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☆ Disney's wildest ride: Iger, Chapek and the making of an epic succession mess
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +88 min

Iger told Chapek that he lived for those "two-shower days," according to people familiar with the conversation. In January 2020, Iger told Chapek the plan was back on. During his 27 years at the company, Chapek had only attended one annual meeting — as a guest in the audience. Bob Iger, Disney CEO, during a CNBC interview, Feb. 9, 2023. WATCH: Disney CEO Bob Iger's exclusive July 2023 CNBC interviewTake the 'A'During Chapek's tenure as CEO, Disney lost more than a quarter of its market value.

Persons: Elham, Bob Iger, Bob Chapek, Iger, wasn't, Chapek, Michael Eisner, —, who's, he's, Clint Eastwood, Eastwood, Arthur Bochner, Jackie Hart, Kareem Daniel, Chapek —, Eisner, Michael Ovitz, Ovitz, Bob, Disney's, Kevin Mayer, Mayer, Bryan van der Beek, he'd, Tom Staggs, Staggs, Staggs —, Steve Jobs, cajoled Ike Perlmutter, George Lucas, Rupert Murdoch, Iger's, Susan Arnold, Arnold, Peter Rice, David Paul Morris, Rice, CNBC's Julia Boorstin, Mark Parker, Mary Barra, Michael Froman, Willow, Parker, John Donahoe, Roy Disney, Walt Disney, Stanley Gold, David A, CNBC Eisner, Big Bob, Little Bob, Christine McCarthy, Patrick T, He'd, McCarthy, Iger —, Coronavirus, Gavin Newsom, Michael Kovac, curtly, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Ben Smith, Smith, Disney, Randy Shropshire, Agnes Chu, Ricky Strauss, Chu, Strauss, Kevin Feige, Kathleen Kennedy, Who's, Alan Bergman, Bergman, Bob Kyncl, Daniel —, Iger didn't, Daniel rankled, Daniel, Chapek didn't, James Pitaro, Jesse Grant, CNBC Chapek, Jimmy Pitaro, Zenia Mucha, didn't, Mucha, Barbara Walters, Charles Eshelman, Scarlett Johansson, Scarlett Johansson —, Florence Pugh, Natasha, Yelena, " Johansson, Bryan Lourd, Johansson, Lourd, Steven Spielberg, Al Michaels, David Muir, Robin Roberts, Michael Strahan, Spielberg, Geoff Morrell, Alan Braverman, Alan Horn, Jayne Parker, Bochner, Claire Lee, Paul Richardson, Josh D'Amaro, Ron DeSantis, Morrell, Disney Animation —, George Floyd, Reba Saldanha, Reuters Chapek, DeSantis, Nicholas Maldonado, Octavio Jones, Chapek she'd, we're, " Morrell, CNN's Chris Wallace, Kristina Schake, John Skipper, Daniel steamrolled, Latondra Newton, Newton, Charles Krupa, Pitaro, NBCUniversal's Peacock, Dana Walden, Thomas Murphy, Josh Kushner, Privately, Schake, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Michelle Obama's, David Dee Delgado, Kara Swisher, hadn't, Netflix's, overhiring, McCarthy hadn't, Safra Catz, Kareem, DMED, Horacio Gutierrez, Justin Warbrooke, Alexia Quadrani, Bryan Castellani, Michael Buckner, Quadrani, Lindsay Lohan, Winnie, Nelson Peltz, Catz, Donald Trump's, they'd, Walden, Gutierrez, D'Amaro, Rich Polk, Walden he'd, Iger she'd, Mickey Mouse, Mark Rightmire, haven't, Indiana Jones, Halle Bailey, Ariel, Hamilton Faber, Rich Greenfield, Bob Iger's, — Mayer, McCarthy —, doesn't, they'll Organizations: Disney, Marvel, CNBC, Bloomberg, Getty, Walt Disney, Indiana University, Michigan State University, Shanghai Disney, Man, Hong Kong Disneyland, Walt Disney Parks, Resorts, Pixar, Fox, Chapek, Nike, General, Mastercard, Foreign Relations, University of Pennsylvania, Grogan, Disney's, Fallon, ABC, ESPN, ABC News, California Gov, New York Times, Disney confidants, Hollywood, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Walt Disney Television, Walt Disney Studios, Hulu, HBO Max, Walt Disney Company, YouTube, Companies, Netflix, Apple, Disney Media, Entertainment, Stanford, Rights, Junior, petulant, Filmmagic, Brunswick Group, Covid, CAA, onetime Defense Department, Century Fox, Human, Florida Gov, Republican, Disney Animation, Reuters, Human Rights, HRC, Walt Disney World, Employees, American Foundation for Equal Rights, AP, Amazon Prime, Paramount, South Pacific, Capital Cities, Dow Jones, CVS, Kingdom, Variety, Trian Partners, Charter Communications, U.S, Comcast, Charter's, MediaNews, Orange, Allen, Co, Candle Media, Advisors Locations: Burbank , California, Midwestern, Brentwood, Los Angeles, Westlake Village, Iger, Hammond , Indiana, Shanghai, China, Hong, Fox, Willow Bay, Raleigh , North Carolina, Orlando, U.S, Hulu, Iger's Brentwood, coronavirus, Brunswick, Hollywood, Hawaii, Disney's, Marvel's, Anaheim , California, Montana, Florida, Rye , New Hampshire, Chapek, Hong Kong, California, missteps, South, DMED, Burbank, New York, India, Atlantic, Sun Valley , Idaho, America

☆ Please, Lina Khan, don't make Hollywood's crisis worse — consolidation is not the problem
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Nathan Mcalone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

She blamed the industry's market structure and suggested consolidation had weakened competition. But Hollywood's problems aren't caused by consolidation, but rather a harrowing transition to streaming. AdvertisementAdvertisementFTC chair Lina Khan made some recent comments that should trouble anyone in the TV and movie business. She continued on to say that "unless those market structure questions are addressed, it seems like potentially some of these power imbalances will persist." And I worry that if Khan thinks the market structure in Hollywood is already broken, it suggests any significant media merger is likely to be challenged.

Persons: Lina Khan, Khan, Rich Greenfield, Brandon Ross, Mark Kelley Organizations: Hollywood, Netflix, Disney, Comcast, Warner Bros, Paramount, Apple, YouTube, Morning, WBD, Paramount Global Locations: Hulu, Hollywood

☆ Hollywood producers take heated negotiations with writers union public, revealing latest offer
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Hollywood producers are taking their latest contract proposal public as talks between the studios and writers union remain heated. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers overnight publicly revealed the latest proposal, which they delivered to the writers on Aug. 11. The offer addresses residuals and compensation, artificial intelligence, and increased transparency regarding the streaming business — the top issues for the writers. Still, the negotiations appear far from over: Soon after the proposal was made public, the writers union released its latest update and said the parties have engaged in further discussions since the Aug. 11 offer. The union said the studios' latest offer still includes "limitations and loopholes and omissions" that fail to protect Hollywood writers.

Persons: Carol Lombardini, Bob Iger, Donna Langley, Ted Sarandos, David Zaslav Organizations: Writers Guild of America, Screen, Netflix, Hollywood, Alliance, Television Producers, WGA, Disney, Warner Bros, Discovery, Comcast, CNBC Locations: Hollywood , California

Representatives for Disney, Amazon and Netflix did not immediately respond to requests for comment. And critics seem to say that the quality of content being produced is actually in decline," Khan told The Ankler podcast. The SAG-AFTRA actors union, which went on strike July 14, also is seeking an increase in base pay and residuals. The WGA letter did not single out other companies, including Apple (AAPL.O), Google parent Alphabet (GOOGL.O) and Warner Bros Discovery (WBD.O), which also offer streaming media options. Reporting by Lisa Richwine and Dawn Chmielewski; Editing by David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Julia Louis, Dreyfus, Christine, Walt Disney, Linda Khan, Khan, Lisa Richwine, Dawn Chmielewski, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Warner Bros ., Screen, Writers Guild America, Guild of America, Netflix, Disney, Federal Trade Commission, WGA, Hollywood, SAG, Apple, Google, Warner Bros Discovery, Thomson Locations: Burbank , California, ANGELES

☆ As Strike Continues, Writers Turn Focus to Ryan Murphy’s Productions
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Matt Stevens | More About Matt Stevens | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

He is among the high-profile showrunners who have donated during the strike to the Entertainment Community Fund, which provides grants to those working in film, TV and other disciplines. Disney owns the FX cable channel, which is home to his “American Horror Story” franchise, which began airing in 2011. “We’re not here in protest of Ryan Murphy, the guy, we’re here in protest of production happening without writers and while writers are on strike,” said Josh Gondelman, a member of WGA-East’s leadership, who was out picketing on Thursday. The Writers Guild had summoned its members to a so-called Horror/Fantasy Theme Day in Queens as the writers’ strike entered its third month. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which bargains on behalf of Hollywood companies, has said that its contract offer includes “generous increases in compensation for writers.”

Persons: Murphy, “ We’re, Ryan Murphy, ”, Josh Gondelman, ’ Organizations: Entertainment Community Fund, Walt Disney Company, Netflix, Disney, FX, WGA, Hollywood, Alliance, Television Producers Locations: Queens

☆ How the hit podcast 'Scamanda' could become a TV show, according to a leading exec in Lionsgate's audio arm
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Marta Biino | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

She discussed how her team plans to turn podcasts into TV shows, and how "Scamanda" could be a doc. The show was produced by Lionsgate Sound, the Hollywood giant's new audio division that launched last year. Lionsgate is one of several television companies to start its own audio arm — like Netflix and HBO, which produce audio companions to their TV shows. Pilgrim is a Lionsgate-owned production company that specializes in unscripted TV, and also a minority owner in Lionsgate Sound. Conversely, the podcast division can also leverage the success of existing TV shows and programs by producing companion audio works for them.

Persons: Gretchen Stockdale, you've, Amanda C, Riley, swindling, Pilgrim, Stockdale, Elizabeth Holmes, Jussie Organizations: Lionsgate, Apple, Lionsgate Sound, Hollywood, Netflix, HBO, Pilgrim Media Group, Hulu, ABC, Bloomberg, Fox Nation

☆ The True Stars of Peak TV Are Caught in the Middle
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( John Jurgensen | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Showrunners, who steer the making of series from script to debut, helped drive a TV gold rush as companies built up inventory for the streaming era. Now, the boom is over and these writer-producer “hyphenates” are at the center of a tug of war between studios and a striking union of writers.

Persons: Showrunners, “ hyphenates

While there have been improvements in diversity within writers' rooms in recent years, writers of color, women of color, disabled writers and LGBTQ+ writers in Hollywood still lag in opportunities. Demands for more compensation and larger writers' rooms may be newer concerns for what Hines refers to as the "upper echelon of writers," but this has been an unresolved struggle for underrepresented writers for years. "When it comes to the issues of writers of color, there's a constant feeling of being left out of the negotiation," Hines said. Many WGA members also believe the specific strike demands, including adding larger writers' rooms, offer a better chance for writers on the sidelines to join in. "That would be absolutely huge for all kinds of underrepresented writers, and disabled writers as well, because we are wildly underrepresented," said Jamey Perry, vice chair of the WGA's Disabled Writers Committee and "Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector" writer.

☆ Titanic Wreckage Visualized in Unique 3-D View
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Inside the Writers Strike: Negotiators Explain Where Talks Broke DownWSJ sat down for exclusive interviews with the showrunners of “Abbott Elementary” and “The Handmaid’s Tale” to understand the key sticking points that led to the writers’ strike and what’s next for the industry. Photo Illustration: Amber Bragdon/Getty Images

☆ Two Television Showrunners on ‘Creative Short Circuits’
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Reggie Ugwu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

I don’t think that I could have been successful in this environment. I think we all pooh-pooh broadcast these days, but I am the showrunner I am because of broadcast, without a doubt. And I think the fact that broadcast has died is really killing showrunners. To Soo’s point, you have X number of dollars and X number of days to produce these episodes and everything kind of backfills into that. So it requires a lot of delegation and trust inside of the writers’ room.

☆ 'iCarly' writers join the WGA strike as showrunner Ali Schouten calls out Hollywood studios' 'corporate greed'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Reed Alexander | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Insider spoke to Ali Schouten, the showrunner behind Paramount+ series "iCarly," about what's at stake. The "iCarly" writers will link up with the picket line outside the lot where the show is filmed, according to Ali Schouten, the series' showrunner and executive producer. Ahead of the "iCarly" writers' picketing on Thursday, I spoke with Schouten to understand what she and her colleagues are fighting for. Lisa Rose/Paramount+The last writers' strike resulted in $2 billion worth of losses for the California economy, and some experts predict the impact of this work stoppage could be even greater. How is the writers' strike impacting you, your business, or your family?

☆ Hollywood writers' strike halts production of 'Stranger Things,' 'Severance,' Marvel's ‘Blade’
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

More than 11,000 film and television writers, who say their compensation doesn't match the revenue generated in the streaming era, are on strike for the first time since 2008. Since then, a number of notable films and shows have halted or wrapped production early, including Netflix's "Stanger Things," Disney and Marvel's "Blade," AppleTV+'s "Severance" and Paramount's "Evil." Beyond the delayed production, and likely delayed releases, of these titles, industry experts worry the work pause could have a financial toll greater than that of the previous writers' strike. A number of productions with finished scripts, like Amazon's "The Rings of Power," have decided to continue filming without writers or showrunners on set. "While we're excited to start production with our amazing cast and crew, it is not possible during this strike.

☆ In ‘A Small Light,’ an Ordinary Woman Resists the Nazis
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Claire Moses | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Work on “A Small Light” began six years ago, after its showrunners Joan Rater and Tony Phelan, a married couple who used to be producers and screenwriters for “Grey’s Anatomy,” visited the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. Walking around the museum and listening to tour guides, they learned that many people don’t really know the story of the Frank family anymore, let alone the story of the people who helped them, Rater and Phelan said in a recent video interview. Since then, they said, the moral question at the heart of Gies’s story — whether to do the right thing, the wrong thing or nothing at all — has only become more important, given how war, nationalism and antisemitism have once again been spreading across Europe. She finds employment with Otto Frank (Liev Schreiber) — a stern, fellow German-speaking immigrant — and meets her future husband, a social worker. Much of the first episode follows Gies living life as a modern young woman, meeting friends and going out dancing.

☆ The Spies of ‘Citadel’ Have Big Plans: Global Domination
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Chris Vognar | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“But those were Hollywood-centric narratives that traveled. “It really is like riding a bucking bronco,” Joe Russo said. (The Indian and Italian productions have different showrunners.) According to The Hollywood Reporter, reshoots pushed the cost of “Citadel” to more than $200 million, which would make it one of the most expensive series ever made. (Amazon did not respond to multiple queries about the show’s budget.)

☆ Amazon's pricey 'Lord of the Rings' show saw only 37% of viewers complete the series, a new report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Lakshmi Varanasi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

"The Rings of Power" series reportedly only had a 37% percent completion rate, according to a report from The Hollywood Reporter published Monday — meaning that far less than half of its viewers finished the series. THR noted that the figure was confirmed by unnamed sources, but didn't offer more details. THR noted that Amazon held information more closely than usual on the "The Rings of Power" series. Nevertheless, THR noted that Amazon Studios Chief Jen Salke deems the series a success. That's not to say Amazon Studios hasn't had hits, which include shows like "Transparent," "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," and "Fleabag," THR noted.

☆ A new documentary on Subway and Jared Fogle couldn't come at a worse time
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-25 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Jared Fogle became Subway's pitchman after losing 245 pounds by mostly eating the chain's subs. A Fogle documentary airing in March is bad timing for Subway as it looks for a buyer, analysts say. Yet, a ghost from Subway's past, Jared Fogle, is returning to haunt America's largest sub chain. The new documentary series promises to reveal the "rise and fall" of the former Subway pitchman who "masqueraded as a national hero while hiding a horrific side." Are you a Subway insider with insight to share?

☆ Why Netflix is placing cars like the Chevy Bolt in its shows, and what the streamer's deal with GM means for its growing advertising business
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Netflix announced a new deal to integrate GM electric vehicles into popular shows like "Love is Blind" and "Queer Eye." On a press call announcing the deal, Lee said directors and showrunners would be involved in the process and that cars would be integrated in an "authentic" way so they don't "feel out of place." Netflix has a history of placing brands like Coke and GM in shows like "Stranger Things" and "Queer Eye." Lee insisted the GM deal isn't "product placement" and that GM isn't paying to put its vehicles on shows. Terms of the deal weren't shared; GM said it wasn't part of a TV ad buy on Netflix's Basic with Ads.

☆ 'The Last of Us' made a major change to a game character. The showrunners explain why it was important to expand on Bill and his love story.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Kirsten Acuna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Sunday's episode expands greatly on a minor survivor from the video game, Bill (Nick Offerman). The showrunners told Insider why it was important to show Bill's love story with Frank. In the game, Joel and Ellie seek out Bill, shown as a paranoid loner who speaks to himself, to help them fix up a vehicle and carry on across the country. Frank, also his partner in the game, is only seen dead, hanging after committing suicide some time ago after the infected bit him. Bill tells Joel to keep his partner, Tess, safe in the same way he protected Frank for years.

☆ 11 details you may have missed on Sunday's heartbreaking episode of 'The Last of Us'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Kirsten Acuna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Bill dies on Sunday's episode, but he's still alive in the game. Frank and Bill get to play out their lives differently on "TLOU" series. HBOSunday's episode is a complete expansion on Bill and Frank's game characters. "There's this lovely thread that indicated this hint of a relationship between Bill and Frank in the game," Mazin said. You can watch our conversation with the showrunners on Sunday's episode here.

☆ 'Poker Face' showrunners say guest stars like Joseph Gordon-Levitt 'raised their hand' to appear on the show: 'Everybody wants to work with Rian Johnson'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Ayomikun Adekaiyero | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

"Poker Face," which premiered on Peacock Thursday, is filled with guest appearances from star actors. "Poker Face" is the second murder-mystery project Johnson has taken on since his highly successful "Knives Out" movies. "I really hope that everybody dips a toe into 'Poker Face' because they're 'Knives Out' fans," Lilla said. "If you are a fan of 'Knives Out,' if you're a fan of 'Glass Onion,' I think you're gonna love 'Poker Face.'" "Poker Face" is now streaming on Peacock.

☆ Netflix's 'The Witcher: Blood Origin' is a Christmas present for superfans only
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | 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: +4 min

Sadly, “The Witcher: Blood Origin,” Netflix’s new spinoff, is a disappointment. Not that the original “Witcher” wholly depended on Cavill as its titular lead. “Blood Origin” is the first live-action spinoff, a prequel deep-dive that chronicles how witchers came to be. Unfortunately, “Blood Origin” doesn’t do much with its excellent pieces. “Blood Origin” just feels like a side quest, something that’s only worthwhile for superfans.

☆ "Yellowstone" prequel “1923” bring white grievances to Paramount Plus
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | 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: +5 min

It’s a grimmer chapter of an ongoing story, and one that is plagued by an inability to articulate why these white men murdering their way across the landscape are heroes worth rooting for. Cultural critics love prestige series. Few celebrated the end of the toxically misogynist “The Big Bang Theory,” or have seemed eager to discuss the resurgence of seemingly endless police procedurals starring white men. But the series has gained viewership year over year, with subsequent spinoffs debuting on new flagship streaming service, Paramount+. Like so many white male grievances, to question the logic is to side with the enemy.

☆ Katherine Heigl: Hollywood has changed, and so have I — it's easier to speak up now
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Eboni Boykin-Patterson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Katherine Heigl, 44, says there's a delicateness in Hollywood that didn't use to exist. She said "Firefly Lane" gave freedom to actors and showrunners and helped her focus her career. Hollywood is really different from how it used to beThe industry has really changed since I first started out. An example: For "Firefly Lane," we had an intimacy coordinator on set — a person whose job it is to ensure that actors feel comfortable during intimate scenes. The emergence of original streamer content is pushing some of the changeFilming for a streamer is a totally different kind of experience than filming for linear television.

☆ HBO layoffs, cuts, and 'ill will' over show cancellations have damaged its reputation among TV creators
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Elaine Low | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

"I'm super, super nervous, because HBO has always been my favorite place to do business," said one TV agent. But concerns about new corporate leadership, layoffs, budget cuts, and the future of HBO Max — the streaming home of HBO — kept bubbling to the top. "I'm super, super nervous, because HBO has always been my favorite place to do business," one TV agent said. Aside from the 70 or so layoffs at HBO and HBO Max over the summer amid broader restructuring at WBD, creatives were troubled by the company's decision to pull existing TV shows and films from HBO Max. Read all of Insider's 2022 report here: 14 TV insiders rank the streamers where they want to sell shows: HBO is No.

☆ 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."

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