Hollywood Reporter: Lionsgate, Warner Bros. Discovery Among Top Hollywood Stock Gainers in First Quarter

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Lionsgate, Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global were among the hit Hollywood stocks of the first quarter of 2023, shaking off investor concerns about such industry challenges as record cord-cutting, getting streaming businesses to profitability and economic clouds darkening the advertising outlook, as well as recent stock market volatility due to the collapse of banks.

Deadline: The CW Bolsters Unscripted Further With Hire Of NBCU’s Betsy Slenzak

Story from Deadline:

The CW is continuing its push into unscripted.

Deadline: Amazon Studios Signs Marvel’s Former EIC Joe Quesada To Exclusive First-Look Deal

Story from Deadline:

Amazon Studios has signed an exclusive first-look deal with former Marvel Editor-In-Chief Joe Quesada.

Deadline; As Adult Swim Gets Set To Add An Hour Of Daily Programming, President Michael Ouweleen Sees Warner Bros Discovery In A More Settled Post-Merger State: “We’re All Feeling More Possibility”

Story from Deadline:

After months of upheaval following the close last April of WarnerMedia and Discovery’s $43 billion merger, Michael Ouweleen sees a much more settled operating environment taking shape in 2023.

New York Post: CNN primetime ratings plummeted 61% in March

Story from New York Post:

Primetime ratings for CNN have fallen 61% this month — the steepest dip in viewership among the big three cable news giants, according to the latest figures released by Nielsen.

Deadline: Disney’s Chief Compliance Officer Out Amid Layoffs

Story from Deadline:

Disney has let go SVP and Chief Compliance Officer Alicia Schwarz, Deadline has learned, amid a major retrenchment at the company.

Deadline: CNN Sets April Premiere Dates For Daytime ‘News Central’

Story from Deadline:

CNN News Central, the network’s new daytime programming blocks, will begin its roll out next week.

Variety: ABC News Executive Team Cut Following Disney Layoffs

Story from Variety:

ABC News will shrink the size of its executive team in the wake of layoffs ordered by its corporate parent, Walt Disney Co.

Deadline: James Gunn “Making Private Lists” For Who’ll Play Superman, Denies Logan Lerman Reports

Story from Deadline:

James Gunn continued to make it official on social media that he hasn’t made his decision yet on who’ll play Superman in his early days-set movie of the Man of Steel, Superman: Legacy. In doing so, the filmmaker also shot down rumors that Fury actor Logan Lerman would play him.

Variety; James Gunn Denies New Superman Actor Is in ‘Final Talks’: I’m ‘Prepping’ Audition Material and Haven’t Spoken to a ‘Single Actor About the Role’

Story from Variety:

The search for the new Superman actor is not as far along as some social media rumors suggest.

Deadline: Roku Laying Off Another 200 Employees, 6% Of Workforce

Story from Deadline:

Roku said today it plans to lay off 200 employees, or 6% of its workforce, as part of a restructuring plan as the drumbeat of staff cuts across the industry continues.

Deadline; ‘Thunderbolts’: ‘Beef’ Creator Lee Sung Jin Steps In As Scribe For Marvel Pic

Story from Deadline:

Ahead of the April 6th release of his Netflix dark comedy Beef, Lee Sung Jin has stepped in as screenwriter for Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts, taking over for Black Widow‘s Eric Pearson, Deadline can confirm.

Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav’s 2022 Pay Package Hits $39.3M

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

The value of Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav’s compensation package for 2022, which saw the Discovery-WarnerMedia merger close in April, hit $39.3 million, Warner Bros. Discovery disclosed in a regulatory filing.

Deadline: Mike Flanagan Pitches Pic On Clayface To Warner Bros DC

Story from Deadline:

Doctor Sleep filmmaker Mike Flanagan has pitched a feature version of Clayface over at the studio several sources tell Deadline, however, no word on greenlight yet — and the studio has not said ‘No’.

Deadline; Mike Pasciullo Dies: Tributes Pour In For Beloved, Longtime Marketing & Publicity Executive From Marvel Entertainment, Clark Gregg & More

Story from Deadline:

Longtime Marvel Entertainment marketing and publicity executive Mike Pasciullo has died, according to a remembrance posted Wednesday on Marvel.com.

Deadline: Marvel Entertainment Chairman Ike Perlmutter Cut From Company

Story from Deadline:

A Disney spokesperson has confirmed to Deadline that Ike Perlmutter is out at the company.

Broadband TV News: SES holds Intelsat merger talks

Story from Broadband TV News:

Luxembourg-based SES has confirmed it’s in talks with satellite rival Intelsat.

Variety; Jason Momoa: ‘I Absolutely Think Aquaman Will Be Involved’ in the New DC Universe’s Future

Story from Variety:

Jason Momoa is quite confident that “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” will not be his final outing as the eponymous superhero in the DC Universe.

Deadline: Disney Unplugs Metaverse Unit During Initial Round Of Layoffs

Story from Deadline:

Disney has eliminated a small business unit focused on exploring the metaverse, part of its initial efforts to reduce its workforce by about 7,000 employees.

Hollywood Reporter: Victoria Alonso Clashed With Marvel Over Blurring Gay Pride References in ‘Ant-Man 3’ for Kuwait

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

The intrigue over Victoria Alonso’s abrupt exit from Marvel continues.

Digital TV Europe: A+E unveils brand refresh for History

Story from Digital TV Europe:

A+E Networks EMEA has unveiled a refresh of The History Channel logo and brand identity across EMEA.

Variety: Will Rupert Murdoch Show Up When Fox News Squares Off Against Dominion?

Story from Variety:

Fox News is about to have one of its biggest events in years, and everyone from CEO Suzanne Scott to prominent anchors like Tucker Carlson and Maria Bartiromo to primetime chief Meade Cooper is likely to attend some part of it.

Variety; Marvel’s Big Mess: Victoria Alonso’s Contentious Exit Presents a Rare Public Drama for the Studio

Story from Variety:

Since 2008, Marvel Studios has been the very model of a modern mini studio.

Broadband TV News: Discovery expands in Ukraine

Story from Broadband TV News:

Ukraine’s largest cable operator Volia has added Discovery channels to its line-up.

Deadline: BBC News Channel To Bench Seasoned Presenters From Next Week As Output Is Relaunched

Deadline: BBC News Channel To Bench Seasoned Presenters From Next Week As Output Is Relaunched Story from Deadline:

BBC News will make sweeping changes to its news channel presenting line-up from next week, with a number of seasoned anchors dropping off air.

Broadcast Sport: Warner Bros. Discovery unveils 2023 cycling production plans

Story from Broadcast Sport:

Warner Bros. Discovery has revealed its cycling coverage plans for 2023.

Deadline: Vladimir Duthiers Named Featured Host Of ‘CBS Mornings’

Story from Deadline:

Vladimir Duthiers has been named featured host of CBS Mornings, giving him a higher profile on the network’s AM broadcast.

Deadline: Disney CEO Bob Iger Confirms Start Of Layoffs, With Three Rounds Of Cuts Expected Before Summer

Story from Deadline:

Disney CEO Bob Iger has confirmed the first of three rounds of layoffs is starting this week as the company looks to reduce its workforce by about 7,000 employees.

Deadline: Peacock To Add Livestreams Of MSNBC’s ‘Morning Joe’ And CNBC’s ‘Squawk Box’

Story from Deadline:

Peacock is adding livestreams of MSNBC’s Morning Joe and CNBC’s Squawk Box to its platform, starting on Tuesday, as the streaming service boosts its news offerings from NBCU.

Deadline: CNN Zeroes In On Primetime Show With Gayle King And Charles Barkley

Story from Deadline:

CNN is zeroing in on Gayle King and Charles Barkley to host a weekly primetime show for the network, as chairman and CEO Chris Licht aims to revitalize the ratings-challenged nighttime lineup.

Deadline: Disney General Entertainment Layoffs Include Mark Levenstein, Jayne Bieber & Elizabeth Newman As TV Production Gets Consolidated, IP Acquisitions Dissolved

Story from Deadline:

Details are starting to emerge about the first wave of Disney layoffs. It involves a consolidation of production operations across Disney TV Studios, Hulu, Freeform and FX under Carol Turner and the shutdown of the studio operation’s Creative Acquisitions department.

Deadline: Paramount+ International Rollout Could Have Been Speedier, But Marco Nobili “Proud”

Story from Deadline:

Paramount+ is well ahead of its target to greenlight 150 non-U.S. originals by 2025 but international boss Marco Nobili wishes the streamer could have rolled out quicker.

Deadline: Tanya Giles Exits As Chief Programming Officer Of Paramount+

Story from Deadline:

More changes at Paramount+: Tanya Giles, the streaming platform’s chief programming officer, is leaving after a combined 28 years at Paramount Global and its various iterations.

Broadband TV News: Peter Nørrelund to leave Viaplay

Story from Broadband TV News:

Peter Nørrelund, Viaplay Group EVP and chief sports officer, has resigned from his position after more than 20 years with the company.

Broadband TV News: Eurosport extends US Open broadcast rights

Story from Broadband TV News:

Warner Bros. Discovery has agreed a new contact to broadcast the US Open in France.

Deadline: Victoria Alonso Weighing Legal Action Against Disney, Marvel Over Sudden Firing; “Serious Consequences” Promises Lawyer Patty Glaser As Mouse House Points At “Indisputable Breach of Contract”

Story from Deadline:

The Walt Disney Company is facing “serious consequences” and possible legal action over the pink slipping this week of Marvel VFX chief Victoria Alonso.

Deadline: The CW Hit By New Round Of Layoffs

Story from Deadline:

The CW is undergoing another round of staff cuts, sources tell Deadline. We hear more than 15 people were affected, with the marketing/promotional team impacted, along with finance.

Variety: HBO’s Casey Bloys on Mike White’s ‘White Lotus’ Season 3 Pitch, Wanting More Seasons of ‘Succession’ and Plans for International Shows

Story from Variety:

“The White Lotus” creator Mike White’s idea for Season 3 of the hit show has already gone down well with HBO bosses, confirmed Casey Bloys at Series Mania.

Daily Mail: 'Storage Wars' star Gunter Nezhoda dies after losing cancer battle

Story from Daily Mail:

'Storage Wars' star Gunter Nezhoda has died aged 67 from complications from lung cancer just six months after he was diagnosed.

Variety: Anderson Cooper to Lead ‘The Whole Story’ on CNN Sundays

Story from Variety:

Anderson Cooper, a regular correspondent at “60 Minutes,” will now lead CNN’s attempt to mount a Sunday-evening challenge to it.

Deadline; Erik Lomis Dies: Veteran MGM Distribution Chief Was 64

Story from Deadline:

Devastating news: MGM and United Artists Releasing distribution boss Erik Lomis died suddenly Wednesday at his home in Santa Monica, we have learned from sources.

Broadband TV News: Sky Deutschland to continue SD distribution

Story from Broadband TV News:

Sky Deutschland is not planning a complete transition to HD for the time being and will continue to offer some of its channels in SD resolution.

Hollywood Reporter: Every Film on TCM in April Will Be From Warner Bros.

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Warner Bros. will be top of the world on TCM in April when the network devotes the entire month to films and more from the studio that is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, it was announced Wednesday.

Discovery+ to cease operations in the Philippines next month

Discovery+ will officially cease operations in the Philippines on April 27, Warner Bros. Discovery announced on Wednesday (22nd March).

Variety: Rob King, One of ESPN’s Most Senior Sports Journalism Executives, Is Out

Story from Variety:

Rob King, a senior executive at Walt Disney’s ESPN who had oversight of much of the company’s sports journalism, has abruptly left the Disney-backed sports-media giant.

Deadline: Disney Layoff Rounds Likely Starting Before Annual Meeting; Details On Cuts Emerge

Story from Deadline:

With Disney’s April 3 shareholder meeting — a virtual affair this year — less than two weeks away, some clarity is emerging about the company’s plans to reduce staff and cut costs.

Deadline; ‘Shazam! Fury Of The Gods’: Rachel Zegler Laments “Senselessly Mean” Criticism Of Movie

Story from Deadline:

Shazam! Fury of the Gods star Rachel Zegler took to social media over the weekend to lament what she called “senselessly mean” reactions to the film.

Telenet Takeover - Digital TV Europe: Liberty Global makes cash offer for Telenet

Story from Digital TV Europe:

Liberty Global has provided a cash offer to Telenet for all of shares that it does not already own or that are not held by the company.

Daily Mail: Charles Barkley says he's still in talks with CNN on a weekly show

Story from Daily Mail:

Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley is still in talks with CNN about a potential weekly show, but only for the opportunity to work with Gayle King, he tells DailyMail.com.

Hollywood Reporter: John Oliver Mocks Trump’s “If You Don’t Love Your Children” Campaign Video Aimed at Farmers

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

John Oliver got a kick out of a video Donald Trump posted this week, which was aimed at farmers.

Deadline: ‘Shazam! Fury Of The Gods’ Director “Surprised” With Film Criticism, Reveals He’s “Definitely Done With Superheroes”

Story from Deadline:

David F. Sandberg’s Shazam! Fury of the Gods was released and the director is opening up about the heavy criticism against the DC film.

Hollywood Reporter; Shocker: Marvel Studios Veteran Victoria Alonso Exits

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Victoria Alonso, the longtime and high-profile Marvel Studios executive whose time with the company dates back to the first Iron Man, has left the studio, multiple sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.

Daily Mail; Disney layoffs: First wave of 4,000 employees set to be cut

Story from Daily Mail:

Executives at The Walt Disney are reportedly planning to cut 4,000 jobs in the next two weeks - much sooner than expected - as CEO Bob Iger works to save the company some $5.5 billion.

Variety: Rupert Murdoch Engaged to Ann Lesley Smith Less Than a Year After Divorcing Jerry Hall

Story from Variety:

Rupert Murdoch just can’t stay single.

Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery Won’t Use iSpot to Develop Transactions for Ad Deals

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery is giving a league of would-be providers of TV-audience measurement its own appraisal.

Variety: Amazon Laying Off 9,000 More Employees, Including Cuts at Twitch

Story from Variety:

After a strategic review, Amazon intends to lay off 9,000 more employees — on top of the 18,000 job cuts it previously announced, CEO Andy Jassy said Monday.

Variety: Dawn Ostroff Joins Paramount Global Board of Directors

Story from Variety:

Former Spotify, Conde Nast and CW executive Dawn Ostroff is set to join the board of directors for Paramount Global in May.

Advanced Television: RTÉ, Virgin Media secure Rugby World Cup 2023 rights

Story from Advanced Television:

RTÉ and Virgin Media will be the destination for fans in Ireland wanting to watch every moment of Rugby World Cup 2023, World Rugby has confirmed.

Deadline: Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish Saw Total Pay Of $32 Million In 2022, Up From $20 Million Year Before

Story from Deadline:

Bob Bakish, chief executive of Paramount Global, saw total compensation in 2022 of $32 million, up from $20 million the year before.

Deadline: The CW Lands ‘FBoy Island’ & Sets Up Date With ‘FGirl Island’ Spinoff

Story from Deadline:

FBoy Island, the breakout HBO Max reality format, is getting another date.

Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros. Discovery Wins Over Two More Wall Street Analysts for Upgrades

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Add Wells Fargo and Wolfe Research analysts to the growing list of Wall Street experts who have turned bullish on Warner Bros. Discovery.

Hollywood Reporter: Will Comcast Sell Off Parts of Sky?

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Brian Roberts, chairman and CEO of U.S. media giant Comcast, is traditionally a buyer and a builder, not a pump-and-dumper. Over the years, he has grown Comcast through bold M&A moves, snatching up NBCUniversal in 2011, DreamWorks Animation in 2016, and, in the company’s most recent mega-buy, paying around $39 billion for European pay-TV giant Sky, which operates three language divisions: English (for the U.K. and Ireland), German (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) and Italian.

BET Takeover - Deadline: Sean “Diddy” Combs Says “It’s Time For BET To Be Black-Owned Again” As Paramount Explores Stake Sale

Story from Deadline:

Sean “Diddy” Combs on Wednesday bolstered recent media reports that he is kicking the tires of BET Networks, which is in the early stages of being shopped by parent Paramount Global.

Deadline: Warner Bros Circling Nancy Meyers Film After Its Exit From Netflix

Story from Deadline:

Just days after parting ways with Netflix, Nancy Meyers’ next movie may have found a new home.

Variety; James Gunn to Direct ‘Superman: Legacy’

Story from Variety:

James Gunn is set to direct “Superman: Legacy.”

Broadband TV News: Sky Deutschland switches more SD channels to HD

Story from Broadband TV News:

German pay-TV operator Sky Deutschland will continue the SD switch-off of TV channels in favour of HD-only distribution on March 22, 2023.

Digital TV Europe: Serie A chiefs play down Sky acquisition report

Story from Digital TV Europe:

Lega Serie A president Lorenzo Casini and CEO Luigi de Siervo played down reports that the league is mulling a partial or complete acquisition of Sky Italia at a press conference following their meeting yesterday.

Variety; Dwayne Johnson Weighs In on Henry Cavill’s DC Exit After ‘Black Adam’ Brought Superman Back: We ‘Put Our Best Foot Forward’

Story from Variety:

Dwayne Johnson took a moment on the Oscars red carpet to reflect on the DC Universe overhaul that put a pin in his plans for a Black Adam-Superman crossover movie.

BET Takeover - Variety: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Vying to Buy Majority Stake in BET as Paramount Global Explores Sale

Story from Variety:

Sean “Diddy” Combs is entering the race to buy BET, joining fellow media moguls Tyler Perry and Byron Allen as they vie to purchase a majority stake of BET Media Group amid reports that owner Paramount Global is exploring a sale of the asset, Variety has confirmed.

New York Post: MLB to stream games for free amid looming Diamond Sports bankruptcy

Story from New York Post:

Major League Baseball plans to step up to the plate to broadcast games of roughly a half-dozen teams from a bankruptcy-bound regional sports network provider so that fans don’t miss a single pitch, The Post has learned.

Hollywood Reporter; John Oliver Blasts Rupert Murdoch Amid Lawsuit Over Fox News Anchors’ Misleading Election Fraud Claims: “You Made These Monsters”

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

“If I may quote God on Judgment Day, I’d like to start with Fox News Channel, the network that answers the question, ‘What was on TV when Grandpa died?'”

Hollywood Reporter: Comcast Changes Segment Reporting to Align Sky With Connectivity and Content Businesses

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Comcast is changing its segment reporting to reflect how it accounts for its European pay TV business Sky, which it acquired in 2018 for around $40 billion.

Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery, Prime Video Unveil Launch Date, Pricing of Warner Pass Offer in France

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery and Amazon Prime Video have set the launch date and pricing for their ‘Warner Pass’ offer in France to March 16.

Deadline: Warner Bros. Discovery Rebrands Directors Program After U-Turn

Story from Deadline:

Warner Bros. Discovery is continuing its directors program after all.

New York Post: Michelle Yeoh shades CNN’s Don Lemon in Oscars 2023 acceptance speech

Story from New York Post:

She’s turning lemons into Lemon shade.

Hollywood Reporter: In Unusual Move, CNN Taps Two Exec Producers to Help Revive Morning

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

In an unusual setup for a cable news program, CNN has hired two executive producers to try and rejuvenate its CNN This Morning program, which is anchored by Don Lemon, Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow.

Broadband TV News: Serie A considering Sky Italia bid

Story from Broadband TV News:

Italy’s football league is considering a proposal to buy Sky Italia from its current owners Comcast.

Broadband TV News: More job losses at Sky Italia

Story from Broadband TV News:

A further 800 posts are under threat at Sky Italia with the broadcaster blaming touch economic conditions.

Hollywood Reporter: Roku Has $487M in Cash at Failed Silicon Valley Bank

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

The dramatic failure of Silicon Valley Bank on Friday will have a ripple effect that impacts the entertainment industry.

Hollywood Reporter; ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Lands ‘Dexter’ Director Michael Cuesta

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Michael Cuesta, the director behind the pilots for shows such as Dexter and Homeland, is helming the first episode for Marvel Studios’ Daredevil: Born Again.

Variety; Disney CEO Bob Iger Says MCU Needs ‘Newness,’ but There’s ‘Nothing Off’ About Marvel Brand: ‘Do You Need a Third and Fourth’ Sequel?

Story from Variety:

Disney CEO Bob Iger is touting “newness” when it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Variety: Bob Iger Is ‘Bullish’ on Disney+ but ‘We Were Off’ on Pricing Strategy and Needed to Rationalize Costs

Story from Variety:

Bob Iger, just over three months back as CEO of Disney, discussed major organizational changes he’s made at the company — and his optimism about making streaming, particularly Disney+, a profitable piece of the empire.

Hollywood Reporter; Bob Iger: Disney Will Reduce Costs on Films, TV Shows to Focus on Quality, Not Volume

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Disney CEO Bob Iger said Thursday that his company is closely examining all aspects of its content business, across film and TV, as it plots the best path forward in a tricky media environment that includes a linear TV business in decline, a theatrical film business with an uncertain future, and a streaming business that is growing but requires a path to profitability.

Variety; ‘Batman: Caped Crusader’ Moves to Amazon After HBO Max Axed J.J. Abrams, Matt Reeves Series

Story from Variety:

J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves’ animated series “Batman: Caped Crusader” has been picked up at Amazon after being scrapped at HBO Max, Variety has confirmed.

Deadline: Disney Chief Bob Iger Says It Is “Very Tricky” To Assess Hulu’s Long-Term Value As Decision Point With Comcast Approaches

Story from Deadline:

With the fate of Hulu’s ownership soon to be determined, Disney CEO Bob Iger says it is “very tricky” to pin down its long-term value given that streaming overall is still in a “nascent” stage.

Deadline: Comcast “Happy” To Sell Hulu Stake To Disney As Deadline Looms; Other Options “Must Be Better, In Our Minds, Than That”

Story from Deadline:

Comcast President Mike Cavanagh said the media giant would of course consider alternative proposals for its stake in Hulu but they’d have to top its longstanding agreement to sell its remaining stake in the streamer to Disney next year.

Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros. Discovery CFO Says Reduced Content Spend Has Trimmed “Excess”

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Gunnar Wiedenfels said the worst of a challenging effort to combine AT&T’s WarnerMedia unit and Discovery is now behind the Hollywood studio eleven months after the merger.

Variety; Warner Bros. Discovery CFO on ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Lord of the Rings’ Franchises: ‘We’re Only Just Starting to Expand’

Story from Variety:

Never fear, genre fans: Warner Bros. Discovery is intent on mining as much of its tentpole Warner Bros. IP as possible in the near future, whether that be through its upcoming revamped DC Universe, the newly announced “The Lord of the Rings” movies, or more projects based on J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” franchise amid the success of video game “Hogwarts Legacy.”

Variety; James Gunn Fires Back at ‘Racist’ Marvel Troll Upset by ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Villain Casting: ‘I Don’t Give a S— What Ethnicity He Is’

Story from Variety:

James Gunn is the new co-head of DC Studios, where he’s shepherding a new DC Universe that will include movies about Superman, Supergirl and more, but first Gunn will return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the release of his trilogy-ending “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.” The new Marvel tentpole pits the eponymous superhero gang against the High Evolutionary, played by Chukwudi Iwuji.

Variety: CW Taps iSpot to Count LIV Golf Tournament Viewers

Story from Variety:

The CW is hoping advertisers will take another swing at its unorthodox new golf tournament if it offers some different ways of doing transactions that involve it.

Hollywood Reporter: Jon Bernthal Returning as the Punisher for ‘Daredevil: Born Again’

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Jon Bernthal is returning to his most punishing role. The actor will reprise Frank Castle, aka antihero the Punisher, in Marvel Studios’ Daredevil: Born Again for Disney+, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.

Daily Mail: James Gunn reveals he's unveiled 'less than half' of DC Studios slate

Story from Daily Mail:

It's been just over a month since James Gunn unveiled his DC Studios slate, and it seems there is much more in store to be unveiled.

Broadband TV News: Liberty Global’s Fries says EU consolidation hopes lack reality

Story from Broadband TV News:

Liberty Global boss Mike Fries has described the European Commission’s interest in cross-border telecom consolidation as a “a dream that doesn’t reflect reality”.

Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros. Discovery Renews HBO Content Deal With Japan’s U-Next Streaming Service

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Warner Bros. Discovery has renewed a content output deal with Japanese streamer U-Next.

Variety: HBO Shows to Play Exclusively in Middle East on OSN Under Expanded Deal With Warner Bros. Discovery

Story from Variety:

Middle East satellite and streaming platform OSN Group has extended its relationship with Warner Bros. Discovery forging a new multi-year licensing deal under which it will become the exclusive home for HBO content in the region.

Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros. Discovery Tweaks Executive Pay, David Zaslav and Other Execs to Get Bonuses Based on Free Cash Flow, Debt Reduction

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Warner Bros. Discovery is shifting its corporate focus to generating free cash flow and reducing its debt load, and it wants its top executives on the same page.

BET Takeover - Deadline: Byron Allen & Tyler Perry Eyeing BET As Paramount Explores Sale Of Majority Stake

Story from Deadline:

Byron Allen said he wants to buy BET as Paramount Global is looking at sale of the asset. He is the second suitor after Tyler Perry, who also is said to have expressed interest.

Deadline; Arrowverse Co-Creator Marc Guggenheim On Not Getting Call From DC Studio Bosses James Gunn & Peter Safran: “I Really Wasted My Time”

Story from Deadline:

Marc Guggenheim, the creator of the Arrowverse, shared that he was disappointed in not getting a call from Peter Safran and James Gunn to construct the new DC Universe.

Hollywood Reporter: John Malone and Charter Directors Reach $87.5M Deal to Settle Investor Suit

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

A seven-year old lawsuit alleging billionaire John Malone was illegally compensated through a side deal in Charter’s 2015 acquisition of Time Warner Cable has settled for $87.5 million.

Hollywood Reporter: Paramount Will Pay $122.5M to Settle CBS-Viacom Merger Lawsuit

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Paramount Global has agreed to settle a shareholder lawsuit that claimed that the 2019 CBS-Viacom merger was unfair for shareholders.

Deadline: Lionsgate Re-Ups Vice Chairman Michael Burns And COO Brian Goldsmith With Starz Transaction Looming

Story from Deadline:

As it gets set to reveal plans for the likely separation of Starz and the Lionsgate movie and TV studio, Lionsgate has re-upped two key members of its management team: Vice Chairman Michael Burns and COO Brian Goldsmith.

Deadline: ‘The Penguin’ Casts Clancy Brown As Salvatore Maroni

Story from Deadline:

The Penguin has found its mob moss.

Deadline: CW Says LIV Golf’s Opening Tourney Averaged More Than 3 Million

Story from Deadline:

Using data from iSpotTV along with internal CW and LIV results, CW says LIV’s opening weekend at Camaleón Mayakoba Golf Course in Mexico averaged more than 3.2 million total viewers across all linear and digital platforms from February 24-26.

New York Post; CNN on track for smallest audience of viewers age 25 to 54 since 2014: report

Story from New York Post:

The hard knocks keep coming for ratings-challenged CNN, which is on pace to finish February with its smallest monthly audience among viewers age 25 to 54 since June 2014.

Deadline: CNN Sets April Debut For ‘News Central’ Dayside Lineup

Story from Deadline:

CNN will launch its new dayside lineup in April as CNN News Central, an effort to highlight its newsgathering and coverage of breaking stories and events.

Hollywood Reporter: Liberty Media Fourth-Quarter Revenue Grows Across SiriusXM, Atlanta Braves, F1 Units

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Liberty Media, the company controlled by billionaire mogul John Malone that houses assets like audio entertainment giant SiriusXM, the Atlanta Braves baseball club and the Formula One racing circuit, reported fourth-quarter financials on Wednesday.

Variety: ESPN Chief Pitaro’s Executive Shuffle Puts Burke Magnus Over Content, Rosalyn Durant Over Sports Rights

Story from Variety:

ESPN is getting in on the biggest game at corporate parent Disney: shuffling top executive ranks in the wake of the return of CEO Bob Iger.

Hollywood Reporter: HGTV Orders More of Two Young Shows, With an Eye on Diversifying Talent and Streaming Output

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

HGTV, like all legacy Discovery channels, can no longer program exclusively for cable. There’s also streamer Discovery+ to think of, and, in a few months, Warner Bros. Discovery’s HBO Max replacement that will also include the sprawling lifestyle roster. So, naturally, orders aren’t slowing down.

Hollywood Reporter; David Zaslav Chases the One Metric to Rule Them All: Streaming Profits

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

If the past five years were about chasing Netflix’s up-and-to-the-right trajectory for streaming subscribers, this year begins a pivot in that approach for its rivals.