In today’s Digest, we cover the final arguments of Google's ad tech monopoly case, Warner Bros. Discovery drawing bids from Paramount, Comcast, and Netflix, and UK Champions League rights targeted by Paramount. We also discuss ChatGPT Rolling out Group Chats worldwide.

Judge shows reluctance to break up Google in ad tech monopoly case

Google made its final arguments on Friday to avoid a breakup of its ad tech business, as the US Department of Justice’s landmark antitrust case nears its conclusion. US District Judge Leonie Brinkema previously ruled that Google holds two illegal ad tech monopolies and is weighing remedies, including a forced sale of AdX, Google’s ad exchange where publishers pay a 20% fee for instant auctions. The DOJ and a coalition of states argue that divestiture is the only way to restore competition, citing Google’s ability to develop new tactics to maintain dominance.

However, Brinkema has commented that the DOJ's request would be a “dramatic change” that would not be as “easily enforceable” as the resolution Google has proposed. Karen Dunn, the lawyer representing Google, highlighted that a potential buyer for Google’s ad tech business had not yet been found, which Binkema was concerned about. 

With the evidentiary hearings having wrapped up, the case now shifts to appeals courts.  

WBD draws bids from Paramount, Comcast & Netflix; UK Champions League rights targeted by Paramount

Paramount, Comcast, and Netflix have submitted bids to acquire all or part of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). Sources confirmed the first round of bidding has closed, with a second round expected for final proposals. WBD hopes to conclude the sale process by late December, though regulatory approval could take at least a year.

Paramount is reportedly leading the race with a bid for the entire company, including its cable networks, while Netflix and Comcast are targeting WBD’s studios and streaming assets. The potential sale comes amid industry turmoil driven by shifting audience habits, AI disruption, and mounting pressure on legacy media firms.  

Meanwhile, Paramount has emerged as the preferred bidder for the bulk of UEFA Champions League broadcasting rights in the UK and Germany, signaling a bold expansion into European football. The deal, expected to run from 2027 to 2031 and worth hundreds of millions of pounds annually, would mark the US media group’s first major foray into the region’s sports market.

Sources say Paramount is also in talks to secure rights in other European territories, while Amazon’s Prime Video is set to retain first-pick matches on Tuesdays in the UK and Wednesdays in Germany and Italy. Neither Paramount, Amazon, UEFA, nor Relevent Football Partners have commented on the ongoing discussions. 

ChatGPT rolls out group chats 

OpenAI is introducing group chats to ChatGPT, transforming the AI from a one-on-one assistant into a collaborative space. The new feature allows up to 20 participants to interact with each other and ChatGPT in a shared conversation, enabling friends, families, or teams to plan, create, and make decisions together. 

According to an email sent to TechCrunch, it sees “ChatGPT playing a more active role in real group conversations, helping people plan, create, and take action together”. The feature follows a limited pilot in regions including Japan and New Zealand.