at the end of 2025. There's speculation around potential surprise entrants and returns, including WWE legends or stars from other promotions like TNA's Jordynne Grace, who made an appearance in the 2024 event.

Ticket Information: Tickets went on presale on November 13, 2024, with general public sales starting on November 15, 2024, at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT via http://Ticketmaster.com. Premium seating and hospitality packages are also available through On Location.
Event Start Time: The event is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET, continuing the trend of earlier start times for WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs).

This Royal Rumble is part of a broader partnership with Indiana Sports Corp, which will also bring WrestleMania and SummerSlam to Indianapolis in the future. The event promises to kick off the road to WrestleMania 41 with potential for memorable moments, surprise returns, and significant matches. (Grok)

News

UFC 312

UFC 312 is scheduled to take place on February 9, 2025, at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Here are some key details about the event:

Main Event: The event will be headlined by a UFC Middleweight Championship rematch between the current champion, Dricus du Plessis, and former champion, Sean Strickland. They previously fought at UFC 297, where du Plessis won the title by split decision.

Co-Main Event: The co-main event features a UFC Women's Strawweight Championship bout between the current two-time champion, Zhang Weili, and Tatiana Suarez, who won The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia strawweight tournament.

Additional Fights: Other matches announced for the card include:

Quillan Salkilld vs. Anshul Jubli at lightweight.

Rei Tsuruya vs. Stewart Nicoll at flyweight.

Jimmy Crute vs. Marcin Prachnio at light heavyweight.

Event Significance: This event marks the UFC's seventh visit to Sydney and will be the first since UFC 293 in September 2023. It is part of a deal between the UFC and the New South Wales Government to host three premium events in Sydney between 2023 and 2027.

Ticket Information: Tickets for UFC 312 are expected to go on sale to the general public on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 12 noon (AEDT) and will be available through Ticketek.

This event promises to be a significant one for MMA fans, especially for those in Australia, with two championship bouts on the line. (Grok)

News

RAW On Netflix

WWE Raw on Netflix: Starting in January 2025, WWE's flagship program, "Raw," will exclusively stream on Netflix in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Latin America, and more territories over time. This long-term deal, reported to be worth $5 billion, marks the first time in Raw's 31-year history that it will move from traditional television to a streaming service.

Availability: Raw will be available live every Monday night, showcasing WWE superstars, action, drama, and unmatched athleticism. Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S., including "SmackDown," "NXT," and major events like WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble.

Changes: There's speculation about changes in content presentation due to Netflix's platform. The move to Netflix could lead to less censorship and potentially more edgy content, although WWE will likely maintain a balance between its established audience and the streaming platform's global reach. Discussions around the show's format include the possibility of fewer commercial breaks, potentially allowing for more cohesive storytelling and match time, and flexible show lengths without the constraint of traditional TV scheduling.

Audience Reaction: There's a mix of excitement and concern among fans. Some are thrilled about the new theme song by Travis Scott and the debut at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, while others express worries about the logistics of watching, such as potential streaming issues and the cost of subscriptions. The reduction of Raw from three hours to two hours until its official Netflix premiere has also sparked discussions about the show's future format.

Impact on WWE: This partnership is described as transformative, potentially expanding WWE's reach with Netflix's global audience and bringing weekly live appointment viewing to the streaming service. The deal is expected to alter how fans consume pro wrestling programming, offering new opportunities for storytelling and viewer engagement.

Overall, the move of Raw to Netflix is seen as a significant shift in WWE's broadcasting strategy, promising both new opportunities and challenges in adapting the content for a streaming audience.

News

TNA Wrestling: News

Here are some of the top headlines and updates regarding TNA Wrestling news as of today:

TNA Final Resolution Event: TNA Wrestling is set to host its Final Resolution event on December 13, 2024, at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA, streaming live on TNA+. The event was sold out, and it features significant matches like a 4-Way Match involving Joe Hendry, Josh Alexander, Mike Santana, and Steve Maclin, where the winner will earn a shot at the TNA World Championship at Genesis. Nic Nemeth is also scheduled to defend the TNA World Championship against AJ Francis.

TNA World Championship Match: Nic Nemeth is defending the TNA World Championship against AJ Francis at Final Resolution. This match has been highlighted as a key event, adding to the anticipation around the championship scene in TNA.

TNA's 2025 Major Events: TNA Wrestling has announced plans for major live events in 2025, with the Rebellion PPV set for the Galen Center in Los Angeles and Slammiversary at UBS Arena in Belmont Park, New York. These events reflect TNA's strategy to engage with larger audiences in significant markets.

Rhino's Departure: Rhino announced his departure from TNA Wrestling, with his last match being against Ryan Nemeth. This marks the end of a significant chapter for Rhino in TNA, where he has been since 2019 and was inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame.

Tessa Blanchard's Return: There's considerable discussion around Tessa Blanchard's return to TNA Wrestling, which has sparked debate due to her previous controversies. This move by TNA has been met with mixed reactions regarding the promotion's approach to talent management and second chances.

TNA iMPACT! and Upcoming Matches: TNA iMPACT! featured notable action with matches like The Rascalz facing off against new teams, and there was also a focus on the buildup to Final Resolution with various storylines and matches announced. The recent episode highlighted a tag team match involving The Hardys and other significant confrontations.

Mystery Teasers and Appearances: TNA has been teasing some unexpected elements, like the "23" video played after a match on iMPACT, hinting at potential returns or debuts. Additionally, John Layfield's presence at Turning Point has added to the intrigue around TNA's narrative direction.

These updates encapsulate TNA Wrestling's recent activities, upcoming events, and some of the discussions surrounding their management decisions and match outcomes. (Grok)

News

Wrestling Legend Jesse Ventura Back In WWE; Appears On Bill Simmons Podcast With The Inside Scoop

On Vince McMahon not liking his success with Predator: “That ain’t what it’s about with [Vince]. With people like him, and power people with money like that, it’s control. It ain’t got nothing to do with doing deals and doing the right thing and promoting the correct way. It’s all about control. I was the horse that got out of the corral. I wouldn’t let him market me.”

On owning the copyright of his name and gimmick: “That’s the final straw. I was going to do my own video game, and Vince said, ‘You can’t do it.’ I said, ‘I own my rights, I’m registered with the government. Jesse The Body Ventura, I own the copyright with the government. How can you tell me I can’t do it?’ That was the final straw. That’s when he fired me. I never did get the video game. I think some hanky pank went on there, too. I don’t know. I have no evidence.”

Under The Media Man Watercooler

"Grok really helped save our skin and gigs these past few month Greg"

"You ain't friggin kidding Paul"

"Some of the mainstream media got us thinking all AI was going to be as evil as a big farma bean counter or international arms dealer"

"Yeah, but Musk's X and Grok provided us with enough evidence that X Corp products such as X and it's Grok 2 and soon Grok 3 could be actually helpful to media firms like this one"

"Wasn't it Google or someone that had a slogan something like, Don't Be Evil or something a decade or two back"

"Yeah, and what's the latest on that"

"The lines get blurred sometimes. You know, between real news and that fake news Donald Trump has warned the world about"

"Hey, here's Simon, just in time for a coffee and dose of truth"

"What's the tech update fellas"

"Well X is going to have X-Mail soon, the domains are renewed, hosting sorted out for a few more year, and the boss recons he heard massive drones off the east coast of Sydney last week"

"Drones on the eastern beaches. What the *uck"

"Yeah, but he heard them, not saw them. Reckons it was like War Of The Words meets Blade Runner and elements of The Matrix all in one"

"They say fact is stranger than fiction mate"

"You ain't kidding bro. Get us another cuppa will ya"

"Now, this algorithm stuff with X and Google. Is it helping with the SEO on the main websites"

"Yeah boss, but some of its somewhat speculative"

"Yeah, they say don't trust big tech too much"

"I know. but X is sort of a different animal. A few of them used to work for PayPal too. That means X-Pay is a pretty safe bet too, whether it happens in 6 months or a few years. X TV is gaining steam too"

"A few of you guys used to work for Optus pay TV didn't you"

"Yeah, blitzed it for years"

"Your a Netflix guy now right"

"Yeah, a customer. Not on the payroll at this stage of the game"

"Combat sports, retention strategy and that sort of thing would be the go"

"Yeah, Now, back to online publishing. X and Grok are helping the firm a lot. We've got to turn more of the top notch traffic into more profit margin"

"You're right. Take another deep dive into X, Grok and Search Engine Journal and even YouTube over the next few weeks and get back to us with your plan"

"Yeah boss. And there's also that other shipping industry matter to take a look into, and those web pages on containers, streaming and the wrestling and whatnot are really taking off too son"

"Yeah. strange beast this online media sector at times, Guess it beats digging holes or breaking the back on the farm"

"Never give up mate. You've worked so hard"

"Darn right. Let's get those couple more projects wrapt up for the season and then let's get some saltwater"

"Cheers boss"

"Oh, how's the arm going"

"It's on the mend. Ramping up the rehab and reps. Gotta get back to the gym and training"

"Yeah, hey, see you at that beach gym set-up too"

"Yeah, but take it easy ok. A staged approach is the go"

"See you in 10" ...

 

 

Mr. McMahon (Netflix)

 

Combat Sports Week

September 11,
2024
WWE Speed
Naomi vs Blair Davenport

September 13, 2024
WWE SmackDown

Cody Rhodes vs Solo Sikoa - Steel Cage Match - Undisputed WWE Title
Climate Pledge Arena Seattle, Washington

September 13, 2024
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
BKFC 66 - Blass vs Reber
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel. Hollywood, Florida

September 14
UFC
UFC Noche aka UFC 306
Sphere, Las Vegas
O'Malley vs Dvalishvili

September 14
Premier Boxing Champions
MGM T-Mobile Arena

 

 

Combat Sports News

X And Grok Takes Fans And Sports Media Across The Globe: Media Man

MMA Fighter's Head Kick in Boxing Match

During a recent boxing match, an MMA fighter, facing defeat in his boxing debut, controversially knocked out his opponent with an illegal head kick, leading to his disqualification. This event drew widespread attention and humorously reminded fans of the much-anticipated but differently executed fight between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather. Many fans expressed a wishful scenario where McGregor would have used similar unorthodox tactics against Mayweather, highlighting the contrast between the restrictive rules of boxing and the more varied striking techniques allowed in MMA. The incident sparked a humorous yet reflective discussion on the constraints of boxing rules and the crossover expectations from MMA fighters entering the boxing ring. (Grok)

News

McGregor-Mayweather Fight Speculation

During a boxing match, MMA fighter Idris Abdurashitov was disqualified for knocking out his opponent, Bagher Faraji, with an illegal head kick. This incident has led to widespread discussion among fans and commentators, many of whom humorously wished for a similar scenario during the boxing match between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather. The general sentiment reflects a mix of amusement and frustration over the strict rules of boxing compared to the more varied techniques allowed in MMA, highlighting the different expectations and strategies between the two sports. (Grok)

News

Trump's Wrestling Talk with The Undertaker

Based on the latest information available up to October 21, 2024, Donald Trump has engaged in several activities involving the wrestling world:

Podcast Appearance: Donald Trump appeared on The Undertaker's podcast, "Six Feet Under with Mark Calaway." During this appearance, Trump discussed various topics, including his history with wrestling, asking about the current scene in WWE, and the mechanics of wrestling like the hardness of the ring. They also delved into more political discussions, reflecting on what's at stake in the upcoming presidential election.

Endorsement Video: Trump shared a video on TikTok where he was endorsed by Mark Calaway (The Undertaker) and Glenn Jacobs (Kane). This was an unusual endorsement where they also took the opportunity to mock the Democratic ticket, showing unflattering pictures of Kamala Harris, Dave Bautista, and Tim Walz, as part of their promotional tactic for the election, likening it to a wrestling event with "ElectionMania."

Wrestling Insights: Trump has shown curiosity about the wrestling business, asking The Undertaker questions that are common among those outside the industry, like the reality of wrestling moves, the hardness of the ring, and how wrestlers handle real-life conflicts in the ring. This conversation provided insights into Trump's long-standing relationship with WWE, including his involvement in past WrestleManias.

Political and Wrestling Crossover: Trump's interaction with wrestling personalities isn't just for entertainment; it's also a part of his campaign strategy, targeting demographics that follow wrestling. This includes discussing wrestling stars like Cody Rhodes and Gunther, indicating his attempt to stay connected with pop culture and sports entertainment to appeal to voters.

From posts on X and other sources, there hasn't been a new, significant event or statement directly labeled as "Trump's Wrestling Talk with The Undertaker" beyond what's been described, but Trump's engagement with wrestling personalities and platforms continues to be part of his public persona and political strategy. (Grok)

News

The Rock's Reach Out to Trump Post-Assassination Attempt

Donald Trump appeared as a guest on The Undertaker's podcast, 'Six Feet Under,' where the discussion unexpectedly turned into Trump interviewing The Undertaker about wrestling rather than focusing on politics. During the podcast, Trump disclosed that Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson had contacted him through Dana White following an assassination attempt on Trump, expressing concern for his safety. Trump expressed surprise at this gesture, having previously believed The Rock did not like him. The Undertaker commented on how Trump has made politics entertaining, comparing it to the spectacle of wrestling where fans sometimes confuse the performance with reality. Trump also boasted about the large crowds at his political events, likening them to wrestling audiences. (Grok)

News

UFC 308 Fight Week Anticipation

Here's what's buzzing around UFC 308 as of the latest posts and information available up to October 21, 2024:

Fight Card and Main Events: UFC 308 is headlined by a UFC Featherweight Championship bout where the current champion Ilia Topuria will defend his title against former champion Max Holloway. Another highlight is the middleweight bout between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev.

Location and Date: The event is set to occur on October 26, 2024, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Fight Week Kickoff: UFC 308 Fight Week has officially started, with various fan and media activities planned throughout the week, including fan zones, athlete meet and greets at Yas Mall and Yas Bay, and the UFC 308 Press Conference.

Broadcast Details: The event will be available live on PPV, with the main card starting at 2 PM ET in the U.S. For viewers in the UK, it's set to be broadcast live on TNT Sports Box Office.

Fighter Updates and Speculations: There was some buzz about Max Holloway's weight cut, with observations suggesting he has a significant cut, potentially impacting his performance, though stylistically, the fight with Topuria is expected to be close.
A false claim circulated about Lerone Murphy being out and replaced by Jean Silva against Dan Ige, but this was debunked by Dan Ige himself.
Betting odds and potential upsets are a hot topic, with some fans and analysts pointing out that there might be some underdogs worth watching, like Holloway and Whittaker, who are not favored by the odds.

Community and Expert Analysis: Discussions are rife about the potential outcomes, with some analysts and former fighters like Megan Anderson offering breakdowns of the main and co-main events. There's also a bit of skepticism and strategic analysis on how the fights might go, with emphasis on the stylistic matchups and the physical condition of fighters like Holloway.

Public Sentiment: There's considerable excitement about the card being stacked, with fans eagerly anticipating knockouts and high-action fights, especially given the heavy hitters scheduled for the event.

Remember, while X posts provide real-time reactions and some insights, they're not always accurate or comprehensive sources for event details or outcomes. However, they do capture the community's pulse leading up to UFC 308. (Grok)

News

Anticipation for Bron Breakker vs Jacob Fatu

During WWE Raw, fans witnessed several key events including Bron Breakker defeating Jey Uso to become the new Intercontinental Champion, amidst excitement over a potential future match between Bron Breakker and Jacob Fatu. This match-up has generated significant anticipation among fans, who describe it as a highly anticipated, potentially explosive encounter. Additionally, Seth Rollins was involved in a notable confrontation with Bronson Reed. The episode also featured moments involving The New Day and the LWO, contributing to the night's dynamic action and storyline developments. (Grok)

News

Wyatt Sicks vs. Final Testament

Based on recent events in WWE as of October 21, 2024:

The Wyatt Sicks made a notable return on WWE Raw, where they targeted The Final Testament. This happened during a match involving The New Day and the Authors of Pain (AOP), where R-Truth's interference led to a chaotic scene. After The New Day won, The Wyatt Sicks appeared, leading to a brawl with The Final Testament, showcasing a new feud or at least a significant confrontation.

Bo Dallas, portraying Uncle Howdy, applied the Mandible Claw on Paul Ellering, The Final Testament's manager, indicating a direct attack on the leadership or symbolic figure of the opposing faction.

The Wyatt Sicks have been described as having been off television for a few weeks prior to this event but have been keeping the storyline alive through teasers. Their return marks a continuation or possibly an escalation of their storyline involving The Final Testament.

There's also an indication of ongoing tensions and brawls involving other WWE superstars like Seth Rollins and Bronson Reed, suggesting a highly volatile environment on Raw, within which this feud is unfolding.

From posts on X, although not directly quoted or referenced in detail here:

The Wyatt Sicks have used the platform to send cryptic and menacing messages, hinting at themes of deception, pride, and upcoming confrontations, aligning with their eerie and psychological warfare style of storytelling in WWE.

This return and attack signify that The Wyatt Sicks are not only back in the physical sense on WWE programming but are also actively engaging in psychological warfare both in the ring and through social media, setting the stage for what could be an intense rivalry with The Final Testament. (Grok)

News

Rollins vs Reed Set for WWE Crown Jewel

Seth Rollins and Bronson Reed are set to compete against each other at WWE Crown Jewel, following a series of aggressive confrontations on WWE Raw. The feud intensified with Rollins attacking Reed both backstage and during live events, leading to a notable brawl. WWE official Adam Pearce officially announced their match for the upcoming Crown Jewel event, escalating the anticipation for their showdown. (Grok)

News

Rhea Ripley's Dominance at WWE Raw

During a recent WWE Raw event, Rhea Ripley was a central figure, engaging in a match where she single-handedly faced three opponents, showcasing her dominance. This event highlighted her ongoing feud with Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan, with many fans expressing fatigue over the storyline's continuation. While Rhea Ripley's performances were widely praised for their intensity and skill, there was a mixed reception towards Raquel Rodriguez's involvement. Some fans felt her portrayal lacked impact and questioned her effectiveness in the storyline. The episode also featured moments like Rhea Ripley costing Liv Morgan a match, further escalating their rivalry. Overall, the event demonstrated strong performances from Rhea Ripley but also sparked discussions about the direction and development of her feud with Raquel Rodriguez. (Grok)

News/Profile

WWE NXT

As of my last update, WWE NXT has continued to evolve, serving as WWE's developmental territory while also establishing itself as a unique brand with its own fanbase. Here's a brief overview and some recent developments based on general knowledge up to October 2024:

Rebranding and Focus: After transitioning from the "NXT 2.0" era, which saw a vibrant rebranding in color schemes and a focus on developing new talents, NXT has somewhat returned to its roots while keeping the developmental aspect strong. The brand balances between showcasing up-and-coming wrestlers and occasionally featuring established stars.

Broadcast: NXT airs live on The CW as of 2024, having moved from USA Network. This move was part of WWE's strategy to potentially reach a broader audience on network television.

Talent Development: NXT remains crucial for WWE's strategy of grooming future main roster superstars. It's where talents refine their characters, in-ring skills, and promos before potentially moving to Raw or SmackDown.

Events: NXT continues to produce special events like NXT TakeOver, although the frequency and branding might have adjusted. These events are significant for storylines culminating in high-stakes matches.

Championships: The NXT Championship, NXT Women's Championship, and NXT North American Championship are still pivotal, with the latter often being seen as a workhorse title. There might also be developments in tag team and possibly cruiserweight divisions if they continue or have been revived.

Cross-promotion: There's often interaction with main roster talents, either through crossovers, talent exchanges, or NXT stars being called up during events like the Royal Rumble or after WrestleMania.

Storylines and Characters: NXT is known for its longer-term storytelling compared to the main roster, with more focus on in-ring action. Characters evolve significantly here, and there's usually a mix of indie darlings, homegrown talents, and international stars.

Recent Movements: Without specific X posts or updates, one can assume NXT might be focusing on building new stars after inevitable call-ups post major WWE events. There could also be an emphasis on competing directly with other wrestling promotions by offering unique match types or international collaborations.

Venue: While initially heavily associated with Full Sail University, NXT has been known to tour or set up in different venues, enhancing its live event feel. However, with recent changes, they might be utilizing different arenas or even revisiting past iconic locations like the 2300 Arena for special episodes.

For the most current events or specific matches, one would typically look at recent shows or announcements. However, NXT's core purpose as a blend of entertainment and talent development for WWE remains its defining feature. (Grok)

News

Chris Jericho's AEW Contract Expiry

Chris Jericho's contract with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is due to expire in 2025, prompting speculation and discussion among fans and commentators about his future in professional wrestling. Some fans hope for Jericho to continue with AEW, emphasizing his importance to the promotion, while others discuss the possibility of him returning to WWE, considering the financial and creative implications. There is a mix of emotional reactions from fans, with some expressing devastation at the thought of Jericho leaving AEW, while others speculate on the impact his departure could have on both AEW and WWE fanbases. Discussions also touch on potential financial offers from AEW to retain Jericho, suggesting that AEW might be more inclined to offer a substantial deal to keep him. (Grok)

News

Tim Tszyu vs Bakhram Murtazaliev

The boxing match between Tim Tszyu and Bakhram Murtazaliev on October 20, 2024, resulted in a significant victory for Murtazaliev, who defended his IBF super welterweight title against the Australian boxer.

Here's a detailed overview:

Outcome: Bakhram Murtazaliev won the bout via a third-round stoppage, retaining his IBF title. Tim Tszyu was knocked down four times during the fight, three times in the second round and once in the third, before his corner threw in the towel, signaling Tszyu's defeat.

Fight Highlights: Knockdowns: Murtazaliev's strategy and power were evident as he dropped Tszyu multiple times, showcasing his dominance in the ring with precise counter-attacks, particularly with his left hook.
Corner's Decision: After the fourth knockdown, and with Tszyu appearing unable to defend himself effectively, his team decided to stop the fight to prevent further punishment.

Post-Fight Sentiment: There's been a mix of shock and analysis following the fight. Social media and boxing forums on X have highlighted Murtazaliev's impressive performance, noting his dangerous left hand and questioning the matchmaking that led to this bout.
Discussions on X also reflect concerns over Tszyu's condition post-fight, with some posts indicating that Tszyu has been cleared of serious head injuries but suggesting that his career might be at a crossroads due to this devastating loss.

Implications for Tszyu: This defeat marks a significant setback in Tim Tszyu's career, especially after coming off a previous loss. There's talk about his future in boxing, with some suggesting this might affect his standing and potential future title opportunities in the super welterweight division.

Murtazaliev's Position: With this victory, Murtazaliev not only retains his title but also significantly raises his profile in the boxing world, potentially setting up future high-profile fights with other champions in the division.

Fight Availability: Clips and full fight videos have been shared across platforms, including X, indicating high fan interest in rewatching or analyzing the bout.

This match has evidently had a profound impact on both fighters' careers, with Murtazaliev emerging as a dominant force in the super welterweight category, while Tszyu faces a challenging path forward after consecutive high-profile losses.

News

Tim Tszyu News/Profile via Grok

Tim Tszyu, born on November 2, 1994, in Sydney, Australia, is a professional boxer who has quickly risen through the ranks to become one of the notable names in the super welterweight division. Here are some key points about Tim Tszyu:

Family Legacy: Tim is the son of the legendary boxer Kostya Tszyu, a former undisputed light-welterweight champion who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. This heritage has naturally placed a spotlight on Tim, with many expecting him to follow in his father's footsteps.

Professional Career: Tim Tszyu made his professional debut in December 2016. Since then, he has shown considerable skill and determination, climbing the ranks in the boxing world. His style combines technical proficiency with aggressive fighting, reminiscent of his father but with his unique flair.

Titles and Achievements: By 2024, Tim has captured several regional titles. He won the WBC-ABCO Continental light-middleweight title early in his career and has since aimed for world titles. His pursuit of world championship belts has been a significant focus, with matches that have drawn considerable attention in the boxing community.

Notable Fights: Tszyu has faced several high-profile opponents. His fights have included bouts against domestic and international fighters, enhancing his reputation both in Australia and abroad. One of his significant fights was for the WBO interim junior middleweight title against Tony Harrison, showcasing his readiness for world-level competition.

Recent Developments: As of 2024, Tim Tszyu was involved in a high-stakes match for the IBF super welterweight title eliminator, indicating his push towards securing a world title. However, his journey has not been without setbacks. For instance, a fight against Sebastian Fundora for Tszyu's WBO super welterweight title resulted in a loss, and subsequent injuries have impacted his fight schedule.

Public Image and Style: Tim carries the Tszyu name with a mix of pride and pressure. His fighting style is often described as calculated aggression, and he's known for his resilience and comeback spirit in the ring. Outside of boxing, he maintains a relatively low profile but is increasingly recognized for his contributions to Australian boxing.

Future Prospects: Despite facing some tough losses, Tszyu's career is still seen with optimism by many in the boxing world. His dedication to the sport, combined with his lineage, suggests that he will continue to be a significant figure in boxing, aiming for world titles and possibly unification bouts in the super welterweight division.

Given the dynamic nature of sports, Tim Tszyu's journey in boxing continues to evolve with each fight, capturing the attention of fans and analysts alike, eager to see if he can capture the world titles that have so far eluded him but were once held by his father. (Grok)

News/Profile

Combat Sports

Combat sports encompass a wide variety of fighting disciplines where participants engage in direct physical combat, often one-on-one, following a set of rules designed to ensure safety while determining a winner through points, submission, or knockout. Here are some insights and recent trends in combat sports based on the information available up to October 21, 2024:

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA): MMA continues to grow in popularity, integrating techniques from various combat sports and martial arts. Events like the UFC have become mainstream, with fighters from diverse backgrounds like kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and boxing competing together. Recent posts on X highlight upcoming fights, like the mention of Kai Asakura sparring with Merab Dvalishvili, indicating the cross-weight class interest and training that fighters undertake.

Boxing: While boxing remains a staple in combat sports, there's an ongoing trend of boxers and MMA fighters crossing over between sports. For instance, Jake Paul's venture into new combat sports after his fight with Mike Tyson shows the blending boundaries of combat disciplines. Moreover, boxers like Artem Vakhitov trying to secure a UFC contract exemplify this trend.

Kickboxing and Muay Thai: Although not as highlighted in recent X posts, these sports contribute significantly to the combat sports scene, often feeding talent into MMA. Their techniques are fundamental in the striking aspect of mixed martial arts.

Wrestling and Grappling: Catch Wrestling, Combat Sambo, and Greco-Roman Wrestling are less covered in mainstream media but remain crucial for their contributions to the grappling techniques in MMA. There's a continuous interest in these forms, especially in how they integrate into MMA strategies.

Emerging and Niche Combat Sports: Combat sports like Canne de Combat or variations like Combat Hapkido might not make daily news but are part of the broader combat sports ecosystem, often featured in specialized tournaments or as part of self-defense training.

Events and Scheduling: Platforms like X provide real-time updates on combat sports schedules, showing a packed calendar across various promotions like UFC, PFL, KSW, and more, indicating a vibrant scene with events almost every week.

Crossovers and Novelty Fights: There's a growing trend of crossover events or novelty fights where personalities from different combat disciplines or even different sports altogether engage in combat sports matches, which draws wide attention.

Safety and Equipment: Discussions around the safety gear in combat sports continue, with MMA and boxing being noted for their minimal gear compared to others like Taekwondo, influencing injury rates as per earlier studies.

Market Growth: The mention of the combat sports market heating up indicates not just an increase in viewer interest but also in commercial investments, sponsorships, and media coverage.

The landscape of combat sports is ever-evolving, with athletes constantly adapting new techniques, and promotions innovating in how fights are presented and consumed. The integration of social media like X for real-time updates has also brought fans closer to the action, making combat sports a dynamic field with global participation and viewership. (Grok)

News

The term "Dream Match" in the context of sports and entertainment often refers to a highly anticipated or hypothetical contest between top competitors or teams that fans and analysts would love to see. Here are some insights based on recent discussions:

Wrestling: There's considerable buzz around several potential dream matches in the wrestling world: The Rock vs. Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes has been floated as a possible match for WrestleMania 41, indicating a high-profile encounter that would draw significant interest due to the star power and storylines involved.
CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre received enthusiastic fan reaction, showcasing how matches that have already taken place can still be celebrated as dream encounters due to their execution and reception.
Seth Rollins vs. Bronson Reed at Crown Jewel has been highlighted as a match to look forward to, suggesting an ongoing interest in current roster matchups that promise high-quality wrestling.
Damian Priest naming Oba Femi as his dream opponent from NXT points to cross-generational or brand dream matches that fans and wrestlers themselves are intrigued by.

Baseball: The New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series has been described as a dream matchup due to the historical rivalry and the significant market presence of both teams. This reflects not just on the athletes but the legacy and fanbase of the teams involved.

Boxing: Although not recently discussed in X posts, historically, Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao was billed as "The Dream Match," showing how individual sports like boxing can create dream scenarios based on the fame and contrasting styles of the fighters.

General Sentiment on X: Fans often discuss dream matches across various platforms, expressing desires to see matches like Motor City Machine Guns vs. The Street Profits in wrestling, showcasing a blend of tag team excellence from different promotions or eras. (Grok)

 

 

 

News

 

Streaming Entertainment via Grok; X TV Tipped To Eventually Go Head To Head With YouTube, Netflix, But Will Take Many Years To Get To That Point; Customers Waiting To Churn/Switch. Changes Ahead For WBD, HBO, Binge, Paramount And Many Others - Too Many To List! Media Man Founder and Subscriber TV Veteran

Streaming entertainment has transformed how we consume media, offering a vast array of movies, TV shows, music, and more directly to our devices. Here's a breakdown of what's happening in this space as of my last update:

Major Players:

Netflix: Known for its original content like "Stranger Things," "The Crown," and "Squid Game." They've been pushing into gaming and have been experimenting with ad-supported models.

Amazon Prime Video: Comes with Amazon Prime membership. Notable for "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," "The Boys," and its integration with shopping and other Amazon services.

Disney+: A powerhouse for family entertainment, featuring Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and classic Disney content. It's also expanding its library with more adult-oriented content under the Star banner in some regions.

HBO Max: Offers premium content like "Game of Thrones," "Chernobyl," and a vast library of movies. It's also known for its DC Universe shows.

Apple TV+: While newer, it's making waves with high-quality originals like "Ted Lasso," "The Morning Show," and "See."

Peacock (NBCUniversal): Provides a mix of free and premium content, including "The Office," WWE, and original series like "Punky Brewster."

Paramount+: Combines CBS All Access with content from Paramount, Nickelodeon, MTV, and more, featuring shows like "Star Trek: Discovery" and "The Stand."

Trends and Developments:

Original Content: There's a massive push towards creating exclusive content to attract subscribers. This includes movies, series, documentaries, and even live sports.

Global Expansion: Services are increasingly focusing on international markets, either by offering local content or by making their service available in more countries.

Bundling: Companies are bundling their streaming services with other products. For example, Disney has bundles with Hulu and ESPN+.

Ad-Supported Models: To combat rising costs, some platforms like Netflix have introduced or are considering ad-supported tiers.

Direct-to-Streaming Releases: Movies are increasingly bypassing traditional theatrical releases, going straight to streaming platforms, especially noted during global health crises.

Quality Over Quantity: While there's a lot of content, platforms are also focusing on high-quality, award-winning productions to stand out.

Interactive Content: Some platforms are experimenting with interactive movies or shows where viewers can choose the plot direction.

Technological Integration: Enhanced with technologies like 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos for audio, providing a cinematic experience at home.

Challenges:

Content Saturation: With so many platforms, there's a risk of content fatigue among viewers.

Churn: Subscribers frequently switch between services based on what's currently available, leading to high turnover.

Regulatory Scrutiny: Issues like market dominance, content licensing, and privacy are increasingly under regulatory lenses.

Piracy: Despite advanced measures, piracy remains a challenge, especially for content not easily accessible in certain regions.

If you're interested in a specific aspect of streaming entertainment or want to know about recent developments since my last update, feel free to ask! If there's a particular service or type of content you're curious about, I can dive deeper into those areas. (Grok)

News

Streaming TV

Streaming TV has revolutionized how we consume television content, offering a vast array of shows, movies, and original programming through internet-based platforms rather than traditional cable or satellite TV. Here's a breakdown of what you might be interested in regarding streaming TV as of my last update:

Key Players:

Netflix: Known for its extensive library, original content like "Stranger Things," "The Crown," and "Squid Game," and a global reach.

Amazon Prime Video: Comes with an Amazon Prime subscription, offering shows like "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," "The Boys," and movies, plus the integration with shopping services.

Hulu: Offers a mix of current TV episodes, a robust library of older content, and originals like "The Handmaid's Tale." It's also notable for its live TV option.

Disney+: Focuses on family-friendly content, including Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and National Geographic. Hits include "The Mandalorian" and "WandaVision."

HBO Max: Home to HBO's acclaimed series like "Game of Thrones," "Chernobyl," plus a wide range of Warner Bros. movies and new originals.

Apple TV+: While newer, it's gaining traction with high-quality originals like "Ted Lasso," "The Morning Show," and "Foundation."

Peacock: NBCUniversal's service, offering a mix of free and premium content, including "The Office," "Parks and Recreation," and new originals.

Trends and Features:

Ad-Supported vs. Ad-Free: Many services now offer tiers where you can choose between watching with ads for a lower price or paying more for an ad-free experience.

Live TV Streaming: Services like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and Sling TV allow streaming of live broadcast channels, appealing to sports fans and those who still want traditional TV experiences.

Bundling: Some platforms offer bundles with internet service providers or other streaming services to reduce costs.

Original Content: There's a significant push towards exclusive, original content to differentiate services, leading to a golden age of TV with high-quality, diverse programming.

Global Expansion: Services are increasingly focusing on global markets, offering localized content or subtitles/dubbing in multiple languages.

Technological Considerations:

4K and HDR: Many services now offer content in 4K resolution and HDR, enhancing viewing quality.

Offline Viewing: Most services allow downloading content for offline viewing, which is great for travel or areas with poor internet.

Smart TVs and Devices: Streaming is not just for computers or smartphones anymore; smart TVs, streaming sticks (like Roku, Amazon Fire Stick), and gaming consoles have made streaming accessible on almost any screen.

Challenges:

Content Fragmentation: With content spread across multiple services, there's a growing issue of "streaming fatigue" where consumers feel overwhelmed by the number of subscriptions needed.

Price Increases: As content quality and exclusivity rise, so do subscription costs, leading to discussions about the cost-effectiveness of streaming vs. traditional cable.

Piracy: The fragmentation and cost have somewhat revived piracy concerns as viewers look for ways to access content without multiple subscriptions.

If you're looking for recommendations or have specific questions about streaming services or shows, feel free to ask! If there's been a significant update or new service since my last update, you might want to check the latest reviews or news for the most current information. (Grok)

 

Streaming Media Industry Disruptions Continue

Additional Mergers And Acquisitions Forecast

Live Sport Major Draw As Per Netflix

Compelling Storylines And Series Keeps Audience Coming Back For More As Per WWE

Combat Sports Storytelling And Talent Elevation As Per Dana Whites Contenders Series

Free Services With Ads Supported Has Taken Some Audience As Per Tubi

YouTube Cemented As Major Challenge To Netflix

Paramount's Quality And Iconic Movies Keep Them Valuable Commodity, Despite Bottom Line Loss

X Corp's X Platform One To Watch For Major Industry Disruption; WWE Speed Deal With WWE Just A Minor Preview Of What's On The Cards

 

Combat Sports Week At Media Man; Elon Musk's X And Grok Take Publishers, Reporters, Fans Et Al Around The World Of Sports In A TKO Second!: Media Man

 

October 1, 2024

News

Alex Pereira's Arrival for UFC 307

Alex Pereira, known as 'Poatan', is gearing up for a highly anticipated UFC fight at UFC 307 against Khalil Rountree Jr., scheduled for October 2024. The fight week has begun with both fighters, including notable figures like Jose Aldo, checking in for the event. There's considerable excitement around this match, primarily due to the knockout capabilities of both fighters. Pereira has publicly stated his intention to 'break' Rountree, intensifying the event's buildup. Discussions and analyses have focused on Pereira's recent UFC activities, potential retirement, and the high stakes of the main event, suggesting it could be one of the most thrilling UFC main events recently. Additionally, Khalil Rountree hinted at employing a never-before-seen move during the fight, adding an element of mystery and anticipation. (Grok)

News

UFC 307 and DWCS Week 8

UFC 307 is generating significant buzz, particularly for the main event where Alex Pereira has promised an intense confrontation against Khalil Rountree, vowing to 'break' him. This fight is not only a highlight of the event but also showcases both fighters' formidable striking power, with predictions leaning towards a knockout rather than a decision. Alongside this main event, the UFC community is abuzz with excitement for other matchups, discussing fighters' skills and predicting outcomes. Concurrently, the Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS) Week 8 is taking place, spotlighting emerging talents like Christien Savoie, who are competing for the chance to earn UFC contracts. The DWCS not only serves as a platform for new fighters but also engages fans with live events and betting odds, adding another layer of anticipation and discussion around the UFC's upcoming events. (Grok)

News

UFC 307 Fight Week

UFC 307, scheduled for Saturday, features a highly anticipated main event between Alex Pereira, known for his striking prowess, and Khalil Rountree Jr., who has hinted at a unique move he might employ during the fight. The event has sparked considerable interest among fans and analysts, with discussions focusing on the fighters' capabilities and potential outcomes. Alongside the main event, the Dana White Contender Series (DWCS) Week 8 is also taking place, offering emerging fighters a chance to secure UFC contracts. Notable fighters like Jose Aldo, Kevin Holland, and Stephen Thompson are also highlighted, adding to the excitement with their upcoming matches. The event is set to be broadcast live, with various analyses and predictions circulating among enthusiasts. (Grok)

News

Torrez Finney's Third DWCS Victory

Torrez Finney achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first fighter to win three times on Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS). In his third appearance on DWCS, which took place on October 1, 2024, Finney secured a first-round TKO victory over Abdellah Er-Ramy. This performance not only marked his third win on the series but also showcased his dominant skills, leading to widespread acclaim across social media platforms, particularly X (formerly known as Twitter). Following this victory, there was a consensus among observers and fans that not offering Finney a UFC contract would be an oversight, given his undefeated record and his consistent performance under the DWCS spotlight. This achievement cements his status as a top prospect in the middleweight division, with many expecting him to finally receive a UFC contract. (Grok)

News

Khalil Rountree's Mystery Move at UFC 307

Ahead of UFC 307, Khalil Rountree Jr. has hinted at employing a unique, never-before-seen technique in his upcoming fight against Alex Pereira, the current light heavyweight champion. Rountree, known for his striking prowess, aims to dethrone Pereira with a knockout, seeking to establish himself as a formidable force in the UFC. The event has drawn significant attention, with fans and analysts speculating on Rountree's strategy and the potential outcome of this high-stakes match. Meanwhile, new sparring footage of Pereira with Sean Strickland has been released, showcasing Pereira's skills and improvement in English. Other notable fighters like Kevin Holland and Jose Aldo are also featured in the event, but the main event between Pereira and Rountree remains the focal point, with expectations set high for an explosive encounter. (Grok)

News

Diyar Nurgozhay's Head Kick KO

Diyar Nurgozhay recently showcased his striking prowess at Dana White's Contender Series, where he secured a notable victory via a head kick knockout against Bartosz Szewczyk during the light heavyweight bout at DWCS 74. This event took place on October 1, 2024, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Nurgozhay, maintaining his undefeated record, delivered the knockout in the second round, further solidifying his reputation in the MMA community. This performance not only electrified the audience but also significantly boosted his potential for earning a UFC contract, given the platform's purpose of scouting new talent for the UFC roster. This victory adds to Nurgozhay's highlight reel, known for his finishing capabilities, as he continues his journey with an eye on the UFC. (Grok)

News

New WWENXT Logo Debuts on The CW

WWE NXT has introduced a new logo as part of its transition to The CW network, marking the beginning of a new era for the wrestling brand. The rebranding, effective from October 1, 2024, aims to evoke a more classic aesthetic. The debut on The CW was highlighted by various wrestling personalities and news outlets, with many expressing enthusiasm for the new look and the show's premiere. The debut episode featured significant matches, including a championship bout and a street fight, indicating a strong start to NXT's new chapter on The CW. (Grok)

News

Roxanne Perez Retains NXT Title with Cora Jade's Return

Roxanne Perez successfully defended her NXT Women's Championship against Giulia in a recent WWE NXT event, marked by an unexpected twist when Cora Jade returned to assist Perez in retaining her title. This intervention was pivotal in Perez's victory, sparking varied reactions among fans. While some expressed disappointment with the match's conclusion and the manner of Giulia's defeat, others were thrilled by Cora Jade's comeback, anticipating new storylines. Despite the controversial finish, the match received praise for its quality. (Grok)

News

Mixed Reactions to New NXT Titles

Based on the information gathered from posts on X and general web sentiment, the introduction of new NXT titles has generated a mix of reactions among fans and observers:

Design Critique: There's a noticeable divide over the aesthetic of the new NXT titles. Some fans have expressed a preference for the previous designs, particularly the "rainbow titles" which were admired for their vibrant yet balanced color scheme. The new designs have been described by some as less appealing initially, but there's an acknowledgment that acceptance might grow over time. For instance, one user likened the transition in perception from the old to the new titles humorously, suggesting that while the initial reaction might be negative, eventual adaptation is expected.

Nostalgia and Change: The change in title designs seems to reflect broader changes within NXT, including its move to The CW network. This shift has stirred mixed feelings, with some fans feeling nostalgic about the "black and gold" era of NXT, which these new titles symbolically depart from. However, there's also excitement about what this change could mean for NXT's future, especially with the involvement of figures like Shawn Michaels in crafting the new era.

Performance and Presentation: Despite mixed feelings about the titles' design, there's a consensus on the quality of the matches and the presentation of NXT on The CW. The debut of NXT on this new platform, highlighted by significant matches like Ethan Page vs. Trick Williams for the NXT Title, and the involvement of high-profile figures or matchups, indicates that while the titles themselves might be divisive, the content and direction of NXT are still highly anticipated and discussed.

Fan Engagement: The new titles have certainly engaged the fanbase, sparking conversations not just about design but about what these changes signify for NXT's identity and its place within WWE's broader ecosystem. This engagement ranges from criticism to cautious optimism, with some fans seeing it as a necessary evolution for NXT to stand out in the crowded landscape of wrestling entertainment.

Cultural and Identity Shifts: There's an underlying discussion about what these titles represent for NXT's brand identity. Some fans have humorously or critically remarked on the choice of design, questioning if it aligns with NXT's desire to carve out a unique identity or if it's merely a shift for the sake of change. This touches on broader themes of brand evolution and fan acceptance of change in professional wrestling.

In summary, while the new NXT titles have sparked a variety of reactions from critique over their design to nostalgia for previous eras, there's an underlying excitement about the narrative and performance aspects of NXT's new chapter. The conversation around these titles encapsulates fans' emotional connection to NXT's history and their hopes or concerns for its future under its new presentation. (Grok)

News

Wes Lee Wins Street Fight at WWENXT

During a recent WWE NXT event, Wes Lee defeated Zachary Wentz in a highly praised street fight. The match, described as both brutal and entertaining, featured intense action characteristic of street fights. Both wrestlers received acclaim for their performance, with fans and commentators noting the match as a highlight of the evening's programming. The fight included dramatic moments, such as Wentz missing a table dive, adding to the spectacle. This victory for Wes Lee was celebrated, with many expressing enthusiasm for the match's quality and hoping for future encounters between the two. (Grok)

News

WWE Bad Blood

WWE Bad Blood is making a comeback in 2024, marking the fourth event under this name and the first since 2004. Here's what you need to know:

Event Date and Location: The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. This date coincides with the 27th anniversary of the first Bad Blood event.

Broadcast Details: Bad Blood 2024 will be available via traditional pay-per-view (PPV) worldwide and will also air on WWE's streaming platforms, specifically Peacock in the United States and WWE Network internationally.

Historical Significance: The original Bad Blood in 1997 introduced the Hell in a Cell match, which has been a staple of the event, including in its previous iterations in 2003 and 2004.

Matches and Card: One of the main matches includes Liv Morgan vs. Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship, with a unique twist where Dominik Mysterio will be suspended above the ring in a shark cage to prevent interference.

There's also speculation and reports about a Hell in a Cell match between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre, though there was some uncertainty about whether this would be the main event or if a tag team match involving Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Solo Sikoa, and possibly Jacob Fatu would close the show. However, recent discussions and fan reactions suggest a strong possibility of Punk vs. McIntyre main eventing due to the historical significance of Hell in a Cell at Bad Blood.

Themes and Anniversaries: The event is not only a nod to its own history but also leverages the anniversary of the first Hell in a Cell match. The involvement of high-profile figures like CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, and the intertwining storylines with Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes adds layers to the event's narrative.

Fan and Industry Buzz: There's considerable excitement around the return of Bad Blood, especially concerning how WWE will utilize the Hell in a Cell structure this time, given its history with the event. Fan posts on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) show anticipation for the matches, particularly the potential main events, and how WWE might script the outcomes to impact ongoing WWE storylines.

This event represents not just a wrestling spectacle but a significant moment in WWE's calendar, blending nostalgia with current rivalries, making Bad Blood 2024 a must-watch for WWE fans. (Grok)

News

Beterbiev vs Bivol: Clash of the Undefeated

The latest on Beterbiev vs. Bivol, titled "Clash of the Undefeated," centers around their upcoming fight scheduled for October 12, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Here's what's been circulating and reported:

Fight Details: Artur Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) will face Dmitry Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) in a unification bout for the IBF, WBC, WBO, and WBA light heavyweight titles, marking a significant event in boxing as both fighters are undefeated.

Beterbiev's Condition: After a knee injury forced a postponement from an initially planned June fight, Beterbiev has confirmed his 100% recovery and readiness for this bout. His approach to training and recovery underscores his intent to maintain his 100% knockout record.

Bivol's Perspective: Dmitry Bivol has expressed that this fight is not personal but a professional challenge to become the undisputed champion. His strategy likely involves his well-known boxing skills, with an emphasis on counterpunching and movement, aiming to possibly outbox or even, as speculated by some like Chris Algieri, potentially knock down Beterbiev.

Public and Expert Opinions: There's a mix of predictions and excitement around this match. Some fans and analysts believe Bivol's boxing IQ and defensive skills might give him an edge, while others favor Beterbiev's relentless pressure and knockout power. The discussion often revolves around whether Bivol's style can withstand or adapt to Beterbiev's aggressive tactics.

Undercard and Event: The undercard features notable fights, enhancing the event's appeal. Names like Chris Eubank Jr., Fabio Wardley, and Jai Opetaia add to the night's boxing spectacle.

General Sentiment: The fight is widely anticipated as one of the biggest in 2024, not just for the titles at stake but for the clash of styles and the potential for defining moments in both fighters' careers. The narrative around this fight often highlights the rarity of seeing two such high-caliber, undefeated champions facing off, especially at light heavyweight.

This event is not just a fight for belts but is seen as a significant moment in boxing, where the outcome could solidify one fighter's legacy or dramatically alter perceptions of both in the sport. (Grok)

News

AEW Dynamite 5-Year Anniversary Show

The AEW Dynamite 5-Year Anniversary Show, set for October 2, 2024, at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA, is gearing up to be a landmark event for All Elite Wrestling. Here's what's on the slate based on the latest information:

Main Event: A high-stakes, title-for-title match is scheduled where Bryan Danielson will defend his AEW World Championship against Kazuchika Okada, who is bringing his AEW Continental Championship into the match. However, there's a twist: Okada's championship will only be on the line for the first 20 minutes of the match. If the match goes beyond that, only Danielson's AEW World Championship remains in contention.

Another Title Defense: Will Ospreay will defend his AEW International Championship against Ricochet. This match has been highlighted as part of the anniversary celebration.

Other Matches:
Hangman Adam Page is set to face Juice Robinson. Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. will return for a match, although the opponent hasn't been specified in the latest updates provided, there was mention of her facing Serena Deeb in some fan discussions or reports.

Special Features: The episode is not just about the matches but also about celebrating five years of AEW Dynamite. Tony Khan, AEW's President, has teased a significant announcement which could potentially set the tone for the future of AEW. This adds an element of anticipation beyond the in-ring action.

Broadcast Details: The show will have a significant overrun, courtesy of TBS Network, indicating more content than the usual runtime, possibly to accommodate the extra matches or the celebration elements.

This anniversary episode is not just a showcase of wrestling talent but also a milestone for AEW, marking its growth and the journey it has had over the past five years. The inclusion of champion vs. champion matches underscores AEW's commitment to big matches on big nights, promising fans a memorable event to commemorate this occasion. (Grok)

News

Danielson vs. Okada: Title-for-Title Match

On the 5-year anniversary of AEW Dynamite, a significant wrestling event is scheduled for October 2, 2024, in Pittsburgh, PA, where Bryan Danielson, the AEW World Champion, will face Kazuchika Okada, holder of the AEW Continental Title. This match is unique as it features a title-for-title stipulation with a twist: the Continental Championship, which usually has a 20-minute time limit, will only be at stake for the first 20 minutes of the match. However, the World Championship, with its 60-minute time limit, will remain in contention for the entire duration. This setup has sparked varied reactions among wrestling fans, with some questioning the effectiveness of the stipulation, while others are excited about the potential of the match. The event is set to be a highlight of AEW Dynamite's milestone celebration, pitting two of wrestling's top talents against each other in what promises to be a memorable clash. (Grok)

News

Conor McGregor's Stroll on Emirates Pitch

Conor McGregor was spotted walking around the Emirates Stadium pitch following Arsenal's victory over PSG in the Champions League. Videos and photos showed McGregor enjoying himself, including interactions with Arsenal player Declan Rice. This appearance led to various reactions and discussions online, with many finding amusement in McGregor's post-match activities. Meanwhile, Arsenal secured a 2-0 win against PSG, with goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka. The match also marked the debut of Mikel Merino for Arsenal, who joined from Real Sociedad. Additionally, Thomas Partey was highlighted for his exceptional performance during the game. However, there were concerns about Jurrien Timber, who felt a muscular issue during the match, prompting Arsenal to manage his playing time carefully. (Grok)

Combat Sports News/Profile via Grok

Combat sports encompass a wide range of athletic competitions where the primary objective is to physically subdue an opponent. Here's a brief overview of some popular forms:

1. Boxing

Origin: Ancient Greece, but modern boxing is often associated with 18th-19th century England.

Rules: Competitors use only their fists, wearing gloves, and aim to score points by landing punches on the opponent's upper body or head. A fight can end by knockout (KO), technical knockout (TKO), or points decision.

2. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

Origin: While various forms of mixed combat have existed historically, modern MMA was popularized through events like the UFC starting in the 1990s.

Rules: Allows a mix of striking and grappling techniques from various martial arts. Fighters can win by knockout, submission (tap out), judges' decision, or disqualification.

3. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)

Origin: Derived from judo in Brazil in the early 20th century, made famous by the Gracie family.

Rules: Emphasizes ground fighting and submission holds. Competitors aim to force a submission through joint locks or chokeholds. Points can also be scored for position control and takedowns.

4. Wrestling

Freestyle and Greco-Roman: Common in the Olympics, Greco-Roman restricts holds below the waist.

Professional Wrestling (Pro Wrestling): More entertainment-focused, with choreographed matches, high flying moves, and storylines.

5. Kickboxing

Origin: A group of stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching. It evolved from Karate, Muay Thai, and Western boxing.

Rules: Similar to boxing but includes kicks. Variants include allowing knee strikes and elbows (influenced by Muay Thai).

6. Muay Thai

Origin: Thailand, known as the "Art of Eight Limbs" because it uses punches, kicks, elbows, and knees.

Rules: Similar to kickboxing but with a heavier emphasis on clinching (a kind of standing grapple) and use of all eight points of contact.

7. Judo

Origin: Japan, developed by Jigoro Kano in the late 19th century as a physical, mental, and moral pedagogy.

Rules: Based on throws (Nage-waza) and ground techniques (Katame-waza). The objective is to either throw or takedown an opponent to the ground, immobilize them, or force a submission through joint locks or strangles.

8. Karate

Origin: Okinawa, Japan, with influences from Chinese martial arts.

Styles: Many styles with different focuses, but generally emphasizes striking with punches, kicks, knee strikes, and open-hand techniques like knife-hands.

9. Taekwondo

Origin: Korea, developed in the 1940s and 1950s.
Rules: Known for its high, fast, and spinning kicks.

Competitors score points in Olympic Taekwondo for strikes to the torso or head.

10. Krav Maga

Origin: Israel, designed as a self-defense system for the Israel Defense Forces.

Rules: Not typically a sport, but some organizations hold competitions. Focuses on real-world scenarios, aiming to neutralize threats quickly and efficiently.

Each combat sport has its unique culture, training methods, and competitive environments, reflecting diverse historical, cultural, and practical contexts. If you're interested in any particular sport, each has its own set of governing bodies, leagues, and famous athletes or events that could be explored further! (Grok)

 

 

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Streaming Movies Top 10 (North America)

August 27, 2024

1. Furiosa (Max)

2. The Union (Netflix)

3. Jackpot (Prime Video)

4. The Instigators (Apple TV+)

5. Alien (Hulu)

6. The Bikeriders (Peacock)

7. Immaculate (Hulu)

8. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (Hulu)

9. Alien: Covenant (Hulu)

10. Twister (Max)

 

News

Top 10 Streaming TV (North America)

August 27, 2024

1. Bad Monkey (Apple TV+)

2. The Umbrella Academy (Netflix)

3. Industry (Max)

4. The Bear (Hulu)

5. From (Prime Video)

6. Presumed Innocent (Apple TV+)

7. Emily in Paris (Netflix)

8. Time Bandits (Apple TV+)

9. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (Netflix)

10. Evil (Paramount+)

 

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News (Australia) via Roy Morgan

Shares climb for fifth session; miners drop

August 16, 2024

(Roy Morgan Summary)

The Australian sharemarket posted another modest gain on Thursday, with the S&P/ASX 200 adding 0.2 per cent to close at 7,865.5 points. NRW Holdings rose 9.7 per cent to $3.50, Magellan Financial Group was up 7.6 per cent at $10.44. However, a fall in the iron ore price weighed on local producers of the steel input, with Fortescue down 2.9 per cent at $16.82 and Rio Tinto retreating 3.6 per cent to end the session at $108.40.

(Roy Morgan Summary)

News

Apple opens up tap-and-go but banks wary

Westpac CEO Peter King has welcomed an announcement by Apple that it will allow banks to offer payments directly from their customers' iPhones without the use of its Apple Pay platform. Apple's decision appears to have been forced upon it by a European antitrust deal in July, with Australia's banks having been involved in an ongoing stoush with Apple in a bid to force it to open up its devices to other financial services operators. King said Apple's decision could result in more competition and choice for consumers.

News

ASIC 'was warned about problems with ASX CHESS upgrade'

The Australian Securities & Investments Commission launched legal action against the ASX this week, alleging it made "misleading and deceptive" statements to investors about the status of the upgrade of the CHESS clearing and settlement system. It has been revealed that a technology vendor that was liaising with the ASX in regard to the CHESS upgrade wrote a letter to ASIC in 2021 outlining various concerns it had about the upgrade, while former Sydney Futures Exchange and ASX senior manager Phillip Galvin raised concerns over the CHESS program with the then Reserve Bank assistant governor Michele Bullock in 2021.

News

Qld govt, Rio forge deal to keep smelter viable

Rio Tinto wrote off the value of its stake in the Boyne smelter aluminium smelter in 2023, citing high energy costs. However, the resources group has committed to operating Boyne at full capacity until the end of 2040 after securing a deal with the Queensland government that is believed to include subsidised energy costs for the smelter. Premier Steven Miles says the Rio Tinto deal will help protect Queensland jobs; the Gladstone smelter directly employs more than 1,000 people and boasts annual production capacity of more than 500,000 tonnes of aluminium.

News

Virtual power plant as big as coal power station

Origin Energy has used the release of its annual results on Thursday to advise that its virtual power plant had grown to 1.385 gigawatts from 815 megawatts last year, with 1.385 gigawatts equating to the size of an average coal-fired power station. It comes a day after AGL stated that its virtual power plant had grown to 1.25GW from 1.1GW last year. Virtual power plants are 'aggregations' of customer-owned energy resources such as solar panels, home batteries and electric vehicle chargers; they can be commandeered by an energy retailer with the customer's permission during grid 'squeezes' to avert blackouts and moderate prices.

News

KPMG partner income slides 9pc to $650,000

Consulting firm KPMG has reported 2023-24 revenue of $2.2 billion, down 3.6 per cent, while average partner income was down nine per cent to $650,000; KPMG's average partner income compares to average partner income of about $814,000 at EY and between $430,000 and $516,000 at Deloitte. Like its consulting firm rivals, KPMG has been hit by the downturn in demand for advisory services from the public sector, while private sector demand is down as a result of companies cutting costs in response to higher interest rates.

News

Judge slams Victoria over class actions

NSW Chief Justice Andrew Bell has told the Association of Litigation Funders that 2020 legislation in Victoria that introduced contingency fees had "skewed" the market for class actions. He noted there had been a blanket prohibition on contingency fees prior to then, and that the new class action regime in Victoria had overridden both solicitor conduct rules and the Legal Profession Uniform Law (LUPL) of 2015. Bell claims the recent increase in the number of class actions being filed in Victoria was not because of the quality of its judges but because of the opportunity for solicitors "to take a slice of the outcome of litigation".

News

Telstra rejigs game plan

Telstra is to ask the federal government to reconsider the so-called universal service obligation, which requires it to connect Australians through a copper network at a time when the use of home phones is on the decline. The network is still used for home phones and some NBN connections, but Telstra is suggesting it could be replaced in some areas with quicker satellite connections or other technologies that make it easier to download data. Telstra's call for the universal service obligation to be changed came as it reported its latest annual results, with its net profit for the 12 months to June 30 down 13 per cent to $1.79 billion.

News

'Woefully short': Dearth of cyber security specialists leaves Australians vulnerable

A report by security firm StickmanCyber claims Australia has just 11,300 cyber security workers spread across hundreds of thousands of businesses, with StickmanCyber CEO Ajay Unni saying the number of cyber security specialists is "woefully short" of what is required to combat modern cyber security threats. StickmanCyber's report also found that just 16 per cent of cyber security workers in Australia are female, while the majority of them are migrant workers; its report comes at a time when Australia has experienced a big increase in cyber attacks on companies in recent times, with those on Optus and Medibank two of the more notable ones.

News

IV scandal: excuses are fluid

The Therapeutic Goods Administration is claiming that there is a global shortage of intravenous fluids such as saline, but health authorities in other parts of the world do not seem to be having the same problems as Australia, where hospitals are experiencing a severe shortage of IV fluid bags. People from within the pharmaceutical industry contend the IV crisis is due to the lack of a functional national procurement policy, with state governments each having contracts for the supply of saline fluid. For its part, the TGA states that the federal government is working with state and territory governments, and with private hospitals, to minimise any impact on patient care.

News

Bookies join call to ban gambling ads on jerseys

Bookmaking firms Sportsbet, Pointsbet and Entain contend that excluding wagering companies' logos on jerseys and signs at stadiums from a clampdown on gambling advertising on TV is "illogical". Sportsbet is the biggest online bookmaker and the sector's largest advertiser, and it is the first time it has publicly backed a ban on wagering logos on jerseys and signs. Their comments come as the federal government continues to come under attack for its apparent reluctance to implement a complete ban on gambling advertising, as recommended by a bipartisan inquiry led by late Labor MP Peta Murphy.

News

Casinos to get cash reprieve in NSW after carded play delay

A spokesperson for NSW Gaming Minister David Harris has confirmed that The Star Sydney and Crown Barangaroo casinos will be able to accept cash bets of up to $5,000 for another 12 months, instead being limited to $1,000 from Monday as was previously planned. The spokesman also said that Harris had agreed to extend The Star's deadline to roll out mandatory carded play across its operations until 19 October, with the extension of the deadline by a month coming as a result of a request from new Star CEO Steve McCann.

News

United States

Signed up to Disney+? Disney says you can never sue the company, even for wrongful death

An American man is suing Walt Disney Parks and Resorts over the death of his wife, with Jeffrey Piccolo claiming she died as a result of an allergic reaction to food served at an eatery in Walt Disney World Resort. Disney is seeking to have the case thrown out because Piccolo had previously signed up to a free trial of Disney+, and that in doing so he had agreed never to sue it. His lawyers have described Disney's argument as "absurd", while they also argue while he may have agreed to its term, he did not do so on behalf of his wife or her estate.

News

Live music industry on its knees and pleading for a government lifeline on insurance costs

An increasing number of Australian music festivals are being cancelled or deferred, with many citing increased insurance costs as one of the main reasons for their action. Live music venues are also being hit by higher insurance costs, with one Adelaide pub reporting an increase in its public liability insurance from $10,000 to $40,000 as a result of it offering live music. The National Cultural Policy Senate inquiry used its interim report to recommend that the federal government work with festival providers and the insurance sector to reduce insurance premiums for festivals, as well as investigating options to ensure "access to insurance is available to small and medium operators".

News

Mining And Resources

Pilbara takes $560m punt on Brazil lithium project

Lithium producer Pilbara Minerals will diversity its operations beyond Western Australia with a takeover bid for Latin Resources, which owns the Salinas project in Brazil. Pilbara Minerals is offering 0.07 of its shares for every share in Latin Resources, valuing the latter at about $560m. Pilbara Minerals CEO Dale Henderson has defended the takeover bid for Latin Resources, amid doubts among some analysts about the merits of the deal. Kaan Peker from RBC Capital Markets contends that there may be few synergies given the distance between WA and Brazil.

News

Indonesia learns a lesson from cosying up to China

Chinese investments have helped Indonesia to become the world's dominant producer of nickel, which is a key mineral in the production of electric vehicles. However, the Chinese investment in its nickel sector makes it difficult for Indonesia to access the tax credits available under the US Inflation Reduction Act; tax credits are not available to minerals produced by companies with more than 25 per cent Chinese ownership, with China viewed as a 'foreign entity of concern". Another problem that Indonesia has in regard to accessing the IRA tax credits is that it does not have a free trade agreement with the US, which is a requirement for its nickel to be IRA-compliant.

News

Inquiry leaves door ajar for WA gas exports

A Western Australian parliamentary inquiry has concluded that the state's onshore gas producers should be permitted to export their output, so long as the sector can address a looming domestic shortage, with WA facing a shortfall of up to 30 per cent of its total gas demand in the next decade. Onshore gas producers have argued that being able to export gas would make it easier for them to access greater international investment, and produce more domestic gas, while Wesfarmers and other large gas consumers oppose overturning the current ban on onshore producers exporting their gas.

News

Chinese cuts drive iron ore price to 21-month low

The price of iron ore has fallen to its lowest point since November 2022, being at $95.25 a tonne, with the price of iron ore having topped $US144 on 3 January. It comes after the National Bureau of Statistics of China revealed that steel production in July was 82.94 million tonnes, down nine per cent on the previous month, while production for the first seven months of 2024 was down 2.2 per cent on the same seven months in 2023; China Baowu Steel, the country's largest steel maker, has warned the sector faces a crisis more severe than the downturns of 2008 and 2015.

(Roy Morgan Summary)

 

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July 1, 2024

Buyers failed to pick up on the crypto market

Market picture

The crypto market has been enjoying an influx of buyers since Saturday, with a visible acceleration on Monday. Over the past 24 hours, capitalisation has risen 3.6% to $2.33 trillion. Last week’s drop in the crypto sentiment index to 30 (fear zone) reversed the price twice, showing that the market is dominated by a ‘buy the dip’ pattern.

Bitcoin is trading near $63.3K, adding 5% since Saturday morning and reaffirming the importance of support at 61.8% of the Jan-March rally. From another perspective, Bitcoin is adding and bouncing off the lower boundary of the downward channel. Likely, the price is now moving towards the upper boundary at $67K. However, cautious buyers may prefer to wait for confirmation with the price rising above $72-73K - the pivot area of the last four months - which would be confirmation of the start of a new impulsive wave of growth.

Bitcoin ended June down 8.5% to $61.9K. In terms of seasonality, July is considered quite successful for BTC, adding eight times (22.3% on average) out of the last 13 and declining on five occasions (-7.8% on average).

News background

In terms of on-chain analysis, quotes have crossed the realised price level of short-term holders at $62,000, which historically can act as support during corrections in bull markets.

According to Arkham data, German authorities sent another 595 BTC worth ~$36.6 million to crypto exchanges on 26 June. Authorities began actively moving the cryptocurrency on 19 June, when some of it first hit the Kraken and Bitstamp exchanges.

Bitwise forecasts net inflows into spot ETH-ETFs in the US of $15bn in the first 18 months. Bloomberg expects trading in the new product to start on 2 July.

Solana Foundation has launched tools that enable it to turn any website or app into a gateway for cryptocurrency payments and other blockchain transactions.

On 26 June, the Blast development team completed the first phase of an airdrop, distributing 17 billion BLAST tokens (17% of the total issuance). Blast is an Ethereum-based layer 2 (L2) network that was launched in November 2023 by Blur founder under the pseudonym Pacman. In terms of blockchain value locked (TVL), the Blast ecosystem is ranked sixth in the DeFi Llama ranking with a value of $1.58bn.


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Punk, Danielson would give All Elite Wrestling big boost - August 8th, 2021

How UFC Got Social Media Right; WWE taking the fight online via social media and people power

 

Pop Culture/Streaming Entertainment

Top 10 Movies Streaming (United States)

1. The Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (Hulu)

2. Deadpool 2 (Disney+)

3. Twister (Max)

4. Deadpool (Disney+)

5. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (Netflix)

6. Tarot (Netflix)

7. If (Paramount+)

8. Wicked Little Letters (Netflix)

9. Challengers (MGM+)

10. Abigail (Peacock)

Others

The Beekeeper (Prime Video)

Find Me Falling (Netflix)

My Spy: The Eternal City (Netflix)

*correct at time of publication

 

 

Streaming TV (United States)

Top 10 TV

1. House of the Dragon (Max)

2. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (Netflix)

3. Presumed Innocent (Apple TV+)

4. Batman: Caped Crusader (Prime Video)

5. Time Bandits (Apple TV+)

6. The Decameron (Netflix)

7. The Bear (Hulu)

8. The Boys (Prime Video)

9. Mayor of Kingstown (Paramount+)

10. Evil (Paramount+)

 

 

Streaming Service

An online provider of entertainment (music, movies, multi-episode series, etc.) that delivers content over an Internet connection to the subscriber's computer, TV or mobile device.

Netflix, Amazon Prime, Binge (Australia), Kayo Sports (Australia), Hulu, HBO, Disney, ESPN Plus, Gaia, Passionflix, Spotify, Discovery, Peacock, Paramount Plus, Triller TV, UFC Fight Pass, WWE Network and Apple TV+ are examples of paid streaming services.

Examples of free services include Amazon ABC iView, Freedive, Free TV, Hoopla, Kanopy, Pluto TV, Roku Channel, Snagfilms, Sony Crackle, SBS On Demand, Tubi TV, VUDU and Xumo.

 

 

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Elon Musk’s X Files Antitrust Suit Against Global Advertising Alliance

August 6, 2024



Elon Musk’s social media platform X has launched a significant antitrust lawsuit against the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) and several of its member companies, alleging an illegal ad boycott that targeted the platform. The lawsuit, filed in Texas, is aimed at GARM, its parent firm World Federation of Advertisers (WFA), and members including CVS Health, Mars, Orsted and Unilever.

In an open letter to advertisers, X CEO Linda Yaccarino highlighted the reasons behind the lawsuit, stating that it was a direct response to GARM’s actions which allegedly cost the company billions of dollars. “This is not a decision we took lightly, but it is a direct consequence of their actions,” Yaccarino wrote. “The illegal behavior of these organizations and their executives cost X billions of dollars” per The New York Post.

The lawsuit is seeking trebled compensatory damages and injunctive relief, according to a complaint viewed by The New York Post. GARM, led by Robert Rakowitz, is an initiative of the WFA, which represents many of the world’s largest companies and ad organizations, including Disney and Coca-Cola. Its members control 90% of global marketing spending, nearly $1 trillion per year.

Yaccarino emphasized that the issue extends beyond financial damages. “This case is about more than damages — we have to fix a broken ecosystem that allows this illegal activity to occur,” she added.

According to The New York Post, the suit argues that the boycott undermined the marketplace of ideas by financially harming certain viewpoints over others. (Credit: PYMNTS)

Full article and coverage via PYMNTS

https://pymnts.com/cpi-posts/elon-musks-x-files-antitrust-suit-against-global-advertising-alliance/

PYMNTS is a former Media Man 'Business News Outlet Of The Month' award winner and finalist

 

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Elon Musk takes GARM, several companies to court over alleged advertising boycott of X outlined in bombshell report

August 7, 2024

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has taken several companies and an advertising alliance to court over allegations of a "boycott" of X.

Elon Musk has waged “war” against advertisers as his social media platform X filed an antitrust lawsuit against a global ad alliance and several major companies, accusing them of illegally boycotting the site.

X filed a suit in a federal court in Texas against the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA), the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) and its members CVS Health, Mars, Orsted and Unilever.

The suit comes after a report from the US House of Representatives Judiciary Committee found GARM and its members “directly organised boycotts” and employed other indirect tactics to target disfavoured “platforms, content creators” and news organisations to demonetise them.

It alleges that GARM’s boycott led advertisers to pull money from X under the guise of “brand safety” concerns.

X’s CEO Linda Yaccarino argued this tactic hindered users on the social media platform from accessing a wide breadth of ideas by funding alternative viewpoints.

“The consequence - perhaps the intent - of this boycott was to seek to deprive X’s users, be they sports fans, gamers, journalists, activists, parents or political and corporate leaders, of the Global Town Square,” she wrote.

“To put it simply, people are hurt when the marketplace of ideas is undermined and some viewpoints are not funded over others as part of an illegal boycott.”

Mr Musk shared his colleague’s statement to the platform and boldly declared: “We tried peace for 2 years, now it is war.”

He later encouraged “any company who has been systematically boycotted” to file a suit.

Following his post, video sharing platform Rumble joined Mr Musk’s lawsuit, claiming it has also been impacted towards GARM’s alleged skew away from right wing voices and ideologies.

The platform announced its move on X where it accused GARM of being “a conspiracy to perpetrate an advertiser boycott of Rumble and others, and that's illegal”.

Since Musk took over the social media platform in October 2022, X has suffered a serious dive in ad dollars with the platform taking in US$2.5 billion in 2023, according to Bloomberg.

This was down from the US$1bn it was bringing in every quarter of 2022.

Musk triggered controversy again in November 2023 when he endorsed an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory that Jewish communities push “hatred against whites”.

The X owner responded: “You have said the actual truth,” sparking an advertiser exodus that was reported to have lost the company as much as $75m, per The New York Times.

He made headlines again in the same month after blasting advertisers boycotting the social media platform, boldly declaring: “Go f**k yourself”.

“If somebody is going to try to blackmail me with advertising, blackmail me with money, go f**k yourself. Go f**k yourself. Is that clear? I hope it is,” he said. (Sky News Australia)

Full article and coverage via Sky News Australia

https://www.skynews.com.au/business/media/elon-musk-takes-garm-several-companies-to-court-over-alleged-advertising-boycott-of-x-outlined-in-bombshell-report/news-story/7bac6243aada770042d14ca84afc23e7

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Market, Commodities and Financial News Snapshot via Media Man

August 7, 2024

Australian Dollar: $0.6520 USD (up $0.0024 USD)

Iron Ore Sep Spot Price (SGX): $102.85 USD (down $0.70 USD)

Oil Price (WTI): $72.96 USD (down $1.02 USD)

Gold Price: $2,389.45 USD (down $19.96 USD)

Copper Price (CME): $4.0095 USD (up $0.0085 USD)

Bitcoin: $56,485.71 USD (up 3.10% in last 24 hours)

Dow Jones: 38,997.66 at 5.02pm NY time (up 294.39 points on yesterday's close)

(Roy Morgan Summary)

 

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August 2, 2024

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U.F.C. Abu Dhabi Fight Card

The UFC event in Abu Dhabi on August 3rd, 2024, is generating significant discussion among fans and analysts. The main event features Umar Nurmagomedov against Cory Sandhagen, with Nurmagomedov being favored by many. The card includes other notable fighters like Deiveson Figueiredo, Marlon Vera, and Shara. Predictions and betting odds are being shared across social media, and Khabib Nurmagomedov is expected to be in Umar's corner. The event is free to watch on ABC Network, further enhancing its accessibility and viewership. Tony Ferguson has expressed his desire to continue fighting in the UFC, while other fighters like Figueiredo and Vera are also generating interest among fans. The event promises to be an exciting showcase of talent and competition in the world of mixed martial arts. (Grok)

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UFC Abu Dhabi Event

The upcoming UFC event in Abu Dhabi on August 2, 2024, is generating significant buzz, featuring a main event between undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov and Cory Sandhagen. The event is free to watch on ABC Network and includes notable fighters such as Deiveson Figueiredo and Marlon Vera. The card also features Tony Ferguson, who has expressed his desire to continue fighting in the UFC. The event is anticipated to be a major one, with Khabib Nurmagomedov expected to be in Umar's corner. Betting predictions and discussions are prevalent across social media platforms, with various analysts and fans sharing their insights and picks for the fights.

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Survivor Series: WarGames in Vancouver

WWE has announced that Survivor Series 2024 will be held in Vancouver, Canada, marking the first WWE pay-per-view event in the city since 1998. The event, featuring the WarGames match format, is scheduled for November 30 at Rogers Arena. This decision has sparked excitement among wrestling fans and local residents, with many expressing enthusiasm about attending the event in Vancouver. (Grok)

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SummerSlam Predictions and Anticipation

WWE SummerSlam 2024 is generating significant anticipation among fans, with many expressing excitement and making predictions about the outcomes of various matches. Key discussions revolve around potential returns of prominent wrestlers such as Roman Reigns and The Rock, as well as the outcomes of matches like Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa and Liv Morgan vs. Rhea Ripley. The event is set to feature a variety of matches that fans are eagerly awaiting, including those involving LA Knight, Logan Paul, and Gunther. The overall sentiment is one of excitement and speculation, with fans looking forward to a thrilling event. (Grok)

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Rampage Debuts for MxM & Private Party on AEW

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is gearing up for an exciting lineup of events, including the highly anticipated All In event scheduled for August 25, 2024. The event is generating significant buzz among fans and is anticipated to surpass the success of the previous year's event. The card for All In features high-stakes matches such as Bryan Danielson putting his career on the line against Swerve, MJF facing Will Ospreay, and a tag team grudge match involving Darby Allin, FTR, and ROH Champion Sussex Co. Chicken against formidable opponents. AEW is also promoting other shows like AEW Dynamite and AEW Rampage, which feature matches like Hangman Page vs. Darby Allin and MxM Collection's debut against Private Party, respectively. The promotion is leveraging various platforms and media to engage with fans and build anticipation for these events. (Grok)

News

Crawford vs Madrimov: Pre-Fight Press Conference

Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov are set to face off in a highly anticipated boxing match on August 3rd, as part of the Riyadh Season Card. The event, which will be available on PPV, has generated significant buzz among boxing fans and media. The undercard for the event is also noted for its quality, featuring a heavyweight bout between Andy Ruiz Jr. and Jarrell Miller, as well as other notable fights. The event is expected to be a major draw, with fans eagerly anticipating the outcome of the main event between Crawford and Madrimov. (Grok)

News

TNA Wrestling: Rascalz vs. Bailey, Seven & KUSHIDA

TNA Wrestling's iMPACT episode on August 1, 2024, featured a lineup of exciting matches and events. The show included a TNA World Title match between Nic Nemeth and Mustafa Ali, as well as the wedding of PCO and Steph De Lander. Other matches included The Rascalz in action against Mike Bailey, Trent Seven, and KUSHIDA in a six-man tag team match, Frankie Kazarian vs. Ryan Nemeth, and Jody Threat vs. Masha Slamovich. The event was broadcasted on various platforms including TNA+, AXS TV, DAZN, and YouTube, catering to a wide audience. Fans and wrestling enthusiasts expressed their anticipation and excitement for the event across social media platforms. (Grok)

ROH

Ring of Honor (ROH) is a professional wrestling promotion recently acquired by Tony Khan, CEO of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Chief Football Strategy Officer of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and GM/Sporting Director of Fulham F.C. ROH has been holding events and television tapings, with notable developments including Sammy Guevara's return to help Dustin Rhodes against the Dark Order at the July 28th tapings. The promotion has been building new stars and continues to feature high-profile matches and events. (Grok)

News

WWE 2K24 Online Stability Hotfix

WWE 2K24 released Patch 1.14 to address online stability issues, which was automatically applied upon game loading. The update aimed to fix problems with the Pat McAfee Show Pack DLC for PS5 users, which was resolved, allowing the pack to be downloaded. However, the patch also caused issues with mods on PC, and some users reported problems with Titantrons in create an entrance and the unavailability of DLC for PlayStation 5 users. Despite these issues, WWE 2K24 encouraged players to participate in a giveaway for SummerSlam and provided a locker code for 7500 VC. (Grok)

Max Verstappen's Potential Mercedes Move

Speculation is rife about Max Verstappen potentially joining Mercedes, fueled by recent high-profile departures from Red Bull Racing. Despite the rumors, some fans express skepticism about the likelihood of such a move. The discussion also touches on the stability of other drivers' positions within their teams, with some questioning the rationale behind certain team decisions. Additionally, there is discussion about the performance comparison between Verstappen and his teammate, Perez, at Red Bull Racing. (Grok)

News

Wheatley's Move from Red Bull to Audi F1

Jonathan Wheatley, the long-serving sporting director at Red Bull Racing, is set to leave the team at the end of the 2024 season to become the new team principal of the Audi Formula 1 project. This move has been confirmed by Red Bull and widely reported across various Formula 1 news outlets. Audi has not officially commented on Wheatley's appointment, and there are indications that they were not expecting the announcement. Wheatley's departure marks a significant change in leadership for Red Bull and a notable acquisition for Audi as it prepares to enter Formula 1. The transition is expected to take place after the 2024 season, with Wheatley remaining in his current role until then. (Grok)

News

WWE NXT Great American Bash Week One

The WWE NXT Great American Bash kicked off with a series of exciting matches and events, including a WWE Women's Tag Team Championship match where Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn defended their titles against Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend. Other highlights included a NXT Women’s Championship match between Roxanne Perez and Thea Hail, a live concert by Joe Hendry, and a NXT Heritage Cup match between Tony D'Angelo and Tavion Heights. Fans and commentators expressed excitement and anticipation for the event, with many rooting for their favorite wrestlers and speculating on potential outcomes. (Grok)

News

NXT Women's Championship: Roxanne Perez Retains

Roxanne Perez successfully defended her NXT Women's Championship against Thea Hail in a highly acclaimed match at NXT GAB. The match was praised for its intensity and the young ages of the competitors, with both being under 23 years old. The event also featured other notable matches, including Joe Hendry expressing frustration with Gallus and a confirmed match between Joe Hendry and Joe Coffey for the following week. The overall event was well-received, highlighting the talent and potential of the NXT roster. (Grok)

News

Bowlin Graham's Pocono Win Secures Playoff Spot

Graham Bowlin secured a spot in the 2024 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series playoffs with a win at Pocono Raceway. Despite missing out on the playoffs, drivers from Spire Motorsports expressed pride in their team's efforts. Nick Ottinger also secured a playoff spot, marking the seventh consecutive season Team Conti has fielded at least one car in the post-season. The playoff lineup includes Steven Wilson, Parker White, Nick Ottinger, Graham Bowlin, Vicente Salas, Bobby Zalenski, Tucker Minter, Garrett Lowe, Dylan Duval, and Daniel Faulkingham. (Grok)

News

CM Punk's Top 5 Wrestlers of All Time

During an interview on ESPN's First Take, CM Punk named his top-5 wrestlers of all time, which included Harley Race, Terry Funk, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Eddie Guerrero, and initially Ricky Steamboat, but he later switched to Roddy Piper. This selection sparked discussions among fans and commentators, with some expressing surprise at the absence of Bret Hart from the list. Punk also highlighted Stone Cold Steve Austin as the biggest superstar in the industry. The interview took place ahead of SummerSlam 2024, which is set to occur in a few days, generating anticipation among wrestling fans. (Grok)

News

Cedric Alexander's NXT Victory

Cedric Alexander emerged victorious in a match against Brooks Jensen on the WWE NXT show. The win was unexpected by some fans and commentators, and it was celebrated by many on social media. The event also featured other matches and announcements, including a promo by Pete Dunne about his upcoming match with Trick Williams. (Grok)

News

UFC Abu Dhabi Event

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to host a highly anticipated event in Abu Dhabi this Saturday, featuring a stacked card of fights. Notable fighters on the card include Tony Ferguson, Cory Sandhagen, and Mackenzie Dern. The event is free and open to the public, with a live broadcast on various platforms. Fans and analysts are discussing the matchups and sharing their predictions and betting tips for the fights. Cory Sandhagen is a key focus of the event, with many fans and analysts predicting a strong performance from him in his fight against Umar Nurmagomedov. (Grok)

News

AEW Returns and Criticisms

The recent episode of AEW's Dynamite received mixed reactions from fans and critics, sparking discussions on various aspects of the show. Topics included the return of a star after a five-month absence, the company's approach to pushing certain talents, and comparisons between AEW and WWE. Some fans expressed disappointment in the show's content and booking decisions, while others praised specific moments and storylines. The discourse highlighted a range of opinions and critiques regarding AEW's current direction and its relationship with its audience and competitors. (Grok)

News

AEW Collision Viewership Drop Amid Summer Events

AEW Collision viewership experienced a significant drop, averaging 383,000 viewers with a 0.12 P18-49 rating, marking a 19% decrease from the previous week. This decline was attributed to tough competition from the Olympics. Meanwhile, WWE's SummerSlam is generating anticipation, with fans expressing mixed feelings about the event and the potential outcomes for their favorite wrestlers. (Grok)

News

Grok Search: TNA Wrestling

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) is an American professional wrestling promotion founded in 2002 by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. It is currently owned by Anthem Sports & Entertainment and is based in Nashville, Tennessee. TNA was initially known as NWA: Total Nonstop Action until 2004 when it rebranded to its current name.

TNA has been known for its innovative matches and storylines, and it has featured many notable wrestlers such as Kurt Angle, Sting, AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, and Jeff Hardy. The promotion has also been praised for its women's division, known as the Knockouts Division, which features some of the top female wrestlers in the world.

TNA has faced a number of challenges over the years, including changes in ownership and a decline in viewership. However, the promotion has continued to produce entertaining and innovative content, and it remains a significant player in the world of professional wrestling. (Grok)

News

Umar vs Sandhagen for Title Shot

Umar Nurmagomedov is set to face Cory Sandhagen at UFC Abu Dhabi, with the winner potentially earning a title shot against the victor of the Sean O'Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili bout. The event also features Tony Ferguson, who is looking to make a comeback. The fight card is generating significant interest and betting activity among fans and analysts. Additionally, there are discussions about potential matchups for Shakur Stevenson, including a verbal agreement for a fight with William Zepeda, although no official agreement has been reached yet. The event is also notable for Khabib Nurmagomedov's involvement in Umar's corner. (Grok)

News

Ruiz vs Miller: Boxing Showdown in Riyadh

On August 3, 2024, a significant boxing event is set to take place featuring several high-profile matches. The main event includes a face-off between Andy Ruiz and Jarrell Miller, which has garnered significant attention and anticipation. Other notable fights on the card include a matchup between Isaac Pitbull and Jose Valenzuela, which is expected to be a highlight of the evening. Additionally, the event features the return of Andy Cruz against Antonio Moran, adding to the excitement. The event is part of the Riyadh Season and will be broadcasted on ESPN Plus PPV. (Grok)

News

Russell Disqualified, Hamilton Wins Belgian GP

Lewis Hamilton was declared the winner of the Belgian Grand Prix after his teammate George Russell was disqualified for having an underweight car. Russell initially crossed the line first but was stripped of his win due to the technical violation. Hamilton's victory marked his second win in three races, sparking discussions among fans and commentators about the nature of his win and Russell's performance. The disqualification also led to Oscar Piastri being promoted to second place, and Charles Leclerc finishing third for Ferrari. (Grok)

News

F1 Drivers Pole Positions and Race Outcomes Debate

In recent Formula 1 races, Charles Leclerc has been praised for his ability to secure pole positions and maintain leads in a slower car, contrasting with Lando Norris's performance in a faster car. Max Verstappen has consistently performed well, often starting from lower positions and finishing higher, despite debates about the relative performance of his car. The current season is highly competitive, with several drivers from different teams closely competing in points, highlighting the tight competition in Formula 1. (Grok)

News

US Women's Rugby Wins First Olympic Medal

The United States women's rugby sevens team won their first Olympic medal, a bronze, in a dramatic match against Australia at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The victory was sealed by a last-minute try and conversion by Alex Sedrick. Meanwhile, Simone Biles led the United States to a dominant victory in the women's gymnastics team final, securing her fifth career Olympic gold medal and becoming the most decorated U.S. Olympic gymnast in history with a total of 8 medals. (Grok)

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Showbiz News from Hollywood; Screenwriters reach tentative deal with studios to end strike

The show must go on - eventually, anyway! With or without a dash of AI et al.

The Writers Guild of America, which represents thousands of Hollywood writers, advised Sunday PM that it has reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with the major entertainment studios, paving the way to end the 146-day strike that has brought television and film production to a standstill. That's right - 146 days! That's some kind of record.

"The WGA and [Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Produces] have reached a tentative agreement," according to an online WGA statement that discloses that more details will follow after the contract language has been finalized...ink had dried, you know the drum.

Though the AMPTP trade alliance of major film and television producers has yet to comment on the development, WGA described the contract to members in a letter as "exceptional." It contains "meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership," it said.

The roughly 11,000 writers were demanding "economic fairness," streaming-service residuals and regulation on the use of AI (artificial intelligence) - take that, you bots!

"What we have won in this contract ... is due to the willingness of this membership to exercise its power, to demonstrate its solidarity, to walk side-by-side, to endure the pain and uncertainty of the past 146 days. It is the leverage generated by your strike, in concert with the extraordinary support of our union siblings, that finally brought the companies back to the table to make a deal," it said.

The language of the contract was being finalized, it said, with guild members to vote on whether to accept it in the coming days.

Union members are being advised that "no one is to return to work" unless specifically authorized by the guild.

"We are still on strike until then," it said, though it was suspending picketing.

The Hollywood writers went on strike early May after negotiations with the studios and streaming services fell through, following six weeks of talks, which brought a halt to television productions.

Many insiders as well as regular consumers of streaming media shows and other had noticed a dive in overall quality.

In mid-July, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists joined the movement, shutting down any active studio productions.

The deal announced late Sunday does not mean the resumption of Hollywood productions, as SAG-AFTRA members remain on the picket lines, and WAG is encouraging its members to join in the actors' fight.

SAG-AFTRA issued a statement congratulating WGA on the deal it said it would review.

"We remain on strike in our TV/Theatrical contract and continue to urge the studio and streamer CEOs and the AMPTP to return to the table and make the fair deal that our members deserve and demand," it said.

The agreement was reached following a recent breach in a stalemate in negotiations, which began about mid-August.

The two sides were quiet until Sept. 14, when they said they had agreed to return to the negotiating table, and they have been hashing out a deal since Wednesday.

"After a nearly five-month long strike, I am grateful that the Writers Guild of American and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have reached a fair agreement and I'm hopeful that the same can happen soon with the Screen Actors Guild," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement.

"Now, we must focus on getting the entertainment industry, and all the small businesses that depend on it, back on their feet and stronger than every before."

The strike, which has waylaid productions for months, has hurt the bottom line of studios, with Warner Bros. Discovery telling the Securities and Exchange Commission earlier this month in a filing that the strikes have "negatively impacted" the company by a cost of up to $500 million. Some folks in and around the biz are pleased that that likes of a somewhat "woke and broken" Disney had lost so much money.

Under the watercooler Media heard, "More about fairness, distribution of funds, and a fair days pay for a fair days work. We showed the world and this script kind of wrote itself"!


If 99pc of start-ups fail, how do AirTree and Blackbird make money?

Starting an ambitious technology company is undeniably hard, but fresh data suggests failure rates aren’t as high as parts of the industry say.

On a darkened screen, a line of text lays out the stakes for The New Hustle, a 2017 documentary series: “Over 92 per cent of start-ups fail. What separates those who don’t?”

Six years later, the production company behind that feature, Founder Films, was back with a new documentary series called Founder on the same topic. This time, the odds seemed to be stacked even higher against start-up founders. “Ninety-nine per cent of start-ups fail,” the on-screen text from the documentary reads.

Apparently, those six years were a grim time for start-ups, whose founders were portrayed as valorous figures surmounting almost impossible odds. Yet between 2017 and early 2022, start-up funding soared in Australia, giving even questionable firms war chests of cash to sustain their dreams for years.

Statistics requested by The Australian Financial Review from the country’s biggest tech venture investors suggest many more start-up companies are staying afloat than the most heightened founder mythology suggests.

The disparate figures reflect an industry that does not have a uniform definition of failure even as commentators contend that failure is discussed too harshly, or too much, or not enough. And they show how failure rates are deployed to either showcase investment performance or valorise founders.

Startmate, the long-running accelerator, has reported that 63 per cent of the more than 230 companies it has a stake in are still active. AirTree Ventures, the large Sydney-based fund that was founded in 2014, said its failure rate – defined using the fairly common rule of investments where it has got back less than it invested – is lower than 20 per cent. Company closures in its portfolio are even lower, at less than 3 per cent.

Blackbird Ventures, meanwhile provided data from its first fund, raised in 2013, where 25 per cent of the companies have closed down, compared with the same number of exits and 10 that are still operating. Square Peg, the third major Australian venture fund, did not make any data available.

Better than regular businesses

Those start-up failure rates compare fairly favourably to the economy as a whole. For the past four years, failure rates for all Australian businesses with staff have hovered around 8 per cent, according to data from the Bureau of Statistics.

But unlike small-business investors who want to preserve capital and grow slowly, venture capitalists bet on a host of companies hoping a small percentage will become enormously valuable in the knowledge many will fail.

That has led some start-up industry figures such as Finder founder Fred Schebesta to argue some high-profile failures should be celebrated to avoid discouraging founders.

James Alexander, a partner at early-stage investor Galileo Ventures, said he did not support the idea of “celebrating” failure, though he acknowledged that founding a business, whether small business or start-up, was very hard.

“Do I think failure is positive? No, I don’t,” Mr Alexander said. “I don’t think [failures] are positive, but I don’t think they’re anywhere near as bad as people make them out to be.”

Mr Alexander’s portfolio has four failures, defined as firms shut down or sold that returned less than invested capital, out of 18 bets. But he said that if one of those surviving companies became a super valuable firm akin to Google, “No one’s going to mind if we lose money on five, 25 or 30 per cent of the investments or even more.”

Founder Films, owned by the founder of $2.7 billion start-up SafetyCulture Luke Annear, declined to comment on its figures, but a spokesman pointed to a 2012 Wall Street Journal article reporting Harvard research that 95 per cent of start-ups fail to hit projected figures. The 92 per cent failure rate number is also all over the internet, with the figure derived from a 2011 report by an organisation called Startup Genome that no longer appears online.

Mr Alexander said that high failure rate figures were a reflection of the way venture firms sought out exceptional results.

“When people throw out these things like ‘90per cent of businesses fail’, I think usually they mean 90 per cent of businesses never become big,” Mr Alexander said.

Murray Hurps, who runs the industry survey project Startup Muster, did not provide data on failure rates because the varying definitions make it hard to collect. But he said that average failure levels were not as useful as understanding the proposition of investing or building an individual firm.

“There are many kinds of lower risk, technology-enabled entrepreneurial pursuits that entrepreneurs should be considering, and more today than there ever were before,” Mr Hurps said.


What Lachlan Murdoch told fundies in Sydney two weeks ago - September 23, 2023

Lachlan Murdoch’s been in and around Australian business circles for most of his working life, but had little to do with the country’s big investors. Until a few weeks ago.

A couple of weeks ago, Lachlan Murdoch, 52, broke cover with Australia’s investor ranks.

Not one to normally front Australia’s fund managers on roadshows, Murdoch was the headline attraction at a small and private dinner held only a few kilometres from his home in Sydney’s inner-east.

The small crowd were all fund managers – big name stock pickers from the larger institutional equities shops in Sydney – most of who had little to do with Murdoch or his father Rupert over the years, and some of who had never met him despite him being in and out of Australian business circles his whole working life.

Murdoch spoke off the cuff. There were no notes or powerpoint slides, no script and no minders, just an update on the family’s two businesses News Corporation and Fox Corporation, and where he wanted to take them.

Perhaps playing to the small crowd, he repeatedly stressed he was 100 per cent focused on creating shareholder value, according to those at the dinner. It was a friendly crowd; money is the name of the game in funds management, and fund managers tend to bow down to billionaires. He was valued at $3.35 billion on this year’s AFR Rich List.

He was clearly proud some of the investments he had overseen – high growth and conviction bets like News Corp’s $13 billion stake in REA Group, student loans business Credible and streaming business Tubi Corporation for example – and gave the impression of a hands-on and pretty passionate senior executive.

He travels back to US head office every second week from his home in Sydney, where his children go to school. When he’s in Sydney, he tends to work New York hours. That’s the sort of stuff that top Sydney money managers are glad they do not have to worry about.

There were no hints about what was to come and fund managers left the dinner not knowing that only a few weeks later, Murdoch would finally get the keys to his father Rupert’s News Corporation.

He was announced as News Corp’s executive chairman on Thursday night, the same role he holds at sister company Fox Corporation, while his 92-year-old father would step off the board and become chairman emeritus of both companies.

Changing of the guard

Lachlan Murdoch’s succession may end a tumultuous 12 months for the family’s two companies. This time last year, the Murdochs were planning to reunite their News Corp and Fox businesses, calling it the next logical step of the strategy that led the media billionaires to sell entertainment giant 21st Century Fox to Disney in 2017 for $US52 billion.

It was about bringing together live sport and news, two things that consumers want immediately and are arguably less discretionary than TV entertainment and movies – but the deal was off a few months later called “not optimal for shareholders of News Corp and Fox at this time”.

In reality, it also faced considerable backlash from investors including Sydney-based Airlie Funds Management, who didn’t want to see News Corp combined with Fox. News Corp owns the company’s stake in REA and Move in the United States, Foxtel in Australia, Dow Jones and HarperCollins, among other businesses, and trades at a significant discount to its asset backing.

Soon after, it also abandoned talks to sell its US digital real estate business Move for about $US3 billion ($4.4 billion).

Murdoch’s comments from the dinner were ringing through those fund managers’ heads on Friday, as they tried to work out what it meant for the future of the family’s media empire.

It was a timely introduction to a man who’s well known in media circles – there are plenty of former News Corp executives who’ll give their two cents worth and recount fronting him when they hadn’t made budget or wanted money for something – but less in local markets.

Those close to him say he’s been fronting investors in the US for a while, just not Australia. Fox Corp isn’t listed in Australia, while News’ ASX-listing is small.

One thing that stuck in the Australian fund managers’ heads were Murdoch’s remarks about M&A.

He said large media sector deals were hard to get past the antitrust regulator in the United States – which is similar to deals in every concentrated sector (banking, energy, tollroads) in Australia.

So, investors are thinking there is unlikely to be any giant strategic pivot in the near to medium term, at least, although are fully aware that deals (big and small) have been a big part of the family business under Rupert Murdoch and Lachlan has been at the table for plenty of them.

“Evolution not revolution” is how his backers were putting it on Friday, pointing out that he’s done a long apprenticeship under his father at News Corp and has been Fox executive chairman since 2105 (it was 21st Century Fox before a $US50 billion sale of its film production business to Disney) . It is still all about news, sport and digital, and looking forwards not backwards.

Closing the gap in value

The ASX-listed shares were up 1.9 per cent to $32.25 in Friday afternoon trade.

Murdoch junior’s most notable was paying about $10 million for a 44 per cent stake in realestate.com.au (later REA Group), following a direct approach from Sydney real estate agent and company director John McGrath, while others for the company include Credible, where loans are up three-times since News Corp’s acquisition, Tubi, which has tripled subscribers.

Of course, it has not been all winners. He’s still remembered for One.Tel, a telecommunications company that collapsed in 2001, and Channel Ten owner Ten Network Holdings, which went into administration in 2017. News Corp’s betting play is also in trouble.

One of his loudest supporters in Australian markets is Sydney stockbroker Angus Aitken, who is known for backing family-led businesses and was quick to tell clients that News Corp was in good hands.

“Lachlan Murdoch has the same entrepreneurial genes as his Dad and has zero to prove, he already has proved himself in spades,” he said in a 1400 word note to fund managers that hit inboxes as the sun rose over Sydney Harbour.

“Anyone who has heard Lachlan talk about these businesses knows he knows these businesses inside out and knows how to allocate capital and back people within these firms with that capital for the long term.”

He said Rupert Murdoch had turned a three-paper tiddler into $US100 billion of assets, if you add the market capitalisations of News and Fox (about $US30 billion) and some of the big asset sales (c$US70 billion). “It is hard to think of anyone who will replicate that in life.”

Lachlan Murdoch will likely struggle to create anywhere near that much value, but he also doesn’t have to. Investors will be happy enough if he can close the discount between New Corp’s share price and asset value – which funds like Melbourne’s L1 Capital have talked about for years. That discount was so glaring that stockbroker UBS for a while was putting out a regulator News Corp note, pointing out the difference between the sum of its parts and share price.

The bigger news on Friday was the end of the Rupert Murdoch-era, after a career stretching seven decades. Lachlan’s ascension to the top of both companies was telegraphed by his father in the past few years. Second son James moved to the fringes of the family business after the Fox/Disney deal in 2019.


'Take it over’: Perth lands WWE’s first Aussie event in six years - September 23

One of the world’s biggest sporting organisations is coming back to Australia for the first time since taking over the MCG in 2018.

The WWE will return to Australian shores for the first time since 2018 in February after the Elimination Chamber event was announced for Perth’s Optus Stadium.

After months of speculation, the sports entertainment behemoth announced that the 60,000 seat stadium would host the live event on Saturday February 24.

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The last time the WWE came down under was in 2018 when the Super-Show Down took over the MCG with Ronda Rousey stunning a packed house before Triple H pinned The Undertaker.

In the meantime, Aussie Rhea Ripley has become one of the sports’ biggest names and is expected to star as the WWE comes back to Australia, while Grayson Walker is also a near certainty to fight.

While the schedule has not yet been released, it will culminate in at least one six-man cage match with some of the promotion’s biggest names set to visit just one month out from WrestleMania 40.

Wrestlers Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods joined WA Premier Roger Cook for the announcement.

“These are set to be the hottest tickets in town and fans can pre-register and secure their spot from today,” Cook said.

“We expect the premium live event at Optus Stadium will be a sellout with thousands of east coast and international fans flocking to Perth, Western Australia to witness this exclusive show.”

The show is expected to reach an audience of one billion people worldwide and Kingston, who is one of the members of The New Day alongside Woods and Big E, said the Elimination Chamber could “totally change the trajectory of whatever is going on in the WWE landscape”.

“Two combatants enter and there are four pods with the other combatants within them,” Woods added.

“As time passes, one of those pods will open until all of their combatants are inside of the ring.

“And then the match officially begins and you lose by pinfall or submission until there is one combatant standing and they are the winner.

“And the reason that this is so intense is because you are waiting for people to get into this match.”

The wrestlers involved are expected to have community activations and meet-and-greets with fans, and Kingston said they “really come into a town and take it over”.

The WWE has recently merged with the UFC, which had a massive show earlier this year in Perth when Alexander Volkanovski lost a controversial bout to Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title.


Expend4bles

A new generation of stars join the world's top action stars for an adrenaline-fueled adventure in Expend4bles. Reuniting as the team of elite mercenaries, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, and Sylvester Stallone are joined for the first time by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Megan Fox, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Jacob Scipio, Levy Tran, and Andy Garcia. Armed with every weapon they can get their hands on and the skills to use them, The Expendables are the world's last line of defense and the team that gets called when all other options are off the table. But new team members with new styles and tactics are going to give "new blood" a whole new meaning.—Lionsgate

 

The Unbreakable Bunch

An Alien Force Came To Conquer - They Had No Idea This Bunch Was In Town.

Producers Ray “Glacier” Lloyd and Steve Luther Wilson, aka “Big Sexy” Luther Biggs, trained at the Power Plant and broke into the business about the same time. A decade ago, the two started talking about a movie.

“We had this idea,” says Lloyd, “What if a bunch of pro wrestlers had to step out of their wrestling world and into a fantasy world where they have to battle aliens?”

“We’re both big fans of The Magnificent Seven, The Wild Bunch, The Dirty Dozen, and The Professionals. They were all ensemble casts, and most of them were somewhat diverse. We thought, ‘What if we could make a movie like that and celebrate the wrestling business?’”

Most wrestling movies either focus on the dark side, or they go for the campy humor,” says Lloyd. “They make movies like The Wrestler, which was very good and yes, that is how some guys turn out. Or they make fun of wrestling and wrestling fans. We wanted to celebrate what’s great about being a wrestling fan and what’s fun about the business without making fun of it. We didn’t think that anyone else was going to make a movie like that, and even if they did, they probably wouldn’t get it right.”

“The story changed a lot from that first draft, but we tried to stay true to the essence of the characters and what they stood for,” explains Lloyd.

Ernest “The Cat” Miller

Stan Hansen

Tonga Uli’uli Fifita, aka Haku, aka Meng

Larry Zbyszko

Diamond Dallas Page

David “Gangrel” Heath.

“An ensemble cast like this has never been done in a wrestling film.” says Lloyd. “We also worked with some great actors we cast in the non-wrestling roles. Nicholas Logan did a tremendous job in our movie, and he’s had some great roles before and after The Unbreakable Bunch. I’m excited to see where his career goes.”

“These are men like us who have their life together,” says Lloyd. “They have good jobs, a nice home. You also see how these guys come together to put on a show. It’s a team effort, whether it’s for one night or a tour. Then they all go their separate ways. That’s something we’ve never seen in a movie about wrestling, and we wanted to portray that.”

“Wrestling is at its best when everyone can enjoy it,” says Lloyd. “A lot of the fans I meet at shows and convention are grown ups who were kids when I was first on TV. Now they’re bringing their kids because they want the next generation to enjoy wrestling like they did. There’s definitely some action, but we kept it to a PG or PG-13 level. We really want families to enjoy this picture, even if they don’t watch wrestling.”

“We want this movie to be something that wrestlers and wrestling fans will be proud to recommend to people,” says Lloyd. “At the end of the day, it’s about camaraderie, loyalty, friendship. It’s about the noble side of professional wrestling.”

WWE Hall of Famer Larry Zbyszko via aQ&A on AdFreeShows.com. In addition to taking fan questions, he also talked about the movie, “The Unbreakable Bunch” that Ernest Miller, himself, and several other wrestlers are in:

"Ray Lloyd, Luther Biggs, had been working their butts off for some years to get this movie going. They wrote it, and then they had to get financed. At the end of 2009, we filmed it and it really came out great. I mean, it's a movie about wrestlers saving a town from aliens, but it's not a wrestling movie. It's kind of a science fiction action movie with emotion and you'll find yourself laughing when you don't expect to. I mean, it was really well done. It's a family friendly movie. Nothing dirty, nothing raunchy. I mean, if you're not a wrestling fan, you're gonna love it too because it's not about wrestling. But it was really well done. I've been dying to see it. As soon as we finished it, like at the end of 2019 right before Christmas, a couple of months later this stupid COVID hit and slowed it down a little bit with the editing, but there was the guy alone editing in the booth. So it's finally all done with the editing and the sound and the music and the special effects, and I hear it's going to come out October 13th. I can't wait to see it."

Zbyszko talking about two movies he should have been in:

"I should have been in two big movies. I'll tell you a story quickly. Alright, 1976 or something I was wrestling in California a little bit. I was wrestling a man and I got a message to talk to some producer in the audience. So after the match, I went to talk to this guy. He said, 'Hey, I'm making my first movie. It's a low budget movie, but I'd like to have you in it because I like the way you look and move.' So I said, 'Okay.' So I went down to his office which turned out to be a crap hole and got a script and read it and I'm going, oh my God. Three weeks in the desert shooting this movie for hardly any money for the guy's independent little movie. It's eating babies and stuff. I said, 'Oh God.' So I nicely told the guy I couldn't do it. I was busy. It turned out the guy's name was West Craven and it was his first movie, 'The Hills Have Eyes.' It became a classic and I'm supposed to be it."

"Then some years ago in like the mid 80s or something. I got a message at the NWA office to call Jerry Reed. I'm thinking Jerry Reed? The only Jerry Reed I know is the country western singer, unless it's Jerry Reed the IRS guide. So I call this number and it's Jerry Reed the singer. He says, 'Son, you're my favorite guy.' We talked and he wanted me to be in the last Smokey and the Bandit movie they were going to make because Jackie Gleason just died and they wanted me to play the part of a young a**hole sheriff after the bandit in the last movie. But right when they were going to do the last movie, that's when Burt Reynolds went off the deep end taking all the Halcyon pills and getting divorced from Loni and getting wiped out, so they never made the movie. So I was supposed to be in the Hills Have Eyes and the last Smokey and the Bandit never happened, but The Unbreakable Bunch, I'm in like the whole movie and I can't wait to see the thing."


AEW WrestleDream - October 1, 2023

Broadcast into Australia via FITE

Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

Hangman Page vs. Swerve Strickland

AEW Tag Team Champions FTR defend against Aussie Open

ROH Tag Team Champions Adam Cole & MJF defend against The Righteous (Vincent & Dutch)

NJPW Strong & ROH World Champion Eddie Kingston defends both titles against ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata

TNT Champion Christian Cage defends against Darby Allin in a two out of three falls match

TBS Champion Kris Statlander defends against Julia Hart

Will Ospreay, Konosuke Takeshita, and Sammy Guevara vs. Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, and Chris Jericho

Additional matches have been added to next Sunday's AEW WrestleDream card.

Don Callis on Saturday’s Collision revealed that Will Ospreay will team with Konosuke Takeshita and his newest family member Sammy Guevara against Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, and Kota Ibushi. This stems from events that took place on Friday’s Ramapge, where Omega made the save for Jericho after Guevara and Takeshita jumped Jericho.

In addition, Christian Cage will defend the TNT title in a two out of three falls match against Darby Allin. On Saturday’s Collision, Allin had a three-way title match won between himself, Cage, and Luchasaurus when Cage posted Allin, allowing himself to pin Luchasaurus. In a backstage interview, Tony Schiavone told Cage he would be defending the title at WrestleDream.

Eddie Kingston in a promo revealed that he will be putting up both the ROH and New Japan Strong titles against Katsuyori Shibata at WrestleDream, saying that he wanted a match that would honor Antonio Inoki.


WWE PPVs

Saturday, Oct. 7

WWE Fastlane

Indianapolis

WWE Crown Jewel 2023

November 4, 2023

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Saturday, Nov. 25

WWE Survivor Series

Chicago

WWE Survivor Series 2023

November 25, 2023

Rosemont, Illinois (Chicago) - Allstate Arena

 

Lachlan Murdoch inherits a daunting to-do list. Observers are divided over how he will cope -23rd September 2023

First among equals is how media mogul Rupert Murdoch once described his eldest son Lachlan, when asked about the succession plan at his global media empire. Now with Rupert’s retirement this week from the boards of Fox Corporation and News Corporation, Lachlan’s position at the top of the family-controlled empire is cemented.

However, 52-year-old Lachlan inherits a daunting task. He takes control of the global newspaper and television businesses as both face major challenges. He becomes head of one of the most influential American media companies as the US goes into perhaps its most important presidential election in recent history. And, his every step will be measured against his father’s legacy.

Former News Corporation executive John Cowley has no doubt that Lachlan is up to the task. “He was trained by the best. His father would have rubbed off on him, but he’s also his own man. He will do a good job,” Cowley said.

Lachlan’s first real job in the Murdoch empire was working for Cowley. It was three decades ago, when at the age of 22, he joined Queensland Newspapers as its general manager. Fresh from having studied philosophy at Princeton University, the young Murdoch would walk the newsroom floor with his shirt sleeves rolled up – exposing a tribal tattoo on his left arm – discussing stories with journalists, much as his father had once done.

Over seven decades, Rupert Murdoch, 92, built a global media empire from a single Australian newspaper. As his business expanded so did his influence and he became one of the world’s most powerful, polarising and right-wing businessmen, owning outlets such as Fox News, the Wall Street Journal, The Times, and The Australian.

R?upert pitted ?Lachlan from an early age against two of his siblings, older sister Elisabeth and younger brother James, to take over the family empire. ?

Lachlan, Elisabeth and James would come and go from the family business, vying for their father’s affection and at times falling out with him. But it would be Lachlan who would return to the fold and stay.?

The Murdoch family governs News Corporation and Fox Corporation through a family trust. Rupert has six children from three wives. The family trust owns almost 40 per cent of the voting shares in both companies.

Each of Murdoch’s children know how difficult it is being the progeny of a successful parent. Put simply, if the adult children of successful parents make good, it’s because of what their parents left them. If they don’t, people ask what’s wrong with them.?

This is what Lachlan is up against, even in his middle age.

Billionaire James Packer can sympathise, as he spent most of the first half of his life being compared against his father – the late media tycoon Kerry Packer.

James multiplied the wealth he inherited from his father. But then his publicly listed Crown casino business became embroiled in a Chinese money-laundering scandal. It was fined, and he sold it, and since then, has focused on private investments.

“Lachlan will do very well. He’s following in a legend’s footsteps, one of the biggest, being Rupert, and that’s never easy,” says Packer, who has been friends with Lachlan for more than three decades. “But I think Lachlan’s ready, and he’s the right man for the job.”

Not everyone agrees.

Rod Tiffen is an emeritus professor at the University of Sydney, who has published books on the news media, including about Rupert Murdoch. He’s critical of Lachlan’s rise to the top of News Corporation and Fox Corporation.

“The idea that a position like that should go by heredity belongs more in the age of Jane Austen than of the contemporary corporate world,” Tiffen says. “It might be okay for the corner store to pass from father to son, but a global corporation should be based on some sort of merit, and not just having the same surname.”

Lachlan becomes chair of News Corporation, which owns newspaper and real estate assets, and also the chair and chief executive of Fox Corporation, which owns Fox News and Fox broadcasting.

In 2019, Fox sold its $US71.3 billion film and television business to Walt Disney, predicting the streaming war that is now playing out, and which has cost companies such as Disney, Netflix and Amazon billions. It was a clever move hailed as Rupert’s crowning achievement.

However, it has left Fox much smaller than many of its peers, with a focus on news and sport. The broadcast and cable TV outlets in the US are declining, and Fox is also competing against bigger players such as Amazon, Netflix, Comcast, Disney and Warner Brothers in securing sporting rights.

The embattled news arm was also sued after broadcasting conspiracy theories and claims of vote rigging promoted by Donald Trump in the 2020 election. Earlier this year, Fox settled a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting systems for $US787.5 million ($1.2 billion). It is now facing another lawsuit from a voting machine manufacturer, Smartmatic, which is likely to be at the top of Lachlan’s to-do list to resolve.

?Another problem for Lachlan is that Donald Trump is shaping up as the most likely Republican candidate for the 2024 election, if he’s able to overcome the legal cases that he is facing.

However, it would be hard for Fox News to back him given Rupert has publicly criticised Trump and disowned him.? And yet, much of the Fox News audience are Trump supporters. Fox News will risk alienating its audience more if Trump becomes the Republican candidate, and it doesn’t back him.

News Corporation has real estate assets such as REA Group and owns newspapers such as The Times, The Australian and the Wall Street Journal. The print assets are declining while the digital side of those newspapers has been growing, particularly the Dow Jones group in the US.

Matt Williams is head of Australian equities at Airlie Funds Management. It owns 2 per cent of the voting shares in News Corporation, which he argues remains undervalued. “Over the last ten years management have done a very good job with the Dow Jones business in re-aligning the business from being reliant on advertising to much more now a subscription-based business.”

He says Lachlan has been a good steward of News Corporation, and expects the strategy of that group to remain unchanged.

However, Tiffen expects there will be pressure to shut print newspapers when Rupert dies. “Everyone rightly goes on about what a terrific global media empire Rupert Murdoch has built. On the other hand, if you were writing his obituary now, you would say that he’s lost more money on newspapers than anyone else in history. And chances are that won’t continue after he dies.”

Tiffen expects that Lachlan will not make any significant changes to either Fox Corporation or News Corporation’s strategy while his father remains alive. “It’s much more likely that any changes will have to be after Rupert’s death, and then it’s quite unpredictable.”

The unpredictability is over whether Lachlan’s siblings who have voting rights in the trust – Prudence, Elisabeth and James – will be happy with his leadership of Fox Corporation and News Corporation, and the right-wing agendas they have pursued.

“In the short term, while Rupert’s alive, the other three children are going to be respectful,” says Tiffen. “But after he dies, then Lachlan’s relations with his other siblings will be much more difficult to predict.”

(SMH)

Rear Window - September 14, 1999

Kostya, TAB go down fighting

It had more celebrities than a Saturday night in Atlantic City. In one corner, "Break Even" Bill Mordey; in the other, Russian-born dynamo Kostya Tszyu and a gaggle of heavy-hitters including Packer confidant Theo Onisforou and Jeff Fenech.

Mordey won round one when NSW Supreme Court Justice Russell Bainton last year ordered Tszyu to pay $7.3 million to Mordey's Fightvision Pty Ltd for breach of contract, in the process describing the Russian-born boxer as a "spoiled brat".

Yesterday, round two ended with a TKO to Break Even, who managed to deliver a haymaker to TAB boss Warren Wilson. Having bought Sky Channel from Packer's Publishing & Broadcasting and Rupert Murdoch's News Corp last year, TAB will now have to partially foot a $7.3 million damages bill after three appeal judges found Sky Channel had induced Tszyu to breach his contract with Mordey.

Sky Channel will have to pay the costs of Fightvision's original claim against Sky Channel and its appeal in a result Wilson said was disappointing. TAB is considering whether it has any further legal avenues.

The stoush began when Tsyzu appealed against last year's decision, claiming the damages awarded against him were excessive. That prompted Mordey's counterpunch, appealing against the cases he lost to the other five defendants: Fenech, Sky Channel, Onisforou, Tszyu's new promoter, Vlad Warton, and Tszyu's company, Tszyu Enterprises.

The NSW Court of Appeal yesterday dismissed Tszyu's appeal. Mordey had a victory against Sky Channel, Warton and Tszyu Enterprises, but struck out against Onisforou and Fenech. Warton and Tszyu Enterprises will be back for a third round after the court ordered a new trial in relation to Mordey's claims.

Mordey and Fightvision had sought compensation from Tszyu for lost promotion revenue after the fighter breached his contract in early 1995 by agreeing to give Optus Vision or Sky Channel exclusive rights to broadcast his bouts.

In his judgement, Justice Bainton found Tszyu entered into a binding three-year contract with Mordey's Classic Promotions in 1992 and that contract contained an option of renewal for two years. The company wound up in 1993 and Fightvision took over its promotions.

Justice Bainton found that the renewal option in Tszyu's contract had been effectively exercised in January 1995, and that the boxer had broken that contract almost immediately.

Fightvision was entitled to recover from Tszyu profits it would have made from promoting his fights from January 1995 to January 1997 in total $7.3 million.

Room with a view? Er, I'll settle for the ground floor, thanks all the same

While travelling always presents its challenges, Rear Window's Tasmanian tourism operative appears to have struck an unusual problem while cycling through the Apple Isle.

During a bracing journey down the Midland Highway from Launceston to Hobart, our peleton wanabee sought refuge at a cosy bed and breakfast in the hamlet of Campbell Town, where the civic motto is: "Reaching out across the land, over the sea, through the air, towards the stars, Campbell Town is reaching out to you."

Noting the prominent "Vacancy" sign, our operative entered, only to be told by the landlady: "Sorry, we have no vacancies."

But what about the sign? "We haven't got around to making a `No Vacancy' sign yet. Getting the floors fixed comes a long way ahead of a `No Vacancy' sign in our priorities."

We'd advise getting a room on the ground floor.

Rupert shows UK interest but his ratings keep falling

Not content with wading into the murky world of Chinese-Tibetan relations, Rupert Murdoch has turned his hand to matters economic.

Murdoch has attacked the Bank of England in the wake of last week's surprise decision to lift British interest rates, expressing dismay that the central bank should be worried about the United Kingdom's 1.5 per cent economic growth when "the US economy is charging along at 4 per cent with no sign of inflation".

In an interview with London's Sunday Business newspaper, Murdoch also attacked UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, claiming Brown was "wrong" to give the BoE the power to determine interest rate policy one of the central tenets of central bank indepence worldwide.

"We elect governments to govern, not to give up power to faceless bankers," Murdoch reportedly said, highlighting his growing schism with the government of Tony Blair, who only a few years ago attended News Corp's Hayman Island executive love-fest.

Just last week, Murdoch was kowtowing to the Chinese Government, claiming he had heard cynics say the Dalai Lama was "a very political old monk shuffling around in Gucci shoes" and questioning whether Tibet a "terrible old, autocratic society out of the Middle Ages" had any culture before China invaded.

It is all reminiscent of Murdoch's comments at News Corp's 1995 annual general meeting in Adelaide, where he blasted the Australian economy as "a disgrace" as he offered an opinion on all manner of non-media topics.

By 1997, a chastised Murdoch said son Lachlan had told him he was "not allowed" to talk about Australian politics. "I'm now under very strong instructions from my son to keep my mouth shut because I can go back to America and he has to live with what I have said," the elder Murdoch said.

The Sun King might be better off worrying about the performance of his News Corp empire, which recently suffered a hefty drop in profitability and has kicked off the latest United States television season in unspectacular fashion.

Ratings for News Corp's core Fox group are down an average 6 per cent, with not even the 10th series of its old standby, Beverly Hills 90210, improving the situation.

Guess who's late for dinner?

Here's hoping the 2000 Olympics are better organised than Rear Window, which battled the gremlins in yesterday's paper only to have an item about tomorrow night's glamour Australian Olympic Committee 1999 Countdown Dinner run about two weeks too late. Times have changed since the AOC first sought a plug for the function: the dinner is now sold out, with 1,000 people each paying $1,000 to raise a more than $700,000 for the Australian team. A number of team members will be there on the night, with dual gold medallist Kieren Perkins one of the 100 past and present Olympians who will each sit at the tables snapped up by companies including Telstra, CUB and Westfield. Major Olympic sponsor Westpac is holding its own function.

(AFR)

 

News

High Stakes: The ‘life-or-death’ battle over a company name

Two stars of Australia’s new economy – the similarly named share trading platform Stake and online cryptocurrency casino juggernaut stake.com – are locked in a life-or-death court battle over naming rights amid growing concerns the gambling outfit has major plans for its home country.

Stake the share platform launched legal action in the Federal Court in August seeking to enforce its trademarks and stop stake.com, a multibillion-dollar enterprise, from using that name for its business in Australia.

The fast-growing Sydney-based share trading platform, the third-largest broker in the country, alleges that the casino group stake.com has been breaking Australian consumer law and has misled consumers through the use of its brand in Australia and its marketing, including its sponsorship of the Alfa Romeo team and the sale of apparel.

Stake the share trading platform, which owns the URL stake.com.au, alleges stake.com’s use of the name in Australia has potentially led to consumers believing the two brands are related when they are not.

The share trading platform Stake, founded in 2017 by entrepreneurs Dan Silver and Matt Leibowitz, alleges there is a threat that more consumers could be misled if stake.com is allowed to continue with its plans to grow its business significantly in Australia under the brand name Stake.

The casino group, led by Melbourne-based twenty-somethings billionaires Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani, is expected to seek to have the matter summarily dismissed.

A spokesperson for stake.com said: “We are aware of a frivolous claim lodged in the Federal Court by Stakeshop, which in part claims that our global Formula One team sponsorship impinges on their ability to sell trucker hats.”

“We are proud of the global stake.com brand. As a group, we abide by the laws of the countries in which we operate, and do not offer our stake.com platform to Australian customers. We believe the claim has no legal merit and will vigorously defend our rights.”

The court case has shed new light on stake.com’s expansion plans for Australia, where it remains blocked to Australian users.

Court documents reveal the casino group has sought to buy the stake.com.au website from the sharemarket trading platform business. According to the court documents, the casino group has also registered several Australian website domains for its Australian expansion and applied to register a slew of trademarks including Stake Australia, Stake Bet and Stake Casino.

The Federal Court action comes after years of simmering tensions between the two groups over the use of stake.com’s name in Australia.

Stake.com was established in 2017 but flew under the radar in Australia until late 2021, when this masthead revealed the local origins of the business that had grown to be one of world’s largest online casinos, processing hundreds of billions of bets on sports, virtual table games and online slot machines.

In early 2022, stake.com signed hip-hop megastar Drake as its lead ambassador. Later in 2022 it signed a multi-year deal to become lead jersey sponsor for English Premier League team Everton FC as well as its sponsorship of Alfa Romeo’s F1 team.

The significant increase in stake.com’s marketing and media presence was noticed at the share trading platform group that built its user base during the COVID-inspired boom in Gen Y and Gen Z investors, thanks in part to its ultra-low cost brokerage fee model, savvy marketing and the broadening into other financial services including a superannuation product.

A spokesman for Stake the share trading platform said that since the group was founded in Australia it had built a client base of more than 500,000 and more than $2.5 billion in assets under management.

“Over the past six years, we have established a trusted and culturally relevant Australian brand that reflects our dedication to meeting customer needs. It permeates all parts of our business, spanning products, content, internal culture, customer interactions and much more, making it our most valuable asset. We are committed to protecting the Stake brand and the high level of consumer trust associated with it,” the spokesman said.

“We are concerned by the threatened use of the Stake brand in Australia by stake.com in relation to gambling, casino and sports betting services, due to the potential for customer confusion and damage to our brand and reputation.”

Stake.com is not available in Australia but according to court documents, the group is already making arrangements for a major expansion in this country and is seeking a sports betting licence.

In October 2022, stake.com casino executive Brais Pena Sanchez contacted Stake share trading founder Silver on LinkedIn and arranged a video conference meeting where the pair discussed Stake the share platform selling its Australian URL, stake.com.au, to the Curacao-registered, Australian-operated casino group.

During those discussions, Sanchez – the casino group’s chief strategy officer – informed Silver that stake.com planned to launch in Australia under the name Stakebet, or similar, according to court documents. A deal never ensued and the website remains owned by the share trading platform.

Tensions flared again in early 2023 after stake.com the casino was announced as the new team sponsor for Formula 1 team Alfa Romeo, sparking a flurry of legal letters between the two groups ahead of the Melbourne race.

According to the court documents, the casino group’s lawyers assured the share trading Stake that it would not use its logo in conjunction with the Melbourne Grand Prix and did not intend to display the name on any vehicles or uniforms or as part of the Alfa Romeo team name.

However, the share trading Stake alleges that during the four days of the Grand Prix, Stake casino logos appeared on banners for official team merchandise, the team display and on signs at the event and in the race program.

In May, Stake.com was applying to register a large number of new trademarks for goods and services. This included Stake Australia, Stake Bookie, Stake Betting, Stake Gaming, Stake Esports, Stake Casino, Stake Sportsbook, Stake Bet, Stake Punt, Stake Sports, Stake Pokes and Stake Slots.

The casino group has also registered a series of Australian website names under the “.au” domain including stakebet.au; stakecasino.au, stakesports.au and playstake.au.

The case continues.


Crown to launch digital self-exclusion scheme for casinos - July 2023

People with gambling problems will be able to ban themselves from Crown casinos over the internet instead of having to do so in person, as part of a wider overhaul of the group’s approach to harm minimisation.

Crown Resorts’ new safer gambling program also includes the establishment of a dedicated gambling policy team, which will monitor customer playing behaviour and create interventions to better prevent gambling harm from occurring.

Crown boss Ciaran Carruthers joined the business last year following an overhaul of Crown’s management, after a series of bruising inquiries into the company. Carruthers, who has led other global casino groups including Wynn Macau, said the new leadership of Crown was committed to making gambling safer, even if it meant less turnover in its casinos.

“I have been in this business for 34 years and I can tell you – no one does this,” Carruthers said.

“It is critically important to me that when I look at the long-term viability of this business that people see our resorts as entertainment to enjoy safely.”

Under the changes, customers will be able to block themselves from entering a Crown casino through a new digital self-exclusion portal. Those who wanted to ban themselves from Crown venues were previously required to visit, in person, a designated responsible gambling centre run by the group.

The group has also moved to cashless gaming at Crown Melbourne and Crown Sydney – a condition of its temporary gaming licences in NSW and Victoria– as well as introducing $10 maximum bet limits on poker machines at Crown Perth. The technological overhaul required to facilitate the changes has so far cost the business $13 million.

Carruthers pointed to changes Crown has already made which go beyond government regulation, such as encouraging customers to take breaks every three hours, as an indicator of its commitment to shifting problem gambling patterns.

The group said it wanted to establish advisory panels to work with state regulators and community groups to improve gambling harm education and share its research.

Carruthers conceded some aspects of its new approach to harm minimisation, called Crown PlaySafe, would not be welcomed by heavy gamblers. But he argued the changes would make the casinos more appealing to the general public.

Crown’s new head of gambling policy research, Dr Jamie Wiebe, said the most critical shift in the groups gambling policy was a move away from harm minimisation to prevention.

“We want to prevent a problem from ever happening,” she said.

The new program was unveiled just weeks after the Federal Court determined Crown will pay one of the biggest penalties in Australian corporate history to the financial crimes watchdog, after past anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism failings in its Perth and Melbourne casinos.

The $450 million fine is about five per cent of Crown’s last listed market capitalisation before it was taken private by Blackstone Capital for $8.9 billion in May last year.

In 2019, an investigation by this masthead and 60 Minutes revealed Crown had been infiltrated by international criminal syndicates and money launderers.

Crown was forced to overhaul its board, management and procedures to satisfy the regulators, who approved a conditional licence for Crown to operate its Barangaroo casino in June 2022. The conditional licence is valid until the end of this year.

Carruthers said the integrated hospitality offerings at Crown meant the casino could afford to embrace the shift.

“I want people to enjoy the experience of our casinos whether they’re coming for dining, casino or retail. I’m fairly agnostic across which one of those experience or how many of those experiences you want to enjoy,” he said.


Reclusive Sydney gambling mogul emerges as kingmaker in South Africa -
September 2023

Reclusive online gambling mogul Martin Moshal is playing an increasingly influential role in a push to oust the South African government.

Mr Moshal, who lives on the exclusive Sydney Harbour row of Camp Cove alongside shopping centre billionaire Steven Lowy, is not on many rich lists but has made a fortune from online casino technology.

Herman Mashaba is the leader of ActionSA, one of a handful of opposition parties Mr Moshal has backed in the lead up to the 2024 South African national election. Mr Mashaba, known for taking a tough line on immigration and endorsing hard labour for prisoners, is hoping the gambling tycoon will continue his support.

“I wish he won’t give up on us and help us democratically remove the [incumbent African National Congress] and bring about a peaceful transition... please help ActionSA,” Mr Mashaba said in an interview with The Australian Financial Review.

“I have been lucky to have known Martin long before I went into politics,” he added. “I approached him and he was willing to back me up because he knows me as a capitalist... Martin was one of the first to come to the party.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s social democratic African National Congress party is set to come under pressure next year amid South Africa’s dire economic troubles. A senior party official has warned the country could become a failed state.

Mr Moshal is the largest individual political donor in South Africa in the last two years. He has given 46.5 million rand ($3.8 million), according to electoral records analysed by My Vote Counts, a non-profit advocating for more transparency in politics.

“Given the amounts donated it has become clear to us he now has a large stake in our politics,” said Robyn Pasensie, a researcher at the organisation.

The size of Mr Moshal’s wealth is unknown. He is extremely private and only admitted to his ownership of online gambling giant Betway after UK journalists traced his ownership back to offshore trusts. Mr Moshal did not respond to a request for comment.

Aside from ActionSA, Mr Moshal has donated to the Democratic Alliance (DA), Build One South Africa and said he also intends to support the Inkatha Freedom Party. Mr Moshal is ActionSA’s biggest backer. The Australian Financial Review is not suggesting Mr Moshal supports the party’s policies.

“I’m not saying these parties are all perfect, but we shouldn’t let perfect be the enemy of good... They are all far better than the government we have today,” Mr Moshal told The Jewish Report earlier this year.

“Pirkei Avot was my late dad – John Moshal’s – favourite part of the Talmud within which Rabbi Tarfon is quoted as saying, ‘It’s not up to you to finish the task, but you aren’t free to avoid it’.”

Mr Moshal said he believed South Africa needed a new government and was on its way to becoming a failed state.

“[This is a] government that’s corrupt, cannot provide basic security and opportunity to its citizens... we need the change of government and leadership that these parties can provide.”

ActionSA is known for advocating for life sentences and hard labour for serious offenders and also wants to repeal the ANC’s Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policy, a form of affirmative action introduced post-apartheid.

“Martin knows my views on racial policies and how dangerous they are,” said Mr Mashaba, who started off in business and was the founder of African hair care brand, Black Like Me.

ActionSA has also been vocal on immigration, views labelled as “xenophobic” by some critics and politicians.

“We recognise that South Africa was built... on the back of migrants,” said Mr Mashaba. “But they must come here legally... you break our laws, we will send you back to your country, the country where you came from.”

One of South Africa’s main economic problems is mismanagement and corruption inside the country’s electricity utility Eskom. The utility has been forced to implement rolling blackouts, which have further stymied economic growth.

“If Eskom cannot run on a commercial basis then it must die a natural death,” Mr Mashaba said, adding changes were needed to give other companies the opportunity to compete.

Mr Moshal’s Entrée Capital is one of Israel’s most active funds in the Israeli VC space. He is the beneficiary of a trust which is the largest individual shareholder in Super Group, which became the parent of Betway and online casino brand Spin after a 2022 listing. The group reported net gaming revenue of €1.3 billion ($2.1 billion) in 2022.

“Moshal is one of the least visible betting entrepreneurs in the world,” Guardian reporter Rob Davis wrote in his book Jackpot: How Gambling Conquered Britain.

“Moshal made much of his fortune from his home in Durban where he patented a series of technological solutions for the online gambling world and developed them via his company Microgaming. The company has since become one of the industry’s leading software players”

A philanthropist, he sits on the capital management advisory committee of Sydney’s Moriah College, alongside Steven Lowy and former Babcock & Brown chief executive Phil Green. He is also a life trustee of the Moriah Foundation and previously donated to Israel’s SpaceIL project attempting to land spacecraft on the moon.


SkyCity puts aside $45m for potential AUSTRAC penalty - August 2023

SkyCity Entertainment set aside $45 million for a penalty if it is convicted of breaches of anti-money laundering and counterterrorism laws.

The financial crimes watchdog, AUSTRAC, lodged proceedings against SkyCity in December over alleged serious and systemic non-compliance with the laws at its Adelaide casino.

SkyCity said on Monday it was difficult to determine the size and timing of the penalty, given the proceedings are in the early stages. But it decided to lodge a $45 million provision on the basis that each breach attracts a maximum civil penalty of between $18 million and $22.2 million.

“Estimating the potential exposure to penalties with any degree of accuracy at this stage of that ongoing process remains challenging, particularly given the outcome is highly dependent on a range of factors which are not yet known,” a statement said.

AUSTRAC has alleged “serious noncompliance” with anti-money laundering laws against SkyCity, claiming the company allowed 59 suspicious patrons to churn more than $4 billion in dirty cash through its Adelaide casino. The independent review is on hold because of the Federal Court action.

The company cut full-year earnings expectations at an investor day in May, with a slowdown in revenue from the international business and rising legal and compliance costs related to a crackdown on money laundering weighing on its bottom line. Analysts have provisioned about $50 million for the AUSTRAC fine, but there is no guarantee that will be enough.

In late May, SkyCity announced it would hire an independent expert to review its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism programs. It is still waiting for South Australia’s investigation into whether it should hold a casino licence to recommence.

“Judgements in civil penalty proceedings bought by AUSTRAC to date demonstrate that the Court’s determination of the appropriate penalty ... is very specific to the fact in each case and that the Court will have regard to a broad range of factors,” SkyCity said.

SkyCity’s provision announcement coincided with a $45.6 million write-down of the Adelaide casino licence, which was attributed to the value and timing of future discounted cash flows.

The company said the impairment and provision were non-cash and would not affect earnings for fiscal year 2023. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation remain in line with guidance of $NZ300 million ($276.6 million) to $NZ310 million.

SkyCity’s provision comes a month after the federal court agreed on rival casino operator Crown’s $450 million fine for breaches of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism laws. The fine is being paid over a two-year period without interest.

Shares closed on Friday at $2.09.


Hotel room rates plummet for F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend - September 2023

Hotel room rates for Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend have fallen by nearly 60 percent in some cases since they were first posted last fall. But an industry expert says that does not necessarily mean interest in the event is failing to meet expectation.

When select Las Vegas resorts in November 2022 opened their booking schedules for race weekend, listed prices were as high as they have been seen in the city’s history. While still at higher than normal rates, a major decrease has occurred.

When a drop in booking pace occurs, it automatically triggers revenue management systems to suggest the lowering of room rates, according to Dr. Mehmet Erdem, professor of hotel operations and technology at UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hospitality.


Pennsylvania online casinos cross $5 billion in lifetime revenue - September 2023

Business is booming in Pennsylvania. The Keystone State is the clear market leader when it comes to online casino revenue within the US. After August’s total of $171.9 million, Pennsylvania surpassed the $5 billion threshold for lifetime revenue.

Pennsylvania online casinos are constantly upgrading and adding new content, and customers are responding. It doesn’t appear the market will be slowing down anytime soon, either.

Pennsylvania has set the US online casino revenue record four times over the last 11 months, and almost did so again. August’s revenue total of $171.9 million came second to March’s figure of $181.5 million. It was the second-best month of all time for any state with legal online casinos.


Atlantic City: Five-year turnaround of Ocean Casino Resort among city’s greatest successes - September 2023

In the winter of 2019, if any New Jersey sportsbook had tried to offer odds on the Atlantic City casino hotel then known as Ocean Resort Casino making it through another summer, no gambler in their right mind would have taken the bet.

Fast forward to the end of summer 2023, and the property now called Ocean Casino Resort is one of the city’s best performers. In fact, an argument can be made that Ocean’s rise to the upper echelon of the Atlantic City casino market is the most remarkable turnaround of any gambling parlor in history.

From its failed origins as Revel Casino Hotel to its seemingly doomed trajectory in February 2019, the $2.4 billion casino at the north end of the AC Boardwalk felt almost cursed (if you believe in that kind of stuff). But, apparently, the gambling gods decided Ocean was deserving of a better fate.

Once shunned by casino operators, responsible gaming campaign turns 25

At a time when problem gambling matters were rarely mentioned in gaming company boardrooms, Harrah’s Entertainment decided the issue needed to be raised on casino floors.

But it wasn’t just rival corporate executives that looked askance at the idea of employees learning how to spot signs that a customer might have a gambling problem.

“Our own lawyers tried to block it,” recalled Jan Jones Blackhurst, who was then a Harrah’s senior vice president. With the support of company CEO Phil Satre, she led Harrah’s launch of the casino industry’s first responsible gaming initiative in the mid-1990s.

“We had employees that wanted to be educated on the subject. They wanted to be able to help,” said Jones Blackhurst, who completed two terms as Las Vegas mayor before joining Harrah’s. “Maybe because I came out of politics. You have a responsibility to your communities, your customers and your employees. We believed it was the right thing to do.”


Sportsbooks ratchet up targeted advertising at start of NFL season

Shortly after the NFL forged authorized gaming partnerships with a host of leading sportsbooks in the 2021 offseason, operators began flooding the airwaves with a series of humorous spots that featured celebrities hawking their products.

Caesars Sportsbook spent lavishly on an ad package starring the Manning Brothers and actor J.B. Smoove as the eponymous emperor. During Super Bowl LVII last February, Kevin Hart expressed his displeasure for “taking the under” in a DraftKings spot while standing mere feet from WWE wrestler The Undertaker. Another commercial from FanDuel featured a live field goal attempt by former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, one that drifted wide left of the upright at the last second.


Former lieutenant governor calls for Nevada Gaming Commission cyber briefing after MGM and Caesars hacks - September 2023

In light of cyberattacks on MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment, former Nevada Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, now a Nevada Gaming Commission member, called for a briefing on the hacking incident to shed more light on what happened and how it can be prevented in the future.

The suggestion comes the same day the Massachusetts Gaming Commission met in executive session “to consider information related to an MGM cybersecurity issue.” It held a similar closed meeting on Monday.

After it returned to the public session on Thursday, the Commission entered into an executive session regarding security at MGM Springfield, according to the Commission agenda.

Krolicki made his comments at the end of Thursday’s five-hour meeting of the Nevada Gaming Commission. Since it was made during the public comment session, the commission could not take up the matter, but it’s likely the issue will return to the Commission and the Nevada Gaming Control Board at some point.

In the latest cyberattack that started being felt Sept. 10 and went into this week, hackers knocked slot machines out of commission and created havoc with ATMs and computer systems. MGM, which is reported by a Wall Street analyst to have lost between $4.2 million and $8.4 million a day with the hack, said its systems were operating normally across their properties nationwide as of Wednesday. Caesars reported it was hacked in late August and had customer information stolen but paid a $15 million ransom that avoided any shutdowns.

In December, the Commission approved cybersecurity regulations for the state’s gaming industry to protect operators’ information systems from attacks that could shutter casinos and compromise customer data. The rules went into effect Jan. 1. That approval came right after BetMGM reported that its customers’ personal information – including Social Security numbers – was obtained in an unauthorized manner and included information on their transactions.

In the regulations, casinos were required to do a risk assessment of their systems by the end of 2023 and take any necessary steps on an ongoing basis to ward off an attack. If any breach was successful that compromised player data, credit card information and other records, including that of employees, properties would be required to report it to gaming regulators within 72 hours.

“It would be important and enlightening given the recent events of the past week regarding cyber security and ransomware in particular at MGM and our friends at Caesars and look at how it impacts our world and regulatory responsibilities,” Krolicki said, later adding, “I think at some point in time when there’s the energy and understanding of what just happened if we could get some kind of briefing of what transpired that’s appropriate for public record and perhaps policies going forward of how do we avoid these things and if they do happen whether the reporting schemes on whether it was immediately reported to the Gaming Control Board. There are a lot of questions and a lot of publicity. It’s a global story, and I just think it would behoove all of us to get a good handle on what just happened.”

The Nevada Gaming Control Board released a statement on Sept. 13 saying Gov. Joe Lombardo and the board “are monitoring the cybersecurity incident with MGM Resorts and are in communication with company executives. Additionally, the Nevada Gaming Control Board remains in communication with other law enforcement agencies.”

Casino consultant Brendan Bussmann, managing partner of B Global, which tracks gaming boards and commissions, said the Massachusetts hearing won’t be the last and expects states across the country to hold similar sessions wanting to hear from MGM executives.

“Nevada is the second regulator that I know has raised their hand on this after Massachusetts,” Bussmann said. “It should be about what happened and how it happened, which should be considered confidential information. This is going to be a question that every regulator for both commercial gaming and tribal gaming is going to be concerned about. Since we’re still trying to figure out what happened, then we can see what tools we need as an industry to beef up our efforts on cyber-related events.”

While everyone is focused today on MGM and Caesars, this is not the first cyber attack, Bussmann said.

“This can go back to the Las Vegas Sands attacks in 2014 from the Iranians and any other data breaches that happened between then and now,” Bussmann said. “I would expect every state at a minimum has MGM and Caesars in it to at least say what happened and what can we do regulatory to help this and what can we do with testing and what can we do IT and host of things.”

Bussmann said the regulators can’t be reactionary but instead should get evidence on how it happened and use the best resources outside of the casino industry, such as security firms, to do it right.

“There’s no one better suited to regulate Nevada on this issue than the Gaming Control Board in working with law enforcement partners across the country,” Bussmann said.

 

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B. Balls, Balance and Blogs

C. Creative and Content

D. Digital and Disrupt

E. Expert, Entertainment and Exposure

F. Fix

G. Go, Grappling, Genuine, Gems, Gold and Gonzo

H. Hits and Hashtags

I. Instinct and Instagram

J. Jewels and Journalism

K. Karate and Keywords

L. Lift and LinkedIn

M. Money, Moneytize and MMA

N. Numbers and News

O. Open and Online News

P. Passion, Promotions, Platforms and Pop Culture

Q. Questions

R. Revenue and Results

S. Suplex, Space X and Social Media

T. Trust, Twitter, Tesla and Trends

U. Universe, Unique and UFC

V. Vortex

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W. Words, Webcode and World

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Y. YouTube and YouTube Shorts

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Elon Musk loses $30 billion in one day amid Wall Street’s tech wipeout - 21st July 2023

Elon Musk’s fortune slumped $US20.3 billion ($29.5 billion) after Tesla warned it may have to keep cutting the prices of its electric vehicles, sending shares tumbling.

The drop in net worth to $US234.4 billion is the seventh-largest decline ever among those in the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, and further narrows the wealth gap between Musk and Bernard Arnault, the world’s two richest people. Musk’s fortune still exceeds that of Arnault, chairman of luxury goods maker LVMH, by about $US33 billion.

Musk wasn’t the only US technology billionaire having a tough day. Amazon.com’ s Jeff Bezos, Oracle Corp.’s Larry Ellison, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and Alphabet co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin shed a collective $US20.8 billion in net worth as the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 fell 2.3 per cent.

Shares of Tesla slid 9.7 per cent to $US262.90 in New York, the most since April 20, after the company warned of more hits to its already-shrinking profitability. Months of markdowns have taken a toll on automotive gross margin, which fell to a four-year low in the second quarter. Musk, the company’s CEO, said Tesla will have to keep lowering prices if interest rates continue to rise.

In addition to potentially having to budge further on pricing, Tesla is pouring money into new models, including the behind-schedule Cybertruck, plus Dojo, the in-house supercomputer Musk plans to spend at least $US1 billion on by the end of next year. While Tesla remains on track to produce around 1.8 million vehicles in 2023, output will dip this quarter due to factory upgrades.

“It does make sense to sacrifice margins in favour of making more vehicles, because we think in the not-too-distant future they will have a dramatic valuation increase,” Musk said, referring to his belief Tesla will eventually offer autonomous-driving capability that will make already-sold cars worth more.

Adding to Tesla’s challenges is its growing inventory of cars. The company said it now has 16 days’ worth of supply globally, up from 15 days last quarter and just four days a year ago. Inventory continued to build despite steep discounts on Tesla’s best-selling models, and perks including free charging that the carmaker offered consumers.

Musk, 52, derives his wealth primarily from his stake in the EV manufacturer, as well as his holdings in Space Exploration Technologies and Twitter. His wealth had increased about $US118 billion this year through Wednesday, as shares of Tesla climbed 136 per cent.

Arnault, 74, has seen his net worth rise by $US39 billion this year to $US201.2 billion. Shares of Paris-based LVMH have gained 26 per cent in 2023.


FIFA deletes Matildas fans’ World Cup videos from social media

Fans who shared footage taken inside World Cup stadiums have had their videos wiped from social media after complaints from football’s organising body FIFA.

Strict rules buried in the 13 pages of fine print that accompany match tickets specify that people not broadcast “live or near live” material from the grounds on their personal social media accounts, to protect broadcaster’s rights.

But the fine print gives FIFA discretion to decide what constitutes a “near live” broadcast, so that fans who uploaded mobile phone footage of crowds celebrating several hours after the Matildas’ one-nil win over Ireland at Stadium Australia on Thursday had footage deleted.

This masthead also is not allowed to use any images legally from these videos.

“I took some footage throughout the game, including the penalty, which was at the far end of the ground,” said Dan, who requested that his surname not be published. “Then I sort of looped around and got some of the amazing crowd reactions.

“Later, around midnight, I uploaded it on Instagram. In the early hours of the morning I opened Instagram and there was a copyright notice and the video had been deleted.”

Dan later received an email from Instagram saying he could contact the complainant, Fédération Internationale de Football Association, to resolve the issue. He reposted his video, which at the time of writing is still live.

FIFA did not comment directly on Dan’s case but said some people posting social media videos would have them removed because the organisation was conducting a large operation against digital piracy.

Some innocuous social media posts may be swept up by algorithms searching for pirate broadcasters, especially those that feature snippets of on-field action, it said.

“Digital rights are quite restricted so as to protect broadcast rights,” a spokesman said.

FIFA said it broadly encouraged people to post images from matches on social media. While some videos have been deleted, most are still up, including one posted by environment minister Tanya Plibersek, who captured the same goal as Dan from a different angle and posted it to her Instagram page.

“It does seem like overreach to target people who are just sharing content of a major sporting event,” said Isabella Alexander, a law professor at the University of Technology Sydney.

“I think it’s common for live sporting events to be very strictly controlled because of the value of the broadcast rights - and because there’s no copyright on the actual sporting event itself the way they can enforce it is via the fine print on the tickets,” she said.

“It’s probably not common for tickets to have quite the range of provisions like this, but since nobody ever reads them, how would we know?”

Other social media platforms have seen World Cup content removed this week. Journalist Hamish McNeilly from the Stuff website had a tweet that contained a short video from the match between New Zealand and Norway deleted on Thursday night, and posted a take down notice he received from FIFA shortly afterwards.

FIFA’s control of imagery can seem extreme. During the 2018 men’s world cup, football’s governing body ordered Twitter to take down a short video of seven-year-old England fan Alex Conn dancing in his living room because a TV showing a match could be glimpsed in the background.

“It just seems a bit pathetic,” Alex’s mother Kathryn told NBC at the time. “The fact that the TV is on in the background is largely incidental. He’s just enjoying himself and enjoying the game.”

FIFA struck controversy earlier this month when a directive to cover up plaques of seven Australian athletes at Allianz Stadium met outrage from some in the sporting community.

The move, part of FIFA’s “clean site” policy to remove all non-World Cup branding from venues, was reversed last week.

‘What, so betting markets can be changed?’ Robinson backs Matildas over Kerr injury

Three-time NRL premiership winning coach Trent Robinson has emerged as an unlikely ally for Matildas counterpart Tony Gustavsson after he attracted criticism for keeping Sam Kerr’s World Cup injury a secret.

Kerr’s shock withdrawal from Australia’s tournament-opening win over Ireland due to a calf injury was kept under wraps by the Matildas right up until final teams were named 90 minutes before kick-off on Thursday night.

Kerr and Gustavsson spoke at a pre-game press conference as though the world’s best player was not in any doubt despite knowing she had suffered the injury earlier in the day and wouldn’t play.

In his post-match press conference, Gustavsson appealed for understanding as to the tactical advantage gained by not flagging Kerr’s injury, and told host broadcaster Channel 7 in a separate interview that “we weren’t honest in the press conference