TL;DR

In a hurry? Here's our pick of the top news items of the week.

Google has decided to keep third-party cookies in Chrome, introducing a feature for user privacy choices instead. (Mashable)
Meta released a new AI model called Llama 3.1 to rival similar offerings from OpenAI and Google. (Bloomberg)
The Disney+, Hulu and Max streaming bundle is now available, with prices starting at $16.99/mo for the ad-supported tier. (The Verge)
OpenAI has launched SearchGPT, an AI-powered search engine prototype designed to provide timely answers with clear and relevant sources. (TechCrunch)

Audiences

Most US viewers of the 2024 Olympics will watch the games on social media, with Gen Zers and Millennials more interested in coverage from content creators than broadcasters. (Business Insider)
TikTok's Gen Z shoppers prioritize intentional purchases over impulse buys, with sustainability and budget constraints significantly influencing their buying decisions. (EMarketer)
In Q2 2024, Disney+ led new SVOD subscriptions in the UK with a 19% share, Prime Video took second place, and sports content helped WBD gain share. (Advanced Television)
Streaming subscriptions in Italy grew by 12.5% in Q1, surpassing Pay TV for the first time and accounting for 20.4% of total revenues. (Advanced Television)

Netflix is scaling its ad business by enhancing go-to-market capabilities and ad server innovations, with 45% of new subscribers opting for ad-supported tiers in markets where they are available. (EMarketer)
DAZN partnered with Tottenham Hotspur Women to provide fans with exclusive content and enhance the women’s football experience. (Advanced Television)
Partnerships between athletes and brands are increasingly resembling influencer deals, with shorter durations and a focus on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. (Digiday)
Amazon’s Prime Video ad tier reached 5M subscribers, while the entry of four major streamers into the ad-supported market challenges Meta, Google and traditional TV in Australia. (Mi3)

Warner Bros. Discovery is enhancing its streaming experience for the 2024 Olympics with features like timeline markers and gold medal alerts, offering access to 3.8K hours of live content. (Advanced Television)
The BBC’s global reach remains resilient, with an international audience of 450M people weekly. (Advanced Television)
Rakuten TV is celebrating the Paris 2024 Olympic Games by expanding its sports content to reach a broader audience. (WorldScreen)
Ofcom reported that local media remains vital to the UK’s social fabric, despite changing audience behaviors and funding pressures. (Advanced Television)
The NBA signed an 11-year media rights deal with Disney, NBC and Amazon Prime Video after saying it was not accepting Warner Bros. Discovery's offer. (ESPN)

Google’s Privacy Sandbox is facing significant challenges, with early reports indicating that publishers could lose up to 60% of their revenue if third-party cookies are deprecated. (Marketing Brew)
Apple joined tech giants like Amazon and OpenAI to adopt voluntary AI safeguards established by US President Biden. (SCMP)
Condé Nast is the latest media company to accuse AI search engine Perplexity of plagiarism. (Engadget)
The Toys R' Us short film created with Open AI's Sora has sparked diverse reactions on social media, receiving both praise and criticism. (NY Post)

Cineworld is eliminating hundreds of jobs as part of a larger restructuring plan. (Sky)
“Inside Out 2” surpassed “Frozen 2” as the highest-grossing animated film in history, grossing $861M internationally so far at the box office. (Variety)
Cosm, the newest entertainment venue in Inglewood, is now open and features an 87-foot 8K LED dome similar to the Vegas Sphere. (ABC7)

Amazon Prime Day introduced travel offers for the first time, offering 30% off base fares with Southwest Airlines and discounts for Carnival Cruise Lines. (PhocusWire)
Luxury air travel is becoming increasingly personalized, with airlines like Lufthansa offering tailored experiences to enhance passenger comfort and satisfaction. (Wired)
Spain is grappling with record tourist numbers that are causing protests due to overcrowding and rising living costs, while policymakers seek to balance the economic benefits of tourism. (Financial Times)
Hyatt is in advanced talks to acquire Standard International, the operator of The Standard Hotels, as part of its strategy to expand its portfolio of luxury properties. (Bloomberg)

Warner Bros. Discovery acquired Multiversus developer Player First Games as it continues to grow its gaming business. (Variety)
Pokémon Unite has generated $83M in revenue on mobile platforms as it celebrates its third anniversary. (Pocketgamer)
Apple is bringing console-quality games like "Assassin’s Creed Mirage" and "Resident Evil 7" to iPhones and iPads, showcasing the next evolution in mobile gaming. (IGN)
Netflix appointed former Epic Games executive Alain Tascan as its new president of games, highlighting its commitment to expanding its gaming division, which currently has over 80 games in development. (Gamesindustry.biz)