CollegeHumor Changes Name to Dropout, as Digital Comedy Player Rebrands for Streaming

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Microsoft‘s deal to buy Activision Blizzard got the green light Friday from regulators in the U.K. — clearing the way for the $68.7 billion blockbuster acquisition to close nearly two years after it was announced.

After a 14-year stint on ITV's This Morning, Holly Willoughby has bid farewell to the iconic daytime show. Her decision has taken many viewers by surprise, but according to PR expert Edward Coram-James, her exit was inevitable due to her ambition to future-proof her career. The shift towards streaming-based content on platforms like Netflix and Amazon has prompted Holly to explore new presenting opportunities and diversify her portfolio.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor The European Union has issued a warning to TikTok over reports that the app is being used to “disseminate illegal content and disinformation” related to the Hamas-Israel conflict in violation of EU law, including “violent content depicting hostage taking and other graphic videos.” In a letter to TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, EU commissioner Thierry Breton wrote, “Following the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel, we have indications that TikTok is being used to disseminate illegal content and disinformation in the EU. Let me remind you that the Digital Services Act sets very precise obligations regarding content moderation.” He requested a “prompt, accurate and complete response to this request within the next 24 hours.” Breton’s notice to TikTok comes after he sent similar warnings to X/Twitter owner Elon Musk and Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor If your favorite broadcast network goes dark on a cable or satellite TV provider because of a business dispute, you should get some money back, FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel says. Rosenworcel on Wednesday announced two proposals she said would “further the FCC’s strategic goal to empower consumers in the media marketplace.” One proposal seeks comment on whether and how to require cable and satellite TV providers to issue rebates to subscribers in the event of a blackout “due to a failure to reach a retransmission consent agreement with broadcast station(s)/group owners.” The other solicits input on a rule that would force pay-TV operators to notify the FCC via an online public portal if there’s a broadcast-programming blackout 24 hours or more.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor It’s not just X/Twitter: The European Union also has put Meta on notice about the urgent need to address a flood of misinformation about the Israel-Hamas conflict to remain in compliance with the EU’s Digital Services Act. In an Oct.

Attorneys for Daystar Peterson (Tory Lanez) have filed a motion for his release on bail pending the appeal of his sentence in the Megan Thee Stallion shooting case. It’s the second such motion submitted by his defense team since Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David Herriford sentenced him in early August to 10 years in prison.

Brent Lang Executive Editor Jonathan Dolgen, the former head of Viacom Entertainment and a former top 20th Century Fox executive, died Oct. 9 of natural causes in Los Angeles. He was 78.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor X, the Elon Musk-owned social platform previously known as Twitter, has failed to flag “dozens” of posts purporting to show developments of the Israel-Hamas conflict that are false, CNBC reported. The social network has in fact flagged several posts as misleading or false, including a video “purportedly showing Israeli airstrikes against Hamas in Gaza,” according to CNBC.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor The SEC filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk, seeking to compel him to testify about his acquisition of a large amount of Twitter shares worth around $3 billion before his takeover of the social network. Per the suit, filed Oct. 5 in federal court in San Francisco, Musk was scheduled to appear for testimony Sept.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Will Ferrell wants to work with up-and-coming comedians on social media — who will get a chance to mentor under some big-name podcasters and be featured across iHeartMedia‘s audio outlets. Ferrell and iHeartMedia’s Big Money Players Podcast Network (BMP) announced the “Big Money Players Circle.” Ferrell has hand-picked “the coolest and funniest social sensations to join the BMP network and be showcased across iHeartMedia’s multiplatform ecosystem,” according to the announcement. The flagship show for the Big Money Players Network, formed in 2019, is “The Ron Burgundy Podcast,” featuring the comedian and actor’s “Anchorman” persona.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Netflix is gearing up to raise the prices of streaming plans without advertising “a few months” after the SAG-AFTRA actors strike is resolved, according to a new report. The streaming service is “discussing” raising prices in “several markets globally,” and likely will first increase fees in the U.S. and Canada, according to a Wall Street Journal report, citing anonymous sources.

On the heels of a staggeringly triumphant run with Barbie, the fantastical comedy which she co-wrote and directed for Warner Bros, Greta Gerwig has been appointed by the American Film Institute to serve as Guest Artistic Director of AFI Fest 2023.

Politico that the governor has not placed any limitations or preconditions on Butler, meaning she could potentially enter the race and run for a full six-year term next year. The primary is in March, with the top two “runoff” in November.

Manchester United continue to stutter in the Premier League following their fourth defeat in seven games so far this season against Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Netflix has been sued for breach of contract by a company that was creating a game based on the forthcoming “Rebel Moon” sci-fi films by Zack Snyder. In a lawsuit, Evil Genius Games said it had begun working with Netflix in early 2023 to develop a tabletop role-playing game based on “Rebel Moon” with a delivery date to coincide with the first film’s streaming release on Dec. 22, 2023.

Pep Guardiola insists there is no disappointment at Manchester City's quadruple chances ending at the first hurdle - instead highlighting three players who took their chance at Newcastle in the Carabao Cup.

BreAnna Bell The Season 32 premiere of “Dancing With the Stars” opened to high scores on Tuesday night, earning a demo win for ABC on the night as it pushed past the competition. According to Live+Same Day national viewership data from Nielsen, the episode recorded a .64 rating among the key adults 18-49 demographic — placing it ahead of NBC’s combo of “The Voice” Tuesday night premiere (.60) and the “America’s Got Talent” season finale (.55). The episode was simulcast on ABC and Disney+ and became available for next day streaming on Hulu on Wednesday.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Meta has turned more than a dozen celebrities and influencers into robots. The tech company, at the Meta Connect 2023 confab Wednesday, announced partnerships with “cultural icons and influencers” to play and embody AI-powered chatbots that will have profiles on Instagram and Facebook. Those include Snoop Dogg, Charli D’Amelio, MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson), Kendall Jenner, Tom Brady, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade and Paris Hilton.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor A new trade group — the Streaming Innovation Alliance — brings together Netflix, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount and other players to promote their interests to politicians and government entities. It marks the first time competing streaming-video providers have banded together in a unified lobbying front.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor MrBeast continues to rake it in. The YouTube mastermind who has orchestrated dozens of over-the-top stunts and big-money giveaways pulled in an estimated $82 million over the past year — more than twice the earnings any other internet creator, according to a new Forbes report.