Media Leader: BBC4 and CBBC: has Tim Davie axed the wrong channels?

Story from The Media Leader:

We can only hope that BBC2 could now return to its original incarnation as a more challenging channel.

Broadband TV News: ITV and Twitter in new content partnership

Story from Broadband TV News:

ITV and Twitter have announced a new multichannel partnership that will bring real time highlights directly to the social media platform.

Reports: LaLiga TV will be remove from Prime Video from June 30th

Reports say LaLiga TV will be remove from Prime Video from June 30th.

Advanced Television: Lionsgate: “Starz spin-off this summer”

Story from Advanced Television:

Streaming service Starz will definitely be sold this summer, according to a statement from owners Lionsgate – with the financial and other considerations wrapping by the end of the year.

Digital TV Europe: BBC linear shutdown is a symptom of a pubcaster in crisis

Story from Digital TV Europe:

The BBC has announced a number of major cost-cutting measures as it looks to modernise – where have we heard this before?

Media Guardian: Only the BBC would take on teaching our kids in a crisis. That’s its point

Story from Media Guardian:

During the pandemic, when schools were shut and children stuck at home, the BBC was a lifeline. Not only educational – unlike most things they were consuming on YouTube or TikTok – but often entertaining. My own history-loving teenager credits her knowledge of British monarchs to the chorus of a Horrible Histories song: “William, William, Henry, Stephen, Henry, Richard, John, oi!”.

iNews: Ministers alarmed at BBC plan to axe Blue Peter and Newsround from TV screens

Story from iNews:

The BBC faces a fresh licence fee row with ministers alarmed by plans to end television broadcasts of children’s shows including Blue Peter and Newsround.

Hollywood Reporter: Village Roadshow’s Lawsuit Against Warner Bros. Over ‘Matrix Resurrections’ Sent to Arbitration

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

The legal battle waged by Village Roadshow accusing Warner Bros. of tanking the value of The Matrix Resurrections is about to go dark.

New York Post: Warner Bros. owner unhappy over deal with ‘Star Wars’ director J.J. Abrams: report

Story from New York Post:

Warner Bros.’ new corporate parent is reportedly unhappy with the returns from the Hollywood studio’s mega-deal with production company Bad Robot, which is helmed by blockbuster director J.J. Abrams.

Advanced Television: BBC review Terms of Reference published

Story from Advanced Television: 

The UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has produced the Terms of Reference for the BBC Mid-Term Review following consultation with the BBC, Ofcom and each of the Devolved Administrations in accordance with article 57 of the Corporation’s Royal Charter.

TBI Vision: Lionsgate CEO hopes to reveal Starz ‘plan’ by ‘end of the summer’

Story from TBI Vision:

Lionsgate is hoping to have details of its “plan” for Starz by the end of the summer and is looking to have wrapped up a deal by March next year, according to CEO Jon Feltheimer.

Advanced Television: ITV scores World Cup Play-Off Final

Story from Advanced Television:

The FIFA World Cup Play-Off Final will be shown on free to air TV on Sunday 5th June on ITV [and also on STV in Scotland], following a deal with rights holder Sky.

Media Mole: UEFA 'opens bidding for next set of Champions League rights'

Story from Media Mole:

UEFA has reportedly opened bidding for the UK rights to its club competitions for the next three-season period starting in 2024-25.

Broadcast Sport: S4C secures Wales men’s internationals

Story from Broadcast Sport:

S4C has acquired the rights to air Wales men’s football team’s games from 2022 until 2024.

Deadline: UK Government Kicks Off BBC Mid-Term Charter Review With Focus On Working Class Representation

Story from Deadline:

The UK government has officially launched the mid-term Charter Review into the BBC, with a focus on whether the corporation is representing people from working class backgrounds.

Media Guardian: BBC announces raft of closures with CBBC and BBC Four to be online only

Story from Media Guardian:

CBBC, BBC Four and Radio 4 Extra will shut down and become online-only services, the corporation has said, as part of plans to close television and radio channels in order to focus on streaming services.

BBC News: BBC to move CBBC and BBC Four online

Story from BBC News:

The BBC has announced that it plans to stop airing CBBC and BBC Four as traditional broadcast channels.

BBC News: BBC South Today Oxford bulletin to be axed in November

Story from BBC News:

The BBC has announced plans to axe its regional TV news programme in Oxford.

City AM: Nadine Dorries launches impartiality review into the BBC

Story from City AM:

Culture secretary Nadine Dorries has today launched a charter review of the BBC, which will examine if reforms are needed to ensure greater impartiality at the public broadcaster.

TVB Europe: BBC to axe CBBC, BBC Four; wants to reach 75 per cent of audience via iPlayer every week

Story from TVB Europe:

The BBC has announced plans to axe some of its linear channels as it looks to make further savings following the decision to freeze the licence fee.

Media Guardian: BBC to announce further cuts to output with redundancies possible

Story from Media Guardian:

The BBC is preparing to announce further cuts to its output before the end of the month, with the corporation’s staff waiting to see whether their jobs will be on the line.

Deadline: Jay Levine Departs as Chief Strategy Officer and EVP Business Operations, Warner Bros.

Story from Deadline:

Jay Levine is leaving his post as the Chief Strategy Officer and EVP Business Operations of Warner Bros. The well-liked executive worked 13 years for the studio before his position was diminished following the studio’s merger with Discovery.

Deadline: J.J. Abrams’ ‘Demimonde’ In Jeopardy Over Budget Drama As Bad Robot’s Overall Deal Faces Scrutiny By Warner Bros. Discovery

Story from Deadline:

J.J. Abrams’ ambitious HBO sci-fi drama series Demimonde has hit a major roadblock in its long journey to the screen. The issues, related to the show’s price, come amid talk of a potential reevaluation of the massive deal Abrams’ Bad Robot has at Warner Bros for film, TV, gaming and digital content as the new Warner Bros. Discovery is scrutinizing every aspect of the assets they took over.

Daily Mail: BBC bosses are 'open-minded' about ditching licence fee as chairman refuses to 'rule out anything'

Story from Daily Mail:

The BBC top brass admitted today that they are ‘open-minded’ about abandoning the licence fee as the corporation appeared to accept its current funding method is likely to be axed.

Deadline: Warner Bros. Veteran Liz Huszarik Exits Newly Merged Company After 32 Years

Story from Deadline:

Liz Huszarik, EVP and Chief Research Officer for Warner Bros. Discovery, is leaving the company after 32 years.

Deadline: Warner Bros. Discovery Names Nathaniel Brown Chief Corporate Communications Officer

Story from Deadline:

Warner Bros. Discovery has formally named Nathaniel Brown chief corporate communications officer of the newly merged company.

Digital TV Europe: Paramount all in on streaming, says SVP

Story from Digital TV Europe:

Paramount is “leveraging its entire business into streaming”, a senior streaming exec at the company has said.

Time: The 100 Most Influential People of 2022

Story from Time:

David Zaslav. The titan next door. The dealmaker. The CEO’s CEO. His name alone can send chills down one’s spine, but when Fixer Upper (the show that introduced us to the world) ended and we met David for the first time in Waco, Texas, he was warm and kind and quickly became our friend. There’s something about the feeling David imparts when he believes in you, that has the ability to change circumstances. To change the outcome. To change you and the world for the better. And now, as he takes on the role of CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, that opportunity becomes even greater.

Variety: Paramount Global Stock Spikes After News That Warren Buffett Has Been Buying Shares

Story from Variety:

Paramount Global’s stock price shot up 15% in trading Tuesday following the news that Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has scooped up more than $2 billion worth of shares in the company in recent months.

Variety: What does Warren Buffett see in Paramount?

Story from Variety:

Warren Buffett is one of the most, if not the most, legendary names in investing. When he buys, people listen.

Rumour: Sky to rebrand some channels this summer

Cable Forum poster "TimeLord2018" has posted a following: 

(Sky has) applied for a 'Sky Sci-Fi' trademark on 4th of May and it's in the 'pre publication' stage as of 19th of May.

And KriZbii has also posted a following on Digital Spy Forum: 

Channel 4 Takeover - MediaTel: Why privatising Channel 4 could have a positive outcome

Story from MediaTel:

From a buyer’s perspective, Channel 4 is in good financial health, its digital-first strategy is working, and it’s a great brand. Why would a potential buyer want to damage a good model that it has paid such a high price for?

TBI: Paramount ups streaming chiefs to lead Paramount+ & Pluto TV expansion

Story from TBI:

Paramount Global has promoted execs Marco Nobili and Olivier Jollet to help drive the international expansion of Paramount+ and Pluto TV in what it describes as a “crucial year” for its streaming services.

TVB Europe: Is sports broadcasting becoming too commercial?

Story from TVB Europe:

Sport as an entertainment genre like film or TV has been emerging for a couple of decades, especially here in Europe. Once Sky started to pay big money for exclusive TV rights for the Premier League the landscape changed. Sports like rugby turned professional for the first time and tried to compete, initially unsuccessfully, with football for a share of the cash and audience.

Channel 4 Takeover - Media Guardian: Production outfit refutes Nadine Dorries’ claims Channel 4 faked reality show

Story from Media Guardian:

Nadine Dorries’ claim that a Channel 4 reality show she appeared on used paid actors is “unfounded”, according to the production company that made the show.

Variety: CNN Digital Editorial Chief Meredith Artley Is Leaving for ‘My Next Adventure With My Family’

Story from Variety:

CNN Digital editor in chief Meredith Artley is exiting the news organization after more than 12 years, coming a little over a month after the close of the deal creating Warner Bros. Discovery.

Is FreeSports set to become Premier Sports 3?

Cable Forum poster "Ozsat" has said that FreeSports has encrypted their Sky feed today.

Advanced Television: Premier Sports scores UEFA National Team football package

Story from Advanced Television:

Premier Sports has been awarded the rights to broadcast UEFA National Team football in the UK from 2022 to 2024 encompassing the UEFA Nations League and European Qualifiers to UEFA Euro 2024.

Channel 4 Takeover - Media Guardian: Dorries “It’s time to wake up and smell the coffee: Channel 4 is being sold, subject to a vote."

Story from Media Guardian:

Dorries said the broader collapse in Netflix tech stocks made the case for privatising Channel 4 stronger, not weaker.

Media Guardian: Nadine Dorries admits sharing Netflix account with relatives

Story from Media Guardian:

The culture secretary, Nadine Dorries, shares her Netflix account with four other households, including her mother’s, she has told MPs, calling the streaming service an “incredibly generous system”.

New York Post: David Zaslav blasted Warner Bros. execs for greenlighting Clint Eastwood flop: report

Story from New York Post:

David Zaslav, the head of the Warner Bros. Discovery media empire, tore into movie executives at Warner who green-lit a Clint Eastwood film even though they knew the movie would likely fail to turn a profit at the box office, according to a report.

Days after Warner Bros. and Discovery completed a merger in early April, Zaslav met with Warner Bros. Pictures studio heads and quizzed them about a string of flops, according to The Wall Street Journal.

One of the movies that grossed poorly at the box office last year was “Cry Macho,” a neo-Western produced and directed by the iconic “Dirty Harry” star.

“Cry Macho” grossed a little more than $15.5 million worldwide — despite a reported budget of $33 million — according to IMDB,

During the meeting, studio heads acknowledged that they doubted whether “Cry Macho” would be profitable.

Zaslav is then reported to have asked why the film was made if the executives knew it would be a flop.

The studio bosses are said to have replied to Zaslav that they felt indebted to Eastwood because of the string of hits that he had delivered over his 50-year career with the studio.

Eastwood, 91, also had a perfect record in getting films into the can on time and never going over budget, the studio honchos told their new boss.

But Zaslav was unimpressed, according to the Journal. He told his underlings that they didn’t owe favors to anyone.

Zaslav then reportedly quoted a famous line from the 1996 Tom Cruise hit film “Jerry Maguire.

“It’s not show friends, it’s show business,” Zaslav is reported to have told them.

In his first six weeks at the helm of the newly merged entity, Zaslav has not been afraid to make bold moves for the sake of belt-tightening.

He pulled the plug on the fledgling streaming service CNN+ less than a month after its launch, citing low subscriber numbers.

“Zas is not particularly patient,” Margaret Loesch, who ran Discovery Kids under Zaslav but is now retired, told the Journal.

“He is going to want to change things quickly,” she said. 16-Loesch added that making CNN+ go dark so quickly was “pure Zas.”

Under Zaslav, several people who held high-profile positions have departed, including former Warner Bros. General Counsel John Rogovin; Brett Weitz, the general manager of TNT, TBS, and TruTV; and Tom Ascheim, who oversaw children’s programming.

© 2022 NYP Holdings, Inc.

CW Takeover - Hollywood Reporter: How The CW’s Sale Could Affect Its Future Schedule

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

The CW CEO Mark Pedowitz knows fans of his network’s programming are really upset at its atypical round of cancellations this season.

C21 Media: Ofcom agrees to BBC reducing original productions quota for CBBC

Story from C21 Media:

UK regulator Ofcom has granted a request by pubcaster the BBC to reduce the original production quota set out in its operating licence for children’s channel CBBC.

CW Takeover - Variety: CW Chief Mark Pedowitz Hints at Sale to Come and Touts Its ‘Powerful, Upstart Brand’

Story from Variety:

The CW closed out this week’s parade of upfront presentations on Thursday morning with an event that put the emphasis on the strength of the network’s brand as a filter of young adult-focused dramas.

CW Takeover - Variety: CW Boss Mark Pedowitz on Future of DC Shows at Network: ‘We’re Staying in the Superhero Business’

Story from Variety:

The CW chairman and CEO Mark Pedowitz reassured DC fans that the network plans to continue making superhero shows despite recent events.

Channel 4 Takeover - BBC News: Channel 4 News didn't do itself any favours, says Nadine Dorries

Story from BBC News:

Channel 4 News has sometimes not done itself "any favours" in terms of impartiality, Nadine Dorries has said.

Channel 4 Takeover - City AM: Nadine Dorries pushes back against potential subscription model for privatised Channel 4

Story from City AM:

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has said she “can’t see a scenario” in which a privately owned Channel 4 would become partly or wholly subscription based.

Finnoexpert: There’s a New Media Mogul Tearing Up Hollywood: ‘Zas Is Not Particularly Patient’

Story from Finnoexpert:

Days into his role as CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, David Zaslav gathered movie-studio executives and grilled them about a recent string of box-office flops, including “Cry Macho,” a Clint Eastwood neo-Western.

Channel 4 Takeover - Media Guardian: Nadine Dorries’s slip-ups may be funny – but her Channel 4 plans are no joke

Story from Media Guardian:

The slip-ups and car-crash interviews of Nadine Dorries, the secretary of state for culture, such as her reference to “downstreaming” films, provide regular fodder for satirists and social media users alike, but the problem is that these clips are distractions from the real substance of what she is doing – and the privatisation of Channel 4 is no joke.

Deadline: Mindy Kaling Addresses Turning ‘Velma’ Into Story About South Asian Crime Solver: ‘If People Freak Out About That, I Don’t Care’; First-Look Revealed

Story from Deadline:

Mindy Kaling used the Warner Bros Discovery Upfront presentation Wednesday to let everyone know she doesn’t care what you think about her Scooby-Doo animated spinoff Velma on HBO Max. If a dog can solve crimes, she told the crowd, then her Velma “can be brown.”

Deadline: Chris Wallace Talk Show Headed To HBO Max And CNN Sunday Night Slot; New CNN Boss Chris Licht Vows To “Challenge” Cable News Norms, Disrupt Mornings – Upfronts

Story from Deadline:

Speaking at the Warner Bros Discovery upfront, new CNN boss Chris Licht delivered his most expansive public comments since taking over from Jeff Zucker, promising a morning show “disruptor” and a challenge to cable news norms.

Deadline: Jennifer Hudson Kicks Off Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront With Chip & Joanna Gaines, ‘90 Day Fiancé’s Shaun Robinson, Anderson Cooper & Bobby Flay

Story from Deadline:

Jennifer Hudson, host of the forthcoming eponymous Warner Bros. Unscripted TV daytime talk show, kicked things off at Warner Bros. Discovery’s upfront with some help from Discovery and CNN stars.

Deadline: Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav Positions Merged Company As Fifth Broadcast Network, Skips Any Talk Of Streaming – Upfronts

Story from Deadline:

Speaking to advertisers at the first upfronts pitch by WarnerBros Discovery since its merger, CEO David Zaslav proclaimed it as essentially the fifth U.S. broadcast network and vowed that it would overcome any skepticism about its prospects.

Hollywood Reporter; Upfront Dispatches: Zaslav and Oprah Bet on CNN, Lizzo Can’t Be Censored

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Succession and Shark Week are together at last.

Hollywood Reporter: Chris Wallace to Host Sunday Primetime Show for CNN and HBO Max as Chris Licht Previews Rebooted News Network

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Chris Wallace is coming to primetime, as CNN CEO Chris Licht previews his vision for the future of the news channel.

Variety: Chris Wallace Will Lead New Show in CNN Sunday Block

Story from Variety:

Chris Wallace left a Sunday show on Fox News Channel to jump into the world of streaming at CNN. But now he’s going back to a weekend format for which he is best known.

Variety: David Zaslav Raises Curtain on Warner Bros. Discovery: ‘This Really Is a Moment for Us as an Industry’

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav raised the curtain on the combined Warner Bros. Discovery, kicking off the newly merged media giant’s upfront presentation Wednesday morning by declaring the company to be “the largest maker of motion picture and television content in the world.”

S4C AD closes on Virgin Media

 S4C AD has close on Virgin UK Channel 856.

Broadband TV News: Netflix lays off employees

Story from Broadband TV News:

Netflix has shed around 150 staff, most of whom were based in the US. The figure represents around 2% of its total North American workforce.

TVB Europe: Analysts lower Netflix growth forecast following tumultuous start to the year

Story from TVB Europe:

Analysts at Digital TV Research have lowered their growth forecast for Netflix following the streamer’s difficult start to 2022.

Hollywood Reporter: Robert Downey Jr. to Restore Classic Cars in Climate-Focused Discovery+ Series

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Calling gearheads! Robert Downey Jr. is set to restore classic cars in his second Discovery+ series.

Variety: David Zaslav Outlines Warner Bros. Discovery’s ‘Focus on Financial Opportunities’ in Memo to Staff

Story from Variety:

Months before the Warner Bros. Discovery deal was completed, execs at the now-merged company promised to find $3 billion in synergy savings over the next three years. In a new memo sent out to Warner Bros. Discovery staff and obtained by Variety, Zaslav began to elaborate on those plans.

Hollywood Reporter: American Cinematheque Adds Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav as New Board Member

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

The American Cinematheque has tapped Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav as its newest board member.

EXCLUSIVE: BT Sports to rebrand BT Sport ESPN to BT Sport 4 by 2023

Media Boy UK Sources have just confirmed that BT Sport ESPN will change its name to BT Sport 4 sometime by 2023.

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

Deadline: Warner Bros. Discovery: Nancy Daniels To Run T-Nets Programming As Kathleen Finch Lays Out Leadership

Story from Deadline:

Nancy Daniels, who was Chief Brand Officer, Discovery & Factual, will take over content oversight for the Turner networks following the departure of Brett Weitz.

BT Sport to make European finals free-to-air

Information from Broadcast:

BT Sport is to make the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League finals free-to-air.

New York Post: CNN gave staffers CNN+ ‘gift boxes’ after firing them: report

Story from New York Post:

Ex-staffers at CNN+, who were fired last month after the month-old streaming service was abruptly shut down, got gift boxes the following week that were filled with CNN+ swag, according to a report.

BT Sport/Eurosport UK merger - Digital TV Europe: BT and Warner Bros. Discovery lay out gameplan to take on Sky but face challengers on all sides

Story from Digital TV Europe:

A little over four months after the pair announced exclusive talks, BT and Warner Bros. Discovery have confirmed plans to merge their UK-based sports broadcasters into one combined entity.

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Broadband TV News: WBD’s BT Sport to continue technology innovation

Story from Broadband TV News

Executives at BT Sport and Warner Bros. Discovery have been setting out what their new joint venture will look like.

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - TVB Europe: ‘Innovation is at the core of what we’re going to do together’: Execs lay out plans for BT Sport’s future

Story from TVB Europe:

The executive team behind the new BT Sport have promised the broadcaster will continue to innovate following its move to a joint venture between Warner Bros Discovery and BT.

EXCLUSIVE: Sky not happy with BT Sports/Eurosport merger

Media Boy UK Sources says: "Sky didn't want the BT Sport/Eurosport combination".

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

Deadline: Warner Bros. Discovery Layoffs: International GM Johannes Larcher & LatAm GM Luis Duran Among Those Leaving As Part Of JB Perrette’s Global Streaming Reorg

Story from Deadline:

JB Perrette has set his leadership for his global streaming team.

Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery Doubles Down on Return to Office Mandate

Story from Variety:

In a memo obtained by Variety on Thursday, Warner Bros. Discovery’s head of HR Adria Alpert Romm reiterated to staffers that they’d be required to work from the office three days per week beginning June 1.

Variety: HBO Max U.S. General Manger Brad Wilson to Exit Amid Warner Bros Discovery Shakeup

Story from Variety:

Brad Wilson, HBO Max’s U.S. general manager and executive vice president of global data, CRM and growth, is exiting the streamer amid an ongoing shakeup at new company Warner Bros. Discovery, Variety has learned.

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Media Guardian: BT and Warner Bros Discovery join forces to create pay-TV sport business

Story from Media Guardian:

BT has struck a deal with the US media company Warner Bros Discovery to create a joint venture pay-TV sport business, which will bring together rights to sports including the Premier League, the Champions League and the Olympics, worth as much as £633m to the telecoms operator.

Hollywood Reporter: Disney+ Hits 137.7M Subscribers, Beating Wall Street Expectations in Streaming

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Disney once again beat Wall Street expectations last quarter in streaming, adding 7.9 million Disney+ subscribers, and suggesting that the company may be positioned to take a lead in what has become a cutthroat race to the top in streaming.

Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros. Discovery Upgraded By Wall Street Analysts on Spending Strategy

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Warner Bros. Discovery’s content spending strategy has already won over some Wall Street analysts.

Variety: Sky Triples Down on U.K. Content with 200 Originals, $610 Million Investment

Story from Variety:

Pay TV operator Sky is continuing to invest big in the U.K.

TBI Vision: HBO Max expands live-action kids & family offering

Story from TBI Vision:

Warner Bros. Discovery streamer HBO Max is expanding its kids and family live-action slate, with two new show acquisitions and a renewal for teen dance drama The Next Step.

Discovery Inc-WarnerMedia merger - Broadcast: Andrew Georgiou on the BT Sport and Warner Bros. Discovery joint venture

Story from Broadcast:

Discovery Sports explain more about its forthcoming joint venture with BT Sport. The event involved Discovery Sports president Andrew Georgiou; BT Sport COO Jamie Hindhaugh; and Discovery SVP, Content and Production, Scott Young.

BT Sport/Eurosport UK Merger - Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery Plans One-Stop Shop for Sports and Entertainment in U.K. With BT Sport Deal

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery’s international streaming lead JB Perrette has said that an extensive joint venture with BT Sport, which was confirmed on Thursday, ensures that the company won’t be a “one-product, one-content type story,” particularly in the U.K.

BT Sports/Eurosport UK Merger - Broadcast: BT and Warner Bros. Discovery agree BT Sport joint venture terms

Story from Broadcast:

BT and Warner Bros. Discovery have agreed the terms of their joint venture.

BT Sport/Eurosport UK merger - TVB Europe: Warner Bros Discovery/BT JV ‘will increase competition in the UK sports rights market’

Story from TVB Europe:

With the news that Warner Bros Discovery and BT have entered into a joint venture, analysts believe the new player could easily disrupt the UK’s current broadcast market.

BT Sport/Eurosport UK merger - Deadline: Warner Bros Discovery & BT Confirm Premium Sports Joint Venture For UK, Ireland

Story from Deadline:

Warner Bros. Discovery and British telecom giant BT Group have confirmed plans to form a 50-50 joint venture, creating a new premium sport offering for the UK and Ireland. This will see the transfer of the operating businesses of BT Sport to Warner Bros Discovery, effectively merging the content offering of both BT Sport and Eurosport UK.

BT Sport/Eurosport UK merger - Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery and BT to Launch Sports Venture in U.K. and Ireland

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery and telco giant BT are to launch a premium sports venture in the U.K. and Ireland.

Hollywood Reporter: Tom Ascheim’s Role at Warner Bros. Discovery Also Eliminated

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

The cuts at the newly formed Warner Bros. Discovery continue to come in.

Variety: Johanna Fuentes to Exit as Warner Bros. Communications Chief

Story from Variety:

Johanna Fuentes is about to exit her post as head of global communications for WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group.

Variety: Brett Weitz Out as General Manager of TBS, TNT and TruTV at Warner Bros. Discovery

Story from Variety:

Brett Weitz is exiting as general manager of TBS, TNT and truTV, Variety has learned.

Deadline: WarnerMedia UK & Ireland Country Manager Polly Cochrane To Step Down After 13 Years

Story from Deadline:

WarnerMedia UK EVP & Country Manager, UK & Ireland, Polly Cochrane is stepping down after 13 years.

EXCLUSIVE: Virgin to broadcast Liverpool, Rangers Euro Cup Final games to everyone for free?

Media Boy UK Sources says that "BT Sport 1 HD Final could be about to return on channel 532."

Media Guardian: ITV warns of ad slump but is on track with new streaming brand launch

Story from Media Guardian:

ITV has warned that it expects an advertising slump over the coming months because of “macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty” and the absence of a major commercial event such as last year’s European football championship.

Media Guardian: Channel 4 strikes deal to air 1,000 hours of hit shows for free on YouTube

Story from Media Guardian:

Channel 4 is to make available 1,000 hours of hit shows from Location, Location, Location to SAS: Who Dares Wins on YouTube in the widest-ranging commercial deal the Silicon Valley giant has struck with a UK broadcaster.

Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros. Discovery’s Return-to-Office Plan Has Some Staffers Stressed

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

After closing a $43 billion merger in April to create Warner Bros. Discovery, CEO David Zaslav had a request for staff as he oversees the transition. “Be patient with us,” he told Oprah Winfrey, who interviewed him during a town hall in Burbank, per a source. (Discovery is majority owner of Winfrey’s OWN.) “It’s going to be a challenge.”

Deadline: Roku Channel Adds Discovery+ To Subscription Offerings

Story from Deadline:

Roku has integrated Discovery+, which it already offers as a stand-alone app in its regular store, into the offerings of the Roku Channel.

Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery Aims to Use Sports to Snatch Primetime Ad Dollars From Broadcasters

Story from Variety:

After buying WarnerMedia from AT&T, the company now known as Warner Bros. Discovery has a new acquisition target: primetime ad dollars that have been going to ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox.

Virgin Media closes Channel 4 and Channel 5's AD Channels

 More AD Channels axe by Virgin Media UK

Deadline: Backlash Over Return-To-Office Mandate Sparks Culture Clash Debate In Wake Of Discovery-WarnerMedia Merger

Story from Deadline:

On April 26, Deadline ran a story titled “WarnerMedia Employees Asked To Return To Office On Short Notice By Warner Bros. Discovery.”

Channel 4 Takeover - C21 Media: Stars speak out in support of Channel 4’s public ownership at Bafta television awards

Story from C21 Media:

ITV was among the big winners at the British Academy Television Awards (Baftas) on a night when talent came out in support of publicly owned Channel 4.

TBI Vision: All3Media co-owner Liberty Global has ‘no plans’ to sell UK superindie

Story from TBI Vision:

All3Media co-owner Liberty Global has no plans to sell its stake in the UK-based production giant despite the merger between fellow co-owner Discovery and WarnerMedia, according to the telco’s CEO.

Channel 4 Takeover - Observer: Channel 4 chief looks north in bid to resist privatisation

Story from Observer:

“There are plenty of stages to go in the ownership discussion,” said Alex Mahon, the ever-optimistic chief executive of Channel 4, days before the government’s plans to privatise the broadcaster are to be announced in this week’s Queen’s speech.

TBI Vision: Lionsgate CEO on Netflix windowing strategy, Starz & embracing agencies

Story from TBI Vision: 

Netflix will “pivot” its business by reviewing its rights models and windowing – as well as cutting exec pay – as it looks to bounce back from a bruising six months, according to Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer.

Channel 4 Takeover - Media Guardian: Channel 4 sell-off ‘will undermine PM’s promise to level up country’

Story from Media Guardian:

Government plans to privatise Channel 4 are wide open to being challenged in court because they would undermine Boris Johnson’s commitment to “levelling up” the country, the head of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership has said.

Rumour: Warner Bros. Discovery is set axe Eurosport brand in UK and Northern Ireland after 33 years

Media Guardian is reporting that Warner Bros. Discovery is set axe Eurosport brand in UK and Northern Ireland after 33 years. 

New York Post: What new CNN boss has planned for Chris Cuomo’s old timeslot

Story from New York Post: 

CNN’s new boss is not ready to fill Chris Cuomo’s old primetime slot just yet.

Digital TV Europe: Disney Streaming makes senior appointments from Netflix and Meta

Story from Digital TV Europe:

Disney has announced the hires of Devika Chawla and Arun Chandra from Netflix and Meta respectively to bolster its streaming division.

Broadband TV News: ITV streaming plans revealed

Story from Broadband TV News:

The man behind ITVX has been giving further details of the broadcaster’s plans to revamp its streaming services.

Channel 4 Takeover - Media Guardian: Channel 4 offers to sell London HQ under alternative plan to privatisation

Story from Media Guardian:

Channel 4 has said it could sell its £100m London headquarters and almost double the number of staff working outside the capital under plans to become “northern-based” that it hopes offer an attractive alternative to the government’s privatisation push.

Variety: Warner Bros. General Counsel John Rogovin Steps Down

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. executive vice president and top legal boss John Rogovin has resigned his post.

Ideal Shopping Direct in administration: TV Highlights so far

Ideal Shopping Direct in administration: TV Highlights so far: 

On January 6th 2022: ISD sold their Freeview EPG slot (Channel 22) to Shop TJC Limited to swap with TJC (Channel 51) for £7m.

EXCLUSIVE: Warner Bros. Discovery "still talking to Sky to end the HBO contract early"

As of 7pm tonight Media Boy UK Sources has revealed that Warner Bros. Discovery are "still talking to Sky to end the HBO contract early"

The Hollywood Reporter: Paramount+ to Launch in U.K. in June

Story from The Hollywood Reporter:

Paramount Global’s streaming service Paramount+ will be launching in the U.K. and South Korea in June, with plans to also make it available in India in 2023 as part of its continued expansion around the world.

Channel 4 Takeover - TVB Europe: Channel 4 ‘could sell for up to £2 billion’

Story from TVB Europe:

Following the UK government’s confirmation that it will privatise Channel 4, interested parties are reportedly beginning to enquire about possible acquisitions.

ITV AD closes on Virgin Media

ITV AD has tonight close on Virgin UK Channel 853.

So viewers in Scotland can no longer watch ITV local news from London or a film on New Year Eve just after midnight on ITV.

New York Post: New CNN boss Chris Licht to focus on ‘truth’ after slew of scandals

Story from New York Post:

CNN’s new boss kicked off his first day on the job by telling employees he wants to focus the network’s reporting on news and “truth” amid criticism over the scandal-scarred network’s heavy emphasis on opinion-based shows.

Disney+ launches on Virgin Media IPTV Network

Virgin Media Forum says that Disney+ has launch on Virgin Media Stream.

Coming soon to TV360.

Media Guardian: Netflix faces losing licensed hit shows to streaming rivals

Story from Media Guardian:

Netflix faces the threat of an exodus of a number of hit shows as it battles to reignite subscriber growth, with almost a third of its most popular content with British viewers – from Friends and Pretty Little Liars to Paw Patrol – licensed from rivals building their own streaming services.