Oprah Tackles AI with Upcoming Special Featuring Bill Gates & Sam Altman
Oprah Winfrey is one of the most trusted sources in America. Now, she will tackle AI in a wide-ranging conversation for ABC, which seeks to provide viewers with an in-depth understanding of the emergent technology. AI and the Future of Us: An Oprah Winfrey Special will feature insights from some of the leading voices in the industry, including OpenAI Co-founder and CEO Sam Altman, former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, and FBI Director Christopher Wray. The special will air on ABC on Sept. 12 and stream on Hulu beginning on Sept. 13.
EXCLUSIVE: Marshawn Lynch, Playmaker HQ Launch ‘Da Get Got Pod’
Marshawn Lynch is one of a kind, producing content gold wherever he appears simply by being himself. On Thursday, the Super Bowl champion announced he’s teaming up with Playmaker HQ to launch a new weekly video show, Da Get Got Pod, in which he will give his “thoughts on current events in sports and pop culture.” The podcast will be co-hosted by NFL Network’s – and Lynch’s former Seahawks teammate – Mike Robinson and is expected to feature some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment as guests.
Kith Collabs with Giorgio Armani for Suiting Collection
Kith founder Ronnie Fieg announced an upcoming suiting collab with Giorgio Armani, blending the innovative streetwear aesthetic of the lifestyle brand with the sophistication of the Italian house’s high-fashion reputation. Fieg revealed that conversations between the two began over a year ago, as the New York native felt he and his team were ready to “work with the best” after four years of releasing suits under the Kith name. Fieg indicated that the collection is “coming soon.”
J Balvin Teams up with ESPN as 2024 ‘Monday Night Football’ Music Curator
J Balvin has been named the official Monday Night Football music curator for the upcoming NFL season, ESPN said Thursday. In this role, the Latin Grammy Award winner will choose the tunes that will run during Monday Night Football promotional spots, live telecasts and the Monday Night Countdown for seven broadcasts this season. His selection will also be included in two playoff games. The “Mi Gente” singer will kick things off in Week 1 with a new song titled “Doblexxó” featuring Feid off his new album “Rayo,” which dropped earlier this month.
Shohei Ohtani Secure Global Trading Card Deal with Topps
Two-time MLB MVP Shoehei Ohtani has inked an exclusive global trading card deal with Topps, which will feature autographed memorabilia and relics. Topps was acquired by Fanatics in 2022 for $500 million and per MLB, previously signed Ohtani to an exclusive memorabilia agreement that did not include trading cards. Topps will also include products from Ohtani’s native Japan in this expanded contract.
Coldplay Eclipses $1B for ‘Music of the Spheres’ Tour, Tops Concert Revenue for July
Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres World Tour had quite a lucrative July, with Billboard Boxscores reporting the British band earned $72.2 million with 575,000 tickets sold over 11 shows last month. The massive month for the British band was fueled by stops in Dusseldorf, Helsinki, and Rome’s Stadio Olimpico — where each of their four shows raked in $29.4 million. As of Aug. 25, the tour has exceeded $1 billion in earnings and sold nearly 9.3 million passes over the course of its 2.5-year, 156-show run.
Recorded Music in US Achieves Record $8.7B in Mid-Year Revenue
RIAA shared its 2024 mid-year report Friday and recorded music profits were up by 4% to $8.7 billion in estimated retail value in the US, while streaming subscriptions rose 3% to 99 million throughout the first half of 2024–both record highs. Streaming accounts for about 84% of total revenues for the fifth straight year, with $5.7 billion in paid subscriptions contributing to roughly two-thirds of total mid-year revenue. Additionally, sales of vinyl records outsold CDs in units (24 million vs. 17 million), and revenue from CDs was somewhat stagnant at $237 million.
Johnny Manziel Teams Up with Almost Friday Media for ‘Glory Daze’ Show
Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel is partnering with digital studio and network Almost Friday Media to launch a new video series titled Glory Daze. On the weekly program, Manziel will sit down with big-name athletes to reminisce on some of the most memorable moments in sports. Glory Daze is set to premiere later this fall. The news comes on the heels of the former Texas A&M Aggie announcing that he’s entering the analyst game as a guest contributor to the Action Network’s Big Bets on Campus.
Tate McCrae Signs With Adidas
Tate McCrae and Adidas are locked in, as the brand’s women’s division welcomed the pop star to the Three Stripes family. The “Greedy” singer joins Jude Bellingham, Noah Lyles, and others as faces for the launch of Adidas Z.N.E. comfort collection of hoodies, sweatshirts, pants, tees, and shorts. The news comes just one week after McCrae sold out the iconic Madison Square Garden.
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