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☆ Disney and Charter reach deal to end cable blackout, expand access to streaming services
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Hours ahead of "Monday Night Football," which airs on Disney's ESPN, the companies reached a deal that would allow millions of Charter cable customers to watch the game. Terms of the deal are said to include a discounted wholesale price for subscribers for Disney streaming services, and an increase in marketplace, or subscriber fees, paid to Disney, CNBC's David Faber reported, citing sources. The highly anticipated ESPN streaming service will be made available to Spectrum TV Select subscribers when it launches. At the time of the blackout, Charter had about 14.7 million customers. Hours after the blackout began, Charter executives held an investor call pushing for a revamped deal with Disney that would give Spectrum pay-TV customers free access to Disney's ad-supported streaming apps Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu.

Persons: CNBC's David Faber, ESPN — Organizations: Charter Communications, Disney, ESPN, Warner Bros . Discovery, Paramount Global, FX, Disney Channel, YouTube, U.S ., ESPN — Disney, Hulu, NFL, Monday Night, Charter Locations: Hulu

☆ Reruns and reality fill out strike-struck fall TV season
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Lisa Richwine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

REUTERS/Todd Korol/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLOS ANGELES, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Broadcast television networks kick off the fall TV season this month with strike-depleted lineups featuring game shows, reruns and a 72-year-old widower looking for love in the reality TV dating pool. The fall season has been a staple of American TV for decades, the time to roll out the best that broadcast TV has to offer. New episodes of scripted shows will be in much shorter supply. ABC's hit comedy "Abbott Elementary," Paramount Network's top-rated drama "Yellowstone" and NBC's long-running crime series "Law & Order" will show reruns. It’s time for Sad TV Fall," the Los Angeles Times wrote.

Persons: Kevin Costner, Todd Korol, Gordon Ramsay, Brad Adgate, ABC's, Abbott, We've, Dan Harrison, Guy, Steve Kern, Kern, Dick Wolf's, Frasier, Kelsey Grammer, Lisa Richwine, Mary Milliken, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Calgary Stampede, REUTERS, Fox, CBS, Networks, Hollywood, Actors, Paramount, Walt Disney, Hot Labor, Sad, Los Angeles Times, Nielsen, ABC, Disney, Charter Communications, Fox Entertainment, NBC, NBC Entertainment, Paramount Global, Paramount Network, Netflix, Apple, Thomson Locations: Calgary , Alberta, Canada, Midwestern, U.S, Chicago, Sydney

☆ NFL games are shifting away from traditional TV. Are you ready to stream some football?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

On any given Sunday, there will be more National Football League games available on streaming services than ever before — some even exclusively. The NFL season kicks off Thursday with the Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Detroit Lions. Google's YouTube TV and the NFL's streaming service will also become bigger players in the streaming game. When media giants signed NFL media rights deals in 2021, valued at more than $100 billion, more of those deals included the rights to streaming games. Plus, in this past year, the NFL sold the media rights to its "Sunday Ticket" to Google 's YouTube TV for about $2 billion annually, shifting access to the package of out-of-market games to a streaming-only audience.

Persons: Aaron Rodgers, Comcast's, Peacock, Roger Goodell Organizations: New York Jets, New York Giants, MetLife, National Football League, NFL, Super Bowl, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Paramount Global, Disney, ESPN, Disney's ESPN, YouTube, Charter Communications, Google Locations: East Rutherford , New Jersey

☆ Watch CNBC's full interview with Paramount's Bob Bakish on Disney-Charter dispute and media outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | 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 EmailWatch CNBC's full interview with Paramount's Bob Bakish on Disney-Charter dispute and media outlookBob Bakish, Paramount Global CEO , joins 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss meeting customer needs amid a transforming media ecosystem, providing partners solutions for both linear and streaming services, and focusing on finding a resolution to the Hollywood strikes.

Persons: Paramount's Bob Bakish, Bob Bakish Organizations: Disney, Paramount Global

☆ Disney-Charter dispute was inevitable, says Paramount Global's Bob Bakish
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | 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 EmailDisney-Charter dispute was inevitable, says Paramount Global's Bob BakishBob Bakish, Paramount Global CEO , joins 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss meeting customer needs amid a transforming media ecosystem, providing partners solutions for both linear and streaming services, and focusing on finding a resolution to the Hollywood strikes.

Persons: Bob Bakish Bob Bakish Organizations: Disney, Paramount, Paramount Global

☆ Disney’s battle with Charter could pose an existential threat to the cable bundle
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —It’s a carriage fight that could lead to the dismantling — or revolution — of the cable television bundle. Charter argues that it is paying a premium for Disney content ($2.2 billion in 2023), but that much of the first-class, buzzy content is actually on platforms like Disney+, not the linear channels. And it says it has proposed “creative ways” to make Disney’s DTC offerings available to Charter subscribers. But, in Disney’s eyes, why would it give away access to its expensive DTC content at no additional cost to Charter subscribers? “The Walt Disney Company and Charter have the opportunity to work together on transforming the industry for the long-term benefit of both companies and their customers,” Charter said.

Persons: CNN —, Disney, “, Bob Iger, Chris Winfrey, ” Organizations: CNN, Disney, Charter Communications, US, NFL, ABC, ESPN, Labor, Charter, Warner Bros, Paramount, Comcast, Fox Corporation, Hulu, FuboTV, Walt Disney Company, ”

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery cuts profit outlook due to writers and actors strikes
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Discovery trimmed its full-year earnings guidance for 2023 on Tuesday by $300 million to $500 million because of the continued strike by actors and writers, which has stopped production of most shows and movies. The corporate parent of CNN had previously told investors that it expected the strike to be over by early September. SAG-AFTRA, which represents about 160,000 actors, joined the writers on strike on July 14. There has been little signs of progress between the two sides since the strikes started. Other companies that are being struck include Apple, Amazon, CBS, Disney, NBC Universal, Netflix, Paramount Global and Sony.

Persons: WBD, “ WBD, ”, Barbie Organizations: New, New York CNN, Warner Bros, CNN, Securities and Exchange Commission, Guild of America, SAG, Apple, CBS, Disney, NBC Universal, Netflix, Paramount Global, Sony Locations: New York

The Labor Department's report showed the August unemployment rate rose to 3.8% while wage growth slowed. The most traded stock in the S&P 500 was Tesla Inc , with $32.6 billion worth of shares exchanged during the session. For the week, the S&P 500 rose 2.50%, the Dow added 1.43% and the Nasdaq climbed 3.25%. Advancing issues outnumbered falling ones within the S&P 500 (.AD.SPX) by a 2.1-to-one ratio. The S&P 500 posted 28 new highs and 20 new lows; the Nasdaq recorded 84 new highs and 90 new lows.

Persons: Keith Buchanan, Walt Disney, Brendan McDermid, Lululemon, Rosalind Brewer, Shristi Achar, Noel Randewich, Sruthi Shankar, Shounak Dasgupta, Richard Chang Organizations: Dell, Nasdaq, Dow, Disney, Charter Communications, Labor, Federal Reserve, GLOBALT Investments, ESPN, Charter's, Warner Bros Discovery, Paramount Global, Fox Corp, Tesla Inc, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Dow Jones, Broadcom, Dell Technologies, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Thomson Locations: Atlanta, U.S, New York City, Bengaluru, Oakland , California

Spectrum is the second largest U.S. cable provider, serving 14.7 million homes across large markets such as New York and Los Angeles. Shares of Disney dropped 2.65% to a three-year low while Charter lost 3.4%. Warner Brothers Discovery Inc (WBD.O) fell 10%, Fox Corp (FOXA.O) shed 6%, Paramount Global (PARA.O) dropped 8%, while Comcast Corp (CMCSA.O), the largest U.S. cable provider, was down nearly 3%. Charter said Disney rejected its proposal for a new distribution deal that takes into account the rise of competing low-cost streaming services, which has fueled cord-cutting among its customers. The cable provider said it pays Disney $2.2 billion in annual programming costs, excluding advertising.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Hogan, Disney, Dennis Dick, Chibuike Oguh, Amruta Khandeka, Khushi Singh, Michelle Price, Richard Chang Organizations: Walt Disney Company, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Fox Corp, Warner Brothers Discovery Inc, Disney, Charter Communications, ESPN, ABC, Hollywood, Charter, Paramount Global, Comcast Corp, U.S, Riley, Triple D, Thomson Locations: New York, U.S, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Bengaluru

☆ Charter puts media companies on notice in bid to save pay-TV bundle
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Rafael Henrique | SOPA Images | Lightrocket | Getty ImagesCharter Communications CEO Chris Winfrey wants the pay-TV bundle to live. For Charter, a company that doesn't produce content itself, the TV bundle is still a big part of its business, even as broadband grows. Disney also noted its multi-billion dollar investments in exclusive content for Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu. Disney has said it's a matter of time before it offers ESPN outside of the pay-TV bundle. Long live pay-TV

Persons: Rafael Henrique, Chris Winfrey, Winfrey, Barry Diller, Tom Rutledge, —, Hulu —, Disney, Long Organizations: Communications, Getty, Charter, Disney, U.S ., Warner Bros, Discovery, Paramount Global, Comcast, Media, Paramount, ESPN, P Global Market Intelligence, Hulu Locations: U.S, Hulu

☆ Hollywood studios should cut Netflix out of strike negotiations, Barry Diller says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Barry Diller is calling on the legacy Hollywood studios to end the dual writers and actors strikes, otherwise it'll be "catastrophic" to the industry. The media mogul, speaking on the podcast "On with Kara Swisher," said the strikes would only strengthen streaming giant Netflix during a tumultuous time for legacy media. He also advised studios to cut Netflix and other streamers out of the negoations with the unions. He said the legacy studios, actors and writers should be "natural allies" given their century of working together. Diller said legacy media should take some of its "shows and creativity and build our networks back up.

Persons: Barry Diller, Kara Swisher, Diller, Netflix didn't, Bob Iger, Donna Langley, Ted Sarandos, David Zaslav, Comcast's NBCUniversal, Swisher Organizations: Hollywood, Netflix, IAC, Expedia, Fox, Paramount, ABC Entertainment, Apple, CBS, Guild of America, Alliance, Television Producers, WGA, SAG, Disney, Warner Bros, Discovery, Paramount Global, Comcast, CNBC

☆ 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

☆ Media and entertainment companies are finding more investment from the Middle East, but it can come with controversy. Here are 11 of the most notable deals.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Insider broke down 11 top media companies with Middle Eastern backing or partnerships. Middle Eastern investment has poured into US media and entertainment, and US media companies have been eager recipients. Here's a rundown of 11 key Western media and entertainment companies, listed alphabetically, that have licensing and investment partnerships with Middle Eastern entities. Jimmy Finkelstein's news startup The Messenger has Middle Eastern funding via its acquisition of IMI-backed startup Grid, which is now shuttered. The North Road, Peter Chernin and Providence Equity's production roll-up, took a $150 million investment in January from the Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar's main investment vehicle, to support its expansion.

Persons: Peter Chernin, Jeff Zucker, Uber, Jamal Khashoggi's, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, —, hasn't, Mohammed bin Salman, SRMG, Abu, Abu Dhabi's, Jimmy Finkelstein's, BeIn, Stone, Ian Orefice, WBD Organizations: Providence, North, IMI, ex, CNN, Public Investment Fund, Blackstone, Washington Post, Saudi Crown, Saudi, Guardian, Media, Bloomberg Media, Saudi Research, Media Group, Media Investments, CNN Business, Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, Sky News Arabia, Business, Independent, SRMG, Miramax, BeIn, Paramount, Qatar Investment Authority, Penske Media Corporation, Billboard, Variety, Penske, Vox Media, New York, Billboard Arabia, RedBird Capital, Mideast, MBC Group, MBC, Fortress Investment Group, Investment, Warner Bros Locations: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, West, Saudi, Abu Dhabi, ViacomCBS, SRMG

☆ Striking Hollywood writers expected to respond to studios' proposal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Dawn Chmielewski | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SAG-AFTRA actors and Writers Guild of America (WGA) writers walk the picket line during their ongoing strike outside Sunset Bronson studios and Netflix offices in Los Angeles, California, U.S., August 11, 2023. Writers went on strike May 2 over an impasse on compensation, minimum staffing in writers' rooms, residual payments and other issues. Officials familiar with the specifics of the studios' proposal declined to provide details. The AMPTP had rejected as a "hiring quota" the WGA's demand for minimum staffing of writers' rooms. Writers have proposed curbs on the generative artificial intelligence, a complex topic the studios saw as requiring "a lot more discussion."

Persons: Mario Anzuoni, Writers, AMPTP, Dawn Chmielewski, Mary Milliken, Cynthia Osterman, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Writers Guild of America, Netflix, REUTERS, Companies Comcast Corp, Paramount, Writers ' Guild of America, Alliance, Television Producers, Walt Disney, Warner Bros Discovery, Reuters, Bloomberg, WGA, Screen Actors Guild, Thomson Locations: Sunset Bronson, Los Angeles , California, U.S, Los Angeles

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Discover, D.R. Horton, Nvidia, Cleveland-Cliffs, and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Check out the companies making headlines in midday trading. Banks — Major Wall Street banks slid during midday trading after CNBC reported Tuesday that Fitch Ratings may once again downgrade the health of the banking sector. Shares of Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase slid 2%, while Citigroup and Morgan Stanley each fell more than 1%. Paramount Global — Paramount Global shares climbed 2% in midday trading. Turnstone Biologics — The biotechnology stock added 1.96% in midday trading.

Persons: Banks, Fitch, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, Roger Hochschild, John Owen, Hannon Armstrong, Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital — Hannon Armstrong, Homebuilders, Warren Buffett's Berkshire, D.R, Horton, Lennar, Wells Fargo, Baird, Turnstone, Piper Sandler, —, Alex Harring, Jesse Pound, Tanaya Macheel, Pia Singh, Samantha Subin Organizations: CNBC, Bank of America, JPMorgan, Citigroup, Citizens Financial Group, U.S . Steel, Esmark, U.S, Steel, Discover Financial, Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital — Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Paramount Global, The Alliance, Motion Pictures, Television Producers, Bloomberg, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, Nvidia, UBS, Investment Locations: Cleveland, Warren Buffett's

☆ Hollywood writers to evaluate counterproposal from studios
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SAG-AFTRA actors and Writers Guild of America (WGA) writers walk the picket line during their ongoing strike outside Sunset Bronson studios and Netflix offices in Los Angeles, California, U.S., August 11, 2023. REUTERS/Mario AnzuoniCompanies Comcast Corp FollowNetflix Inc FollowParamount Global Follow Show more companiesAug 11 (Reuters) - The union representing striking Hollywood writers said on Friday it had received a counterproposal from the studios that it would consider, an apparent sign of progress in the more than 100-day-old strike. Both sides met on Aug. 4 to discuss resuming talks and the issues each intended to bring to the bargaining table, but the WGA afterwards criticized the studios in a sign the talks were strained. The strike by Hollywood writers began on May 2 after talks between the WGA and the major studios reached an impasse over compensation, minimum staffing of writers' rooms and residual payments in the streaming era, among other issues. Reporting by Chandni Shah in Bengaluru; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mario, Walt Disney, Chandni Shah, William Mallard Organizations: Writers Guild of America, Netflix, REUTERS, Mario Anzuoni Companies Comcast Corp, Paramount, Hollywood, Guild of America, Alliance, Television Producers, Walt, WGA, Screen Actors, Thomson Locations: Sunset Bronson, Los Angeles , California, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ Strong Paramount Global results put pressure on Disney earnings tomorrow
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | 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 EmailStrong Paramount Global results put pressure on Disney earnings tomorrowCNBC's Julia Boorstin reports on the state of the content streamers.

Persons: CNBC's Julia Boorstin

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: UPS, Lucid, Beyond Meat, Novo Nordisk and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Brian Evans | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The company reported an adjusted $2.11 per share on revenue of $8.31 billion, while analysts polled by Refinitiv forecasted $1.98 and $7.58 billion. Analysts surveyed by Refinitiv had penciled in a loss of 33 cents per share on $175 million of revenue. Palantir Technologies — Palantir Technologies slid 3.4% after the data analytics company reported its second-quarter results. Beyond Meat reported an adjusted loss of 83 cents per share on $102.1 million in revenue, while Refinitiv forecasted 86 cents and $108.4 million. Paramount Global — The media conglomerate's shares climbed more than 2% in premarket trading after the company reported a quarterly earnings and revenue beat.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, NASH, Banks, Moody's, Eli Lilly, EchoStar, Charlie Ergen, Refinitiv, Lucid, Palantir, Hims, Simon & Schuster, Yun Li, Samantha Subin, Sarah Min, Pia Singh, Jesse Pound Organizations: Sagimet, Goldman, T Bank, Citizens Financial, Bank of New York Mellon, Truist, JPMorgan Chase, Telsey, Refinitiv, Novo Nordisk —, Dish, United Parcel Service, behemoth, UPS, Palantir, Paramount Global, Paramount, KKR Locations: New York, Banks —

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves after hours: Chegg, Beyond Meat, Paramount Global, Celanese and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Brian Evans | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Chegg notched second-quarter revenue of $183 million, while analysts polled by Refinitiv had expected $177 million. Analysts polled by Refinitiv called for a 5 cent loss per share and revenue of $205 million. Paramount Global — The media conglomerate added almost 4% in extended trading hours after posting an earnings and revenue beat. In the second quarter, the company reported $150.9 million in revenue against analysts' estimate of $175 million, per Refinitiv. Celanese — The materials stock fell nearly 3% after missing on both the top and bottom line in the second quarter.

Persons: Chegg, Refinitiv, Celanese Organizations: Paramount Global

☆ Paramount to sell Simon & Schuster to KKR for $1.62 billion
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The publishing offices of Simon and Schuster in New York. Paramount Global agreed to sell book publisher Simon & Schuster to private equity giant KKR for $1.62 billion, the media company said Monday as it reported earnings. KKR's entry into the book publishing space comes months after Paramount scrapped its initial agreement to sell Simon & Schuster to rival Penguin Random House — which was valued at $2.2 billion — after a federal judge rejected the merger and it raised red flags with the government. Paramount executives said during Monday's earnings call that the proceeds of the Simon & Schuster sale would be used in the company's ongoing effort to pay down debt. Paramount reported revenue of $7.62 billion for the quarter, down about 2% year-over-year, as the company's TV segment was once again dragged down by lower advertising revenue.

Persons: Simon, Schuster, Simon & Schuster, Naveen Chopra, Bob Bakish Organizations: Paramount Global, KKR, Paramount, Penguin Random, Simon &, Penguin, BET Media Group, BET, VH1, CNBC, Media, Revenue Locations: New York

☆ Paramount to sell Simon & Schuster to KKR for $1.6 billion in cash
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Paramount has agreed to sell Simon & Schuster to private equity firm KKR for $1.6 billion in cash, after more than three years of trying to offload the book publishing powerhouse. Paramount posted Simon & Schuster for sale in 2020. In November 2022, Paramount ended its agreement to sell Simon & Schuster to Penguin Random House in what would have been a $2.2 billion deal. In October 2022, US District Court Judge Florence Pan ruled the combination of the book publishing giants would illegally reduce competition. The private equity firm also sold audiobook publisher RBMedia to H.I.G Capital this year after acquiring it in 2018.

Persons: Simon, Schuster, Bob Bakish, ” Bakish, Jonathan Karp, Dennis Eulau, Biden, Florence Pan, Penguin, RBMedia Organizations: New, New York CNN, Paramount, KKR, Paramount Global, Random, Justice, Elliott Management, Barnes & Nobles, Amazon, H.I.G, & $, & $ Locations: New York, Barnes

Toy figures of people are seen in front of the displayed Paramount + logo, in this illustration taken January 20, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/FILE PHOTOAug 7 (Reuters) - Paramount Global (PARA.O) said it would sell Simon & Schuster to private-equity firm KKR & Co (KKR.N) for $1.62 billion in cash, ending a year-long attempt to sell the marquee book publisher. Paramount has been trying to offload Simon & Schuster, the publisher of authors such as Stephen King and Hillary Clinton, since a federal judge blocked its $2.2 billion sale to Penguin Random House last year. "Simon Schuster is a fantastic asset, but ... it's not core," CEO Bob Bakish said on a post-earnings call. Paramount will receive gross proceeds of $2.2 billion from the sale of Simon & Schuster, including a $200 million termination fee paid by Penguin Random House and the cash flow it received during the process.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Simon, Schuster, Stephen King, Hillary Clinton, Penguin Random, Simon Schuster, Bob Bakish, Bakish, Simon & Schuster, Naveen Chopra, Samrhitha, Dawn Chmielewski, Anil D'Silva Organizations: REUTERS, Paramount, KKR, Co, Penguin, BET Media Group, BET, Simon &, Penguin Random, Netflix, Disney, Finance, Hollywood, CBS, U.S, Apple, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru, Dawn, Los Angeles

Nearly 80% of the S & P 500 companies that have reported their second-quarter results have reported an earnings beat, according to FactSet. Retail and restaurant companies will begin to announce their earnings this week, including Ralph Lauren and Wendys. Given this backdrop, CNBC Pro searched for S & P 500 companies reporting this week which analysts forecast having earnings momentum. Analysts are forecasting earnings per share to come in at $2.64, according to FactSet. More than 81% of analysts covering the stock rate it a buy or strong buy, according to Refinitiv.

Persons: Ralph Lauren, Wendys, Refinitiv, WYNN Organizations: Media, Paramount Global, Fox, Fox , New York Times, News Corp, Disney, CNBC Pro, Charles River Laboratories, Wynn Resorts, Energy Locations: Fox ,, Insulet

Aug 3 (Reuters) - Warner Bros Discovery (WBD.O) warned Thursday that uncertainty over the dual strikes by Hollywood writers and actors could impact the timing of its film slate and its ability to produce and deliver content. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents Warner Bros Discovery and the other major studios in negotiations, asked to meet on Friday with the writers' guild to discuss the possibility of resuming talks. Warner Bros Discovery's revenue took a hit in the second quarter due to soft box office results, including the underperformance of the DC Comics-inspired film, "The Flash." The exterior of the Warner Bros. Under Zaslav, Warner Bros Discovery has been seeking to run its direct-to-consumer business more efficiently.

Persons: David Zaslav, Fran Drescher, Alyssa Pointer, Jamie Lumley, Samrhitha, Helen Coster, Mark Porter, Jonathan Oatis, Shounak Dasgupta, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Warner Bros Discovery, Hollywood, Writers Guild of America, Screen, SAG, Hasbro, Alliance, Television Producers, Paramount, Times, Variety, Warner Bros, DC Comics, Warner Bros . Discovery, Alliance of Motion Pictures, REUTERS, Discovery Inc, Total, HBO, Max, Thomson Locations: New York, Warner Bros . Discovery Atlanta, Atlanta , Georgia, U.S, Bengaluru

REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File PhotoNEW YORK, Aug 3 (Reuters) - KKR & Co Inc (KKR.N) is in advanced talks to acquire book publisher Simon & Schuster from Paramount Global (PARA.O) for $1.65 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. KKR was competing against bidders including News Corp (NWSA.O)-owned HarperCollins Publishers for Simon & Schuster and investor Richard Hurowitz, the sources said. The Wall Street Journal reported the advanced talks between KKR and Paramount earlier on Thursday. Last year, the U.S. Justice Department sued to stop the tie-up of Penguin and Simon & Schuster, which led to a collapse of the deal. Simon & Schuster publishes authors including Stephen King, Jennifer Weiner, and former U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Simon & Schuster, Richard Hurowitz, Simon, Schuster, Hurowitz, Stephen King, Jennifer Weiner, Hillary Clinton, King, Anirban Sen, Milana, Sandra Maler Organizations: KKR, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Co Inc, Paramount Global, News Corp, HarperCollins Publishers, Simon &, Reuters, Paramount, Penguin Random, HarperCollins, Street Journal, Penguin, U.S . Justice Department, Bertelsmann, Simon, Schuster, Thomson Locations: New York, U.S

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