Latest news with #DanaStrong
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
BBC and Sky bosses criticise plans to let AI firms use copyrighted material
The BBC director general and the boss of Sky have criticised proposals to let tech firms use copyright-protected work without permission, as the government promised that artificial intelligence legislation will not destroy the £125bn creative sector. The creative industry has said that original proposals published in a consultation in February to give AI companies access to creative works unless the copyright holder opts out would 'scrape the value' out of the sector. Dana Strong, the group chief executive of Sky, compared the proposal to its own battles against TV piracy and said individuals and small companies would not have the experience and financial resources to protect their intellectual property. 'Sky is one of the leading forces in trying to fight against piracy,' she said, speaking at the Deloitte and Enders Media and Telecoms conference. 'As I look ahead to artificial intelligence protecting copyright is a very big issue, and I think some of the consequences of the opt out is impossible to police. If we as a large organisation spend the resource we do fighting for intellectual property rights, I can't fathom how small producers keep up with a change of that nature. It is impossible to head in that direction.' Tim Davie, the director general of the BBC, said the government needs to put protections in place because the industry faces a potential crisis as the consultation drags on. 'If we currently drift in the way we are doing now we will be in crisis,' he said. 'We need to make quick decisions now around areas like … protection of IP. We need to protect our national intellectual property, that is where the value is. What do I need? IP protection, come on let's get on with it.' The industry would like to see an opt-in regime, forcing AI companies to seek permission and strike licensing deals with copyright holders before they can use the content to train their models. In response, the culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, sought to allay fears and said she and Peter Kyle, the technology secretary, would begin roundtable discussions with the creative industries to ensure legislation does not harm the sector. 'We have heard you loud and clear,' she told the 800 attendees at the conference. 'We are determined to find a way forward that works for the creative industry and creators as well as the tech industries. The issue of AI and copyright needs to be properly considered and enforceable legislation drafted with the inclusion, involvement and experience of both creatives and technologists.' Last month, the government faced accusations of being too close to big tech after analysis showed Kyle and his department met people close to, or representing the sector, 28 times in a six month period. The government has already drawn up some concessions - including promising to carry out an economic impact assessment of its proposed copyright changes, and to publish reports on issues including transparency, licensing and access to data for AI developers - following a backlash from some of the UK's best-known creators, including Elton John and Paul McCartney. 'We approach you with no preferred option in mind,' Nandy said. 'We are a Labour government, and the principle [that] people must be paid for their work is foundational. You have our word that if it doesn't work for the creative industries, it will not work for us.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Sony's Wayne Garvie Roasts 'Ridiculous' Channel 4 In-House Plan: 'It Could Be Potentially Disastrous'
The new Channel 4 in-house productions biz is 'preposterous,' 'ridiculous' and 'potentially disastrous' for the nation's irreverent public broadcaster, according to Sony international boss Wayne Garvie. Garvie did not hold back at the Deloitte Conference this morning when queried over the future in-house biz, which is currently seeking a boss. More from Deadline BBC Director General Floats Concerning Vision Of Future Where "People Don't Care" About Nation's Oldest Public Broadcaster Sky Boss Dana Strong Raises Artificial Intelligence Copyright Concerns: "I Can't Fathom How A Small Producer Keeps Up" A24 Teaming With 'How To Have Sex's Molly Manning Walker On Women's Soccer Series For Channel 4 Instead of focusing on owning new IP via in-house, he said Channel 4, which is soon to be without a CEO and a Chair, should concentrate on a future where it comes together with the BBC. 'Those of us who run in-house production businesses know how difficult it is,' said Garvie, who oversees the likes of Doctor Who, Industry and Sex Education via Sony labels. 'If you're starting out and you don't own IP and have no institutional knowledge of how to run a production business it could be potentially disastrous for Channel 4.' Garvie variously described the plan, which came in after Channel 4 avoided privatization and will allow it to own IP for the first time in its 40-year history, as 'ridiculous' and 'preposterous.' Last month, Channel 4 said it plans to take majority stakes in third-party production companies as part of the plan to move into in-house production. Jonathan Allan, Channel 4's COO and incoming interim CEO, declined to reveal the value of the company's indie investment war chest. Channel 4 has cash reserves of £111M ($150M). 'You lose money after the first three years,' added Garvie today. 'Maybe you make money in five years if you have great people but not money that will help Channel 4 really grow.' Instead, he said Channel 4 should be thinking in a blue sky way about how it can combine with the BBC. 'We have five PSBs here in Britain, most other countries have one,' added Garvie. 'The future surely is the BBC and Channel 4 coming together and that should be focus of the new chair of Channel 4 and its CEO.' Garvie was speaking at the Deloitte and Enders Media & Telecoms 2025 and Beyond Conference after Sky boss Dana Strong and before Netflix EMEA chief Larry Tanz and UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. Best of Deadline 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More Everything We Know About 'Nobody Wants This' Season 2 So Far List Of Hollywood & Media Layoffs From Paramount To Warner Bros Discovery To CNN & More
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Sky CEO on the Need to Get AI Policies Right: 'It's Very Hard to Put the Genie Back in the Bottle'
Comcast-owned European pay-TV, media and telecom giant Sky's CEO Dana Strong told a London conference on Tuesday that getting AI policies and regulations right is key given the speed of technological change. During a fireside chat at Deloitte and Enders Analysis' Media & Telecoms 2025 & Beyond Conference, she said about Sky's approach to AI: 'We are thinking about AI as a cultural movement nside the organization.' She highlighted it should be seen as 'an amplification' of people's work inside Sky, touting a 'Dragon's Den of AI' within the company. More from The Hollywood Reporter Emma Thompson Set for Locarno Fest Leopard Club Award, 'The Dead of Winter' World Premiere 'The Real Housewives of London' Cast: Who's Starring in Glitzy Brit-Bound Installment? Pierce Brosnan Talks 'MobLand' Finale, James Bond and Who Sophie's Real Dad Is in 'Mamma Mia!' Sky is using AI 'quite prolifically' in the advertising department. In show creation, 'we use AI as first-generation tools,' such as language translation and post-production. 'We are in the early innings' in this space. And in sports, it will help provide a 'more bespoke' offering to viewers depending on their interest in angles and the like. Copyright protection is key, and a proposed opt-out rule in the U.K. approach to AI, allowing AI companies to use copyrighted works unless the holder actively opts out, is not the right approach, Strong said. 'It's very hard to put the genie back in the bottle, so we need to get it right now,' she said. Continuing to discuss the issue of copyright worries, she added: 'I can't fathom how a small producer keeps up.' The future of Warner Bros. Discovery's content partnership with Sky was not part of Tuesday's debate, even though that has been a popular industry conversation topic. given that WBD is planning to launch HBO Max in the U.K. in 2026 when the companies' previous output deal expires. The two companies previously reached a new distribution and bundling agreement that will see Sky subscribers get the advertising-supported version of HBO Max bundled at no extra cost. Sky users will also continue to get HBO shows, such as The Last of Us and House of the Dragon, on Sky Atlantic and on demand, with the deal covering series that air before the end of 2025. Last year, Strong had also appeared at the event, outlining Sky's sports strategy. That topic was also in focus this year. Asked about Sky's resilience in a tough market, Strong highlighted the role of technology, such as moving from satellite to newer delivery forms. 'I spend a lot of time internally talking about my passion for sport,' Strong said on Tuesday. 'We've been able to increase the volume of sport by 50 percent just in the last year, and so we're able to do 100 streams simultaneously. The volume of sport that we're able to give to customers and choice is very different than what it would have been 10 years ago.' Mentioning that Sky will soon have expanded English Premier League soccer rights, she concluded that 'given the level of disruption,' the focus of her team at Sky is always to 'believe in better' and continue to innovate. Asked about how Sky's own marketing and its advertising business are affected by technological change, Strong shared that automation and deeper localization are key focus areas for her. 'And it is much more social-driven than TV-driven,' she said about a key upcoming marketing campaign. Tuesday's conference also featured top executives from the likes of the Walt Disney Co., U.K. public broadcaster BBC, streaming giant Netflix, and Sky Studios. Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
BBC Director General Floats Concerning Vision Of Future Where 'People Don't Care' About Nation's Oldest Public Broadcaster
The BBC makes the UK front pages almost every day but Director General Tim Davie isn't so worried about that. Instead, he floated a more worrying vision of the future this morning where 'people don't care' about the nation's public broadcaster. More from Deadline Sky Boss Dana Strong Raises Artificial Intelligence Copyright Concerns: "I Can't Fathom How A Small Producer Keeps Up" Ncuti Gatwa Bids "Bittersweet" Farewell To 'Doctor Who' After Two Seasons: "Time To Hand Over The Keys To That Beloved Blue Box" 'Strictly Come Dancing' Contestant Wynne Evans Dropped By BBC After Making Lewd Remark 'We should not take people caring for granted,' he said. 'Institutions are in big trouble if they assume engagement and there is any degree of talk [around them not caring]. We are absolutely the classic patriarchal broadcast organization. The worry is a mainstream weaponization where people don't care [about the BBC].' Davie said he is fine with the BBC making headlines, which he described as 'one of the joys of our free press… let' celebrate the fact people care.' 'Neighbors talk to me about what's going on and who's going to host Match of the Day, and lots more' added Davie. 'But it's the 10 people on the other side of the room who don't care that I'm worrying about.' Davie also issued a plea for a new BBC funding mechanism to 'protect national IP' and end an era of 'begrudging, grinding cuts.' As charter renewal in 2027 and the possible end of the license fee draws ever close, Davie told the conference today that 'if we drift the way we are now we will be in a crisis' and so quick decisions are required. He was speaking at the Deloitte and Enders Media & Telecoms 2025 and Beyond Conference after Sky boss Dana Strong and before Netflix EMEA chief Larry Tanz and UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. Best of Deadline Everything We Know About 'Nobody Wants This' Season 2 So Far List Of Hollywood & Media Layoffs From Paramount To Warner Bros Discovery To CNN & More Everything We Know About 'Happy Gilmore 2' So Far
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Sky Boss Dana Strong Raises Artificial Intelligence Copyright Concerns: 'I Can't Fathom How A Small Producer Keeps Up'
Sky boss Dana Strong says artificial intelligence (AI) has become a 'cultural movement' within the organization, but she has serious concerns about IP protection. Strong cited the new opt-out system being considered by the UK government, which would mean copyright holders would need to opt-out from having their material used for training AI models. This has caused concern amongst producers, rightsholders and all and sundry. The legislation is currently making its way through parliament but has not yet been passed. More from Deadline 'Flight 149' Director Hopes Evidence Uncovered During Filming Will Help Hostages Win Legal Case Against UK Government & British Airways Tastes Great, Less Filling? Report On Meta Plan For Cheaper, Fully AI-Made Ads Boosts Tech Giant's Stock As Media Agency Shares Slump Artificial Intelligence Influencers To Get D.C.'s Acclaim At The AI Honors Ceremony 'If we as a large organization spend our resources fighting for IP rights I can't fathom how a small producer keeps up,' she added. 'Protecting copyright is a very big issue in AI and some consequences of the opt out are impossible to police.' Speaking at the Deloitte and Enders Media & Telecoms 2025 and Beyond Conference this morning, Strong said 'it's hard to keep the genie back in the bottle.' Within Sky, however, she said AI has become a 'cultural movement,' and she pointed out how much Sky is using the tech to improve both systems and also programme making. Strong talked up Sky's place in the sports world, saying that the pay-TV giant has increased its volume by 50%. 'I say we get the Olympics on screen every weekend in terms of the average number of games we are giving customers,' she added. 'There is more range and choice.' She was speaking upon the launch of a new Sky Glass Air TV for £6 per month, which comes out next week. Strong was speaking at the Deloitte Conference just prior to BBC boss Tim Davie, Netflix EMEA chief Larry Tanz and UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. Best of Deadline Everything We Know About 'Nobody Wants This' Season 2 So Far List Of Hollywood & Media Layoffs From Paramount To Warner Bros Discovery To CNN & More Everything We Know About 'Happy Gilmore 2' So Far
