Latest news with #Lens
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
How DAZN can spend $1bn on Club World Cup – and then give it away for free
The Nantes president Waldemar Kita, an outspoken Polish businessman who made his fortune in eye-lens implants, did not equivocate when he described the deal the Ligue de Football Professionnel had struck with streamer and broadcaster DAZN last summer. It was, Kita said, like being 'driven to a collective suicide – and no one is doing anything'. This contract, said Kita, who bought the club in 2007, 'is s---'. His opposite number at fellow Ligue 1 club RC Lens, Joseph Oughourlian, an investment entrepreneur and Parisian of Armenian heritage, was equally blunt. 'Four-hundred thousand subscribers [on DAZN] is pathetic in a country of 65 million people,' he said. 'We had 1.2 million on Amazon and three million on Canal+'. This was in February as it became clear that DAZN, owned by billionaire Sir Len Blavatnik, would not be able to make the sums work on its five-year deal with the LFP worth €400 million (£340 million) annually. It was, Oughourlian said, 'a f------ disaster'. Blavatnik, a British citizen with a knighthood to go with it, born in 1957 in Odessa, then in the Soviet Union, now Ukraine, is one of the few men in the world rich enough to have lost as much money as DAZN has done. Its last financial results up to the end of 2023 recorded that he had pumped $6.7 billion (£4.9 billion) into the global streamer via its ultimate holding company, Access Industries. The debacle in France this season was DAZN's lowest point in what has been a corporate tale of dizzying losses – and yet for many British viewers the next few weeks may be the first time they discover the London-headquartered company. For it is DAZN that secured the global streaming rights for Fifa's Club World Cup for $1 billion in December, coincidentally at exactly the same time as the Saudi company SURJ Sports Investment bought an unspecified stake in DAZN for the same amount. That money, passed through DAZN to Fifa, has effectively paid for the Club World Cup which kicked off in Miami in the early hours of Sunday morning. DAZN has the premium live men's football offering for the next four weeks and what they do with it – and what it might do for them – is the big question. Salutary warning for the Premier League DAZN paid an exit fee of around €100 million to get out of the LFP deal as well as additional outstanding sums. Remarkably, it may yet play some role in the direct-subscriber service Ligue 1 clubs are hoping to launch next season, although that has not yet been decided. Above all, it showed the problems of launching a new-to-market streamer that offers football and nothing else – a miscalculation that those in the Premier League will have followed closely. It turns out that subscribers find propositions such as DAZN very easy to resist, especially without all the add-ons that established pay-TV providers like Sky and Canal+ offer to keep them from cancelling. In many quarters it was received as a salutary warning for those championing the Premier League going it alone with a global platform direct to consumers. DAZN has a portfolio of rights across Europe, depending on the territory. In Italy, it shows all 10 Serie A games live every weekend. In Spain, it has half the Liga games as well as Formula 1 and MotoGP rights. In Germany, it has around half the Bundesliga games live as well as Champions League and NBA. It has every Japanese J-League game, live and exclusive. In December, it bought Foxtel in Australia, which is a major owner of live Australian sports rights, in a A$3.4 billion (£1.6 billion) deal. DAZN has invested heavily in boxing and MMA rights also. Yet for some time now, though there has been talk of a DAZN IPO, most likely on the Nasdaq, it never seems to get any closer. It would seem that the market does not have the kind of appetite for the levels of losses with which Blavatnik can live. Whatever DAZN might have paid for the Club World Cup rights, it will admit it will make nothing like that back in terms of its sub-licensees. In Britain, there was very little interest, with ITV offering a zero-pounds bid to show some of the games live. A source with knowledge of DAZN's long-term strategy said that the streamer using the Club World Cup as a way into the US market was a move unlikely to succeed. 'There's no way on God's earth it is going to make the money back in advertising,' they said. 'It [DAZN] has made some money back in sublicensing. I hear about $200 million to $300 million in sublicensing. A tiny fraction of that will be for the Channel 5 deal.' It was Channel 5 with whom DAZN agreed a British licensing agreement for 23 games. The British broadcaster is doing it on the cheap. It is not establishing its own roster of studio talent for the Club World Cup – presenters, commentators, pundits – preferring instead to take DAZN's own English-language live feed. 'I'm told ad sales are not going well at all,' the source said. 'It's a classic DAZN play where they force stuff into the market, rather than responding to the market and what the market wants and needs. Walker Jacobs, the chief revenue officer who runs DAZN's US business, has gone from 'this is a premium product' to 'right, stack it high and sell it cheap'. They will try to get away as many deals as they can. But essentially, that kind of cannibalises the revenue.' David Beckham: "It's been an emotional week" 🤩 Inter Miami's owner cannot believe that the long wait is over 🔥 WATCH @AlAhly - @InterMiamiCF in the @FIFACWC now | June 14 - July 13 | Every Game | Free | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld — DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 14, 2025 Targeting 100 million new users for its platform DAZN hopes its own free streaming of all 63 games, also available via a premium paid-for service, will bring 100 million new users to its platform around the world. In the US, DAZN has licensed its Club World Cup broadcast rights to TNT Sports for English-language coverage and Univision for its Spanish-language offering. Hope springs eternal that in the Club World Cup, DAZN has landed a huge property for next to nothing and can convert its own streaming coverage into long-term subscribers. If one were to ask the French LFP clubs, they might well say that DAZN has been wrong before. Losses topped $1.3 billion in DAZN's last published results, although its official position is that this is the kind of challenge that all the great streamers had to break through first. The issue for DAZN is that it does not own its content in perpetuity in the same way as, for example, Netflix and its original programming. DAZN simply licenses rights for a fixed term and is then obliged to invest anew. On Saturday, Fifa announced a new agreement with DAZN to operate its Fifa+ content service around the world, which was described in an official communique as 'long-awaited'. The immediate question would be: by whom? Fifa says the offering will include a 'continuous exclusive news service', as well as access to Fifa's archive and a platform for 150 men's and women's leagues. In other words, games from the recent and distant past, and all the games from the present that cannot find a broadcast deal elsewhere. Nevertheless, the close working relationship between DAZN and Fifa – chiefly its president Ginanni Infantino – does not seem to be in doubt. The connecting factor is chiefly the Saudi investment from SURJ that has bound both governing body and streamer to Saudi for the time being at least. Both Infantino and Blavatnik have staked a great deal on the Club World Cup – although only the wealth of the Saudis has allowed both to sanction it being given away for free.
Business Insider
7 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Gen Z shoppers are loving Google right now. That could be bad news for Amazon.
Amazon may have a new problem to keep it up at night: Google is increasingly popular with younger shoppers. New data from Morgan Stanley shows that 16-to-24-year-olds increasingly turn to Google for more of their online shopping journey. That's taking share away from Amazon, both when people set out to research products online for the first time and when they already have a specific product in mind. As of March 2025, 30% of those Gen Z shoppers who already know what they want to buy still go to Google first — an increase from 21% in September 2024, per Morgan Stanley's research, which analyzed behavior across Google Search, YouTube, and Gemini. While the share of other online destinations like Walmart and Facebook has shrunk, it's Amazon that's taken the biggest hit. It declined from 41% last September to 34% in March, the data showed. It's not totally clear why e-commerce Google searches are booming among younger users, though Morgan Stanley's analysts speculate Google's new generative AI tools may have something to do with it. Google has previously said it's seen higher engagement with AI Overviews from users age 18-24. During the company's Q1 earnings call in April, Google's chief business officer, Philipp Schindler, said that the volume of commercial queries on Google Search had increased with the launch of AI Overviews. Speaking on the same Q1 earnings call, Schindler also said that the number of people shopping using Google's Lens feature had grown 10%. Google has been all too aware of the risk of losing younger users. The company's former Search head, Prabhakar Raghavan, testified in 2023 that Google risked becoming irrelevant to youth, saying the company has been referred to as "Grandpa Google." While ChatGPT adoption is growing overall, it remains small when it comes to online shopping, suggesting Google may keep it at bay with its generative AI features.
Business Wire
12-06-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Tempus Announces Collaboration with Northwestern University's Abrams Research Center on Neurogenomics to Leverage AI for Alzheimer's Disease Research
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tempus AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: TEM), a technology company leading the adoption of AI to advance precision medicine and patient care, today announced a collaboration with The Abrams Research Center on Neurogenomics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. This multi-year collaboration aims to harness AI for rapid discovery and innovation in Alzheimer's disease research. The collaboration leverages Tempus' AI-powered data analytics platform, Lens, to analyze and restructure the Center's repository of genomic data. Together, the Center and Tempus teams will work to uncover genomic patterns that have the potential to advance the understanding of Alzheimer's disease, investigate the gene and cell types affected, enable the development of new therapeutics, and accelerate the creation of novel clinical applications. By harnessing Lens' advanced AI capabilities, the collaboration aims to generate actionable insights that drive the discovery of targeted therapies and significantly improve patient outcomes. 'We are excited to collaborate with the Abrams Research Center on Neurogenomics to confront one of the most complex and pressing medical challenges of our time,' said Ryan Fukushima, Chief Operating Officer at Tempus. 'By integrating our AI platform with the Center's pioneering work in neurogenomics, we are opening new avenues for discovery. Together, we strive to advance research for Alzheimer's and bring hope and tangible impact to patients and families affected by this devastating disease.' 'This collaboration with Tempus represents an important step forward in our mission to harness cutting-edge technologies to transform Alzheimer's research,' said David Gate, PhD, assistant professor in Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology at Feinberg and head of The Abrams Research Center on Neurogenomics. 'We share a commitment to deepen our understanding of the genomic underpinnings of Alzheimer's disease and accelerate the development of more targeted, effective interventions.' About Tempus Tempus is a technology company advancing precision medicine through the practical application of artificial intelligence in healthcare. With one of the world's largest libraries of multimodal data, and an operating system to make that data accessible and useful, Tempus provides AI-enabled precision medicine solutions to physicians to deliver personalized patient care and in parallel facilitates discovery, development and delivery of optimal therapeutics. The goal is for each patient to benefit from the treatment of others who came before by providing physicians with tools that learn as the company gathers more data. For more information, visit Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'Securities Act'), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, about Tempus and Tempus' industry that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding the expected outcomes and benefits of the collaboration with the Abrams Research Center on Neurogenomics to advance research for Alzheimer's disease are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'contemplate,' 'continue,' 'could,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'going to,' 'intend,' 'may,' 'plan,' 'potential,' 'predict,' 'project,' 'should,' 'target,' 'will,' or 'would' or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions. Tempus cautions you that the foregoing may not include all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release. You should not rely on forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Tempus has based the forward-looking statements contained in this press release primarily on its current expectations and projections about future events and trends that it believes may affect Tempus' business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties related to: the intended use of Tempus' products and services; Tempus' financial performance; the ability to attract and retain customers and partners; managing Tempus' growth and future expenses; competition and new market entrants; compliance with new laws, regulations and executive actions, including any evolving regulations in the artificial intelligence space; the ability to maintain, protect and enhance Tempus' intellectual property; the ability to attract and retain qualified team members and key personnel; the ability to repay or refinance outstanding debt, or to access additional financing; future acquisitions, divestitures or investments; the potential adverse impact of climate change, natural disasters, health epidemics, macroeconomic conditions, and war or other armed conflict, as well as risks, uncertainties, and other factors described in the section titled 'Risk Factors' in Tempus' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC') on February 24, 2025, as well as in other filings Tempus may make with the SEC in the future. In addition, any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on assumptions that Tempus believes to be reasonable as of this date. Tempus undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.
BBC News
12-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
WW1 soldier's remains found on French building site
The remains of a World War One soldier that were found during building work in France have been laid at Henry Ashton from Derbyshire was killed aged 44 in 1917, during an operation near Ministry of Defence (MoD) said following the war, Sjt Ashton's body was not recovered, and he was listed on the Memorial to the Missing at service on Wednesday in Loos-en-Gohelle, France, was attended by Sjt Ashton's family and was supported by Padre John Storey of 5th Bn The Rifles, and soldiers from 1st Bn The Rifles who flew in from Cyprus. His remains, the MoD said, were discovered during construction work for a new hospital in Lens, and DNA testing of metal ribbons led to formal Ashton initially served 12 and a half years with the Seaforth Highlanders before working for the Midland Railway re-joined the Army in March 1915, first with the Derbyshire Yeomanry before transferring to the 14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry in October his death in 1917, Captain Allden Owles sent a letter to his family which said that Sjt Ashton died "instantly" and served "bravely". The service was organised by the MoD's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the MoD War Ashton was the first named soldier to be buried and laid to rest at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Loos British Cemetery Extension, the Clark, MoD War Detective said: "It has been a privilege to identify Sjt Ashton, and to be able to organise this burial service for him."When you consider the half-a-million men still missing from the First and Second World Wars, every one we can identify feels like an achievement."I am delighted that Sjt Ashton's family have now been able to give him the dignified burial he had been denied for so long."
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Snap Launches ‘Lens+‘ Paid Subscription Offering for Advanced AR Features
This story was originally published on Social Media Today. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Social Media Today newsletter. Snapchat's adding another element to its popular Snapchat+ subscription offering, with 'Lens+,' which will provide exclusive access to a range of additional AR experiences that are only available to paying users. So now, not only will you be able to pay for the 30+ add-on features of Snapchat+, which aim to enhance your overall in-app experience, but you'll also be able to get new, advanced AR tools and experiences in the app, all for the low price of $8.99 per month (with Snapchat+ subscription included). As explained by Snap: 'In addition to all of the value from our Snapchat+ subscription, Lens+ provides access to hundreds of Lenses and AR experiences that let you play, create, and share Snaps with friends in whole new ways.' Which could also provide a new monetization pathway for Snap's 400,000+ AR creators. Snap's Lens Studio has been a powerful launching pad for AR development, and enabling more people to create their own AR experiences. This could provide a means for them to charge for these advanced options, and facilitate all new growth opportunities within Snap's creator ecosystem. But it's not moving in that direction just yet. Snap says that, at launch, Lens+ subscribers will be able to access Lenses built by Snapchat, as well as some from select creators, 'including exclusive AI video Lenses, a brand new Bitmoji Game Lens, and more.' The AI options, presumably, will be the big carrot here, as Snap looks to lure more paying subscribers with next-level features. Snapchat says that it will be looking to add new AR experiences every week, as it builds on the offering. It's another avenue to expanded revenue intake for the app, which, as noted, has already seen success with Snapchat+, which is now up to 15 million subscribers. Snap's audience nous, combined with its largely affluent user base, makes this a prime opportunity for the app, and it'll be interesting to see just how popular AR add-ons will be, and whether more users will be willing to pay extra for such. Snap says that users can subscribe to Lens+ by tapping their Bitmoji character on their profile, then tapping the Snapchat+ link. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
