Jonathan Wong
The Latest
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Amazon Cuts Dozens of Jobs in Washington, Says Move Is Separate From 14,000-Role Layoff Plan
Amazon is eliminating 84 jobs across Washington state early next year, according to a regulatory filing, a move the company says is unrelated to the sweeping global layoffs announced in October that eliminated roughly 14,000 roles and sent shockwaves through the technology sector. 
Amazon is eliminating 84 jobs across Washington state early next year, according to a regulatory filing, a move the company says is unrelated to the sweeping global layoffs announced in October that eliminated roughly 14,000 roles and sent shockwaves through the technology sector. -
Starlink’s Cash Flow Pushes SpaceX Toward Public Markets and Historic Valuation
SpaceX is laying the groundwork for a potential initial public offering that could rank among the largest and most consequential market debuts in modern financial history, as the company's valuation surges on the back of rapid growth at its satellite internet unit, Starlink, according to people familiar with the plans. 
SpaceX is laying the groundwork for a potential initial public offering that could rank among the largest and most consequential market debuts in modern financial history, as the company's valuation surges on the back of rapid growth at its satellite internet unit, Starlink, according to people familiar with the plans. -
Netflix Loses $55 Million in Fraud Case as New York Court Convicts Director Carl Erik Rinsch
A New York court on Dec. 11 convicted filmmaker Carl Erik Rinsch of fraud, capping a years-long saga that left Netflix with an estimated $55 million loss and no completed television series to show for it. The verdict marks one of the most costly production failures in the streaming company's history and underscores a broader retrenchment underway at Netflix as it reins in budgets, cancels underperforming projects and raises subscription prices. 
A New York court on Dec. 11 convicted filmmaker Carl Erik Rinsch of fraud, capping a years-long saga that left Netflix with an estimated $55 million loss and no completed television series to show for it. The verdict marks one of the most costly production failures in the streaming company's history and underscores a broader retrenchment underway at Netflix as it reins in budgets, cancels underperforming projects and raises subscription prices. -
Disney’s $1 Billion OpenAI Pact Signals AI Push Into Marvel, Star Wars and Core Creative Work
The Walt Disney Company has committed $1 billion to a sweeping partnership with OpenAI, granting the artificial-intelligence firm access to some of the most valuable characters in global entertainment and intensifying concerns across Hollywood that generative technology could displace human artists. The three-year agreement centers on OpenAI's video-generation model, Sora, and positions Disney as the most prominent studio yet to formally license its intellectual property for large-scale AI content creation. 
The Walt Disney Company has committed $1 billion to a sweeping partnership with OpenAI, granting the artificial-intelligence firm access to some of the most valuable characters in global entertainment and intensifying concerns across Hollywood that generative technology could displace human artists. The three-year agreement centers on OpenAI's video-generation model, Sora, and positions Disney as the most prominent studio yet to formally license its intellectual property for large-scale AI content creation. -
SpaceX Targets $25 Billion+ IPO, $1.5 Trillion Valuation as Starlink Drives 2026 Mega Listing
SpaceX is preparing for what could become one of the largest stock-market debuts in history, with Elon Musk's rocket and satellite company targeting a public listing in 2026 that may raise more than $25 billion and push its valuation above $1 trillion, according to multiple reports. Discussions with major banks have begun, Reuters reported, placing the offering window around June or July and signaling the revival of investor appetite for giant technology listings. SpaceX is preparing for what could become one of the largest stock-market debuts in history, with Elon Musk's rocket and satellite company targeting a public listing in 2026 that may raise more than $25 billion and push its valuation above $1 trillion, according to multiple reports. Discussions with major banks have begun, Reuters reported, placing the offering window around June or July and signaling the revival of investor appetite for giant technology listings. -
McDonald’s Pulls YouTube Comments After AI Christmas Ad Sparks Online Backlash
McDonald's has ignited a new round of public debate over artificial intelligence in advertising after releasing an AI-generated Christmas commercial for its Netherlands market and subsequently shutting off YouTube comments in response to mounting criticism. The campaign, produced by TBWA, an international AI creative team, and production company The Sweetshop, relies entirely on imagery generated through text prompting rather than traditional filming. 
McDonald's has ignited a new round of public debate over artificial intelligence in advertising after releasing an AI-generated Christmas commercial for its Netherlands market and subsequently shutting off YouTube comments in response to mounting criticism. The campaign, produced by TBWA, an international AI creative team, and production company The Sweetshop, relies entirely on imagery generated through text prompting rather than traditional filming. -
U.S. Greenlights H200 Shipments to China, Triggering Security Backlash and 25% Import Tax Requirement
President Donald Trump moved to loosen export restrictions on artificial intelligence hardware, announcing that the United States will allow Nvidia's H200 chips-its second-most advanced AI semiconductors-to be shipped to China under a 25% fee structure. The move, disclosed in a Truth Social post and later clarified by White House officials, marks a significant reversal in Washington's effort to curtail Beijing's access to high-end computing power. 
President Donald Trump moved to loosen export restrictions on artificial intelligence hardware, announcing that the United States will allow Nvidia's H200 chips-its second-most advanced AI semiconductors-to be shipped to China under a 25% fee structure. The move, disclosed in a Truth Social post and later clarified by White House officials, marks a significant reversal in Washington's effort to curtail Beijing's access to high-end computing power. -
Paramount Launches $108.4 Billion Hostile Bid as CEO Cites 'Inherent Bias' in Warner Bros Sale Process
The hard-fought battle for Warner Bros Discovery erupted into open corporate combat this week after Paramount Skydance unleashed a $108.4 billion hostile bid that bypasses the board and goes directly to shareholders, challenging Netflix's earlier $72 billion agreement for the storied media empire. The move injects fresh uncertainty into one of the largest entertainment deals in U.S. history and thrusts Washington, Hollywood unions, and global investors into an increasingly fraught contest over who will control intellectual property such as HBO, DC Comics, and major film franchises. 
The hard-fought battle for Warner Bros Discovery erupted into open corporate combat this week after Paramount Skydance unleashed a $108.4 billion hostile bid that bypasses the board and goes directly to shareholders, challenging Netflix's earlier $72 billion agreement for the storied media empire. The move injects fresh uncertainty into one of the largest entertainment deals in U.S. history and thrusts Washington, Hollywood unions, and global investors into an increasingly fraught contest over who will control intellectual property such as HBO, DC Comics, and major film franchises. -
Netflix’s $82 B Warner Deal Faces Political Storm as DOJ Calls Content ‘Woke Garbage’
Netflix's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery is facing an unusual combination of antitrust scrutiny and political hostility, as the Trump administration's Department of Justice signals that cultural criticism may intersect with formal regulatory review. The tensions escalated after Pentagon officials, under Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, attacked Netflix for producing what they called "woke garbage," drawing the streaming giant deeper into broader political battles while it pursues an $82 billion media takeover. 
Netflix's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery is facing an unusual combination of antitrust scrutiny and political hostility, as the Trump administration's Department of Justice signals that cultural criticism may intersect with formal regulatory review. The tensions escalated after Pentagon officials, under Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, attacked Netflix for producing what they called "woke garbage," drawing the streaming giant deeper into broader political battles while it pursues an $82 billion media takeover. -
Netflix Shares Slide After $83 Billion Warner Bros. Deal Shocks Hollywood
Netflix jolted the entertainment industry Friday after announcing a sweeping agreement to buy Warner Bros. and HBO, a move that would merge the world's largest streaming platform with one of Hollywood's most storied studios. The deal, valued at roughly $72 billion plus debt-or $82.7 billion in total enterprise value-poses the most significant test yet for U.S. and international regulators confronting consolidation in the entertainment landscape. Netflix said it expects the transaction to close within 12 to 18 months, pending regulatory approval. Netflix jolted the entertainment industry Friday after announcing a sweeping agreement to buy Warner Bros. and HBO, a move that would merge the world's largest streaming platform with one of Hollywood's most storied studios. The deal, valued at roughly $72 billion plus debt-or $82.7 billion in total enterprise value-poses the most significant test yet for U.S. and international regulators confronting consolidation in the entertainment landscape. Netflix said it expects the transaction to close within 12 to 18 months, pending regulatory approval.
