Read our latest daily deep dives, hot takes, and exciting updates about the entertainment world. Check out the latest insight from your favourite analyst, or search by coverage areas - music, entertainment and fandom, creator economy and social.

Snapchat and TikTok: The hAIghs and the lows of AI in social

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Ashleigh Millar
Thanks to the record-breaking success of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, all eyes are on artificial intelligence. From generative AI to social media filters, consumers have a growing expectation from entertainment, considering the quality of output from tech that they have at their disposal – not to mention the constant exposure to content using AI.
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How AI will shake up the podcast market

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Annie Langston
AI technology is shaking up every entertainment format . With AI technology, podcasters can simplify their creative processes and platforms can revolutionise traditional market practices. Major platforms such as Apple Books have already implemented this technology with its digital narration feature for its audiobooks, widening both its consumer and creator reach.
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The industry’s narrative is not always the same as the artist's narrative: Redefining success for independent artists

Cover image for The industry’s narrative is not always the same as the artist's narrative: Redefining success for independent artists
Keith Jopling
Last weekend, there was a fascinating quote from Maseo of hip hop legends De La Soul in the UK Guardian: “On our second album, we learned the importance of controlling the narrative. I learned early on that a hit record can hurt your entire body of work if you let the industry control your narrative”.
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Streaming is becoming more like radio — what now?

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Tatiana Cirisano
Last week, both YouTube Music and Spotify launched new, radio-like features. Spotify introduced an AI-powered voice DJ, which will talk to users about why songs are included in personalised mixes. Meanwhile, YouTube Music is giving users more ways to customise streaming radio stations — they can now choose up to 30 artists, and specify things like genre, artist frequency, and the balance of chosen artists versus new recommendations.
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Finding the third way for video monetisation

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Tim Mulligan
2023 is an inflection point for streaming video; no longer young (Netflix pivoted into subscription video on demand (SVOD) back in 2007), no longer novel (monthly video subscriptions went mainstream in the major English speaking markets in Q4 2019 (Source: MIDiA Research quarterly consumer surveys)), and no longer the preserve of the young (55+’s became the largest binge-viewing demographic in major English speaking markets in Q1 2020).
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