08/08/17: Netflix makes first acquisition with comics publisher Millarworld

Good morning. It’s Tuesday August 8, 2017 and this is your your first early morning Digital briefing!

TODAY’S CODEBREAKER

Ad fraud: A company is said to be committing ad fraud when it knowingly serves ads that no one will actually see, as a means of driving up the view count and taking in more revenue. For example, some ad fraud schemes involve websites that use bots to automatically refresh pages, with the goal of registering a higher number of page views.

JUST IN…

Looks like Netflix’s comics-inspired content will soon extend beyond the Marvel universe. The streaming giant has acquired Millarworld, the comic book publishing firm behind stories and characters such as Old Man Logan, Kingsman, and Kick-Ass. One thing that’s very notable about this deal: It’s the first time in Netflix’s history that it’s acquired another company. Netflix, it would seem, is dead-set on owning more of its intellectual property outright, as opposed to just licensing it from companies like Marvel. Millarworld was founded by comic book writer Mark Millar in 2004.

You may or may not know of Eros International, but the Indian production and distribution company owns the rights to more than 3,000 film and music properties. And according to India’s Economic Times, the Bollywood giant maybe looking to sell the rights to its entire library. Eros has been holding discussions with Amazon, Netflix, and Apple, according to the report. The Economic Times says Eros’s library could be worth as much as $1 billion, though a source who subsequently spoke to Reuters said the deal would likely be worth less than that.

Sometimes the solution can create new problems. Earlier this year, after hundreds of companies suspended their YouTube ad spends, the company rolled out safeguards to prevent ads from winding up an extremist content. But as a result, some creators – for instance, YouTubers whose content could be perceived as violent – have found it much harder to monetize their videos. (YouTube is even facing a lawsuit about this.) Now the company is trying to offer such creators more tools. For one, YouTube will now display the monetization status of individual videos via a series of icons in the creator’s Video Manager. And, if creators find that their videos have been demonetized, they’ll be able to appeal to YouTube. The company hasn’t specified exactly when the new features will launch; a new blog post suggests that the changes will roll out “over the next few weeks.”

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OTT + SVOD

DirecTV Now, AT&T’s OTT TV service, has finally locked down a deal with CBS Corp. The new pact adds fourteen CBS-owned and operated stations to the service. CBS content – including the flagship CBS network – will now be available to users in a number of major markets, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. The deal also adds the CW to the service. In addition, Showtime will be available as an on-demand service for an extra $8 per month. Deal terms weren’t disclosed.

Asian streaming service iFlix just raised $133 million in new funding. Hearst lead the round, with contributions from clients of DBS private bank, the Singapore-based EDBI, and a number of existing investors. Iflix first launched in 2015, and is now operating in 19 countries and territories – mostly in Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.

VIRTUAL + AUGMENTED REALITY

HTC, maker of the Vive VR headset, is releasing new software for committed developers. More specifically, Vive Studios, HTC’s content arm, is releasing a new pro version of its MakeVR 3D modeling software. (HTC made the new software in collaboration with Sixense.) MakeVR has been available since March, but the new version adds more precise tools for placing 3D objects. At $40, it also costs twice as much as the original.

CYNOPSIS KIDS !MAGINATION AWARDS

Who are the emerging leaders and innovators in children’s media? You’ll find the talent behind the most creative, exciting shows today at Cynopsis’ Kids !magination Awards breakfast and champagne celebration on Tuesday, September 19 in NYC. Reserve your seat to toast finalists from Roblox, Amazon, Sprout, Litton Entertainment, Jim Henson, Cartoon Network, Saban Brands, Discovery Family, Mattel and many more!

APPS + DEVICES

YouTube is suddenly looking a bit more like other social networks. The Google-owned video giant has added a chat feature to its iOS and Android apps, enabling users to message and share videos with their contacts. Officially called Share on YouTube, the feature can be found via YouTube’s in-app share button; previously, the button only let users share videos with other apps. To take a closer look at Share on YouTube, check out the Digital Spotlight section.

Showtime is offering direct-to-consumer purchase of the Floyd “Money” Mayweather vs. “The Notorious” Conor McGregor boxing match taking place Saturday, August 26 at 9p. In a first, the showdown will be available on ShowtimePPV.com and through the new Showtime PPV app on Apple mobile devices.

BRAND INSIDER

Apple is on Instagram. The tech giant has debuted its first-ever account on Facebook’s photo- and video-sharing platform, seemingly with one overriding purpose: Singing the praises of the iPhone’s camera. The account features a series of photos – part of Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” campaign – which were sourced from other Instagram users. The company also interviewed the photographers, and is posting short videos of their comments. Apple used Instagram’s Stories feature as well. The company is encouraging other Instagram users to post their photos with the hashtag #ShotoniPhone.

MEASURING UP

SHAREABLEE SOCIAL TV RATINGS: Top U.S. Streaming Shows Overall by Engagement for the week of July 31-August 6, 2017
Program, Total Actions (000), Total Content, Actions per Post (000), Fans/Followers (000)

Source: Shareablee Inc. The total actions metric includes the total volume of post-level likes, shares, favorites, retweets and comments. Total content includes all posts, tweets and media posted by each TV property across all platforms. Actions per post metric notes the average e number of actions garnered by each property. Total fans/followers includes Facebook and Twitter and Instagram followers.

The ListenFirst Television Interest (TVI) Rating (TM) is a standardized measurement of the most buzzed-about TV programs on linear TV and streaming services. A complement to ListenFirst’s other syndicated data products (such as the ListenFirst Digital Audience Rating – TV), the metrics included in the rating capture organic actions that are largely unaffected by paid media. Programs that surface on the TVI leaderboards are the most hashtagged on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Tumblr, as well as most searched for on Wikipedia (used as a proxy for organic search volume).

All Series (7/31/17 – 8/6/17)

Source: ListenFirst. The TVI Rating aggregates metrics that measure organically generated activity by fans of the TV show. The metric includes total volume of official hashtag mentions on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Tumblr, along with Wikipedia page views (as a proxy for organic search volume) for a show as a percentage of the total volume of the same activities for all shows.

OpenSlate Eng agement Data for the Sports vertical, based on the engagement metric for the week ending August 6.
Channel (Engagement) / Monthly Views / Total Subs / SlateScore
Desimpedidos (9.3) / 37,944,057 / 4,167,102 / 715
WWE (9) / 477,790,968 / 17,180,784 / 755
Dude Perfect (8.8) / 207,623,045 / 21,303,098 / 696
ESPN (8.7) / 70,663,728 / 2,010,549 / 681
Wes_Workout (8.5) / 1,409 / 5,357 / 350
Futebol 24 Horas (8.5) / 2,899,443 / 530,967 / 540
nilcobax (8.5) / 29,855,811 / 1,123,880 / 620
VelodromStudioTV (8.5) / 39,066 / 13,023 / 402
Esporte Interativo (8.5) / 31,431,594 / 2,221,426 / 651
ajyari watersports (8.5) / 236,977 / 15,476 / 439
Source: The Engagement metric is one of OpenSlate’s component scores, and is a measure of a producer’s ability to evoke meaningful interaction with their audience. It is calculated on a scale of 1-10 with higher being better. The OpenSlateEngagement score uses a subset of the data incorporated in the SlateScore to perform a set of unique calculations. It factors in views, comments, likes, and more.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

A+E Networks has promoted Evan Silverman, previously the SVP of Digital Media at A+E. His new title: EVP of Global Digital Products and Platforms, A+E Networks. In his new role, Silverman will oversee all digital product, design, and technology teams for A+E Networks. He’ll also oversee the company’s digital platforms, including TV Everywhere apps, SVOD products, and consumer-facing websites. He’ll continue reporting to Sean Cohan, A+E Networks’ President of International and Digital.

TRIVIA

Our Last Trivia Question: Netflix is working on a new comedy called Ibiza. Who will star as the DJ in the feature being produced by Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Kevin J. Messick? Answer: Richard Madden. Kudos to Andy Pittman-TAMU/TX, Gabby Ballard-Turner-TBS/GA, Louis Lewow-Lewow Media Group/GA, Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/CA, David Westbeg-SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union/CA, Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/CA, and Lorrie Shilling/CA

Follow-up: Which actresses will serve as Ibiza’s three main stars? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and state.)

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How to connect with:

GENERATION Z

Gen Z is the largest, most diverse group of media users ever and their attention is a massive opportunity for networks and marketers. Learn how to reach these young but savvy decision-makers in Cynopsis Digital’s newest webinar: How to Connect and Engage with Gen Z, on Tuesday, September 26.

DIGITAL SPOTLIGHT

YouTube has rolled out a quick video introducing Share on YouTube, its new in-app messaging feature. Check it out here.

David Teich
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JOB OPENING: INVENTORY CONTROL ANALYST/WVIT/NBC/Hartford: Inventory Control Analyst – report to the VPOS to help maximize WVIT station revenue by mngng & controlling the station spot inventory & program sellout. Min 2 yrs exp in Traffic, Sales, or Media Industry exp. Full info/apply HERE (8/15)

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