iWorld
Warner Bros Discovery announces TAYLOR SWIFT VS SCOOTER BRAUN: BAD BLOOD (w/t)
Mumbai: The fourth installment of Warner Bros. Discovery’s popular ‘vs’ series, TAYLOR SWIFT VS SCOOTER BRAUN: BAD BLOOD (w/t) premiers on discovery+ on 4 July 2024, for Indian audiences. This docu-series adds to the hugely popular ‘vs’ format which includes “Johnny vs Amber,” “Kim vs Kanye: The Divorce,” and “Vardy vs Rooney: The Wagatha Trial.”
The two-part docu-series, produced by Optomen, will explore the gripping feud between global pop superstar Taylor Swift and music industry mogul Scooter Braun, delving into the $300 million dispute after Braun bought the rights to Swift’s first six albums in June 2019.
True to the ‘vs’ format, the two episodes will examine the opposing sides of the argument; one exploring Swift’s side that the sale was conducted without consulting her and that she has since been blocked from buying back her masters, and the other examining Braun’s allegations that Swift refused to negotiate and instead incited a public feud by pitting her fan base against him.
Viewers will be taken on a comprehensive examination of the feud; exploring the intricacies of music ownership, gender dynamics in the industry and the power of fan influence, while delving into the two polarized sides of the dispute allowing them to form their own opinion.
The access-driven docu-series will see legal experts, journalists and those close to both Swift and Braun, presenting each side of the argument.
WBD U.K. & Ireland VP of commissioning, networks & streaming Charlotte Reid quoted: “Taylor Swift’s dispute with Scooter Braun over the ownership of her music exploded into the mainstream, taking contract law from boardroom to social media and into public interest. It’s a high-profile, high-interest story that opened debate on fandom and dominated headlines, one which will resonate with our viewers who are highly engaged with access-led documentaries like ‘vs’, which continues to be a popular format on discovery+.”
TAYLOR SWIFT VS SCOOTER BRAUN: BAD BLOOD (w/t) was commissioned by Charlotte Reid and executive produced by Matt Reid for Warner Bros Discovery in the U.K. & Ireland. The series is executive produced by Nick Hornby and Sarah Eglin for Optomen TV.
iWorld
X launches XChat messaging app on iOS with calls and encryption
Standalone app marks shift from “everything app” vision, adds E2E messaging.
MUMBAI: From one big app to many small chats, X seems to be splitting its ambitions. X has rolled out its standalone messaging app, XChat, to iOS users, opening up a new front in its evolving product strategy. The app allows users to connect with existing X contacts through private and group messages, file sharing, as well as audio and video calls. The launch follows a limited beta phase, where the platform tested the product with a smaller user base to refine the experience. Now available publicly, XChat marks a notable pivot from earlier ambitions championed by Elon Musk to turn X into a single “everything app” combining messaging, payments, commerce and more.
Instead, the company under xAI ownership and backed by SpaceX appears to be building a suite of standalone applications, each targeting specific use cases while expanding its broader ecosystem.
At launch, XChat includes end-to-end encrypted messaging, PIN-based access, disappearing messages, and features such as message editing, deletion for all participants, and screenshot blocking. The company has also said the app is free from advertisements and tracking mechanisms, positioning it as a privacy-first alternative in a crowded messaging space.
However, security claims around the platform are likely to face scrutiny. Earlier iterations of XChat drew criticism from experts who argued it fell short of established encrypted platforms like Signal. With the wider rollout, the app is expected to undergo fresh evaluation to assess whether those concerns have been addressed.
Beyond messaging, XChat will also house X’s Communities feature, which is being discontinued on the main platform due to low usage and spam concerns. Migrating these users could provide an early boost to adoption, effectively turning XChat into both a communication and community hub.
The move underscores a broader recalibration at X less about cramming everything into one app, and more about spreading bets across multiple touchpoints, one message at a time.
