Sara Fischer

Washington, D.C., United States

Media Correspondent at Axios

Writer at Axios Media Trends Newsletter

Media Correspondent @Axios, Media Analyst @CNN ([email protected])

Articles

Scoop: Tucker Carlson buys out investors in his media company

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Sara Fischer

Photo by Ivan Apfel/Getty ImagesTucker Carlson and his business partner, Neil Patel, recently bought out investors in their media company, Tucker Carlson Network (TCN), a source familiar with the deal tells Axios. Why it matters: The deal gives the pair complete independence and total control of the company they co-founded in 2023.
Disney, NBCU sue Midjourney over copyright infringement

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Sara Fischer

Illustration: Brendan Lynch/AxiosDisney and NBCUniversal have teamed up to sue Midjourney, a generative AI company, accusing it of copyright infringement, according to a copy of the complaint obtained by Axios. Why it matters: It's the first legal action that major Hollywood studios have taken against a generative AI company.
Exclusive: Taboola launches gen AI search engine for publishers called DeeperDive

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Sara Fischer

Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/AxiosAd giant Taboola is rolling out its own generative AI search engine called DeeperDive for its publishing partners to use on their websites, its CEO and founder Adam Singolda told Axios. Its debut publishing partners are Gannett/USA Today and The Independent. Why it matters: With over 9,000 publishing partners, Taboola is one of the largest native advertising platforms serving the open web.
All eyes on Versant

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Sara Fischer

Illustration: Shoshana Gordon/AxiosWBD's tax-free transaction allows each business to pursue bigger deals immediately following the close of this deal, executives told investors Monday. Why it matters: Even though executives said there's currently no plan to pursue further deals, onlookers speculate WBD could eye a deal with Versant, the publicly traded cable company being spun out of Comcast NBCUniversal.
Snap to launch AI-powered AR glasses in 2026

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Sara Fischer

Photo courtesy of SnapchatSnap on Tuesday announced that it plans to launch a new version of its augmented reality glasses, called Specs, in 2026. The new wearable computer lenses bring the power of AI assistant tools to the user's 3D AR experience. Why it matters: Snapchat still makes most of its money from advertising on its mobile app, but CEO Evan Spiegel believes the future of connection, and its business, will live beyond the smartphone and in the real world.
China now owns 20% of global ad market

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Kerry Flynn |Sara Fischer

Data: WPP Media; Chart: Axios VisualsChina's booming digital economy has boosted its share of the global ad market, challenging the United States' long reign as the world's largest ad market. China's 20% share of the global ad market is now greater than the country's share of global GDP, according to WPP Media. Why it matters: Chinese ad sellers are finding enormous success selling ads to audiences globally, especially in the U.S. But U.S. tech giants are still largely banned from China.
CNN owner Warner Bros. Discovery plans to break up media empire

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Thomas Wheatley |Sara Fischer

A man rides a scooter outside of Warner Bros. Discovery's Techwood campus. Photo: Christian Monterrosa/AFP via Getty ImagesWarner Bros. Discovery, the parent company to Atlanta-based cable channels such as CNN, TBS and TNT, plans to split into two publicly traded companies, largely parting its television networks from its streaming business.
Disney will pay Comcast an additional $439M for the rest of its Hulu stake

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Sara Fischer

Photo Illustration by Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesDisney will pay $439 million to purchase the last remaining part of Comcast's stake in Hulu, the company said in a regulatory filing Monday. Why it matters: The deal ends a nearly two-decade-long joint-venture journey for the streaming service. Catch up quick: Disney agreed to buy Comcast's 33% stake in Hulu in November 2023, after Comcast's NBCUniversal said it would exercised its right to require Disney to buy.
CNN-parent Warner Bros. Discovery to split into two companies

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Sara Fischer |Christine Wang

Photo by Aleksander Kalka/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesWarner Bros. Discovery, the parent company to cable channels such as CNN, TBS and TNT, announced Monday that it plans split into two publicly traded companies, largely parting its television networks from its streaming business. Why it matters: Without NBA TV rights, the value proposition of WBD's cable networks had fallen significantly, despite the fact that they still provide the company with steady cash flows.
Appeals court allows White House AP ban to continue

3 weeks ago | axios.com | Sara Fischer

Photo: Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesA panel of judges from a U.S. federal appeals court on Friday said parts of the White House's ban on the Associated Press could remain, dealing a devastating blow to the AP. Why it matters: Press freedom advocates are closely watching the AP's case for any precedents it could set around free speech protections for journalists.