Advertisement

After math: Big Tech gets bigger while AMC's release window gets shorter

The curtain finally closes on VW's 'Dieselgate'.

VALERIE MACON via Getty Images

As the dust settles on another non-stop spate of news let’s take a look back at the some of the top headlines from the week that was.

vw
NurPhoto via Getty Images

Volkswagen paid $9.5 billion to US 'dieselgate' drivers

VW’s half decade debacle known as Dieselgate, wherein the company committed widespread fraud regarding the rate of emissions produced by its diesel, is finally coming to a close. The FTC has issued its “final report” on the issue, noting that 86 percent of US car buyers impacted by the scandal have opted to trade in their afflicted vehicles for financial compensation rather than have those rides retrofitted.

asdf
Noam Galai via Getty Images

Universal's deal with AMC shortens theatrical exclusivity to 17 days

Trolls: World Tour isn’t the sort of film that one would expect to cause controversy but at the start of the COVID pandemic, AMC and Universal got themselves into a knock down drag out fight over the family film — specifically whether or not it could be released on VOD before its window of theatrical exclusivity closed. Fast forward to last week and the two companies have finally settled their differences. From here on out films will only have to stay in theaters for three consecutive weekends (aka 17 days) before being released on VOD, down from the full 90 days demanded pre-pandemic.

amazon
Engadget

Amazon doubled its profits last quarter thanks to COVID-related demand

While the COVID-19 pandemic has kneecapped the global economy, it has proven exceptionally lucrative for Amazon. Last week, the e-commerce giant announced that it had doubled its quarterly profits over last year, jumping from $2.6 billion in sales to a whopping $5.2 billion. Apple did pretty well for themselves too.

evgo
Engadget

GM will help EVgo install 2,700 EV fast chargers across the US

A whole bunch of EVgo chargers are coming to a parking lot near you in the next five years. The company announced this week that it is partnering with GM to effectively triple the number of charging stations it offers — jumping from a mere 800 locations today up to 3,500 by 2025.