Deadline: MGM International Streamer Rebrands Outside U.S. & Strikes Lionsgate Content Deal

Story from Deadline:

MGM’s international streaming service is to rebrand as MGM+ International outside the U.S. and has struck a content deal with Lionsgate for key European territories.

Daily Mail: Endeavor's acquisition of the WWE is huge for the live sports industry

Story from Daily Mail:

Just as the dust was settling on a record-breaking WrestleMania, World Wrestling Entertainment merged with Endeavor Group, the parent company of MMA powerhouse Ultimate Fighting Championship, to form a new publicly traded company.

Daily Mail: WWE 'stars considering futures with the promotion after UFC merger'

Story from Daily Mail:

It has been reported that some WWE stars are considering their futures with the promotion following the recent merger with UFC amid concerns over the role of Vince McMahon moving forward.

Daily Mail: Conor McGregor teases 'inevitable' WWE future

Story from Daily Mail:

Conor McGregor has hinted at an 'inevitable' future in professional wrestling with a cheeky social media post - despite previously labelling fans of the sport 'dweebs'.

Broadband TV News: discovery+ added to Telia Play

Story from Broadband TV News:

Telia Play subscribers in Lithuania can now enjoy a slate of lifestyle, home, true crime, adventure, science and tech content on Discovery+.

Variety: 2023 Will Be a Year of Trial and Error for Streaming Companies

Story from Variety:

Welcome to streaming’s year of uncertainty.

Deadline: WrestleMania 39 Delivers Record Weekend For Peacock, Up 29% In Viewership From 2022

Story from Deadline:

Audiences flocked to Peacock for WWE‘s WrestleMania 39.

Daily Mail: Rupert Murdoch and fifth fiancée Ann Lesley Smith call OFF engagement

Story from Daily Mail:

Rupert Murdoch and Ann Lesley Smith have abruptly called off their engagement - just two weeks after they announced their plans to marry.

Hollywood Reporter: How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

The Warner brothers — Harry, Sam, Albert and Jack — were different from Hollywood’s other movie moguls in the industry’s early years.

Deadline: Disney EMEA Staff Bracing For Layoffs & Content Cuts

Story from Deadline:

Disney’s international teams are braced for layoffs and content cuts.

Variety: Warner Bros. Looks to Close Deal for ‘Harry Potter’ HBO Max Series

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery is looking to close a deal to produce a “Harry Potter” television series.

Deadline: Michael Mann Eyeing ‘Heat 2’ As Next Film With Warner Bros In Negotiations With Director To Board Sequel; Adam Driver In Talks With Mann To Play Young Neil McCauley

Story from Deadline:

It’s been nearly three decades since Michael Mann’s crime classic Heat hit theaters via Warner Bros, and it now feels like Mann and the studio are finally feeling more heat around the corner for a sequel.

Deadline: Vince McMahon Says “I’ve Made Mistakes” But “Owned Up To Every Single One” As WWE And UFC Finalize Merger

Story from Deadline:

Vince McMahon called Monday “a great day” as his iconic company announced plans to sell a controlling stake to Endeavor in a merger with mixed martial arts firm UFC.

Deadline: Disney Streaming Strategy: CEO Bob Iger Tells Shareholders Marvel, Star Wars, Disney And Pixar Titles Will Stay Exclusive, But Others Could “On Occasion” Be Licensed To Third Parties

Story from Deadline:

Disney CEO Bob Iger said Monday the company has reached a new stage of its evolution in streaming and will consider “on occasion” licensing some titles to third parties.

Daily Mail: WWE 'could be sold by Vince McMahon to UFC's parent company'

Story from Daily Mail:

Vince McMahon is reportedly in advanced talks to sell the WWE to Endeavor Group – the organization that owns the UFC - and the wrestling circuit is being valued at $9.3 billion.

Broadband TV News: CNN International joins Discovery+

Story from Broadband TV News:

Discovery+ is expanding its line-up of linear TV channels in Germany and Austria with CNN International.

Media Guardian: Local broadcasters are crucial for MLB. Now many are in trouble

Story from Media Guardian:

Tucker Carlson didn’t stand a chance.

Broadcast Sport: DAZN ties down J.League and WNFC

Story from Broadcast Sport:

DAZN has agreed rights deals with the J.League in Japan and WNFC globally.

Deadline: Lionsgate Takes Key Step In Separation Of Studio & Starz

Story from Deadline:

Lionsgate is moving forward with its plans to separate the studio business from Starz, submitting a draft registration of the proposed spinoff — of the studio — with SEC.

Financial Times: Warner Bros Discovery scales back music sale as bids fall short

Warner Bros Discovery scales back music sale as bids fall short: Media group received disappointing offers near $1bn for catalogue of film soundtracks including ‘Batman’.

Information from FT/Regular Capital.