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Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailSports streaming is here. Will TV break? But now, you've got Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime, Lionel Messi on Apple TV, WWE Smackdown on Netflix, and Google's YouTube TV as the fourth biggest TV provider in the country. Even traditional TV is giving in, with a new mega-sports app from Fox, Disney's ESPN, and Warner Brothers Discovery. This week on TechCheck, we update our "Great Rebundling" deep-dive and ask, does live sports break the dam?

Persons: you've, Lionel Messi Organizations: Sports, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, WWE, Netflix, YouTube, Fox, ESPN, Warner Brothers Discovery

Netflix and TKO Group Holdings said Tuesday that the streaming platform will air the WWE's flagship program Raw starting next year, in Netflix's first major foray into live sports. Netflix, which is trying to drive revenue by cutting down on subscription sharing and pushing viewers toward its ad-tier membership, has made few attempts at live programming in its history. With WWE permission, Netflix could even develop movies or series around WWE characters, one of the people said. For TKO, the parent company of WWE, striking a deal with Netflix brings WWE wrestling to about 250 million global subscribers. WWE President Nick Khan has had Netflix on his radar as a potential landing spot for Raw for several years.

Persons: Dwayne Johnson, Mark Shapiro, Rupert Murdoch, Nick Khan, Khan Organizations: Netflix, Raw, WWE, SmackDown, NXT, USA Network, ESPN, Turner, NFL, Fox Locations: U.S, Canada, America

“The Rock” is a name is derived from Johnson's father, WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson, who was the first Black champion in WWE history (alongside partner Tony Atlas), according the WWE. “I am thrilled to partner with Dwayne and welcome his immense talent to TKO’s Board," TKO CEO Ariel Emanuel said in a prepared statement. He has recently appeared on World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.'s “Smackdown” and “Raw” television programs, with rumors swirling that he may compete at this year's WrestleMania. "I’ve been there, I’m still there and this is for them.”TKO also announced Tuesday that Brad Keywell will become a board member. The additions of Johnson and Keywell will increase TKO's board from 11 to 13 members.

Persons: Dwayne Johnson, Johnson, WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson, Tony Atlas, “, Dwayne, Ariel Emanuel, ” Johnson, I’ve, I’m, ” TKO, Brad Keywell, Keywell Organizations: WWE, UFC, WWE Hall of Famer, Seven Bucks, Energy, United Football League, TKO’s Board, Holdings Inc, Wrestling Entertainment Inc, Echo Global Logistics

WWE's weekly television show “Raw” will move to Netflix next year as part of a major streaming deal. “Raw,” which debuted in 1993, has produced 1,600 episodes to date and features wrestlers such as Cody Rhodes, Becky Lynch, Seth Rollins and Rhea Ripley. “We are excited to have WWE Raw, with its huge and passionate multigenerational fan base, on Netflix,” Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria said in a prepared statement. WWE, which is part of TKO Group Holdings Inc., said Tuesday that “Raw” will air on Netflix starting in January 2025. This will be the first time that WWE will air on the network in prime time.

Persons: “, Cody Rhodes, Becky Lynch, Seth Rollins, Rhea Ripley, Bela Bajaria, Mark Shapiro, ”, Dwayne “, ” Johnson, Johnson Organizations: Netflix, USA Network, WWE, Punk, Holdings Inc, World Wrestling Entertainment Inc, NBCUniversal, NBC Locations: U.S, Canada, America, Fox

☆ Opinion: The deeply unsettling reason that explains Trump’s attacks on Obamacare
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Dean Obeidallah | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

First, he believes going after the signature achievement of President Obama plays well with his base. But there’s another, deeply unsettling possible motive: A racial component may be at play in Trump’s attacks on the legacy of the first Black president. Trump sought to undermine President Obama starting with his 2011 racist and false “birther campaign” seeking to cast Obama as an illegitimate president. And of course, it’s hard to forget the 2011 White House Correspondents Association Dinner, where Obama comically embarrassed Trump. After all, he had four years in the White House to do that.

Persons: Dean Obeidallah, Donald Trump, Dean Obeidallah CNN Trump, ” Trump, Obamacare, Trump, Trump’s, Obama, —, MAGA, supremacists, America’s, ”, Michael Luttig, Donald J Organizations: CNN, Affordable, GOP, ACA, Republicans, Obamacare, NBC’s, Ivy League, Columbia University, Harvard Law, White House, Trump Locations: Obamacare, America, Iowa

Right now, the streaming service is offering a discounted Starz add-on subscription for $0.99 per month for 6 months. Hulu one-upped its $1.99 deal from yesteryear by halving that to just $0.99 per month. Like the base Hulu deal, the Starz add-on offer ends at the end of the day on November 28. The original Hulu deal already tops our list of the best Black Friday streaming deals, and this only sends it over the edge. Starz is home to popular original hit series like "Power," "P-Valley," "Outlander," and "BMF: Black Mafia Family."

Persons: Hulu's, You'll, John Wick, It's, We're Organizations: Starz, Hulu, Friday

☆ Amazon and Meta are penalizing workers who don't return to the office. Experts say they should make a stronger case for working IRL first.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Amazon and Meta have said you could be fired or dinged in your review for not going to the office. Focusing on days in the office misses a chance to tell workers how it could benefit their careers. Yet the flex misses a chance to have a savvier conversation over how being together can benefit workers' careers, experts say. I think the opportunity is for us to get off the silly construct of days in office," Garbarino said. Garbarino said leaders should look past days in the office and focus on what they can do to help their workers develop.

Persons: —, Chase Garbarino, Garbarino, Paul Knopp, Knopp, Benjamin Granger, Granger Organizations: Meta, Service, Amazon, Kastle Systems, KPMG US Locations: That's

☆ Here’s How Joe Biden Can Win Again - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Joel Benenson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

President Biden’s age is on the minds of American voters as they think about the 2024 election. The 2024 election is going to hinge similarly on core issues and a vision that speaks directly to the lives and hopes of voters. But this is a winnable race for the president, even if it sometimes seems his team is shielding him from the public. If Mr. Trump becomes Mr. Biden’s opponent, this task is simpler. They’re both old, so I think the question of age will become moot for a lot of voters.

Persons: Biden’s, Donald Trump’s, Barack Obama’s, Biden, Ronald Reagan, Reagan, Trump, Mitt Romney’s, Obama, Romney, that’s, Mr Organizations: Pew Research Center, Democratic, Biden Locations: America, Israel, Benghazi, Libya

☆ Hollywood’s brief thaw belies a long winter
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Jennifer Saba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The union representing movie and TV writers tentatively agreed to a new contract on Sunday, setting the stage to end a five-month impasse. Content production is back on the budget line for streaming services. They too want to share in the spoils of a successful movie or TV series on streaming services. Charter now doesn’t have to carry eight Disney networks including FXX and Disney Junior, while Disney also is giving Charter’s customers access to its ad-supported streaming services for no additional charge. The brief thaw belies a long winter.

Persons: Fran Drescher, Duncan Crabtree, Walt Disney, Bob Iger, Ted Sarandos, David Zaslav, Donna Langley, ”, Lauren Silva Laughlin, Aditya Sriwatsav Organizations: SAG, Writers Guild of America, Hollywood, Netflix, Reuters, Guild of America, Walt, Warner Bros Discovery, NBC Universal, Charter Communications, Disney, Disney Junior, WWE, Paramount Global, Paramount, Alliance, Producers, WGA, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S

☆ WWE to bring back 'SmackDown' to NBCUniversal's USA Network
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Apr 2, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; L to R; Solo Sikoa and Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman and during Wrestlemania Night 2 at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 21 (Reuters) - WWE's "Friday Night SmackDown" will be back on USA Network late next year, after the wrestling company struck a new partnership deal with Comcast's (CMCSA.O) NBCUniversal to air more shows. WWE, part of TKO Group (TKO.N), will also produce four primetime specials per year for NBC as part of the five-year deal. "With Friday nights on USA, primetime specials on NBC, and the WWE hub on Peacock, we'll continue to use the power of our portfolio to super-serve this passionate fanbase," NBCUniversal Entertainment Chairman Frances Berwick said. USA Network is currently home to "WWE NXT" and "WWE Raw".

Persons: Sikoa, Paul Heyman, Joe Camporeale, we'll, Frances Berwick, Samrhitha, Saumyadeb Chakrabarty, Anil D'Silva Organizations: USA Network, WWE, NBC, Thomson Locations: Inglewood , CA, USA, SoFi, Bengaluru

Shinsuke Nakamura and Karrion Kross wrestle during the WWE SmackDown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot on May 5, 2023, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. WWE's "Friday Night SmackDown" will return to USA Network in October 2024 as part of a five-year domestic media rights partnership between TKO Group Holdings and NBCUniversal , WWE said Thursday. WWE does not expect to reach a rights agreement for its flagship show "Raw" until next year. "SmackDown" has been on Fox since October 2019, with a rights agreement for $205 million per year in a five-year deal. "SmackDown" last appeared on USA Network from 2016 to 2019.

Persons: Shinsuke Nakamura, Karrion Kross, Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot, WWE's, Frances Berwick, we'll Organizations: WWE, Coliseo, Coliseo de Puerto Rico, USA Network, NBCUniversal, CNBC, Fox, Holdings, Endeavor, NYSE, NBC, NBCUniversal Entertainment Locations: Coliseo de Puerto, San Juan , Puerto Rico, USA

☆ TKO, the newly merged UFC-WWE, aspires to grow beyond fighting
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Wrestling Entertainment executives decided to name their new publicly traded company TKO to honor the companies' expertise in fighting, but they have broader aspirations than just owning combat sports. That includes eventually going to market together for international media rights and bringing together the company's production efforts and back offices, Shapiro said. After that, TKO plans to swing into acquisition mode to grow the company, he said. Endeavor also owns Professional Bull Riders and two tennis tournaments — the Mutua Madrid Open and the Miami Open. In the coming months, TKO executives will also negotiate new media deals for WWE "Raw" and "SmackDown" on traditional pay TV.

Persons: WME, Mark Shapiro, Shapiro Organizations: Wrestling Entertainment, New York Stock Exchange, Endeavor Group Holdings, UFC, Hollywood, WWE, CNBC, Endeavor, Professional Bull Riders, Madrid, Miami, WME, Fox

☆ Opinion | When the Law Is Not a Trump Card
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Ross Douthat | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Meanwhile, Segall argues against the authors’ claim that the amendment’s provisions are “self-executing,” that they can be applied to Trump or any other supposed insurrectionist immediately. This is acknowledged by Baude and Paulsen, to be sure, who argue at length that Chase was wrong. It should not happen, it would not work if it did happen, John Roberts and four more justices would not uphold it, and it would license political chaos to no good purpose whatsoever. And if the legal theorist’s response is that this isn’t the “best” way to deal with Trump, it’s just the way that the Constitution requires, then so much the worse for their theory of the Constitution. There is an irony here, which is that a similar kind of legal mentality influenced Trump’s campaign to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Persons: Segall, Salmon Chase, Baude, Paulsen, Chase, Donald Trump, Salmon, —, … I’m, John Roberts, it’s, John Eastman’s, Mike Pence, interpose, Joe Biden’s, Pence Organizations: Trump, Eastman Locations: United States

☆ After Transitioning, Gabbi Tuft Pays a Visit to Smackdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-05 | by ( Jacob Bernstein | More About Jacob Bernstein | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

But it is not uncommon for sexuality to shift over the course of a transition, according to experts who work with trans people. “Gender and sexuality are different things,” Katherine Rachlin, a psychotherapist in New York with a transgender focus, said in an email. For many people, sexual love and appreciation is gender-affirming.”How those shifts play out varies from one trans person to another. As well as trans women who go from having lived as gay men to being lesbians post-transition, she said. Ms. Tuft said she had lost a number of male clients who once saw her as a role model.

Persons: ” Katherine Rachlin, “, Rachlin, ”, “ I’m, Curtis Hussey, Tuft’s Locations: New York

☆ Gavin Newsom has a message for Ron DeSantis: If he's game for a primetime debate, they have dates in November, so 'put up or shut up'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ron DeSantis has accepted his California nemesis Gavin Newsom's challenge for a primetime debate. Let's get it done," DeSantis told Fox News on Wednesday. Ron DeSantis finally accepted Gov. We will do it," DeSantis told Fox News's Sean Hannity. The proposed debate would be a long overdue smackdown between the feuding governors, who seem to disagree on practically everything.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Gavin Newsom's, DeSantis, Newsom's, Elon, Mark Zuckerberg, Musk, Fox News's Sean Hannity, Newsom, Sean Hannity, he'd, He's, Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz —, Ron DeSanctimonious, Kimberly Guilfoyle, who's, Donald Trump Jr, duking Organizations: Fox News, Service, Wednesday, Gov, NBC, Disney, Trump, Republican Locations: California, Wall, Silicon, Florida, Trump

☆ ‘I’m Dead.’ A Tour de France Duel Turns Into a Soul-Crushing Smackdown.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Jason Gay | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/sports/tour-de-france-cycling-vingegaard-pogacar-538875a4

Persons: Dow Jones Locations: france

☆ ‘I’m Dead.’ A Tour de France Duel Turns Into a Soul-Crushing Smackdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Jason Gay | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Persons: Dow Jones Locations: france

☆ 10 Things in Tech: Airbnb's Montana smackdown, Microsoft whining, Salesforce worrying, and Reddit rage
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Alistair Barr | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I'm Insider's global tech editor Alistair Barr, and I've been missing people a lot lately. Airbnb Montana smackdown: Life in the town of Bozeman is harder thanks to short-term rentals. That sparked a boom in Airbnb and Vrbo properties in the town, causing rents and property prices to surge. They are concerned about retaining talented colleagues, their future at Salesforce, and how leadership decisions adhere to the company's core values. Submit your nomination for Insider's 5th annual list recognizing first-time and newly named top marketers at consumer brands.

Persons: Alistair Barr, I've, I'd, we're, let's, Brian Chesky Mike Segar, Airbnb Montana, Dan Latu, Justin Sullivan, Read, Nassim Taleb, SoftBank, it's, that's, Bowties, India Narendra Modi, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Kevin Dietsch, Dana White, Lisa Ryan, Jack Sommers Organizations: Bozeman Tenants United, Getty, Microsoft, Silicon Valley titans, White House, UFC, Insider's Locations: Bozeman, Airbnb, Seattle, Washington, Salesforce, Silicon, India, China, Silicon Valley, New York, London

☆ So you think they've got Trump right where they want him, eh? Wait till you hear what this former federal prosecutor turned high-end defense attorney has to say
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Nicholas Carlson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

But one former federal prosecutor turned high-end defense attorney, Ken White, sees a quick path out of trouble for Trump. That's what it looks like Trump is going to get: Judge Aileen Cannon. White suspects Cannon may be imagining what she might be able to get out of a second Trump presidency. "You have a situation where it is not even remotely difficult to imagine: Her acquitting Trump, Trump getting elected, Trump elevating her to the 11th Circuit or the Supreme Court. "People are saying that by charging Trump you're riling up his base.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Trump, Fox, Alvin Bragg's, Ken White, Aileen Cannon, Kimberly Leonard, Cannon, White, Josh Barro, Barro, She's, that's, it's Organizations: Trump, Service, New, The, Justice, Appeals, Circuit, Department of Justice, Justice Department Locations: New York, Mar

☆ UFC merger beefs up WWE's leverage in media rights negotiations
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Networks and streaming services need to get ready for a media rights smackdown. UFC should also benefit ahead of 2025, when its U.S. media rights deals come up, including with Disney's ESPN. "I think everything is up for grabs with these media rights deals. During his time with CAA, he had formed a relationship with McMahon during a recent round of TV rights negotiations for WWE. It will also work for UFC negotiations, he noted.

Endeavor and WWE did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Sunday. The deal could be announced as early as this week, the sources said. Endeavor shareholders will own 51% of the combined company, while WWE shareholders would get 49%, the sources said. Endeavor is led by Hollywood power broker Ari Emanuel, who earlier this month declined to answer questions about a possible deal. In January, WWE said it would explore strategic options that could include a sale, shortly after Vince McMahon's return to the company.

☆ Betting on WWE matches? 'NFW!' say gaming operators and regulators
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Contessa Brewer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"The Colorado Division of Gaming is not currently and has not considered allowing sports betting wagers on WWE matches," they said. It issued a public statement advising WWE to work with the gaming industry. replied Adam Greenblatt, CEO of BetMGM, whether he would be eager to accept wagers on the WWE's scripted matches. The American Gaming Association, which represents both commercial and tribal operators, told CNBC: "Both regulators and operators must have confidence in the integrity of the competitions." "Ultimately, most industry stakeholders seem to view WWE betting as even more optically-challenging than betting on awards shows," Sharp Alpha Advisors managing director Lloyd Danzig said.

☆ Vince McMahon is back at WWE to ensure a smooth sale process. Here's who might want to buy it
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

WWE has hired JPMorgan to help the company advise on a potential sale, according to people familiar with the matter. But it remains unclear what type of role, if any, McMahon would want at WWE if he sold the company. WWE has a market capitalization of more than $6 billion after rising nearly 17% percent on Friday, buoyed by heightened sale speculation. McMahon's company already has an exclusive streaming deal with Comcast's streaming service, Peacock, and a cable TV deal with NBCUniversal's USA Network. Fox sold off most of its entertainment assets in its $71 billion sale to Disney in 2019, but WWE fits with the smaller company's sports and live events focus.

☆ WWE shares jump 10% as former CEO Vince McMahon announces surprise comeback
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Former WWE boss Vince McMahon said he would return as executive chairman Thursday. McMahon announced a review into upcoming media rights negotiations and could reportedly be preparing to sell the company. McMahon retired last year over a sexual misconduct scandal. McMahon said he would lead those negotiations as WWE's executive chairman and would launch a strategic review into other possible broadcast partners. He retired as WWE chief executive and chairman last year amid an ongoing internal board investigation into sexual misconduct claims against him.

☆ Vince McMahon returns to WWE, less than 6 months after he retired amid sexual misconduct allegations
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Vince McMahon, WWE's former CEO, has returned to the board, the company announced Friday. McMahon retired from the company in July amid misconduct allegations made against him. It comes less than six months after McMahon announced he was retiring from the company in July 2022, amid a board investigation into hush payments McMahon allegedly made to former female employees who had made misconduct allegations against him. But McMahon made clear that without his direct involvement, he would not approve any rights deals or a sale, WSJ reported. The board began investigating last year millions of dollars McMahon had paid several women who had made misconduct allegations against him.

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