"Entrepreneurship's hard.... A lot [of artists] in danger of not being able to make a living."
The Weeknd is set to perform live on TikTok tonight. The R&B icon — and the L.A.-based company that will animate him as an avatar on the virtual stage — have found themselves in a tricky spot at a uncertain time. Reporter Sam Blake talks to Wave's CEO about how artists are weathering the storms.
Quibi rolls out an ad-supported, free service to viewers Down Under.
Netflix now supports Hindi.
TenCent's stock drops 10% after Trump's executive order.
U.S. TikTok competitors are growing rapidly as the Trump administration clamps down.
Three top executives are out at WarnerMedia.
Headspace grows, even as scientific evidence on whether it works is scarce.
Hollywood studios can once again own theaters.
Join us for Tuesday's Strategy Session on the future of California's cannabis industry: "Is the Green Rush Over?" Register here. It's free!
The Weeknd, TikTok and the Hunger for Virtual Audiences
TikTok's reach — over 800 million users — makes it an attractive partner for advertisers and artists, but the possibility of a ban could mean they're building audience on unstable ground. Read more >>
Catch Up On This Week's Startup News
The L.A. tech and startup community was active as ever this week. dot.LA chief host and correspondent Kelly O'Grady takes you through the key points of the top five headlines:
* Green Rush: The Incredible Rise and Fall of L.A.'s Genius Fund (Parts one, two and three)
* President Trump Signs Order Banning TikTok Unless it Sells to U.S. Company
* Curative Inc is Bringing COVID-19 Test Kiosks to L.A.
* dot.LA x Pitchbook: L.A.'s 50 Hottest Startups - Who Made It?
* Investing Round-Up: Syntiant, GoodRx and Alive Ventures
SideCar's Approach to Healthcare Transparency
Patrick Quigley, the chief executive of Sidecar Health, wants Americans to know the real cost of health care. Sidecar users can compare doctor pricing in their area to their "benefit amount," which varies depending on the plan. Read more >>
Bringing 'Olympian-Level' Nutrition to Market
How do you differentiate yourself in a health and wellness market where companies promise consumers the world? According to Vejo CEO Christoph Bertsch, the answer is data. Read more >>
Our Next Strategy Session: Is the Green Rush Over?
Join us at 11:00am PST Tuesday, August 11th for a Strategy Session looking at the current and future marijuana marketplace in California, with experts from Galen Diligence and Rowe Policy Media. Register here >>