CNBC: Byron Allen, offering $14 billion for Paramount, has a long history of media bids that haven’t materialized

Story from CNBC:

Byron Allen, founder, chairman, and CEO of Entertainment Studios and Allen Media Group has make a bid offering $14 billion for Paramount Global, told CNBC on Wednesday that he has the money to finance a deal, despite skepticism around his deal-making.

Deadline: The CW Forms Partnership With Range Sports

Story from Deadline:

The CW and Range Sports have formed a partnership for strategy, sales and programming services for the network’s original sports programming lineup.

Sports Business Journal: LIV Golf extends, expands broadcast team

Story from Sports Business Journal:

LIV Golf has agreed to extensions through the end of the 2025 season with five members of its broadcast team, and added two more roles, as the league begins play on Friday in Mexico.

Hollywood Reporter: Is Byron Allen’s Paramount Bid the Real Deal?

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Is Byron Allen‘s $30 billion bid (inclusive of debt) the real deal? Wall Street isn’t sure.

New York Post: Paramount board takes steps toward sale as Byron Allen submits $14B buyout bid

Story from New York Post:

Paramount has taken initial steps toward a possible sale of the entertainment giant – even as media mogul Byron Allen submitted $14 billion buyout bid, The Post has learned.

Variety: Food Network Boss, Warner Bros. Discovery Networks CMO Talk Cross Promoting Movies and Max, Holiday Hits and State of Cable TV

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery‘s fourth-quarter success largely depends on strong performance at Food Network, as the cable channel draws its highest number of eyeballs — and ad dollars — when the holidays roll around.

Digital TV Europe: Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max to be tailored to ‘three categories’ of market in Europe

Story from Digital TV Europe:

Warner Bros. Discovery’s launch of Max in Europe will see it place the first wave of 22 target markets in three categories, with the product tailored to the characteristics of each, according to Leah Hooper Rosa, SVP, head of streaming EMEA at Warner Bros. Discovery.

Deadline: Paramount Global Shares Pop After Byron Allen Makes Offer To Buy Company

Story from Deadline:

Shares of Paramount Global popped in early trading after news that Byron Allen has offered a deal worth $30 billion to acquire the company, which has been in play since last fall.

Digital TV Europe: Vivendi now looking at four-way split

Story from Digital TV Europe:

Vivendi has updated on its plan to split up into separate listed companies, first announced in December, with the company now looking to divide into four – rather than three – listed entities.

Broadband TV News: Canal+ launches new sports channel in Czech market

Story from Broadband TV News:

A new sports channel has made its debut in the Czech and Slovak markets.

Deadline: Byron Allen Makes $30 Billion Bid For Paramount Global In Debt & Equity

Story from Deadline:

Move over, David Ellison, because here comes Byron Allen.

Hollywood Reporter: Sky Plans to Cut 1,000 Jobs This Year

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

British media company Sky Group is planning to cut 1,000 jobs over the next year as the company transitions to internet-based TV from satellite.

Broadband TV News: ZEE and Sony head to arbitration after merger collapse

Story from Broadband TV News:

Broadcasters Zee and Sony are to meet in Singapore after Zee began legal action against Sony’s claim for a $90 million termination fee in their failed $10 billion merger.

Deadline: Free Streaming Pioneer Pluto TV, Nearing Its 10th Anniversary, Refreshes Branding And Preps Super Bowl Promo Spot During CBS Telecast

Story from Deadline:

Paramount Global‘s free streaming outlet Pluto TV has just completed a refresh of its brand and will be taking its first bow during the company’s Super Bowl broadcast on CBS, Nickelodeon and Paramount+.

Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros. Discovery Stock Downgraded on Less Favorable M&A, Earnings Outlook, Content Licensing

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Wells Fargo analyst Steven Cahall started the week by downgrading his rating on Warner Bros. Discovery shares, which had gained in 2023, from “overweight” to “equal weight” and cutting his stock price target by $4 to $12.

Variety: CNN Philippines to Close Down, With 300 Job Losses

Story from Variety:

CNN Philippines is to close down on Wednesday, the company announced on Monday local time. The move means up to 300 jobs will be lost.

FOX brands to be axe in Turkey and Portugal

The following FOX and Disney channels to be rebrands or close in coming months in local areas:

Deadline: Paramount’s Maria Kyriacou Exiting As International Originals Strategy Slimmed Down

Story from Deadline:

Maria Kyriacou, Paramount Global‘s President, Broadcast & Studios, International Markets, is exiting the U.S. studio after four years, as it prepares to slim down its international originals offerings.

Deadline: Jeremy Clarkson Says He Quit ‘The Grand Tour’ After Running Out Of Ideas & Becoming “Unfit, Fat & Old”

Story from Deadline:

Jeremy Clarkson has revealed why it’s the end of the road for The Grand Tour.

Variety: Jennifer Lopez to Produce ‘Bob the Builder’ Animated Movie at Mattel, Starring Anthony Ramos

Story from Variety:

Bob the Builder is ready for his big screen debut.