Deadline: Bill Maher Puts Ex-CNN Anchor Chris Cuomo On The Couch In Candid ‘Real Time’ Conversation

Story from Deadline:

Former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo is out on a rehabilitation tour. Sure, he’s got a new podcast to tout, and will soon start a new primetime show on NewsNation (formerly WGN).

New York Post: Chris Cuomo says he ‘lost a sense of purpose’ after CNN ouster

Story from New York Post:

Chris Cuomo opened up about being ousted from CNN and his brother’s rapid fall from grace during an interview on Friday night.

New York Post: Chris Cuomo knocks ex-CNN colleagues Jake Tapper, Don Lemon

Story from New York Post:

Chris Cuomo says his former CNN colleagues Jake Tapper and Don Lemon should have made more of an effort to contact him after the “Cuomo Prime Time” host was fired by the cable network last year.

Hollywood Reporter: ‘Gordita Chronicles’ Canceled as HBO Max Shifts Family Programming Strategy

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

HBO Max has canceled its comedy Gordita Chronicles, a move the streamer says is motivated by a change in strategy at its parent company.

Digital TV Europe: Liberty Global, Telefónica and InfraVia Capital Partners announce new UK fibre network JV

Story from Digital TV Europe:

Liberty Global, Telefónica and InfraVia Capital Partners have announced an agreement to launch a UK joint venture to build a new fibre network across the country.

New York Post: Charles Barkley ends contract flirtation with LIV Golf

Story from New York Post:

Charles Barkley has ended any future contract talks with LIV Golf and will stay with TNT’s “Inside The NBA,” the basketball great told The Post on Friday.

Variety: What Is the Future of HBO Max’s Unscripted Division Under Warner Bros. Discovery?

Story from Variety:

What is going to happen to the unscripted department at HBO Max? It’s a question that the TV industry had been asking before Discovery and WarnerMedia even tied the knot in April to become Warner Bros. Discovery. But after recently crossing the 100-day post-merger-mark and approaching the company’s second quarter earnings reveal next Thursday, the question is being raised more and more by those outside and within the David Zaslav-run company — which has more cooks in its unscripted programming kitchen than it needs — especially if it’s still intent on hitting its promised $3 billion cost-saving synergies over the next three years, and working to reduce its approximately $55 billion debt load on a market cap of $36.3 billion.

Advanced Television: Sky Europe suffers record churn

Story from Advanced Television:

Comcast released its Q2 financials on July 28th and showed (for Q2) an improvement of 5.1 per cent in revenue (y-o-y), and for the half-year of 9.5 per cent (y-o-y). Sky’s ‘Adjusted EBITDA’ increased 54.1 per cent to $863 million, but in the numbers were Comcast’s ‘Total Customer Relationships’ and this is where Sky’s churn statistics were revealed.

Broadband TV News: Warner Bros. Discovery Sports grows Tour de France audience

Story from Broadband TV News:

Warner Bros. Discovery Sports has recorded its best-ever Tour de France performance in key markets including France, Spain and Norway.

Broadband TV News: Subscriber losses for Liberty Global

Story from Broadband TV News:

Liberty Global lost customers in all of the non-JV markets it was present in the second quarter.

TBI Vision: Hulu & HBO Max share ‘exclusive’ rights to hit US comedy ‘Abbott Elementary’

Story from TBI Vision:

Warner Bros Discovery’s HBO Max and Disney-backed streamer Hulu are to share exclusive streaming rights to ABC’s hit comedy Abbott Elementary.

Variety: HBO Max Losing All Eight ‘Harry Potter’ Movies in August

Story from Variety:

Expelliarmus redux!

Deadline: Warner Bros Discovery Finalizes Ad Sales Exec Team Reporting To Jon Steinlauf

Story from Deadline:

As it continues to refine its org chart three months after the close of WarnerMedia and Discovery’s $43 billion merger, Warner Bros Discovery has finalized the team of senior ad sales executives who will report to Jon Steinlauf, the company’s chief revenue officer.

Deadline: Warner Bros Discovery Names Asif Sadiq Chief Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Forms Creative Diversity Council

Story from Deadline:

Warner Bros Discovery has named WarnerMedia and UK corporate veteran Asif Sadiq as the company’s chief global diversity, equity and inclusion officer.

Deadline: Alan Horn Rejoins Warner Bros. Discovery As Consultant

Story from Deadline:

While a number of executives have left Warner Bros. as the integration with Discovery continues, Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav shored up the studio’s transition team today with a veteran who knows the studio maybe better than anyone: former president and chief operating officer Alan Horn.

Deadline: Donald Trump Threatens CNN With Lawsuit Over “Big Lie” Reporting; Ex-POTUS Wants “Full & Fair Retraction” ASAP

Story from Deadline:

Facing a potential Department of Justice probe over the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol and more legal quicksand, Donald Trump has gone on the offensive against old foe CNN with a threatened defamation suit.

Broadband TV News: New structure at TVN Warner Bros. Discovery

Story from Broadband TV News:

Poland’s TVN Warner Bros. Discovery has announced changes to the structure of its programming division.

Deadline: Jessica Holscott Departing Warner Bros Discovery As Head Of Finance For Studios & Networks Group

Story from Deadline:

We hear that Jessica Holscott is departing Warner Bros Discovery. She had been named the new Head of Finance for WarnerMedia’s Studios and Networks Group back in August 2020, overseeing all financial activities of the division including financial reporting, budgeting and planning for future growth.

EXCLUSIVE: Warner Bros Discovery set to axe BT Sport brand once joint venture with BT Group is completed

Media Boy UK HQ is hearing that BT Sport is set to change it name to Discovery Sports once Warner Bros. Discovery joint venture with BT Group is completed. 

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

Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery Announces Programming for 2022 NABJ-NAHJ, AAJA and NLGJA Journalism Conventions

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery has announced its programming plans for this year’s journalism conferences for the Asian Americans Journalism Association (AAJA), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) and the Association of LGBTQ Journalists (NLGJA).

Deadline: Charles Barkley Confirms Conversation With Controversial Saudi-Backed LIV Golf League, Says He’d Leave TNT If Saudis Triple His Salary

Story from Deadline:

Rumours have swirled of late that the latest big name who may decamp to the Saudi-backed LIV golf tour is TNT NBA analyst and onetime owner of the worst swing in golf, Charles Barkley.

Broadband TV News: SkyShowtime hires former HBO Max and Disney executives

Story from Broadband TV News:

SkyShowtime has picked up Roberto Soto, the former head of HBO Max’s growth marketing team responsible for their successful European launches.

Hollywood Reporter: Goldman Sachs Downgrades Paramount Due to Economic Headwinds

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Goldman Sachs analysts downgraded Paramount Global to “sell” from “buy” on Tuesday, under the premise that the company will not be able to execute on its streaming platform in a difficult macroeconomic environment.

Media Guardian: Top BBC radio presenters’ pay could be hidden in bid to retain talent

Story from Media Guardian:

The salaries of some of the BBC’s top radio presenters could be hidden from public view, as part of a plan that would allow the corporation to pay more money to the stars of its leading podcasts.

Variety: Lionsgate and IMG Announce Partnership to Expand Global Offering

Story from Variety:

Film and television studio Lionsgate has announced a partnership with licensing company IMG as its new global agency for consumer products.

Media Mole: BT Sport ESPN to rebrand as BT Sport 4

Story from Media Mole:

BT Sport is to lose the ESPN branding from its channel portfolio ahead of the new football season kicking off next month.

New York Post: Glenn Greenwald mocks ‘dreary, banal’ Samantha Bee over canceled show

Story from New York Post:

Glenn Greenwald skewered former “Daily Show” star Samantha Bee on social media on Monday just hours after Warner Bros. Discovery pulled the plug on her TBS late night show after seven seasons.

Channel 4 Takeover - Variety: U.K. Prime Ministerial Candidate Rishi Sunak Sets Live Interview on Channel 4

Story from Variety:

Former Chancellor and U.K. Prime Ministerial hopeful Rishi Sunak will be interviewed live on Channel 4, the British broadcaster whose privatization he has vowed to go ahead with. Sunak will be interviewed on a special episode of “The Andrew Neil Show” on July 29, after “Channel 4 News.” The program will be made by ITN Productions.

Deadline: Channel 4-Backed UK Indie Two Rivers Media Buys Back Stake From Noble Grossart

Story from Deadline:

Channel 4-backed Two Rivers Media, a major player in the Scottish TV production game, has bought back its stake from initial backer Noble Grossart, the merchant bank. CEO Alan Clements has taken a majority share.

Media Guardian: Ofcom finds BBC guilty of impartiality breaches over Ruth Davidson interview

Story from Media Guardian:

The BBC was guilty of breaching impartiality rules when it allowed the then Scottish Conservative leader, Ruth Davidson, to accuse the Scottish government of corruption on air.

SYFY now Sky Sci-Fi

Sky UK has rebranded SYFY as Sky Sci-Fi today on the following Virgin Media EPG numbers:

Deadline: HBO Max Europe Originals Team Face Layoffs At Warner Bros Discovery, With Final Productions Set To Be Licensed — “It Feels Like The End Of An Era,” Say Producers

Story from Deadline:

The future of HBO Max’s European originals team has appeared bleak ever since it emerged Warner Bros Discovery was stopping production in the continent, and it now looks to be facing the end.

Variety: ‘Friends’ Fan Week Features Pop-Ups in 3 Cities, Instagram Giveaways and Fresh Merch

Story from Variety:

To coincide with International Friendship Day, Warner Bros. Discovery has launched “Friends Fan Week 2022,” a celebration of the beloved NBC sitcom that includes pop-up events in three cities, Instagram giveaways and new merchandise.

Variety: Samantha Bee’s ‘Full Frontal’ Canceled in Latest Late-Night Cutback

Story from Variety:

Samantha Bee’s “Full Frontal” is getting a kick in the rear from Warner Bros. Discovery.

Media Guardian: The Guardian view on the future of the BBC: engage the public

Story from Media Guardian:

Last week, the cross-party House of Lords communications and digital committee warned that the BBC needed a “bold new vision” to prevent it from stagnating. Peers were right to say that public funding for the BBC remains necessary, and also that it needs to adapt to meet the changing demands of audiences – particularly younger ones. In Britbox, the BBC has its own Netflix-style subscription service for TV dramas.

Channel 4 Takeover - Media Guardian: Rishi Sunak vows to press ahead with Channel 4 privatisation

Story from Media Guardian:

Rishi Sunak has pledged to push ahead with the privatisation of Channel 4 if he becomes prime minister, clearing the way for the sale of the broadcaster next year.

BT Sport/Eurosport UK merger - Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery-BT Sport Joint Venture Approved by U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority

Story from Variety:

The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has approved the joint venture between Warner Bros. Discovery and telco giant BT.

Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros. Discovery Unveils Communications Team Leadership

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Warner Bros. Discovery has unveiled its restructured communications team, led by Nathaniel Brown after he recently came on board as chief corporate communications officer.

Premier Sports Takeover - Broadcast Sport: Viaplay CEO on what Premier Sports buy means for UK launch

Story from Broadcast Sport:

Anders Jensen plays down chances of moving into Premier League rights battle.

Deadline: AT&T Closes Book On WarnerMedia Ownership Era; Stock Plunges After Q2 Report Lowering Cash-Flow Guidance

Story from Deadline:

AT&T on Thursday reported solid results for its final quarter of full ownership of WarnerMedia, but its stock plunged after the company lowered its outlook for full-year free cash flow.

Channel 4 Takeover - Deadline: As Race To Replace Boris Johnson Moves Up A Gear, BBC & Channel 4 Focus Turns To Rishi Sunak & Liz Truss’s Record On Public Broadcasting – Analysis

Story from Deadline:

With the race to replace Boris Johnson as next UK Prime Minister now down to the final two, bosses at BBC New Broadcasting House and Channel 4 Horseferry Road will be examining former Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss’s record on public broadcasting in minute detail.

Hollywood Reporter: Chris Licht Sets His Leadership Team at CNN

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

CNN CEO Chris Licht has set his executive team, firming up the direct reports who will help run the cable news channel’s global operations.

Premier Sports Takeover - Broadband TV News: Viaplay buys Premier Sports, hires DAZN’s Edward Breeze

Story from Broadband TV News:

Viaplay Group has agreed to acquire UK sports streamer and TV channel operator Premier Sports for £30 million (€35.2 million) on a cash and debt-free basis.

Digital TV Europe: NFL media boss sheds more light on NFL+ streamer

Story from Digital TV Europe:

The chief media and business officer of the NFL has provided more details on the sports league’s upcoming standalone streaming service.

Broadband TV News: Netflix stays confident despite sub loss

Story from Broadband TV News:

Although Netflix lost nearly a million customers in the second quarter, this was only half the number it had projected in its Q1 results. Furthermore, it is now forecasting a gain of a million in the third quarter.

Broadband TV News: Netflix takes next step in tackling account sharing

Story from Broadband TV News:

Netflix will launch an alternative “add a home” feature in Argentina, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras next month.

Broadband TV News; Lords: BBC needs bold plan for the future

Story from Broadband TV News:

The BBC needs to engage in new funding models that will safeguard its future, according to the Lords Communications and Digital Committee.

Broadband TV News: UK loses 0.5m SVOD subscribers

Story from Broadband TV News:

The decline in the UK’s streaming market is gathering pace, with 488,000 households cancelling 1.66 million SVOD subscriptions in the second quarter.

Broadband TV News: Ofcom finds RT in breach of impartiality rules

Story from Broadband TV News:

The UK regulator Ofcom has found Russia Today’s (RT’s) news and current affairs coverage in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine breached due impartiality rules on 29 occasions in four days.

Media Guardian: Council tax levy could replace TV licence fee in future funding model

Story from Media Guardian:

The TV licence fee could be abolished and replaced with a new levy on council tax bills, according to a House of Lords committee that looked at the best way to fund the BBC in the future.

Hollywood Reporter: Casey Bloys Renews Deal With HBO, HBO Max for Five Years

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Casey Bloys, chief content officer for HBO and HBO Max, has renewed his deal with Warner Bros. Discovery for five more years, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

Sky News: Virgin Media O2 tests waters with £3bn opening offer for TalkTalk

Story from Sky News:

Virgin Media O2 has tabled an offer to buy TalkTalk that would value one of Britain’s biggest broadband providers at about £3bn.

Channel 4 Takeover - Media Guardian: Channel 4 review contradicts Nadine Dorries’ fake reality show claim

Story from Media Guardian:

Channel 4 has said an external investigation into allegations made by the culture secretary, Nadine Dorries, that a reality TV show she appeared on used paid actors has found no evidence of fakery.

Channel 4 Takeover - Variety: Channel 4 Achieves Record $1.4 Billion Revenues, Tackles Privatization

Story from Variety:

Channel 4 achieved a record £1.2 billion ($1.41 billion) in revenues in 2021, up 25% from £934 million in 2020, the U.K. broadcaster’s annual report reveals. Channel 4 also recorded a pre-tax surplus of £101 million, up from £74 million in 2020.

Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery Renews Contracts of Top Executives Gunnar Wiedenfels and Bruce Campbell

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery renewed contracts for two of its most senior executives, Gunnar Wiedenfels, its chief financial officer, and Bruce Campbell, its chief revenue and strategy officer, ensuring that two of CEO David Zaslav’s key lieutenants will be around for the next few years of the company’s early steps as the newly combined aggregate of the former WarnerMedia and Discovery Communications.

New York Post: Warner Bros. studio hit with COVID outbreak as LA faces mask mandates

Story from New York Post:

The Warner Bros. movie studio has been hit with an outbreak of COVID-19.

Premier Sports Takeover - Bloomberg: Nordic Streamer Viaplay in Talks to Buy Premier Sports to Grow in UK

Story from Bloomberg:

Viaplay Group AB is in talks to buy Premier Sports Ltd., as the fast-growing Nordic streaming company seeks to gain more broadcasting rights ahead of its UK launch, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Media Guardian: BBC News and BBC World News presenters among 70 staff facing sack

Story from Media Guardian:

Presenters on the BBC News channel and BBC World News are set to be sacked as part of a raft of 70 job cuts in the UK in a plan to create a single more digitally focused rolling news service.

Premier Sports Takeover - Broadband TV News: Viaplay in talks to purchase Premier Sports

Story from Broadband TV News:

Nordic streaming service Viaplay is reportedly in talks to purchase Premier Sports, in a move that would shore up its launch in the UK market.

Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery Sets South Asia Management Under Arjun Nohwar

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery has unveiled its new management team for South Asia under the leadership of Arjun Nohwar, GM – South Asia.

TBI Vision: BBC Studios eyes “channels, streaming & prodco” investment

Story from TBI Vision:

BBC Studios is looking to make the most of its increased investment capability following its annual results yesterday, with spending on production companies, streaming expansion and channels on the agenda.

Media Mole: Budgets for the BBC's TV channels and radio stations revealed

Story from Media Mole:

The BBC has published its annual report for the 2021-22 year, revealing the amounts spent on content by each of the major TV channels and radio stations.

Deadline: Netflix Teaming With Microsoft On New Ad-Supported Streaming Tier

Story from Deadline:

Netflix revealed today that’s it’s teaming up with Microsoft to launch its new advertising-supported subscription plan.

Broadband TV News; Report: Netflix renegotiating contracts with Hollywood studios

Story from Broadband TV News:

Netflix’s plans to launch an ad-supported version of its service have reportedly moved a stage closer.

Advanced Television: Professional Triathletes Organisation and Warner Bros Discovery sign broadcast deal

Story from Advanced Television:

The Professional Triathletes Organisation and Warner Bros Discovery have announced an exclusive multi-year partnership to broadcast live and on-demand coverage of the new PTO Tour – a series of global events featuring the world’s best triathletes.

Broadband TV News: DAZN in talks to buy rival Eleven Sports

Story from Broadband TV News:

Sir Len Blavatnik’s DAZN is in talks to buy rival Eleven Sports.

Media Guardian: CMA investigates sport broadcasters over ‘cartel-like behaviour’

Story from Media Guardian:

The competition watchdog is investigating possible cartel-like behaviour by sport broadcasters including BT Group, ITV, Sky and IMG Media, which includes Premier League Productions, around the purchase of freelance services.

Channel 4 Takeover - Sky News: Nadine Dorries pressured Channel 4 to promote privatisation, select committee hears

Story from Sky News UK:

Channel 4 has revealed it was put under pressure by Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries' department to look at how it worded references to its future finances in its annual report following the department's decision to explore privatisation.

Deadline: BBC To Set Out Principles For Future Funding Model

Story from Deadline:

The BBC is to spend the coming weeks setting out the principles that it believes should apply to a future funding model.

Variety: BBC Posts Record Income of $6.4 Billion, Welcomes ‘Informed Debate’ on Future Funding Model

Story from Variety:

The BBC has declared a record income of £5.33 billion ($6.4 billion) for the 2021/2022 period, up from £5.06 billion last year, and a surplus of £206 billion.

Variety: BBC Studios Sets Record Growth With Profits Up 50%, Reaches 5-Year Target of £1.2 Billion Return to BBC

Story from Variety:

BBC Studios, the commercial arm of Britain’s public broadcaster, has marked record growth for 2021/22 with profits up 50% year-on-year to £226 million ($267 million) and sales up 30% to £1.63 billion.

Channel 4 Takeover - Media Guardian: Channel 4 privatisation plan could be dropped by next prime minister

Story from Media Guardian:

Channel 4’s privatisation could be dropped by the next prime minister, with plans to sell the channel unlikely to be published before September.

Channel 4 Takeover - Advanced Television: MPs question Channel 4 as sell-off in balance

Story from Advanced Television:

The UK House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee is to question the Chief Executive and Operating Officers of Channel 4 on their thoughts on Government plans to privatise the broadcaster. Questions are expected to cover whether privatisation will increase or decrease the channel’s impact and contribution to the sector, as well as explore Channel 4’s alternative proposal, 4: The Next Episode.

Broadband TV News: Paramount+ accelerates with UK SVOD commissions

Story from Broadband TV News:

Paramount+ holds now the second largest slate of SVOD titles commissioned in the UK in 2022. with 13 brand new commissions so far this year.

Rumour: UKTV Media Ltd set to launch new HD Channel on Astra UK

LyngSat is reporting that Yesterday HD is testing via Sky. 

No word yet on if Yesterday HD will also launch on Virgin Media UK.

Channel 4 Takeover - TBI Vision; TBI Tech & Analysis: What Channel 4’s rising ad revenue spells for privatisation potential

Story from TBI Vision:

While the UK government looks to privatise commercial broadcaster Channel 4, citing an unsustainable funding model, Tim Westcott, Omdia’s senior principal analyst, digital content and channels, explores how its ad revenue is currently only set to grow over the next five years.

TBI Vision: Why Warner Bros. Discovery’s backtracking offers regional opportunities

Story from TBI Vision:

Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision to end the global roll-out of HBO Max and its backtracking on regional originals underlines the state of flux the industry is in, writes Richard Middleton.

Deadline: No HBO At TCA As Warner Bros. Discovery Skips Summer Press Tour Amid Integration

Story from Deadline:

For decades, HBO has been an anchor of the cable portion of Television Critics Association’s press tour with the network’s signature three-hour block of wall-to-wall panels packed with big stars. This summer, for the first time in as long as anyone can remember, there will be no HBO presence at TCA in Pasadena. In fact, the entire newly merged Warner Bros. Discovery is skipping the upcoming press tour as the company is going through the integration process, including layoffs, with the next wave rumored to come during TCA.

Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery to Sell Knoxville Office Building

Story from Variety:

The changes continue to come at Warner Bros. Discovery. Variety has learned exclusively that the newly merged company is planning to sell off its office complex in Knoxville, Tenn.

Deadline: Lionsgate Ups Randall Jackson To EVP, Associate General Counsel

Story from Deadline:

Lionsgate has promoted its head of litigation, Randall Jackson, to executive vice president and associate general counsel, continuing to report to EVP & General Counsel Corii Berg.

Channel 4 Takeover - Deadline; Boris Johnson’s Departure: Media In Overdrive, TV Schedules Ripped Up & Questions Over Future Of BBC & Channel 4 — Analysis

Story from Deadline:

After a seismic 36 hours during which British politics has been rocked, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is stepping down and the British media is in overdrive speculating on what happens next. In the UK broadcasting world, questions will soon be raised about a future that will almost certainly have a different Culture Secretary than current incumbent Nadine Dorries.

Hollywood Reporter; Bob Chapek’s Sun Valley Challenge: Define His Vision for Disney

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

This week Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Chapek, joined by dozens of others representing the business and political elite, is in Sun Valley, Idaho, for the annual Sun Valley Conference, hosted by the boutique investment bank Allen & Co.

Hollywood Reporter: What’s Behind HBO Max’s European Originals Strategy Change?

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Warner Bros. Discovery shared a change of strategy for its streaming business in Europe on July 4, saying that it would be “ceasing our original programming efforts for HBO Max in the Nordics and Central Europe” and had already ended “our nascent development activities in the newer territories of Netherlands and Turkey, which had commenced over the past year.”

Channel 4 Takeover - TVB Europe; Analyst: Channel 4 privatisation ‘likely to be pushed back’ following Johnson’s ousting

Story from TVB Europe:

Gill Hind, director of TV at Enders Analysis, has told TVB Europe she expects the government’s plan to sell off Channel 4 to move to the backburner following Boris Johnson’s resignation as UK prime minister.

Channel 4 Takeover - C21 Media: UK kids’ industry leaders mull impact of government chaos on Channel 4, YACF

Story from C21 Media:

The chaos currently engulfing the UK government has prompted key figures in the local kids’ industry to consider what a change in administration might mean for the future of Channel 4 and the Young Audiences Content Fund (YACF).

Advanced Television: Record audience for Warner Bros Discovery Sports

Story from Advanced Television:

Warner Bros Discovery Sports has announced a record first half of the year with double-digit audience and engagement growth on all its channels and platforms so far in 2022. Warner Bros Discovery Sports reports it is witnessing increases on both its linear television channels and digital platforms.

New York Post: CNN’s corporate boss David Zaslav wants network for ‘Republicans, Democrats’ as ratings sink

Story from New York Post:

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said CNN is renewing its focus on “journalism” — signaling he wants the scandal-scarred, left-leaning network to eventually deliver straight news that also appeals to conservatives.

Variety: David Zaslav Sees ‘Opportunity’ Amid Industry Turmoil as Moguls Convene in Sun Valley

Story from Variety:

David Zaslav was upbeat as he arrived in Sun Valley, Idaho on Tuesday for Allen & Co.’s gathering of business media and tech moguls. The Warner Bros. Discovery CEO had kind words for Netflix and “Stranger Things,” and he told reporters that he expects the annual summit to be “a great week” amid “a lot of turmoil in the business.”

Digital TV Europe: HBO Max halts European productions as WBD says it is ‘reviewing current proposition’

Story from Digital TV Europe:

Warner Bros. Discovery has halted development of local original productions for streaming service HBO Max in the Nordics, Central Europe, the Netherlands and Turkey.

Broadband TV News: Canal circling Lionsgate

Story from Broadband TV News:

Canal+ is looking to purchase the Starz and its Starzplay platform from the US studio Lionsgate.

Deadline: Job Cuts Expected At HBO Max Europe Following Major Strategic Review

Story from Deadline:

Job cuts are expected at HBO Max Europe following a major strategic review that will see development of local originals halted in the Nordics and Central Europe.

Hollywood Reporter: Sun Valley Beckons Moguls Amid Storm Clouds in the Deals Sky

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

First, July 4. Then, Sun Valley. Right after Independence Day, media and technology titans will once again jet to the Idaho resort to mingle at the annual gathering of investment bank Allen & Co., which has been nicknamed “summer camp for moguls.”

Variety: HBO Max Halts Originals in Parts of Europe in Major Restructure

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery’s post-merger growing pains and an eye-watering $3 billion cost-savings target are hitting its programming strategy in Europe, Variety can reveal.

Broadband TV News: Isa Soares Tonight launches on CNN International

Story from Broadband TV News:

CNN is adding to its international schedule with a new nightly show presented from its EMEA headquarters in London.

Deadline: Media Moguls To Gather At Annual Allen & Co. Sun Valley Retreat Amid Streaming Rethink, Economic Woes

Story from Deadline:

The mountains are as gorgeous as ever, the deal climate not so much as boutique investment bank Allen & Co. prepares to host its annual Sun Valley retreat. After guests arrive on Tuesday, official activities get under way Wednesday.

New York Post: CNN ratings tank in first weeks under new boss Chris Licht

Story from New York Post:

New boss, even worse results.

Deadline: ‘Magnum P.I.’ Cast Reacts To Show’s Save By NBC: “Time To Dust Off The Aloha Shirt”

Story from Deadline:

Some very happy Magnum P.I. cast members are reacting to the news that the show will go on.

Media Guardian: Amazon and BBC break BT stranglehold on Champions League football

Story from Media Guardian:

Amazon has broken BT’s stranglehold on live Champions League football in the UK and highlights are set to air on the BBC for the first time in a new deal starting in 2024. BT has retained the lion’s share of the Champions League rights, securing UK rights for 187 of the 204 games in the new expanded format from 2024, while also cutting the price of the next three-year deal by 23% to £917m.

Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery’s ‘Cake Boss’ Buddy Valastro Signs A+E Networks Deal, Including Lifetime Holiday Movie

Story from Variety:

“Cake Boss” star Buddy Valastro, a longtime staple in the Warner Bros. Discovery lifestyle brands family, is making A+E Networks his new TV home.

BBC Sport; Champions League: BBC to show highlights from 2024-25 season

Story from BBC Sport:

The men's Champions League is to be broadcast on BBC TV for the first time from the 2024-25 season.

Media Guardian: Ofcom may extend TV ad breaks in review of broadcasting rules

Story from Media Guardian:

Ofcom has said it may extend the time and frequency allowed for advertising breaks on UK television as part of a review of broadcasting rules.

Deadline: ‘Magnum P.I.’ Rescued By NBC With 2-Season, 20-Episode Order

Story from Deadline:

Magnum P.I. has been saved. It came down to the wire but a deal just closed for NBC to order 20 new episodes of the action drama starring Jay Hernandez following its cancellation by CBS last month, I have learned. I hear the 20 episodes will be split into two seasons, bringing the reboot’s run to 96 episodes, with an option for more.