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☆ NBA's exclusive TV rights negotiating window with ESPN, Warner expected to pass without a deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, #23, during the NBA game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Jan. 7, 2024. The National Basketball Association's exclusive media rights negotiating window with current partners Disney and Warner Bros. While no agreement is expected to be announced by the deadline, Disney and Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Discovery's TBS began airing NBA games in 1984, and TNT has shown NBA games since 1988.

Persons: LeBron James Organizations: Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Los Angeles Clippers, Crypto.com Arena, Disney, Warner Bros, Apple, YouTube, Comcast, Netflix, CNBC, Discovery, TBS, TNT, ESPN, ABC, Fox Locations: Los Angeles

☆ Where is 'All That' star Angelique Bates now? Everything to know about the former Nickelodeon star
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Bates, the first Black female cast member of "All That," was a series regular during the first two seasons of the sketch comedy show. Even though it's been years since she worked at Nickelodeon, she still speaks out about her experience at the network. My name is Angelique Bates and I am an adult survivor of child abuse and this is my story." In an Instagram post shared days after the premiere of "Quiet on Set," Bates explained why she was a no-show. JOCE/Bauer-Griffin/GC ImagesEven though Bates didn't appear in "Quiet on Set," she's participated in some recent interviews.

Persons: —, Angelique Bates, Bates, it's, she's, Rodin Eckenroth, Kate Taylor, Dan Schneider, Schneider, Dan's, Giovonnie Samuels, Bryan Hearne, didn't, Hollywood Angelique Bates, Bauer, Griffin, Bates didn't Organizations: Service, Nickelodeon, Kids, Business, Child Protection, CPS, SAG, Warner Bros . Studios, JOCE, The Locations: Hollywood, Burbank , California

☆ Today's the day Warner Bros. Discovery can sell itself. Buyers may be hard to find.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Peter Kafka | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Monday is an important day for Warner Bros. Discovery: It can now sell itself without a tax penalty. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. But if you're a media investor, banker, or someone who thinks like them, there's a different significance: It's the End of Warner Bros. Let's put that in English: Monday is the second anniversary of the deal that combined Discovery Networks with WarnerMedia, the conglomerate that includes HBO and CNN and was previously owned by AT&T.

Persons: —, there's, Let's Organizations: Warner Bros, Service, Discovery Networks, WarnerMedia, HBO, CNN, AT

☆ Why the DC Universe reboot could give WBD's streaming business a much-needed jolt
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( James Faris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

However, WBD's upcoming reboot of the DC universe may help move the needle for Max, according to Bank of America lead media analyst Jessica Reif Ehrlich. AdvertisementWBD is now rebooting its superhero franchise with the DC Universe, or DCU for short, which will have films with interconnected storylines like Marvel has. Reif Ehrlich said new DC films and series could be cross-sold across Max, cable, and free, ad-supported streaming TV channels. AdvertisementAlthough WBD's cable channels are suffering as millions of US households cut the cord, Reif Ehrlich said this dual-distribution method is an effective marketing mechanism. "WBD can employ this same playbook to promote the launch of the new DC universe and other high-value content," Reif Ehrlich wrote.

Persons: —, WBD's, HBO Max, Max, Jessica Reif Ehrlich, WBD, Marvel, James Gunn —, Reif Ehrlich, Kate Taylor, David Zaslav Organizations: Service, Warner Bros, Netflix, HBO, Warners, Nielsen, Business, Bank of America, Disney, Marvel, DC, DCU, Max, Hollywood, HGTV, Food Network

☆ Why NBC is the wild-card NBA bidder to watch as the league negotiates a new TV deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( James Faris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Why NBC could be a perfect fit for the NBABarring a major upset, ESPN and WBD will continue to broadcast NBA games. The network used to broadcast NBA games nationally starting in 1954, and Comcast still shows games on its regional-sports networks in five markets. Comcast-subsidiary Sky Sports also aired NBA games in the United Kingdom for four years starting in 2019. Moffett, the media analyst and MoffettNathanson cofounder, told BI he sees NBC entering the bidding war for NBA media rights if only to assist its streamer. Unlike ESPN and TNT, NBC doesn't necessarily need NBA games.

Persons: it's, supercharge Peacock, Peacock, Craig Moffett, Nielsen, That's, Will, Moffett, Joseph Bonner, WBD's, Bonner Organizations: NBA, ESPN, Warner Bros, TNT, Business, Apple, Netflix, NBC, Comcast, WBD, Diamond Sports, NFL, Premier League, Sky Sports, Moffett, BI, Argus Research, Disney, Fox, Google Locations: United Kingdom

☆ Why streamers are shrinking their content libraries
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Last year many streaming services began shrinking their once-robust content libraries in order to pay smaller licensing fees. In the face of profit pressures and growing competition for viewers, streamers have taken to removing content to avoid the residual payments and licensing fees. On one side is Netflix , Amazon and Apple — companies that agnostically license content from other studios to bolster their streaming libraries. Disney-owned Hulu, meanwhile, has seen success with "feel good" 30-minute sitcoms and prestige dramas, Fandom's data shows. Disclosure: Peacock is the streaming service of NBCUniversal, the parent company of CNBC.

Persons: Stephanie Fried, Fried, Hey Arnold, Bell, Severance, Jacob, Jack Ryan, Bel, Universal's, Max, Peacock Organizations: NBC, Netflix, Apple, Universal, Warner Bros . Discovery, Paramount, Hollywood, Nickelodeon, Warner Bros, Disney, Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO, CNBC Locations: auctioning, Kingstown, NBCUniversal

☆ Where is Dan Schneider now? Everything to know about what happened to the Nickelodeon producer
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Schneider, who joined the kids' network in the '90s, made a name for himself as the creator of popular TV shows like " The Amanda Show, " " Drake & Josh ," "Zoey 101," and '" iCarly ." AdvertisementSchneider teased a comeback in a 2021 interviewJosh Peck, Dan Schneider, and Kenan Thompson in June 2011. Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NickelodeonIn an interview with The New York Times, Schneider said that his departure from Nickelodeon was a mutual decision and a welcome break from his intense work schedule. According to the Times, Schneider was also working on a family-friendly project. "I definitely, at times, didn't give people the best of me," he said.

Persons: —, Dan Schneider, Schneider, Drake, Josh, Josh Peck, Kenan Thompson, Christopher Polk, Bobby Bowman, Christy Stratton, Jenny Kilgen, Lawrence K, didn't Organizations: Service, Nickelodeon, Business, Getty, The New York Times, Times, massages, Los Angeles Times

☆ Drake Bell believes his abuser Brian Peck 'fooled' stars including James Marden into defending him, and isn't angry at them
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Eammon Jacobs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Drake Bell said he believes Brian Peck fooled stars into defending him after he was accused of abuse. During the trial, actors including James Marsden wrote letters of support for Peck. AdvertisementDrake Bell said he believes ex-dialogue coach Brian Peck "fooled" stars into writing him letters of support after he was charged with sexually abusing the former Nickelodeon child actor in 2003. On the third and fourth episodes of Investigation Discovery's documentary "Quiet on Set," Bell spoke publicly for the first time about being sexually abused by Peck when he was 15. Some 41 people who knew Peck, including friends and family, wrote letters of support for the dialogue coach before he was sentenced.

Persons: Drake Bell, Brian Peck, James Marsden, Peck, —, Bell, Drake, Josh, Zoey, Taran Killam, Brian, Amanda Kirsch, it's, I've, Maxine, Peck haven't, Marsden, Sarah Fraser, hasn't, Killam Organizations: Bell, Service, Nickelodeon, Maxine Productions, Sony Pictures, Business Locations: Los Angeles

☆ Everything former Nickelodeon stars have said in response to the docuseries 'Quiet on Set'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +23 min

Former Nickelodeon stars are speaking out after Investigation Discovery's docuseries "Quiet on Set." AdvertisementInvestigation Discovery's docuseries "Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV" has cast a shadow over Nickelodeon's legacy in children's TV. AdvertisementIn the meantime, here's everything former Nickelodeon stars have said since the release of "Quiet on Set." After coming forward about being sexually abused as a teen, Drake Bell called Nickelodeon's response 'empty'Drake Bell in episode two of the Investigation Discovery docuseries "Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV." Josh Peck said that he contacted his 'Drake & Josh' costar Drake Bell privately to offer his supportJosh Peck and Drake Bell on season four of "Drake & Josh."

Persons: Discovery's, Drake Bell, Alexa Nikolas, —, Dan Schneider, Kate Taylor, Schneider, he'd, Nicole Bristow, Nikolas, Dan, doesn't, it's, Bell, Brian Peck, Sarah Fraser, Nickelodeon's, Peck, Tom DeSanto's, Drake, DeSanto, Josh, Josh Peck, Beth, Rich Correll, Raquel Lee Bolleau, Bolleau, Devon Werkheiser, Lindsey Shaw, Daniel Curtis Lee, Frazer Harrison, costars Lindsey Shaw, Werkheiser, Daniel, Zoey, Jack Salvatore, Mark Del Figgalo, Nickelodeon Salvatore, Sam, Salvatore, Jennette McCurdy, BooG, Bobby Bowman, Nancy Sullivan, Miranda Cosgrove, Jonathan Goldstein, WireImage Sullivan, Audrey Parker, Nichols, Sullivan, Bryan Hearne, Hearne, Tracey Brown, Madisyn Shipman, Shipman, Abby Wilde, Stacey Dillsen, They're, who's, Chris Massey, Michael, …, Massey, Michael Barret, Angel Massey, @chrismasseytmb, DAN, Allie DiMeco, DiMeco, Rosalina, Leon Frierson, Dan Schneider's, Frierson, I'm, Amber Frank, Frank, Kenan Thompson, Christopher Polk, Thompson, Kenan, Kel, I've, that's Organizations: Nickelodeon, Service, Business, YouTube, Eat, Kids, Disney Channel, Entertainment, Getty Locations: Hollywood

☆ Where is former child actor Brandi from 'Quiet on Set' now?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

ID's docuseries "Quiet on Set" reveals predatory behavior behind the scenes at Nickelodeon. AdvertisementInvestigation Discovery's docuseries " Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV " digs deep into the disturbing and predatory behavior that happened behind the scenes at Nickelodeon. Although Brandi didn't appear in "Quiet on Set," her mom, who goes by MJ, shared her daughter's story in episode two of the docuseries. Brandi made an appearance on 'The Amanda Show' when she was 11 years oldBrandi in a photo seen in episode two of the docuseries "Quiet on Set." AdvertisementBrandi quit the entertainment industry after her experienceMJ in episode two of the docuseries "Quiet on Set."

Persons: ID's, Jason Handy, Brandi, —, Brandi didn't, MJ, Trudy, Brandi wasn't, Amanda, Amanda Bynes, weren't, Handy, Brandi's, she'd, Brandi Carlile, doesn't, Kate Taylor, Taylor, She's, she's, Dan Schneider Organizations: Nickelodeon, Service, Hollywood, Disney Channel, Los Angeles Police Department, Business Locations: Glendale , California, LA , Michigan, North Carolina

☆ A fifth episode of 'Quiet on Set' is on the way — and coming very soon
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Investigation Discovery's docuseries "Quiet on Set" is returning for a fifth episode. The episode, titled "Breaking the Silence," will be released on Sunday, April 7 at 8 p.m. The episode will feature returning participants like Drake Bell and other former Nickelodeon stars. AdvertisementThe shocking revelations from "Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV" continue making waves in Hollywood and on social media — and there's still more to unpack. But "Quiet on Set" will return with a bonus fifth episode, ID announced via a press release on Tuesday.

Persons: Drake Bell, — Organizations: Nickelodeon, Service, Business Locations: Hollywood

☆ The acting coach who sexually abused Drake Bell was also pen pals with serial killer John Wayne Gacy
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewBrian Peck, the disgraced Nickelodeon acting and dialogue coach who sexually abused a then-15-year-old actor Drake Bell, also had a sinister connection to real-life serial killer John Wayne Gacy. Best wishes, your friend, John Wayne Gacy.'" A self-portrait of a clown by John Wayne Gacy. "Brian actually developed a pen pal relationship with John," Sullivan says. "He kept this pile of letters and photos from John Wayne Gacy in his nightstand next to his bed.

Persons: —, Brian Peck, Drake Bell, John Wayne Gacy, Peck, Kyle Sullivan, Brian, Sullivan, Steve Eichner, WireImage Gacy, John, William Yates, Drake, Josh, James Marsden, Alan Thicke, Will Friedle, Strong, Zack, Cody, Rich Correll, Beth Correll, Kate Taylor, Mary Robertson, Emma Schwartz Organizations: Service, Nickelodeon, Kids, Business, Chicago Tribune, Tribune, Getty, Disney Channel, Disney, Maxine Productions, Sony Pictures

☆ Two female writers from 'The Amanda Show' say they had to split a salary and allege creator Dan Schneider played pornography in front of them
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Stratton and Kilgen say that the early days working on "The Amanda Show" were genuinely exciting and enjoyable. Stratton says that Schneider ran the writers' room with a playful demeanor, and "being dirty was part of the silliness." A spokesperson for Schneider told Business Insider that Schneider is "extremely sorry for his behavior that contributed to that environment and he has grown a lot since then. The four-part docuseries is produced by Maxine Productions, a part of Sony Pictures Television Nonfiction, in association with Business Insider.

Persons: —, Dan Schneider, Christy Stratton, Jenny Kilgen, Amanda Bynes, Schneider, Dan, Stratton, Kilgen, Schnieder, hadn't, Kate Taylor's, Kate Taylor, Mary Robertson, Emma Schwartz Organizations: Service, Kids, Nickelodeon, Business, Schneider, WGA, Viacom, Maxine Productions, Sony Pictures

☆ It's a do-or-die moment for debt-riddled Warner Bros. Discovery's live-sports strategy as it vies for NBA rights
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( James Faris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

WBD generated $6.2 billion of free cash flow through 2023 and likely shelled out around $1.4 billion of that for NBA games. Analysts estimate that figure would be closer to $2 billion if WBD re-ups its NBA package. WBD wants a big NBA deal, despite Wall Street's wishesSixteen months ago, Zaslav said WBD didn't "have to have" the NBA. NBA ratings have been lackluster lately, with national TV games averaging 1.6 million viewers in the last two seasons. Zaslav's latest public remarks on the NBA negotiations reflect that.

Persons: —, Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, Tim Nollen, Max, Jason Bazinet, WBD, David Zaslav, it's, Jessica Reif Ehrlich, Wall, Zaslav, John Hodulik, Chuck, Ernie Johnson Organizations: Service, Basketball Hall of Famers, NBA, TNT, ESPN, Warner Bros, Business, Media, Amazon, NBC, Comcast, Apple, Netflix, WWE, Macquarie, Disney, Fox, Cable, Citigroup, Warners, of America, Street, Zaz, UBS Locations: Shaq

☆ The big question facing Warner Bros. Discovery is whether it can grow, says Tom Rogers
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThe big question facing Warner Bros. Discovery is whether it can grow, says Tom RogersTom Rogers, Oorbit Gaming executive chairman and former NBC Cable president, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss Warner Bros. Discovery's quarterly earnings results, the challenges facing the company and CEO David Zaslav, the streaming landscape at large, and more.

Persons: Tom Rogers Tom Rogers, David Zaslav Organizations: Warner Bros, Oorbit Gaming, NBC Cable

☆ Reddit's 'Wild West' reputation isn't something that advertisers want: New York Times’ Jim Stewart
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailReddit's 'Wild West' reputation isn't something that advertisers want: New York Times’ Jim StewartJames Stewart, New York Times columnist, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss Reddit's IPO decision, whether the company is ready to go public, Warner Bros. Discovery's quarterly earnings results, and more.

Persons: Jim Stewart James Stewart Organizations: New York Times, Jim Stewart James Stewart , New York Times, Warner Bros Locations: Jim Stewart James Stewart ,

☆ Investors are surprised by Warner Bros. Discovery's lack of full-year guidance: Guggenheim's Morris
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailInvestors are surprised by Warner Bros. Discovery's lack of full-year guidance: Guggenheim's MorrisMichael Morris, Guggenheim Securities entertainment and media analyst, joins 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss what Morris makes of Warner Bros. Discovery's quarterly earnings results, why the company decided not to release full-year guidance, and more.

Persons: Guggenheim's Morris Michael Morris, Morris Organizations: Investors, Warner Bros, Guggenheim Securities

☆ HBO is making it harder to watch John Oliver for free — the opposite of what Comedy Central is doing with Jon Stewart
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Peter Kafka | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Discovery is delaying "Last Week Tonight" YouTube streaming to push viewers to Max. Every Sunday night, John Oliver hosts "Last Week Tonight" on cable TV. When it plays on YouTube, where HBO runs it without ads, it doesn't make any money. So hoping that making "Last Week Tonight" a little harder to see for free fits pretty easily into that pattern. AdvertisementThe move also runs counter to the way TV networks are treating comedy #content in general.

Persons: Max, —, Jon Stewart, John Oliver, Oliver, — John Oliver, @iamjohnoliver, David Zaslav, I've Organizations: Warner Bros, YouTube, Service, Warner Bros Discovery, HBO, MAX, Netflix, Big, Max Locations: YouTube's

☆ 'Madame Web' is a spectacular failure — and a sign we officially have superhero fatigue
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewIf "Madame Web" is a predictor of the future of Sony's Spider-Man Universe, the road ahead doesn't look very promising. The reviews are in, and "Madame Web" is no critical darling, nor will it satisfy Spidey fans. 'Madame Web' suffers from a weak script and poorly defined charactersTahar Rahim as Ezekiel Sims in "Madame Web." Superhero fatigue is at an all-time high, and 'Madame Web' doesn't make a solid case for the genre(L-R) Celeste O'Connor, Dakota Johnson, Isabela Merced, and Sydney Sweeney in "Madame Web." AdvertisementAt the end of "Madame Web," Cassie says that the best thing about the future is that it hasn't happened yet.

Persons: —, SJ Clarkson, Dakota Johnson, Cassandra Webb, Cassie, Ezekiel Sims, Tahar Rahim, Beyoncé's, Martha Stewart's, Ezekiel, selfishly, He's, Ezekiel regurgitates, Celeste O'Connor, Sydney Sweeney, Adam, James Gunn, Peter Safran, Jared Leto, Riz Ahmed, Tom Hardy, Woody Harrelson, Michelle Williams, Eddie Brock, Hardy, Matt Smith's, cackled, there's, Kraven, Hunter, Aaron Taylor, Johnson, Bad Bunny, he's, Olivia Wilde Organizations: Service, Marvel Comics, Business, Sony Pictures, Sony, Marvel, DC Comics, Warner Bros, Discovery's DC Studios, Rotten Locations: New York, Peruvian, Isabela Merced

Disney's fiscal first-quarter earnings per share beat expectations and it said its full-year EPS will rise at least 20% from 2023. Iger also unveiled his strategy and timeline for bringing Disney's flagship sports network ESPN into the streaming era. AdvertisementThe company will launch a stand-alone streaming service with ESPN and its sister networks in the fall of 2025, something Iger called "inevitable." Even if there's consumer demand, the JV faces several hurdles, from challenges brought by existing distributors to antitrust opposition, LightShed Partners wrote in a note published ahead of Disney's earnings release. Challenges aside, the new sports streaming strategy is a big step forward for Iger and Disney.

Persons: —, Bob Iger's, Iger, Taylor Swift, Nelson Peltz, Bob Chapek's, Peltz's, Disney, Paul Verna, Alpha, LightShed, Iger didn't, Trian, Elon Musk, Gina Carano's, Iger's Organizations: Service, Disney, Epic Games, Peltz's Trian Fund Management, Blackwells, ValueAct, Business, Iger, Insider Intelligence, ESPN, Disney's, Fox, Warner Bros, JV, LightShed Partners, Marvel, CNBC Locations: Moana

Walt Disney 's ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. It will consist of all the broadcast and cable networks owned by Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Fox will include the Fox broadcast station along with FS1, FS2 and BTN.

Persons: Walt Disney, Max Organizations: Disney, ESPN, Fox, Warner Bros, ESPN2, ABC, TNT, TBS Locations: Brooklyn, New York

☆ How Warner Bros. Discovery's games chief plans to build on 'Hogwarts Legacy' and give the company more much-needed wins
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Discovery's gaming division is on a winning streak with two of the biggest console games in 2023: "Hogwarts Legacy," the year's No. David Haddad is WBD's long-running games chief and the rare top WarnerMedia executive who survived the merger with Discovery (as well as the AT&T ownership era). In an interview with Business Insider, Haddad, who is president of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment — a position he's held since 2015 — framed the challenge and how he plans to keep WBD games' streak going. It can take the form of new events to keep people playing a strategy game like "Game of Thrones: Conquest" or new characters and tournaments in a fighting game like "Mortal Kombat." WBD's success with games separates it from other legacy media companies that have stumbled in the arena, most notably Disney.

Persons: —, execs, David Haddad, Haddad, We're, Harry Potter, it's, They've, Michael Pachter, Shaggy, David Zaslav, people's, Jefferies, Andrew Uerkwitz, LightShed, Haddad wouldn't, we've Organizations: Service, Warner, Business, Discovery, Warner Bros, Interactive Entertainment, Wedbush Securities, Disney, Netflix, Thrones, EA, Embracer Locations: WarnerMedia

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery's games chief shares plans to capitalize on 'Hogwarts Legacy' and boost the division's growth
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Discovery's gaming division is on a winning streak with two of the biggest console games in 2023: "Hogwarts Legacy," the year's No. In an interview with Business Insider, Haddad, who is president of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment — a position he's held since 2015 — framed the challenge and how he plans to keep WBD games' streak going. It can take the form of new events to keep people playing a strategy game like "Game of Thrones: Conquest" or new characters and tournaments in a fighting game like "Mortal Kombat." WBD's success with games separates it from other legacy media companies that have stumbled in the arena, most notably Disney. Nevertheless, analysts have speculated that given its past success and need for growth, WBD could buy another gaming company such as EA or Take-Two Interactive.

☆ How Disney made Star Wars the top film franchise of 2023 without a theatrical release
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-30 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Sunset Boulevard | Corbis Historical | Getty ImagesThe Force remains strong with the Star Wars franchise. Despite not releasing a theatrical film since 2019, Star Wars has been named the top film franchise of 2023 by Fandom, the world's largest platform for entertainment fans. In between each film in the sequel trilogy, Disney released a film that harkened back to an important plot point from past Star Wars films. "At the time, Disney's strategy was to essentially release one new Star Wars film theatrically each year," said Peter Csathy, founder and chair of advisory firm Creative Media. Rebuilding an empireDisney isn't set to release another Star Wars film in cinemas until 2026.

Persons: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Georges Lucas, Paul Dergarabedian, Star Wars Disney Harry Potter, James Bond, Disney, Harry Potter, Kylo Ren, Emperor Palpatine, Darth Vader, —, Princess Leia, Han, Peter Csathy, Csathy, Boba Fett, Rosario Dawson, Tano, Ahsoka, Count Dooku, Stephanie Fried, Diego Luna, Cassian Andor, Alan Tudyk Organizations: Star Wars, Star, Disney, Comscore, Star Wars Disney, Marvel, Warner Bros, DC Studios, Lucasfilm, Wars, Creative Media, Lucasfilm Disney Locations: Florida

☆ From ‘Barbenheimer’ to Taylor Swift, here are the most important films of 2023 and why they worked
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-27 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Hannah Beier | The Washington Post | Getty ImagesCall 2023 an explosive comeback at the box office. Together, those three films contributed more than $1.5 billion to the domestic box office, according to data from Comscore. But in the meantime, here's a look at some of the most important theatrical releases of 2023 — and why they worked. Meanwhile, Disney has seen its animated content lag at the box office in the wake of the pandemic. "His Only Son," a biblical drama released in early 2023, cost $250,000 to make and generated $12.4 million at the box office.

Persons: Barbie, Oppenheimer, Hannah Beier, Mario, Comscore, Greta Gerwig, Christopher Nolan's, J, Robert Oppenheimer, Chris Pratt, Charlie, Luigi, Disney, Kung, Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson's, Buda Mendes, tas23, Swift, Beyoncé, Tim Ballard, Jim Caviezel, Covid, Blumhouse, Cabrini, Saint Francesca Cabrini, Bonhoeffer, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Organizations: Washington Post, Getty, Warner Bros, Mario Bros, Universal, Disney, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation, Swift, AMC, National Football League, Angel Studios, Century Fox, Roman Catholic, Reich Locations: Somerdale , New Jersey, There's, New York, Universal, Hollywood, Colombia

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