DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ 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 town hall shows the network still doesn't know how to handle Donald Trump
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Wednesday's 70-minute town hall with Trump, moderated by anchor Kaitlan Collins, was CNN's first big opportunity since the change of ownership to showcase itself as a network of facts. Trump has a history of peddling election fraud lies — an example of saying it's raining when it's not. At one point, bothered by Collins' consistent attempt to tether Trump to the truth, Trump called Collins "a nasty person." "If I see election fraud, I think I have an obligation to say it," Trump said. In other words, Trump said he'd suspend talk about the 2020 election fraud and then, seconds later, spoke about 2020 election fraud.

☆ Warner Bros Discovery's surprise loss clouds strong streaming unit show
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] The exterior of the Warner Bros. Warner Bros Discovery reported a per-share loss of 44 cents, while analysts had expected a profit of 1 cent, according to Refinitiv data. Warner Bros Discovery's new streaming service, christened "Max," is set to launch on May 23, combining HBO Max's scripted entertainment with Discovery's reality shows. Warner Bros Discovery reported revenue of $10.70 billion for the first three months of 2023, compared with analysts' estimates of $10.78 billion, according to Refinitiv data. The Warner Bros studio segment missed on its revenue forecasts, as its big March release "Shazam!

☆ NBCUniversal faces a set of company-defining decisions as CEO Jeff Shell departs
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Shell announced he was departing the company immediately Sunday after admitting to an inappropriate relationship with an NBCUniversal employee. DiscoveryThe elephant in the room with NBCUniversal is the frequent speculation in media circles that a merger with Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Warner Bros.

☆ How HBO and Netflix have evolved away from each other in the past decade
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Discovery decided to remove HBO from the name of its flagship Max streaming service to protect the HBO brand from becoming ... Netflix. "HBO is HBO. In a not-so-subtle shot at Netflix, HBO CEO Casey Bloys touted Max by highlighting its brand strength. Under the ownership of AT&T, then-WarnerMedia CEO (and now AT&T CEO) John Stankey appeared comfortable leaning on the HBO brand to challenge Netflix. This was the driving force behind making HBO Max — combining HBO's programming with other original content and library programming from the WarnerMedia catalog.

☆ 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.

☆ In renaming 'HBO Max,' Warner Bros. Discovery hedges its bets in streaming
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Warner Bros. Discovery unveiled its new streaming service Wednesday, featuring a combination of programming from HBO Max and Discovery+. Discovery logo is displayed on a smartphone screen and in the background, the HBO Max and Discovery Plus logos. Those who want HBO already know where to find it, and HBO Max will simply morph into Max on most platforms. Warner Bros.

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery reengineers the traditional TV bundle for the streaming era
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

In effect, WBD announced that it is recreating the bundle, erecting the pillars of a one-stop shop for scripted and unscripted television, movies, news and sports at a flat monthly rate. Insider Intelligence analyst Paul Verna noted to me that the WBD competitor has “resisted the temptation” to combine Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Instead, Verna observed that Disney is “leaning into each brand’s core strength,” though Disney does offer the ability to purchase the individual services in a bundle. But it goes without saying that Max — the product of the merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery — represents the future for WBD, which has been entrenched in the declining traditional TV business. The Max service launches May 23.

☆ Warner Bros Discovery unveils its revamped 'Max' streaming service
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Dawn Chmielewski | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 12 - Warner Bros Discovery Inc(WBD.O) said on Wednesday it will launch on May 23 its long-awaited new streaming service, christened "Max", which combines HBO Max's scripted entertainment with Discovery's reality shows. The opportunity to better capitalize on the streaming video revolution was one of the justifications for the merger of Discovery and WarnerMedia in 2022. "We are not trying to win the direct-to-consumer spending war," Zaslav assured investors, shortly after the merger was finalized. Zaslav repudiated his predecessor's COVID-19 era strategy of releasing new movies simultaneously in theaters and in the home, via HBO Max. Instead, Warner Bros films would enjoy a traditional theatrical release, and reap box office proceeds, before becoming available on the streaming service.

☆ A 'Harry Potter' TV series is in the works. Here's everything we know.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Warner Bros. Television is working on a scripted "Harry Potter" TV show. AdvertisementA "Harry Potter" TV show is in the works. AdvertisementThe series will be a 'faithful adaptation of the beloved original Harry Potter books'Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe, and Emma Watson starred in the "Harry Potter" films. J.K. Rowling will serve as an executive producerJ.K. Rowling is the author of the "Harry Potter" book series. The show is eyeing a release in 2026Daniel Radcliffe as Harry in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."

Persons: Harry Potter, —, Max, J.K, Rowling, Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Casey Bloys, Evan Agostini, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley, Letts, David Heyman, Harry, David Zaslav, Zaslav, Channing Dungey, Kirsten Acuna Organizations: Warner Bros . Television, Warner Bros, Discovery, Service, HBO, Max, Business, Twitter, WB, Hollywood Locations: Los Angeles, WarnerMedia

Warner Bros. Discovery on Wednesday unveiled its new blended streaming service of HBO Max and Discovery+, called "Max." Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Discovery had more than 96 million global streaming subscribers, from either HBO Max, HBO or Discovery+, at the end of the fourth quarter.

☆ 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+.

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

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

☆ Warner Bros Discovery unveils revamped 'Max' in push for streaming growth
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Dawn Chmielewski | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Warner Bros Discovery eliminated "HBO" from the name of the streaming service, which for some viewers connotes bespoke series but repels others. He repudiated his predecessor's COVID-19 era strategy of releasing new movies simultaneously in theaters and in the home, via HBO Max. Instead, Warner Bros films would enjoy a traditional theatrical release and reap box office proceeds before becoming available on the streaming service. It licensed some of these shows to other streaming services, as Warner Bros Discovery looked for new ways to monetize its film and television libraries. Like other media companies, Warner Bros Discovery has yet to turn a profit on its HBO Max and Discovery+ streaming services, though the company has reduced losses from them.

☆ Blockbuster pushed HBO to start investing in original content, cable giant's ex-chief says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

What's less known is it was also the catalyst for HBO's pivot toward original programming, according to former HBO and Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes. HBO, at the time led by Michael Fuchs, decided the answer was original programming. Source: HBO | YouTubeEven after "The Sopranos" debuted, HBO still faced a dilemma over how much to invest in original shows. HBO's TV schedule was always shifting, based on the length of feature films. Had HBO's early investments in original programming not hit, Bewkes acknowledged he's not sure what HBO would have done to fight off Blockbuster.

☆ I got my first TV writing job at 55. It was hard being the oldest person in the room — but I'm glad I never gave up.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Eboni Boykin-Patterson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Writing what he knew and making personal connections ultimately led to his first TV job at age 55. I've been working towards a TV writing job for a few years, but I've always wanted to write for the screen. I got the job sort of out of the blueThe way I got my first writing job was through a 20-year-old relationship. She was really, really complimentary. As we were taking the class, they were going around the room and each person said what scared them the most about being a TV writer.

☆ Wells Fargo upgrades Warner Bros. Discovery, cites growing confidence in media company's debt reduction efforts
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The risk-reward is improving for shares of Warner Bros. Shares of Warner Bros. WBD YTD mountain Warner Bros. Discovery shares so far this year Improvement within the company's direct-to-consumer business and consolidation should also provide upside potential ahead, Cahall said. "The new WBD is emerging with strong FCF, a tactical approach, greater command and control, and excellent HBO content," Cahall wrote.

☆ Dividend Stocks Have New Competition: Cash
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-12 | by ( Charley Grant | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

AT&T cut its dividend last year when it divested the WarnerMedia division. Stocks used to be the only game in town for investors chasing robust returns. Soaring inflation has pushed government-bond yields to their highest levels in more than a decade. That, coupled with a soggy stock market, has led to a steady decline in the number of stocks that offer comparatively high yields: There were just 34 stocks in the S&P 500 with a dividend yield above that on the six-month Treasury bill as of Friday, according to Birinyi Associates. The six-month yield settled at 5.116%, according to Dow Jones Market Data

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

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

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery plans to stop broadcasting regional sports as financial troubles grow across industry, reports say
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-25 | by ( Aaron Mcdade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AT&T Sportsnet channels owned by Warner Bros. The channels in question are still branded as AT&T Sportsnet after WarnerMedia's assets, previously owned by AT&T, were acquired by Warner Bros. Warner Bros. The Sports Business Journal also reported that the network told teams it will allow them to continue using Warner Bros. Warner Bros.

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery Looks to Get Out of Regional Sports TV Business
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Joe Flint | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Pittsburgh Pirates’ Miguel Andujar beats a throw to third for a triple against the St. Louis Cardinals last season. Warner Bros. The three regional sports networks were inherited by Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. when it acquired control of the WarnerMedia assets from AT&T Inc. The channels—which are still branded as AT&T SportsNet—serve teams in Pittsburgh, Houston, Colorado and Utah—and carry baseball, basketball and hockey.

☆ Digital video is set to top traditional TV this year. How Wall Street says to play it
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

As of Thursday's close, Netflix shares were up 9% year to date, while Disney , Paramount and Warner Bros. NFLX YTD mountain Netflix shares since the start if 2023 During the pandemic, the streaming industry challenged cable TV as customers cut the cord. Shares of Netflix struggled Thursday following a report from The Wall Street Journal that the company was cutting prices in over 30 countries. Disney represents another clear-cut behemoth in the space, and boasts one of the higher number of buy ratings on Wall Street. The Trade Desk is another advertising stock Wall Street is bullish on, with more than 60% of analysts giving a buy rating on the stock.

☆ 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.

☆ Amazon Studios is growing fast and spending big on shows like 'Citadel,' but insiders say unclear creative direction, leadership shifts, and tech bureaucracy threaten to drive away staff and talent
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Lucia Moses | Elaine Low | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +20 min

The dust has been settling at Amazon Studios after a big reorg in the fall that solidified Jen Salke's power. Yet Amazon Studios faces major challenges. Amazon Studios' Head of Global Television Vernon Sanders told Insider that the goal is to deliver content with global cultural relevance. Amazon Prime VideoWhile spending on such big swings has soared, some insiders see far less budgetary support for underrepresented casts. "I do think people wonder what's the commitment to Amazon Studios," the current insider said.

One of the really interesting questions here – this will be fascinating – the core of linear TV is sports rights. When you look at the size and scope of the linear TV business, it's huge. Patrick T. Fallon | Afp | Getty ImagesByron Allen, Entertainment Studios founder and CEO: I think linear TV will exist for a very, very long time. Simmons: I believe Apple, out of nowhere, will start making their own awesome televisions that have Apple TV embedded in them. We are witnessing early stages of this dynamic with deals like "NFL Sunday Ticket" on YouTube and the MLS deal with Apple TV.

Search resuls for: "WarnerMedia"

25 mentions found