Velvet Sundown may sound like the latest band ready for its big break. With more than 700,000 monthly listeners and counting on Spotify, there are growing suspicions this song, in fact the entire album, could be AI generated. Take a look at those hands, that guitar, that recording device, all clues pointing to artificial intelligence.We reached out to Velvet Sundown on the social media account attached to the Spotify. We've yet to hear back. This band is a mystery, but music insiders say the music 100% AI g ...

About this content About Emily Jarvie Emily began her career as a political journalist for Australian Community Media in Hobart, Tasmania. After she relocated to Toronto, Canada, she reported on business, legal, and scientific developments in the emerging psychedelics sector before joining Proactive in 2022. She brings a strong journalism background with her work featured in newspapers, magazines, and digital publications across Australia, Europe, and North America, including The Examiner, The Advocate, ...

Investment Rating - The report indicates a positive investment outlook for the C-end application industry, particularly highlighting subscription platforms as leading performers and advertising platforms showing continuous improvement [1]. Core Insights - The report emphasizes the importance of AI in enhancing user engagement and optimizing recommendation algorithms, which are crucial for building competitive barriers in C-end applications. Companies like Duolingo and Spotify are leveraging AI to improve user experience and increase subscription conversion rates, while advertising platforms like Snapchat and Pinterest are enhancing ad automation and recommendation systems to drive revenue growth [2][3]. Summary by Sections C-end Applications - Subscription platforms are outperforming advertising platforms, with significant improvements in user engagement and revenue generation [5][8]. - Duolingo and Spotify have successfully integrated AI features, leading to increased product value and resilience in growth. Duolingo's new subscription tier, Duolingo Max, has seen a rise in eligible users from under 10% to over 60%, while Spotify has implemented price increases supported by AI functionalities [3][17]. Subscription Platforms - AI capabilities have significantly enhanced the value of subscription products, with Duolingo's subscription revenue share increasing from 79% to 83% and Spotify reaching 90% [17][30]. - The introduction of AI-driven features has led to substantial revenue contributions, with Duolingo Max and Spotify's price adjustments driving user growth and average revenue per user (ARPU) increases [30]. Advertising Platforms - AI has improved advertising conversion efficiency, with Snapchat's ad revenue growth shifting from negative to positive, and Pinterest's revenue growth accelerating from single digits to over 20% [30]. - Snapchat's subscription service, Snapchat+, has contributed to revenue growth, with its user base expanding significantly [27][30]. Performance Metrics - The report highlights the stock performance of C-end application companies, with Duolingo and Spotify showing substantial gains compared to Snapchat and Pinterest, particularly in the context of AI advancements [7]. - Active user growth and revenue metrics indicate a recovery and stabilization trend across major platforms, with ARPU showing positive growth from Q1 2024 onwards [10][30].

Core Viewpoint - Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. is launching its Future of Mining Challenge for 2025/26, inviting global ventures to propose solutions that enhance operational efficiencies and reduce environmental impacts in the mining industry [1][2]. Group 1: Challenge Overview - The Future of Mining Challenge aims to foster innovation in the mining sector, focusing on sustainable practices to meet the increasing global demand for minerals and metals [2][3]. - A total of US$1 million will be awarded to a cleantech venture that presents innovative technology for sustainable water management in mining [2]. Group 2: Participation and Timeline - Wheaton is accepting expressions of interest from cleantech innovators until August 29, 2025, after which selected ventures will be invited to submit full applications in September 2025 [3]. - The winner of the challenge will be announced in March 2026 during the PDAC Convention in Toronto, which is recognized as the largest mining conference globally [4]. Group 3: Collaboration and Support - This year, Wheaton is collaborating with the University of British Columbia's Sauder School of Business to leverage expertise in venture building and early-stage innovation support [4]. Group 4: Company Background - Wheaton Precious Metals is a leading precious metals streaming company, providing shareholders access to a portfolio of low-cost, long-life mines globally [6]. - The company is committed to responsible mining practices and employs rigorous due diligence to unlock long-term value for shareholders while supporting the mining industry [6].

Group 1 - Amazon is discontinuing its standalone free streaming TV service, Freevee, to consolidate content offerings under Prime Video [1][2] - Freevee, launched in 2019, provided ad-supported video content, including original series and some Prime Video content [1] - The Freevee app will shut down in August, allowing users to access shows and movies on Prime Video for free without a subscription [2] Group 2 - Prime Video will become the exclusive home for Freevee TV shows, movies, and Live TV [2]

Core Insights - Amazon is shutting down its standalone Freevee app in August, directing users to access Freevee content on Prime Video instead [1][2] - The integration of Freevee content into Prime Video is part of Amazon's strategy to simplify its streaming services and consolidate offerings on a single platform [5] Group 1: Service Transition - The Freevee app will remain accessible until August 2025, allowing users to watch Free Originals and a library of movies and shows for free on Prime Video without a subscription [2][3] - Amazon previously announced in November 2024 its decision to phase out Freevee branding while ensuring no change to the content available for Prime members [3] Group 2: Historical Context - Freevee, launched in 2019 and initially named "IMDb TV," was rebranded in 2022 and is available in the U.S., U.K., Germany, and Austria [6] - Popular original series on Freevee include "Jury Duty," "Bosch: Legacy," and "Neighbours," which will now be accessible under the "Watch for Free" section on Prime Video [6] Group 3: Industry Trends - A recent Nielsen report indicated that streaming services surpassed cable and network television in total viewership in the U.S. for the first time in May, with free streaming services significantly contributing to this growth [8] - PlutoTV, Roku Channel, and Tubi collectively accounted for 5.7% of total TV viewing in May, highlighting the rising popularity of free streaming options [8]

Netflix's Strategic Shift - Netflix is reportedly in talks with Spotify to introduce live and unscripted programming, including music specials and celebrity interviews [1] - The move towards live programming aims to localize content, attract more global users, and offer cost-effective productions [2][3] - Netflix's advantage lies in being the first choice for many viewers, enabling them to popularize content like female fights [10][11] Competitive Landscape - Netflix faces challenges as its viewership share in the US has remained relatively flat, while YouTube has surpassed it as the top streamer [7] - A senior analyst has a buy rating on Netflix with a price target of over $1,500, and the stock is up 40% year-to-date [7] Content Strategy - Netflix can replicate successful formats easily and keep viewers engaged [4] - Netflix should balance top-tier shows with new, less expensive content like live programming, dating shows, and European football to attract global viewers [11] - Squid Game's third and final season reached 60 million views, setting a new all-time high [8]

Core Insights - Cineverse Corp. has been included in multiple FTSE Russell indexes, effective June 29 and June 30, 2025, enhancing its visibility among institutional investors and index-tracking funds [1][6] - The inclusion reflects Cineverse's strong growth momentum and value profile, which the company believes is underappreciated in the market [2] - Cineverse is positioned as a next-generation entertainment studio, distributing over 71,000 premium films, series, and podcasts, and utilizing proprietary streaming tools and AI technology to redefine entertainment [3] Company Overview - Cineverse is a global streaming technology and entertainment company that empowers creators and entertains fans through innovative content delivery [3] - The company connects audiences with independent stories and has properties including the highest-grossing unrated film in U.S. history and a premier podcast network [3] - Cineverse aims to scale its theatrical releases, monetize technology platforms, and expand streaming channels, indicating significant growth potential [2] FTSE Russell Overview - FTSE Russell is a global index leader providing benchmarking, analytics, and data solutions, with approximately $18.1 trillion benchmarked to its indexes [4] - The indexes cover 98% of the investable market globally and are widely used by institutional and retail investors [4] - FTSE Russell focuses on transparent, rules-based methodologies and adheres to high industry standards in index design and governance [4]

Goldman Sachs has become the latest Wall Street heavyweight to revise its outlook on Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) ahead of the company’s second-quarter earnings.In a July 2 note, Goldman analyst Eric Sheridan cited growing confidence in Netflix’s ability to sustain its momentum through the second half of 2025. He credited the platform’s diverse content lineup and resilient user engagement as core drivers of its ongoing strength.“In the current environment and given Netflix’s robust content slate during the second ...

Market Overview - Wall Street is experiencing a rally, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq reaching new all-time highs due to eased trade worries and geopolitical tensions [1][6] - The S&P 500 has gained nearly 20% from its April lows and is up 5% year to date, closing at 6,204.95 points [6] - The Nasdaq closed at 20,369.73, also marking a new all-time high [6] Consumer Sentiment - Consumer sentiment has rebounded for the first time in six months, with the Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index rising 16.3% to 60.7 in June from May's 52.2, marking the largest monthly increase in over 30 years [3][9] - This increase in consumer sentiment is attributed to positive developments, including a potential trade deal with China and easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East [4][5] Federal Reserve Expectations - Market participants are anticipating at least two 25 basis point rate cuts from the Federal Reserve this year, with expectations for the first cut as early as July [7] Consumer Discretionary Stocks - Consumer discretionary stocks such as Interface, Inc. (TILE), Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL), Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (LOPE), and fuboTV Inc. (FUBO) are identified as having strong potential in 2025, each holding a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [2][9] - Interface, Inc. has an expected earnings growth rate of 8.2% for the current year, with a 2.6% improvement in earnings estimates over the past 60 days [8] - Carnival Corporation & plc is projected to have a 38% earnings growth rate for the current year, with a 5.8% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 60 days [10] - Grand Canyon Education, Inc. has an expected earnings growth rate of 8.8%, with a 1.3% improvement in earnings estimates over the past 60 days [12] - fuboTV Inc. is expected to see a 69% earnings growth rate for next year, with a 25% improvement in current-year earnings estimates over the past 60 days [13]