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☆ Jeff Zucker Abandons Telegraph Bid, Putting London Paper Back Into Play
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Michael M. Grynbaum | More About Michael M. Grynbaum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Jeff Zucker’s bid for Tory titan-hood has come to an end. The media executive on Tuesday formally abandoned his attempt to take the reins of London’s Daily Telegraph, bailing out after British political and news leaders balked at Mr. Zucker’s reliance on Emirati financiers to bankroll the effort. Mr. Zucker’s venture company, RedBird IMI, had sought government approval to complete a debt-for-equity deal that would hand it control of The Telegraph and its sister magazine, The Spectator. Because of the withdrawal, other prospective owners may now attempt to purchase the publications. “Our ownership would have seen the strongest editorial protections ever put forward for a U.K. newspaper, along with much-needed investment,” a RedBird IMI spokesperson said in a statement.

Persons: Jeff Zucker’s, “, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan Organizations: London’s Daily Telegraph, Mr, RedBird IMI, The Telegraph, The, IMI, The Spectator, RedBird, Media Investments, United Locations: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

☆ U.K. Moves to Bar Foreign State Ownership of Newspapers, a Blow to Telegraph Bid
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Michael M. Grynbaum | Mark Landler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

An audacious effort by the American media executive Jeff Zucker and his Emirati backers to acquire London’s Daily Telegraph appeared to be on life support on Wednesday after the British government advanced legislation that would bar foreign state ownership of newspapers and newsmagazines. The move by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak would torpedo Mr. Zucker’s bid in its current form, which relies heavily on financing from investment partners in the United Arab Emirates. The use of Emirati funds caused an uproar in Westminster over foreign influence in the British media, given the outsize importance of The Telegraph and its sister publication, The Spectator, to Mr. Sunak’s Conservative Party. Mr. Zucker’s media venture company, RedBird IMI, can now try to salvage its bid for the publications by finding new investors and diluting the Emiratis’ majority stake to a level allowed under the government’s proposed rules. His representatives had no immediate comment on Wednesday.

Persons: Jeff Zucker, Rishi Sunak, Zucker’s, Zucker, Rupert Murdoch Organizations: London’s Daily Telegraph, United, United Arab Emirates, Telegraph, Spectator, Sunak’s Conservative Party, RedBird IMI, CNN Locations: United Arab, Westminster, Britain

☆ Elon Musk cancels X partnership with former CNN anchor Don Lemon after interview
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Ryan Anastasio | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon announced Wednesday that X owner Elon Musk has canceled a partnership in which Lemon would host a new show on the social network. Lemon said he was informed of the decision to cancel the deal just hours after he taped an interview with Musk for the premiere of The Don Lemon Show on March 18. Musk claimed in a post on X Wednesday that "instead of it being the real Don Lemon, it was really just Jeff Zucker talking through Don, so lacked authenticity. The interview with Musk will be posted on YouTube, podcast platforms and will still be published on X, Lemon said. It remains unclear what, if any, contract had been arranged and what the terms of any partnership were between X and The Don Lemon Show.

Persons: Don Lemon, Elon Musk, Lemon, Musk, Jeff Zucker, Don, Zucker, Donald Trump, X, Tulsi Gabbard, Jim Rome, Alex Spiro, CNBC's Lora Kolodny Organizations: CNN, SpaceX, Twitter, YouTube, U.S . Rep, CNBC

Mr. Trump met with Ms. Riley’s parents before taking the stage, and the Trump campaign distributed signs at the rally with Ms. Riley’s photograph. At one point, Mr. Trump slurred his words and pretended to stutter in a mocking imitation of the president, who has dealt with a stutter since childhood. It was one of several such attacks Mr. Trump lobbed during the event. Mr. Trump called Ms. Willis “corrupt,” referring to allegations that she benefited financially after becoming romantically involved with a lawyer whom she hired on the case. “Perfect phone call,” Mr. Trump said, “other than we challenged the honesty of this election.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Biden’s, Joe Biden, ”, Mr, Biden, Laken Riley, ” Mr, Riley’s, Trump’s, Riley, “ Joe Biden, Megyn Kelly, Jeff Zucker, Fani, Willis, Willis “, “, Maggie Haberman Organizations: Saturday, stoke, Republican, Trump, Mr, State, NBC Locations: Biden’s, Rome, Georgia, United States, Venezuelan, South America, America, New York

☆ Big M&A and Bob Iger's future: 13 media executives make their anonymous 2024 predictions
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-20 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +14 min

Executive 2: Bob Iger will, again, extend his contract as Disney CEO Earlier this year, Disney CEO Bob Iger renewed his contract through 2026. This executive predicted "fool me five times, shame on me." This executive predicted Peltz and Rasulo will win their campaign and both join the board. This person predicted Disney would purchase privately held Candle Media to acquire Moonbug Entertainment, the owner of CoComelon. This executive predicted Yaccarino would either lose patience or find her job increasingly pointless and leave the company in 2024.

Persons: Andrew Ross Sorkin, Walt Disney Company Bob Iger, Michael M, David Zaslav, Slaven Vlasic, NBCUniversal, Brian Roberts, Roberts, Donna Langley, Bob Iger, Iger, Nelson Peltz, Jay Rasulo, Marco Bello, Peltz, Rasulo, Disney's, Dana Walden, Dana Walden Jason Laveris, Disney Entertainment Dana Walden, Walden, Bob Chapek, Andrew Wilson, Wilson, Chris Licht wouldn't, McCarthy, Andrew Wilson Michael Newberg, Kevin Mayer, Mayer, Bryan van der Beek, Tom Staggs, Staggs, Jayson Tatum, Kyle Terada, NBCUniversal's Peacock, Alec Martinez, Gray, Discovery's Max, Jeff Zucker, Lady Michelle Obama's, Michelle Obamas, Cheriss, Gerry Cardinale, Jeff Shell, RedBird, Shari Redstone's, David Ellison, Byron Trott, Zucker, Mark Thompson, Linda Yaccarino, X Linda Yaccarino, Vox, Jerod Harris, Yaccarino, CNBC's Julia Boorstin, Boorstin, Elon Musk's, Jason LaVeris, Barbie, Mario, Oppenheimer, LightShed's Greenfield Organizations: Walt Disney Company, New York Times, Santiago, Getty, Jazz, Lincoln Center, Warner Bros ., Comcast, Warner Bros, Discovery, Disney, Trian Fund Management, Future Investment Initiative, Summit, Bloomberg, Filmmagic, Disney Entertainment, Electronic Arts, CNBC, Candle Media, Iger, Media, Moonbug Entertainment, Apple Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, USA, National Basketball Association, NBA, Apple, The College, ESPN, College, NHL, MLB, Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, Mobile, National Hockey League, Diamond Sports Group, Scripps, Gray Television, Las Vegas Golden Knights, Arizona Coyotes, Phoenix Suns, Street Journal, Netflix, Hulu, Max, Paramount, RedBird, Paramount Global, CNN Worldwide, CNN, NurPhoto, BDT, The Ritz, Carlton, FilmMagic, Mario Bros Locations: New York City, Disney, Miami , Florida, Las Vegas , Nevada, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point , California

☆ UK bars Abu Dhabi-backed group from acquiring Telegraph, pending review
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Britain's government on Friday blocked an Abu Dhabi-backed group from taking ownership of the media group that owns the Telegraph newspaper while its takeover bid is scrutinised by regulators over freedom of expression concerns. The government intervened in the planned deal on Thursday when it asked regulators to examine the deal. On Friday, culture and media minister Lucy Frazer set out an enforcement order preventing any transfer of ownership of the Telegraph Media Group without her permission and also stopping any changes of its structure or senior editorial staff. As well as the right-leaning Telegraph newspaper, the group owns the Spectator magazine. They are up for sale after Lloyds Banking Group in June seized control following a long-running dispute with owners, the Barclay family.

Persons: Lucy Frazer, Barclay, Jeff Zucker, Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Camilla Tominey, Tominey, William Schomberg, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, Ofcom, Spectator, Lloyds Banking Group, IMI, CNN, United Arab Emirates, Thomson Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, Gulf

☆ U.K. Opens Inquiry Into Jeff Zucker’s Emirati-Backed Bid for The Telegraph
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Michael M. Grynbaum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Jeff Zucker’s re-entry into the global news business has hit a snag. The announcement capped a week of growing outcry in Westminster over Mr. Zucker’s use of roughly $1 billion in Emirati money to acquire the news organizations, which are hugely influential in British conservative politics. Tories lined up to denounce the proposed deal, warning that the Emiratis’ involvement could lead to undue foreign influence over The Telegraph’s coverage. The review, announced by Britain’s culture secretary, does not necessarily end Mr. Zucker’s chance of success. Since then, Conservative Party eminences have lined up to denounce his bid — often in essays published by newspapers controlled by Mr. Zucker’s rivals — and Tory members of Parliament urged regulators to consider the constraints on press freedoms in the Middle East.

Persons: Jeff Zucker’s, Zucker, Zucker’s, Rupert Murdoch, Lord Rothermere, Murdoch, — Organizations: CNN, The Daily Telegraph, The Spectator, Tories, The Daily, The, Conservative Party Locations: Westminster

☆ Jeff Zucker Nears Major Deal to Re-enter the News Business
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Michael M. Grynbaum | More About Michael M. Grynbaum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

After a series of financial maneuvers, RedBird IMI would assume ownership and management of The Telegraph and The Spectator. Redbird IMI said its Emirati partner would be a passive investor. Mr. Zucker declined to comment, citing the pending negotiations. Mr. Zucker does not plan to oversee day-to-day news coverage, the person said. RedBird IMI is a joint venture between RedBird Capital, a private-equity firm, and a private investment fund that Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan, an Emirati royal, runs.

Persons: Barclay, Rupert Murdoch, Lord Rothermere, Zucker, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan Organizations: Telegraph, London’s Daily Mail, RedBird IMI, IMI, The Telegraph, RedBird, Conservative, IMI “ Locations: Abu Dhabi, United States, London

An Abu Dhabi-backed investment fund said Monday it has paved the way to take ownership of Britain's Telegraph newspaper and The Spectator magazine after striking a deal with the publications' previous owners to repay debts owed by them. The Barclay family owned the right-leaning newspaper and magazine nefore they were put into receivership. Various media firms have been reported to be interested in taking over the publications, including German publisher Axel Springer and the Daily Mail's publisher. The fund said the deal includes an option to turn the loans into equity which would give it ownership control of the newspaper and magazine. Lenders for the Barclay family would need to agree to the deal, which is expected to attract a high level of political scrutiny.

Persons: Abu, Jeff Zucker, Media Investments —, Britain's Barclay, Barclay, Axel Springer Organizations: Britain's Telegraph, The Spectator, IMI, RedBird, CNN, Abu Dhabi's, Media Investments, Lloyds Bank, Ritz Hotel, Daily, International Media Investments Locations: Abu Dhabi, German

Mr. Zaslav, who took over Warner Bros. But the tumultuous personnel changes at CNN under Mr. Zaslav’s leadership make clear that a Zaslav friendship, no matter how deep or longstanding, has its limits. Jeff Zucker, replaced as CNN’s chief executive by Mr. Licht, frequently described himself as Mr. Zaslav’s best friend. Don Lemon, the longtime host, socialized with Mr. Zaslav in New York and the Hamptons. CNN ousted Mr.

Persons: Chris Licht, David Zaslav, Zaslav, Zaslav’s, Jeff Zucker, . Licht, Don Lemon, Lemon Organizations: CNN, Warner Bros, Discovery, Hamptons Locations: New York

☆ The Israel-Hamas war threatens to derail Middle Eastern investment in US media and entertainment
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Still, the US presence highlighted the deepening ties between Hollywood and the region , as Western media, entertainment, and sports entities have seen major investment in recent years from Saudi, Qatar, and the UAE. Even before October 7, US entities that were receiving investment from the Middle East were reluctant to speak publicly about those relationships. Insider spoke with investors, producers, and other media and entertainment stakeholders about what's next for Hollywood's relationships with Mideast backers. Qatar hasn't seen any recent major deals but earlier this year, Peter Chernin and Providence Equity's production roll-up The North Road received $150 million from the Qatar Investment Authority. "The political nature gets more complicated," an industry insider observer said, noting how countries like Qatar are grabbing headlines for their role in the situation.

Persons: haven't, Jamal Khashoggi, Israel, it's, Knaebel, They're, Greg Silverman's, Silverman, Harry Potter, Chris Nolan's, Abu Dhabi's, Ari Emanuel, Peter Chernin, Jeff Zucker, LIV Golf Organizations: Film, Washington Post, Hollywood, Global Media, Saudi, Stampede Ventures, Warner Bros, Endeavor, Qatar hasn't, Providence, North, Qatar Investment Authority, IMI, CNN, Investment Fund, PGA Locations: Saudi Arabia, American, Jeddah, Saudi, Qatar, UAE, Gaza, Israel, Germany, Silver

DeRosa said Cuomo “could not stomach” how state government was being run after his resignation. DeRosa is particularly critical of state Attorney General Letitia James, the Democrat who released a report, crafted by outside lawyers, which concluded Cuomo had sexually harassed 11 women. According to DeRosa:— Former CNN President Jeff Zucker and his longtime aide Allison Gollust pressured Cuomo to appear on his younger brother Chris’s primetime show. Kushner responded that Florida was open and that the death rate there was lower at the time “even without the shutdowns. She agreed to go, DeRosa said, provided they find her a job in the federal government, preferably as ambassador to Canada.

Persons: Andrew Cuomo, “, Melissa DeRosa, Cuomo, Kathy Hochul, DeRosa, Cuomo “, ”, Republican Lee Zeldin, Letitia James, James, Gary Ginsburg, ” Ginsburg, Jeff Zucker, Allison Gollust, Chris’s, — Cuomo, Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, Trump’s, Kushner, Hochul, Anthony Hogrebe, ” Cuomo’s, Rich Azzopardi, we’re Organizations: Former New York Gov, Center of Power, Republican, Democrat, CNN, Commerce Department Locations: ALBANY, N.Y, Florida, Canada, New York

☆ Hollywood insiders are bracing for M&A activity to make a comeback, as 10 experts reveal the deals they're predicting
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Reed Alexander | Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

"The unknown is hard to transact in," Sam Powers, the global head of technology, media, and telecommunications for Bank of America, told Insider. Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision , which was completed Thursday, has also put media and tech M&A back in the spotlight. "People have been holding their breath in nervous anticipation" about the idea of tech buying big media , one investor told Insider. Private-equity bets on media and Hollywood have seen mixed resultsPrivate-equity firms may have the cash to finance major media acquisitions, but they're reckoning with market volatility. Are you a Hollywood insider?

Persons: Hollywood dealmakers, Jonathan Handel, Sam Powers, Bob Iger, —, Byron Allen, Greg Doherty, Iger, Disney's, Byron Allen —, Allen, Disney, it's, Handel, It's, you've, Reese Witherspoon, Dave Kotinsky, Moonbug, Reese Witherspoon's, Jeff Zucker, Abu, Tom Staggs, Kevin Mayer, Lucia Moses, Reed Alexander Organizations: Hollywood, Puck News, Bank of America, SAG, Writers Guild of America, Disney, ESPN, Activision, Byron Allen The Weather, Wall Street shareholders, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hulu, ABC, Nexstar Media Group, Allen Media Group, Weather, Lionsgate, Starz, Paramount, BET, Warner Bros, Games, Disney Digital Network, Maker Studios, Observers, Comcast, Paramount Global, Tech, MGM, Microsoft, Netflix, Apple, RedBird Capital Partners, RedBird IMI, Private, SP, G Global Market Intelligence, Bloomberg, Media, Apollo Global Management, Yahoo Locations: Hollywood, Blackstone, Abu Dhabi, lmoses@insider.com, ralexander@insider.com

☆ Hey, CEOs: Stop dating your employees and trying to cover it up
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Madeline Berg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Workplace relationships can be problematic, creating power imbalances that can blur lines of consent and the appearance of fairness. AdvertisementAdvertisementIf you're a CEO looking to keep your job, we've got some advice for you: Stop dating your employees. The men join a long list of execs whose workplace relationships have upended their careers. But only about one in five workers reported disclosing their workplace relationship to their employer. Some companies have even relaxed their policies over the last decade surrounding workplace relationships, Taylor said.

Persons: Edward Tilly, —, we've, He's, Johnny C, Taylor Jr, Bernard Looney, Jeff Zucker, Zucker, McDonald's, Steve Easterbrook, Easterbrook, Brian Krzanich, Lincoln Center's, Jed Bernstein, Taylor Organizations: Service, HR Management, BP, CNN, SEC, Society, Companies

☆ After a year of chaos, CNN bets on new CEO Thompson to focus on long-term viability
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Entelis, Moseley, Sherling and Leavy all plan to stay at CNN as Thompson takes over as CEO, according to people familiar with the matter. Programming CNN MaxBefore joining The New York Times, Thompson was director-general — a combination of chief executive and editor-in-chief — of the British Broadcasting Corporation. He'll have a chance to develop new shows at CNN Max, a tab in Warner Bros. With CNN Max, Thompson will try to program for a younger audience. Thompson will have some runway to invest in CNN Max.

Persons: Brandon Bell, Mark Thompson, Thompson, Donald Trump, Entelis, CNN hasn't, Licht, Jeff Zucker, Andrew Morse, CNN Max, CNN's, —, Zucker, Jason Kilar, Max, JB Perrette, Gabelli's Kevin Dreyer Organizations: CNN, Getty, Licht, Warner Bros . Discovery, Republican, The New York Times, Times, New York Times, CNN.com, Athletic, British Broadcasting Corporation, Warner Bros, U.S, Variety, Disney Locations: Atlanta , Georgia, Thompson's, Moseley, Sherling

☆ CNN’s new chief faces a crucial test on several fronts that will define the network’s future
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Discovery chief executive could have waited to appoint a singular leader of CNN after firing his former hand-picked network boss Chris Licht. By appointing a new chief executive and chairman, he’s taking an inherent risk as the 2024 presidential cycle heats up. Under former network boss Jeff Zucker, staffers never questioned what CNN’s mission statement was. It will be illuminating to hear more from Thompson on this matter, given he will also be responsible for CNN’s editorial. During his decades in media, Thompson earned a reputation for being a confident executive with thick skin who masterfully executes a vision, all while maintaining the support of the troops.

Persons: CNN —, Mark Thompson, Thompson, we’ve, ” Thompson, “, ►, Bob Iger, ” ► It’s, David Zaslav, Chris Licht, —, Amy Entelis, Virginia Moseley, Eric Sherling, David Leavy —, Zaslav, he’s, Jeff Zucker, Donald Trump, ► Licht, Licht, Zucker, Chris Cuomo, Don Lemon, nosediving, Licht’s, ” ►, Trump, They’ve Organizations: CNN, CNN — It’s, The New York Times, BBC, Times, Warner Bros . Discovery, MSNBC Locations: Hudson Yards

☆ Mark Thompson named CNN chief executive and chairman at critical juncture in news network’s history
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

I am confident he is exactly the leader we need to take the helm of CNN at this pivotal time,” David Zaslav, the chief executive of CNN parent company Warner Bros. At the Times, Thompson successfully transformed the newspaper into a digital powerhouse. CNN+, which launched last year as the network’s ownership changed hands from AT&T to Warner Bros. The standalone streamer also didn’t fit into Warner Bros. Discovery’s larger plans to house all content inside a single super-streamer. The streaming service will be located inside the Max app, alongside content from HBO, Discovery, and Warner Bros. Pictures.

Persons: Mark Thompson, “ Mark, ” David Zaslav, Thompson, Donald Trump, Trump, Jeff Zucker, Chris Cuomo, Don Lemon, Chris Licht, nosediving, Licht, Zaslav, Amy Entelis, Virginia Moseley, Eric Sherling, David Leavy, ”, CNN Max, Jake Tapper ” Organizations: CNN, The New York Times, BBC, Warner Bros, Discovery, Times, MSNBC, Atlantic, CNN Digital, The Times, CNN.com, U.S, Warner Bros . Discovery, HBO, Warner Bros .

☆ How insiders are reacting to Mark Thompson, CNN's new CEO, and how they think he'll tackle the network's challenges: 'He wants to be involved in editorial'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

WBD named Mark Thompson as CNN's new CEO in a shift by David Zaslav to an experienced news leader. Thompson is widely credited with turning the Times into a digital powerhouse, transforming a news organization that was teetering financially. Under Thompson, there also were flops along the way to success for the Times, like the failed NYT Now mobile app. Thompson is expected to be involved in editorialObservers and insiders expressed optimism about the Thompson news. They also will be watching to see how he will carry out WBD CEO David Zaslav's commitment to providing a wider range of political viewpoints, including conservative ones.

Persons: WBD, Mark Thompson, David Zaslav, Thompson, Chris Licht, Ken Doctor, Meredith Kopit Levien, who'd, Times —, Levien, Nate Silver, Jill Abramson, Abramson, wouldn't, Mark, Donald Trump, David Zaslav's, He'll, Jeff Zucker, I've, Zaslav, Licht, he'd, Semafor, James Harding, Andrew Ross Sorkin, he's, Jonathan Miller, Miller, Amy Entelis, David Leavy, Virginia Moseley, Eric Sherling, who's, Leavy Organizations: CNN, New York Times, Warner Bros, Discovery, Max, longtime Times, Times, ESPN, ABC, Observers, BBC, Company, Integrated Media Co, Editorial Locations: British

☆ CNN taps media veteran Thompson as CEO to spearhead turnaround
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Aditya Soni | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

With Thompson, Warner Bros Discovery is turning to an executive with ample experience at the top level, unlike Licht - a former TV producer who had worked on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" and MSNBC's "Morning Joe". During his 8-year tenure as the CEO of the Times, Thompson helped transform the Gray Lady into a beacon for newspapers in the internet age by focusing on digital subscriptions. "Mark is a true innovator who has transformed for the digital age two of the world's most respected news organizations," Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav said. CNN Max is looking to capitalize on the immediacy of breaking news and analysis, differentiating it from CNN+, which featured lifestyle programs. Those estimates are for the CNN networks that operate in the United States, including CNN en Español and CNN International.

Persons: Mark Thompson, Neil Hall, Thompson, Chris Licht, Donald Trump, Stephen Colbert, David Zaslav, Joe Biden, Ron Desantis, CNN Max, Paolo Pescatore, Licht, Jeff Zucker, Aditya Soni, Chavi Mehta, Shinjini Organizations: BBC, REUTERS, Warner Bros Discovery, CNN, New York Times, Republican U.S, Times, Trump, Democratic, Warner Bros, Atlantic, P Global Market Intelligence, Español, CNN International, Fox News, MSNBC, Nielsen, Thomson Locations: London, Florida, Trump, United States, Bengaluru

☆ CNN names former New York Times CEO Mark Thompson as its chief
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Mark Thompson is stepping in as the next CEO and chairman of CNN. Discovery CEO David Zaslav told staff in a note Wednesday. Before closing the deal, Zaslav had appointed Licht as CNN's CEO, who was previously the chief executive behind the "CBS This Morning" news program and "Morning Joe" on MSNBC. While network executives Amy Entelis, Virginia Moseley, Eric Sherling and David Leavy led CNN since Licht left CNN, Warner Bros. Shortly, we will announce that highly respected news executive Mark Thompson will be joining our leadership team as Chairman and CEO, effective October 9, reporting directly to me.

Persons: Mark Thompson, Thompson, Chris Licht, Thompson's, David Zaslav, Jeff Zucker, –, Andrew Cuomo, Zucker's, Chris Cuomo, Zucker, Zaslav, Licht, Joe, network's, Donald Trump, Kaitlan Collins, Amy Entelis, Virginia Moseley, Eric Sherling, David Leavy, Read, Mark, Amy, Eric, I've, David Read, you've, David Zaslav's, Wagner, you'll Organizations: CNN, Parent, Warner Bros, Discovery, The New York Times, BBC, Warner Bros . Discovery, Max, New York Gov, MSNBC, CNN Worldwide, Times, Tiananmen Locations: U.S, David, Virginia, London, Washington, DC

☆ CNN is reportedly in talks to bring in a British boss to clean up Chris Licht's mess
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Chris Johnston | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Two British media figures have been linked with the top job at CNN, Semafor reported. Mark Thompson, the former New York Times Company CEO, is the "leading candidate," per the outlet. Not one, but two, British media figures have been linked with the role, Semafor first reported. Before an eight-year stint as The New York Times boss, he was director-general of the BBC. The decision to launch CNN Max comes about year after the company axed CNN+.

Persons: Semafor, Mark Thompson, James Harding, Chris Licht, Licht, Donald Trump, He'd, Jeff Zucker, Thompson, he'd, Semafor's Ben Smith, David Zaslav, Oli Scarff, Harding, WBD, CNN Max Organizations: CNN, New York Times Company, BBC News, Morning, The, Street Journal, New York Times, BBC, Financial Times, Washington DC, Max Locations: British, London, AFP, Asia, Washington

☆ CNN news is coming to Warner Bros. Discovery streaming service Max
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Warner Bros. Discovery announced Thursday that CNN Max will be added to its Max streaming service on Sept. 27, and will serve as a 24/7 live news hub. Discovery relaunched its flagship streaming service HBO Max as Max, combining content from Warner Bros. and Discovery+ under one roof. As for including sports on Max, Warner Bros. Discovery is targeting the start of MLB playoffs this fall to introduce sports on the streaming app, CNBC previously reported.

Persons: CNN Max, Jim Acosta, Rahel Solomon, Amara Walker, Fredricka Whitfield, Jim Sciutto —, Anderson Cooper, Jake Tapper, HBO Max, Max, Jeff Zucker, Chris Licht, Semafor, Mark Thompson, David Zaslav, we'll, We've, Zaslav, Warner, It's, Jim Sciutto Organizations: Cable News Network, CNN, Warner Bros . Discovery, Max, HBO, Warner Bros, Discovery, BBC, New York Times, MLB, CNBC Locations: Atlanta , Georgia

☆ Media and entertainment companies are finding more investment from the Middle East, but it can come with controversy. Here are 11 of the most notable deals.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Insider broke down 11 top media companies with Middle Eastern backing or partnerships. Middle Eastern investment has poured into US media and entertainment, and US media companies have been eager recipients. Here's a rundown of 11 key Western media and entertainment companies, listed alphabetically, that have licensing and investment partnerships with Middle Eastern entities. Jimmy Finkelstein's news startup The Messenger has Middle Eastern funding via its acquisition of IMI-backed startup Grid, which is now shuttered. The North Road, Peter Chernin and Providence Equity's production roll-up, took a $150 million investment in January from the Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar's main investment vehicle, to support its expansion.

Persons: Peter Chernin, Jeff Zucker, Uber, Jamal Khashoggi's, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, —, hasn't, Mohammed bin Salman, SRMG, Abu, Abu Dhabi's, Jimmy Finkelstein's, BeIn, Stone, Ian Orefice, WBD Organizations: Providence, North, IMI, ex, CNN, Public Investment Fund, Blackstone, Washington Post, Saudi Crown, Saudi, Guardian, Media, Bloomberg Media, Saudi Research, Media Group, Media Investments, CNN Business, Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, Sky News Arabia, Business, Independent, SRMG, Miramax, BeIn, Paramount, Qatar Investment Authority, Penske Media Corporation, Billboard, Variety, Penske, Vox Media, New York, Billboard Arabia, RedBird Capital, Mideast, MBC Group, MBC, Fortress Investment Group, Investment, Warner Bros Locations: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, West, Saudi, Abu Dhabi, ViacomCBS, SRMG

☆ Variety faces calls for a retraction as its head-turning story about CNN drama begins to fall apart
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Variety has a mess on its hands. Former CNN chief Jeff Zucker, The Atlantic journalist Tim Alberta, and Puck Editor-In-Chief Jon Kelly have all called for the outlet to publicly correct the record. But, thus far, Variety has resisted taking any such action, outside quietly removing the widely panned Tatiana Siegel-written feature from its online homepage. The outlet’s deafening silence comes as the piece begins to fall apart in public. (It goes without saying that Zucker’s camp denied to Siegel that this ever happened, but she printed it anyway.)

Persons: Jeff Zucker, Tim Alberta, Puck, Jon Kelly, Tatiana Siegel, Chris Licht, ”, Byers, Zucker, Siegel, David Zaslav, ” Byers, Siegel weaved, imploring, Natalie Korach, Zucker’s, Ramin Setoodeh, Cynthia Littleton, Korach, Kelly, Puck’s, “, Jeffrey Goldberg, …, ” Goldberg Organizations: CNN, Variety, The Atlantic, Warner Bros, Penske Media Corporation, PMC, The Locations: . Alberta, ” Alberta, Miami, cabanas, ”, Russian, Littleton

☆ Explosive Variety report on behind-the-scenes CNN drama ignites fierce backlash from top industry figures
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Variety is facing a blistering wave of backlash. “Siegel was informed by The Atlantic that the charges were completely false, but she nevertheless decided to smear Alberta. Jon Kelly, editor in chief of Puck, similarly defended his reporter, who was portrayed in the piece as a Zucker shill. Reached for comment, a Variety spokesperson notably offered a defense of the piece that contained far less fervor. The spokesperson simply said, “Variety stands by our investigative story about CNN written by one of the best journalists in the business.”

Persons: Tatiana Siegel, Jeff Zucker, Zucker, —, Risa Heller, Heller, ” Heller, Chris Licht, Tim Alberta, Dylan Byers, Puck, ” Jeffrey Goldberg, “ Siegel, Siegel, ” Goldberg, Licht, “, Jon Kelly, “ Dylan Byers, ” Kelly, ” Organizations: CNN, Variety, Hollywood, Warner Bros, The, The Atlantic, Alberta Locations: Alberta, Alberta’s

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