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☆ China’s Xi is visiting Europe for the first time in five years – his goodwill tour will be an uphill struggle
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Major breakthroughs with China’s toughest critics will be hard to come by unless Xi is ready to make surprise concessions. And the trip could instead serve to underscore divisions – not only between Europe and China – but those within Europe that could play to China’s favor, analysts say. Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron visit a garden in Guangdong during Macron's state visit to China last April. Putin has said he plans to visit China this month, according to Russian state media. Xi may also look to highlight Chinese investments in both Belgrade and Budapest in a message to the rest of Europe.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Andrea Bocelli, –, Xi, China –, ”, Noah Barkin, Hungary –, Ursula von der Leyen, Emmanuel Macron, Von der Leyen, Olaf Scholz, Chong Ja Ian, “, Chong, Jacques Witt, China’s, Macron, Russia …, Wang Yiwei, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Aleksandar Vučić, Viktor Orban – Organizations: CNN, European Union, Ukraine, German Marshall Fund of, EU, “, National University of Singapore, Getty, Beijing’s Renmin University, NATO, Reuters, EV Locations: China, Italy, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Russia, “ China, Europe, Berlin, United States, Serbia, Hungary, Beijing, Paris, “ France, North America, Guangdong, Ukraine, Switzerland, Barkin, “, Belgrade, Budapest, Balkans, Balkan

☆ 25 of the wildest celebrity moments in Met Gala history
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Sam Gutierrez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Gwyneth Paltrow vowed not to return after the 2013 event, but she came back anyway. Gwyneth Paltrow at the 2013 Met Gala. Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesIn a 2013 interview with USA Today, Gwyneth Paltrow vowed that she wouldn't return to the Met Gala after that year's event. She posted an Instagram of herself at her first Met Gala in 1995 with the hashtag "#fullcirclemomentcomingup" before attending the event. It's unclear exactly what made her return, but in 2017, she was also partnering up with Anna Wintour — who chaired the Met Gala for several years — for a quarterly print version of her Goop website.

Persons: Gwyneth Paltrow, Jamie McCarthy, I'm, Anna Wintour — Organizations: USA

☆ Here's how much money you'd have lost if you invested $1,000 in Peloton when it went public
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Cheyenne Devon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

As the company searches for a new CEO, Peloton Chairperson Karen Boone and Peloton Director Chris Bruzzo will serve as interim co-CEOs. How much you'd have if you invested $1,000 in PelotonPeloton has come a long way from when the company was founded in 2012. If you had invested $1,000 in Peloton in 2019, 2021 or 2023, here's how much it would be worth now. CNBC's calculations are based on the company's May 2 closing share price of $3.13. And if you had invested $1,000 in Peloton in 2019 when it first went public, your investment would have decreased by about 89% and be worth about $108 as of May 2.

Persons: it's, Barry McCarthy, John Foley, He'll, Karen Boone, Chris Bruzzo Organizations: Interactive Locations: New York

☆ Sex tapes! Celebrity rehab! Trump hush-money trial goes full National Enquirer as Hulk Hogan, Lindsay Lohan, Charlie Sheen are name-dropped.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Charlie Sheen, Hulk Hogan, Lindsay Lohan, and Tila Tequila were all name-dropped. Charlie Sheen, Hulk Hogan, Lindsay Lohan, Floyd Mayweather, Tila Tequila — all were name-dropped in morning testimony. Bove asked. Bove asked Davidson. Advertisement"I've represented several clients who had claims against Charlie Sheen," Davidson answered carefully.

Persons: Stormy Daniels, Keith Davidson, Charlie Sheen, Hulk Hogan, Lindsay Lohan, Tila Tequila, —, Donald Trump's, Floyd Mayweather, Playboy Bunny Karen McDougal, Trump, Daniels, Davidson, Emil Bove, Donald Trump, Jane Rosenberg Bove, You've, Bove, you've, shakedowns, McDougal, lister, Hogan, Kevin Winter, Terry Bollea, Bollea, Hulk, Amy Sussman, Lindsay Lohan Davidson, Betty Ford, Lohan, Valerie Macon, Kevin Blatt, Tequila, Charlie Sheen's, Jamie McCarthy, Sheen, Blatt, I've, Anderson, Heidi Gutman, Capri Anderson, I'm Organizations: Service, National Enquirer, Manhattan, Enquirer, Trump, Reuters, Hulk Hogan's, TMZ, Morning America Locations: Manhattan, Sheen, Capri, Anderson

☆ Stocks making the biggest premarket moves: Peloton, Carvana, Cigna, Qualcomm and more
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Carvana — The used car seller spiked 36% after posting first-quarter revenue Wednesday of $3.06 billion, above analysts' consensus estimate of $2.67 billion. Cigna — The insurer moved 1% higher after first-quarter adjusted earnings of $6.47 per share topped the $6.22 expected from analysts polled by LSEG. Zillow estimated second-quarter revenue of $525 million to $540 million, versus $559.2 million expected from analysts polled by FactSet. Freshworks — The software development company plunged 27% after projecting second-quarter revenue of $168 million to $170 million and full-year revenue of $695 million to $705 million. Analysts polled by FactSet expected $172.1 million for the quarter and $708.3 million for the year.

Persons: Barry McCarthy, Carvana, Morgan Stanley, Cardinal, Nio, Zillow, LSEG, FactSet, Qorvo, —, Jesse Pound, Lisa Han, Pia Singh, Tanaya Macheel Organizations: Qualcomm, LSEG, LSEG . Revenue, Health, FactSet, eBay Locations: Nio —, LSEG

☆ Peloton Chief Executive Steps Down as Company Cuts 15% of Staff
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( J. Edward Moreno | More About J. Edward Moreno | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Peloton said on Thursday that its chief executive, Barry McCarthy, was stepping down and it would lay off more workers, as it continued to struggle in the fitness market. The connected-fitness company announced disappointing quarterly earnings on Thursday, with revenue down 4 percent from last year. The company, which has not turned a profit since December 2020, is also looking to refinance more than $1 billion in debt. Peloton had a spectacular rise at the start of the pandemic, when gyms and fitness centers closed and consumers were hungry for at-home workout options. But after gyms reopened, Peloton began to face stiffer competition from companies like Bowflex and Lululemon.

Persons: Barry McCarthy, Kevin Dietsch Organizations: Spotify, Netflix

☆ China’s Chang’e-6 moon probe stands by for launch as space race with US heats up
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | Marc Stewart | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

China’s planned 53-day mission would see the Chang’e-6 lander touch down in a gaping crater on the moon’s far side, which never faces Earth. China became the first and only country to land on the moon’s far side during its 2019 Chang’e-4 mission. Ambitious missionThe Chang’e-6 probe will be a key test for China’s space capabilities in its effort to realize leader Xi Jinping’s “eternal dream” of building the country into a space power. This time, to communicate with Earth from the moon’s far side, Chang’e-6 must rely on the Queqiao-2 satellite, launched into lunar orbit in March. This time, China has said the Chang’e-6 mission will carry scientific instruments or payloads from France, Italy, Pakistan and the European Space Agency.

Persons: China’s, “, Ge Ping, Xi Jinping’s, James Head, Luo Yunfei, Bill Nelson, –, ” Nelson Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, China, Space Administration’s, of Lunar Exploration, Space Engineering, Brown University, China News Service, Luna, NASA, European Space Agency Locations: China, Hong Kong, Hainan, United States, Russia, Chang’e, India, Japan, Texas, France, Italy, Pakistan

☆ Peloton CEO Barry McCarthy to step down, company to lay off 15% of staff as it looks to refinance debt
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Gabrielle Fonrouge | In Gabrielle-Fonrouge | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

In a letter to staff, McCarthy said the company needed to implement layoffs because it wouldn't be able to generate sustainable free cash flow with its current cost structure. "Achieving positive [free cash flow] makes Peloton a more attractive borrower, which is important as the company turns its attention to the necessary task of successfully refinancing its debt," McCarthy said in the memo. McCarthy had also expected Peloton to reach positive free cash flow by June — a goal the company said it reached early during its third quarter. In a letter to shareholders, Peloton said it generated $8.6 million in free cash flow but it's unclear how sustainable that number is. The company didn't provide specific guidance on what investors can expect with free cash flow in the quarters ahead but said it does expect to "deliver modest positive free cash flow" in its current quarter.

Persons: Barry McCarthy, McCarthy, Karen Boone, Chris Bruzzo, Jay Hoag, It's, John Foley, hasn't, Goldman Sachs, Boone, Barry, Bruzzo, —, hadn't, Creditsafe, it's, Foley Organizations: Interactive, Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference, Spotify, Netflix, JPMorgan, LSEG, outperformance, CNBC Locations: Sun Valley , Idaho, lockstep

☆ Peloton cuts jobs and is looking for a new CEO after its turnaround plan spins out
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Peloton CEO Barry McCarthy is leaving his role, and the company is cutting about 15% of its workforce as numerous attempts to regain its pandemic-era glory have failed. McCarthy, who was named CEO just two years ago, will become a strategic advisor through the end of the year, Peloton said in a press release. In his place, Peloton has started a “comprehensive search process” for his replacement and two executives will become interim co-CEOs in the meantime. Peloton also announced that it’s eliminating 400 jobs, which will help the company cut $200 million in costs. McCarthy, a former chief financial officer of Spotify and Netflix, tried to engineer a number of ideas to turn around Peloton.

Persons: Barry McCarthy, McCarthy, Lululemon Organizations: New, New York CNN, Spotify, Netflix, Consumer Product Safety, Sporting Goods Locations: New York

☆ Peloton's CEO steps down as the company cuts 15% of staff
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Peloton CEO Barry McCarthy is stepping down, the fitness company announced on Thursday. After reaching new highs during the pandemic, the company has recalled products, laid off workers, and seen sales and its stock tank. McCarthy replaced John Foley as Peloton CEO and president in February 2022. But since then, the company has recalled products, laid off thousands of workers, and seen sales and its stock tank. It posted a net loss for the quarter of $167.3 million, down from $275.9 million for the same quarter in 2023.

Persons: Barry McCarthy, —, McCarthy, John Foley, Karen Boone, Chris Bruzzo Organizations: Service Locations: Ohio

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Apple, Peloton, Wayfair, Carvana and more
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Brian Evans | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Check out the companies making headlines in midday trading: Apple — Shares ticked up roughly 2% ahead of the iPhone maker's second-quarter results due after the closing bell. Wayfair said it lost 32 cents per share on an adjusted basis, narrower than the estimate of a loss of 44 cents from analysts polled by LSEG. Etsy reported adjusted earnings of 48 cents per share, while analysts polled by LSEG called for 49 cents a share. EBay said it expects revenue in the range of $2.49 billion to $2.54 billion, while analysts polled by LSEG forecast $2.56 billion. Qorvo now expects earnings of 60 cents to 80 cents per share, while analysts polled by FactSet expected $1.27.

Persons: Barry McCarthy, Wayfair, Cigna, DoorDash, Etsy, LSEG, Zillow, Qorvo, FactSet, — CNBC's Pia Singh, Tanaya Macheel, Samantha Subin, Hakyung Kim, Lisa Kailai Han, Alex Harring Organizations: Apple, —, Qualcomm, LSEG . Revenue, Moderna, LSEG, eBay —, EBay, Revenue

☆ In Bid to Oust Johnson, Greene Tries to Reclaim a Powerful Perch on the Fringe
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Annie Karni | More About Annie Karni | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who elevated Ms. Greene and turned her into one of his top allies during his abbreviated time in the top post, never criticized her publicly. But privately, he called Mr. Johnson and offered to intervene with her on his behalf, according to people knowledgeable about the exchange. Ms. Greene could not be controlled — even if her campaign against the speaker has left her isolated within her party. Mr. Jeffries, she said, had embraced Mr. Johnson with “a warm hug and a big, wet, sloppy kiss,” making them the joint leaders of what she refers to disdainfully as the “uniparty.”She did so knowing that her effort to depose Mr. Johnson was all but certain to fail. But Ms. Greene has never abided by the conventional rules of politics, where a loss on the House floor is considered a major defeat.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Greene, Johnson, Hakeem Jeffries, Jeffries, “, ”, Mr Locations: New York

Washington CNN —GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced Wednesday she will force a vote over House Speaker Mike Johnson’s ouster next week – a move that comes after Democrats have said they will vote to kill the effort and ensure Johnson doesn’t lose his job. “This motion is wrong for the Republican Conference, wrong for the institution, and wrong for the country,” the speaker said in a statement after Greene’s announcement. Greene originally filed the motion to oust Johnson in March amid conservative anger over the Louisiana Republican’s handling of the government funding fight. A floor vote to oust Johnson would require a majority to succeed, but it can still be preempted. It was a warning to stop serving the Democrats and support our Republican conference and support our agenda.

Persons: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Johnson’s, Johnson doesn’t, “, ”, Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, Greene, Donald Trump, Trump, President Trump, ” Greene, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s, Hakeem Jeffries, Mike Johnson, Jeffries, CNN’s Melanie Zanona, Aileen Graef Organizations: Washington CNN, GOP, Republican Conference, Republican, House Democratic, ”, Democratic Locations: Louisiana, Ukraine

☆ Democrats' dilemma: Which hard-right Republican should they side with?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Mike Johnson is almost certain to survive MTG's effort oust him due to the support of Democrats. But progressives are unsure how to handle the vote, with some citing Johnson's own hard-right views. AdvertisementNext week, Democrats will be siding with a Republican that they've derided as being slavishly loyal to Donald Trump, wedded to evangelical Christian nationalist beliefs, opposed to LGBTQ+ rights, and a danger to American democracy. Some of them haven't decided whether that person is Speaker Mike Johnson or Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. After all, House Democrats voted unanimously with Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to oust then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy in October.

Persons: Mike Johnson, —, they've, Donald Trump, haven't, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Johnson, — it's, Matt Gaetz, Kevin McCarthy, Mark Pocan, I'm, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Minnesota, Greg Casar, Texas —, Mike Johnson shouldn't, doesn't, Greene, it's, Omar, Ro Khanna, Khanna Organizations: Service, Republican, Democratic, House, — Rep, Congressional Progressive Caucus, CPC, New, CNN, Republicans, Democrats Locations: Georgia, Florida, Wisconsin, Alexandria, Cortez of New York, Texas, Cortez, New York, California, Ukraine, Israel

☆ Jay Leno and wife Mavis attend ‘Unfrosted’ red carpet event amidst her dementia diagnosis
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Jay Leno and his wife Mavis were full of smiles Tuesday as they supported some of Leno’s comedic colleagues. The couple attended the Los Angeles red carpet premiere for “Unfrosted,” a comedy about the origin of Pop-Tarts, which is the directorial debut of comedian Jerry Seinfeld. Leno, who recently celebrated his 74th birthday, has been granted conservertorship over his wife’s estate as she lives with advanced dementia. “I am so sick of these hard hitting controversial documentaries,” Leno joked to Seinfeld as his wife Mavis Leno laughed. “Can’t somebody just make a comedy anymore?”Seinfeld noted that he and Leno have been friends since 1978 and Leno said he was “very proud” of Seinfeld.

Persons: CNN — Jay Leno, Mavis, “, ”, Jerry Seinfeld, Amy Schumer, Melissa McCarthy, Jim Gaffigan, Leno, conservertorship, Mavis Leno, Seinfeld’s, ” Leno, Seinfeld, ” Seinfeld, CNN’s Alli Rosenbloom Organizations: CNN, Los, Hollywood Locations: Los Angeles

☆ Paramount axed its CEO, then held a bizarre earnings call where it played the 'Mission: Impossible' theme song over and over and refused to take questions
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

No questions were taken and the call ended with the Mission: Impossible theme being played on loop. The company announced the departure of its president and CEO Bob Bakish before the call. AdvertisementParamount executives didn't take any questions during the company's earnings call on Monday, and ended up blasting the Mission: Impossible theme music on loop to their investors instead. The entertainment studio's first quarterly earnings call of the year took place after Paramount announced the ouster of its president and CEO Bob Bakish. The earnings call ran for only 8 minutes and 50 seconds, and the executives in attendance weren't open to taking questions.

Persons: Bob Bakish, —, didn't, Bakish, George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, Brian Robbins, Jaime Morris, Anna Nicolaou, Matthew Belloni, Alex Stedman, Shari Redstone, David Ellison's Skydance, David Ellison, Larry Ellison, There's, Paramount didn't Organizations: Paramount, Service, — CBS, Showtime, MTV Entertainment, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon Nickelodeon, Financial Times, Netflix, David Ellison's Skydance Media, Oracle, BI

☆ Democrats have officially decided to save Mike Johnson from MTG's ouster effort
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Democrats have officially decided to protect Speaker Mike Johnson from MTG's ouster effort. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . "We will vote to table Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's Motion to Vacate the Chair. Some progressives may even vote against tabling Greene's motion, and showing that Johnson is reliant on Democratic votes to continue serving could weaken his standing — to Greene's benefit — in future leadership elections.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Greene, —, Mike Johnson's, Hakeem Jeffries —, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene's, Matt Gaetz, Kevin McCarthy, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Paul Gosar, McCarthy, it's, tabling Organizations: Putin, Service, Democratic, Republican Rep, — Reps Locations: Ukraine, Arizona

☆ Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy: It's easier for Republicans to win seats in the next Congress
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | 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 EmailFormer House Speaker Kevin McCarthy: It's easier for Republicans to win seats in the next CongressFormer House Speaker Kevin McCarthy joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the state of politics in Washington, job performance of House Speaker Mike Johnson, 2024 election, and more.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Mike Johnson Organizations: Former, Republicans Locations: Washington

☆ Barbra Streisand asked Melissa McCarthy whether she used Ozempic, sparking a backlash from fans
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Eammon Jacobs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Barbra Streisand asked Melissa McCarthy on Instagram whether she used Ozempic. Stars including Amy Schumer and Chelsea Handler have been open about using the buzzy weight loss drug. AdvertisementBarbra Streisand asked Melissa McCarthy if she used Ozempic to lose weight on Instagram, sparking a backlash from fans. While many fans praised the pastel green outfit McCarthy wore at the event, Streisand made a surprising remark about her weight loss. Celebrities including Elon Musk, Amy Schumer, and Chelsea Handler have all been open about using such weight loss drugs to slim down.

Persons: Barbra Streisand, Melissa McCarthy, Amy Schumer, Chelsea Handler, —, McCarthy, Adam Shankman, Matthew Bourne, Streisand, ”, b0eNUtm7xK, Barbara, Ozempic, Elon Musk, Jimmy Kimmel's, wasn't Organizations: Service, Center Theatre, Business, Celebrities, Hollywood Locations: Los Angeles

☆ Barbra Streisand ‘forgot the world is reading’ when she asked Melissa McCarthy if she took Ozempic on Instagram
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Alli Rosenbloom | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Barbra Streisand is addressing a divisive comment she wrote under a photo that actor Melissa McCarthy posted on her Instagram page on Monday. In the comment, Streisand asked McCarthy if she took Ozempic – a popular weight loss medication, among its other functions – spurring backlash online. “Below them was a photo of my friend Melissa McCarthy who I sang with on my Encore album,” she wrote. I forgot the world is reading!”CNN has reached out to representatives for McCarthy and Streisand for comment. Ozempic is a brand name for the generic drug semaglutide, and is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat diabetes.

Persons: Barbra Streisand, Melissa McCarthy, Streisand, McCarthy, Ozempic, she’d, ”, “, Adam Shankman Organizations: CNN, Center, US Food and Drug Administration

☆ Zhang Yongzhen: Chinese virologist shared crucial Covid-19 data. Then his research hit hurdles
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | Yong Xiong | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The ordeal is just the latest hindrance to Zhang’s research since 2020, according to a colleague who has been in contact with the Chinese scientist in recent years. The “institute always respects … and supports scientific researchers and students in carrying out normal research work,” the statement said. The earlier post by Zhang’s students said the two days originally allocated by the center for them to move their scientific work was insufficient. Following the release of the data, Zhang’s lab had limitations placed on it, which barred it from isolating the Covid virus, Holmes said. That included imposing restrictions by April 2020 on the publication of academic research on the origins of the novel coronavirus.

Persons: Zhang Yongzhen’s, Zhang, ”, hadn’t, Hector Retamal, Edward Holmes, Holmes, ” Holmes, “, He’s, Zhang Yongzhen, ” Zhang, “ He’s, It’s, virologist Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Shanghai, Health, Weibo, Zhang’s, Chinese Center for Disease Control, CNN, Fudan University, Health Clinical, Getty, World Health Organization, Nature, University, Sydney, CDC, China’s National Health Commission, Oxford University Press, Shanghai Public Health Center, Natural Science Foundation of China Locations: China, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Wuhan, AFP, Beijing

☆ Paramount CEO Bob Bakish is officially out
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Paul Squire | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

CEO Bob Bakish will step down and be replaced by a trio of senior executives. David Ellison has been itching to strike a deal with Shari Redstone to buy Paramount. AdvertisementParamount announced Monday that its president and CEO Bob Bakish is out and will be replaced by a trio of execs. Bakish is stepping down from the entertainment studio as major shareholder Shari Redstone inches closer to a possible sale of her controlling stake in the company. In the statement, Shari Redstone (who also serves as the chair of the board) said she has "tremendous confidence" in the new leadership.

Persons: Bob Bakish, David Ellison, Shari Redstone, —, Shari, David Ellison's Skydance, Larry Elison, George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, Brian Robbins, Bakish, David Ellison's Organizations: Paramount, Service, Oracle, Bloomberg, — CBS, Showtime, MTV Entertainment Studios, Paramount Media Networks, Nickelodeon, Board, Paramount Global, Hollywood

☆ Paramount’s Chief Executive, Bob Bakish, Steps Down
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Benjamin Mullin | Lauren Hirsch | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Bob Bakish, the chief executive of Paramount, is stepping down effective immediately, the company announced on Monday, a stunning shake-up in the top ranks of the company as it considers a major merger. Mr. Bakish, 60, will be replaced by an “office of the C.E.O.” run by three executives: Brian Robbins, head of the Paramount movie studio; George Cheeks, chief executive of Paramount’s CBS division; and Chris McCarthy, chief executive of Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios. Like many media companies, Paramount has struggled in recent years to get its streaming business off the ground as audiences for its cable channels have diminished. In recent months, the company has been in discussions to merge with Skydance, a media company run by the tech scion and Hollywood executive David Ellison. Shari Redstone, Paramount’s controlling shareholder, has already signed off on a potential deal for her stake, but the company’s directors have yet to reach an agreement for the whole company.

Persons: Bob Bakish, Bakish, Brian Robbins, George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, Bakish’s, David Ellison, Shari Redstone Organizations: Paramount, Paramount’s CBS, Showtime, MTV Entertainment Studios

☆ Johnson’s speakership hangs in the balance as ouster threat looms
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Clare Foran | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —House Speaker Mike Johnson pushed to pass a major foreign aid package over the objections of hardline conservatives. Looming over Johnson as lawmakers come back to Washington is the question of whether he will face a vote over his ouster. A number of conservatives, however, opposed the legislation — and sending further aid to Ukraine in particular. So far, two other House Republicans have publicly backed the effort — Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Paul Gosar of Arizona. Over the recess, Johnson appeared to be trying to quell conservative opposition by highlighting his support for causes and positions that motivate the GOP base.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Johnson “, doesn’t, I’ve, ” Johnson, ” Greene, Kevin McCarthy, Marjorie Taylor Greene gaggles, Greene, Kent Nishimura, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Paul Gosar, Chip Roy, Texas, @SpeakerJohnson, ” CNN’s Kit Maher, Lauren Fox Organizations: CNN —, Louisiana Republican, Republicans, GOP, ” Republican, CNN, Getty, Columbia University Locations: Louisiana, Ukraine, Israel, Washington, Georgia, Washington ,, Taiwan, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Johnson, Columbia

☆ Paramount Global ousts chief Bob Bakish as future of media conglomerate hangs in the balance
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Paramount Global on Monday parted ways with its chief executive, Bob Bakish, in a seismic move that sent reverberations through the media conglomerate as it actively engages in acquisition talks with Skydance Media. In place of Bakish, who led the company since controlling shareholder Shari Redstone reunited Viacom and CBS Corporation under one roof in 2019, will be a triumvirate of leaders: Brian Robbins, chief executive of Paramount Pictures; Chris McCarthy, chief executive of Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios; and George Cheeks, chief executive of CBS. In an attempt to stave off declining cable revenues, Paramount has spent billions of dollars building its own streaming service, Paramount+. Supporters of the Skydance deal hope that merging Paramount with the Ellison-led company will change its fortunes. Those shareholders have argued the deal primarily benefits Redstone and they have encouraged Paramount’s board to evaluate other options.

Persons: Bob Bakish, Bakish, Shari Redstone, Brian Robbins, Chris McCarthy, George Cheeks, Bob, ” Redstone, David Ellison, Larry Ellison, Ellison, Skydance, Jeff Shell Organizations: New, New York CNN, Paramount Global, Skydance Media, Viacom, CBS Corporation, Paramount Pictures, Showtime, MTV Entertainment Studios, CBS, Paramount, Skydance, CNN, BET, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy, Netflix Locations: New York, Redstone, Skydance

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