Thursday, 10 July 2025

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Paramount Global for sale latest - Page last updated on July 10th

Last updated on July 10th 2025:

We at Media Boy UK HQ will update this thread with more information as soon as we get any:

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Tuesday, 8 July 2025

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline; Paramount-Skydance: Latest 90-Day Merger Extension Kicks Off Today

Story from Deadline:

A second 90-day extension on Paramount Global’s proposed sale to David Ellison’s Skydance automatically triggered today as per the deal agreement, leaving the parties and the FCC more time to nail things down.

Deadline: FX Greenlights Comedy Pilot From ‘Reno 911’ Team; Robert Ben Garant, Cathy Shim & WWE’s Becky Lynch Among Cast

Story from Deadline:

FX has picked up the new workplace comedy pilot Movers, from creators and executive producers Robert Ben Garant and Cathy Shim. Garant co-created Comedy Central’s Reno 911!, in which Shim also starred. That mockumentary’s executive producers, Stacey Sher and Peter Principato, will EP the pilot with Jonny Shipes (BMF: The Rise and Fall of a Hip-Hop Drug Empire).

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Variety: Jon Stewart and Steve Kroft Break Down Paramount’s $16 Million Trump Settlement, Former ‘60 Minutes’ Correspondent Slams Deal as ‘Tribute to the King’

Story from Variety:

On this week’s episode of “The Daily Show,” host Jon Stewart was joined by journalist Steve Kroft to discuss Paramount’s $16 million settlement with Donald Trump, a deal the former “60 Minutes” correspondent called “tribute to the king.”

Monday, 7 July 2025

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - New York Post: CBS parent company sparks massive outrage with Trump lawsuit settlement

Story from New York Post:

Paramount Global and CBS’ eight-figure settlement to President Donald Trump has caused widespread outrage across the legal and journalism communities.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - New York Post: Trump says ‘60 Minutes’ lawsuit settlement is more than double the $16M that Paramount claims

Story from New York Post:

President Trump said his settlement with Paramount Global is worth more than twice the company’s stated figure of $16 million — confirming an exclusive report by The Post.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - New York Post: Expect CBS News to undergo a major overhaul under Skydance boss David Ellison

Story from New York Post:

If it were, say, just a decade ago, cachet and power would be conferred on Skydance founder and CEO David Ellison, the soon-to-be chief of Paramount and its once-holy grail of TV news, CBS.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Hollywood Reporter: The New Rules of Media Under Trump

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

On June 7, months into Paramount’s negotiations to settle a $20 billion lawsuit over CBS’ 60 Minutes, President Trump was spotted ringside at an UFC event in Newark, New Jersey. All the usual suspects came to greet him, including Marco Rubio, Mike Tyson and Joe Rogan.

Deadline: Netflix Promotes Łukasz Kłuskiewicz To Run TV & Movies Out Of CEE Region

Story from Deadline:

Netflix has promoted Łukasz Kłuskiewicz to run TV and movies in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region.

Broadband TV News: Icelandic partnership between Síminn and HBO

Story from Broadband TV News:

Síminn is to be a partner of Warner Bros. Discovery in Iceland under a new agreement.

Advanced Television: Banijay Kids & Family announces raft of sales

Story from Advanced Television:

Banijay Kids & Family, a specialist in children’s entertainment behind hit shows such as Totally Spies! and Mr Bean: The Animated Series, has announced that its distribution arm has secured a raft of multi-package sales for its portfolio of shows.

Broadband TV News: ProSiebenSat.1 secures Hollywood content deal with NBC Universal

Story from Broadband TV News:

German media group ProSiebenSat.1 has signed a wide-ranging, multi-year agreement with NBC Universal Global TV Distribution, bringing nearly 2,000 hours of Hollywood content to its platforms Joyn, Sat.1 and ProSieben.

Broadband TV News: Media Tasting marks 10th anniversary in Stuttgart

Story from Broadband TV News:

German media congress Media Tasting celebrated its 10-year anniversary on 3 July 2025 in Stuttgart, drawing a record-breaking crowd of more than 350 industry executives and experts from media, politics, universities and creative sectors.

Advanced Television: Nippon TV’s Traveling with Snow Man on Disney+

Story from Advanced Television:

Japan’s Nippon TV has announced that its new travel reality show, Traveling with Snow Man, featuring the popular nine-member boy band Snow Man, will premiere on July 27th on Nippon TV with the uncut version streaming globally on Disney+ immediately afterwards.

Sunday, 6 July 2025

Hollywood Reporter: When Fox Made the Wrong Bets — and Wound Up In a Hostile Takeover

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

On the morning of July 17, 1929, American film industry titan William Fox and his treasurer Jacob Rubenstein were on their way from Long Island to a round at the Lakeville Golf and Country Club with fellow producers Adolph Zukor, Nicholas Schenck, and actor Thomas Meighan.

Saturday, 5 July 2025

Deadline: Trump Proposes UFC Fight On White House Grounds

Story from Deadline:

For the first time in the country’s 250-year history, the White House could host a cage match, serving as the UFC‘s next venue.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - New York Post: ‘60 Minutes’ correspondent who interviewed Kamala Harris got ‘teary-eyed’ after Trump lawsuit settlement

Story from New York Post:

The veteran “60 Minutes” correspondent who interviewed Kamala Harris for the segment that triggered the just-settled lawsuit filed by President Trump against CBS News and its parent company reportedly grew emotional during a staff meeting held after the deal was announced.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - New York Post: How secret ‘side deal’ helped seal Paramount’s $16M settlement with Trump — and here’s who deserves the credit

Story from New York Post:

Shari Redstone’s Paramount received an unusual assist to settle its controversial lawsuit with President Trump, which should now clear the way for its long-awaited sale to independent studio Skydance, On The Money has learned.

Variety: Bill Nighy, Mathew Horne, WWE’s Jordynne Grace Board Fantasy Film ‘Welcome to Paradise’

Story from Variety:

British thespian Bill Nighy and “Gavin & Stacey” star Mathew Horne have joined the cast of genre-bending fantasy feature “Welcome to Paradise,” alongside WWE superstar Jordynne Grace making her screen debut.

Friday, 4 July 2025

Deadline: Luca Bernabei Exiting ‘Medici’ Producer Lux Vide As Fremantle Ups Stake To 100%

Story from Deadline:

Lux Vide boss Luca Bernabei is exiting the firm he joined more than three decades ago, with Fremantle upping its 70% stake to 100%.

Advanced Television: TPG completes acquisition of AT&T’s stake in DirecTV

Story from Advanced Television:

TPG, an alternative asset management firm, has announced the completion of its acquisition from AT&T of the remaining 70 per cent stake in DirecTV it did not already own.

Broadband TV News: Court dismisses Spanish DTT subsidy appeal

Story from Broadband TV News:

The General Court of the European Union has dismissed an appeal against the European Commission’s decision to force Spain and its autonomous communities to hand back subsidies given during the deployment of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT).

BBC News: BBC radio available outside UK after Sounds switch-off

Story from BBC News:

The BBC has said its radio stations will continue to be available for people outside the UK to listen to live after BBC Sounds access is restricted for international listeners.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline: Trump Claims CBS Settlement “Maybe $35M” Despite Paramount’s Denial Of PSAs & Ads On Top Of $16M Deal

Story from Deadline:

Someone’s playing fast and loose with the real numbers, and, for once, it may not be Donald Trump — at least when it comes to POTUS’ recent multi-million dollar lawsuit settlement with CBS.

Thursday, 3 July 2025

Advanced Television: EU Court rules Spanish aid to DTT was illegal

Story from Advanced Television:

The General Court of the European Union has ruled against Spain and telco Cellnex, upholding an EU decision that requires both the national government and regional authorities to recover €260 million in public funds granted to TV operators for rolling out DTT in remote areas.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Hollywood Reporter; CBS News’ John Dickerson Takes on Trump Settlement: “Can You Hold Power to Account After Paying It Millions?”

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

How did CBS News cover the settlement between its parent company Paramount Global and President Donald Trump?

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Variety; Paramount’s Trump Lawsuit Settlement: Curtain Call for the First Amendment?

Story from Variety:

A few weeks before the announcement in the wee hours of July 1 that Paramount Global and CBS were settling a widely derided lawsuit brought by Donald Trump against “60 Minutes” for $16 million,

Deadline: How Banijay Germany Is Bringing The Creator Economy Into The TV Production Fold

Story from Deadline:

“Being a TV production company is the basis of Banijay Germany, but we’re an entertainment business and creators are part of entertainment now, that’s a fact,” says Marcus Wolter.

Broadband TV News: Arcom intervenes to stop retransmission of Russian channels

Story from Broadband TV News:

The French media regulator is to block and delist 19 official Russian media sites subject to direct or indirect sanctions.

Advanced Television: Extreme H signs broadcast deal with Warner Bros Discovery

Story from Advanced Television:

Extreme H has signed a new multi-year agreement with Warner Bros Discovery that will bring motorsport fans live and on-demand race coverage across Europe.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Variety; Dan Rather on Paramount’s $16 Million Trump Settlement: ‘It Was a Sell-Out to Extortion by the President’

Story from Variety:

Legendary former CBS News anchor Dan Rather expressed disappointment Wednesday at Paramount Global‘s decision to pay $16 million to the Trump administration and settle its lawsuit over a “60 Minutes” report.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline: What’s Next In The Trump-CBS, Paramount-Skydance Saga

Story from Deadline:

In the aftermath of the company’s $16 million settlement of a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump, Paramount Global CEO George Cheeks told shareholders that there was a reason to do so, even if CBS had long argued that the litigation was meritless.

Deadline: ‘Destination X’ Producer Twofour Ups David Brindley To CEO After Tim Carter Takes On ITV Studios Unscripted Role

Story from Deadline:

Destination X producer Twofour has upped David Brindley to CEO following Tim Carter‘s promotion to run ITV Studios unscripted UK.

Wednesday, 2 July 2025

Warner Bros Discovery's Cartoon Network mergers their Latin America's operations

Story from Regular Capital UK and TV Laint:

As of July 1st Cartoon Network has restructured its Latin American operations by merging its Argentina, Panregional 1 (Colombia/Venezuela), and Panregional 2 (Chile/Peru) feeds.

Advanced Television: Warner Bros Discovery’s Tour de France coverage adds new viewing features

Story from Advanced Television:

Warner Bros Discovery Sports Europe is readying to present “next-level” coverage of the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift for cycling fans across Europe and Asia.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Variety: ‘South Park’ Creators Slam Paramount-Skydance Merger as a ‘S— Show’ and Say ‘It’s F—ing Up’ New Episodes: ‘We Hope Fans Get to See Them Somehow’

Story from Variety:

On the heels of the “South Park” Season 27 premiere getting delayed by two weeks to July 23, creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone released a scathing statement against Comedy Central parent Paramount Global, whose proposed merger with Skydance Media has still yet to close nearly a year after the companies inked the deal.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Variety: The CBS News Settlement Proves Trump Is Winning His War on the Press

Story from Variety:

The $16 million settlement agreed to by CBS News and President Donald Trump is not as troubling as it might, in the most extreme case, have been: It did not include an apology.

Deadline: Former Disney Channel & Fox Exec Kemal Coşkuner To Lead New Spacetoon Kids Network In Turkey

Story from Deadline:

Dubai-based family entertainment group Spacetoon is making moves in Turkey.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline: Elizabeth Warren Says Paramount’s Trump Lawsuit Settlement “Could Be Bribery In Plain Sight,” Plans Bill To Restrict Presidential Library Donations

Story from Deadline:

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is calling for an investigation of Paramount Global’s settlement of Donald Trump‘s 60 Minutes lawsuit, while vowing to introduce legislation that would “rein in corruption” via donations to presidential libraries.

Deadline: Dr. Phil’s Merit Street Media JV Files For Bankruptcy, Sues Partner Trinity Broadcasting For Breach Of Contract

Story from Deadline:

Dr. Phil’s Fort Worth-based JV Merit Street Media filed for Chapter 11 on Wednesday, simultaneously suing business partner Trinity Broadcasting for breach of contract that it claims destroyed its new television network and pushed it into bankruptcy.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Hollywood Reporter: Inside CBS News, Staffers Voice Disgust, Anger, Relief and Anxiety After Trump Settlement

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

The midnight settlement between Paramount Global and President Donald Trump was greeted by CBS News employees with what one called a reaction of “disgust and relief.”

Broadband TV News: RTL Group confirms RTL Nederland sale

Story from Broadband TV News:

RTL Group has confirmed it has closed the transaction on the sale of its RTL Nederland to DPG Media.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Variety: Paramount’s Trump Settlement Worries CBS News Staffers, Who Fear Weakening of ‘60 Minutes’

Story from Variety:

The familiar tick-tick-tick of the famous stopwatch that has been part of “60 Minutes” for decades may give way to a new sound: a loud alarm.

Variety: Asacha Media Group CEO Steps Down Following Company’s Integration Into Fremantle

Story from Variety:

Gaspard de Chavagnac has stepped as CEO of Asacha Media Group, the pan-European TV and film studio he co-founded in 2020, to focus on new media investment projects.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Variety; CBS Chief George Cheeks Addresses Paramount’s Trump Lawsuit Settlement: Deal Allows Company to Focus on ‘Core Objectives,’ Avoid ‘Reputational Damage’

Story from Variety:

Nine hours after Paramount Global announced a $16 million payment to President Donald Trump to settle his “60 Minutes” lawsuit, Paramount co-CEO George Cheeks — who is the head of CBS — defended the pact at the media company’s 2025 annual shareholder meeting.

Advanced Television: LFP confirms in-house Ligue 1 streaming platform

Story from Advanced Television:

Following a July 1st meeting, the Presidents of League 1 clubs, the LFP Media Supervisory Committee and the LFP Board of Directors officially announced their long rumoured, strategic project: the creation of a TV and digital platform entirely dedicated to the McDonald’s League 1, managed and led by LFP Media.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Variety: Paramount to Pay Trump $16 Million to Settle ‘60 Minutes’ Lawsuit

Story from Variety:

Paramount Global opted to write a $16 million check to President Donald Trump rather than fight what it had called a “meritless” lawsuit.

Advanced Television: Warner Bros International Television Production Italia appoints new senior team

Story from Advanced Television:

Following the launch of its new production label in Italy earlier this year under Stefano Torrisi, Warner Bros International Television Production has confirmed the senior leadership appointments for Warner Bros International Television Production Italia.

Tuesday, 1 July 2025

Deadline: CNN Says There’s “Nothing Illegal” About Reporting On ICE Sighting App As Trump Administration Threatens Network With DOJ Investigation

Story from Deadline:

CNN defended its report on a new app that tracks sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in users’ areas.

Advanced Television: Telia completes sale of TV & Media business

Story from Advanced Television:

Telia Company has closed the sale of its TV & Media business to Schibsted, first announced in February, at an enterprise value of SEK 6.55 billion (€0.59bn) on a cash and debt-free basis.

Deadline: Vaughn Hillyard To Join MSNBC As Network Taps Additional Correspondents In Advance Of Split From Comcast

Story from Deadline:

Vaughn Hillyard will join MSNBC as senior White House correspondent, as the network has hired a group of journalists for its team in advance of its split from Comcast and sister network NBC News.

Broadband TV News: Canal+ will not distribute new LFP channel

Story from Broadband TV News:

Canal+ President Maxime Saada has said the platform will not carry the new LFP channel being established for the broadcast of Ligue 1 matches.

New York Post: ESPN, MLB renew media rights talks after ugly split

Story from New York Post:

There is still hope that MLB will not be leaving ESPN.

Broadband TV News: Eutelsat and SRG renew Hotbird satellite capacity agreement

Story from Broadband TV News:

Eutelsat Group and Swiss public broadcaster SSR SRG have signed a multi-year renewal of their satellite capacity agreement at Eutelsat’s Hotbird position (13° East), cementing a partnership spanning over 30 years.

Broadband TV News: Sky Deutschland replaces Discovery Channel with National Geographic

Story from Broadband TV News:

German pay-TV broadcaster Sky Deutschland is set to overhaul its documentary lineup by reintroducing National Geographic and National Geographic Wild to its portfolio, replacing Discovery Channel.

Monday, 30 June 2025

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline: Donald Trump, CBS-Paramount Say They Are In Advanced Negotiations To Settle ‘60 Minutes’ Lawsuit, Ask Judge To Halt Proceedings Until July 3

Story from Deadline:

Lawyers for Donald Trump and CBSParamount Global asked a judge to put a pause on proceedings until July 3, announcing that they were in advanced stages of settlement talks.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - New York Post: ‘60 Minutes’ correspondent who interviewed Kamala Harris got ‘teary-eyed’ after Trump lawsuit settlement

Story from New York Post:

The veteran “60 Minutes” correspondent who interviewed Kamala Harris for the segment that triggered the just-settled lawsuit filed by President Trump against CBS News and its parent company reportedly grew emotional during a staff meeting held after the deal was announced.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - New York Post: Skydance boss David Ellison tells Hollywood pals that Paramount merger will close before end of summer

Story from New York Post:

Skydance Media boss David Ellison has been striking an upbeat tone in his quest to purchase Shari Redstone’s Paramount, On The Money has learned.

Deadline: Fremantle Launches Global Originals Entertainment Label Under ‘Million Dollar Secret’ Co-Creator Nick Mather

Story from Deadline:

The co-creator of Netflix smash Million Dollar Secret and the BBC’s Pointless is heading to Fremantle to oversee a new global entertainment label.

Advanced Television: MultiChoice Nigeria slashes fees

Story from Advanced Television:

MultiChoice Nigeria has cut the price of its DStv HD decoder by 50 per cent, dropping it from ₦20,000 (€11.05) to ₦10,000.

Broadband TV News: Hynek Chudárek appointed director-general Czech Television

Story from Broadband TV News:

The Czech Television Council has elected Hynek Chudárek as the new director-general of Czech Television (ČT).

Sunday, 29 June 2025

Broadband TV News: Lokalrundfunktage 2025 focuses on local media’s digital future

Story from Broadband TV News:

As the 33rd edition of German media conference Lokalrundfunktage wrapped up in Nuremberg, one message rang out clearly across sessions and stages: local media is evolving fast and radio must find its voice in the digital world.

Saturday, 28 June 2025

Deadline: Andrew Koji, Jason Momoa, Noah Centineo & Roman Reigns In Talks For Legendary’s ‘Street Fighter’ but Andrew Schulz is added to Cast

Story from Deadline:

Andrew Koji (Bullet Train), Jason Momoa (A Minecraft Movie), Noah Centineo (Warfare) and Roman Reigns (Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw) are in talks to star in Legendary’s live-action Street Fighter movie, based on the Capcom video games, sources tell Deadline.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - New York Post: ‘60 Minutes’ correspondents demand CBS News make Tanya Simon executive producer — or face ‘revolt’

Story from New York Post:

Correspondents at “60 Minutes” are pressuring CBS News parent Paramount Global to hand the reins of the iconic show to a longtime insider — or risk a revolt from the tight-knit newsroom, according to a report.

Deadline: BBC News Presenters Back Demand For Strike Vote As Colleagues Face Compulsory Layoffs

Story from Deadline:

BBC News presenters are among those calling on their union to hold a strike ballot over colleagues facing compulsory redundancy.

Deadline: Dana Walden Talks Mentors, Disney Successes & How To Pronounce ‘9-1-1’ At Entertainment Symposium

Story from Deadline:

When the highlight of a discussion between Dana Walden and Ken Ziffren is how to pronounce the series name 9-1-1, you know the keynote at the UCLA Entertainment Symposium is not going to be a big newsmaker.

Friday, 27 June 2025

Advanced Television: Digita Finland ending standard-definition channels

Story from Advanced Television:

Finland’s transition to HD television broadcasts will be completed at 8am (local time) on June 30th, when standard-definition commercial channels will be removed from terrestrial and cable TV networks across the country.

Advanced Television: Movistar Plus+ expands Spanish Football Super Cup rights

Story from Advanced Television:

Movistar Plus+ will continue to be the home of the Spanish Football Super Cup in Spain after extending its exclusive agreement with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for the next three years (2025-28).

Advanced Television: Six Nations Rugby, France Télévisions agree new deal

Story from Advanced Television:

Six Nations Rugby and France Télévisions (France TV) have agreed a new four-year partnership.

Advanced Television: ACM clears RTL Nederland sale to DPG Media

Story from Advanced Television:

RTL Group has welcomed announcement by the Dutch competition authority ACM that it has approved the planned sale of RTL Nederland to DPG Media.

Variety: CNN, New York Times Reject Trump’s Demands to Retract ‘False’ and ‘Unpatriotic’ Stories About Iran Bombing Raids: ‘No Apology Will Be Forthcoming’

Story from Variety:

President Trump threatened to sue CNN and the New York Times over their reports about his government’s early assessment that U.S. bombing raids on Iran had set the regime’s nuclear program back by a few months — contrary to Trump’s claim that Iran’s capabilities were “totally obliterated.”

Variety: Warner’s TNT Sports Will Stop Producing Content for NBA’s Cable Network

Story from Variety:

The days of Warner Bros. Discovery producing shows like “NBA Gametime Live” are coming to an end.

Deadline: Gavin Newsom Sues Fox News For Defamation, Seeking $787 Million In Damages

Story from Deadline:

California Gov. Gavin Newsom filed a $787 million lawsuit against Fox News on Friday, seeking $787 million in damages and citing, among other things, host Jesse Watters’ claim that he lied about a phone call the governor made with Donald Trump.

RTÉ News: RTÉ union members vote to accept pay deal

Story from RTÉ News:

Union members at RTÉ have overwhelmingly voted in favour of a 6% pay increase between May this year and December 2027.

Advanced Television: Nigeria hits MultiChoice with obstruction accusations

Story from Advanced Television:

MultiChoice, the African pay-TV operator, is again under pressure in Nigeria.

Variety: India’s JioStar Execs Outline Vision for Youth-Focused Content at APOS

Story from Variety:

Indian media giant JioStar is positioning itself as a collaborator rather than gatekeeper in India’s evolving content ecosystem, with executives outlining an ambitious vision for culturally rooted storytelling that serves the country’s massive youth demographic.

Deadline: Sky Deutschland Acquired By RTL For $175M

Story from Deadline:

Sky Deutschland has been acquired by RTL, ending years of speculation on its future and representing RTL’s biggest ever buy.

Deadline: Donald Trump Makes Legal Threat To CNN And The New York Times Over Their Reporting On Iran Intel Assessment

Story from Deadline:

Donald Trump has again threatened news outlets over coverage he dislikes, this time The New York Times and CNN over their reporting on a preliminary intelligence assessment that raised doubts that the U.S. strikes on Iran destroyed their nuclear program.

Deadline: ‘MasterChef Sri Lanka’ Baking At Free TV Network

Story from Deadline:

Calling Sri Lanka’s best amateur cooks: Time to get you recipe books out. A local version of MasterChef is in the works at Sri Lankan free-to-air network ITN, and will debut in September as a 25-episode season.

Deadline: Toya Turner Leaving ‘Chicago P.D.’ Ahead Of Season 13

Story from Deadline:

Turner shared an expanded message about her departure via Instagram.

Deadline: Netflix’s Longtime VP Product Todd S. Yellin Returns To Directing With Moisés Arias & Teresa Ruiz Crime Pic ’52nd State’; Filming Underway In Colombia With ‘The Witch’ Producer Aboard

Story from Deadline:

Moisés Arias (Fallout), Teresa Ruiz (Narcos: Mexico), Ignacio Diaz-Silverio (Primo) and Augusto Aguilera (Predator) are starring in movie crime-thriller 52nd State, which is underway in Bogotá, Colombia.

Thursday, 26 June 2025

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline: Shari Redstone Should Be Blocked From Paramount Board, Influential Proxy Firm ISS Says

Story from Deadline:

The election of Shari Redstone and three other directors to Paramount Global’s board of directors should be blocked by shareholders at the company’s upcoming annual meeting, a leading proxy firm says.

Deadline: DirecTV Seals Carriage Deal With Paramount, Adds Nickelodeon Programming To New $20 Kids Bundle

Story from Deadline:

DirecTV has struck a distribution agreement with Paramount Global, adding its Nickelodeon programming to a newly launched $20-a-month kids bundle.

Hollywood Reporter: Disney and Charter Strike Surprise Deal That Adds Hulu and Returns Axed Cable Channels to Lineup

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

In a surprise move, The Walt Disney Co. and the cable giant Charter have inked a new deal that expands their landmark 2023 carriage agreement to bring Hulu to Spectrum TV customers, while returning eight linear cable channels that had been pulled from its lineup.

Broadband TV News: Dragan Solak calls for investigation against BC Partners after United dismissal

Story from Broadband TV News:

United Group founder Dragan Solak has asked the Dutch Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal to launch an investigation into a “serious governance crisis” at United Media.

Advanced Television: Warner Bros Discovery readies multi-lingual Wimbledon coverage

Story from Advanced Television:

Warner Bros Discovery’s channels and platform set to showcase the Wimbledon tennis tournament which commences on June 30th.

Advanced Television: A1 Group, SPI International SE Europe partnership

Story from Advanced Television:

A1 Group and SPI International have announced a strategic, long-term partnership designed to enhance how content is delivered, distributed, and experienced across Southeast Europe.

Variety: Banijay Locks Indonesia Deals as Southeast Asia Expansion Accelerates, CEO Reveals at APOS

Story from Variety:

Banijay Asia is doubling down on Southeast Asia expansion with new deals locked in Indonesia and the enhancement of a reality show that will send contestants to space, founder and Group CEO Deepak Dhar revealed at the APOS conference.

Variety: CBS Tops 2025 News Emmy Wins; CNN’s ‘The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper’ and ABC’s ‘World News Tonight with David Muir’ Land Key Program Prizes

Story from Variety:

CBS led night one of the 46th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards, with five wins in the news categories.

Variety: Universal Television Debuts Three Hit No. 1 Series Across Netflix, Prime Video and Max Charts

Story from Variety:

Three series produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, had No. 1 premieres this week across three different external platforms: “We Were Liars” debuted on Prime Video on June 18; “The Waterfront” dropped on Netflix on June 19; and Season 3 of “The Gilded Age” began on June 22 on HBO.

Variety: DirecTV Will No Longer Offer Satellite Subscriptions For New Customers as a Trial Run in Some Markets

Story from Variety:

DirecTV is experimenting with removing the option to subscribe to its satellite offerings in some markets.

Deadline: BBC To Charge U.S. Audiences For News For First Time

Story from Deadline:

Fans of the BBC in the States are set to pay for news for the first time.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline: Mediator In Trump’s CBS Lawsuit Proposes $20 Million Settlement

Story from Deadline:

The mediator in President Donald Trump‘s lawsuit against CBS and 60 Minutes has proposed a settlement worth $20 million, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal, just days after court documents filed by the network called the action “meritless” and an attack on the First Amendment.

Deadline: CNN Says It Stands “100% Behind” Correspondent Natasha Bertrand After Donald Trump Calls For Her Firing

Story from Deadline:

After Donald Trump again attacked CNN and singled out correspondent Natasha Bertrand for her reporting on an early intel assessment of the Iran bombings, the network has responded by saying it stands “100% behind” her and her work.

Wednesday, 25 June 2025

New York Post: CNN ‘death spiral’ caused by ‘obsession’ with Trump-Russia investigation, ex-anchor says

Story from New York Post:

A former CNN anchor said the network’s incessant coverage of the Russia collusion investigation during President Trump’s first term in office helped accelerate its “death spiral” that cost the outlet “30, 40% of the country.”

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Hollywood Reporter: “BET Is Not Immune” From Paramount Job Cuts, CEO Scott Mills Says in Unveiling “Streamlining”

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

BET is cutting jobs as part of a streamlining of its organization under a recently unveiled 3.5 percent reduction of the domestic workforce at its parent company Paramount Global as the conglomerate awaits FCC approval of Skydance Media’s deal to acquire it.

Advanced Television: WTA extends Tennis Channel deal

Story from Advanced Television:

WTA Ventures and Tennis Channel have agreed to a new six-year media rights deal ensuring that Tennis Channel platforms will continue to be the exclusive home of WTA tennis in the US through 2032.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Variety: BET Hit by Layoffs as Part of Paramount Global’s Latest Job Cuts

Story from Variety:

BET is making layoffs across multiple departments amid the broader wave of cutbacks at parent company Paramount Global.

Deadline: ‘CoComelon’ & Hello Kitty Owners Strike Content Deal Including New Show With Characters From Both Universes

Story from Deadline:

Hello Kitty owner Sanrio has struck a multi-year deal with CoComelon outfit Moonbug Entertainment including a new show with characters from both hit franchises.

Broadband TV News: TF1+ heads to French-speaking Africa

Story from Broadband TV News:

French commercial broadcaster TF1 is to offer its advertising supported streaming platform TF1+ in 22 French-speaking African countries.

Broadband TV News: Proximus-Telenet agreement brings Premier League and Bundesliga to Play Sports

Story from Broadband TV News:

Proximus has agreed to add the Play Sports channels to its portfolio following an agreement with sometime rival Telenet.

Advanced Television: ESPN scores Women’s Euro 2025 rights across Spanish LatAm

Story from Advanced Television:

ESPN has acquired exclusive media rights to the 2025 UEFA European Women’s Championship across Spanish-speaking Latin America as part of a new agreement with UEFA.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Variety: Paramount Investors Should Vote Against Reelecting Shari Redstone to Board, Shareholder Advisory Firm Says — but It Would Be a Symbolic Protest

Story from Variety:

Next week, given that Paramount Global has not closed its deal to merge with Skydance Media because the FCC still has not approved it, Paramount is holding its annual shareholder meeting.

Variety: Netflix Board Rejects Jay Hoag’s Resignation and Taps Ellie Mertz, Airbnb CFO and Former Netflix Exec, as New Director

Story from Variety:

Netflix’s board has decided to keep tech investor Jay Hoag as a director — after shareholders had voted to oust him — and is adding a new board member: Airbnb CFO Ellie Mertz, who previously spent seven years as a finance executive at Netflix.

Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery APAC Chief Touts Max’s Regional Success at APOS Amid Corporate Split

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery‘s Asia-Pacific president James Gibbons is bullish about the streaming service Max‘s performance across the region, even as the media giant prepares for a major corporate restructuring that will split its streaming and studios business from its traditional television networks.

Variety: BBC Studios Asia, Studio JanChi Team for ’12 Seas’ Korean Food Series

Story from Variety:

BBC Studios Asia has set its first co-production with Studio JanChi, the Korean food content specialist behind “Korean Pork Belly Rhapsody” and “A Nation of Kimchi.”

Variety: JioStar’s Sports Chief Reveals Billion-Viewer IPL Strategy at APOS

Story from Variety:

JioStar CEO of sports and live experiences Sanjog Gupta delivered a masterclass in sports platform strategy during the APOS 2025 conference, revealing how the Indian media giant achieved its “audacious” goal of reaching one billion viewers for the Indian Premier League cricket tournament while transforming the country’s sports consumption landscape.

Tuesday, 24 June 2025

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline: Paramount+ Sheds Showtime Brand From Premium Tier In Latest Premium Streaming Shuffle

Story from Deadline:

The new name for the highest subscription tier is now Paramount Premium.

Broadband TV News: Telia Norway to offer Britbox from the autumn

Story from Broadband TV News:

Telia Norway has signed a new partnership with the BBC-backed streaming service Britbox.

Hollywood Reporter: ‘The Traitors’ Are Coming to Bulgaria

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Watch out, Bulgarian faithfuls, and get a roundtable — The Traitors are coming! All3Media International on Tuesday revealed that a local format version of the hit cloak-and-dagger format has been commissioned in the country for the first time.

Hollywood Reporter: NBA Playoffs Fuel Warner Bros. Discovery Gains in May TV Distributor Rankings

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

One more data point for the “live sports is the engine of linear TV” argument (not that it needed many more): TNT’s NBA playoffs telecasts accounted for nearly all of Warner Bros. Discovery’s gains in Nielsen’s TV distributor rankings in May.

Variety: Warner Bros Discovery Acquires Stephen King’s ‘The Institute’ for Max in Europe

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery has acquired “The Institute,” the anticipated thriller series based on the 2019 Stephen King novel, for its streaming platform HBO Max in Europe.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Hollywood Reporter: ‘South Park’ Creators Threaten Legal Action Over Interference on Streaming Deal

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

As Paramount’s lucrative licensing deal for South Park expires, allowing the show to be shopped, a new legal battle is brewing.

Broadband TV News: ShopLC celebrates milestone as it reaches four years on air in Germany

Story from Broadband TV News:

Home shopping channel ShopLC is marking four years of operations in Germany with ambitious growth plans and a strong social mission, having expanded its reach to nearly 46 million TV households across Germany and Austria.

Broadband TV News: IMG delivers global FIFA Club World Cup 2025 programming for DAZN

Story from Broadband TV News:

Sports streaming service DAZN is partnering with sports marketing agency IMG to deliver its UK and global English-language programming for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

Advanced Television: ITV Studios partners with Paprika Studios

Story from Advanced Television:

ITV Studios has announced at NATPE Budapest a strategic partnership with Paprika Studios, an independent production company in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

Monday, 23 June 2025

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline: CBS Calls Donald Trump’s ‘60 Minutes’ Lawsuit A “Meritless” Attempt To “Evade Bedrock First Amendment Principles” In Latest Filing

Story from Deadline:

As settlement talks continue between the legal teams of Paramount Global and Donald Trump, CBS once again characterized the president’s lawsuit against the network as “meritless” and an attempt to “evade bedrock First Amendment principles.”

Advanced Television: Viasat suffers satellite ‘hack’

Story from Advanced Television:

California-based Viasat, which also owns London-based Inmarsat, says it was one of the victims in the “Salt Typhoon” hack against telecommunications providers.

Hollywood Reporter: Formula 1 Owner Liberty Clears Final Hurdle to Buy MotoGP

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Liberty Media has got a checkered flag from the European Commission to acquire motorcycle racing circuit MotoGP.

C21 News: Australia’s Nine Group to merge streaming with broadcast in major restructure

Story from C21 News:

The streaming and broadcasting divisions of Australia’s Nine Group are being merged as part of a long-anticipated restructure under managing director of streaming and broadcast Amanda Laing.

New York Post: Two CNN execs bolt struggling network as anxiety soars over cost-cutting after spinoff

Story from New York Post:

Two senior CNN executives are reportedly bolting the ratings-challenged network as the company plans to crack down on perks ahead of the looming corporate spinoff.

Deadline: From ‘Silent Witness’ To BBC News Polska, The BBC Plans To Deepen Its Reach In CEE And Beyond

Story from Deadline:

From Silent Witness to news, BBC content is going deeper into homes in the CEE and wider region, via dedicated channels, the BBC Player on-demand service, and a new Polish-language news site, launching this week.

Broadband TV News; LFP: Canal’s role restricted to that of distributor

Story from Broadband TV News:

The role of Canal+ in the broadcast of French top flight football looks like being restricted to that of a distributor, according to RMC Sport.

Deadline: Murdochs’ News Corp. Re-Ups CEO Robert Thomson Through 2030

Story from Deadline:

Robert Thomson, a close confidante of Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch for decades, has been re-upped as CEO of News Corp. for another five years, through June 2030.

Hollywood Reporter; NATPE Budapest: BBC Studios, AMC Networks Int’l Buy Cineflix Rights Lifestyle, Travel Content

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Cineflix Rights has unveiled a raft of lifestyle and travel content sales to broadcasters, including BBC Studios and AMC Networks International, across the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region on the eve of NATPE Budapest 2025.

Advanced Television; India: Prime Video adds NFDC – Cinemas of India

Story from Advanced Television:

Prime Video in India has on-boarded NFDC – Cinemas of India, as an add-on subscription, priced at at INR 199 (€2) per year.

Advanced Television: All3Media licenses The Traitors in Brazil, Mexico

Story from Advanced Television:

All3Media International has announced its first local format licences in Latin America via an agreement with NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct To Consumer (NBCUIN & DTC) Latin America for The Traitors.

Sunday, 22 June 2025

Broadband TV News: United Group announces leadership changes

Story from Broadband TV News:

United Group has announced that founder Dragan Šolak and CEO Victoriya Boklag are to step down from their current roles.

Saturday, 21 June 2025

C21 News: Netflix reaches four-year agreement with Create Denmark resolving rights conflict

Story from C21 News:

Netflix has entered into a new four-year rights agreement for scripted series with Create Denmark following the 2022 row that halted Danish TV and film production at Netflix and other streamers.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - New York Post: Paramount delays $35M settlement with Trump as media giant fears bribery backlash

Story from New York Post:

A potential $35 million settlement of President Trump’s lawsuit against Paramount’s CBS affiliate has been delayed after the company’s management continued to fear a potential legal backlash, The Post has learned.

Advanced Television: Dr Seuss Enterprises expands partnership with Little Dot Studios

Story from Advanced Television:

Dr Seuss Enterprises has renewed and expanded its partnership with multi-platform production company, social media agency and digital media network, Little Dot Studios, following a successful collaboration that brought the celebrated world of Dr Seuss to YouTube audiences around the globe.

Deadline: Trump Administration Eliminates Most Staff Of Voice Of America, Other U.S.-Funded Broadcasters

Story from Deadline:

Voice of America, launched during World War II to counter the propaganda of Axis powers, has been reduced to a shell of its former self, with the Trump administration announcing that it was terminating more than 600 employees from the media outlet and other government-funded broadcasters.

Friday, 20 June 2025

Broadband TV News: Altice France files for bankruptcy protection

Story from Broadband TV News:

Patrick Drahi’s Altice France has applied for Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection in a New York court.

Advanced Television: Sky Italia extends Wimbledon rights

Story from Advanced Television:

Sky Italia has extended its exclusive rights to broadcast Wimbledon in Italy for a further 4 years.

Advanced Television: Eutelsat raises capital by €1.35bn

Story from Advanced Television:

Eutelsat, as expected, is raising €1.35 billion in fresh capital.

Broadband TV News: Travelxp HD debuts on Magyar Telekom

Story from Broadband TV News:

Travelxp has announced the launch of Travelxp HD on Magyar Telekom.

Thursday, 19 June 2025

C21 Media: BBC Studios Productions launches reality label, hires ITV’s Peter Tierney to lead

Story from C21 Media:

BBC Studios Productions in the UK is launching a development label specialising in reality shows and has hired ITV’s commissioning editor of reality Peter Tierney to lead it.

Hollywood Reporter: Don’t Expect Netflix to Save U.S. Broadcast Networks

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Netflix‘s surprise deal at Cannes Lions that it would carry the TF1 channels in France immediately reverberated around the globe.

Deadline; NHK Turns 100: President Nobuo Inaba On How The Japanese Public Broadcaster Steers A Course Through Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Political Ructions & Disinformation

Story from Deadline:

Japan’s NHK, one of the world’s oldest public broadcasters, turns 100 this year, and the team is celebrating by looking both backwards and forwards.

Broadband TV News: Norway to shut teletext after 46 years

Story from Broadband TV News:

Norway’s public broadcaster has announced plans to shut its teletext service.

Variety: ‘Doctor Who’ Showrunner Says ‘We Don’t Know What’s Happening Yet’ Amid Uncertain Future, but Insists Series ‘Will Never End’

Story from Variety:

“Doctor Who” showrunner Russell T Davies is addressing the series’ uncertain future.

Advanced Television; Report: Netflix to reach 8.2m new customers via Canal+ deal

Story from Advanced Television:

As subscription OTT services reach saturation in many mature markets, they are increasingly on the lookout for new opportunities to grow their subscriber base, reports Ampere Analysis.

C21 News: Warner Bros’ MD and senior VP for Canada Mickie Steinmann to retire

Story from C21 Media:

Warner Bros veteran Mickie Steinmann, who has led the studio’s Canadian operations for nearly two decades, is set to retire later this year.

C21Media: Spanish regional pubcasters team for first fiction copro in all four local langauges

Story from C21 Media:

The first fiction series to be produced in all four official languages of Spain was unveiled today at the Conecta Fiction & Entertainment conference, bringing together three regional public broadcasters.

C21Media: Banijay drops controlling interest in Stephen David Entertainment after a decade

Story from C21 Media:

European production and distribution giant Banijay is giving up its interest in US prodco Stephen David Entertainment (SDE) to allow The World Wars producer to pursue new projects independently.

Advanced Television; Report: UK leads TV format exports

Story from Advanced Television:

With 23.8 per cent of format adaptations in Europe based on UK formats, the region has become the top exporter to Europe and globally, according to the 2024-2025 ranking presented by The Wit at Conecta Fiction & Entertainment in Cuenca, Spain.

Daily Mail: Misery at CNN HQ as debt-plagued network prepares for sale

Story from Daily Mail:

A dark cloud hangs over CNN headquarters as staffers brace for layoffs and a likely sale of the network amid another reshuffling by its parents company.

RTÉ News: RTÉ had 'big bang approach' to partly failed IT project

Story from RTÉ News:

An in-depth review into the circumstances which led to RTÉ's write-down of €3.6m for a partly-failed IT system, found the broadcaster had "limited experience" of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation of the scale and complexity of the project.

Variety: NBCU Veteran Jessica Kurdali Is Versant’s New SVP, Talent Strategy

Story from Variety:

Jessica Kurdali, who has supervised news talent relations for years for NBCUniversal’s news properties, will jump to Versant, the cable-networks operations that parent Comcast is spinning off, where she will oversee talent strategy across all platforms, including news, entertainment and sports.

Advanced Television: Warner Bros Discovery nets Legends Team Cup

Story from Advanced Television:

Warner Bros Discovery is partnering with the Legends Team Cup to show the new international tennis tour for iconic players of the ATP Tour.

Advanced Television: SES raises €1bn towards Intelsat purchase

Story from Advanced Television:

Satellite operator SES has raised two €500 million bonds.

Wednesday, 18 June 2025

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline: Donald Trump Appears To Praise David Ellison Amid Pending Skydance-Paramount Merger Approval, Settlement Talks In ‘60 Minutes’ Lawsuit

Story from Deadline:

Donald Trump appeared to praise David Ellison, the CEO of Skydance Media, as it seeks the administration’s approval on a merger with Paramount Global.

Deadline: Alcon Acquires Bankrupt Village Roadshow Entertainment Group’s Film Library For $417.5 Million

Story from Deadline:

Alcon Media Group LLC has won its $417.5 million bid to acquire Village Roadshow Entertainment Group’s library of 108 feature film titles, Alcon said Wednesday.

Advanced Television: Mediapro cutting jobs following La Liga TV loss

Story from Advanced Television:

Spanish TV company Mediapro is set to cut up to 169 jobs due to production-related reasons following the loss of its La Liga TV production rights, now held by the Swiss company HSB.

Broadband TV News: Prime Video to screen Premier League in the Netherlands

Story from Broadband TV News:

Amazon Prime Video has picked up a package of Premier League games to be shown to Dutch subscribers.

Broadband TV News: Viaplay Group launches dedicated sports channel

Story from Broadband TV News:

Viaplay Group is to launch a new sports channel for the Nordic market with over 100 hours of sports coverage a week.

Deadline: A24 Bolsters UK Operations With Hire Of Lookout Point Co-CEOs Laura Lankester & Will Johnston

Story from Deadline:

A24 is bolstering its UK team with the splashy appointments of Lookout Point co-CEOs Laura Lankester and Will Johnston.

Advanced Television: Airbus boss “optimistic” on Thales merger

Story from Advanced Television:

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury has expressed optimism that current discussions with Thales and Leonardo would end in an agreement for the three businesses’ space divisions.

Advanced Television: ProSiebenSat.1 Boards deem PFF offer “inadequate”

Story from Advanced Television:

The Executive Board and the Supervisory Board of ProSiebenSat.1 Media have welcomed the partial public acquisition offer made by PPF, an indirect subsidiary of PPF Group, but say they consider the offer price “inadequate from a financial point of view”.

Advanced Television: Netflix, TF1 distribution deal

Story from Advanced Television:

Starting in summer 2026, all Netflix members in France will be able to watch TF1 channels and on demand content from TF1+ directly on Netflix.

Advanced Television: TNA+ adding free tier

Story from Advanced Television:

TNA Wrestling is launching a new free tier of its TNA+ streaming service, expanding access for wrestling fans around the world.

Tuesday, 17 June 2025

Hollywood Reporter: Anne Burrell, Food Network Star and ‘Worst Cooks in America’ Host, Dies at 55

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Anne Burrell, the Food Network darling and Worst Cooks in America host, died Tuesday morning in her New York home, her family announced.

Variety: Banijay Rights Taps Lottie Wilson as VP for Australia and New Zealand

Story from Variety:

Banijay Rights has tapped Lottie Wilson as VP for Australia and New Zealand where she’ll handle sales strategy across those territories.

Deadline: Weigel Broadcasting Sets Fall Launch For WEST Network; Will Air Classic Western Series ‘Gunsmoke’, ‘Bonanza’, ‘Rawhide’, More

Story from Deadline:

Weigel Broadcasting has announced a fall launch for WEST (Western Entertainment Series Television), a new network that will be devoted solely to classic Western television series.

Variety: Melanie Rumani, BBC Studios and UKTV Global Head of Acquisitions, Dies at 50

Story from Variety:

Melanie Rumani, the global head of acquisitions for BBC Studios and UKTV, has died after a long battle with cancer, it was announced on Tuesday.

Variety: TKO Group Taps Netflix Alum Dean Garfield to Lead Government Affairs

Story from Variety:

TKO Group, parent company of WWE and UFC, has hired Dean Garfield as senior VP of government affairs.

Hollywood Reporter: In Spain, Warner Exec Explains the HBO Max Rebrand

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision to return to the HBO Max brand for its streaming service was the elephant in the room that Jose Maria Caro, director of Max Local Original Production at Warner Bros. Discovery, Spain, addressed right at the start of his appearance at the Conecta Fiction & Entertainment in Cuenca, Spain on Tuesday.

Hollywood Reporter: Disney, Amazon Ink Deal to Expand Advertising Partnership

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

As media buyers and advertisers gather in France at Cannes Lions, Disney and Amazon are unveiling a new pact aimed at improving ad targeting for streaming television.

Advanced Television; Eutelsat CEO: “No financial difficulties”

Story from Advanced Television:

Eutelsat’s newly appointed CEO, Jean-François Fallacher, speaking at the Paris Air Show, firmly denied that the satellite operator was in financial difficulties.

Advanced Television: beIN Media extends Premier League rights across MENA

Story from Advanced Television:

beIN Media Group, the global sports, entertainment and media group, has secured the exclusive rights to broadcast every match of the Premier League (PL) in 24 countries across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) until the end of the 2027/28 season, further solidifying its position as the global home of sports.

Advanced Television: All3Media names Hewson VP Sales for Australia & NZ

Story from Advanced Television:

Independent distributor, All3Media International, has appointed sales and commercial executive Micah Hewson to the newly created role of VP Sales for Australia & New Zealand, expanding its sales team to reflect the company’s continued growth and opportunities in the region.

Monday, 16 June 2025

Variety: Academy Members Cringe as ‘Star Wars’ Boss Kathleen Kennedy Lobbies for Bob Iger to Receive an Honorary Oscar

Story from Variety:

In Star Wars, “the Force” is a mystical energy field that can be harnessed into supernatural powers by a chosen few. In Hollywood, it’s called “leverage.”

Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery Revises CEO David Zaslav Employment Agreement to ‘Significantly Reduce’ His Annual Pay After Company Split

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav will see his pay package take a haircut after the proposed separation of the company next year — although Warner Bros. Discovery also just granted him stock options that could be worth tens of millions of dollars as an “inducement” to remain with the company.

Hollywood Reporter: BadCo? Credit Rating Agency Pours Cold Water on Hollywood Spinoff Ambitions

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

With Hollywood leaving behind its mergers and acquisition cycles to favor corporate spinoffs of late, Fitch Ratings on Monday weighed in on whether splitting off, say, a RichCo or a PoorCo from RemainCo will produce the promised rewards of better balance sheets and debt reduction for major studios unbundling ailing linear TV assets from studios and streaming businesses.

Deadline: Lionsgate & DirecTV Launch Lionsgate Collection Premium Channel

Story from Deadline:

Lionsgate and DirecTV are firing up Lionsgate Collection, a premium channel for the latter’s subscribers which will draw upon the studio’s 20,000-plus title film and TV library.

Deadline: ABC News Reveals Promotions In New York And D.C. Newsrooms

Story from Deadline:

ABC News president Almin Karamehmedovic on Monday revealed a series of promotions in its New York and Washington, D.C. newsrooms.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Hollywood Reporter: Paramount Acquisitions Chief Barbara Zaneri Departing After 25 Years

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Long-time Paramount executive Barbara Zaneri is departing the company after 25 years.

Deadline: Vice Media Installs NBCUniversal And Dick Clark Productions Vet Adam Stotsky As CEO

Story from Deadline:

Adam Stotsky, a former longtime NBCUniversal exec and president of Dick Clark Productions, has been installed as CEO of Vice Media.

Deadline: Netflix Adds Yahoo To Its Roster Of Programmatic Advertising Partners

Story from Deadline:

Netflix has added Yahoo‘s demand-side platform [DSP] to its roster of programmatic advertising partners.

Advanced Television: United Media acquires 50% equity stake in Alpha TV

Story from Advanced Television:

United Media, part of United Group – the Southeastern European telco – has received unconditional approval from the European Commission for the acquisition of a 50 per cent equity stake in Alpha TV, a FTA TV station in Greece, from Primos Media.

Broadband TV News: Netgem secures DAZN distribution deal

Story from Broadband TV News:

Netgem has announced a new partnership with sports streaming service DAZN.

Broadband TV News: Finland to end standard definition broadcasts

Story from Broadband TV News:

Finland’s HD transition is entering a final phase with standard definition commercial TV channels ending broadcasts via terrestrial and cable on 30 June, 2025.

Advanced Television: FIFA+ on DAZN

Story from Advanced Television:

Sports entertainment platform DAZN has agreed a new strategic partnership with football’s governing body FIFA to launch and operate the FIFA+ service across the globe, suggesting the move will transform the way football fans access and engage with the sport.

Saturday, 14 June 2025

Variety; Warner Bros. Discovery Split: What Will Happen to the Movie Studios, HBO Max, Cable Networks and Other Businesses?

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery, as it telegraphed six months ago, is breaking itself into two chunks.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Variety: Trump Lawyers Confirm They Are in ‘Active Settlement Discussions’ With Paramount Over President’s ‘60 Minutes’ Lawsuit

Story from Variety:

Attorneys representing President Trump in his $20 billion lawsuit against CBS over the allegedly deceptive editing of a “60 Minutes” segment have requested an extension of court deadlines, citing the fact that the parties “are engaged in active settlement discussions.”

Nickelodeon to ban Teens in France next month

Paramount Global EMEA has announced that Nickelodeon Teen (French version of TeenNick) will be shutting down and it’s will be replaced by Nickelodeon Toon (French version of Nicktoons) on 15th July 2025.

Friday, 13 June 2025

Broadband TV News: 18 FAST channels added to Polsat Box Go

Story from Broadband TV News:

Polsat Box Go has added an additional 18 FAST channels to its Start and Premium packages.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - New York Post: How to read the tea leaves on stalled $8B Paramount-Skydance deal

Story from New York Post:

Everyone is reading the tea leaves these days on the seemingly forever stalled $8 billion Skydance-Paramount deal.

Advanced Television; Greece: DAZN partners with Antenna Group

Story from Advanced Television:

DAZN, the sports streaming platform, has announced its entry into the Greek market through a commercial partnership with Antenna Group, the international media, content and entertainment organisation.

Advanced Television: IMG to deliver FIFA Club World Cup programming for DAZN

Story from Advanced Television:

DAZN, the sports streaming entertainment platform, has partnered with sports marketing agency, IMG, to deliver its UK and global English-language programming for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025T.

Deadline: WWE Superstar Jade Cargill To Make Acting Debut Opposite Jonathan Majors In Action Thriller ‘True Threat’

Story from Deadline:

WWE superstar Jade Cargill is set to make her acting debut starring opposite Jonathan Majors in True Threat, a Harlem-set action thriller from director Gerard McMurray (The First Purge, Burning Sands).

Variety: HBO Family, ThrillerMax and Other Multiplex Channels to Be Shut Down by Warner Bros. Discovery

Story from Variety:

As Elmo leaves the HBO family, so does HBO Family.

Variety: Vox Media Union Reaches Agreement on Three-Year Contract

Story from Variety:

Vox Media‘s union employees will not hit the picket line for now: On Friday morning, the union said it had reached a tentative three-year agreement with the digital media company after an overnight bargaining session.

Broadband TV News: Canal+ offers to distribute possible Ligue 1 channel

Story from Broadband TV News:

Canal+ has submitted a proposal to the French football league offering to distribute the LFP’s proposed football channel and securing the rights to the prime Sunday evening match.

Thursday, 12 June 2025

Variety: PBS, NPR Could Lose $1.1 Billion in Funding After Trump’s Rescission Bill Narrowly Passes House

Story from Variety:

The U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of President Trump’s “rescission” bill Thursday, a measure that would claw back nearly $1.1 billion in funding already approved for PBS and NPR.

Deadline; Loren Ruch Dies: HGTV Content Chief Was 55

Story from Deadline:

HGTV programming boss Loren Ruch died Thursday morning at the age of 55, parent company Warner Bros Discovery has confirmed.

RTÉ News: RTÉ seeks expressions of interest for presenter roles for radio and news

Story from RTÉ News:

RTÉ has advertised an open internal and external "expressions of interest" process for on-air presenters across RTÉ Radio 1 and News and Current Affairs.

Advanced Television: Warner Bros Discovery pays the price for changing mind

Story from Advanced Television:

Back in 2022, management advisor company McKinsey told Warner Bros that the media giant should combine itself with factual production specialist Discovery.