Explaining the Phantom Podcast Title

More trouble for Softbank startups, more layoffs at scooter startups, VC deals plateaued last year but music streaming continues to skyrocket, how much money does Netflix lose to password sharers and of course, the weekend longreads suggestions.

Sponsors:

• Stackbit.com/techmeme
• Tiny Capital

Links:

• SoftBank-Backed Oyo Firing Thousands Across China and India (Bloomberg)
• E-scooter startup Lime shuts in 12 markets, lays off around 100 (Axios)
• The Q4/EOY 2019 Global VC Report: A Strong End To A Good, But Not Fantastic, Year (Crunchbase News)
• U.S. Music Streams Topped a Trillion in 2019 (WSJ)
• Streaming Services Reckon With Password-Sharing "Havoc" (The Hollywood Reporter)
• I’m a Millennial, and I Don’t Understand What Quibi Is Trying to Do (Fortune)

Weekend Longreads Suggestions:

• QUIBI VERSUS THE WORLD (The Verge)
• The hidden world and overlooked problems of acting in video games (Washington Post)
• Why your favorite celebs are ditching Twitter for an app you’ve never heard of (Fast Company)
• AN ORAL HISTORY OF RICKROLLING (Mel)
• Admit It: You Have a Box of Cords You’ll Never, Ever Use Again (WSJ)

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