Morning! Today's roundup is here to kickstart your week, brought to you by Esther.

Facebook goes after Apple’s in-app purchases fee in wake of Epic lawsuit — www.axios.com

As if there hadn't already been enough crazy platform news this year with TikTok weeks away from being banned in the US, last week saw a lawsuit land in Apple's laps from Fortnite maker Epic Games. Now, Facebook is piling in.

The issue on the table? Apple's 30% in-app purchase commission fee, something which has caused headaches to publishers and app developers alike over the years.

Facebook's push is a little different to Epic Games. Facebook is trying to launch 'Paid Online Events', which would enable businesses on the platform to charge users to attend classes and other events. Facebook asked Apple to either waive its 30% cut or let Facebook go around it and process event payments via Facebook Pay. Apple has declined.

This potentially affects publishers in two ways. Firstly, the outcome of the Epic Games vs Apple battle, with its monopoly angle, has the potential to force changes in the way Apple takes commissions in the app store. Secondly, Facebook Paid Online Events opens up all sorts of interesting possibilities for publishers with decent Facebook followings to streamline signups and payments to events, virtual or not.

If only there wasn't a massive trust issue between platforms and publishers...

Podcast growth continues – but publishers need to be clear why they are podcasting — www.inpublishing.co.uk

Podcasting is, by pretty much every measure that matters, the fastest growing publishing platform of the moment. Consequently, podcasts are definitely worth doing, says our own Peter Houston, but you need to start with a plan.

How the world’s biggest media companies fared through the ongoing crisis in Q2 — digiday.com

A comprehensive overview from Digiday of the latest quarterly reports from the world’s largest media companies to assess how they’re adapting to the ongoing crisis. Updates from publishers, platforms and the world of TV and film in one handy article.

Time Out will shutter most print editions — www.mediapost.com

Sad news from Time Out Group, who are likely to cease printing most of the 40 magazine editions it prints in cities worldwide. The magazine is coming back to London, Madrid and Barcelona, with other territories under review. The brand is continuing with its digital presence and its Time Out Markets in Lisbon, Montreal, Chicago and Miami.

Today's throwback:

Time Out Group CEO Julio Bruno on growing diverse revenue streams — voices.media

I chatted to Time Out's Julio Bruno back in 2018 when they'd hit a milestone 50th year. He talked about growing different revenue streams, the opportunity in Time Out Markets, and why the print magazine was still a vital part of the business. Ah...those pre-pandemic days...

Sharing is caring — www.getrevue.co

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