Weekly news round-up: Golden Globes & Google expands into China's e-sports

SVOD services dominate Golden Globes
Five of the six Golden Globes for TV series went to SVOD platforms including best drama series and best actress to Elisabeth Moss for Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale, while Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and comedy series Master of None were victorious, reported Deadline. The feature film, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri also won four awards. However, Oprah Winfrey stole the show with her emotive speech and the #MeToo movement opened a politically charged awards ceremony, reported The Guardian.   

Google eyes Chinese e-sports startup
Chushou, an online e-sports platform founded in 2015 has been backed by Google bringing the startup’s total funding to $120 million. The service has roughly 8m users who live stream their mobile phone games, according to Reuters. Google plans to help the firm target a wider international audience. It will also provide Google with an inroad to the Chinese market where the search engine remains a blocked website.   

Fox producers support Disney merger 
Ahead of the Walt Disney and Fox merger Disney executives have offered assurances for the continued development of Fox’s adult-oriented programming and development while the merger undergoes review. Reuters reported the deal had producers anxious for the longevity of their programmes, however, Fox Television Group Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Gary Newman assured staff it was “business as usual”. 

Kodak leads cryptocurrency surge 
This week during CES, blockchain and cryptocurrencies were major headliners. Kodak announced its plan to launch a photo-centric cryptocurrency to empower photographers and agencies to help control image rights management. Shares in Kodak have been steadily declining over the last five years but more than doubled in 24 hours after the release of its new endeavour. According to The Guardian, Kodak Chief Executive said it plans to apply artificial intelligence technology to help build a decentralised photo library.     

Microsoft confirms hybrid cloud enterprise
Microsoft has sealed the deal in acquiring Avere Systems. The company specialises in maximising high performance for file-based storage for its clients operating in the cloud, hybrid and on-premises environments. Tech Crunch reported the take-over could be particularly useful for media customers such as Sony Pictures and VFX powerhouse MPC. The deal is expected to be finalised in the next couple of months for an undisclosed figure. 

GoPro confirms exit from drone business
Action camera company GoPro has confirmed it will end its Karma drone business after poor sales and a glitch causing devices to shut down during mid-flight. Earlier this week its stocks fell by 33% down to $5.04 after it confirmed it would reduce its workforce by 20%, laying off 250 people. Fortune reported that GoPro is exploring a corporate sell after a tumultuous couple of years, or plans to operate as a standalone business. 

Samsung spends big on capital expenditures 
Samsung Electronics spent more on capital expenditure in 2017 than any other publicly traded company. The Wall Street Journey reported the figures highlight the way technology and telecommunications firms are driving manufacturing investment. The technology giant almost doubled its investment in new or existing facilities, spending $44 billion in 2017 on semiconductors, displays and other products.    

YouTube cuts vlogger Logan Paul’s channels 
YouTube vlogger Logan Paul had his channels removed from the video sharing website after he posted a video containing footage of the body of an apparent suicide victim in Japan. Comments called Paul’s video “disgusting” and “disgraceful”, the BBC reported, resulting in YouTube suspending original projects with the US vlogger. YouTube was called into question after taking 10 days to respond to the controversial video, raising issues of how to regulate online content.   

Dish to incorporate Google AI
Dish, the American satellite television provider, has announced at CES the incorporation of Google Assistant across its product offerings. In a statement, Dish announced it had been working on integrating Google Home and Google Assistant into its TV service enabling consumers to control their TV using voice. The integration will work across different languages and will be available in the first half of 2018, according to The Verge.