Tom Brady, Snoop Dogg Among Celebrities Securing Major Payday for Meta AI Integration
Last week, Meta unveiled a number of new innovations at the 2023 Meta Connect event. Among those was a series of new partnerships with top celebrity talent, including Tom Brady, Paris Hilton, and Snoop Dogg. Pretty soon, users will be able to opt to have them take over chatbots. The Information uncovered that Meta will pay the selected talent handsomely for their likeness. The stars have allowed Meta to use their likeness for fictional AI characters Facebook and Instagram users to interact with in exchange for licensing deals worth up to $5 million. The functionality dropped across Meta properties, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, on Oct. 4.
Taylor Swift Eclipses $100M in Eras Tour Film’s Global Presales
Before making its cinematic debut, Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” concert film has been breaking records. Set for an Oct. 13 release date across 100 countries, the movie has already garnered over $100 million worldwide in advance ticket sales, according to AMC Theatres, the film’s official distributor, putting it on track to take over the top spot for highest-grossing concert films of all-time soon after its release. Not only that but if Swift‘s film continues on the same trajectory, “Eras Tour” will secure its spot as one of the biggest debuts of 2023 next to Barbie and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
WNBA Finals: Aces vs. Liberty Tickets Set New Sales Record
The WNBA Finals tip off Sunday in Sin City. In the battle of two superteams, the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty are bringing out fans from east to west for what looks to be a veritable battle for the title. According to data from StubHub, this year’s Finals have commanded the highest ticket sales in WNBA history, outpacing last year’s numbers by more than 30%. The two teams, the only squads in the league to have single-digit regular-season losses, enter the matchup having each taken two victories ahead of the postseason.
Drake Announces Music Hiatus Following ‘For All the Dogs’ Drop
Drake finally gave fans what they wanted with the release of his studio album For All The Dogs. Shortly after, however, the Toronto rapper shocked his following by announcing his intentions to take a temporary leave of absence from the music industry. While speaking on Table For One on SiriusXM’s Sound 42, the 6 God revealed that he would be taking a break for “maybe a year” due to the “craziest” issues with his stomach. Although he did not completely divulge the complications, Drake noted that he wants to shift his focus to his health “first and foremost.” The news comes in the immediate aftermath of his eighth solo studio album, which features SZA, J. Cole, and the first feature from his young son Adonis.
‘Suits’ Sets New Nielsen Record with 12-week Run at No. 1
Everyone’s favorite binge-worthy series has once again landed the top spot on the overall Nielsen Streaming Top 10 for the 12th week. Suits, which hit Netflix in June, has held steady to the top spot. In the most recent cycle, it logged 2.36 billion viewing minutes. The series’ new milestone for most overall No. 1 finishes surpasses Jason Bateman-fronted Ozark. According to Deadline, only 11 streaming titles have topped Nielsen’s Top 10 for five weeks or more.
X Previews 3-tier Paid Subscription Structure
X CEO Linda Yaccarino spoke to the company’s debt holders this week to help forecast the future. Yaccarino previewed a three-tier subscription model for the social media platform, which would start at $7.99. Bloomberg reports that the premium product will have Basic, Standard, and Platinum options. Each will have different levels of features for users, but precise details are not yet known. A timeline for release is unknown at this time.