Sina Weibo has contributed to a series C round for IMS New Media Group, valuing the social media marketing company at about $1.5bn.

The Verizon Ventures and R/GA-backed media startup studio has chosen its first eight participants, each of which will receive $100,000 of funding.

The media company has taken stakes in on-demand ride platform Grab and mobile game developer Ice House, according to its latest financial report.

The GV-backed online radio network has boosted its total funding to $140m with a $50m round co-led by Comcast Ventures, Marker and Institutional Venture Partners.

Raine Group and Temasek have reportedly acquired a majority stake in beleaguered, Twitter and Chernin Group-backed music streaming platform SoundCloud.

It is, as these deals in the past week show, a remarkable time in sports and content as the change in distribution routes also affects the $40bn advertising industry.

Discovery Communications has led a $10m series A round for the virtual reality content producer Here Be Dragons, valuing the business at $65m post-money.

Media group PCCW's online video spinout has received funding from Foxconn's corporate venturing unit as well as Hony Capital and Temasek.

Walt Disney Company has followed its $1bn investment in online streaming technology provider BamTech by upping its stake to 75% as it prepares to launch its own streaming service.