Spotify accused of lax response to white supremacist acts on streaming platform

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Spotify terminated at least 38 employees across the Gimlet and Parcast studios as the company canceled 11 original shows, according to the unions representing employees of the divisions. In a joint statement Friday, the two unions said the layoffs represented about 30% of their members. “These aren’t small cuts, they are massive restructurings,” the Gimlet and Parcast unions said. Some Spotify employees were given as little as an hour to close out their work, according to the unions. The statement does not allege that the company violated the terms of its agreements with the unions. “Yesterday, Spotify chose to create chaos instead of treating employees with the dignity and respect they deserve,” said the Gimlet and Parcast unions, both of which are affiliated with the Writers Guild of America East. “The fact that Spotify chose to handle these cuts in this way shows their disregard for both their employees and their audiences.”

This Friday, October 7, will bring the release of the aptly titled Good Music To Ensure Safe Abortion Access To All compilation. The Bandcamp-exlusive album will be available for just 24 hours with all proceeds going towards organizations facilitating abortion access.

M People’s Mike Pickering has hit at the use of his band’s track ‘Moving On Up’ as the walk-on music for Prime Minister Liz Truss’s keynote speech at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham yesterday. The band’s members are “upset” and “livid” that their hit soundtracked the key moment of this year’s big Tory conference, he said, adding that many artists now “fear that these freaks are going to use [their] music”.In a tweet shortly after Truss’s keynote speech, Pickering wrote: “So apparently we can’t stop Truss walking out to our song, very weird! So sad it got used by this shower of a government”.Referencing the fact that the Labour Party made use of the track back in the 1990s, his tweet went on: “[By the way] Truss, Labour used it with permission in [the] 90s.

The Conservatives face an electoral wipe out in Scotland for the second time in 25 years as polls show voters turning their backs on the party.

Nicola Sturgeon has accused Liz Truss of "ranting" about her opponents during the Prime Minister's speech to the Conservative party conference today.

Prime Minister Liz Truss has defended her Government’s disastrous mini budget that nearly tanked the UK economy.

Conservative backbenchers have warned Liz Truss 'has little more than a week' to save her leadership as she prepares to defend to her 'new approach'.

Christina Hall is calling out ex-husband Ant Anstead after he claimed in court documents that their 3-year-old son, Hudson, is being “exploited” by the HGTV star. Hall — who has denied the claims in her own court filings — is now hitting back on social media.

Christina Hall is calling out ex-husband Ant Anstead after he claimed in court documents that their 3-year-old son, Hudson, is being «exploited» by the HGTV star. Hall — who has denied the claims in her own court filings — is now hitting back on social media.Hall took to Instagram on Sunday to address the claims Anstead made — which included that he was worried that it might not be in Hudson's best interest to have his «name, image, and likeness exploited in commercials and he be compelled to appear on Christina’s 'reality TV' shows.»«I am mentally exhausted over the recent false accusations against me,» Hall wrote in the caption to a forlorn selfie she posted Sunday afternoon. «Hudson’s father has made attempts to turn my family, friends and fans against me through manipulation tactics and false information.»«This has had great impact on me and my household,» she continued.

Prime Minister Liz Truss admitted that it will be a “difficult winter” for the UK hours before the new energy price cap came into force from today (Saturday, October 1). But she defended the mini-budget revealed earlier this week despite the “disruption” the plans caused.

DC League of Super-Pets.”The superhero comedy opened exclusively in theaters Friday, July 29.Yes, you can stream “DC League of Super-Pets” right now on HBO Max, which hit the streaming service on Sept. 26.The film is also available to rent or own on Digital, and will be released on 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD on Oct.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Hulu has ordered an eight-episode limited series based on the Rebecca Godfrey novel “Under the Bridge,” Variety has learned. Quinn Shephard is adapting the book for the screen and will serve as an executive producer. Samir Mehta and Liz Tigelaar will serve as co-showrunners and executive producers, with Tigelaar executive producing under her Best Day Ever banner. Stacey Silverman of Best Day Ever will also executive produce along with Godfrey. Geeta Patel serves as director and executive producer. ABC Signature will produce, with Best Day Ever currently under an overall deal at the studio. Per the official description of the series from Hulu, the story follows “the 1997 true story of fourteen-year-old Reena Virk who went to join friends at a party and never returned home. Godfrey takes us into the hidden world of the seven teenage girls and a boy accused of the savage murder, revealing startling truths about the unlikely killer.”

Constanza Arena, the former executive director of CinemaChile, has established Agencia La Luz, an agency and project incubator that will represent in international markets many of Chile’s foremost writing, directing and acting talents. Many writers are connected to Chile’s fast-growing premium drama/audio scene. Julio Rojas, one Agencia La Luz client, created and wrote “Case 63,” Spotify’s most-listened-to scripted original podcast in Latin America, with an English-language version I the works starring Julianne Moore and Oscar Isaac, and co-wrote Pablo Fendrik’s Latino sci-fi series ‘The Shelter,’ from Starzplay, Pantaya, Fabula, Fremantle. 

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor In a sign of big moves to come for Roku, veteran TV executive Charlie Collier is exiting his post as chairman of Fox Entertainment to join the digital distribution platform as president of Roku Media. Collier will oversee advertising sales and content for Roku’s owned-and-operated channels featured on the streaming platform that hosts the fast-growing number of free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels as well as serving as a key funnel for Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Paramount+ and other subscription streamers. Collier is set to shift to his new post at Roku in late October and will be based in New York.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Spotify wants to give Audible, Amazon’s market-leading audiobook marketplace, a run for its money. Starting Tuesday, Spotify users in the U.S. are able to purchase and listen to more than 300,000 audiobook titles. The streamer is introducing a new user interface designed specifically for audiobook listening, alongside Spotify’s features for music and podcasts. At launch, Spotify is selling audiobooks à la carte, without any ads. But the company is exploring new business models that could include subscriptions or ad-supported formats, according to Nir Zicherman, Spotify’s VP and global head of audiobooks and gated content. Spotify plans to roll out audiobook sales in additional markets following the initial U.S. debut.

Juliette Binoche has admitted "it wasn't easy" working with late director Jean-Luc Godard on 1985's Hail Mary. The Breathless director passed away at his home in Rolle, Switzerland on 13 September at the age of 91. During a press conference at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain on Sunday, his Hail Mary star was asked about working with the French-Swiss filmmaker.