Broadband TV News: Steady SES as media reduces again

Story from Broadband TV News:

SES has published its final set of financials before numbers from Intelsat are included in the totals.

Deadline: Fox Acquires One-Third Stake In Penske Entertainment, Owner Of Indycar Series

Story from Deadline:

Fox has purchased a one-third interest in Penske Entertainment inclusive of Indycar and the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Deadline: Charter Shareholders Approve Merger With Cox Communications

Story from Deadline:

Charter Communications stockholders have approved the broadband and cable giant’s proposed acquisition of Cox Communications, bringing the deal a step closer.

Deadline: TKO Group Taps Major League Soccer Exec Sana Shuaib As It Expands Global Partnerships Team

Story from Deadline:

UFC and WWE parent TKO Group announced two new appointments to its global partnerships team, hiring Sana Shuaib as SVP, Partnership Marketing & Digital and naming veteran executive Brit Santypal SVP, Operations.

Deadline: Banijay Entertainment H1 Earnings Hit $236M As Company Plans YouTube Push

Story from Deadline:

Banijay Group’s entertainment and live units saw adjusted half-year earnings rise 5.7% to €207.5M ($236M), with sales also up and a YouTube push in the crosshairs.

Deadline: Epic Universe, ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ Buoy Comcast Q2 As Company Posts Gain On Sale Of Hulu Stake

Story from Deadline:

Comcast saw revenue and profit grow and topped Wall Street estimates across the board for the June quarter as its stock popped in early trade.

BizAsia: Mahesh Shetty replaces Ajit Varghese as Head of Revenue, Entertainment & International at JioStar

Story from BizAsia:

Following the departure of Ajit Varghese earlier today, JioStar has formally announced the appointment of Mahesh Shetty as Head of Revenue, Entertainment & International.

Advanced Television: EchoStar avoids financial default

Story from Advanced Television:

EchoStar’s Dish pay-TV subsidiary has made its contracted interest payments, worth $114 million, to its lenders, and thus has avoided a potential default.

Hollywood Reporter: Shannon Sharpe Out at ESPN

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

NFL hall-of-famer and podcaster Shannon Sharpe is out at ESPN, just a few weeks after settling a $50 million lawsuit brought by a woman who had accused him of rape.

Broadband TV News: ProSiebenSat.1 sees recovery ahead despite revenue decline

Story from Broadband TV News:

ProSiebenSat.1 has confirmed its full-year financial targets for 2025 despite a 7% year-on-year revenue decline in the second quarter and continued weakness in the high-margin TV advertising business.

Deadline: Warner Bros Cuts 10% Of Motion Picture Group Work Force Across Marketing, Distribution, Production & More

Story from Deadline:

The Warner Bros Motion Picture Group is undergoing 10% cuts in its workforce, we’ve learned.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Variety: CBS News Digital’s WGA East Union Members Reach Deal on Three-Year Contract, One Week Before Skydance Is Set to Take Over

Story from Variety:

Writers Guild of America East members at CBS News Digital reached a deal with management on their first collective-bargaining agreement, coming after more than a year of negotiations.

Deadline: FCC Chair Launches Inquiry Into NBCU Over Treatment Of Local Affiliates

Story from Deadline:

The chairman of the FCC has opened another inquiry into a major media company, this time over the relationship between Comcast‘s NBCUniversal and its local broadcast affiliates.

Hollywood Reporter: ‘E! News’ Shutters, and a Celebrity Golden Era Comes to an End

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

The demise of E! News, which will air its final TV broadcast on Sept. 25, marks the latest nail in cable TV’s coffin.

Hollywood Reporter: Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer’s Pay Fell to $9.8 Million in 2025

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer saw his total compensation fall to $9.8 million for fiscal 2025, according to the company’s latest proxy filing released Tuesday.

Advanced Television: TF1 H1 revenue flat; record audiences for TF1+

Story from Advanced Television:

French broadcaster TF1 group has reported consolidated revenue amounted to €1.1 billion in the first half of 2025, stable year on year (- €1 million).

Advanced Television: Samba TV partners with Kochava

Story from Advanced Television:

Samba TV, a specialist in AI-driven media intelligence, has announced a strategic partnership with Kochava, the omnichannel measurement and attribution company.

Advanced Television: Fernandes heads social creative at Little Dot Studios

Story from Advanced Television:

Little Dot Studios, an All3Media company, has appointed Steph Fernandes as its new Head of Social Creative, Entertainment.

Advanced Television: ITV Studios signs scripted deal with Canada’s CBC

Story from Advanced Television:

ITV Studios has announced a series of sales to CBC across its drama slate.

Hollywood Reporter: TNT Sports Quadruples Down on Savannah Bananas, Will Televise Banana Ball Championship

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

TNT Sports will be seeing yellow over the next couple of months, with the sports division inking the biggest TV deal yet for the Savannah Bananas and Banana Ball, including the first ever Banana Ball tour championship.

Broadband TV News: Canal+ drops wholesale subscribers

Story from Broadband TV News:

Canal+ says it is treating the maintenance of its direct-to-consumer subscriber bases as a “priority”, while adopting a more “selective approach” on wholesale distribution.

Hollywood Reporter: ‘NBC Nightly News’ EP Meghan Rafferty Exits to Join Versant

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

NBC Nightly News executive producer Meghan Rafferty will exit the evening newscast to join Versant, the forthcoming Comcast spinoff that will include most of the company’s cable TV brands.

Variety: Versant Names Tom Rogers Senior Adviser

Story from Variety:

Tom Rogers helped launch MSNBC and CNBC.

Deadline: Broadcast TV Lobby Praises FCC Chairman For Deregulatory Push, Even As He Also Investigates Some Of Their Members

Story from Deadline:

The ads from the broadcast lobby have popped up on social media in recent months: “Thank you Chairman Carr!”

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - New York Post: Former CBS anchor Connie Chung warns Paramount merger marks ‘the end’ of the network and ‘honest’ journalism

Story from New York Post:

Former CBS anchor Connie Chung warned on CNN Friday that the recent merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media could be the “end” of journalism as she once knew it.

Broadband TV News: Maximilian Orgonyi to lead transformation and AI strategy at RTL Deutschland

Story from Broadband TV News:

RTL Deutschland has expanded its executive leadership, appointing Maximilian Orgonyi as Chief Transformation Officer with effect from 1 August 2025.

Deadline: Canal+ Revenue Falls 3.3% To $3.6B But Says Earnings On Track; ‘Paddington’ Company Raises $330M

Story from Deadline:

Canal+ has posted half-year revenue of €3.08B ($3.57B), down 3.3% year-on-year on a reported basis, but is telling shareholders earnings are expected to get a “significant” increase in H2.

Advanced Television: OSN CEO steps down

Story from Advanced Television:

The CEO of Dubai-based pay-TV operator OSN has stepped down after three years in the job.

Variety: Sanford Panitch to Remain Sony Pictures President, Studio Announces Key Promotions as Josh Greenstein Departs

Story from Variety:

Sanford Panitch will remain as president of Sony‘s Motion Picture Group.

Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros. Discovery’s Post-Split Companies Will Be Warner Bros. and Discovery

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Warner Bros. Discovery, meet Warner Bros. and Discovery.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Variety: Josh Greenstein to Join Paramount Following Skydance Sale

Story from Variety:

Josh Greenstein has been tapped to join Paramount following the company’s sale to Skydance.

Deadline: Fubo Sees Disney, Hulu + Live TV Deal Closing Earlier Than Anticipated

Story from Deadline:

Fubo has accelerated the expected timeline for closing its sale to Disney, now anticipating the transaction will close in the fourth quarter of this year or the first three months of 2026.

Broadband TV News: Liberty Global planning major job cuts

Story from Broadband TV News:

The company behind Virgin Media O2 and VodafoneZiggo has offered voluntary redundancy to several hundred of its employees.

Advanced Television: CNMC fines Telefónica €20m for illicit pay-TV bundle

Story from Advanced Television:

Spanish regulator CNMC has fined Telefónica €20 million over a bundled offer that included a mobile phone – which the regulator said violated conditions related to pay-TV services.

Broadcast Sport: EBU agrees Women’s Champions League deal

Story from Broadcast Sport:

EBU members across Europe will show one match-per-week from the UEFA Women’s Champions League until 2030.

Deadline: Meta Exec Joins BBC News For Key Artificial Intelligence Role

Story from Deadline:

A Meta executive is heading to BBC News to oversee its adoption of AI.

C21 Media: UK commissioning slump prompts Scotland’s STV Studios to issue profit warning

Story from C21 Media:

Scotland’s STV Group has warned that its full-year financial performance will fall short of expectations due to “significant commissioning market deterioration,” with unscripted output from production arm STV Studios particularly affected by the downturn.

Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery and Series Mania Institute Select Winner of Writers’ Programme

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery Access UK and the Series Mania Institute have selected French screenwriter Julie-Anna Grignon as the winner of their 2025 Writers’ Programme.

Broadband TV News: Sportdigital secures Polish Ekstraklasa football rights

Story from Broadband TV News:

Poland’s first-division football league Ekstraklasa has signed new licensing agreements for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons, making the league even more accessible to international audiences.

Broadband TV News: German State Minister warns of Berlusconi threat to journalistic independence at ProSiebenSat.1

Story from Broadband TV News:

German Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer fears the loss of journalistic independence at ProSiebenSat.1 should the media company come under the full control of the Italian holding company MFE-MediaForEurope, in which Pier Silvio Berlusconi holds a significant stake.

Advanced Television: MFE raises ProSiebenSat.1 offer

Story from Advanced Television:

MFE-MEDIAFOREUROPE has increased the offer consideration for its voluntary public takeover offer to the shareholders of ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE.

Advanced Television: MBC Group partners with Netflix

Story from Advanced Television:

MBC Group, the MENA media organisation, has announced new regional partnership with Netflix.

Sky Italia launches Sky Adventure

Media Boy UK HQ has just been told that Sky UK sister network Sky Italia has launched an Channel called Sky Adventure.

Warner Bros Discovery to close HBO Family next month

Due to the channel now attracting extremely low ratings, HBO Family is closing on August 15, 2025 at midnight.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Variety: Paramount and Skydance Expect Deal to Close Aug. 7

Story from Variety:

In just under two weeks, Paramount Global will complete its merger with the smaller Skydance Media to form “Paramount Skydance Corp.” — and bring a rollercoaster M&A ride to its conclusion.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Variety; David Letterman Blasts CBS and Skydance on ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ Cancellation: ‘This Is Pure Cowardice’

Story from Variety:

David Letterman unloaded on CBS and Skydance on Friday for cancelling “The Late Show,” which he launched 32 years ago, saying the network had mistreated his successor, Stephen Colbert.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline; “Trump Transaction Tax”: Skydance’s FCC Saga Raises Fears That It’s The Template For Future Media Merger Reviews

Story from Deadline:

Hours after announcing the approval of Skydance’s merger with Paramount, FCC chairman Brendan Carr touted the company’s commitment to “addressing bias & restoring fact-based reporting” at CBS News, among other things.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Variety: For Paramount, Hundreds of Job Cuts Loom Once Skydance Merger Is Completed

Story from Variety:

Employees of Paramount Global have been through the wringer over the last year and a half. And the uncertainty hanging over their heads is far from over.

Broadband TV News: NFL could take 10% stake in ESPN

Story from Broadband TV News:

The NFL is nearing a deal to acquire a minority stake in US sports network ESPN.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline: Paramount Shares Reverse Gains After Skydance Merger Greenlight, Investors Cautious

Story from Deadline:

Shares of Paramount Global surrendered early gains Friday, closing down 1.6% at $13.05.

Deadline: Charter Stock Has Its Worst Day Ever, Falling 18% On Q2 Earnings Miss; CEO Chris Winfrey Calls Streaming A Boon To Pay-TV Bundle

Story from Deadline:

Charter Communications stock had its worst single-day loss since going public in 1999, dropping 18.5% Friday after missing Wall Street’s second-quarter expectations.

Advanced Television: La Liga strengthens Asia expansion

Story from Advanced Television:

La Liga has signed an exclusive deal with Begin, the OTT service in Southeast Asia, to broadcast all first and second division matches through 2030 in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

Broadband TV News: Motorbike channel 1000PS launches on waipu.tv

Story from Broadband TV News:

A new TV destination for motorbike fans has arrived: 1000PS, the first 24/7 channel dedicated entirely to motorcycles and the people who ride them, is now available on German streaming platform waipu.tv.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline: Skydance-Paramount Merger Clears FCC At Last, With Deal Set To Close And Changes Coming

Story from Deadline:

The FCC on Thursday finally signed off on the marriage of Skydance Media and Paramount Global.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline: Paramount Co-CEO Chris McCarthy To Depart Upon Completion Of Skydance Acquisition As Deal Gets FCC Approval

Story from Deadline:

Chris McCarthy, co-CEO of Paramount Global and president of Showtime/MTV Entertainment, is expected to depart the company once its acquisition by Skydance is completed early next month.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline: FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez Delivers Blistering Statement On Skydance-Paramount Approval, Says Companies Chose “Capitulation Over Courage”

Story from Deadline:

The sole Democrat on the FCC delivered a blistering statement on the FCC’s approval of the Skydance–Paramount merger, saying that the companies bowed to pressure from the Trump administration to secure the deal.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline: Elizabeth Warren Says Skydance-Paramount Merger Approval “Must Be Investigated For Any Criminal Behavior”

Story from Deadline:

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) reacted to the FCC approval of the Skydance–Paramount merger, again raising questions of whether the green light was the result of a corporate bribery of Donald Trump.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline: ‘The Daily Show’s Future, Cable Networks’ Fate, And 6 More Questions Facing Paramount & Skydance Post-Merger

Story from Deadline:

After a long, complicated slog toward Thursday’s FCC approval, Paramount Global and Skydance Media will now face a number of tricky questions in becoming one company.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Hollywood Reporter: Paramount-Skydance Merger Approved by FCC, Clearing Way for $8 Billion Deal Close

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

The Federal Communications Commission has cleared the way for David Ellison’s Skydance to acquire Paramount Global.

Deadline: ‘E! News’ Nightly Show Axed As Versant Eyes Digital Future For Brand

Story from Deadline:

E! News, the long-running celebrity news show, is coming to an end.

Deadline: In Upside-Down Move, NBCUniversal Mulls Launch Of Cable Channel That Would Carry Peacock Sports Content

Story from Deadline:

NBCUniversal, which shuttered NBC Sports Network in 2021, is considering launching a sports-focused cable channel that would carry programming available on streaming service Peacock.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline: FCC Chairman Praises Skydance’s “Commitment To Serious Changes At CBS”; Democratic Commissioner Blasts “Cowardly” Capitulation

Story from Deadline:

FCC chairman Brendan Carr on Thursday praised Skydance Media’s commitment to hire an ombudsman for CBS News after it completes its merger with Paramount Global.

Variety: Comcast Sets Board of Directors for Versant Spin-Off Company

Story from Variety:

Comcast unveiled eight new members of the first board of directors of Versant Media Group, which will house the bulk of NBCUniversal’s cable networks and certain digital businesses, including Versant CEO Mark Lazarus.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Variety: Tanya Simon to Lead CBS News’ ‘60 Minutes’ as Executive Producer

Story from Variety:

CBS News named Tanya Simon the new executive producer of “60 Minutes,” making her just the fourth executive to lead the program in its nearly 60 years on air and the first woman to do so.

Variety: Sony Takes Strategic Stake in Bandai Namco With $464 Million Deal

Story from Variety:

Sony Group Corporation has inked a strategic business alliance with anime and gaming powerhouse Bandai Namco Holdings Inc., with the electronics and entertainment conglomerate also acquiring a 2.5% stake in the company for approximately JPY68 billion ($464 million).

Advanced Television; Forecast: E&M revenues to hit $3.5tn

Story from Advanced Television:

The global entertainment & media (E&M) industry edged towards $3 trillion (€2.55tn) in revenue in 2024 and is forecast to hit $3.5 trillion in 2029 as advertising spend surges across platforms, according to PwC’s Annual Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2025-29.

Advanced Television: Movistar Plus+ Fútbol Total for €35 a month

Story from Advanced Television:

Movistar Plus+ has launched the Fútbol Total promotion including the most complete football package available in Spain.

Broadband TV News: Record Q2 growth for Disney+ following ad boost

Story from Broadband TV News:

Ad free alternatives are unlikely to be the first choice for viewers by 2026, according to new Worldpanel by Numerator data.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Variety: Elizabeth Warren on Colbert ‘Late Show’ Cancellation: Is the Paramount Trump Payoff a Bribe?

Story from Variety:

President Donald Trump and CBS parent company Paramount want you to think that “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” was canceled for “purely financial” reasons. Really?

Hollywood Reporter: YouTube Ad Revenue Nears $10 Billion in Latest Quarter

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Alphabet remains on a roll as its world-beating streaming-video platform YouTube continues to dominate.

Advanced Television; Atresmedia H1: €63.8m profit

Story from Advanced Television:

Atresmedia has reported a net profit of €63.8 million for the first half of 2025, reaffirming its position as Spain’s leading TV group.

Deadline; Jimmy Kimmel Fires Back At Donald Trump After POTUS Hinted ABC Late-Night Show Would Be Canceled Next: “I’m Hearing You’re Next”

Story from Deadline:

Jimmy Kimmel is exercising his First Amendment right as a U.S. citizen and firing back at Donald Trump after the President of the United States hinted his late-night talk show would be canceled next.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Hollywood Reporter: Skydance Tells FCC It Will Create CBS News Ombudsman, Eliminate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Paramount

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Big changes will come to CBS and CBS News, once Skydance‘s takeover of Paramount Global is closed.

Paramount Global for sale latest - Hollywood Reporter: Trump’s Side Deal With “New Owners” of Paramount May Hint at FCC Concessions

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

President Trump has said that he anticipates receiving at least $20 million in advertising, public service announcements or similar programming from incoming Paramount Global owner Skydance as part of a settlement to resolve a lawsuit that 60 Minutes conducted with Kamala Harris.

Deadline: Canal+’s Takeover Of African Giant MultiChoice Group Gets Approval

Story from Deadline:

Canal+‘s long-running takeover of African content giant MultiChoice has moved a step closer.

Broadband TV News: TF1 launches legal action against Canal+ TV+ platform

Story from Broadband TV News:

TF1 has begun legal action against Canal+ over the platform’s low-cost TV offer.

Advanced Television; Italy: DAZN, Warner Bros Discovery extend partnership

Story from Advanced Television:

DAZN and Warner Bros Discovery are extending their existing partnership in Italy, which was set to expire in 2026.

Advanced Television: ITV Studios takes majority stake in Plano a Plano

Story from Advanced Television:

ITV Studios has taken a majority stake in the leading Spanish scripted production company Plano a Plano.

Advanced Television: SABC seeks licence fee VAT removal

Story from Advanced Television:

South Africa’s public broadcaster SABC is asking the nation’s government to alter how the broadcasting TV Licence is structured.

Advanced Television: MBC’s Al Arabiya moves to Saudi

Story from Advanced Television:

MBC says it has officially moved its Dubai-based Al Arabiya family of news channels to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.

Paramount Global for sale latest - Deadline: FCC Chair Wades Into Late-Night Saga: “The Left Is Acting Like They’re Losing A Loyal DNC Spokesperson”

Story from Deadline:

Brendan Carr, chair of President Donald Trump’s Federal Communications Commission, is speaking out about CBS’ cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Paramount Global for sale latest - Deadline: Donald Trump And Paramount Close Out Lawsuit After $16M Settlement; POTUS Says They “Anticipate” $20M In PSAs From New Owners

Story from Deadline:

Attorneys for Donald Trump and Paramount Global officially gave notice Tuesday that the president’s litigation against CBS is over.

Paramount Global for sale latest - Variety: Skydance CEO David Ellison Pledged to FCC He Would ‘Ensure’ CBS News Coverage Reflects ‘Varied Ideological Perspectives’

Story from Variety:

More than a year after Skydance Media and its partners clinched a deal with Shari Redstone and Paramount Global to merge the companies, the FCC has yet to act on an application to approve the transfer of CBS licenses to the new ownership.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Hollywood Reporter: Paramount Execs Tell Staff That Africa Offices and Channels May Close Amid Strategy Review

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Paramount Global‘s Africa offices may close, local channels may be shuttered, and staffers’ roles could be impacted, company executives told employees in the region on Tuesday, sources familiar with the situation tell The Hollywood Reporter.

Deadline: NPR’s Editor-In-Chief Edith Chapin To Step Down; Announcement Comes After Congress Cuts Federal Funding For Public Media

Story from Deadline:

NPR‘s editor in chief plans to step down this fall, an announcement that comes just after public media lost federal funding for the next two years.

Broadband TV News: Zygmunt Solorz out of Cyfrowy Polsat

Story from Broadband TV News:

Zygmunt Solorz has been dismissed as the head of the supervisory board of Cyfrowy Polsat.

Broadband TV News: Sky Italia creates new sport, news and entertainment division

Story from Broadband TV News:

Sky Italia has announced the creation of a new sport, news and entertainment division, led by Giuseppe De Bellis.

Advanced Television: Orange seeks full control of MasOrange

Story from Advanced Television:

Orange has made a preliminary offer of around €4 billion to acquire the remaining 50 per cent of MasOrange from private equity firms Cinven, KKR, and Providence.

Deadline: Sky New Zealand Buys Local Warner Bros Discovery Channels For 60 Cents

Story from Deadline:

Sky New Zealand has acquired Warner Bros Discovery‘s local channels business for a token sum of NZ$1 (60¢).

Variety: Lionsgate Film Marketing Heads JP Richards and Keri Moore Exit Studio

Story from Variety:

Lionsgate Motion Picture Group marketing heads JP Richards and Keri Moore are stepping down, Variety has learned.

Hollywood Reporter: BBC Studios Names Amanda Jones Chief Financial Officer

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Amanda Jones has been appointed BBC Studios’ chief financial officer (CFO) after serving as interim CFO.

Hollywood Reporter: TelevisaUnivision Quarterly U.S. Ad Revenue Drops 2 Percent, Streamer ViX Tops 10M Subscribers

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Spanish-language media giant TelevisaUnivision reported a 2 percent U.S. revenue gain to $816 million in the second quarter of 2025 as a 2 percent advertising revenue drop was outweighed by a 9 percent gain in subscription and licensing revenue.

Paramount Global for sale latest - Deadline; The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart Torches Paramount Over Colbert Axing

Story from Deadline:

Jon Stewart has gone full-scorched Earth on his own parent company.

Variety: Fox Sees New Ad Dollars for Sports, News, Streaming in Latest Upfront Close

Story from Variety:

Fears that Trump tariffs would dampen TV’s annual “upfront” advertising market appear to have been overblown — at least for those media companies with a strong sports portfolio.

Broadband TV News: tivùsat rolls out new HbbTV-based EPG via satellite and DTT

Story from Broadband TV News:

Italian TV platform tivùsat has launched Tivù la Guida, a new interactive electronic programme guide (EPG) delivered over the HbbTV standard and available free of charge via satellite and DTT.

Advanced Television: Advertising, subs growth boost Italian TV

Story from Advanced Television:

Italy’s media sector generated over €12 billion in revenue last year, a 4 per cent increase from 2023, according to the annual report of the Communications Authority (AgCom).

Paramount Global for sale latest - Variety: Democrats to Intro ‘Presidential Library Anti-Corruption’ Bill After Paramount, Disney Lawsuit Settlements With Trump

Story from Variety:

A group of Democrats in Congress is introducing legislation to close “loopholes” that allow for unchecked donations to presidential libraries.

Deadline: How Public Media Lost The Federal Funding Battle, And What Happens Next To Stations, NPR And PBS

Story from Deadline:

Now that Congress has zeroed out federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, PBS, NPR and stations across the country will be scrambling to come up with plans for what to do next.

Paramount Global for sale latest - Hollywood Reporter: Jon Stewart Is Unsure of ‘The Daily Show’s Future Amid Paramount-Skydance Merger

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Jon Stewart is uncertain about The Daily Show‘s future if the Skydance–Paramount merger goes through.

Broadband TV News: Munich court orders ARTE to pay damages in carriage fee dispute

Story from Broadband TV News:

The Regional Court of Munich has ruled against ARTE Deutschland TV, finding the broadcaster guilty of anti-competitive discrimination and ordering it to pay damages to Rosenheim-based telecommunications company komro.

Advanced Television: US confirms end of PBS, NPR funding

Story from Advanced Television:

Both US legislative Houses (Representatives and Congress) have confirmed the ending of federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting (PBS).

Advanced Television: Multichoice seeks regulatory growth aid

Story from Advanced Television:

MultiChoice and its French suitor, Canal+, have told South Africa’s competition regulators that they cannot compete effectively without building its business.

Advanced Television: ITV Studios secures APAC scripted deals

Story from Advanced Television:

ITV Studios has announced numerous sales of its premium scripted slate in the Asia Pacific region, underscoring continued strong demand, throughout Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand and Southeast Asia.

Variety: India’s JioStar Posts $1.3 Billion Revenue in Q1, Sets IPL Viewership and Streaming Records

Story from Variety:

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries reported strong financial and operational results from its media and entertainment unit JioStar for the quarter ended June 30, powered by unprecedented digital and television viewership during the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament.

BizAsia: New channels ZEE Power & ZEE BanglaSonar unveiled at ‘Z’ Whats Next event

Story from BizAsia:

Zee, one of India’s most iconic and beloved media brands, reaching 854 million viewers across 208 million households, entered a bold new era with the launch of its new brand identity and powerful brand promise “Yours Truly, Z”.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Hollywood Reporter; Critic’s Notebook: The Awful Optics of CBS Canceling ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

In a shocking move that reflected just about every deeply felt insecurity in the TV industry, the entertainment industry and perhaps American media at large, CBS announced on Thursday, July 17, that The Late Show With Stephen Colbert will wrap its run in May 2026, following the 2025-26 broadcast season.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - BBC News: Is this the death of the late night US chat show?

Story from BBC News:

Stephen Colbert took viewers by surprise this week when he announced The Late Show would be heading for the big TV schedule in the sky.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Hollywood Reporter: CBS’ Colbert Axe and Late-Night’s Slow Death

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Late night hosts are just like us: They vent in group texts too.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline: Skydance’s David Ellison Meets With FCC Chairman Brendan Carr To Discuss Paramount Merger And Company’s “Commitment to Unbiased Journalism”

Story from Deadline:

Skydance Media CEO David Ellison met with FCC chairman Brendan Carr and other agency staffers this week to discuss the pending regulatory decision on the company’s merger with Paramount Global, where topics included news coverage.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline: Donald Trump Celebrates CBS’ Cancellation Of Stephen Colbert’s ‘The Late Show’

Story from Deadline:

Donald Trump celebrated CBS‘ decision to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and attacked the two remaining broadcast network late night hosts, Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon.

Broadband TV News: tivùsat rolls out new HbbTV-based EPG via satellite and DTT

Story from Broadband TV News:

Italian TV platform tivùsat has launched Tivù la Guida, a new interactive electronic programme guide (EPG) delivered over the HbbTV standard and available free of charge via satellite and DTT.

Broadband TV News: Mehmet Zahid Sobacı reappointed as Director General of TRT

Story from Broadband TV News:

TRT Director General Prof. Dr. Mehmet Zahid Sobacı has been reappointed as Director General for a second four-year term.

Broadband TV News: Telia Company to dispose of Latvian operations

Story from Broadband TV News:

The Latvian state is to take control of Tet and LMT.

Variety: India Reports Over $1.1 Billion in Media Deals at WAVES 2025

Story from Variety:

India’s creative economy ambitions were on full display at WAVES 2025, the inaugural World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit, where a new government report tallies over $1.1 billion in media and entertainment deals and investment commitments inked during the four-day event.

Variety; Trump Celebrates Congress Pulling $1.1 Billion in Funding From ‘Atrocious’ NPR and PBS: ‘This Is Big!’

Story from Variety:

President Donald Trump took a victory lap after Congress formally passed his measure to claw back $9 billion in previously approved funding, including $1.1 billion for PBS and NPR — which public media execs have said could force dozens of local stations to shut down.

Hollywood Reporter: PBS and NPR Funding Face “Devastating” Cut as Rescission Package Heads to Trump’s Desk

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Federal funding for PBS and NPR is about to be eliminated, in a move that will likely cause an existential cash crunch for many local broadcast stations.

Deadline; Peter Bart: With YouTube Soaring, PBS Fading And Film Struggling, Critics As We Know Them Might Be An Endangered Species

Story from Deadline:

The three news stories ran back to back last week but only one stirred much attention.

Hollywood Reporter: Erin Westerman Named President at Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Amid Studio Shake-Up

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Erin Westerman has been formally named president of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, replacing Nathan Kahane after he recently announced plans to step down by the end of the year.

Hollywood Reporter: Netflix’s Ted Sarandos Says AI Will Make Movies and TV “Better, Not Just Cheaper”

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos sees generative artificial intelligence tools expanding creativity during the making of movies and TV series and not just being a cost-cutting option for studios.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline: Will Skydance Cancel ‘The Daily Show’? Jon Stewart Weighs In On Future Of Late-Night Series

Story from Deadline:

The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart, who recently called Paramount Global’s settlement with President Donald Trump “shameful”, has weighed in on the future of the late-night show.

Variety: Fox Sports Inks Broad Pact With Barstool Sports, Dave Portnoy to Become Regular On-Air Contributor

Story from Variety:

Fox Sports is officially in business with Barstool Sports, which has built a solid fanbase for its brash brand of commentary, and company founder Dave Portnoy.

Variety: CNBC Shake-Up Has David Cho Replace Dan Colarusso as Editorial Chief

Story from Variety:

CNBC heads toward market close with a new executive about to come on board to manage its editorial ups and downs.

Deadline: Netflix Readies Q2 Report As Wall Street Anticipates Strong Kickoff To Earnings Season

Story from Deadline:

Netflix is due to report second-quarter results after the close of trading Thursday, with Wall Street eagerly anticipating a strong kickoff to media earnings season from the giant streamer.

Deadline: Senate Votes To Cut Federal Funding To Public Broadcasting; “Against The Will Of The American People,” PBS CEO Says

Story from Deadline:

The Senate passed Donald Trump‘s set of spending cuts to rescind $1.1 billion from public media, despite warnings that the funding rollbacks will devastate the PBS, NPR and public station ecosystem.

Advanced Television: Telenor sells Allente stake to Viaplay

Story from Advanced Television:

Telenor Group has signed an agreement to sell its 50 per cent stake in Allente to Viaplay for a total consideration of SEK 1.1 billion (€0.09bn).

Advanced Television: SES closes Intelsat acquisition

Story from Advanced Television:

SES has announced the completion of its acquisition of Intelsat, creating a strengthened global satellite operator with an expanded fleet of 120 satellites across two orbits.

Advanced Television: Viaplay “continues transformation”; TV 2 football deal

Story from Advanced Television:

Viaplay Group, which has just announced the acquisition of the 50 per cent stake in Allente that it didn’t already own, has reported that its “transformation continued in Q2” with focus on value over volume.

Advanced Television: Tele2 reports “flying start” in Q2

Story from Advanced Television:

Tele2, the Sweden-based multinational telco, has announced its consolidated results for the second quarter of 2025 with a full year 2025 guidance on underlying EBITDAaL raised to slightly above 10 per cent organic growth.

Hollywood Reporter: NBCUniversal Reaches $3.6 Million Settlement In Lawsuit Over Peacock Subscription Cancellations

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

NBCUniversal will pay $3.6 million to settle a lawsuit accusing it of failing to provide users an easy mechanism to cancel automatically renewing Peacock subscriptions.

Deadline: Senate Starts “Vote-A-Rama” As It Heads For Final Roll Call On Rescinding Federal Funding For PBS, NPR And Public Media Stations

Story from Deadline:

The Senate started a day-long prelude to a final vote on whether to strip public broadcasting of all federal funding, with lawmakers expected to introduce amendments throughout the day.

Variety: Would You Pay More for Netflix? Survey Shows Most of the Streamer’s Customers Willing to Spend Extra Even After Price Hikes

Story from Variety:

Netflix just raised prices in the U.S. six months ago.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Variety; Defeat the Press: How Donald Trump’s Attacks on News Outlets Undermine the First Amendment

Story from Variety:

Kiss the ring; bend the knee.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline: Democrats To Introduce Bill To Restrict Contributions To Presidential Libraries; Legislation Follows Trump Settlements With Paramount, Disney

Story from Deadline:

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and other congressional Democrats are introducing legislation on Wednesday that would restrict contributions to presidential libraries.

Hollywood Reporter; Netflix Earnings Preview: Price Hikes, AI and Cash Flow in Focus

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

No Netflix subscriber number disclosures?

Broadband TV News: BBC’s response to global news events drives audience growth

Story from Broadband TV News:

BBC News grew its global audience by 4 million people in 2024/25 as coverage of international conflicts, crises and elections drew audiences in. 

Broadband TV News: RTLzwei and Warner Bros. Discovery plan joint advertising sales house

Story from Broadband TV News:

German broadcaster RTLzwei and media company Warner Bros. Discovery Deutschland are joining forces to set up a joint advertising sales company.

Advanced Television: NBCUniversal reports record ad sales volume

Story from Advanced Television:

NBCUniversal has announced the close of its 2025-26 Upfront negotiation cycle, which generated the highest ad sales volume ever for its slate of programming.

Deadline: Casey Bloys On HBO Max Emmy Dominance, ‘The Pitt’ Breakthrough, ‘White Lotus’, ‘Last Of Us’ & ‘Hacks’ Future, ‘The Penguin’ Season 2 & ‘Euphoria’

Story from Deadline:

Warner Bros. Discovery’s HBO Max was the most nominated platform at the 2025 Emmy Awards with 142 noms, paced by HBO’s limited series The Penguin (24), The White Lotus Season 3 (23) and The Last of Us Season 2 (16) as well as HBO Max originals Hacks Season 4 (14) and The Pitt Season 1 (13).

Deadline: Donald Trump’s DOJ Again Seeks To Remove Three Board Members From Corporation For Public Broadcasting

Story from Deadline:

The Justice Department has embarked on a new effort to remove three board members, including Sony’s Tom Rothman, from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Deadline: Senate Votes To Advance Trump’s Effort To Rescind Funding For PBS, NPR And Public Media

Story from Deadline:

The Senate voted on Tuesday evening to advance a package that would roll back $1.1 billion in funding to PBS, NPR and public media that had already been allocated over the next two years.

The Following Paramount Global in Central And Eastern Europe by 2026

The following channels is set to close:

Variety: NBCU Says Surge in Sports Ads Boosts Upfront Sales Haul

Story from Variety:

People still want to watch sports on TV, and that means — at least for now — advertisers still need to spend on it.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Hollywood Reporter: Inside the $3 Billion ‘South Park’ Fight That May Blow Up Its Future

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

The premiere for the 27th season of South Park later this month is in serious doubt amid wrangling between series creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Paramount Global and incoming studio owner Skydance, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Deadline: TelevisaUnivision Warns “Softness” In U.S. Ad Business Will Cause Q2 Revenue Drop

Story from Deadline:

Debt-laden Hispanic media giant TelevisaUnivision said it expects to report a drop in revenue for the second quarter due in part to “softness” in its U.S. advertising operation.

Deadline: ‘Bluey’ Tops Streaming Rankings Dominated By Acquired Titles From ‘Supernatural’ To ‘South Park’ In First Half Of 2025, Nielsen Says

Story from Deadline:

The results are in, and the streaming landscape was once again primarily dominated by acquired content in the first half of the year, according to a new report from Nielsen.

Deadline: Copa América Docuseries Lands At Disney+

Story from Deadline:

Last year, Lionel Messi helped Argentina retain its Copa América trophy and now Disney+ subscribers in Latin America can look back at the tournament in a new six-part docuseries.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline: Stephen Colbert Riffs On Paramount’s “Big Fat Bribe” To Settle Donald Trump’s CBS ’60 Minutes’ Lawsuit

Story from Deadline:

Stephen Colbert riffed Paramount Global’s $16 million settlement of Donald Trump‘s lawsuit, calling the payment a “big fat bribe” and joking about the prospects that new owner Skydance will try pressure him to back off from humor directed at the president.

Advanced Television: SES purchase of Intelsat to wrap this week

Story from Advanced Television:

SES has confirmed that it has received all the necessary legal and commercial permits to needed to complete its acquisition of Intelsat.

Advanced Television: Ericsson sales up 2% in Q2

Story from Advanced Television:

Ericsson has reported that Q2 2025 sales grew by 2 per cent, driven by market area Americas and IPR licensing, partly offset by declines in other market areas, with investments in India on hold.

Advanced Television: Smartclip launches Sidekicks AI platform

Story from Advanced Television:

Smartclip, RTL Group’s adtech business, has announced the launch of Sidekicks, a new agentic AI platform designed to address practical challenges in the media industry.

Advanced Television: NEP, Sunset+Vine dive into World Aquatics

Story from Advanced Television:

Media services company and host broadcast facilities provider NEP Group and creative production company Sunset+Vine are partnering up to provide creative, technical and editorial production services for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, running now through to August 3rd, as well as the World Aquatics Masters Championships from July 26th to August 22nd.

Broadband TV News: Tim Gerhartz to join ZDF Studios as Chief Commercial Officer

Story from Broadband TV News:

Tim Gerhartz will expand the management team of ZDF Studios Group as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) with effect from 1 October 2025.

Broadband TV News: Record revenues for BBC Commercial

Story from Broadband TV News:

The BBC-owned company behind international hits including Bluey, streaming service Britbox, and the UKTV channels has recorded its fourth consecutive year of profit in excess of £200 million.

Deadline: Donald Trump Threatens To Withhold Support For Lawmakers Who Vote Against Effort To Defund PBS, NPR And Public Media

Story from Deadline:

Donald Trump said that he will withhold support or endorsements for any lawmaker who votes against a White House effort to roll back funding for foreign aid and public media.

Advanced Television: HBO’s Harry Potter series starts production; Hagrid first look

Story from Advanced Television:

Production has commenced on the HBO Original Harry Potter television series at Warner Bros Studios Leavesden, UK.

Broadband TV News: Canal+ to refund subscription activation fees in Austria

Story from Broadband TV News:

TV and streaming provider Canal+ Austria must refund an activation fee charged to customers, following legal action by the Austrian Chamber of Labour (AK).

Hollywood Reporter; Dr. Phil Returns: Launches Envoy Media Co. in Comeback Bid

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Dr. Phil‘s Merit Street Media may be effectively dead, but his Envoy Media Co. is just beginning.

Hollywood Reporter: ABC News to Launch Exclusive Daily Show on Disney+

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

ABC News is launching a new, exclusive daily news program that will stream on Disney+.

Paramount Global is set to close some channels in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary & New Zealand

Media Boy UK has seen the list of Paramount Global channels that are set to close by 2026:

Poland;

Deadline; Warner Bros. Discovery Boss David Zaslav Celebrates DC Win At The Box Office: “Superman Is Just The First Step”

Story from Deadline:

Despite Warner Bros. Discovery ultimately being split into two companies, CEO David Zaslav can celebrate a big win this weekend with DC Studios‘ Superman.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Deadline: ‘South Park’ Taken Off Paramount+ Internationally As Streaming Rights Uncertainty Deepens

Story from Deadline:

Another setback for South Park fans.

RXTV: BBC News European satellite switch

Story from RXTV:

For the second time in two years, the satellite feed of BBC News via the Eutelsat Hotbird satellite system is changing.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Hollywood Reporter: What Will It Take to Get the Paramount-Skydance Deal Done?

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

On Monday July 7, representatives for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and its Hollywood Local 399 and the conservative public interest group the Center for American Rights met with staff of the Federal Communications Commission to discuss a deal important to both of them: The Skydance-Paramount merger.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Hollywood Reporter: David Ellison’s Skydance Has Held Talks to Buy Bari Weiss’ The Free Press

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Skydance CEO David Ellison has held talks about acquiring Bari Weiss’ online publication The Free Press, The New York Times reported, citing two sources.

Lionsgate Studios for sale - Deadline: Legendary Kicking Lionsgate’s Tires

Story from Deadline:

Legendary Entertainment may be looking to acquire Lionsgate Studios, which has just spun off on its own ticker on Wall Street.

Broadband TV News: MultiChoice planning revamp of DStv service

Story from Broadband TV News:

MultiChoice is planning a major overhaul of its DSTV satellite service as it attempts to reduce subscriber losses.

Advanced Television; Spain: Movistar Plus+, EuroLeague extend broadcast deal

Story from Advanced Television:

Euroleague Basketball has announced the renewal of its longstanding partnership with Movistar Plus+, securing the exclusive broadcast rights of the EuroLeague and non-exclusive rights of the BKT EuroCup in Spain through the 2030-31 season.

Advanced Television; France: Ligue 1+ on DAZN, Orange and more

Story from Advanced Television:

DAZN, the sports streaming platform, has announced a new partnership with the French Professional Football League (LFP) for the distribution of Ligue 1+, the new channel from the LFP that will broadcast Ligue 1 McDonald’s.

Advanced Television: Lola Cars, Warner Bros Discovery announce collaboration

Story from Advanced Television:

Lola Cars and Warner Bros Discovery have announced a strategic partnership to produce content for motorsport fans as part of a new combined market approach.

Corus Entertainment to close Nickelodeon Canada, Disney XD, Disney Jr. and La Chaîne Disney on September 1st

Story from ToonHive:

Nickelodeon Canada will shut down on September 1st due to financial pressure, Corus Entertainment announces.

Deadline: Michael Mann To Be Honored With France’s Lumière Award

Story from Deadline:

Michael Mann will be honored with the Lumière Award at the 17th edition of the classic film-focused Lumière Festival in Lyon this fall.

Deadline: France’s Studio TF1 Taps Former 42 & Universal Exec As It Eyes International Expansion

Story from Deadline:

France’s Studio TF1 has appointed former 42 and Universal International Studios executive David O’Donoghue as EVP International.

Variety: John Martin, Former Warner Executive, Named CEO at Professional Fighters League

Story from Variety:

The new leader of Professional Fighters League says he’s happy to be running the number-two player in the mixed-martial arts field….for now.

RTÉ News: Committee hears concerns over outsourcing content at RTÉ

Story from RTÉ News:

Offering existing RTÉ programmes "out to tender" to outside production companies "does not enhance the cultural life of this nation", a Dáil committee has heard.

Advanced Television; South Africa: ICASA outlines new rules for DTT

Story from Advanced Television:

South Africa’s communications regulator ICASA has issued a draft set of digital terrestrial broadcasting regulations.

Advanced Television: SES, Intelsat deal clears Federal permissions

Story from Advanced Television:

The acquisition of Intelsat by SES has been cleared by Federal law enforcement officials.

Advanced Television: Viaplay unveils Sport vs Money docuseries

Story from Advanced Television:

Viaplay has announced Sport vs Money with Simon Jordan, a four-part docuseries that tackles one of the most urgent questions in global sport: how money is reshaping the game of football.

Broadband TV News: ITV chooses Fincons Group as strategic partner for content supply simplification

Story from Broadband TV News:

ITV has selected Fincons Group as its strategic partner for a multi-year programme aimed at streamlining its media supply chain.

Broadband TV News: DMC acquires Plazamedia from Sport1, merges with RT1.TV

Story from Broadband TV News:

German media group Sport1 Media, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Highlight Communications, has sold its subsidiary Plazamedia to sports production company DMC Production.

Deadline: Prime Video Italy Adds NBA As It Unveils Packed 2025 Slate Featuring ‘The Traitors Italia’ & Slew Of Romcom Movies

Story from Deadline:

Prime Video Italy unveiled its upcoming 2025 slate in Rome on Thursday, in an event attended by a host of local stars such as Michela Andreozzi, Stefano Cipani, Christian De Sica and Diana Del Bufalo as well as best-selling writer Felicia Kingsley and U.S. filmmaker Jessica Yu.

Deadline: ‘The Big Bang Theory’ Enters The Multiverse As Sci-Fi Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails To Save The Universe’ Gets HBO Max Pickup & Sets Up More OG Returns

Story from Deadline:

Warner Bros. Discovery streamer HBO Max‘s first order of business after officially changing its name is to officially order to series The Big Bang Theory spinoff Stuart Fails To Save The Universe starring the mothership series’ Kevin Sussman, Lauren Lapkus, Brian Posehn and John Ross Bowie.

Deadline: Touching Down In Sun Valley, Can Moguls Find Answers To Media’s Pressing Questions Amid The Ponderosa Pines?

Story from Deadline:

At Sun Valley 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav predicted a surge of media M&A and said he didn’t care who became president as long as deals got done.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Variety: Trump Payout Just the Latest – and Most Blatant – Political Interference at FCC: ‘Sad That It’s Come to This’

Story from Variety:

The controlling owner of Paramount Global, Shari Redstone, delivered a commencement speech at Boston University last year on the theme of “moral leadership.”

Advanced Television: France Télévisions seeks YouTube partnership; budget concerns

Story from Advanced Television:

Following its content distribution deal with Prime Video, France Télévisions is now seeking to strengthen its partnership with YouTube, the president of the French PSB Group, Delphine Ernotte Cunci, has revealed.

Advanced Television: Apple to bid for F1 rights?

Story from Advanced Television:

Apple is reportedly in talks for the US TV rights to Formula 1.

Broadband TV News: Televisión de Galicia pioneers Ultra High Definition broadcasting in Spain

Story from Broadband TV News:

Televisión de Galicia has made history by becoming the first regional channel in Spain to broadcast in Ultra High Definition (UHD) through Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT).

Hollywood Reporter: Behind Dr. Phil’s Media Flameout

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Phil McGraw‘s Merit Street Media is in bankruptcy court and is simultaneously suing its distribution partner, Trinity Broadcasting, for breach of contract that the company says led to the chapter 11 filing.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Hollywood Reporter: Silicon Valley Stalks the Cineplex

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Even in Hollywood, there are likely few people who know what separates a major studio from the rest.

Variety: As HBO Max Returns, Max Account on X Says ‘Twitter Won’t Let Me Change My Name Back’

Story from Variety:

Max, the streaming service formerly known as HBO Max and now known by that name again, complained that X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter, is not letting it switch back to its original moniker.

Variety: Fox Sees Earlier-Than-Expected Sell-Out for MLB All-Star Game Commercials

Story from Variety:

Advertiser demand for the Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game has been so intense, even the commercials that might never air are getting snapped up.

Advanced Television: Esports World Cup Foundation partners with IMG

Story from Advanced Television:

The Esports World Cup Foundation has partnered with sports marketing agency IMG to elevate the broadcast coverage and reach new global audiences for the Esports World Cup (EWC), the world’s largest eSports tournament and gaming festival, which has returned to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from now through to August 24th.

Variety: Max Changed Back to HBO Max on Wednesday

Story from Variety:

The flip is done.

Variety: Turner Classic Movies Will Stay on David Zaslav’s Side of Warner Bros.

Story from Variety:

Turner Classic Movies has carved out a special custody arrangement in the forthcoming Warner Bros. Discovery split, Variety has learned exclusively.

Variety: ‘28 Years Later’ Leads New Sony Deal as Spain’s Movistar Plus+ Renews Pact for Films and AXN Channels

Story from Variety:

Movistar Plus+ and Sony Pictures Entertainment have renewed their long-standing partnership, securing continued access for Spanish audiences to Sony’s theatrical films and television content, including exclusivity in the Pay 1 window.

Deadline: Universal Pictures Promotes Niels Swinkels To Focus Features International Distribution President

Story from Deadline:

Universal Pictures International’s EVP and Manager Director Niels Swinkels will now add President, International Distribution, Focus Features, to his current role as EVP & MD, Universal Pictures International.

Deadline: Sony Pictures Hires Ross Klein As SVP Domestic Sales

Story from Deadline:

Distribution vet Ross Klein has joined Sony Pictures as SVP of Domestic Sales.

Hollywood Reporter: Behind Dr. Phil’s Media Flameout

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Phil McGraw‘s Merit Street Media is in bankruptcy court and is simultaneously suing its distribution partner, Trinity Broadcasting, for breach of contract that the company says led to the chapter 11 filing.

Advanced Television; Spain: Record-breaking pay-TV audiences

Story from Advanced Television:

Pay-TV in Spain ended the 2024/2025 season (September 20th 2024 to June 30th 2025) with record-setting numbers.

Deadline: Boss Of Dutch Broadcaster To Run Banijay Benelux

Story from Deadline:

The head of Dutch pubcaster KRO-NCRV is joining Banijay Entertainment to run the super-indie’s Benelux biz.

Deadline: Mark Linsey Pivots To L.A. As BBC Studios Seeks New Scripted Chief

Story from Deadline:

Mark Linsey, BBC Studios’ scripted man in L.A., is to focus on the U.S. full time as BBC Studios seeks a global scripted MD.

Paramount Global/Skydance merger - Variety: After Paramount’s Trump Settlement, What’s Next? Even the Company Doesn’t Seem Sure

Story from Variety:

Now that Paramount Global has settled a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump against “60 Minutes,” is there a chance the fog surrounding the company’s quest to sell itself to Skydance Media is about to lift?

A&E Global Media for sale? - Hollywood Reporter: Disney and Hearst Exploring Deals for A+E Global Media as Cable Channel Market Ramps Up

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

The deal market for cable channels is heating up, with A+E Global Media now exploring its strategic options, including a potential sale or merger, sources familiar with the matter confirm to The Hollywood Reporter.

Advanced Television: Nigeria, Ghana hit MultiChoice

Story from Advanced Television:

Nigeria seems to be in near-permanent dispute with pay-TV broadcaster MultiChoice – and now Ghana has joined in, ordering MultiChoice Ghana to cut subscription rates by 30 per cent.

Advanced Television: Mediawan Sport to produce Ligue 1 platform

Story from Advanced Television:

Following a consultation initiated by LFP Media on the editorial production of France’s new Ligue 1 platform, LFP Media has announced that it has awarded the contract to Mediawan Sport, a subsidiary of Mediawan.

Broadband TV News: MBS acquires SES playout, content management and IP delivery services

Story from Broadband TV News:

German communications provider MBS has taken over selected media service operations from Astra satellite operator SES in Germany and the UK.

Deadline: Local TV Groups E.W. Scripps And Gray Media Swap Stations In Five Markets

Story from Deadline:

Gray Media and the E.W. Scripps Co., two of the largest U.S. owners of local TV stations, have engineered a swap of stations in five small and mid-sized markets.

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.”