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☆ Warner Bros. Discovery’s stock plummets to new low amid concerns the media giant could lose its NBA rights
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Discovery doesn’t “have to have the NBA.” It appears Wall Street disagrees. TNT has built a programming slate around the NBA games, most notably the highly rated ”Inside the NBA” show. Losing the rights to NBA games could throw aspects of that business partnership into question. Since WBD first began trading on Wall Street in April 2022, the stock has lost roughly 70% of its value. And for Zaslav, whose company is struggling on Wall Street, the battle could not come at a more inopportune time.

Persons: New York CNN — David Zaslav, “, WBD, —, Joe Flint, Amol Sharma, Isabella Simonetti —, Charles Barkley, Andrew Marchand, Warner, That’s, NBCU’s, I’m, Zaslav, Gunnar Wiedenfels, Wiedenfels ’, Bob Iger, David Ellison’s, ” Organizations: New York CNN, Warner Bros, NBA, CNN, Industry, WBD, TNT, The Athletic, New York Post, NCAA, MLB, NHL, NASCAR, Disney, Fox Corporation, Netflix, Paramount Global, Wall Locations: New York

☆ Peacock’s exclusive NFL playoff game drove ‘biggest subscriber acquisition moment ever measured,’ analytics firm says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Liam Reilly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —NBCUniversal’s high-stakes decision to exclusively air the NFL’s AFC Wild Card playoff game between the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs on its streaming service Peacock drove record signups to the platform, a digital analytics firm said Wednesday. In the three days leading up to the January 13 kickoff in Kansas City, Peacock saw 2.8 million sign-ups, Antenna reported on Wednesday, citing preliminary data. Prior to the game, Peacock reached roughly 30 million subscribers, a significantly smaller number than CNN parent company Warner Bros. Discovery’s 95 million Max subscribers and Netflix’s 260 million global subscribers. Though it remains unclear just how many of the 2.8 million new subscribers will retain their Peacock service beyond the playoff game, the announcement comes as other streamers also appear to be getting serious about sports. Netflix on Tuesday announced it will stream WWE’s “Raw” beginning in 2025, the company’s biggest foray yet into live sports.

Persons: Peacock, signups, NBCUniversal Organizations: CNN, AFC, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, Disney, NFL, Warner Bros, Dolphins, Chiefs, Netflix, Amazon’s, Bally Sports, Diamond Sports Group Locations: Kansas City

☆ Netflix earnings: Will the streaming service continue to make profit into 2024?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Netflix, which is in a quiet period ahead of earnings, declined CNN’s request for comment. In November, Netflix aired its first-ever live sports event, and its third-ever foray into live programming, called “The Netflix Cup,” a crossover competition between Formula 1 drivers and professional golfers. “We are investing heavily in increasing our live capabilities,” Netflix’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos said on the company’s earnings call in October. Next, Netflix plans to experiment with a new type of live programming: award shows. But even before the announcement, the number of shows and original programming Netflix churned out had already hit its peak, according to data analyzed by MoffettNathanson.

Persons: ’ ”, Jessica Reif Ehrlich, Reed Hastings, Amy Reinhard, Netflix’s, Reif Ehrlich, Philip Pacheco, ” Netflix’s, Ted Sarandos, Greg Peters, ” Peters, Matthew Harrigan, ”, Scott Stuber, Max, Peacock, MoffettNathanson, Harrigan, ” Harrigan Organizations: Los Angeles CNN, Netflix, Warner Bros, Bank of America, Guild of America, Netflix Inc, Bloomberg, Getty, Formula, Theft, Amazon, Hulu, Disney, Paramount Locations: Hollywood, FactSet

☆ The risks and rewards of a Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount merger
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-21 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

With Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount in talks for a potential merger, that could one day become the reality. Warner Bros. Buying Paramount would not help Warner Bros. Discovery’s effort to unwind its debt burden: Paramount has $15.7 billion in debt, a total that has barely budged all year. Since news of the potential deal broke on Wednesday afternoon, shares of Warner Bros.

Persons: ”, David Zaslav, Bob Bakish, you’d, Jack Kranefuss, ” Kranefuss, ” Derren Nathan, Hargreaves Lansdown, Spokespeople, Kranefuss Organizations: New, New York CNN, Warner Bros . Discovery, Paramount, Paramount Global, CNN, Fitch, Consumers, Warner Bros, Discovery, Black Entertainment Television, CBS Locations: New York

This year’s DealBook Summit will include conversations with global leaders and powerful figures from Wall Street, Silicon Valley and Hollywood. Jamie Dimon has been the chief executive of JPMorgan Chase since 2006 and its chairman since 2007, making him one of Wall Street’s longest-serving banking leaders. Bob Iger returned as Disney’s chief executive last year, after stepping down from the role in 2020. David Zaslav orchestrated Discovery’s takeover of WarnerMedia and became the chief executive of the new company, Warner Bros. The transaction helped transform his modest cable television company into an empire that includes the Warner Bros. movie and TV studios, HBO and CNN.

Persons: Andrew Ross Sorkin, Kamala Harris, Ms, Harris, Biden’s, Tsai Ing, Tsai, Elon Musk, Musk, Jamie Dimon, Jensen Huang, chipmaker, Bob Iger, Long, Iger, Lina Khan, Khan, ”, David Zaslav, Jay Monahan, LIV Golf, Monahan, Kevin McCarthy, Mr, McCarthy, Shonda Rhimes, Rhimes Organizations: Wall, Israel, Elon, SpaceX, JPMorgan Chase, First, Nvidia, Fox, Marvel, Pixar, Hollywood, ESPN, Federal Trade Commission, Columbia Law, WarnerMedia, Warner Bros, HBO, CNN, Republican, Republican Party, Shondaland, Netflix Locations: Silicon Valley, Hollywood, United States, California, San Francisco, Gaza, Taiwan, China, First Republic, Saudi

Killing an all-but-completed movie would alienate the people Zaslav — or at least Hollywood — needed most: the people who made the movies. Under fire, Zaslav defended the decision in an earnings call with analysts, saying he shelved “Batgirl” to protect the DC brand. More quietly, Zaslav also sought cover in the authority of Bryan Lourd, the powerful co-chairman of Creative Artists Agency and a leading arbiter of Hollywood mores. As Zaslav told it to several associates, Lourd had supported the decision, observing that it wasn’t in the interest of C.A.A. “We have made unpopular decisions because they were necessary.”Hollywood was in trouble before David Zaslav came to town.

Persons: Zaslav, Wiedenfels, Batgirl ”, Michael Keaton, ”, Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah, Walter Hamada, Courtenay Valenti, Bryan Lourd, Lourd, Leslie Grace, “ Bryan Lourd, ’ ”, David Zaslav, “ Organizations: DC Comics, Hollywood, DC, Warner Brothers, Creative Artists Agency, Discovery, McKinsey, W.B.D Locations: Scotland, New York, Hollywood, W.B.D

☆ The deal to end the historic actors’ strike came down to the wire, averting ‘a huge financial blow to everybody’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Then, suddenly, with only minutes to go until the cutoff, the studio bosses got their answer: SAG-AFTRA, the union that represents the 160,000-some actors, had accepted the deal. Relief among the big four studio chiefs, made up of Disney’s Bob Iger, Warner Bros. Discovery’s David Zaslav, Netflix’s Ted Sarandos, and NBCU’s Donna Langley. Relief among the actors, who will finally get back to work. And relief among the other unions and workers who rely on the hum of the Hollywood machine to make ends meet. To get television shows back in January and keep film schedules to where they are, studios will need to quickly restart production.

Persons: Bob Iger, Discovery’s David Zaslav, Ted Sarandos, Donna Langley, “, AFTRA, ” Sarandos, Zaslav Organizations: CNN, Hollywood, Warner Bros, Donna Langley . Relief, SAG Locations: Tinseltown

☆ Striking actors are reviewing Hollywood and TV studios’ ‘best and final offer’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Manav Tanneeru | David Goldman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —A deal to resolve film and television actors’ 113-day strike could be imminent, as the union representing them said it is reviewing Hollywood and TV studios’ final offer. The negotiating committee for the SAG-AFTRA union on Saturday said it received a “last, best and final offer” from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, whose members include Disney, Netflix, NBCUniversal, and Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Both the actors and writers fought for updated deals that better paid them for shows and movies on streaming services. Disney’s Bob Iger, Warner Bros. Discovery’s David Zaslav, Netflix’s Ted Sarandos, and NBC Universal’s Donna Langley have been directly involved in negotiations.

Persons: ’, It’s, George Clooney, Tyler Perry, Bob Iger, Discovery’s David Zaslav, Ted Sarandos, Donna Langley Organizations: New, New York CNN, Hollywood, SAG, Alliance, Television Producers, Disney, Netflix, Warner Bros . Discovery, Warner Bros, CNN, NBC Locations: New York

☆ SAG-AFTRA strike: Hollywood actors and major studios make progress in talks, signaling possible deal on horizon
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —It appears the actors’ strike is approaching its final scene. That progress has led to hopes that an agreement could be reached as early as this week or next week, the people said. One such issue, the use of artificial intelligence, has proved to be a sticking point between the writers and studios and required careful examination. SAG-AFTRA told its members early Monday that over the weekend it had “discussed all open proposals,” including A.I., with the studios. That would mean actors, crews, and much of the Hollywood industry would have to endure the holiday season out of work.

Persons: Duncan Crabtree, —, Bob Iger, Discovery’s David Zaslav, Ted Sarandos, Donna Langley —, AFTRA, Hollywood, “, ” Crabtree, Variety, we’re, ” Organizations: CNN, Hollywood, SAG, Warner Bros, NBC, Sherman

☆ Actors and Hollywood Studios to Restart Negotiations
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-21 | by ( Nicole Sperling | More About Nicole Sperling | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The major entertainment studios and the union representing tens of thousands of striking actors will return to the negotiating table on Tuesday, less than two weeks after talks were suspended because the sides remained far apart on significant issues. The restart of negotiations was announced in a joint statement on Saturday from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which bargains on behalf of the studios, and SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union. On Oct. 9, the Writers Guild of America ratified its new contract and there had been hope that a new deal with the actors would follow. The strikes have been devastating financially for many, both within and outside the industry. But an agreement with the actors would mean getting back to work without losing the entirety of the fall television schedule or having next summer’s moviegoing season upended.

Persons: —, Donna Langley, Ted Sarandos, Robert A, David Zaslav — Organizations: Alliance, Television Producers, SAG, Netflix, Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros, Writers Guild of America Locations: California

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hollywood studios and striking screenwriters are resuming negotiations for the second consecutive day Thursday. The talks could potentially put an end to the nearly five-month dispute that has brought many film and television productions to a halt. He also said his sources warned that should the deal not close, the strike is likely to continue until the end of the year. The WGA strike is nearing record length. Should it continue through Sept. 30, it will be the longest in the union’s history and the longest Hollywood strike since 1945.

Persons: they’d, Bob Iger, Discovery’s David Zaslav, Universal’s Donna Langley, Ted Sarandos, David Faber, AMPTP Organizations: ANGELES, Hollywood, Alliance, Television Producers, Writers Guild of America, Warner Bros, CNBC, ”, WGA, Disney, Netflix, Warner Bros . Locations: ”

☆ 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 .

☆ ‘Barbie’ is Warner Bros.’ highest-grossing global release ever
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Comscore estimated a global total of $1,341,854,460 through Monday for “Barbie.”On Monday, Warner Bros. said “Barbie” will pass “Harry Potter” to become its highest grossing film globally. “Barbie” and the “Harry Potter” films are distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, which is owned by CNN’s parent company, Warner Bros. A blockbuster summerJust last week, “Barbie” surpassed “Super Mario Bros.” as the highest-grossing movie at the domestic box office this year. “Barbie” also was crowned Warner Bros. Discovery’s highest-grossing domestic release, beating out “The Dark Knight” in 2008. In late August, “Blue Beetle” — also distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures — unseated “Barbie” from the top of the US box office.

Persons: ”, Harry Potter, Greta Gerwig’s “, “ Barbie, Harry Potter ”, “ Barbie ”, Barbie ’, Paul Dergarabedian, ” Dergarabedian, Dergarabedian, Mario, “, Knight ”, Gerwig, — Organizations: New, New York CNN, Warner Bros, Disney, Star Wars, Office, Century Fox, Warner Bros . Pictures, Warner Bros ., Mattel, Discovery’s Locations: New York

☆ CNN is launching a live service on Max with new programming as the network reboots its streaming efforts
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —CNN is heading to the Max streaming platform. Under previous leadership, CNN launched the standalone streaming service CNN+, which former executives touted as one of the most important moves in the network’s four-decade history. Warner Bros. CNN Max represents a path forward into the future, while also being more aligned with Warner Bros. Discovery’s vision. Discovery said that CNN Max will be available across all its various subscription packages, including its advertiser-supported plans.

Persons: CNN Max, Jake Tapper, ”, “ Anderson Cooper, Jim Acosta, Rahel Solomon, Amara Walker, Fredricka Whitfield ”, Jim Sciutto, “ Stanley Tucci, Italy ”, “ Anthony Bourdain, Anderson Cooper ”, Chris Wallace, —, Amy Entelis, David Leavy, Virginia Moseley, Eric Sherling —, Audie Cornish, David Zaslav, Max, Zaslav, ” JB Perrette, Warner Organizations: New, New York CNN, CNN, Max, Warner Bros ., Warner Bros . Discovery, “ CNN, Nielsen, Warner Bros, HBO, Discovery, CNN International, Netflix, Turner Sports Locations: New York, United States, Italy

☆ 'Barbie' passes 'Super Mario Bros.' and becomes America's highest-grossing movie of 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —“Barbie” is now the highest-grossing movie at the domestic box office this year, taking the crown away from “Super Mario Bros.”According to studio estimates, “Barbie” has made $575.4 million at the American box office as of Thursday, edging past Mario’s domestic haul of $574.2 million. “Barbie’s” run to the top was faster than “Mario’s,” reaching the record-breaking title in only 34 days since its release. It took Mario, Luigi and the gang 138 days to cross the $574.2 million benchmark in the United States, according to Deadline. It also placed director Greta Gerwig as the highest-grossing female movie director in history. “Barbie” and “Blue Beetle” are distributed by CNN’s parent company, Warner Bros.

Persons: New York CNN — “ Barbie ”, Mario, “ Barbie ”, Luigi, ”, Paul Dergarabedian, Greta Gerwig, “ Barbie Organizations: New, New York CNN, “, Warner Bros, Discovery’s, CNN, DC, Warner Bros . Locations: New York, ”, United States

☆ AMC can build Dreamhouse on Barbenheimer buzz
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Anita Ramaswamy | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

AMC Entertainment (AMC.N), the struggling movie theater chain wrestling with a meme-stock hangover, saw its busiest day since 2019 this past Saturday. The company needs cash to survive, and this weekend might add enough fantasy to help it. AMC has refiled to try again, and in some ways, Barbenheimer helps. The biggest risk to the movie theater business was that it would never return to pre-pandemic levels. AMC Entertainment, one of the U.S.’s largest theater chains, recorded over 7 million moviegoers in attendance over that weekend.

Persons: Barbie, “ Oppenheimer ”, Adam Aron, Aron, –, “ Barbie ”, “ Oppenheimer, ”, Lauren Silva Laughlin, Sharon Lam Organizations: YORK, Reuters, Warner Bros, Comcast, Universal Pictures, AMC Entertainment, Monday, AMC, Malibu, Thomson Locations: Barbenheimer, Delaware

☆ It’s Netflix’s world, rivals just stream in it
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-24 | by ( Jennifer Saba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

Cheaper streaming options with unique programming were luring viewers, leaving Netflix in a tough spot as it raised prices. Paramount+, started in 2021, is joining forces with sister Showtime to widen its offerings. Disney, Paramount and WBD also operate cable and broadcast networks, and don’t specify what portion of the expense is allocated to streaming. Its subscribers, worth $136 a year in revenue apiece, are also more valuable than those of its rivals. Warner Bros Discovery on May 23 rebranded its streaming service as Max, which will include HBO programming along with Discovery’s reality TV shows.

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery unveils 'Max' super-streaming service
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The new service, announced by CEO David Zaslav at a press event Wednesday, will launch May 23 and give consumers access to a large library of programming across Warner Bros. Discovery’s sprawling portfolio: Warner Bros., HBO, HGTV, Food Network, Cartoon Network, TLC and others. The ad-free version will cost $15.99, the price of the company’s existing HBO Max service. Warner Bros. Discovery's forthcoming "Max" streaming service Courtesy of Max“We are a global leader in sports and we are a global leader in news,” Zaslav said. Warner Bros.

☆ ‘South Park’ lawsuit: Warner Bros. Discovery sues Paramount for $500 million
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-26 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Discovery filed a lawsuit against Paramount Friday, claiming the rival media company breached its half-billion-dollar exclusivity contract with HBO Max by airing “South Park” on its own streaming platform, Paramount+. Nearly all “South Park” episodes air first on Paramount-owned Comedy Central. Then came the pandemic, and WarnerMedia was told that the new production of “South Park” would be halted, according to the complaint. In March 2021, Paramount launched Paramount+, and Warner Bros. Warner Bros.

☆ Warner Bros. 4Q Results Weighed Down by Soft Ad Sales, Restructuring Costs
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Kathryn Hardison | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Warner Bros. Discovery’s holdings include movie and television studios, among other properties. Warner Bros. Discovery Inc.’s fourth-quarter revenue came in below Wall Street expectations, and it reported a wider-than-expected loss, as lower TV-licensing revenue, advertising challenges and restructuring costs weighed on results. The New York-based media giant, whose holdings include movie and television studios, CNN and HBO, and Discovery channels such as Food Network and HGTV, reported revenue of $11.01 billion for the three months that ended Dec. 31. Analysts polled by FactSet expected $11.20 billion in revenue.

☆ Discovery flips script on Warner Bros deal logic
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, Feb 8 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Warner Bros Discovery (WBD.O) is rewriting the rationale for its value-destructive $43 billion acquisition of AT&T’s (T.N) media assets. The company led by David Zaslav plans to keep the Discovery+ streaming service, home to “Shark Week,” separate from the newly added HBO Max, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday. HBO Max is one of the most expensive options, at $16 per month with no advertising. If Warner Bros Discovery can’t even work out an internal merger, it suggests the industry’s reckoning may be further off. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

☆ HBO Max raises prices for the first time
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —HBO Max, which debuted in May 2020, is getting its first-ever price hike. Effective immediately, the ad-free HBO Max plan will be $15.99 per month — an increase of $1. HBO Max with ads, which launched in June 2022, remains the same at $9.99 per month. HBO Max will save “north of $100 million annually” after removing the shows, according to a source familiar with HBO’s decision. Discovery doesn’t break out the number of subscribers on the platform, but it currently has nearly 95 million global subscribers with HBO, HBO Max and Discovery+ combined.

☆ For your consideration: Warner-Discovery part two
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Jennifer Saba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Warner Bros Discovery (WBD.O) boss has encountered a series of problems since his splashy merger in April. A giant pile of borrowed money used to help cover the cash outlay to AT&T (T.N) for Warner Media looms large. Warner Bros Discovery counts more than 90 million subscribers for services such as HBO Max, less than half as many as at Disney and Netflix. There might be another $3 billion in savings, using the same 20% of EBITDA targeted by Warner Media and Discovery. Its shares have fallen about 48%, to nearly $12 apiece, since the merger of Discovery with AT&T’s Warner Media on April 8.

☆ 'Black Adam' credit scene proves Hollywood has learned nothing
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Ani Bundel | Ani Bundel Is A Cultural Critic Who Has Been Writing Regularly Since Her Work Can Also Be Found At Elite Daily | Weta'S Telly Visions | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

DC Films’ latest release into the endless superhero pantheon, “Black Adam,” has a lot riding on Dwayne Johnson’s muscled shoulders. Black Adam, one of the regularly scheduled villains in the comic book, was supposed to be his main antagonist. And while “Black Panther” did a great job of making its bad guy both a certifiable badass and a nuanced character, “Black Adam” fails miserably. “Black Adam” has an interesting inkling of an idea: an oppressed culture that needs to overthrow the invading white men. But the midcredit sequence in “Black Adam” unfortunately suggests studio leaders are committed to making the same mistakes all over again.

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