Welcome to another Weekend Round-Up! Undoubtedly, the biggest story of the week is what feels like the millionth TikTok ban extension. Trump’s latest executive order extended the “ban or sell” deadline for another 90 days, meaning that we have to wait until September to find out whether the app is truly going to be gone for good.
And while we’re on the subject of things in limbo, news also broke this week about ‘The Backrooms’ being turned into a horror movie. But overall, the most horrific thing to happen this week is the Andrew Tate x Bonnie Blue podcast collab. Find out the inside scoop on this and other happenings, check out our full round-up below.
‘The Backrooms’ Is Being Turned Into a Horror Movie
Backrooms, which began as a creepypasta/urban legend on 4chan, is being adapted into a movie. The director of the film is Kane Parsons (otherwise known as Kane Pixels), who went viral after posting his ‘Backrooms’ series on YouTube. Now, big-name stars like Renate Reinsve and Chiwetel Ejiofor are attached to the role. And, of course, A24 is involved.
For the full story, click here.
The TikTok Ban Deadline Is Being Extended for a Third Time
As the latest “ban-or-sell” deadline approached, Trump pulled a stunt that, well … literally surprised no-one. For the third time, he has issued an executive order extending the ban-or-sell deadline: this time for a full 90 days. This makes the new deadline mid-September, but after failing to save TikTok six months in, will Trump actually get a solid deal? Somehow, we doubt it.
For more, click here.
All Facebook Videos Are Turning Into Reels
Reels have become a fierce competitor for TikTok — and now, Meta is spreading its monopoly further by announcing that all Facebook videos will be turning into Reels. With a more streamlined video system, the once-relevant social media platform is limping into the 21st century — but will it be enough to attract creators?
Click here for the full story.
Bonnie Blue and Andrew Tate Tease Podcast Interview
What can possibly be worse than an Andrew Tate podcast? An Andrew Tate podcast with Bonnie Blue. When it comes to their views on women and sex, Blue and Tate sit at very extreme, diametrically opposed ends of the spectrum. While this might make way for a very fiery conversation, it’s pretty obvious that the pair unite on one thing: rage-baiting the general public. And judging by users’ reaction to this team-up, they’ve done just that.
Read all about it here.
AI Sponcon Is Coming to TikTok
TikTok is upgrading its Symphony tool with various AI features — and one of them might take creators out of the equation entirely. The tool in question is called ‘Showcase Products.’ It involves generating a video featuring an AI avatar wearing, demonstrating, or holding the product in question. While this is a huge win for advertisers, it casts doubt on the future of creators, and brand deals as a whole.
For more on this, click here.
