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☆ 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

☆ 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

More than any film I’ve made, “Tenet” was designed to have this very theatrical, IMAX, larger than life identity. VILLENEUVE: It was not planned that I would get an IMAX film release. Or, I didn’t leave film, film left me and my heart was broken. NOLAN: I just like hearing the guy who made “Dune Two” be like “it’s all about money.” I’ve seen that film. On every film I’ve ever done, including “Oppenheimer,” I first showed it to the studio on cut and copy, taped together, splices and everything.

Persons: — Christopher Nolan, “ Oppenheimer, “ Tenet ”, “, ” Nolan, ’, Pam Abdy, Michael De Luca, “ Tenet, Nolan, Denis Villeneuve, ”, NOLAN, I’ve, Chris, … NOLAN, VILLENEUVE, I’m, Chris Nolan, ” Emma, Thomas, …, it’s, We’ve, “ Oppenheimer ”, ” I’ve, That’s, Emma, hadn’t, You’re, Steven Spielberg Organizations: UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif, Associated Press, Warner Bros, Universal, AP, Kodak, VILLENEUVE, Warners, Avid Locations: New York, Los Angeles, London, Melbourne, Nashville , Tennessee, Tempe , Arizona, VILLENEUVE

☆ Warner’s Streaming and Ad Misses Outweigh Its Huge Hit
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Dan Gallagher | ) 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/articles/warners-streaming-and-ad-misses-outweigh-its-huge-hit-8442bc5e

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ KKM Financial's Jeff Kilburg breaks down upcoming earnings from PayPal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailKKM Financial's Jeff Kilburg breaks down upcoming earnings from PayPalJeff Kilburg, KKM Financial CEO, joins 'The Exchange' to discuss Kilburg's thoughts on the quarterly earnings results from three companies: PayPal, Robinhood, and Warners Bros.

Persons: Jeff Kilburg, PayPal Jeff Kilburg Organizations: PayPal, KKM, Warners Bros

☆ How 2 longtime Warner Bros. execs and a veteran media banker plan to invest $360 million in sports, live experiences, and proven IP
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Alex Iosilevich, Kevin Tsujihara, and Jeff Bewkes raised $360 million to invest in media, entertainment, and gaming. "Today it's television, tomorrow it's virtual reality," Alex Iosilevich, a longtime media banker and investor, told Insider. The trio announced April 27 that they raised $360 million for their first private equity fund to invest in media, entertainment, and gaming companies. Bewkes was chairman and CEO of Time Warner; he left as part of AT&T's 2016 acquisition of the company. With the market for subscription-based streaming services getting saturated, streaming companies will have to look more aggressively for new audiences through overseas expansion, ad-supported tiers, and new entertainment content.

☆ Three media veterans just raised $360 million to invest in sports, live experiences, and proven IP — trends that are 'permanent' even as streamers struggle for profits and consumers churn
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Alex Iosilevich, Kevin Tsujihara, and Jeff Bewkes raised $360 million to invest in media, entertainment, and gaming. "Today it's television, tomorrow it's virtual reality," Alex Iosilevich, a longtime media banker and investor, told Insider. The trio announced April 27 that they raised $360 million for their first private equity fund to invest in media, entertainment, and gaming companies. And Iosilevich's resume includes more than a decade of media dealmaking at UBS, Deutsche Bank, and Barclays. With the market for subscription-based streaming services getting saturated, streaming companies will have to look more aggressively for new audiences through overseas expansion, ad-supported tiers, and new entertainment content.

☆ CNN CEO Chris Licht marks one year on the job with a network rebrand, upcoming ad campaign, and a Trump town hall
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The network is hoping its May 10 Trump town hall, to be anchored by Kaitlan Collins, delivers ratings. One year into his new role, CNN CEO Chris Licht is quietly working on a major brand refresh of the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned global news network. CNN is planning a new ad campaign, according to this person and a separate person familiar with conversations, once the changes are finalized and approved by Warners CEO David Zaslav. The town hall will mark the first time Trump has appeared on CNN in years. At least on the business side," they added, referencing the audiences and ad dollars a Trump campaign would bring.

☆ Warner’s HBO Demotion Will Bring Some Severance Costs
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Dan Gallagher | ) 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/articles/warners-hbo-demotion-will-bring-some-severance-costs-a56588f2

The company showed a preview of a new “Harry Potter” studio tour in the Japanese capital on Wednesday, its first outside the United Kingdom. “We’ve kept it all,” Jeff Nagler, president of worldwide studio operations at Warner Bros., told CNN in an interview in Tokyo. Warner Bros. and CNN share the same parent company, Warner Bros. The films “provided a lot of the profits of Warner Bros. Motion Pictures over the last 25 years,” he told analysts in a November results presentation. “We are very fortunate to have a huge share of the most beloved and globally recognized storytelling IP in the world, including ‘Harry Potter,’” he said.

☆ Sundance Movies: Brett Kavanaugh and Steph Curry Docs, "Cat Person"
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Alison Brower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The Sundance Film Festival was back in person for the first time since 2020. In five days I saw eight films, and while I'm not a critic, I can affirm that not one of them was a clunker. Asked about the film's aspect ratio in an audience Q&A, Jalali said, "It was prettier that way." The bulk of the films I saw were more commercial, and four of them centered on relationships. And then there was "Cat Person," based on a 2017 New Yorker story about dating by Kristen Roupenian.

☆ The Sundance Film Festival stirs buzz, draws A-list stars, and screens movies that get you talking, but it can't hide the crisis facing independent filmmakers.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-29 | by ( Alison Brower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The Sundance Film Festival was back in person for the first time since 2020. A-list stars like Anne Hathaway and Jason Momoa were present to promote their buzzy films. It was impossible not to feel optimistic about the state of independent film at the opening weekend of the Sundance Film Festival. In five days I saw eight films, and while I'm not a critic, I can affirm that not one of them was a clunker. At an event like Sundance, even amid some hand-wringing over the future, the excitement is contagious.

Discovery CEO David Zaslav has assembled a Discovery-heavy leadership team to transform the company. Here are the 20 corporate, creative, and business execs charged with helping him pull it off. Discovery merger, CEO David Zaslav faces massive challenges as he tries to pump out cash to pay down debt while slashing billions in costs. Many of the corporate and business leaders Zaslav has assembled are Discovery execs he's worked with closely for years and who were given bigger roles after the merger. These 20 execs, listed alphabetically, are the power players Zaslav has put in place to help him get there.

☆ NBCUniversal layoffs are coming in January, with cuts expected mainly in broadcast and cable TV groups
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Layoffs will come in ad sales and marketing in the linear TV business but aren't expected to affect theme parks. NBCUniversal is the latest major media corporation to plan layoffs, according to two company insiders and a third person closely familiar with plans. The axe will fall mainly in ad sales, marketing, and back-end functions at the traditional broadcast and cable business units, but will come division by division, two people said. The company is looking for $1 billion in cuts across the TV networks, according to a Bloomberg report. Paramount Global also conducted layoffs last week, mainly in ad sales in New York and Los Angeles.

☆ HBO is No. 1 as 14 TV insiders rank the streamers where they want to sell shows: Apple's a big spender and 'there's a sheen when you're a Hulu show,' but there's 'fear in the air' at Netflix
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Elaine Low | Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +19 min

"It's definitely been not the most exciting and robust year," said one TV agent at a major agency. Around 70 people at HBO and HBO Max have been let go this year, and their comedy development teams have merged. While WBD doesn't break out streamer-specific figures, it said on Thursday's earnings call that HBO Max, HBO, and Discovery+ have a combined 94.9 million subscribers, ensuring that any show on HBO Max has the chance to get a lot of eyeballs. They'll also take smaller swings in the genre department, do things at a lower budget," said the second TV agent. Echoed the first TV agent: "You pitch and sell to them if no one else wants it."

☆ NBCUniversal layoffs are coming in January
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Layoffs will come in ad sales and marketing in the linear television business but won't affect theme parks. NBCUniversal is the latest major media corporation to plan layoffs, according to two company insiders and a third person closely familiar with plans. The axe will fall mainly in ad sales, marketing, and back-end functions at the traditional broadcast and cable business units, but will come division by division, two people said. Paramount Global also conducted layoffs last week, mainly in ad sales in New York and Los Angeles. NBCUniversal was the first major media firm to conduct a corporate restructure of its business back in 2020.

☆ 14 TV insiders rank the streamers where they want to sell shows now as Apple TV+ closes in on HBO Max amid turmoil at Warner Bros. Discovery
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Elaine Low | Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +19 min

☆ Warners Bros. slumps after company gets hit with restructuring costs, tough ad market
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | 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 EmailWarners Bros. slumps after company gets hit with restructuring costs, tough ad marketCNBC's Jim Cramer and the 'Squawk on the Street' team discuss shares of Warner Bros. Discovery following the company's third-quarter earnings, which missed analysts' estimates.

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery could bring Bleacher Report to TV as CEO David Zaslav looks to max out the merged company's powerful sports portfolio
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Discovery is eyeing options to expand sports and culture site Bleacher Report. Bleacher Report could help build the massive sports business that WBD sees as core to its future. Ideas under consideration include using Bleacher Report content to bolster cable network TNT, which airs NBA, MLB baseball, NHL, NCAA basketball, and more. Under WBD, Bleacher Report no longer has dedicated sales or marketing teams and is sold as part of a broader digital portfolio. A Bleacher Report rep declined to comment.

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav faces 3 key challenges as financial headwinds disrupt his strategy and threaten his promises to Wall Street
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

MoffettNathanson analyst Robert Fishman crystallized the daunting task ahead for Zaslav and WBD in his August 5 report "Reality First. The honeymoon was short-lived," said one senior Hollywood insider. It turns out there are five, housing some 40,000 employees globally: Warner Bros., HBO Max, the Turner entertainment channel business, CNN, and Discovery. The WBD insider said there isn't a rush to hire a new chief and that the company will continue to meet people. Under the ownership of AT&T, WarnerMedia's financials were buried in its parent's spreadsheets — now as a pure-play entertainment company, Warner Bros.

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