Media Guardian: As 2024 elections near, US media grapples with how to cover Trump

Story from Media Guardian:

It claims to be the most trusted name in news. But on Wednesday it will devote an hour of prime time to a serial liar who sought to overthrow American democracy.

Deadline: Lionsgate Domestic Distribution Boss David Spitz Exits; STX’s Kevin Grayson To Replace Him

Story from Deadline:

Longtime Lionsgate Film Distribution Head David Spitz is exiting, Deadline has learned, with former STX distribution vet Kevin Grayson getting named President of Domestic Distribution of the studio’s motion picture group.

Deadline: Eight CBS Stations To Ditch CW And Go Independent This Fall

Story from Deadline:

The CW is about to lose eight important affiliates: the CBS owned and operated stations that are currently affiliated with the Nexstar-owned network will become independent in September.

Deadline: Warner Bros Discovery’s Hour-Long Earnings Call Omits Any Mention Of WGA Strike, But CEO David Zaslav Tells CNBC He Believes “A Love For Working” Will End It

Story from Deadline:

Warner Bros Discovery’s hour-long earnings call with Wall Street analysts Friday morning included nary a mention of the WGA strike, unlike many other such calls in recent days.

Deadline: David Zaslav Says Warner Bros Discovery’s Streaming Business Is “No Longer Bleeding”

Story from Deadline:

Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav has said the Warner Bros Discovery’s U.S. streaming operation is “no longer bleeding” after it posted a $50M profit for Q1 this year.

Deadline: Warner Bros Discovery Posts Wider-Than-Expected Loss In Q1, But Notes “Meaningful Turn” Toward Streaming Profitability

Story from Deadline:

Warner Bros Discovery matched Wall Street estimates for revenue in the first quarter, with $10.7 billion, but posted a wider-than-expected loss due to tough comparisons with the year-ago period.

Broadband TV News: Paramount+ tops 60 million as losses mount

Story from Broadband TV News:

Paramount Global’s streaming service Paramount+ gained 4.1 million subscribers in the first quarter to reach 60 million.

Media Guardian: Vice Media close to deal for sale out of bankruptcy

Story from Media Guardian:

Vice Media is nearing a deal to be bought out of bankruptcy by senior lenders in a process that will wipe out existing shareholders including James Murdoch.

C21 Media: Pichetto leaves Warner Bros Discovery, Aarón to lead content production in Lat Am and US Hispanic

Story from C21 Media:

Warner Bros Discovery has promoted Anouk Aarón to general entertainment content production leader for Latin America and US Hispanic, replacing Ricardo ‘Richi’ Pichetto, who is leaving the company.

Deadline: Paramount Slashes Dividend To Conserve Cash, Preps Simon & Schuster Sale, Cites “Disciplined Approach” To Headcount As Stock Plunges 25%

Story from Deadline:

In a dividend shocker this morning, Paramout Global said it’s slashing quarterly payouts to 5 cents, so 20 cents, annually — a major drop from about 24 cents a quarter or nearly a buck a year.

Deadline: Bob Bakish Says “Pretty Big Gap” Between Studios, WGA; Paramount Has “Many Levers To Pull” If Strike Prolonged

Story from Deadline:

Paramount CEO Bob Bakish said today that “writers are essential in creating content and… we hope we can come to a resolution that is good for everyone fairy quickly.

Deadline: Paramount Global Swings To Loss On Streaming, Soft Ad Market In Rough First Quarter; Stock Drops

Story from Deadline:

Paramount Global fell way shy of Wall Street forecasts with ongoing losses in streaming exacerbated by soft advertising at its TV/Media group last quarter and a dip in filmed entertainment as well.

Deadline: WWE Not Impacted By WGA Strike, CEO Nick Khan Says, But “Hopeful” For Deal Soon; Talks Rights Renewals, Endeavor Merger

Story from Deadline:

WWE CEO Nick Khan said Wednesday the company isn’t impacted by the WGA strike that started Tuesday.

Variety; Adam Conover Calls Out David Zaslav’s $250 Million Salary on Air at CNN: ‘The Same Level as 10,000 Writers’

Story from Variety:

Writer and comedian Adam Conover blasted David Zaslav, the Warner Bros Discovery CEO, during an interview with CNN on Tuesday, a company Zaslav also oversees.

Advanced Television: DAZN launches 2 global FAST channels

Story from Advanced Television:

DAZN Group has launched two new FAST channels globally: DAZN Combat and DAZN Women’s Football.

Deadline: Vice Media Preparing To File For Bankruptcy

Story from Deadline:

Vice Media Group, the swashbuckling, youth-skewing digital media brand, is preparing to file for bankruptcy.

Deadline; ‘9-1-1: Lone Star’ Renewed For Season 5 By Fox

Story from Deadline:

Fox has renewed 9-1-1: Lone Star, starring Rob Lowe, for a fifth season.

Deadline: ‘9-1-1’ Moving From Fox To ABC For Season 7

Story from Deadline:

In a clear sign of broadcast’s evolving business realities, Fox has opted not to renew its highest rated scripted series, 9-1-1, produced by 20th Television.

Deadline: Donald Trump Will Return To CNN, Long His Favorite Media Target, For Town Hall Event

Story from Deadline:

Donald Trump will make his first appearance on CNN in many years next week, when he appears in a town hall event sponsored by the network.

Deadline: Joe Biden Takes Swipes At Tucker Carlson, Don Lemon, Ron DeSantis’ War With Disney & Himself At WHCD; POTUS Promises To Bring Imprisoned Evan Gershkovich & Austin Tice Home

Story from Deadline:

“I believe in the First Amendment, and not just because my good friend Jimmy Madison wrote it,” joked President Joe Biden on Saturday at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.