Entertainment
Microsoft Closes Deal To Buy Call Of Duty Maker Activision Blizzard After Antitrust Fights
On Friday, Microsoft finalized the $69 billion acquisition of video game developer Activision Blizzard, concluding one of the most costly technology transactions ever and potentially affecting the entire video game industry.
The notification of the transaction’s completion was issued seven hours after Microsoft received ultimate approval from the competition watchdog in Britain. The watchdog had previously reversed its opposition to the merger, thereby eliminating the final barrier to the transaction.
Acquisition of the development studios responsible for critically acclaimed games such as Call of Duty, Diablo, and Overwatch will benefit Microsoft’s Xbox, currently positioned third in sales, trailing only Sony’s PlayStation and Nintendo. Additionally, the software behemoth has ambitious plans to incorporate Activision titles into its multi-game subscription service, which functions similarly to the video game Netflix.
The transaction took nearly 22 months to finalize amid rivalry and government oversight, reflecting apprehensions that Microsoft might exploit its expanding game library to stifle competition. An element of more extensive industry consolidation has caused concern among independent game developers who fear being marginalized as the sector redistributes resources to established blockbuster franchises.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission opposes it, arguing that Microsoft could create “walled gardens” around its Xbox Game Pass subscription service and the emerging business of streaming games on demand by consolidating a major game publisher. However, after losing a court battle to halt the merger, FTC antitrust enforcers must now wage a difficult battle to undo it.
“The FTC continues to believe that this transaction poses a threat to competition,” Victoria Graham, a spokesperson for the FTC, stated on Friday.
Microsoft has consistently advocated for the agreement, asserting that it intended to expand the accessibility of Activision games across multiple platforms rather than prevent rival console manufacturers from obtaining those games.
Microsoft Closes Deal To Buy Call Of Duty Maker Activision Blizzard After Antitrust Fights.
Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft’s Xbox division, said in a statement on Friday, “Whether you play on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, PC, or mobile, you are welcome here – and will remain welcome, even if Xbox isn’t where you play your favourite franchise.”
In a video commemorating the merger, he uploaded clips from video games accompanied by the Broadway musical “Oklahoma!”‘”Oh, What A Beautiful Morning!”
The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority granted initial approval for a revised Microsoft proposal last month, with the intention of assuaging concerns that the transaction would negatively impact competition and negatively impact gamers, particularly in the burgeoning cloud gaming sector where players can stream games to their smartphones or tablets instead of purchasing expensive consoles.
“The new agreement will prevent Microsoft from stifling competition in the burgeoning cloud gaming market, ensuring that U.K. cloud gaming customers continue to receive competitive pricing and services,” the watchdog stated.
However, it also considerably shifts the “balance of power” in favor of Microsoft, whose Xbox console has lagged behind PlayStation and Nintendo, according to tech research and advisory firm Omdia senior principal analyst George Jijiashvili.
He stated that Microsoft “now has a tremendous opportunity to shape the future of the gaming industry.”
Since the transaction was officially declared in January 2022, Microsoft has obtained authorizations from antitrust authorities in over 40 countries. Significantly, it received approval from the 27-member European Union after its concession to permit cloud gaming platforms and consumers to stream its titles without remitting royalties for ten years.
U.S. and British regulators presented the most formidable opposition to the transaction. Sony was also concerned it would restrict access to Call of Duty, Activision’s long-running military shooter series, for PlayStation players.
A court bid by the FTC to halt the transaction so that its in-house judge could assess it was unsuccessful this summer. The FTC has not surrendered, appealing the decision and filing notice of its intention to recommence the trial last month.
Microsoft will sell European cloud streaming rights for all new and current Activision games released within the next 15 years to French game studio Ubisoft Entertainment to obtain U.K. approval.
Although the regulator criticized how the agreement was reached, he cautioned other businesses against adopting Microsoft’s strategy of “insisting on a package of measures that we told them simply wouldn’t work.”
In contrast to the feeble commitments acknowledged by the European Commission, the structural remedy imposed by the U.K. regulator on Microsoft “deserves credit,” according to Max von Thun, director of the Europe office of the Open Markets Institute and an advocate for stricter antitrust enforcement.
He stated, however, that the British regulator appears “weak and indecisive” due to the back-and-forth.
Until now, the title for the most expensive technology acquisition belonged to computer manufacturer Dell, which acquired data-storage company EMC for approximately $60 billion in 2016. Concurrently, Microsoft completed its largest transaction to date, the $26 billion acquisition of professional networking service LinkedIn.
“Inclusive of Activision Blizzard’s net cash,” Microsoft initially valued the Activision deal at $68.7 billion; however, Microsoft consented to pay $95 in cash per share of the game-maker, bringing the total value closer to $75 billion.
Activision, founded in 1979 by former employees of Atari Inc., has developed or acquired a significant number of the most popular video games, including Guitar Hero, World of Warcraft, and Pitfall in the 1980s. A significant asset of Activision that Microsoft acquired was its King studio, which developed well-known mobile games, including Candy Crush Saga.
Bobby Kotick assumed the role of CEO in 1991, after he collaborated with a business associate in rescuing the company from bankruptcy.
Kotick announced his impending departure on Friday, stating that he remains CEO of the organization that is now a Microsoft subsidiary until 2023, during which time he is “completely committed to assisting with the transition.”
“Our extraordinary teams around the world will gain access to new opportunities and resources as a result of our partnership with Microsoft,” Kotick wrote in a letter to employees.
He is under the supervision of Spencer, who has held the position of CEO of Microsoft’s Xbox division since 2014.
While Sony’s PlayStation continues to dominate the industry, Microsoft has been acquiring game studios in recent years to attract more enthusiasts to Xbox. It acquired ZeniMax Media, the parent company of video game publisher Bethesda Softworks, the developer of Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and the recently released Starfield, for $7.5 billion last year. Microsoft acquired Minecraft, one of the most popular games in the world, in 2014 for $2.5 billion from Swedish developer Mojang.
Rivals have also acquired larger game libraries through acquisitions; Sony acquired Bellevue, Washington-based independent game publisher Bungie Inc. for $3.6 billion last year, venturing near Microsoft’s headquarters.
SOURCE – (AP)
(VOR News) – The “Merc with a Mouth” will return to the big screen in Deadpool & Wolverine this weekend, and his contribution to Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe extends beyond his R rating.
“Deadpool & Wolverine,” the third standalone feature film featuring Ryan Reynolds as the regenerative reprobate, is expected to gross between $160 million and $180 million in its opening weekend at the domestic box office.
The movie has already surpassed the greatest number of ticket pre-sales in 2024, according to data provided by Fandango. It is anticipated that it will break numerous records during its opening weekend.
Most noteworthy among these accomplishments is the most successful premiere for an R-rated film in history, as well as the largest domestic opening of 2024.
Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” has achieved the highest opening of the year with a total of $154.2 million, as per the data provided by Comscore.
Additionally, the first “Deadpool” film has achieved the highest début for any R-rated feature film with a total of $132.4 million.
Mike Bowers, the president and CEO of Harkins Theatres, a theatre corporation located in Arizona, stated, “I am confident that this will be the largest R-rated film to ever be released if it is released.” Furthermore, it is already one of the most successful presale films in the annals of our company.
“Deadpool & Wolverine” was initially rated R because of its trailer.
It is also the 34th Deadpool & Wolverine film to be released under the Marvel Cinematic Universe banner. The two Deadpool films that preceded it, both of which were rated R, were produced and distributed by 20th Century Fox.
The reintroduction of the X-Men and Fantastic Four into the broader Marvel catalogue was the consequence of Disney’s acquisition of the corporation in 2019.
Similar to other Marvel Cinematic Universe films, “Deadpool & Wolverine” is benefiting from the enthusiasm of its audience.
Audiences are anxious to view the film during its opening weekend in order to prevent spoilers. Disney has maintained the confidentiality of the majority of the film’s content, and only a limited number of press screenings have been conducted prior to the film’s release.
Bowers anticipates that individuals will continue to return for additional viewings in the weeks following the film’s premiere.
He made the observation that “this is a film that there is so much happening, so many jokes and funny sequences that no one is going to be able to eat just one, you know, they’re going to be back.”
Ellis Jacob, the president and chief executive officer of Cineplex, the largest cinema theatre operator in Canada, echoed Bower’s viewpoint. Jacob asserted that “Deadpool & Wolverine” is replete with Easter eggs and that viewers will revisit the film to attempt to locate them all.
Furthermore, he stated that a substantial number of moviegoers are purchasing tickets for premium screenings, such as IMAX, Dolby, and ScreenX, which are more expensive.
Additionally, Marvel has collaborated with movie theatres to grant licenses for items such as collector popcorn tubs and drink containers, which the theatre operators anticipate will be in high demand.
Historically, concessions have been the most profitable revenue source for movie theatres, and the presence of limited-edition products can result in even greater sales of food and beverages.
” Deadpool & Wolverine” is an essential Marvel release.
Shawn Robbins, Deadpool & Wolverine the inventor and owner of Box Office Theory, announced that Disney had “slowed down the pace” and had scheduled fewer films in the series that has dominated the global box office for over a decade. Box Office Theory is also associated with Robbins.
He stated that Disney is making an effort to correct the course after a series of theatrical errors and poor box office performance, as well as a flood of streaming content that overwhelmed even the most devoted fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Robbins pointed out that “in the end, despite the fact that this is a Marvel movie, it may be viewed equally as a midsummer action comedy that stars personalities and brands that are loved by both die-hard fans and casual viewers.”
The fact that Reynolds and Jackman have both made a name for themselves in Deadpool & Wolverine popular culture and have maintained a cordial relationship through interviews and social media makes them an ideal pairing.
Likewise, there is genuine curiosity regarding the first R-rated film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and whether it will retain the qualities that made the first two Deadpool films and [Jackman’s 2017 Wolverine film] Logan so successful.
SOURCE: CNBC
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Turner Sports hopes to continue its long-standing relationship with the NBA.
On Monday, Warner Bros. Discovery informed the league that it will match Amazon Prime Video’s $1.8 billion annual bid. Turner has had an NBA package since 1984, and games have been broadcast on TNT since the network started in 1988.
“We studied the offers and accepted one of them. This will allow fans to continue to experience our unequaled coverage, including the greatest live game productions in the business and our legendary studio shows and talent, as we build on our proven 40-year commitment for many more years,” WBD stated. “We submitted our matching paperwork to the league today.” We are looking forward to the NBA completing our new contract.”
Warner Bros. Discovery Informs NBA It Will Match Amazon Prime Video’s Offer To Carry Games
The NBA Board of Governors approved the league’s 11-year media rights deals with Disney, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video on Tuesday at its meeting in Las Vegas. WBD received all three contracts on Wednesday, beginning the five-day clock for deciding whether to match.
The new deals, for $76 billion, will begin with the 2025-26 season and entail a game being shown or streamed nationally every night during the second half of the season.
The Prime Video package would have offered games on Thursday night after it finished carrying NFL games. The other nights were Friday and Saturday.
TNT would air games on Thursday, with the other nights being streamed on Max.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav warned at an RBC Investor Conference in November 2022 that Turner and WBD “don’t have to have the NBA.”
Warner Bros. Discovery and the league could not negotiate an agreement during their exclusive bargaining period, which ended in April. Zaslav and TNT Sports Chairman/CEO Luis Silberwasser have recently announced that they intend to match one of the agreements.
“During our four-decade collaboration with the NBA, we have consistently provided exceptional coverage for basketball fans. WBD stated that they behaved in good faith to offer strong proposals that were fair to both parties throughout exclusive and non-exclusive negotiations to maintain their long-standing collaboration. “Regrettably, the league notified us of its intention to accept other offers for the games in our current rights package, leaving us to proceed under the matching rights provision, which is an integral part of our current agreement and the rights we have paid for under it.”
NBC and WBD would alternate broadcasting one of the conference finals series. ESPN and ABC will continue to broadcast the league’s top package and will host conference finals and the NBA Finals each year.
According to people familiar with the negotiations, Amazon’s offer contained a mechanism for paying many years in advance into an escrow account, which many thought would be difficult to match. However, WBD has informed the league that it has the financial resources to do so.
“The Ringer’s” Bill Simmons originally mentioned the Amazon provision on “The Town” podcast.
People talked to the AP anonymously because they were not at liberty to discuss such serious topics.
Warner Bros. Discovery Informs NBA It Will Match Amazon Prime Video’s Offer To Carry Games
WBD pays $1.4 billion per season under the existing nine-year contract, which expires after next season.
WBD is making a large financial investment, but it is necessary. Without the NBA, it would have struggled to charge its present subscriber fees to cable and satellite companies.
Retaining the NBA would also ensure that the popular “Inside the NBA” show will continue. Charles Barkley was dismissive of WBD’s negotiation position and did not believe it would match. Barkley revealed at the end of this season that he planned to retire following the next season.
SOURCE – (AP)
Celebrity
American Who Made Social Media Threats Against Taylor Swift Detained Ahead Of German Concert
BERLIN — An American man who made threats against Taylor Swift on social media was seized before her first concert in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, and will be held in custody until her gigs there end, authorities said Thursday.
swift | AP news Image
American Who Made Social Media Threats Against Taylor Swift Detained Ahead Of German Concert
According to police, the accused stalker, a 34-year-old whose name has not been disclosed, had a ticket to Taylor’s concert at Gelsenkirchen’s Veltins-Arena on Wednesday. They stated that he was detained at event admission checks because an early assessment could not completely rule out a risk.
According to police, the man threatened Taylor and her partner on social media. They say he was detained after receiving tips from the event’s organizers.
The American superstar will perform in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday as part of her Eras tour. According to authorities, a local court has ordered that the suspected stalker be detained until Saturday.
They went on to say that Swift and the audience were always safe. The event drew approximately 60,000 people on Wednesday evening and went off without incident.
American Who Made Social Media Threats Against Taylor Swift Detained Ahead Of German Concert
Before the concerts, Gelsenkirchen temporarily renamed the town “Swiftkirchen” and honored the singer on a “Walk of Fame” dedicated to local luminaries.
Taylor has plans to perform in two more German cities after Gelsenkirchen: Hamburg and Munich.
SOURCE | AP
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