FT News Briefing

China makes a show of corporate raiding

May 11, 2023

Disney is turning tides with reduced streaming losses as it hikes subscription fees. Meanwhile, U.S. inflation is dipping, hitting its lowest point since 2021. China is intensifying its crackdown on foreign consultancies like Capvision and Bain, raising concerns over foreign investments. Additionally, conflicting priorities in China are complicating the business landscape. On a different note, Spotify is cleaning house by removing thousands of AI-generated songs after controversies over fake streams.

08:18

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

Economic Trends and China's Crackdown on Foreign Consultancies

5min

Mixed Signals in China's Business Environment and Spotify's Streaming Controversy

2min

Disney sharply reduced its losses from video streaming in the second quarter, US inflation dipped to its lowest level since April 2021, and the FT’s Joe Leahy explains China’s crackdown on foreign business due diligence firms, including Capvision, Bain and Mintz.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Disney shaves streaming losses as subscription fees rise

US inflation eases to 4.9% in April as Fed tightening takes effect

China raids multiple offices of international consultancy Capvision

Spotify ejects thousands of AI-made songs in purge of fake streams

The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Katie McMurran, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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