Hackers access Microsoft's source code; Roku in talks to acquire Quibi's content

TOP NEWS IN TMT

* Hackers that recently infiltrated various U.S. government agency websites also accessed Microsoft Corp.'s source code, but did not access customer data or services, the U.S. company said in a blog post.

* Roku Inc. is in advanced discussions to acquire the content catalog of short-form streaming platform Quibi Holdings LLC as it winds down its operations, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources. The financial terms of the potential deal have not been disclosed.

➤ Data Dispatch: Potential MGM buyers must weigh content demand against studio's heavy debt

One of the last remaining independent film and TV studios is reportedly for sale, and potential buyers must weigh the company's considerable debt against demand for video content.

➤ Economics of TV & Film: Global Film Release Report, November 2020

The Global Film Release Report for November 2020 is now available.

➤ Economics of TV & Film: US box office admission trends, 2001-2019

Action films were the top genre in 2019 with 479.0 million total admissions, up from the nearly 313.3 million total admissions in 2001.

TECHNOLOGY

* Apple Inc. removed more than 46,000 apps from its app store, including 39,000 games in China, Reuters reported.

* Sandvik AB completed its previously announced acquisition of software developer CGTech Inc. Financial terms were not disclosed.

INTERNET AND OTT

* Discovery Inc. will bring its discovery+ streaming service to 12 European markets under a multiplatform deal with Vodafone Group PLC.

* The Walt Disney Co.'s streaming service Disney+ announced the first titles of its "Star" service, including original drama "Big Sky" and "Love, Victor," Deadline reported. Star is Disney's new international online platform for "mature" content.

* Facebook Inc.'s Director of Product Management Rob Leathern left the social media company, Reuters reported, citing an internal company post.

MEDIA

* Amazon.com Inc. agreed to acquire podcast creator and producer Wondery Inc. While the financial terms were not disclosed, a previous report estimated the value at more than $300 million.

* AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. sent a proxy statement to shareholders informing them that the company is moving to a classified board with staggered elections — a change that could make any hostile takeover of the company more difficult.

* A ruling from Delaware Chancery Court Vice Chancellor Joseph Slights allowed former Viacom shareholders to pursue a lawsuit claiming Shari Redstone drew up a "patently unfair" merger to create ViacomCBS Inc., Reuters reported.

* Alden Global Capital LLC, which already holds a 31.6% stake in Tribune Publishing Co., is potentially interested in buying the rest of the newspaper publisher.

* In more Tribune Publishing news, the publisher and BR Holding Co. Inc. completed the sale of BestReviews LLC to Nexstar Media Group Inc. for a gross purchase price of $160 million in cash.

* Nexstar Media-owned media company Mission Broadcasting Inc. completed the acquisition of The CW (US) affiliate WPIX from E.W. Scripps Co.

* The Nasdaq Stock Market notified Urban One Inc. that it was no longer in compliance with its audit committee requirements, following the resignation of Geoffrey Armstrong as a director, effective Nov. 23, 2020.

* Liberty Media Corp. announced a quarterly interest payment to holders of its 2.25% exchangeable senior debentures due 2046.

* Insignia Systems Inc. will effect a 7-for-1 reverse split of its outstanding common stock to comply with the Nasdaq Capital Market's minimum bid price requirement.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

* Federal law enforcement officials are investigating the possibility that conspiracy theories around next-generation 5G wireless services may have contributed to the motives behind the Dec. 25, 2020, bombing in Nashville.

* T-Mobile US Inc. said it recently identified a "security incident" involving "malicious, unauthorized access" to customers' information. According to a notice on the operator's website, proprietary network information, including customers' phone numbers and the number of lines subscribed to by each customer had been accessed.

* Several Massachusetts state representatives "strongly urged" Comcast Corp. to cancel the 1.2 TB data cap on its service plans that will take effect in new and existing plans in April as it violates the state's net neutrality principles, Multichannel News reported, citing a letter to a Comcast executive.

FILM AND TV

* Over two dozen TV series based in Southern California extended their hiatus in response to rising COVID-19 infection rates in Los Angeles County, Variety reported. The paused productions include Netflix Inc.'s "You" and "Never Have I Ever" and NBCUniversal Media LLC's "Brooklyn Nine-Nine."

* Verizon Communications Inc.'s Fios customers will continue to access Hearst Television Inc. stations after the companies struck a new retransmission agreement, Variety reported.

* TV stations owned by Apollo Global Management Inc. and Comcast Corp. reached a retransmission-consent accord, maintaining access for the cable operator's Xfinity subscribers to the stations' content.

MARKETS

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