Daily 10/2: Big Tech enters Hollywood, AI likeness rules tighten, and sports media consolidates

Google is funding Hollywood projects where creators can test AI tools in production. Pennsylvania lawmakers advanced a ban on apps that generate fake nude images of real people, while Sports Entertainment Group completed its acquisition of New Zealand audio company MediaWorks.

• [Remio] Google is funding Hollywood projects to put AI tools into working production environments ↗

  Google's investment group Google 100 Zeros is working with Range Media Partners to fund films, television projects, mobile series, and emerging formats. The arrangement gives creators a chance to test Google's AI and production tools in real working environments. Instead of buying an entertainment company outright, Google is embedding itself in creator networks and production workflows. The strategy links Hollywood financing with a path for bringing Big Tech tools into commercial content production.

• [Audacy] Pennsylvania lawmakers advanced a ban on apps that generate AI fake nudes of real people ↗

  The Pennsylvania Senate unanimously passed a bill banning apps that use AI to create fake nude images of real people. The bill still needs to move through the state House. If enacted, it would shift responsibility upstream from removing images after distribution to regulating the apps that generate them. The measure shows how likeness protection is moving toward product design and service liability rather than relying only on takedown requests.

• [Radio Today] Sports Entertainment Group completed its acquisition of New Zealand audio company MediaWorks ↗

  Sports Entertainment Group completed its acquisition of New Zealand audio company MediaWorks for an enterprise value of about NZ$130 million. The deal gives the sports business a larger radio and digital audio distribution network alongside its sports rights and advertising operations. Sports companies are moving beyond owning broadcast rights and into direct control of audio content production and distribution. The combined business can package fan data, sports coverage, and advertising inventory across more channels.