Think Broadband: BT wants to evolve customers to be EE customers

Story from Think Broadband:

News of changes for BT consumer customers is a bit confusing as even though the news emerged a couple of days ago there is little concrete detail. It seems that the reality is that the news item published on bt.com is setting a direction that is going to play out over a number of years, rather than happening immediately.

Channel 4 Takeover - BBC News: Netflix and Disney+ among streamers facing tighter regulation in UK

Story from BBC News:

Streaming services are set to be regulated by Ofcom for the first time, under government proposals that also reiterate plans to privatise Channel 4.

Channel 4 Takeover - Advanced Television: Broadcasting white paper: Industry reaction

Story from Advanced Television: 

In addition to early comment on the publication of the government’s proposals from ITV and the chair of the DCMS committee, a range of broadcasters and bodies have issued their initial reactions.

TVB Europe: BBC iPlayer reports best-ever quarter

Story from TVB Europe: 

Dramas including The Responder, Peaky Blinders, David Attenborough’s The Green Planet and the return of The Apprentice helped drive BBC iPlayer to its best-ever quarter, with programmes streamed 1.83 billion times between January and March.

Channel 4 Takeover - TVB Europe: Channel 4 scores England’s men’s football games

Story from TVB Europe:

In another major shake-up for the UK's football right market, Channel 4 has won the broadcast rights to a number of the England men’s team’s forthcoming matches.

Channel 4 Takeover - TVB Europe: New figures reveal viewers don’t want a privatised Channel 4

Story from TVB Europe: 

Over 96 per cent of the 55,737 organisations and individuals who responded to the UK government’s consultation on the future of Channel 4 said they did not support the privatisation of the broadcaster.

Channel 4 Takeover - TVB Europe: UK government sets out plans for TV industry’s future

Story from TVB Europe:

The UK government has published a white paper detailing its plans for the future of the TV industry, including the privatisation of Channel 4 and regulation for the global streaming services.

Channel 4 Takeover - BBC News: S4C praises plans for new rules for streaming services

Story from BBC News:

Viewers will be able to find Welsh programmes on-demand more easily under plans for a shake-up of broadcasting rules, S4C has said.

Hollywood Reporter; Hollywood CEO Pay: The Year of the Nine-Figure Club

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Many Hollywood CEOs saw their paydays increase in 2021, but a few — Endeavor mogul Ari Emanuel, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav and Amazon chief Andy Jassy — ended up in rarefied air by joining the nine-figure club.

TVB Europe: Viaplay wins UK rights to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland men’s football matches

Story from TVB Europe:

Viaplay’s new UK streaming service has snatched up the rights to at least 40 matches featuring the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish men’s national football teams.

Hollywood Reporter: David Zaslav Buys $1M in Warner Bros. Discovery Shares

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav is doubling down on his faith in the newly merged media conglomerate.

Deadline: WarnerMedia Employees Asked To Return To Office On Short Notice By Warner Bros. Discovery

Story from Deadline:

The new Warner Bros. Discovery leadership is starting to unify its policies across the two parts of the company. I hear that Adria Alpert Romm, chief people and culture officer, sent an email Tuesday morning to WarnerMedia employees about the implementation of a new hybrid work schedule.

TVB Europe: Virgin Media gets into streaming

Story from TVB Europe: 

Virgin Media is getting into streaming with the launch of Stream, a new service which combines TV channels with on-demand apps, streaming subscriptions and must watch films.

Channel 4 Takeover - TVB Europe: Snap chairman joins Channel 4’s board

Story from TVB Europe: 

Michael Lynton, chairman of Snap Inc, is joining Channel 4’s board as a non-executive director, Ofcom has announced.

Channel 4 Takeover - Media Guardian: Tory MPs attack plans to privatise Channel 4

Story from Media Guardian: 

Conservative MPs have queued up to criticise plans to privatise Channel 4, raising doubts over whether the government has the parliamentary support required to sell the channel.

Digital TV Europe: Churn high at HBO, but Warner Bros. Discovery bullish on streaming prospects

Story from Digital TV Europe:

Warner Bros. Discovery has shed some light on the newly-merged company’s imminent plans for its streaming business.

Hollywood Reporter: Discovery Hit 24M Streaming Subscribers at End of March Before WarnerMedia Merger

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Before its merger with WarnerMedia that created new entertainment powerhouse Warner Bros. Discovery earlier in April, Discovery, led by CEO David Zaslav, reached 24 million streaming subscribers worldwide to its direct-to-consumer services, including Discovery+, as of the end March.

Variety: David Zaslav Says ‘No Way’ to Radical Changes to Theatrical Exhibition Window

Story from Variety:

David Zaslav has spent a lot time in the past year studying the movie business. Now that he’s taken the reins of Warner Bros. Discovery, he’s less and less inclined “to really collapse the entire motion picture business on streaming.”

Variety: David Zaslav Vows Warner Bros. Discovery ‘Will Not Overspend to Drive Subscriber Growth’

Story from Variety: 

In the wake of big content spender Netflix’s shocking Q1 subscriber loss, David Zaslav made a point to say Warner Bros. Discovery “will not overspend to drive subscriber growth” during Discovery’s first-quarter earnings call Tuesday.

Variety: Streaming Buoys Q1 Profit for Warner Bros Discovery, Despite Cable Declines

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery said profit rose in the first quarter despite declines in traditional TV audiences, as revenue from advertising and distribution increased thanks in part to the company’s streaming initiatives.

New York Post: Warner Bros. Discovery CEO vows to not ‘overspend’ after CNN+ shutdown

Story from New York Post:

Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav vowed to not “overspend” to grow its streaming footprint, days after it shuttered CNN’s nascent streaming service, CNN+.

BBC goes HD only on Virgin Media UK

The following channels has been axe by broadcaster:

851. BBC One AD
852. BBC Two AD

Warner Bros. Discovery reveal new President and Managing Director of it UK business

Priya Dogra has been promoted to President and Managing Director of Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA (excluding Poland) and responsible for “integrating and operating the Discovery and WM International orgs across the region.”

©copyright 2022 Media Boy 2006 - 2022. A ''Keep it real and free'' Production.

New York Post: Inside the collapse of CNN+; ‘A uniquely sh-tty situation’

Story from New York Post:

CNN+ was doomed before it had a chance thanks to bad timing and a fundamental disagreement over strategy between previous management and the new corporate parent that was formed after a recent multi-billion dollar merger, according to a report.

New York Post: Chris Wallace breaks silence on CNN+ collapse, unsure of what’s next

Story from New York Post:

Veteran news anchor Chris Wallace broke his silence about the abrupt collapse of the CNN+ streaming service – revealing his future role at the left-leaning network is unclear once the platform is shuttered.

New York Post: Joe Rogan rips failed CNN+ launch, mocks ‘strange’ Brian Stelter

Story New York Post:

Joe Rogan mocked CNN for its failed launch of streaming service CNN+, even as he blasted network anchor Brian Stelter on his Friday episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience.”

New York Post: CNN+ collapse: Insiders, critics doubted service all along as Brian Stelter ponders if it was ‘success’

Story from New York Post and Fox News:

Warner Bros. Discovery decided to pull the plug on CNN+ less than a month after the costly streaming service was launched, sparking widespread ridicule and confusion among critics and insiders, but one CNN+ host insisted it may have been a success.

Media Guardian: Less advocacy, more journalism. Changes at CNN may signal push to the centre

Story from Media Guardian:

The highest echelons of the US media were once again in the spotlight this week, after CNN this week abandoned a newly launched streaming service.

Variety: How AT&T Could Find Itself a Winner in the Streaming Wars

Story from Variety:

After a topsy-turvy week, the thought occurred to me during AT&T’s investor call on Thursday: What if John Stankey wound up on the winning side of the streaming wars?

Deadline: BBC Faces Fresh Gender Pay Row: Union And BBC Women Network Challenging “Managerial Discretion Over Salaries”

Story from Deadline:

The BBC is facing a fresh gender pay row, with its plans to allow managers to sign off discretionary salary increases for staff.

New York Post: Trump mocks ‘desert’ at CNN after streaming service is shuttered

Story from New York Post:

Former President Donald Trump wasted no time in mocking CNN after the network shut down its ill-fated and short-lived streaming service, which drew only about 150,000 subscribers — comparing it to an “empty desert.”

Deadline: After CNN+’s Abrupt Demise, Attention Turns To The Future Of Its Shows & Personalities

Story from Deadline:

CNN+ is on its way out, but the new leadership at Warner Bros Discovery has given every indication that there could still be a future for some of its programming.

TBI Vision: What’s next for Warner Bros. Discovery?

Story from TBI Vision:

Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav has wasted little time in implementing his new-look international executive team and shuttering CNN+, but with $3bn in savings to find, there are numerous moves left to make.

BT Sport Takeover - Broadcast: BT Sport close to UFC extension

Story from Broadcast:

BT Sport is reportedly close to extending its rights deal for UFC in the UK and Ireland.

TVB Europe: Channel 4 automates content supply chain with Prime Focus Technologies

Story from TVB Europe:

UK broadcaster Channel 4 has selected Prime Focus Technologies’ CLEAR Media ERP to automate its content supply chain.

Hollywood Reporter: CNN+ Is Dead, But Its Owner Isn’t Giving Up Global News Ambitions

Story from Hollywood Reporter: 

It seems that CNN+ was doomed before it even launched.

Media Guardian: Streaming service CNN+ to be shut down only a month after launch

Story from Media Guardian:

CNN’s brand-new streaming service, CNN+, is shutting down only a month after launch.

New York Post: CNN+ shutdown leaves axed staffers ‘aghast and furious’

Story from New York Post:

The shocking announcement that CNN+ would be shutting down operations less than a month after it launched has left out-of-work staffers “aghast and furious” over the company’s handling of what sources inside the network call “an absolute debacle.”

Variety: CNN+ Is Shutting Down One Month After Launch

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery is shutting down CNN+ as of April 30, marking one of the company’s first significant maneuvers since completing the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery less than two weeks ago.

Channel 4 Takeover - Mediatel: Creating a TV market duopoly will weaken advertiser and agencies’ trading stances and therefore the output of our marketing efforts, writes BT's media manager

Story from Mediatel:

It is so important that the privatisation of Channel 4 doesn’t happen.

Deadline: AT&T’s John Stankey Says HBO Max Is Managing Password Sharing “Without Rampant Abuse”

Story from Deadline:

AT&T CEO John Stankey said managing passwords is a key to long-term sustainability in the streaming business and something he and his team had in mind well before HBO Max launched.

Deadline: HBO Max, HBO Hit 76.8M Global Subs In Q1, Up 3M From Year End; WarnerMedia Profit Squeezed By CNN+, Streaming Spend

Story from Deadline:

HBO Max and HBO had 76.8 million global subscribers as of March – up by 3 million from the previous quarter and 12.8 million from the year earlier.

Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery Sets Out International Leadership Team, Puts Focus on Regional Heads

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery has set out its long-awaited international leadership team under Gerhard Zeiler.

Digital TV Europe: Warner Bros. Discovery sets April 26 for Q1 results

Story from Digital TV Europe:

The newly formed Warner Bros. Discovery will announce its first set of financial results next week.

New York Post: CNN+ facing steep cost cuts as new management takes helm

Story from New York Post:

CNN’s new streaming service CNN+ is under review by incoming corporate parent Warner Bros. Discovery as it looks to cut costs and reorganize the company, sources told The Post.

Variety: Days Seem Numbered for CNN+, but Could Its Shows Live On?

Story from Variety:

A recent decision by parent company Warner Bros. Discovery will make it difficult to add viewers to CNN+.

Virgin Media UK launches THREE more HD Channels

Virgin Media UK has today launch a following HD Channels:

Channel 4 Takeover - Media Guardian; ‘It felt like the beginning of rock’n’roll’: how the chaotic early days of Channel 4 transformed British TV

Story from Media Guardian:

As the government presses ahead with the privatisation of Channel 4 , famous faces have come out swinging. Kirstie Allsopp, of Location, Location, Location, tweeted “no true Conservative would sell Channel 4” and the broadcaster “was set up to foster the British film and TV industry and it has done that job admirably”.

BT Sport Takeover - Media Boy UK Views: Will Warner Bros. Discovery give update on BT Sport/Eurosport joint venture on April 26th

Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. has today announced that it will report its first-quarter 2022 results on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at 2pm UK/7am US ET. 

YAHOO: Warner Bros. Discovery’s Reach May Heat Up Sports Rights Bidding

Story from Yahoo:

With its merger complete, expect the newly formed Warner Brothers Discovery to become an even more aggressive bidder for top live-sports rights in the months ahead.

Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery and AT&T Both End Week With Stock Up 3%

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery and AT&T each ended the trading week with their respective shares selling at a 3% increase from where the stocks opened Monday.

New York Post: David Zaslav wants to set CNN apart from ‘advocacy networks’

Story from New York Post:

Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav wants CNN to focus on the facts and set itself apart from a cable-news industry that he says is monopolized by “advocacy networks.”

Media Guardian; BBC Three: relaunched live TV channel struggles to win viewers

Story from Media Guardian: 

When BBC Three relaunched as a live television channel earlier this year, the corporation hoped its counterintuitive punt on a youth-focused broadcast outlet would help it reach new audiences. Instead, the channel’s shows are consistently being beaten in the ratings by repeats of old history programmes featuring the deceased steeplejack Fred Dibnah on BBC Four.

The Hollywood Reporter: David Zaslav Tells Warner Bros. Discovery Staff to “Be Patient With Us” Amid Integration

Story from The Hollywood Reporter:

Days after closing a megadeal that brought together the Warner Bros. entertainment empire with the unscripted powerhouse of Discovery, mogul David Zaslav outlined his vision for the combined Hollywood giant in a Thursday town hall with staff in Burbank.

Digital TV Europe: News UK’s TalkTV to debut on April 25

Story from Digital TV Europe:

News UK’s entry into the news channel business, TalkTV, will launch at 19:00 UK time on Monday April 25.

Deadline: Warner Bros Discovery Town Hall: CEO David Zaslav Tells Oprah Winfrey How Merger Came Together, Addresses CNN’s Future, Looming Staff Cuts

Story from Deadline:

Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav and other top execs met with employees in a town hall this morning on the Warner lot in Burbank.

Variety: Warner Bros Discovery Exploring Overhaul of DC Entertainment

Story from Variety:

The new owners of all things Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman are exploring an overhaul of DC Entertainment, multiple sources close to the situation told Variety.

Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery Town Hall Kicks Off With Oprah Winfrey; David Zaslav Says ‘The World Is Changing’

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav brought out the big guns during his address to the new company at its first global town hall for employees Thursday.

Deadline: Warner Bros Discovery Stock Rises On Day 3 As Veteran Analyst Sees Company “Ready To Hit The Ground Running”

Story from Deadline:

Shares in Warner Bros Discovery gained more than 5% to finish the trading day at $25.97 after earlier rising as much as 11% with a few more bulls piling into the new stock.

Wikipedia: The evolution of Warner Bros. Discovery

Here is a story of the evolution of Warner Bros. Discovery from Wikipedia: 

Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery Aims to Become Aggressive ‘Global Operator’ in Wide World of Sports

Story from Variety:

There’s a new contender in the arena.

The Hollywood Reporter: David Zaslav’s Warner Bros. Discovery Empire Takes Shape: Less Red Tape, More “Accountability”

Story from The Hollywood Reporter:

When Discovery CEO David Zaslav and a handful of colleagues visited AT&T’s Dallas headquarters in May 2021 to finalize the megamerger that would create Warner Bros. Discovery, some in the building noticed the contrasting vibe that Zaslav’s team brought to the table.

New York Post: WarnerMedia staff fear layoffs in Discovery merger: ‘The bloodbath continues’

Story from New York Post:

WarnerMedia staffers are bracing for another bloodbath ahead of the completion of its merger with Discovery.

Deadline: Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav to meet skittish CNN anchors after merger

Story from Deadline: 

Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav is rushing to meet employees across the newly created media giant amid fears of widespread layoffs — and festering anger over ex-CNN boss Jeff Zucker’s ouster.

Channel 4 Takeover - BBC News: Derry Girls star; A private Channel 4 wouldn't make this show

Story from BBC News:

TV programmes like Derry Girls "would never get made" if Channel 4 was to be privatised - according to one of the stars of the show.

EXCLUSIVE: Media Boy Sources say "Lifetime are planning to return to the UK with a subscription channel"

Media Boy UK Sources have just told Media Boy HQ that:

Channel 4 Takeover - Media Guardian: Who gets to decide the future of Channel 4?

Story from Media Guardian: 

Launched in 1982 by Margaret Thatcher’s government as a culturally challenging alternative to the BBC and ITV, Channel 4 has always been commercially funded through advertising despite being publicly owned.

EXCLUSIVE: Two more BBC HD Channels launches on Virgin Media

Virgin Media UK has today launch the following HD Channels: 

• 120. BBC ALBA HD - Scotland only 
• 162. BBC ALBA HD - Outside Scotland 
• 605. BBC Parliament HD

Deadline: Warner Bros. Discovery Stock Ends Higher In Volatile Nasdaq Debut; Wall Street Sees Upside, Weighs In On Streaming, Cable, Debt & Leadership

Story from Deadline:

UPDATED with closing price: Warner Bros. Discovery shares had a volatile debut, rising early in the session, heading lower then ending the session higher as financial analysts dissected the newly combined entity following the deal’s close on Friday. Reports out today – and more will follow – range from a thumbs-up on Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming, content and planned cost savings, to caution on its debt and its big portfolio of linear cable networks.

Broadcast: Warner Bros. Discovery takes shape as new era begins

Story from Broadcast:

Warner Bros. Discovery officially began trading today, with UK operations signalling 'business as usual' although key leadership positions are under the spotlight.

Deadline: What Lies In Wait For WarnerMedia & Discovery’s International Operations Following $43B Merger?

Story from Deadline:

David Zaslav hasn’t wasted time in making significant changes at Warner Bros Discovery, and many on this side of the Atlantic are now wondering what happens in the international ranks, where the combined studios have thousands of staff.

Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery Shares Gain as Media Giant Starts Trading

Story from Variety:

Wall Street appears to like what Warner Bros. Discovery is selling.

The Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros. Discovery Gets Wall Street Upgrades as Stock Makes Post-Merger Debut

Story from The Hollywood Reporter:

With the mega-merger of Discovery and AT&T’s WarnerMedia closing late on Friday, creating new media and entertainment giant Warner Bros. Discovery, Wall Street is turning its attention to the outlook for the new conglomerate’s stock that began trading on Monday under the ticker symbol “WBD.”

Variety: What David Zaslav Has Planned for First Week Leading Warner Bros. Discovery

Story from Variety:

David Zaslav will be pounding the Diet Cokes, his soft drink of choice, this week as he sprints across the country to Warner Bros. Discovery’s various outposts.

Wikipedia: Warner Bros. Discovery put their channels into groups

The following information is thanks to Wikipedia:

Warner Bros. Discovery has today put their channels into groups:

Channel 4 Takeover - Advanced Television: C4’s Mahon attacks sell-off plans

Story from Advanced Television: 

Alex Mahon, chief executive of Channel 4, has mounted a strong defence of the broadcaster following the UK government’s announcement that it plans to privatise the channel, describing it as “a thriving national asset with a business model that has never been in better health”.

Channel 4 Takeover - TVB Europe: UK government could float Channel 4 on stock market if it fails to receive a credible bid

Story from TVB Europe:

According to reports, the UK government could look to list Channel 4 on the London stock market should it fail to receive a credible bid for the broadcaster.

Channel 4 Takeover - Media Guardian: Lord Attenborough’s son says he would be ‘turning in his grave’ at Channel 4 sale

Story from Media Guardian:

Richard Attenborough, the late Oscar-winning director and chair of Channel 4, would be “turning in his grave” to see the broadcaster privatised, his son has claimed.

Channel 4 Takeover - MailOnline; NADINE DORRIES: Predictably, the Leftie lynch mob refuses to accept what is best for British TV

Story from MailOnline: 

Tories are supposed to loathe Channel 4. And it doesn't always help itself with its news anchor shouting 'f*** the Tories', or broadcasting an alternative Queen's speech by Iranian dictator Ahmadinejad or a deep fake of Her Majesty.

What do Warner Bros. Discovery own?

Warner Bros. Discovery now own a following Assets:

• 9Rush (joint venture)

Channel 4 Takeover - Deadline: War Of Words Continues Over Channel 4 Sale Plan: UK Culture Secretary Slams “Ill-Informed Leftie Luvvie Lynch Mob”

Story from Deadline: 

A war of words has broken out in the British media over the forthcoming plan to privatize Channel 4 – with the Secretary of State for Culture Nadine Dorries in one corner, and the broadcaster’s chief executive Alex Mahon in the other.

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Deadline: Warner Bros Discovery Merger: Who’s In, Who’s Out In The Executive Ranks

Story from Deadline: 

The final bow has been placed atop the $40 billion merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, forming one of the largest pure content players in the media business.

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Deadline: Warner Bros Discovery Merger Closes, Altering Media Landscape

Story from Deadline: 

Discovery and WarnerMedia have closed their long-awaited mega-merger, creating a top-scale media player and streaming contender and ending an ill-fated foray into entertainment by AT&T.

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Variety: Discovery Closes Acquisition of AT&T’s WarnerMedia

Story from Variety: 

Discovery completed its acquisition of WarnerMedia from AT&T on Friday. The close of the transaction births new company Warner Bros. Discovery, which will begin trading on the Nasdaq Monday under the new ticker symbol “WBD.”

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - The Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros. Discovery Megadeal Closes, Creating Scripted and Unscripted Content Giant

Story from The Hollywood Reporter:

Discovery and AT&T’s WarnerMedia have officially closed their merger on Friday, creating a new media and entertainment giant titled Warner Bros. Discovery. The completion comes about 11 months after the $43 billion mega-deal was unveiled, faster than most observers had anticipated at the time.

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Reuters; Analysis: Warner Bros Discovery's Zaslav takes over as streaming bubble bursts

Story from Reuters:

As David Zaslav prepares to take over as head of Hollywood's new powerhouse, the soon-to-be formed Warner Bros Discovery, he’ll confront a challenge few anticipated last May, when the $43 billion merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery Inc was announced -- how to make streaming video as profitable as the old TV business it's replacing.

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Variety: New Warner Bros. Discovery Logo Revealed

Story from Variety:

It’s official: Warner Bros. Discovery is not using the “initial wordmark” revealed last June as its logo.

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Variety: Will Warner Bros. Discovery Hike HBO Max Prices?

Story from Variety:

WarnerMedia and Discovery are on the cusp of officially closing their deal. With the change in leadership at the new Warner Bros. Discovery, will there be pricing changes for the new conglomerate’s flagship HBO Max streaming service?

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Variety: Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Network to Move Under HBO at Warner Bros. Discovery

Story from Variety:

Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Network will move under HBO’s purview upon the completion of Discovery’s acquisition of WarnerMedia, which will result in the launch of Warner Bros. Discovery on Monday, Variety has learned exclusively.

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Deadline: AT&T CEO John Stankey Salutes WarnerMedia Staff As Discovery Deal Nears Close: “The Road Wasn’t Easy Or Clear”

Story from Deadline:

AT&T CEO John Stankey, who decided last spring to spin off WarnerMedia into a $43 billion merged entity with Discovery, has sent a bouquet to WarnerMedia staff as the deal gets set to close.

Broadcast: Discovery revs up Speedway coverage

Story from Broadcast: 

Discovery has revealed its plan to air the FIM Speedway Grand Prix in the UK, the first year of its ten-year deal with the sport.

Channel 4 Takeover - Media Guardian; AT&T’s WarnerMedia Era Ends: How Culture Clashes, Massive Debt and Donald Trump Doomed the Merger

Story from Media Guardian:

When Andrew Sheldon first started travelling from Leeds to London to pitch ideas for new television shows, even getting in the door was a challenge for his Leeds-based television production company.

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Deadline: Discovery’s Jon Steinlauf Named Chief U.S. Advertising Sales Officer Of Warner Bros Discovery

Story from Deadline:

Jon Steinlauf, one of a small number of Scripps Networks Interactive execs to rise through the Discovery ranks after the company bought Scripps, is rising again in the new Warner Bros Discovery.

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Deadline: WarnerMedia-Discovery Deal To Forge Deeper Ties Between OWN, Warner Bros. TV & HBO Max

Story from Deadline:

For decades, WarnerMedia and Discovery had largely co-existed independently. They have lived in separate universes with virtually no business interactions, as unscripted television is their main area of overlap. The Discovery networks work primarily with independent producers and not studios like Warner Bros TV, which has only produced a handful of reality shows for Discovery nets via its Shed subsidiary.

Channel 4 Takeover - Deadline; Channel 4 For Sale: ITV, Comcast, Discovery, Paramount & Outside Bet Vivendi All Touted As Sales Process For ‘It’s A Sin’ Broadcaster Gets Underwa

Story from Deadline:

ITV, Comcast, Discovery and Paramount have been tipped as potential Channel 4 buyers, along with outside bets such as European giant Vivendi, as the UK government’s two-year-long process to privatize and sell the broadcaster begins.

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Deadline: Warner Bros. Discovery Town Hall Set Next Week; Multiple Meet & Greets Planned for NY, DC, L.A., Seattle

Story from Deadline: 

The hello tour for the Discovery and WarnerMedia merger is set to begin as early as Monday, Deadline hears, with multiple meet and greets planned across the country that will culminate with a town hall later in the week.

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Deadline: Warner Bros Discovery Leadership Structure Is Set: Bigger Roles For JB Perrette, Kathleen Finch, Bruce Campbell

Story from Deadline: 

Ahead of tomorrow’s expected close of the $43 billion WarnerMedia-Discovery merger, the executive leadership structure of the new company has been set. 

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Deadline: Warner Bros. Discovery; Reality TV Execs Move Front & Center As Post-Merger Leadership Structure Emerges

Story from Deadline:

As Discovery and WarnerMedia are set to close their $43B merger later this week, the attention has been focused mainly on the deal’s ramifications for WarnerMedia’s movie and scripted television businesses. There’s been much industry chatter about the importance of Casey Bloys’ scripted television empire and the role of Toby Emmerich as he continues to oversee The Batman film studio.

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Variety: David Zaslav Takes Reins of Warner Bros. Discovery, Leadership Team Revealed

Story from Variety: 

David Zaslav will have a tight grip on the operations of Warner Bros. Discovery under the management structure unveiled for the new company that is set to emerge on Monday, Variety has learned.

Channel 4 Takeover - TVB Europe: ITV ‘considering bid for Channel 4’

Story from TVB Europe: 

ITV has reportedly taken advice as to whether its bankers Credit Suisse and Robey Warshaw as to whether it should submit a bid for Channel 4.

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - TBI Vision: HBO Max Int’l boss on subs growth, scale & Discovery synergies

Story from TBI Vision:

HBO Max has scaled quickly since launch but its international chief believes the importance placed on subscriber growth is decreasing as investors and operators drill down on longer term profitability.

Channel 4 Takeover - Advanced Television: UK indies at risk from C4 privatisation

Story from Advanced Television:

Critics from within the UK TV industry have described the UK government’s plans to proceed with the privatisation of Channel 4 as ill-informed, ideological rather than logical (fuelled by the current government’s dislike of Channel 4’s robustly independent news coverage), and as “a solution in search of a problem”, But if it does go ahead, what are the implications for the UK’s TV sector, asks Neil Anderson, analyst at Ampere Analysis in an Insight blog post.

Two new HD Channels test starts on Virgin Media UK

epsilon is reporting on both Cable Forum & Digital Spy Forum that TWO new HD Channels are coming soon to Virgin Media UK they are:

• BBC Parliament HD - Launch date TBC but will be on Channel 605. 
• Talk TV - Coming April 25th on Virgin UK Channel 627 (Channel Number still TBC)

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Variety: Discovery Makes Big WarnerMedia Executive Suite Changes Ahead of Merger; Toby Emmerich and Gerhard Zeiler to Remain

Story from Variety: 

Discovery is cleaning house among the top ranks at WarnerMedia ahead of the close of the two companies’ merger, which is expected to occur on Friday, with six more executives exiting on Wednesday, Variety has learned.

CONFIRMED: Virgin Media UK has NOT signed a new deal with Paramount Global

On March 31st Paramount Global UK give a following MTV Channels an rebrand. 

• MTV BASE has been rebranded as MTV 90s. 
• MTV CLASSIC has been rebranded as MTV 80s. 

But Virgin Media UK did put a following channel numbers. 

• 313. MTV 80s
• 316. MTV 90s

But from Today Virgin Media UK has put them on a following channels numbers:

• 313. MTV 90s
• 316. MTV 80s

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Variety: Discovery-WarnerMedia Merger’s Fast-Approaching Close Sparks Questions About Leadership and Integration Plans

Story from Variety:

As Discovery and WarnerMedia leaders go full throttle on final merger preparation for the anticipated April 8 closing date, the industry is eager to learn how Warner Bros., HBO and the former Turner cable networks will exist alongside Discovery’s large portfolio of global channels and content operations.

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Variety: HBO Max Chief Andy Forssell Exits WarnerMedia Ahead of Discovery Merger Close

Story from Variety: 

HBO Max executive vice president and general manager Andy Forssell is leaving WarnerMedia ahead of the close of the company’s merger with Discovery, which is now eyed as early as Friday, Variety has learned.

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Variety: Ann Sarnoff Out at WarnerMedia as Discovery Merger Nears Closing

Story from Variety:

WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group chairman and CEO Ann Sarnoff is leaving her post as the company prepares to complete its $43 billion merger with Discovery by week’s end.

Channel 4 Takeover - The Telegraph; Channel 4 privatisation: Who could buy the broadcaster

Story from The Telegraph: 

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has fired the starting pistol on the Government's sale of Channel 4, marking one of the UK's biggest privatisations since Royal Mail in 2014.

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Variety: Discovery-WarnerMedia Merger Could Close as Early as This Friday

Story from Variety: 

The Discovery-WarnerMedia merger could close as early as Friday, Variety has learned exclusively.

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Variety: WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar to Exit Ahead of Merger With Discovery

Story from Variety: 

WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar announced on Tuesday that he is stepping down ahead of the completion of Discovery’s acquisition of the currently AT&T-owned company, which is expected to occur on April 11.

Channel 4 Takeover - City AM: Many Tories believe Channel 4 sale is ‘revenge for biased coverage’ on Brexit and Boris Johnson, says Julian Knight MP

Story from City AM:

Government plans to forge forward with the privatisation of Channel 4 are “revenge”, adding that many Tories believe the move is “payback time” for “biased coverage”, according to Tory MP Julian Knight.

Channel 4 Takeover - Variety: ‘Cultural Vandalism’: U.K. Media Unions, Filmmakers Weigh in on Channel 4 Privatization

Story from Variety: 

The U.K. government’s decision on Tuesday (Media Boy UK - It was Monday night) to go ahead with the privatization of broadcaster Channel 4 has unleashed a storm of protest from media unions and filmmakers.

Channel 4 Takeover - Media Guardian: Channel 4; the 40-year countdown to privatisation

Story from Media Guardian:

The government is expected to announce that, after months of wrangling, it will privatise Channel 4, four decades after it aired its first programme; a staple for the broadcaster – Countdown.

Channel 4 Takeover - Media Guardian: What you need to know about the privatisation of Channel 4

Story from Media Guardian:

Who would buy a privatised Channel 4?

The industry player most likely to buy Channel 4, with the least regulatory hurdles, is Discovery. The big US pay-TV company, which is merging with WarnerMedia, the parent company of CNN, HBO and the Hollywood studio behind the Batman and Harry Potter franchises, expressed interest the last time the broadcaster faced privatisation in 2016.

Channel 4 Takeover - Media Guardian: Nadine Dorries presses ahead with plan to privatise Channel 4

Story from Media Guardian:

The culture secretary, Nadine Dorries, is pushing ahead with controversial plans to privatise Channel 4, with the government backing proposals to sell off the broadcaster after 40 years in public ownership.

Channel 4 Takeover - City AM: Channel 4 set to be privatised to remove ‘straitjacket’ of public ownership

Story from City AM: 

The government will push ahead with plans to privatise Channel 4 in a move it believes will allow it to compete against the streaming giants, City A.M. understands.

Broadcast Sport: Sky Sports to reclaim US Open

Story from Broadcast Sport:

Sky Sports is set to reclaim the broadcast rights to the US Open, which it last held in 2017, according to reports.

Deadline: BBC Three Struggles To Find Audiences After £80m Relaunch: Critics Slam “Complete Waste Of Money”

Story from Deadline: 

The linear relaunch of BBC Three, the broadcaster’s TV channel dedicated to younger viewers, has been branded a flop and, following its £80million relaunch, a complete waste of money.

Channel 4 Takeover - Deadline: New Chair Appointed Of UK Broadcaster Channel 4, Ahead Of Government Decision Over Privatization

Story from Deadline: 

The new chair of UK broadcaster Channel 4 has been appointed. Media regulator Ofcom has confirmed that businessman Sir Ian Cheshire will be joining the board of the channel on April 11, taking over from interim chair Dawn Airey.

BT Sport Takeover - TelcoTitans: BT Sport boss exits ahead of Discovery merger

Story from TelcoTitans: 

Simon Green, Head of BT Sport for the past decade, is set to leave the business this week.

Advanced Television: MPs approve Grade Ofcom appointment

Story from Advanced Television: 

Lord Grade would bring considerable experience and knowledge of the media sector to the role of Ofcom Chair but may need to be supported with advice on social media and online safety to properly carry out the job, MPs have suggested.