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☆ Warner Bros. Discovery's new streamer, Max, is live — these top 9 execs are helping content chief Casey Bloys take on Netflix and win over subscribers
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Discovery driving content at HBO and new streamer Max. WBD has one of TV's most respected executives working to ensure Max's success: Casey Bloys, who's been with HBO since 2004, is chairman and CEO of HBO and Max content. In week one 70% of HBO Max subscribers switched over to the new app, and some Discovery+ subscribers have moved over as well, WBD told The Wall Street Journal. It'll take time for Max to build up the brand equity HBO Max has. As for existing subscribers, most HBO Max users may seamlessly transition to Max and see no change in price.

Persons: Casey Bloys, Max, Barry, WBD, who's, HBO Max —, there's Kathleen Finch, JB Perrette, Harry Potter, HBO Max, Bloys Organizations: Warner Bros, HBO, Max, DC, Netflix, Disney, Hollywood, HBO Max, Wall Street

☆ CNN's CEO reportedly looked like 'a man who had just survived a car wreck' after Trump town hall last month
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Nathan Mcalone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

CNN CEO Chris Licht reportedly looked like he'd "just survived a car wreck" after last month's Trump town hall. Still, he has largely stood by his decisions around the town hall. CNN CEO Chris Licht wore the "expression of a man who had just survived a car wreck" after the network's Trump town hall last month, according to an expansive new profile in The Atlantic. Alberta described the morale inside CNN following the town hall as abysmal. "I had never witnessed a lower tide of confidence inside any company than in the week following the town hall at CNN," he wrote.

Persons: Chris Licht, Licht, Tim Alberta, MAGA, —, Kaitlan Collins, Oliver Darcy, Christiane Amanpour, Donald Trump, David Leavy Organizations: CNN, —, Republican, Trump, Columbia Journalism School Locations: Trump, Alberta, America

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery's new streamer Max is here. Meet the 9 top execs driving content chief Casey Bloys' strategy to compete with Netflix and Disney.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-23 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Discovery driving content at HBO and new streamer Max. WBD has one of TV's most respected executives working to ensure Max's success: Casey Bloys, who's been with HBO since 2004, is chairman and CEO of HBO and Max content. It'll take time for Max to build up the brand equity HBO Max has. As for existing subscribers, most HBO Max users may seamlessly transition to Max and see no change in price. But Discovery+ users will have to fork over twice the $5 per month that they were previously paying to get the cheapest version of Max, which is $9.99 per month.

Persons: Casey Bloys, Max, Barry, WBD, who's, HBO Max —, there's Kathleen Finch, JB Perrette, Harry Potter, Bloys, HBO Max Organizations: Warner Bros, HBO, Max, DC, Netflix, Disney, Hollywood

☆ We identified the 112 top executives at Warner Bros. Discovery under CEO David Zaslav as the year-old company takes aim at Netflix and Disney
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Claire Atkinson | Lucia Moses | Taylor Tyson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Warner Bros. One year after Discovery acquired WarnerMedia, WBD CEO David Zaslav faces economic headwinds and an ad slump. Insider mapped out the 112 most powerful people under Zaslav leading WBD film and TV studios, HBO, CNN, and more. One year after the merger that created Warner Bros. While Kathleen Finch has joined the mix with her portfolio of Discovery channels, top TV execs from the WarnerMedia regime — HBO's Casey Bloys and Warner Bros. TV studios chief Channing Dungey — are still in place.

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery's ad sales chief is battling for market share at the TV upfronts. Meet his 8 deputies driving the strategy.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Discovery's Jon Steinlauf is working to help the company rebuild amid a soft ad market. The task of grabbing a greater share of that ad market falls to chief US advertising sales officer Jon Steinlauf. He'd led its ad sales since 2018, having joined Discovery through its acquisition of Scripps Networks. He also has Warner experience, having served as VP of ad sales for Turner Broadcasting's TBS and TNT networks in the '90s. And it shared with Insider that four of Steinlauf's eight direct reports are women and that 56% of the ad sales leadership team are women.

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery's ad sales chief reveals how he'll tout flexible offerings and 6 new measurement deals to grab brand dollars from TV rivals
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Discovery ad sales chief Jon Steinlauf has a strategy to grab market share at the TV upfronts. WBD left money on the table at the 2022 upfront, Steinlauf said, and faces a soft 2023 ad market. Discovery's pitch to advertisers was all about the breadth of its newly merged portfolio of news, sports, and lifestyle entertainment. When it comes to WBD's Premiere package of top ad inventory, for example, ad sales chief Jon Steinlauf emphasized how advertisers could customize the mix of programming to meet their wants. Discovery debuted at an inopportune time, just a few weeks ahead of the biggest TV sales event of the year.

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery's sales chief Jon Steinlauf is battling for business in a tough TV ad market. Meet his 8 top deputies.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Discovery's Jon Steinlauf is helping the company rebuild but faces a soft ad market. The task of grabbing a greater share of that ad market falls to chief US advertising sales officer Jon Steinlauf. He'd led its ad sales since 2018, having joined Discovery through its acquisition of Scripps Networks. He also has Warner experience, having served as VP of ad sales for Turner Broadcasting's TBS and TNT networks in the '90s. And it shared with Insider that four of Steinlauf's eight direct reports are women and that 56% of the ad sales leadership team are women.

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery's top ad exec details his plans to grab market share from TV rivals with flexible offerings and 6 new measurement deals
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Discovery ad sales chief Jon Steinlauf shared plans to grab market share at the TV upfront. WBD left money on the table at the 2022 upfront and faces a soft ad market. When it comes to WBD's Premiere package of top ad inventory, for example, ad sales chief Jon Steinlauf emphasized how advertisers could customize the mix of programming to meet their wants. Discovery debuted at an inopportune time, just a few weeks ahead of the biggest TV sales event of the year. WBD dove into its 2022 TV upfront negotiations without the benefit of time to share information across its predecessor companies, causing some blowback among top advertisers.

☆ 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.

☆ How Warner Bros. Discovery plans to take on Disney and Netflix with new streamer Max, according to WBD's top marketing exec
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

"HBO had its limits," Patrizio Spagnoletto, Warner Bros. WBD research showed that to attract new subscribers, the HBO brand was too nichePatrizio "Pato" Spagnoletto is Warner Bros. DiscoveryIn dropping "HBO" from the name, WBD is acknowledging HBO Max has a potent but narrow appeal that could turn off a broader audience. The Max logo has the same vibe as the HBO Max logo, however, and incorporates a few elements of HBO's logo. "Right now, we have very limited capabilities" in that regard, he said of the current HBO Max app.

☆ We mapped out the 113 most powerful people at Warner Bros. Discovery after a blockbuster merger and a tumultuous year of layoffs and cuts under CEO David Zaslav
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Claire Atkinson | Lucia Moses | Taylor Tyson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav is focused on rebuilding but faces economic headwinds and an advertising slump. Insider mapped out the 112 most powerful people under Zaslav leading WBD film and TV studios, HBO, CNN, and more. One year after the merger that created Warner Bros. While Kathleen Finch has joined the mix with her portfolio of Discovery channels, top TV execs from the WarnerMedia regime — HBO's Casey Bloys and Warner Bros. TV studios chief Channing Dungey — are still in place.

☆ Paramount fires back at Warner Bros. Discovery in 'South Park' streaming lawsuit
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Discovery in a lawsuit over the streaming rights for the comedic cartoon, and is seeking more than $50 million in unpaid fees. Warner alleged Paramount withheld specials and other related "South Park" content as its own fledgling streaming service, Paramount+, was lifting off. Discovery's argument that Paramount Global was required to deliver additional South Park content is baseless and wholly unsupported by the parties' agreement. Warner said in the earlier filing that during the bidding process for the streaming rights Paramount had allegedly asked if they could share the rights for Paramount+. The company added that Warner's HBO Max – which is being relaunched as Max – continues to feature the entire "South Park" library.

☆ Top Warner Bros. Discovery marketing exec reveals the launch strategy for mega-streamer Max, the challenges ahead, and why HBO was dropped from the name: 'HBO had its limits'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Spagnoletto, who goes by Pato, was referring to the market research WBD conducted before settling on the name Max — dropping the HBO from its existing service, HBO Max — for the company's long-awaited mega-streamer that will combine content from HBO Max and Discovery+. WBD research showed that to attract new subscribers, the HBO brand was too nichePatrizio "Pato" Spagnoletto Warner Bros. DiscoveryIn dropping "HBO" from the name, WBD is acknowledging HBO Max has a potent but narrow appeal that could turn off a broader audience. The Max logo has the same vibe as the HBO Max logo, however, and incorporates a few elements of HBO's logo. "Right now, we have very limited capabilities" in that regard, he said of the current HBO Max app.

☆ Warner Bros Discovery reveals pricing, promotion, and content details of its new streamer, Max, as it aims to take on Netflix and fire up Wall Street
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Called Max, the app will feature content from HBO Max and Discovery+. Discovery announced the details of its new streaming app on Wednesday, after much anticipation from Hollywood and Madison Avenue. The prices will stay the same for HBO Max subscribers, who will begin to be automatically ported over to the new service. Presenting the entire WBD content catalog on the combined streamer without diluting HBO's prestige factor was another challenge. HBO Max has greater recognition with younger consumers, according to a new Samba TV/HarrisX poll, which could help grow awareness for Discovery+.

☆ Hollywood film and TV writers are preparing for a strike. Here's how Disney, Netflix, and other entertainment giants could weather a work stoppage.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The writers guild asked its members to authorize a strike, which would come at a risky time for Hollywood. Netflix, Amazon, and Disney have content stockpiles that could help them through a work stoppage. A Hollywood writers strike is looming at a precarious time for the media and entertainment industry. During that 100-day strike, more than 60 TV shows shut down and ratings and ad sales dropped. The landscape of entertainment options is "much more competitive than it was during the last writers strike," media consultant Peter Csathy told insider.

☆ From Disney and Netflix to Warner Bros. Discovery, which entertainment giants would be the winners and losers of a Hollywood writers strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

A possible Hollywood writers strike is looming at a risky time for the entertainment business. A Hollywood writers strike is looming at a precarious time for the media and entertainment industry. During that 100-day stoppage, more than 60 TV shows shut down and ratings and ad sales dropped. The landscape of entertainment options is "much more competitive than it was during the last writers strike," media consultant Peter Csathy told insider. Paramount also has an extensive live sports offering, which should offer some insulation if writers go on strike.

☆ How HBO's content chief plans to grow the audience for Warner Bros. Discovery's new mega-streamer with DC and Warner Bros. shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

HBO's Casey Bloys revealed his content strategy on "The Watch" podcast and in a talk with Parrot Analytics. Bloys also shared what's ahead for HBO Max once it combines with Warner Bros. Despite economic pressures on streaming, he's not worried that HBO content will suffer. "Euphoria" is second only to "Game of Thrones" in most-viewed HBO shows, but Bloys was hesitant at first to develop its hit 2022 prequel "House of the Dragon," he told "The Watch." And he pointed to more Batman spinoffs like "The Penguin" that's coming to HBO Max and will star Colin Farrell.

☆ Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav faces complex challenges as a combined HBO Max-Discovery streamer preps to launch this spring and staffers fear more layoffs and cuts
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Lucia Moses | Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

CEO David Zaslav is expected to provide an update of the company's financials and outlook for the year ahead. WBD also shed more than half its stock price since the merger deal closed April 8, before a more recent partial recovery. But optimism around the company seems to be based on the feeling that things can only go up from here. Discovery to $20 from $16, assuming the heaviest cost cutting is done and despite the fact that the near-term ad outlook is poor. Legacy Warner ad salespeople in particular are frustrated over this approach and worried it'll cost them in the form of a smaller annual bonus than they've come to expect in years past.

☆ HBO's content chief reveals plans to build audiences for HBO Max and Warner Bros. Discovery's new mega-streamer with DC and Warner Bros. shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

HBO's Casey Bloys revealed his content strategy on "The Watch" podcast and in a talk with Parrot Analytics. Bloys also shared what's ahead for HBO Max once it combines with Warner Bros. Despite economic pressures on streaming, he's not worried that HBO content will suffer. And even after Bloys took on oversight of HBO Max Originals in 2020, "The idea is to do things that are not necessarily for HBO," he told "The Watch." And he pointed to more Batman spinoffs like "The Penguin" that's coming to HBO Max and will star Colin Farrell.

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.

☆ How Warner Bros. Discovery layoffs, content cuts, and reorganization shocked Hollywood and fired up Wall Street
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Lucia Moses | Elaine Low | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

David Zaslav has been enjoying a stock runup after Wall Street analysts expressed increased optimism about Warner Bros. Discovery, with much cost-cutting behind it and growth ahead as it plans to launch a new streaming service. AT&T's WarnerMedia merged with Discovery in 2022 in a $43 billion deal, creating a content behemoth combining Warner's HBO, CNN, and famed Warner Bros. film studio with Discovery's lifestyle and reality fare. Read more:A new content strategy that could tarnish crown jewel HBOWBD also looked for savings and revenue by shifting its content strategy ahead of combining HBO Max and Discovery+ into a mega streaming service to launch this spring. WBD shocked entertainment insiders by canceling high-profile projects like "Batgirl" and yanking episodes of shows including "Sesame Street" from HBO Max, and it has made other moves that concerned Hollywood creatives.

☆ The biggest media targets and buyers in 2023, as speculation swirls around Disney's next move under CEO Bob Iger and how Warner Bros. Discovery can shed debt
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Lucia Moses | Claire Atkinson | Reed Alexander | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Continued pressure to get bigger has big media companies in Hollywood looking to scale up. Media bankers and investors predicted to Insider that dealmaking will rebound in 2023 as companies big and small size up their options for possible tie-ups. Pressure on big media companies to get bigger hasn't gone away. Apple: Could eye a big content prizeTim Cook. Paramount's library could help a streaming company bulk up its content; Netflix for one has explored Paramount's studio business before.

☆ From Apple and Disney to Warner Bros. Discovery, here's the 2023 media deal outlook for Hollywood's biggest companies, according to 13 bankers and industry experts
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Lucia Moses | Claire Atkinson | Reed Alexander | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

☆ Warren Buffett just bet big on Paramount to win the ad streaming wars — here's what makes its business unique compared to competitors like HBO Max, Disney, and Netflix
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Elizabeth Pham Janowski | Ryan Joe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The maturation of ad-supported streaming services over the last year have become clearer. Discovery, and Netflix, which are charging high rates for streaming ads against so-called premium content. If these companies hope to attract premium CPMs however, they need to get them now. "The only reason, in my opinion, that they can control premium CPMs today is that they're just starting at this," Martin said. She believes the market will force services charging "premium" CPMs to lower these prices over time.

☆ CNN CEO Chris Licht is facing an increasingly angry newsroom as more layoffs loom, plans are murky, and staff have lost confidence after 'horrible programming decisions'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

CNN CEO Chris Licht has been faulted by the newsroom for too many changes and not enough communication. Chris Licht needs a hit. "People are starting to believe there is no plan," said one executive familiar with the workings of CNN. "Is Chris Licht going to be there for them and push back on government officials? Many on the ad sales team that was formerly dedicated to CNN have either been pink-slipped or joined the broader ad sales group under WBD ad honcho Jon Steinlauf.

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