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☆ How Warner Bros. Discovery's MotorTrend beat the odds and went from magazine publisher to a 9-figure video and digital business
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Digital and video content has become a nine-figure business with shows aimed at a broad audience. Building on its linear channel MotorTrend TV and DTC business MotorTrend+, it launched Warner Bros. Discovery's first free, ad-supported TV (FAST) channel last October, and it's slated to roll out its first Spanish-language FAST TV channel, MotorTrend Veloz TV, in August. Discovery formed a joint venture in 2017 of MotorTrend and its cable channel Velocity (since renamed MotorTrend TV). MotorTrend's FAST channel launch last fall on Samsung TVs coincided with Samsung launching its own automotive channel, Ride or Drive, for example.

Persons: Kevin Hart's, Hart, It's, MotorTrend, Alex Wellen, Discovery's, MotorTrend MotorTrend, jumpstart MotorTrend, Discovery, Wellen, Rob Corddry, Mike Suggett, Suggett, Kevin Hart, there's, — Organizations: MotorTrend Group, Warner Bros, Automobile, Harvard Business, Discovery Communications, Scripps Networks Interactive, HGTV, Food Network, CNN Worldwide, FAST, Samsung, YouTube Locations: MotorTrend, That's

☆ Warner Bros movie 'Barbie' ticket sales top $1 billion
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NEW YORK, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Box-office ticket sales of the movie "Barbie" topped $1 billion in the United States and worldwide since its debut more than two weeks ago, Warner Bros. Pictures, a unit of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD.O), announced on SundayIn a statement, Warner Bros. said the movie took in $459 million from domestic theaters and another $572.1 million overseas over the weekend, for a total of $1.0315 billion. "As distribution chiefs, we're not often rendered speechless by a film's performance, but Barbillion has blown even our most optimistic predictions out of the water," said Jeff Goldstein, president of domestic distribution for Warner Bros. Pictures, and Andrew Cripps, president of international distribution. "Barbie" ticket sales ranked second this year to "The Super Mario Bros," which was released in April and raked in a total of $1.357 billion at the box office. Reporting by Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss; Editing by Leslie AdlerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: we're, Jeff Goldstein, Andrew Cripps, Oscar, Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Barbie, Ken, Mattel, Mario Bros, Gertrude Chavez, Dreyfuss, Leslie Adler Organizations: Warner Bros . Pictures, Warner Bros ., Warner Bros, Thomson Locations: United States

☆ Striking Hollywood writers, studios meet to discuss resuming talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Dawn Chmielewski | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/5] SAG-AFTRA actors and Writers Guild of America (WGA) writers walk the picket line during their ongoing strike outside Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, California, U.S., August 2, 2023. REUTERS/Mario AnzuoniLOS ANGELES, Aug 4 (Reuters) - As the Hollywood writers' strike approaches the 100-day mark, Writers Guild of America (WGA) negotiators will meet on Friday with representatives of the major studios for the first time in three months to discuss whether contract talks can resume. "We challenge the studios and AMPTP to come to the meeting they called for this Friday with a new playbook," the WGA said in an email. Fox is expected to announce that television's Emmy Awards will be rescheduled to air in January due to the strikes, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing a person familiar with the plans. Reporting by Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles; additional reporting by Danielle Broadway in Los Angeles Editing by Mary Milliken and David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mario, Walt Disney, Fox, Jorge A . Reyes, Kevin Hill, Dawn Chmielewski, Danielle Broadway, Mary Milliken, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Writers Guild of America, Paramount Studios, REUTERS, Hollywood, Guild of America, WGA, Television Producers, Walt, Netflix, Screen Actors, Los Angeles Times, Warner Bros Discovery, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, Los Angeles

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

The exterior of the Warner Bros. REUTERS/Alyssa Pointer/File photoAug 3 (Reuters) - Warner Bros Discovery (WBD.O) warned Thursday that the dual Hollywood strikes by writers and actors could hit its flagging studio business already bruised by high-profile box office flops including "The Flash." The shutdowns "may have implications for the timing and performance of the remainder of the film slate as well as our ability to produce and deliver content," Warner Bros Discovery CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels said. Total global subscribers for its HBO, Max and Discovery+ services stood at 95.8 million at the end of the quarter. Under CEO David Zaslav, Warner Bros Discovery has been seeking to run its direct-to-consumer business more efficiently.

Persons: Alyssa Pointer, Gunnar Wiedenfels, Jamie Lumley, David Zaslav, Zaslav, Samrhitha, Helen Coster, Mark Porter, Jonathan Oatis, Shounak Organizations: Warner Bros . Discovery, Writers Guild of America, Alliance of Motion Pictures, Television Producers, REUTERS, Warner Bros Discovery, Hasbro, Warner Bros, Discovery Inc, Total, HBO, Max, Thomson Locations: Warner Bros . Discovery Atlanta, Atlanta , Georgia, U.S, Bengaluru, New York

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery Revenue Falls as Max Sheds Subscribers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Ben Glickman | Joe Flint | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

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Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: warner

The exterior of the Warner Bros. REUTERS/Alyssa Pointer/File photoAug 3 (Reuters) - Warner Bros Discovery (WBD.O) posted a smaller loss for the second quarter on Thursday as the media conglomerate benefited from cost cuts, sending its shares up nearly 4% in premarket trading. Under Chief Executive Officer David Zaslav, Warner Bros Discovery has been seeking to run its direct-to-consumer business, which includes the Max streaming service, more efficiently. Net loss for the quarter came in at $1.24 billion, compared with a loss of $3.42 billion a year earlier. It lost 1.8 million subscribers, more than analysts' estimates of 1.1 million, reporting 95.8 million total global subscribers for its HBO, Max and Discovery+ services.

Persons: Alyssa Pointer, David Zaslav, Max, Zaslav, Samrhitha, Helen Coster, Shounak Dasgupta, Mark Porter Organizations: Warner Bros . Discovery, Writers Guild of America, Alliance of Motion Pictures, Television Producers, REUTERS, Warner Bros Discovery, Media, Warner Bros, Consumer, HBO, Discovery Inc, Max, HBO Max, Thomson Locations: Warner Bros . Discovery Atlanta, Atlanta , Georgia, U.S, United States, Bengaluru, New York

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery to Make Sports and News Available on Streaming
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Joe Flint | Ben Glickman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: warner

TOKYO, Aug 3 (Reuters) - The Japan opening of the hit film "Barbie" was dealt additional setbacks as an online petition gained steam calling on Hollywood studios to disavow a grassroots marketing movement that made light of nuclear holocaust. Warner Bros initially latched on to fan-produced memes that depicted Robbie's Barbie with actor Cillian Murphy's Oppenheimer alongside images of nuclear blasts. But fans were not amused in Japan, which in coming days will mark the memorials of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 78 years ago. "This incident is really, really disappointing," she posted. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel posted a picture of his meeting in Tokyo with director Greta Gerwig, but the response online was chilly.

Persons: Oppenheimer, Barbie, Margot Robbie, J, Robert Oppenheimer, Robbie's Barbie, Cillian Murphy's Oppenheimer, Barbie delighting, Koji Maruyama, Mitsuki Takahata, Japan Rahm Emanuel, Greta Gerwig, Emanuel, Rocky Swift, Chang, Ran Kim, Michael Perry Organizations: Hollywood, Warner Bros, Universal Pictures, Warner's, Twitter, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Japan, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Warner's Japan, Tokyo

☆ Striking Hollywood writers to hold first talks with studios in three months
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] SAG-AFTRA actors and Writers Guild of America (WGA) writers walk the picket line during their ongoing strike outside Netflix, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 31, 2023. REUTERS/Mario AnzuoniAug 2 (Reuters) - Hollywood's striking writers and major studios have agreed to hold talks on Friday for the first time since their strike began over higher pay demands in May, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) said on Tuesday. An AMPTP spokesperson told Reuters that the alliance was committed to finding a mutually beneficial deal, without giving further details. Hollywood actors joined the writers on picket lines in July as they also demanded higher streaming-era pay and curbs on the use of artificial intelligence. The entertainment website Deadline reported on Tuesday that the WGA and the studios were on the verge of making a breakthrough in talks.

Persons: Mario Anzuoni, We'll, Walt Disney, Gokul Pisharody, Bharat Govind Gautam, Robert Birsel Organizations: Writers Guild of America, Netflix, REUTERS, Alliance, Television Producers, WGA, Reuters, Walt, Warner Bros Discovery, Hollywood, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ Warner Bros Discovery to restructure ad sales division
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

July 31 (Reuters) - Warner Bros Discovery (WBD.O) said on Monday it would restructure its advertising sales division including the leadership team, as the entertainment major seeks to address a downturn in ad demand. Advertising agency partners will now work with dedicated sales leaders and teams providing them with direct access to a variety of brands under the company's umbrella. In the new leadership structure, Jon Diament will lead the ad and partner strategy, while Ryan Gould will take on a newly created role to head the digital team to oversee the company's advertising, programmatic sales and data strategy. Reporting by Zaheer Kachwala and Akash Sriram in Bengaluru Editing by Vinay DwivediOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jon Diament, Ryan Gould, Zaheer Kachwala, Akash Sriram, Vinay Dwivedi Organizations: Warner Bros Discovery, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery is making a big shake-up to its ad sales org. Read how its sales chief explained the changes.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Discovery is shaking up its ad sales organization. It's also expected to make further staff reductions in ad sales as part of the restructure. Discovery is shaking up its ad sales organization and structure. EVP Jim Keller, who was key to bringing a digital approach to the merged company's newly combined sales team, left, along with Scott Kohn, EVP of national ad sales, and John Dailey, SVP of ad sales. Based on the learnings and successes we've experienced in the past year, this morning we are announcing a new sales structure and strategy.

Persons: It's, Marybeth Strobel, Greg Regis, Regis, Strobel, Ryan Gould, Jon Diament, Sheereen Russell, WBD, Jon Steinlauf, Jim Keller, Scott Kohn, John Dailey, David Zaslav, we've, AE's, Lucia Moses, lmoses Organizations: Warner Bros, WBD, Max, CNN, NBA, NCAA, MLB, NHL

☆ 'Barbenheimer' box office sales keep rolling in second weekend
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Nicholas P. Brown | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

July 30 (Reuters) - Warner Bros' (WBD.O) "Barbie" showed no signs of slowing down in its second weekend at the box office, and was set to haul in $93 million in ticket sales Friday through Sunday, according to estimates from media analytics firm Comscore. 1 movie, and the highest-grossing opening weekend for a film directed by a woman - has made more than $351 million in the U.S. and Canada since opening on July 21, and nearly $775 million globally, Comscore reported. The two films together have been dubbed "Barbenheimer," a nod to the relative rarity of two blockbusters opening the same weekend. Their combined sales are "absolutely mind blowing," Dergarabedian said, with second-weekend numbers that "would have been hailed as opening weekend wins." Universal's Oppenheimer has made $174 million in the U.S. and Canada so far, and $400 million worldwide.

Persons: Barbie, Greta Gerwig's, Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Ken, Ynon, Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan's, Robert Oppenheimer, Paul Dergarabedian, Dergarabedian, Universal's Oppenheimer, Robbie, Nicholas P, Brown, Peter Henderson, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Warner Bros, Mattel, Hollywood, Guild of America, SAG, Thomson Locations: U.S, Canada

☆ On tap this week: Jobs report plus 10 key earnings. Here's what we want to see
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +18 min

All three major averages advanced for the week, powered by strong mega-cap earnings and favorable inflation data. Looking to next week, earnings season enters its second half with the last of our mega-caps — Apple (AAPL) and Amazon (AMZN) — set to report on Thursday. We'll get a better read on the employment picture on Wednesday with the ADP report and then, more importantly, on Friday's nonfarm payrolls report for July. Thursday after the close brings us to the main events of the week: Earnings from Apple and Amazon. For those looking to review first quarter performance ahead of these releases, be sure to keep our first-quarter earnings report card handy.

Persons: We'll, that's, Stanley Black, Decker, Emerson, Bausch, Leggett, Platt, SIRI, Ares, COLM, PERI, Kraft Heinz, Phillips, Ferrari N.V, Johnson, Robinson, COOK, BUD, Kellogg, Papa, Pitney Bowes, Parker, Trimble, Ziff Davis, Nonfarm, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim, Apple Tim Cook, Kevin Dietsch Organizations: Nasdaq, Dow, Federal Reserve, Federal, ISM Manufacturing, Services PMI, Investors, Caterpillar, Devices, Starbucks, Natural Resources, AMD, Management, Emerson Electric and, Humana, Bausch Health, Apple, Microsoft, Resource Partners, AerCap Holdings, CNA Financial Corp, CNA, Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Bank, SJW, Hutchison China MediTech, Camtek Ltd, Silvercrest Asset Management, Loews Corp, Oxford Lane Capital Corp, Banco Santander, Silicom Ltd, SuperCom Ltd, Arista Networks, Avis Budget Group, Diamondback Energy, Lattice Semiconductor Corp, Republic Services, Yum China Holdings, Western Digital Corp, Power Systems, Tenet Healthcare Corp, Vornado Realty, BioMarin Pharmaceutical, PetMed, SBA Communications Corporation, Brixmor, Snack Foods Corp, Cushman & Wakefield, Sanmina Corporation, TFI, PMI, Cruise Line Holdings Ltd, Uber Technologies, Pfizer, Enterprise Products Partners, Merck, JetBlue Airways Corporation, Allegro MicroSystems, Altria, SunPower Corp, SiriusXM Holdings, Molson Coors Beverage, Marriott International, Toyota Motor Corp, BP, SYSCO Corp, Marathon Petroleum Corp, Ares Management, Equitrans Midstream Corporation, Game Technology, Illinois Tool, IDEXX Laboratories, Rockwell Automation, Packaging International Corp, Gartner, Zebra Technologies Corp, IQVIA Holdings, Oshkosh Corporation, Leidos Holdings, Eaton Corp, yte Corp, Lear Corp, Starbucks Corp, Devon Energy Corp, SolarEdge Technologies, Lumen Technologies, Virgin Galactic Holdings, Caesars Entertainment, VF Corp, Sciences Corp, Paycom, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Suncor Energy, Holdings, Chesapeake Energy Corp, Boston Properties, American International Group, AIG, Allstate Corp, Aspen Technology, Electronic Arts, EA, Flowserve Corporation, Denny's, Corp, Prudential Financial, Store, Ternium S.A, Vimeo, Emerson, Lomb, CVS Health, Generac Holdings, Cameco Corp, Perion Network Ltd, Builders, Carlyle Group, Scorpio, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd, Rithm Capital Corp, AeroSystems Holdings, Vertiv Holdings Co, Johnson Controls, CDW Corp, DuPont, Brands Holdings, Scotts Miracle, Gro, SMG, Brands, Allegheny Technologies, AmerisourceBergen Corporation, ABC, Real Estate Corporation, Adient plc, Editas, Garmin Ltd, WWE, Bunge Ltd, Criteo S.A, PayPal, QUALCOMM, Occidental Petroleum Corp, Apache Corp, Albemarle Corp, MGM Resorts International, MGM, Marathon Oil Corp, Joby Aviation, Industrial, CF Industries Holdings, Goodyear Tire &, Realty ome Corp, Metlife, Pacific Biosciences of, Rush Street Interactive, Zillow, JFrog Ltd, Herbalife Nutrition Ltd, Simon Property Group, McKesson Corp, Storage, Cerus Corporation, GXO Logistics, MAX Holdings, Health, Anheuser, Busch InBev, Warner Bros ., Cheniere Energy, ConocoPhillips, Hasbro, CIGNA Corp, Lantheus Holdings, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Fiverr International, Air Products & Chemicals, TopBuild Corp, EPAM Systems, Lightspeed Commerce, Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, Cummins, CMI, Slair Corporation, Starwood Property Trust, Vulcan, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, New Energy Corp, Cedar Fair Entertainment, Intellia Therapeutics, Lending, Privia Health, Dickinson, Chimera Investment, CIM, Hyatt Hotels Corp, Lion Electric, LEV, Deluxe Corp, Murphy Oil Corp, PBF Energy, Papa John's, Targa Resources Corp, Wix.com Ltd, Apollo Global Management, LLC, Butterfly, Sempra Energy, Aptiv PLC, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, Canada Goose Holdings, Hannifin Corporation, WESCO International, WCC, Arrow Electronics, Constellation Energy Group, Midstream Partners, Coinbase, Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras, Gilead Sciences, Opendoor Technologies, Booking Holdings, Atlassian Corporation, International, Redfin Corporation, Motorola Solutions, Monster Beverage Corporation, Consolidated Edison, Rocket Companies, Apple Hospitality, Cirrus, Resources, Universal Display Corporation, Chesapeake Utilities Corp, Social, Defense, Security Solutions, Post Holdings, Tandem Diabetes Care, Nikola Corporation, Magna International, Dominion Energy, ACM Research, Frontier Communications, Brookfield Renewable Partners, inTEST Corporation, American Pipeline, TELUS International, XPO Logistics, Fluor Corp, Gray Television, Cboe, LyondellBasell Industries, Twist Bioscience, Global, Jim Cramer's Charitable, CNBC, Allen & Company Sun Valley, Getty Locations: U.S, China, India, Oxford, Chile, Illinois, Columbia, Pacific, Pacific Biosciences of California, Southern, PBI, Gilead, Sun Valley , Idaho

☆ The secret to the huge 'Barbenheimer' box office take? FOMO
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Hannah Beier | The Washington Post | Getty Images'At a crossroads'The historic box office combination of Warner Bros.' "Barbie" and Universal's "Oppenheimer" arrived a time when even the most dependable franchise movies have failed to lure in audiences. Together "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" generated $244.5 million during their first three days in theaters — $162 million for "Barbie" and $82.5 million for "Oppenheimer." Adding ticket sales from Paramount's newest "Mission Impossible" film, Sony's "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" and Angel Studios' "The Sound of Freedom," the weekend box office topped $311 million, the fourth-highest weekend haul in history. watch nowThe FOMO effect"Barbenheimer's" historic weekend was also fueled by a sense of urgency, which the box office has been lacking in recent months. He noted that both films would have been box office hits regardless, but "the mystique of them opening on the same day elevated their profiles to an entirely new level."

Persons: Oppenheimer, Hannah Beier, , Indiana Jones, Shawn Robbins, Barbie, Robbins, shies Organizations: Colonial Theater, Washington Post, Getty, Warner Bros, Marvel, Angel Studios Locations: Phoenixville , Pennsylvania, ,

☆ Here are Wednesday's biggest analyst calls: Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Spotify, Meta & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Here are the biggest calls on Wall Street on Wednesday: Morgan Stanley reiterates Amazon as overweight Morgan Stanley said it's bullish on the e-commerce giant's earnings next week. Morgan Stanley downgrades RTX to equal weight from overweight Morgan Stanley said in its downgrade of the stock that risk/reward seems "balanced" right now. Morgan Stanley upgrades WW International to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said shares of the company formerly known as Weight Watchers are underappreciated. Citi reiterates Meta as a top pick Citi said Meta is a top pick heading into earnings on Wednesday afternoon. Morgan Stanley reiterates General Motors as overweight Morgan Stanley said the stock's weak reaction to Tuesday's GM earnings report is a "headscratcher."

Persons: Morgan Stanley, it's bullish, it's, Raymond James downgrades, Raymond James, Morgan Stanley downgrades RTX, Needham, NFLX, Citi, Eli Lilly, Elliot, Burger, Disney, TD Cowen, bitcoin, GOOGL Organizations: Deutsche Bank, Spotify, Deutsche, Barclays, Apple, Target, Bank of America, NXP Semiconductors, International, Netflix, Citi, Goodyear Tire Deutsche, Elliot Management, Goodyear, Elliott Management, Operational, Restaurant Brands Citi, Microsoft, Hollywood, Meta, JPMorgan, United Airline, AFL, DAL, Motors, UAW Locations: 1Q23

☆ A top Warner Bros. Discovery ad sales exec has exited, and insiders say rumors are flying of layoffs and changes as early as next week
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Insiders are speculating more layoffs and organizational changes are on the way. The media giant is wrapping its ad sales upfront period, where sales have been soft across the industry. Discovery has parted ways with another top ad sales exec, and insiders are speculating that more layoffs and changes are on the way. He's also a vet of Hulu ad sales and active in digital advertising, serving on the board of trade group the Interactive Advertising Bureau. Keller's exit is the second big WBD ad sales departure this year; John Dailey stepped down from his position as SVP of ad sales in March.

Persons: Discovery's, salespeople, Jim Keller, Jon Steinlauf —, Keller, He's, WBD, Keller didn't, Chris Licht, Steinlauf, David Zaslav, John Dailey Organizations: Warner Bros, Insiders, HBO Max, Hulu, Interactive, CNN, Discovery Locations: Discovery

Last week, Netflix (NFLX.O) and Tesla (TSLA.O) posted less-than-stellar quarterly reports. The electric-vehicle maker eased 1.3% in premarket trading after UBS downgraded its rating on the stock, while other megacap growth and technology shares edged higher. ET, Dow e-minis were up 44 points, or 0.12%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 8.75 points, or 0.19%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 35.25 points, or 0.23%. AMC Entertainment (AMC.N) jumped 47.5% after a judge blocked the theater chain's stock conversion plan that risked diluting investors' holdings in the company. Reporting by Bansari Mayur Kamdar and Johann M Cherian in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty and Shounak DasguptaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Barbie, Sophie Lund, Yates, Hargreaves Lansdown, Mattel, AMC's, Bansari Mayur Kamdar, Johann M, Saumyadeb Chakrabarty, Shounak Organizations: UBS, Dow, Nasdaq, Federal Reserve, Microsoft, Netflix, Reuters, Fed, Dow e, Warner Bros, AMC Entertainment, Global, PMI, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ AMC can build Dreamhouse on Barbenheimer buzz
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Anita Ramaswamy | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

AMC Entertainment (AMC.N), the struggling movie theater chain wrestling with a meme-stock hangover, saw its busiest day since 2019 this past Saturday. The company needs cash to survive, and this weekend might add enough fantasy to help it. AMC has refiled to try again, and in some ways, Barbenheimer helps. The biggest risk to the movie theater business was that it would never return to pre-pandemic levels. AMC Entertainment, one of the U.S.’s largest theater chains, recorded over 7 million moviegoers in attendance over that weekend.

Persons: Barbie, “ Oppenheimer ”, Adam Aron, Aron, –, “ Barbie ”, “ Oppenheimer, ”, Lauren Silva Laughlin, Sharon Lam Organizations: YORK, Reuters, Warner Bros, Comcast, Universal Pictures, AMC Entertainment, Monday, AMC, Malibu, Thomson Locations: Barbenheimer, Delaware

☆ 'Barbie' movie debut shines even brighter as final tally rises
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Lisa Richwine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The final Friday to Sunday tally for the "Barbie" movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling was slightly higher than the $155 million the studio estimated on Sunday. "Barbie" is the No.1 movie of the year based on domestic opening weekend sales, beating the $146.4 million haul for April release "The Super Mario Bros. The story of the making of the atomic bomb brought in $82.4 million in the United States and Canada from Friday through Sunday, up from the earlier estimate of $80.5 million. In 78 international markets, "Oppenheimer" collected nearly $98.0 million for a global total of $180.4 million. Both movies beat expectations and helped the U.S. and Canadian box office surpass $300 million for just the fourth time in history.

Persons: Margot Robbie, Maja Smiejkowska, Warner Bros, Ryan Gosling, Mario, Greta Gerwig's, Barbie, Christopher Nolan's, Oppenheimer, Lisa Richwine, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Warner, Mario Bros, Mattel Inc, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, United States, Canada, U.S

☆ The 'Barbenheimer' box office success can help a range of stocks, analysts say. Here are some of them
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The opening weekend success of Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Discovery, Comcast and Paramount in 2023 Wolfe Research managing director Peter Supino said Warner Bros. Given the box office numbers, Nispel said the weekend will likely be positive for Warner Bros. B. Riley's Eric Wold noted IMAX screens were able to "completely dominate" this weekend for "Oppenheimer" showings.

Persons: Oppenheimer, Rosenblatt, Steve Frankel, WBD, Peter Supino, Brandon Nispel, Nispel, Barbie, Gordon Haskett, Don Bilson, They're, Roth, David Bellinger, Bellinger, it's, Eric Wold, It's, Wold, Alicia Reese, — CNBC's Michael Bloom, NBCUniversal Organizations: Warner Bros, Discovery, Universal, Comcast, Paramount, Wolfe Research, Mattel, Hollywood, MAT, AMC Entertainment, AMC, CNBC Locations: Delaware, NBCUniversal

☆ These 5 stocks are on Goldman’s ‘conviction buy’ list — and it gives one more than 50% upside
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Weizhen Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The Wall Street bank's Conviction List comprises its top buy-rated stocks that it expects to outperform. Goldman gave Baidu's U.S.-listed shares a 12-month price target of $197, and its Hong Kong-listed shares a price target of 193 Hong Kong dollars. Shift4 Payments American payment processing company Shift4 Payments is also on Goldman's conviction list. "Its refreshed, modern restaurant POS [point of sale] platform and new verticals should drive market share growth," Goldman analysts wrote. Goldman gave Warner Bros Discovery, which is on its conviction list, a price target of $20, or potentially more than 50% upside.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Baidu Goldman, Goldman, Johnson, Warner Bros Discovery Goldman, WBD, Solar Goldman, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Baidu, Baidu's U.S, Hong, Johnson Controls, Warner Bros Discovery Locations: China, Hong Kong

☆ Everything's pink: How Barbiecore fashion has fueled a movie's buzz
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Lisa Richwine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

There are Barbie sneakers, Barbie backpacks, Barbie swimsuits, and Barbie hoodies for your dog. A few months later, photos showed Barbie movie star Margot Robbie on set in a hot pink Western jumpsuit. As the style took off, fashion magazines chronicled celebrities from Kim Kardashian to Harry Styles in bright Barbiecore outfits. Barbie-inspired foods include an ice cream flavor and a Barbie burger with pink sauce sold at Burger King in Brazil. Robbie, who rotated through Barbie-inspired looks during the movie's publicity tour, even rolled pink suitcases through the airport in Sydney.

Persons: Mattel Inc's, Barbie, Barbie swimsuits, Barbie hoodies, Richard Dickson, Couture, Valentino, Margot Robbie, Madeline Hirsch, Hirsch, Kim Kardashian, Harry Styles, Kendra Scott, Dreamhouse, Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Ken, Rich Daughtridge, Christopher Nolan's, Oppenheimer, Tom Cruise's, Filmgoers, Jeff Bock, Bock, Lisa Richwine, Rollo Ross, Sarah Mills, Mary Milliken, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Mattel, InStyle, Balmain, Old Navy, Microsoft, Burger King, Warner Bros, Malibu, Party, Relations, Thomson Locations: ANGELES, French, Burger, Brazil, Sydney, Barbiecore, Maryland, flamingo, Los Angeles, London

☆ Hollywood strike may soon turn destructive for media stock investors, analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

"We're getting to a point of being very destructive to the entertainment ecosystem," said Rosenblatt Securities analyst Barton Crockett. Bazinet said to expect the walkout to last into the fourth quarter, which would mean a writers' strike lasting between around 150 and 240 days and an actors' strike in a range of 70 and 160 days. The strikes could cost the film and TV industry about $150 million per week, Citigroup's Bazinet wrote, using inflation-adjusted data from the 1980 actors' strike. "The lasting impacts are: [it] makes the streamers stronger and the traditional media companies weaker," Crockett said. JPMorgan analyst David Karnovsky downgraded movie theatre chain Cinemark shares to neutral from overweight earlier this week, citing the strike.

Persons: We're, Barton Crockett, Jason Bazinet, Bazinet, Douglas Mitchelson, Mitchelson, Goldman Sachs, Brett Feldman, Philip Cusick, Cusick, Goldman's Feldman, Citigroup's Bazinet, Rosenblatt's Crockett, Crockett, Feldman, Barbie, Oppenheimer, Stephen Laszczyk, David Karnovsky, Karnovsky, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Screen, – American Federation of Television, Radio Artists, Alliance, Television Producers, Writers Guild of America, Rosenblatt Securities, Media, AMC, Disney, Warner Bros, Discovery, Paramount, Netflix, UFC, Endeavor, WWE, SAG, Credit Suisse, JPMorgan, AMC Networks, WBD, Covid, Comcast, CNBC

☆ Analysts say Netflix investors should 'buy the pullback,' as password sharing 'supercharges' subscriber growth
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Wall Street analysts were positive on Netflix after its latest subscriber additions and largely dismissed concerns of that the monetization of paid sharing is too slow. The company added 5.9 million subscribers in the quarter in a sign that its password sharing crackdown and advertising tier is generating new subscribers. "2Q review: Password sharing supercharges subs Netflix (NFLX) reported healthy 2Q results, which reflected strong net adds of 5.9mn (vs. guidance of ~1.75mn and our 2.95mn est. ), indicating the initial rollout of password sharing has been very positive," the analyst wrote on Thursday. Wells Fargo's Steven Cahall said investors are "over-exuberant on paid sharing," though he reiterated an overweight rating on the stock.

Persons: Doug Anmuth, Anmuth, America's Jessica Reif Ehrlich, Wells Fargo's Steven Cahall, Needham's Laura Martin, NFLX, OTT, — CNBC's Michael Bloom, Alex Sherman Organizations: Netflix, " Bank, America's, DIS Locations: Wednesday's

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