JFK’s Sports Law Faces Scrutiny in Streaming Era
Will anyone dare call it Bay of Pigskin? JFK’s endorsement of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, an @NFL-friendly antitrust law, is coming back to haunt the New Frontier in the age of @Netflix, @Peacock, @YouTubeTV, and @Amazon @PrimeVideo. @BasedMikeLee, following up on @BrendanCarrFCC's announcement last week, now wants @JusticeATR and @AFergusonFTC to examine the SBA within the context of today's fragmented and hyper-expensive sports rights market.
Banijay and All3Media Merge Into Multi‑billion‑dollar Powerhouse
Banijay and All3Media Strike Merger Deal to Form Multi-Billion Dollar Production Group https://t.co/S2DGE01t3X via @variety
Skeptical of GOT Movie Rumors; Owners May Greenlight It
On the #GameOfThrones movie news: be wary of any development reports not accompanied by a studio quote. That said, given the incoming ownership's hunger for franchise IP, I wouldn't be surprised if it eventually happens.
New Naruto Merch Collaboration Launches Today
We did a merch collab with the greatest anime ever made in the history of the universe, Naruto :D https://t.co/vMBSTlcdKJ
Fitch Downgrades Paramount‑Skydance Debt to Junk After WBD Deal
Paramount Skydance Debt Downgraded to Junk Status by Fitch Ratings Following Warner Bros. Discovery Deal https://t.co/bBiUN3grT5 via @variety
Versant Aims to Acquire Top‑earning Media Properties
Versant, the newest company in the media sector, is getting ready to tackle some of the most lucrative properties in the business..... https://t.co/Hf3JAskeC5 via @variety
Versant Eyes Major Sports Rights Amid NFL Opt-Out
Versant Sees Chance to Snatch Big Sports Rights as NFL Opt-Out Looms https://t.co/Hf3JAskeC5 via @variety
Arab Sovereign Funding Spurs Soft Power Concerns in $110B Deal
Paramount’s $110 Billion Warner Bros. Deal Backed by Arab Sovereign Funds Raises Soft Power Concerns https://t.co/YAzJc52Fgq
All-Stars Debate Paramount-WBD Future, Sarandos, Zaslav Legacy
🎙️ 🎙️ NEW POD: Puck all-stars @MattBelloni & @WilliamCohan debate David Ellison’s existential Paramount-WBD challenge, Ted Sarandos’ next play, and the legacy of David Zaslav… this is a fun one… Apple: https://t.co/FhmAiCfP7H Spotify: https://t.co/skJZmlCppk @PuckNews
S&P Puts PSKY Ratings on CreditWatch, Negative Outlook
Just in: S&P Global Ratings placed all its ratings on global diversified media company PSKY, including the 'BB+' issuer credit rating and our issue-level ratings on its debt, on CreditWatch with negative implications
Legacy Media Mindset Doomed; Ellisons Get Digital Right
Consistently and without fail, the biggest mistake former TV and studio executives make is retrofitting legacy media economics into digital media models. The Ellisons aren’t building a legacy media conglomerate. They understand the tech and more importantly the new medium...
Versant Investor Call Launches with CEO Lazarus, CFO Kini
Versant investor call is about to begin CEO Mark Lazarus and CFO/COO Anand Kini are on the call.... $VSNT
Policy Roundup: Media Deals, Cyber Nominee, Starlink Wi‑Fi
Policyband Headlines ■ Are Nexstar and @TEGNA on the Same Page on When Deal Might Close? ■ Analyst Supino: PSky Might Need to Pay $7 Billion Breakup Fee ■ Swarztrauber: @NTIAgov Needs BEAD Rainy Day Fund ■ Former @FTC Democrat Slaughter Fears...
Optimum CEO Urges FCC to Break up Local Media Triopolies
D.C. Memo: @Optimum CEO Pitches @FCC Chairman @BrendanCarrFCC on @NXSTMediaGroup/@TEGNA Merger Conditions. Dennis Mathew urges FCC leader to require 'divestiture of Big-4 triopolies in a local market' $NXST $TGNA | https://t.co/aAaKQ9Pivw
WBD Falls Far Short of FY25 Revenue Targets
FY23 financial projections from the Warner Media / DISCA deal. Fast forward to FY25: WBD generated total revenues of $37.3 billion, with $10.9 billion from DTC, EBITDA of $8.7 billion, and FCF of $3.1 billion. Missed every one of their financial projections...
Paramount's 25% CW Stake Equals CBS and Warner Combined
Fun fact: Paramount will now own 25% of the CW Network. CBS and Warner each held 12.5% stakes so...25%.
Legacy Streamers Stuck on Repackaged Old Content
This is the problem with all legacy media streaming services - will be fascinating to see if David Ellison & team can change this narrative at $PSKY
Mass Media and Tech Layoffs Threaten Economic Stability
Genuine q as I’m no economist: seems like plenty more media/tech layoffs incoming — Paramount/WBD, big tech w/AI, decline of trad media, etc — so an abundance of well paid people fighting for no jobs in markets that don’t want...
RedBird Reshapes Streaming Landscape with Major Studio Deals
Friday: RedBird helps Paramount pry Warner Bros. away from Netflix. Monday: RedBird helps Artists Equity ink major streaming deal with Netflix.
Land Your Music on TV Shows Like Selling Sunset
Getting Your Music Placed in TV Shows Like; Selling Sunset, Holiday Wars 📺 This is what you do ↴
Netflix's First Big Theatrical Release Tests Fantasy Revival
I'm excited for @netflix's #Narnia movie for three reasons. 1. It's the streamer's biggest theatrical step 2. It will test franchise IP reactivation/fantasy hunger 3. I love Greta Gerwig See how the film is tracking and what it means for the industry. https://t.co/xij6SmW3BX
Paramount Poised to Outshine Warner Bros Discovery
Tale of Two Slide: Can Paramount Suceeed where Warner Bros Discovery Failed? Today: (Top) — $PSKY + $WBD 2021: (Bottom) — WarnerMedia+Discovery https://t.co/qQblRU5byq https://t.co/nR1QFgHVJU
Jeff Shell Skips Paramount Brief on WBD Merger
Jeff Shell a No-Show as Paramount Brass Brief Wall St. on WBD Merger https://t.co/HsMvPz26yJ via @sportico @crupicrupicrupi
Murdoch Predicts Paramount-Warner Will Keep Third‑party Sales
Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch says he expects Paramount-Warner to continue to sell content to third parties and anticipates that will be a condition of the deal.
Fox CEO: Bigger Isn't Better, Quality Trumps Scale
Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch says at Morgan Stanley conference, "We don’t believe in scale for scales sake, we don’t believe you need to get bigger to get better."
Paramount's Secret Weapon to Overcome Warner Deal Hurdles
Out @Lmanfredi7 lays out the path for Paramount to clear the Warner deal- the hurdles and the company’s secret weapon.
Paramount Keeps HBO Intact After $110B Warner Merger
That’s a relief: Ellison said, “Our viewpoint is HBO should stay HBO. They built a phenomenal brand. They’re a leader in the space, and we just want them to continue doing more of it.“
Paramount Merges HBO Max with Paramount+, Retains Cable Assets
New: Paramount Will Combine HBO Max and Paramount+, Won’t Sell or Spin Off Cable Assets https://t.co/o9Loe8qBMA
Rare Asset May Not Return Soon, Says Sarandos
💯 Priceless quote from Ted Sarandos ending his post-mortem interview with @Lucas_Shaw Lucas: "If you feel like this is a rare asset, that also means that an asset like this may not come up again anytime soon, right?" Ted: "Possibly. Or...
Paramount's UFC Deal Returns Fights to HBO
Paramount boss David Ellison confirms their @ufc agreement enables them to put fights on @HBO, sorta brings HBO back to its fighting roots @BrandoLightShed $PSKY $WBD https://t.co/Dph8xQXjcP
Disney/Hulu/ESPN Integration Will Appear Easier than Expected
Prediction: this will make the Disney / Hulu / ESPN DTC integration, which has taken 5+ years and with a lot of tough decisions to make along the way, look like a walk in the park. And that's before considering...
Focus on Churn Retention, Not Just Cost Cuts
the only analysis on this, imo, outside of "efficiency savings" through mass layoffs (🤮🤮🤮🤮) and tech stack consolidation is what percentage of "churn and return" customers from these two cohorts would extend their subscription lifetime with very little CAC increases.
Paramount CEO: No Production Cuts, Streaming Demands Investment
"We have no intention to pull back on production," says Paramount CEO David Ellison, who adds combining streaming requires investing in content to achieve growth goals.
CNN's Streaming App Fails; Merge Back to HBO Max
If CNN can't get a decent sub growth push with the recent strikes in Iran, it should be a sign that a standalone CNN streaming app is a Bad Idea, and should be brought back into HBO Max. Then again,...
Bruce Honors Mascots While Chasing P&G Sale
Meet Bruce. He’s Got a Long Line of Advertising Mascots to Honor in Quest to Sell for Procter & Gamble https://t.co/CEGcvtR0UM via @variety
P&G Eyes Mascot for New Weed‑killer Brand
Procter & Gamble has backed ad mascots ranging from Mr. Clean to the Charmin bears. Now it's hoping to add another one to its roster --- for weed-killer? https://t.co/CEGcvtR0UM via @variety
Paramount CEO Urges HBO to Remain Independent, Seeks Bloys Deal
"HBO should stay HBO," promises Paramount CEO David Ellison. Praises Casey Bloys and says "Game of Thrones" is his favorite HBO show." I'd get to negotiating a new deal for Bloys then ASAP.
Paramount CEO: No Asset Sales if WBD Merger Proceeds
Paramount CEO David Ellison says no asset sales planned at this time if WBD deal goes through.
Paramount CEO's Forced Excitement Masks Warner Deal Hype
Paramount CEO David Ellison calls deal to acquire Warner, "a unique and thrilling moment." Alas he said it with the enthusiasm of a parking attendant telling you to head to the roof for a space. Pre-recordings never sound exciting.
Paramount to Merge Paramount+ with HBO Max
On investor call, Paramount confirms it plans to put P+ and HBO Max together, making one service from the two.
Par‑WBD Forecasts $69B Revenue, $18B EBITDA
Combined Par-WBD estimated to have $69 billion in proforma revenue and $18 billion in EBITDA.
Paramount Targets $6
Paramount COO Andy Gordon says $6 billion in synergies can be realized in three years from consolidating streaming structures, optimizing real estate holdings, combining various units, etc.
Paramount Pledges 30 Films, 45‑day Window; HBO Stays Independent
Paramount CEO David Ellison commits to 30 theatrical movies and a 45-day window and says HBO will continue to have the resources and independence to "do what it does best."
Ellison Sees Warner Deal as Next‑gen Media Catalyst
Paramount CEO David Ellison says deal with Warner is opportunity to help shape the future and build the next generation media and entertainment company.
Paramount Investor Call Initiates Warner Merger Discussions
Paramount investor call to discuss merger w Warner is about to begin.... $PARA $WBD https://t.co/fMPs2jSr2O
Key FCC and Broadband Policy Moves Unveiled
Policyband Headlines ■ @FCC Merger Approval a Breeze for Charter-Cox ■ How Far Can @BrendanCarrFCC Go to Keep @NFL on Free TV? ■ @FSFthinktank's Long Calls for New Cable Rules if 39% Cap Goes ■ Malone Seeks @FCC Approval to Take Control of...
Sarandos Calls Paramount’s Offer Irrational, Fueled
Netflix Boss Ted Sarandos Speaks Out After Losing Warner Bros. Bid: Paramount Offers Were ‘Irrational,’ Relied on Political Pressure Because it’s ‘Cheaper to Make Noise’ https://t.co/lSMiTSgKnA
Sar
Ted Sarandos to @Lucas_Shaw: "Once it was clear that we weren’t in the CNN business, it was a lot less interesting. He didn’t care that much more about our deal." https://t.co/0CAfEi37Ws
Netflix Quit Warner Bid After Paramount's Final Offer
Ted Sarandos says Netflix knew it would pull out of the Warner Bros bidding as soon as it saw the final Paramount offer. We spent 40 minutes on Saturday discussing why Netflix didn’t match and what the Paramount deal means...
Zootopia2 Tops China's Biggest Hollywood Box Office Hits
Top10 Highest Grossing Hollywood Films OF ALL TIME in #China’s #BoxOffice: #Zootopia2 657.8M #Endgame 632.1M #TheFateOfTheFurious 392.8M #Furious7 390.9M #InfinityWar 359.5M #TransformersAgeOfExtinction 301M #Aquaman 298M #Venom 269.2M #Avatar 262.1M #JurassicWorldFallenKingdom 261.2M