Broadband TV News: Sky Deutschland loses Bundesliga conference rights to DAZN

Story from Broadband TV News:

German Pay-TV operator Sky Deutschland will no longer be able to broadcast its iconic Saturday afternoon Bundesliga conference from the 2025/26 season.

Broadband TV News: Play Group selects Nagravision to secure recently acquired pay-TV service

Story from Broadband TV News:

Nagravision has announced a partnership with Play Poland, part of the French iliad Group, who have selected the Nagra OneCAS solution to secure the former payTV service of UPC Polska, one of the major network operators in Poland acquired from Liberty Global Group in 2022.

Broadband TV News: ORF to terminate SD distribution on Astra

Story from Broadband TV News:

Austrian public broadcaster ORF will discontinue the SD distribution of its domestic television channels via Astra (19.2° East) on 7 January 2025.

Broadband TV News: MultiChoice and eMedia resolve legal dispute

Story from Broadband TV News:

A long running dispute between MultiChoice and channel provider eMedia has been brought to an end.

Advanced Television: López appointed RTVE president

Story from Advanced Television:

José Pablo López has been appointed as the president of Spain public broadcaster RTVE.

Deadline: Lionsgate Closing In On Studio-Starz Split

Story from Deadline:

Lionsgate moved a step closer to a planned split of the studio from Starz with an SEC filing today officially marking its plans.

Broadband TV News: Tele Columbus loses 40% of TV customers

Story from Broadband TV News:

The termination of billing tenants’ cable TV subscription with the ancillary costs is taking its toll on Tele Columbus.

Broadband TV News: Interim injunction threatens Vivendi vote on company split

Story from Broadband TV News:

A 0.025% shareholder is threatening to derail Vivendi’s General Shareholders’ Meeting on December 9.

Broadband TV News: Walt Disney Company names Karl Holmes GM, Disney+, EMEA

Story from Broadband TV News:

Karl Holmes has been named SVP, Direct to Consumer & General Manager, Disney+, EMEA and will be stepping into the role in January 2025.

Advanced Television: Movistar raises fees again

Story from Advanced Television:

For the third time in 12 months, Movistar has announced it will increase its subscription fees (from January 13th 2025) by an average of €3 a month.

Variety: Warner Bros. Launches Water Tower Color Postproduction Facility

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. is expanding its postproduction services with the opening of Water Tower Color on its studio lot in Burbank

Advanced Television; Hungary: SkyShowtime partners with Magyar Telekom

Story from Advanced Television:

SkyShowtime is continuing to expand its entertainment offering with its first partnership in Hungary, partnering with Magyar Telekom, one of the country’s leading telcos.

Advanced Television: Musk to buy MSNBC?

Story from Advanced Television:

Broadcasting giant Comcast is spinning off almost all of its cable channels into a new company, including MSNBC, seen by many as a liberal news channel.

Hollywood Reporter: CNN Anchor Kaitlan Collins Adds Role as Chief White House Correspondent

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

CNN is giving primetime anchor Kaitlan Collins an expanded role at the cable news channel.

Deadline: Comcast CEO Brian Roberts Sells $20 Million Worth Of Stock

Story from Deadline:

Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts just sold $20.4 million worth of stock in the media giant.

Deadline: Warner Bros Discovery Sued For Misleading Investors On NBA Before Losing It

Story from Deadline:

A shareholder has sued Warner Bros Discovery, the soon-to-be former home of the NBA, for violating securities law by misleading investors on the impact of losing its long-standing rights deal with the league.

Deadline: Double Jeopardy! CBS Hits Back At Sony In Game Show Profits & Rights Battle

Story from Deadline:

Less than a month after Sony whacked CBS with a breach of contract lawsuit over blockbuster game shows Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, the soon to be Skydance-owned broadcaster is slamming Sony as a bad actor looking to snag the shows for next to nothing.

Variety: Is Comcast’s Cable Spinoff a Buyer or a Seller?

Story from Variety:

Comcast is carving off most of its cable channels. Will its new spinoff be a hunter or prey?

Deadline: Allen Media Group Shuttering The Weather Channel En Español

Story from Deadline:

Allen Media Group is shuttering The Weather Channel en Español at year end, the latest hit in a round of belt-tightening.

Variety: Disney to Pay $43 Million to Settle Class Action Over Gender Pay Gap

Story from Variety:

Disney has agreed to pay $43.25 million to settle a class action lawsuit that accused the company of systematically paying women less than male employees with the same experience.

Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery Appoints Allan Sperling as Group Vice President of Programming, Networks and Streaming in Nordics

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery has appointed veteran executive Allan Sperling as its new group vice president of programming, networks and streaming in the Nordic region.

Broadband TV News: Ziggo and Netflix launch joint advertising campaign

Story from Broadband TV News:

Ziggo and Netflix have launched a joint advertising campaign to introduce a new “bundle” that combines live sports and entertainment: the Netflix & Ziggo Sport Totaal package.

Broadband TV News: Plex announces app redesign

Story from Broadband TV News:

Plex has unveiled a preview of an app redesign that is slared for a full release in early 2025.

Advanced Television: Telenor Sweden CEO stepping down

Story from Advanced Television:

At the end of the year, Bjørn Ivar Moen has announce he will leave the position as CEO of Telenor Sweden. Recruitment of a new CEO will be announced shortly.

Advanced Television: MultiChoice CEO exiting

Story from Advanced Television:

MultiChoice CEO, Marc Jury, has announced he will leave the South African pay-TV operator at the end of March 2025.

Advanced Television: Banijay Rights signs package deal with ABC

Story from Advanced Television:

Banijay Rights, the distribution arm of content powerhouse Banijay Entertainment, has signed a scripted and factual package deal with Australian public broadcaster ABC.

Variety; BBC, Banijay Execs Unpack International Series Adaptations in India at Film Bazaar: ‘Transposing Is Where the Magic Happens’

Story from Variety:

A panel of leading television executives and creators at Film Bazaar discussed the intricacies of adapting international series for Indian audiences.

Broadband TV News: Renewal for Sky’s Day of the Jackal

Story from Broadband TV News:

An unrivalled and highly elusive lone assassin, the Jackal, (Eddie Redmayne) makes his living carrying out hits for the highest fee.

Deadline: Laine Kline, Head Of International Production At Amazon MGM Studios, Steps Down

Story from Deadline:

Laine Kline, Head of International Production at Amazon MGM Studios, is stepping down from his position at the end of this year, we can reveal.

Hollywood Reporter: NBCUniversal Vice Chairman Bonnie Hammer to Exit at End of the Year

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Bonnie Hammer is set to exit NBCUniversal after 35 years with the company, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

Variety: Disney CEO Bob Iger Sells $42.7 Million Worth of Company Stock

Story from Variety:

Bob Iger, chief executive of Disney, cashed out a chunk of his stock options worth $42.7 million, according to a regulatory filing.

Broadband TV News: DAZN app now available via Telenet TV box

Story from Broadband TV News:

The DAZN app has been added to the Telenet TV box in Belgium.

BizAsia: Sony Pictures Networks India secures media rights for Asia Cup cricket until 2031

Story from BizAsia:

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has announced Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) (Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited) as the exclusive media rights holder for all ACC tournaments from 2024 to 2031.

Deadline: ‘Have I Got News For You’ Renewed For Season 2 By CNN

Story from Deadline:

'Have I Got News for You, CNN‘s American adaptation of the long-running BBC comedy panel series, has been renewed for a second season, the network said Thursday.

Paramount Global for sale latest - Deadline: Paramount Global Sets $1 Million Payouts To HR & Government Affairs Heads When Skydance Deal Closes

Story from Deadline:

More cash is set to flow for Paramount Global executives as the company said two will each receive bonuses of $1 million when the company’s sale to Skydance closes as part of a “transaction award program.”

Variety: DirecTV Ditches Dish Deal

Story from Variety:

The U.S.’s two satellite TV providers aren’t getting hitched anymore, at least anytime soon.

Deadline; The Streaming Divide: How NBCU’s Entertainment Networks Ended Up On Different Sides In Comcast Spinoff After Years Of Integration

Story from Deadline:

Comcast’s decision to spin off most of its cable networks has split NBCUniversal‘s linear networks into two groups, with NBC and Bravo (as well as Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo) staying within Comcast alongside streamer Peacock and the TV studios, and the rest, including USA Network, Syfy, E! and Oxygen as well as MSNBC, CNBC and the Golf Channel, moving to stand-alone offshoot SpinCo led by NBCUniversal Media Group chairman Mark Lazarus.

Deadline: Fox Entertainment & Hulu Extend Major Streaming Deal With Pact Worth North Of $1.5B

Story from Deadline:

Fox Entertainment and Hulu are staying in business together in a major way.

Hollywood Reporter: All Bets Are Off for MSNBC, CNBC and Bravo: Behind the TV Spinoff That Will Shake Up Cable

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

The Sunday before Election Day, NBCUniversal had corporate synergy in full swing.

Broadband TV News: Disney+ to offer advertisers independent audience measurement in Europe

Story from Broadband TV News:

Disney+ has joined with AudienceProject to provide advertisers with independent audience measurement of Disney+ ad campaigns in selected European countries.

Deadline: FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel To Depart Agency On January 20, When Donald Trump Takes Office

Story from Deadline:

Jessica Rosenworcel, the first woman to serve as permanent FCC chair, will depart the agency on January 20, the day of Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Hollywood Reporter: News Corp. Investors Reject Proposal to Scrap Dual Class Share Structure

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

A major shareholder proposal calling for News Corp. to scrap its dual-class share structure was voted down on Wednesday.

Advanced Television: With Max Launching in 7 Asian Markets, Warner Bros. Discovery Eyes Rapid Growth

Story from Advanced Television:

Max, the streaming service from Warner Bros Discovery, is now available to stream in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, as well as Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Broadband TV News: wedotv launches FAST Channel wedotv True Stories

Story from Broadband TV News:

AVOD and FAST Channel provider wedotv is launching another free TV channel with wedotv True Stories.

Deadline: Comcast Spinoff Of Cable Networks Leaves Questions Of How A Split Between MSNBC And NBC News Will Work

Story from Deadline:

Comcast‘s announcement Wednesday that it will spin off nearly all of its cable networks has left a host of questions as to the path forward, particularly given the intertwined nature of NBC News with MSNBC and, to a lesser extent, CNBC.

Hollywood Reporter: Comcast’s Cable Channels Spin-Off Gets Mixed Wall Street Reaction

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

“A real opportunity to invest and build additional scale” and a “new growth trajectory.”

BBC News: TV networks MSNBC and CNBC to be spun off by Comcast

Story from BBC News:

US media giant Comcast is set to spin off its NBCUniversal cable television arm, as the industry continues to struggle with the emergence of streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Deadline: After Comcast Cable Spinoff, NBCUniversal Will Have To Develop Some New Sports Muscles

Story from Deadline:

After a few bumpy outings due to Covid and less-than-optimal host cities, the Olympics flourished last summer in Paris, with viewership gains and advertising records.

Variety: Netflix Sued Over Technical Glitches in ‘Unwatchable’ Jake Paul-Mike Tyson Boxing Match

Story from Variety:

At least one Netflix customer was disappointed enough over the company’s glitchy livestream of last Friday’s fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson that he’s gone to court.

Broadband TV News: Canal+ Polska expands playout capability with Cinegy

Story from Broadband TV News:

Canal+ Polska has chosen video technology solutions provider Cinegy for an expansion of its playout capability.

Broadband TV News: New agreement with Disney+ completes Telia’s streaming offer

Story from Broadband TV News:

Telia says it is the first and only supplier in Sweden with a complete range of the largest streaming services in the same place after a new agreement to carry Disney+.

Hollywood Reporter: Comcast to Spin Off Cable Nets Under CEO Mark Lazarus, Touting “New Growth Trajectory,” Deals

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Comcast made things official on Wednesday, unveiling the spinoff of most of its cable networks into a separate entity, led by Mark Lazarus as CEO, promising “a new growth trajectory” for the combined assets.

Advanced Television: 2024 UCI Track Champions League on Warner Bros Discovery platforms

Story from Advanced Television:

The UCI Track Champions League returns on November 23rd – with every moment from every race from each of the five rounds broadcast live on Warner Bros Discovery platforms in Europe, across Eurosport and its streaming platforms Max and discovery+.

Advanced Television; Report: BBC Studios faces challenges long-term

Story from Advanced Television:

BBC Studios, the BBC’s main commercial arm, has returned £1.9 billion (€2.2bn) to the BBC by substantially growing its income and profits – reaching £1.8 billion and £202 million in 2023-24 – but needs to continue to evolve in a dynamic market to meet ambitious growth plans, a new National Audit Office (NAO) report has found.

Hollywood Reporter: Netflix Sued Over Alleged Backroom Deal With Meta to Stand Down on Streaming

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

In 2015, Meta had a problem with its ad business.

Variety: Comcast Plans Massive Cable Spin-Off, Separating USA, MSNBC and More From NBC, Theme Parks

Story from Variety:

After spending billions to snare control of the massive media portfolio known as NBCUniversal, parent company Comcast now plans to break it up.

Broadband TV News: Warner Bros Discovery gains rights extension after legal dispute

Story from Broadband TV News:

Warner Bros Discovery has extended its agreement with the National Basketball Association for a further 11 years.

Advanced Television: DAZN partners with EuroLeague Women

Story from Advanced Television:

DAZN, the sports streaming platform, and FIBA Europe have announced DAZN as the global broadcast partner for action from EuroLeague Women this season.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Hollywood Reporter: Incoming FCC Chairman Says ’60 Minutes’ Complaint “Likely to Arise” in Review of Skydance Deal

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

The Federal Communications Commission is likely to take a close look at a distortion complaint filed against CBS over its editing of an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.

Broadband TV News: Max available to stream in Southeast Asia, Taiwan And Hong Kong

Story from Broadband TV News:

Warner Bros Discovery streaming service Max is now officially live in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, as well as Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Hollywood Reporter: Canal+ CEO Touts “Super-Aggregator Strategy,” Says “Overspending Kills”

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Canal+, the pay-TV business of French media and telecom conglomerate Vivendi, on Monday shared its core beliefs and business strategies ahead of its planned split from Vivendi into a separate stock listed in London.

Deadline: Milestone PBS-Amazon Deal Will Bring 150 Local Stations, Two New FAST Channels To Prime Video

Story from Deadline:

A new day is dawning for public television in the streaming era, with PBS and Amazon reaching a deal to bring 150 local stations, PBS Kids and two new FAST channels to Prime Video.

Variety: John Malone on M&A Revving Up Under Trump Administration, the Future of Sports and Threats From Big Tech’s ‘Almost Monopolies’

Story from Variety:

John Malone sees M&A activity in media stepping up in a significant way now that regime change is coming in Washington, D.C.

Hollywood Reporter: ‘Inside the NBA’ Will Air on ESPN and ABC as Part of Settlement Between Warner Bros. Discovery and NBA, AP Sources Say

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Inside the NBA will appear on ESPN and ABC beginning next season as part of a settlement between Warner Bros. Discovery and the NBA.

Hollywood Reporter: Trump Picks Brendan Carr as Next FCC Chair

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

President-Elect Donald Trump has chosen FCC commissioner Brendan Carr to be its next chairman.

Broadband TV News: Harry Kane becomes brand ambassador for Sky Stream

Story from Broadband TV News:

England captain – and Bundesliga top scorer – Harry Kane has become a brand ambassador for Sky Stream in the German market.

Broadband TV News: A1 Serbia launches SkyShowtime

Story from Broadband TV News:

A1 Serbia has become the first mobile operator in Serbia to partner with SkyShowtime.

Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery, NBA Settle Legal Fight Over TV Rights

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery will stay on the court with the NBA in a new settlement that gives the media company a chance to keep professional basketball in its overall lineup, even as it cedes U.S. rights to traditional TV games to rivals.

Hollywood Reporter: Disney Stock Rises Post-Earnings as Wall Street Reacts to Longer-Term Guidance

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Disney shares rocketed higher in Thursday trading after the major studio, led by CEO Bob Iger, reported its latest quarterly results, including strong film unit results, driven by the likes of Deadpool & Wolverine and Inside Out 2.

Broadband TV News: Last minute renewal for Eurosport on Canal+

Story from Broadband TV News:

Canal+ has announced a new distribution agreement for Eurosport in France and Switzerland.

Broadband TV News: EU Court dismisses Telekom challenge to Vodafone-Liberty deal

Story from Broadband TV News:

The European Court of Justice has ruled that Vodafone’s 2018 takeover of Germany’s Unitymedia was legitimate.

Broadband TV News: Eurosport-Canal+ carriage agreement ends

Story from Broadband TV News:

Canal+ subscribers in France face the prospect of losing Eurosport after the carriage agreement between the two partners expired without a new settlement in place.

Broadband TV News: William Linders to head Viaplay Nederlands

Story from Broadband TV News:

Former VodafoneZiggo executive William Linders has been named as the new chief executive of Viaplay in the Netherlands.

Hollywood Reporter: John Malone Says Next Iteration of Liberty “May Not Be In the Media Business” as He Forecasts Moves

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

John Malone has never been afraid to shake up his businesses.

Deadline: John Malone Says Big Tech Is “Running Wild”

Story from Deadline:

“Tying an industry’s hands behind its back, and allowing big tech to run wild in any direction they chose to run in is inappropriate,” insisted Liberty Media chair and early cable pioneer John Malone, slamming tech giants that are “almost monopolies” for the second time this week.

Hollywood Reporter; Bob Iger on Disney M&A Under Trump: “We Don’t Really Need More Assets Right Now”

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

While other media and entertainment companies are planning for more M&A under the Trump administration, Disney CEO Bob Iger said the company will likely not go that route.

Hollywood Reporter: Disney CEO Bob Iger to Sell Up to $41M in Stock

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Disney CEO Bob Iger is planning to sell some of his shares in the company.

Deadline: Disney Sets Date For ESPN Tile To Be Added To Disney+

Story from Deadline:

Disney will add an ESPN tile to Disney+ on December 4, giving subscribers to its “trio” streaming bundle access to ESPN+ content when they are on Disney+.

Deadline: Bob Iger Defends Disney’s Pricey 2019 Fox Acquisition – Emmys, ‘Avatar’ Came From That Deal, “I Could Go On And On”

Story from Deadline:

Disney’s 2019 acquisition of most 20th Century Fox assets in a deal worth north of $71 billion enriched the Murdoch family but also swelled Disney’s debt and continues to have a mixed response from Wall Street.

Deadline: Disney Touts Two-Year Turnaround Behind Studio’s Stellar Quarter

Story from Deadline:

Just a year ago, Disney CEO Bob Iger was in the midst of an ongoing apology tour for the studio after string of tepid box office returns.

New York Post; ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ helps push Disney past Wall Street estimates: ‘Well positioned for growth’

Story from New York Post:

Walt Disney reported earnings that topped Wall Street’s estimates on Thursday, propelled by blockbuster ticket sales from the rude and irreverent summer Marvel film “Deadpool & Wolverine,” and provided an upbeat forecast for the coming year.

Hollywood Reporter: Disney Expects to Spend $24B on Content Next Year

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Disney expects to spend $24 billion in content in its fiscal 2025, up slightly from 2024 when the company says it spent $23.4 billion.

The Hollywood Reporter: Disney, Reliance Close Megadeal to Form Indian Entertainment Powerhouse

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

The Walt Disney Co., Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL), and Viacom 18 Media Private Ltd. said Thursday that the merger of the media and JioCinema businesses of Viacom18 into Star India has become effective, creating a big joint venture in India. In addition, RIL has invested around $1.4 billion into the joint venture (JV) for its growth.

Paramount Global for sale latest - Hollywood Reporter: Ben Affleck Praises Skydance Deal for Paramount: David Ellison Is an Owner, Not “Management Class”

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Ben Affleck has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind, and while on a panel at CNBC’s Delivering Alpha Summit on Wednesday, he weighed in on a number of topics being closely watched by Hollywood, including the looming deal for Skydance to buy Paramount and the growing use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) by the industry.

Advanced Television: AGCOM clears Swisscom’s Vodafone Italia

Story from Advanced Television:

Following the announcement of the acquisition of Vodafone Italia on March 15th, Swisscom notified the transaction to the Italian Authority for Communications (AGCOM) on September 17th.

Advanced Television: Mixed Q3 for ProSiebenSat.1

Story from Advanced Television:

In the first nine months of 2024, German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1 Group reported it generated Group revenues of €2.6 billion.

Advanced Television: Sky Italia projects positive EBITDA for 2024

Story from Advanced Television:

Sky Italia CEO Andrea Duilio projects a positive EBITDA in the triple digits for 2024 for the pay-TV broadcaster, following years of significant losses, including €542 million in 2023 and €735 million in 2022.

Variety: Disney+ Core Subs Top 120 Million as Streaming Biz Profit Grows, ‘Inside Out 2,’ ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Drive Film Results

Story from Variety:

Disney ended its 2024 fiscal year with 122.7 million Disney+ Core paid subscribers, an increase of 4.4 million subs over the September quarter three month period — better than expected.

Deadline: Nelson Peltz Says He Played “Matchmaker” For Elon Musk And Donald Trump; Blames “Index Funds” For Losing Disney Proxy Battle

Story from Deadline:

Investor Nelson Peltz believes he played matchmaker for Donald Trump and Elon Musk at a breakfast together in late spring with Peltz’ son Diesel.

Hollywood Reporter: Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei to Step Down At End of 2024

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Liberty Media Corporation CEO Greg Maffei will step down from his role at the end of 2024.

Variety: Netflix Film’s Niija Kuykendall to Exit in December

Story from Variety:

Netflix film executive Niija Kuykendall is leaving the streamer after three years.

Deadline: EchoStar Stock Plunges After Dish Network Debt Holders Spurn Bond Deal Seen As Key To DirecTV Merger

Story from Deadline:

EchoStar stock plunged 13% Tuesday on the news that bondholders of subsidiary Dish Network rejected a proposed debt deal seen as key to sealing a merger with satellite rival DirecTV.

Broadband TV News: Sport1 spins off pay-TV business to Sportdigital

Story from Broadband TV News:

German TV broadcaster Sport1 will close its pay-TV channels Sport1+ and eSports1 at the end of 2024.

Hollywood Reporter: Charter Communications to Acquire John Malone’s Liberty Broadband in All-Stock Deal

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Cable TV giant Charter Communications and Liberty Broadband Corp. have entered into a definitive agreement under which Charter has agreed to acquire Liberty Broadband, part of the empire of John Malone, in an all-stock transaction.

BizAsia: Sony Pictures Networks India appoints Sibaji Biswas as Chief Financial Officer

Story from BizAsia:

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has announced he appointment of Sibaji Biswas as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective the first week of January 2025.

Advanced Television: SABC at risk of collapse

Story from Advanced Television:

A proposed restructuring of South Africa’s public broadcaster SABC by the country’s Communications & Digital Technology parliamentary committee has been stopped by the nation’s Communications minister Solly Malatsi.

Deadline: Disney CEO Succession Process To Officially Include Outside Candidates

Story from Deadline:

Disney‘s process to identify CEO Bob Iger‘s successor will officially include external candidates as well as four current executives.

Deadline; The CW Layoffs: Scripted Chief Liz Wise Lyall & Unscripted Deputy Betsy Slenzak Among Execs Impacted

Story from Deadline:

The fallout around The CW’s layoffs is starting to emerge.

Deadline: Disney Settles Multi-Million Dollar Pay Equity Class Action As 2025 Trial Nears

Story from Deadline:

Just over six months before the Walt Disney company was scheduled to go to trial in a potentially $300 million pay equity class action, the parties have come to a deal.

Deadline: ‘The Late Late Show’ Producer & Ex-Monkey Exec Set Up BBC Studios-Backed Jolly Octopus

Story from Deadline:

BBC Studios has backed Jolly Octopus, a production company founded by The Late Late Show with James Coden executive producer James Longman and Ollie Brack, a former Monkey executive.

Hollywood Reporter: Chris Licht Has a Few Ideas About the Future of Media

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Chris Licht has had nothing but time since leaving CNN nearly a year and a half ago.

Hollywood Reporter: RTL Cuts 2024 Revenue Outlook on German TV Ad Softness, “Lower Growth” in Production Market

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

RTL Group, Europe’s largest broadcaster, reduced its full-year 2024 revenue forecast after a weaker-than-expected third quarter amid softer TV advertising trends in Germany, where the company was affected by the Summer Olympics in Paris.

Variety: CW Lays Off More Than Two Dozen Employees Across Publicity, Development Teams

Story from Variety:

The CW has laid off several employees across its publicity and program development teams, Variety has learned.

Paramount Global for sale latest - Variety: Paramount Shareholder Mario Gabelli Is Still Mulling Lawsuit Over Skydance Deal

Story from Variety:

Billionaire investor Mario Gabelli still has not decided whether he’ll mount a legal challenge to Skydance Media‘s merger with Paramount Global.

Variety: Amazon Is Shutting Down Freevee, Its Ad-Supported Video Streamer

Story from Variety:

RIP, Freevee.

Variety: Prime Video in New Zealand Expands With Add-On Bundles, Movie Store for Non-Members

Story from Variety:

Prime Video has launched a raft of add-on subscriptions and its Prime Video Store in New Zealand.

Broadband TV News: MultiChoice subscriber base declines

Story from Broadband TV News:

Multichoice Group says it is maintaining “strategic momentum”, despite macroeconomic challenges that have led to a 5% drop in its subscriber base.

Deadline: John Malone Wants To Know “How Elon Musk’s Brain Works”; Iconic Investor & Liberty Media Chair Talks Politics, Policy, Warner Bros. Discovery, Favorite Stocks

Story from Deadline:

John Malone, the cable pioneer, iconic investor, David Zaslav mentor and major shareholder of Warner Bros. Discovery, said crippling debt plagued the conglom post-merger but it slowly is starting to see some light.

Advanced Television: MyFree DirecTV goes live in US

Story from Advanced Television:

DirecTV has launched its dedicated free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) platform – MyFree DirecTV – in the US, a few days ahead of schedule.

Deadline: Netflix Ad Tier Hits 70M Monthly Users, Nearly Doubling In Six Months

Story from Deadline:

Netflix is marking the two-year anniversary of its launch of advertising by revealing that its ad tier now reaches 70 million monthly active users globally, up from 40 million as of mid-May.

Deadline: AMC Networks Reports Downturn In Many Financial Areas, But Stock Perks Up On Q3 Beat

Story from Deadline:

Shares in AMC Networks, which have declined by more than 50% in 2024 to date, gained 3% Friday after the company posted third-quarter results ahead of Wall Street analysts’ expectations.

Paramount Global for sale latest - Deadline: Paramount Co-CEO Chris McCarthy Feels Good About Paramount+’s Position “To Remain A Standalone”

Story from Deadline:

“We feel good about our position and our ability to remain a standalone.”

Hollywood Reporter: EchoStar Posts Loss of Dish, Gain of Sling TV Subs in Third Quarter, Raises $5.2B in Fresh Capital

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

EchoStar, which recently agreed to sell its Dish and Sling TV businesses to DirecTV to create a new pay-TV giant, lost 43,000 net pay-TV subscribers in the third quarter, compared with a drop of 64,000 in the year-ago period, the company said on Tuesday.

Deadline: Chris Wallace To Depart CNN After Three Years At Network

Story from Deadline:

Chris Wallace is departing CNN after three years, the network confirmed today.

Deadline: Banijay Rights Hires StudioCanal TV’s Sarah Mottershead To Join EMEA Team

Story from Deadline:

Banijay Rights has hired Sarah Mottershead from StudioCanal TV for its EMEA team.

Deadline: Endeavor Selling OpenBet And IMG Arena In Ari Emanuel-Backed $450 Million Management Buyout

Story from Deadline:

Endeavor is selling OpenBet and IMG Arena in a management buyout backed by Ariel Emanuel, with participation from executives of OpenBet including its CEO Jordan Levin.

Advanced Television: News Corp in “active discussions” over Foxtel sale

Story from Advanced Television:

News Corp has confirmed that it is in “active discussions” over the sale of Foxtel, its Australian pay-TV unit, as the media group looks at ways to free the full value of all its assets.

Advanced Television: MultiChoice facing challenging period

Story from Advanced Television:

South Africa’s MultiChoice Group, itself now considerably under the influence of Canal+, has admitted it is facing financial headwinds.

Advanced Television: Mr Cinema brings DAZN to superyachts

Story from Advanced Television:

Mr Cinema, the go-to commercial content provider for superyachts, has announced a content partnership with DAZN, the sports streaming platform.

Advanced Television: Could Musk’s influence extend to FCC authorisation?

Story from Advanced Television:

The past months have seen a tennis match of submissions volley back and forth between SpaceX and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over granting SpaceX and its Starlink satellites access spectrum and link with the world’s smartphones.

Broadband TV News: Max added to Prime Video in two European markets

Story from Broadband TV News:

Max subscriptions added to Prime Video in Sweden and the Netherlands.

Hollywood Reporter: The Tycoon That May Decide the Fate of Warner Bros. Discovery In the Trump Era

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

What is John Malone up to? One of the long-running parlor games on Wall Street and in Hollywood is afoot again amid the media mogul’s noticeable portfolio-changing moves.

BizAsia: Reliance’s Viacom18 & Star India merged entity branded JioStar?

Story from BizAsia:

With only days remaining before the official trading launch of the significant merger between Reliance Industries’ Viacom18 and Disney’s Star India, speculation around imminent changes continues to grow.

Bizasia: Merger between Viacom18 & Disney Star India expected to conclude early next week

Story from BizAsia:

The highly anticipated merger between Reliance Industries’ Viacom18 and Walt Disney’s Star India is expected to reach completion by early next week.

Hollywood Reporter: AMC Networks U.S. Ad Revenue Drops 10 Percent, Streaming Subs Rise to 11.8M

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

AMC Networks — the company behind such cable channel brands as AMC, IFC and Sundance TV, as well as such streaming services as AMC+, Acorn TV and horror streamer Shudder — reported a 10 percent drop in third-quarter U.S. advertising revenue to $133 million on Friday.

Hollywood Reporter: After Trump Win, Hollywood Prepares for Megamergers — and Volatility

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

On Nov. 7, a day after Donald Trump’s presidential victory, Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav delivered a not-so-subtle message to Wall Street: It’s open season on dealmaking, and Hollywood is better off for it.

Broadband TV News: Massive loss ahead for Multichoice

Story from Broadband TV News:

Multichoice is warning shareholders that it expects to report significant losses for the first half of the year.

Advanced Television: AMC Networks takes full control of BBC America

Story from Advanced Television:

AMC Networks has reported financial results for Q3, and also announced that is has closed a transaction with BBC Studios which sees it acquired the remaining 50.1 per cent of the BBC America joint-venture that it had not previously owned for $42 million in cash.

Variety: TCM Warns Viewers of Potential Disruptions as Classic Movie Channel Upgrades its Broadcasting Technology

Story from Variety:

If you’re a fan of Turner Classic Movies, you may experience some interruptions in the coming weeks.

Broadband TV News: Liberty Global completes Sunrise spin-off

Story from Broadband TV News:

Liberty Global has completed the spin-off of its Swiss business, Sunrise, into a separate publicly traded company.

CNBC: TKO Group COO says Netflix could bid on UFC media rights

Story from CNBC:

UFC media rights are up for renewal next year, and TKO Group Chief Operating Officer Mark Shapiro tells me he thinks Netflix could be getting in the ring.

Paramount Global for sale latest - Variety: Paramount Global Adds 3.5 Million Streaming Subscribers in Q3 Bruised by TV, Movie Declines

Story from Variety:

Paramount Global added 3.5 million new Paramount+ subscribers in its third quarter, but those gains failed to offset meaningful declines in its larger TV and film businesses.

Deadline: Edith Mendoza Alva Exits As Netflix Director, Comedy

Story from Deadline:

Edith Mendoza Alva has departed Netflix after a three-year stint as Director, Comedy, Original Series.

Variety: Sony Pictures Profits Slip to $124 Million in Second Quarter as Group Makes 75% Leap

Story from Variety:

Sony Group Corporation reported little changed revenues of JPY2.91 trillion ($19 billion) for the July to September period, representing the second quarter of its April to March financial year.

Hollywood Reporter: Lionsgate Revenue Falls As CEO Concedes “Disappointing” Quarter

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Lionsgate released its second quarter financial results that follow the spinoff of the media giant’s studio business into a separately traded stock earlier this year.

Deadline: Donald Trump’s Win Could Finally End TV Station Ownership Cap, Nexstar CEO Perry Sook Says; Washington Must “Preserve Local Journalism”

Story from Deadline:

Returning to an issue that local TV station owners have railed about for years, Nexstar CEO Perry Sook said Donald Trump‘s election could help finally eliminate the cap on station ownership.

Variety: ‘Joker 2’ Was ‘Disappointing,’ Warner Bros. Discovery CEO Admits, as Execs Pressed on Possible Breakup

Story from Variety:

Two leading Wall Street analysts pressed executives at Warner Bros. Discovery about the possibility of breaking up the troubled media conglomerate as executives tried to defend their vision of operating the home of CNN, the Warner Bros. studio and the Max streaming service for the longer term.

Deadline: David Zaslav Says Donald Trump’s Re-Election Could Offer Media Business “A Pace Of Change And An Opportunity For Consolidation”

Story from Deadline:

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said Donald Trump‘s re-election as president bodes well for media M&A.

Advanced Television: Tennis Channel launching D2C service

Story from Advanced Television:

Tennis Channel is readying to launch its direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service that merges its flagship 24-hour network with live and on-demand multicourt coverage.

Hollywood Reporter: TV Station Giant Sinclair Misses Political Advertising Guidance After Late Ad Cancellations

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

TV broadcasting and media company Sinclair Inc. reported political revenue of $138 million for its third quarter, coming in slightly below its updated guidance.

Hollywood Reporter: ITV Studios Quarterly Revenue Falls 20 Percent, Hit by Hollywood Strikes; ITV Adds $13M in Cost Cuts

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

U.K. TV giant ITV, led by CEO Carolyn McCall, reported a 20 percent drop in revenue for its ITV Studios production arm on Thursday, “impacted by the phasing of deliveries and the 2023 U.S. writers’ and actors’ strike.”

Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros. Discovery Grows DTC Profit to $289M, Streaming Subs to 110.5M, Led by Olympics

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav told investors on Thursday the major studio is working to uncover the hidden value of key assets.

Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros. “Must Deliver More Consistency,” CEO David Zaslav Says After ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ Flop

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

After seeing pink last year with Barbie, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav on Thursday talked about strengthening his studios business going forward for consistency.

Hollywood Reporter: F1 Revenue Falls at Liberty Media, Company Completes Split-Off of SiriusXM

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Liberty Media, the company controlled by billionaire mogul John Malone that owns the Formula 1 racing circuit and a stake in Live Nation, reported third-quarter earnings Thursday.

Deadline: WWE & UFC Parent TKO Group Sees Q3 Gains – One Year In “Our Conviction In This Business Is As Strong As Ever”- CEO Ari Emanuel

Story from Deadline:

Ari Emanuel’s TKO Group beat some Wall Street estimates today with third quarter revenue for the WWE and UFC parent surging 52% to $681.2 million.

Deadline: Warner Bros. Discovery Sees Streaming Subs Rocket To 110 Million As International Rollout Gathers Pace, But Q3 Revenues Dip With Box Office Down

Story from Deadline:

Warner Bros Discovery added more than seven million net subscribers in the third quarter of 2024 as its international Max rollout gathered pace, but other key earnings metrics dipped versus 2023 as box office revenues tumbled.

Broadband TV News: SES secures €120 million in renewals and new business

Story from Broadband TV News:

SES’ Video business saw a near 7% reduction in revenues after lower revenues from mature markets.

Broadband TV News: Warner Bros Discovery records largest quarterly growth since Max launch

Story from Broadband TV News:

Warner Bros Discovery has grown streaming numbers by 7.2 million in Q3 to reach 110.5 million.

Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery Adds 7 Million Streaming Subs in Q3 to Hit 110 Million as Box Office Dives 40% in ‘Barbie’-Less Summer

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery reported its third-quarter 2024 earnings results Thursday.

Broadband TV News: ORF and ORS extend SES satellite contract

Story from Broadband TV News:

Astra satellite operator SES has extended its contracts with Austrian public broadcaster ORF and its content distribution subsidiary ORS Group for TV distribution on its 19.2° East orbital position.

Paramount Global for sale latest - Deadline: Shari Redstone And Son Tyler Korff Won’t Serve On Paramount Global Board After Close Of Skydance Merger

Story from Deadline:

Shari Redstone and her son, Tyler Korff, do not intend to serve on Paramount Global‘s board of directors after the close of the company’s pending merger with Skydance Media.

Deadline: In Latest Venu Sports Salvo, Fubo Says Disney, Fox And Warner Bros. Discovery Have “Artificial Advantage” In Streaming

Story from Deadline:

As a federal appeals court continues to review a lower court’s ruling against Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery, pay-TV operator Fubo has reasserted its main argument against the media giants.

Broadband TV News: Pluto TV announces new partnership with NBCUniversal

Story from Broadband TV News:

Pluto TV has announced a new partnership with NBCUniversal (NBCU) Global TV Distribution to bring an array of comedy, dramedy, iconic action, and fan favourites to viewers in the UK and Canada, starting November 1, 2024.

Broadband TV News: Disney+ to leave Canal+ from 2025

Story from Broadband TV News:

Canal+, which launched Disney+ in the French market, is to lose the streaming service from 1 January 2025.

Deadline: Netflix Responds To Reports That Offices In France & The Netherlands Raided In Alleged Tax Fraud & Concealed Employment

Story from Deadline:

Netflix has said it is cooperating with authorities in France following reports on Tuesday that its offices there and in the Netherlands had been raided as part of an investigation into alleged tax fraud and concealed employment.

Broadband TV News: waipu.tv adds four BBC FAST Channels

Story from Broadband TV News:

German TV streaming provider waipu.tv is adding four FAST Channels to its portfolio in collaboration with BBC Studios.

Broadband TV News: Warner Bros. Discovery and SES renew Astra deal

Story from Broadband TV News:

Astra satellite operator SES has extended its partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery in a multi-year contract renewal.

Broadband TV News: 1+1 Media introduces international Ukrainian FAST channel app

Story from Broadband TV News:

Ukrainian media company 1+1 Media has launched a new FAST channel app that feature FAST channels created for an international audience.

Broadband TV News: Canal+ commemorates 40th anniversary with (almost) true story

Story from Broadband TV News:

Canal+ has created a new promotional film that tells the story of the pay-TV operator in the guise of a trailer of a non-existent TV series.

Deadline: Amazon Beats Q3 Forecasts, Especially On The Bottom Line

Story from Deadline:

Amazon topped Wall Street estimates in the third quarter, posting an 11% rise in revenue compared with the year-ago quarter and diluted earnings per share of $1.43.

Variety: Netflix Communications Chief Rachel Whetstone, VP of Policy Dean Garfield Are Out

Story from Variety:

Netflix is looking to install a single exec to oversee its corporate communications and policy teams — and with that decision, chief communications officer Rachel Whetstone and VP of public policy Dean Garfield are leaving the company.

Variety: Political Ads, Soccer Drive Q1 Fox Profit

Story from Variety:

A surge in ad revenue tied to the coming 2024 presidential election and to a summer filled with soccer broadcasts boosted results in Fox Corp’s first fiscal quarter.

Broadband TV News: Telekom Srbija extends SES partnership

Story from Broadband TV News:

SES has announced the extension of its contract with Telekom Srbija for another four years for satellite services from SES’s Astra 3C satellite at 23.5 degrees East.

Broadband TV News: Warner Bros. Discovery appoints Deniz Sasmaz Oflaz to head Turkish business

Story from Broadband TV News:

Deniz Sasmaz Oflaz has been named vice president of local original productions, local channels and streaming operations for Turkey.

Broadband TV News: BBC Player grows presence in EMEA

Story from Broadband TV News:

The BBC’s international VOD service has made its debut in Greece, Slovakia and Czech Republic.

Hollywood Reporter: Paramount Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Over Sharing Subscriber Viewing History

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Paramount Global has been sued for allegedly tracking subscribers’ viewing history.

Advanced Television: Apple reports record Q4 services revenue

Story from Advanced Television:

Apple has reported financial results for its fiscal 2024 fourth quarter ended September 28th 2024.

Deadline: Charter CEO Chris Winfrey Sees “Pretty Significant Impact” From Adding More Streaming To Spectrum; Stock Jumps 15% On Q3 Results

Story from Deadline:

Charter Communications CEO Chris Winfrey said the company’s ongoing integration of streaming services for Spectrum TV and internet customers will have “a pretty significant impact on acquisition and retention.”

Advanced Television: Portuguese government admits DTT “a costly failure”

Story from Advanced Television:

Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) in Portugal has been a “costly failure”, currently being used by less than 3 per cent of the country’s population and costing RTP €8 million annually.

Hollywood Reporter: The Cable TV Business Is Dying. Is It Worth Saving?

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Comcast Corp. opened its latest earnings call with a surprise announcement: The Brian Roberts-run media giant was weighing whether to spin out its cable TV channels into a separate “well-capitalized company” that “would position them to take advantage of opportunities in the changing media landscape.”

Broadband TV News: BBC Studios launches 3 channels on Vodafone in Romania

Story from Broadband TV News:

BBC Studios has announced that from 1 November 2024, three BBC-branded channels will be available to the Romanian market through Vodafone Romania.