Media Leader: UK will prevent Russian access to services, including advertising

Story from Media Leader:

The UK has issued more sanctions against Russia after its illegal annexation of four Ukrainian regions which includes preventing access to services such as advertising services.

Hollywood Reporter: CNN’s Chloe Melas Champions War Hero Grandad’s Memoir Ahead of ‘Masters of the Air’ Debut

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

While Steven Spielberg recently touched down in Toronto to debut his deeply personal film, The Fabelmans, CNN entertainment correspondent Chloe Melas is also eagerly anticipating his other upcoming project, Masters of the Air, because that one hits close to home for her.

Media Leader: Warner Bros. Discovery lawsuit alleges company misled shareholders

Story from Media Leader:

A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Warner Bros. Discovery alleging the company misled its shareholders about its streaming business and number of subscribers.

Broadband TV News: Sky renews Formula 1 rights across markets

Story from Broadband TV News:

Formula 1 will remain on Sky in the UK and Ireland until 2029 with Sky Italia and Sky Deutschland, Austria and Switzerland retaining rights until the end of 2027.

New York Post: NOAA director shuts down CNN’s Don Lemon for linking Hurricane Ian to climate change

Story from New York Post:

The acting director of the National Hurricane Center cautioned CNN host Don Lemon against linking Hurricane Ian directly to climate change in a Tuesday night interview.

New York Post: Chris Wallace’s CNN celebrity talk show debut tanks in ratings

Story from New York Post:

Chris Wallace’s debut as the host of his own celebrity interview talk show on struggling cable news outfit CNN proved to be a dud in the ratings.

Digital TV Europe: Sky Sports renews NBA deal

Story from Digital TV Europe:

Sky Sports has announced a renewed rights deal to broadcast the NBA.

EXCLUSIVE: Virgin Media UK to give Talk TV new home next week

Talk TV HD is set to move from Virgin Channel 627 to Virgin Channel 606 from October 5th.

Source: Talk TV HD on Virgin Media.

©Copyright 2022 Media Boy UK 2006 - 2022. A ''Doing it my way'' Production.

Media Guardian: Hundreds of jobs to go as BBC announces World Service cutbacks

Story from Media Guardian:

The BBC has announced deep cuts to its World Service output that will result in the loss of hundreds of jobs, saying it has been forced to act by the government’s ongoing licence fee freeze.

Daily Record: James Bisgrove unveils Rangers alternative intelligence to Spfl over Sky deal

Story from Daily Record:

Rangers commercial director James Bisgrove insists the SPFL should have followed the Champions League and Europa League and run a "competitive process" before agreeing the latest Sky TV deal.

BBC Scotland; SPFL TV deal: Livingston 'do what's best for the collective' after vote misgivings

Story from BBC Sport Scotland:

Manager David Martindale has explained Livingston's initial reluctance to sign off on the SPFL's new £150m broadcast deal with Sky Sports, saying he would have preferred all-club accordance.

Daily Mail: Reporter desperate to protect mic from storm Ian covers it with condom

Story from Daily Mail:

We've all resorted to extreme lengths to keep our possessions dry, but one reporter took it a step further during her coverage of Hurricane Ian.

New York Post: CNN lays off more staff under new boss Chris Licht

Story from New York Post:

CNN boss Chris Licht continued to clean house at the embattled cable news network, zeroing in on the podcast division.

Hollywood Reporter: David Zaslav Says Warner Bros. Discovery Is “Not For Sale” In Town Hall With Staff

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Warner Bros. Discovery on Wednesday held a company-wide global town hall, with CEO David Zaslav and his top creative deputies discussing the current state of the company, and their vision for where it should be going.

Advanced Television: All Rugby League World Cup games on BBC

Story from Advanced Television:

For the first time in Rugby League World Cup history, all 61 games from the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments will be broadcast live on free-to-air UK television on the BBC.

Variety: Starzplay Rebrands as Lionsgate+ Internationally

Story from Variety:

International streaming service Starzplay has been rebranded as Lionsgate+.

Variety: Lionsgate Says It’s Leaning Toward Spinning Off Studio, Not Starz

Story from Variety:

Lionsgate is now looking at spinning off its studio business — rather than kicking out the Starz premium network and streaming business.

Deadline: Warner Bros. Discovery Names France, Benelux & Africa Management Team, Long-Serving Sales Exec Caroline Lang To Exit

Story from Deadline:

Warner Bros. Discovery has set out Pierre Branco’s leadership team for France, Benelux and Africa. It also also emerged in the past few minutes that long-serving Warner Bros distribution exec Caroline Lang is exiting in the restructure after a quarter of a century.

Channel 4 Takeover - Hollywood Reporter: U.K.’s Channel 4 CEO on Possible Privatization, Netflix and Ad Market Challenges

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Channel 4 is in discussions with the U.K. government about its future, Alex Mahon, the CEO of the U.K. broadcaster, said at a Royal Television Society (RTS) event on Tuesday.

Daily Mail: ITV scolded Domino's over Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield tweet

Story from Daily Mail:

The chief executive of ITV complained to Domino's after the pizza maker publicly trolled hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield for jumping the queue for the Queen's lying in state.

Advanced Television: UKTV Play unveils rebrand

Story from Advanced Television:

UKTV, the commercial multichannel broadcaster, has revealed a full rebrand for its free streaming service UKTV Play.

Advanced Television; McCall: ITVX enables better viewer connection

Story from Advanced Television:

ITV Chief Executive Carolyn McCall has suggested that the commercial PSB’s planned ITVX AVoD service, set to launch in Q4 2022, will enable it better to connect with and retain the viewership of key, younger demographics.

Variety: ‘House of the Dragon’ Viewership Rises Another 3% After Time Jump in Episode 6

Story from Variety:

Viewership of “House of the Dragon” Episode 6 drew 3% more viewers than Episode 5, Variety has learned exclusively.

New York Post: Warner Bros. boss teases new ‘Harry Potter’ franchises

Story from New York Post:

Expecto patronum? 

Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros. Discovery Int’l President on His Commitment to Local Content and Saying “100 Percent Yes”

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

“The theatrical business is here to stay,” Warner Bros. Discovery is saying “100 percent yes” to theatrical windows, and local content is an important complement to global hits, the conglomerate’s president, international Gerhard Zeiler told a Royal Television Society (RTS) gathering in London on Tuesday.

Variety: HBO Max Sets Cold War Drama ‘Spy/Master’ as Streamer’s Central and Eastern European Production Winds Down

Story from Variety:

Production is underway in Romania and Hungary on the new HBO Max Original “Spy/Master,” a spy drama series set during the height of the Cold War that will star British Independent Film Award-nominated actor Alec Secăreanu (“God’s Own Country,” “RUXX”).

Variety; Marvel Boss Kevin Feige Teases Elizabeth Olsen’s MCU Return: ‘Anything’s Possible in the Multiverse’

Story from Variety:

Elizabeth Olsen is one of creative leaders honored for Variety’s 2022 Power of Women presented by Lifetime.

BBC Scotland: Q&A - Neil Doncaster on SPFL's new £150m broadcasting deal with Sky Sports

Story from BBC Sport Scotland:

The SPFL's new £150m live broadcasting contract is a "great deal" for Scottish football, says chief executive Neil Doncaster.

BBC Scotland: SPFL finalises £150m broadcasting deal for Scottish Premiership and SWPL matches

Story from BBC Sport Scotland:

The SPFL has finalised a new £150m live broadcast deal with Sky Sports.

Media Guardian: Move to cut Last Night of the Proms after royal death ‘was difficult’ – BBC boss

Story from Media Guardian:

The controversial move to cut Last Night of the Proms was the most difficult decision made during the BBC’s extensive coverage of the death of the Queen, the corporation’s director general has said.

Channel 4 Takeover - Advanced Television; Channel 4 CEO: ‘Government policy may change’

Story from Advanced Television:

Alex Mahon, CEO at UK public service broadcaster Channel 4, has acknowledged that the change in leadership of the governing Conservative Party and arrival of a new Secretary of State with responsibility for the broadcast sector, may impact on the previously announced intention to privatise the service.

TBI Vision: All3’s Maverick TV USA hires Authentic, Red Table Talk alum to lead development

Story from TBI Vision:

All3Media-backed Maverick TV USA has hired Helga Eike from Will and Jada Smith’s Red Table Talk Productions.

TBI Vision: Warner Bros. Discovery’s Gerhard Zeiler admits Sky deal will end ‘one day’ & talks up local programming

Story from TBI Vision:

Warner Bros. Discovery’s international chief Gerhard Zeiler has admitted the company will at some point end its output deal with Sky, while talking up the importance of local programming and investing in its UK production capability.

Virgin Media UK axe Channel 4 SD Channel

The Following has now happen on Virgin Media:

• Channel 4 SD Closes on Virgin Channel 104 (Outside London)

Daily Mail: Sky Sports 'want to rival Netflix for Drive to Survive-style PL doc'

Story from Daily Mail:

Sky Sports are aiming to rival Netflix to make a Drive to Survive-style documentary for the Premier League, according to reports.

Daily Express: BBC under fire over prosecutions of older viewers during Britain's economic crisis

Story from Daily Express:

BBC bosses are facing a plea to end the threat of prosecutions against older viewers and those struggling most during the cost of living crisis. Legal charity Appeal and campaign group Silver Voices joined forces to warn the corporation it "must stop criminalising poverty".

Daily Mail: Scottish clubs approve £150million TV broadcast deal with Sky Sports

Story from Daily Mail:

The SPFL have secured the green light from clubs to sign a new £150million broadcasting deal with Sky Sports.

Variety; Kevin Feige on Why Marvel Didn’t Recast T’Challa After Chadwick Boseman’s Death: ‘It Was Much Too Soon’

Story from Variety:

In “Captain America: Civil War,” the “Avengers” movies and, of course, “Black Panther,” Chadwick Boseman brought King T’Challa to life, marking an important moment in representation in superhero films and breaking box office records along the way.

Media Leader: ITV and Sky partner with Ratcliffe’s INEOS for childrens’ health campaign

Story from Media Leader:

Broadcasters ITV, STV, Sky and Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS have launched a national TV campaign to encourage schools to sign up to “The Daily Mile” to promote healthy lifestyles for teachers and children.

Daily Mail: Mark Lawrenson reveals BBC's request after Princess Diana's death

Story from Daily Mail:

The BBC asked commentators and pundits not to mention 'the wall' - the defensive line footballers stand in to defend a free-kick - in the aftermath of Princess Diana's death, claims veteran pundit Mark Lawrenson.

Deadline: John Oliver Pokes Fun At Leonardo DiCaprio’s Love Life In Return To ‘Last Week Tonight’

Story from Deadline:

John Oliver returned with a new episode of Last Week Tonight on HBO and HBO Max after taking a week off. The main topic of the night was Brazil and its president Jair Bolsonaro.

Hollywood Reporter: ‘Game of Thrones’ Outdraws ‘House of the Dragon’ on Streaming Chart

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Streaming users spent a lot of time with the Game of Thrones universe in the week following House of the Dragon’s premiere — but more with the parent series than the prequel.

Deadline; Chris Wallace Returns With Dual Platform Talk Show For HBO Max & CNN: “It Was A Bumpy Road To Get From Here To There, But We Feel Very Lucky”

Story from Deadline:

When Chris Wallace’s talk show returns today on HBO Max, there won’t be many changes from its previous incarnation: Sitting on a spartan set with a black backdrop, he interviews celebrities, politicians, authors and other boldfaced names. He even sings, a bit, with Shania Twain.

BBC Scotland: Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack has hit back at claims that the SPFL's proposed £150m broadcasting deal with Sky Sports undervalues the Premiership

Story from BBC Sport Scotland:

Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack has hit back at claims that the SPFL's proposed £150m broadcasting deal with Sky Sports undervalues the Premiership.

Daily Mail: Jane Garvey and Fi Glover are latest stars to leave BBC

Story from Daily Mail:

Fi Glover and Jane Garvey, the hosts of podcast 'Fortunately', have become the latest big name stars to leave the BBC in a 'brain drain' of talent at the corporation - as they take up new roles on Times Radio.

Daily Mail: Lawrenson claims he was sacked by the BBC because he is a 'white male'

Story from Daily Mail:

Mark Lawrenson has said he thinks his departure from the BBC was down to him being '65 and a white male'.

Media Boy Sources has reveal a latest update on both E! and Movies 24

Media Boy Sources has reveal a following update on both E! and Movies 24.

Variety: ‘Batgirl’ Star Leslie Grace Shares More Behind-the-Scenes Footage From Canceled DC Film

Story from Variety:

Leslie Grace, the star of the now-canceled DC Comics film “Batgirl,” has shared more behind-the-scenes footage of the production, nearly two months after the project was axed by Warner Bros. Discovery.

Hollywood Reporter: John Williams, Bob Iger Awarded Honorary Knighthood by Late Queen Elizabeth II

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Former Disney CEO Bob Iger and Star Wars composer John Williams are the latest Hollywood industry members to receive an honorary knighthood.

BBC Scotland: Scottish Premiership clubs to meet over proposed £150m broadcast deal

Story from BBC Sport Scotland:

Scottish Premiership clubs will meet next week in an attempt to resolve issues around a proposed new £150m broadcasting deal with Sky Sports.

New York Post: CNN viewers melting down over Jake Tapper’s primetime promotion

Story from New York Post:

Viewers ripped CNN over its promotion of Jake Tapper to its coveted 9 p.m. slot — with some claiming a recent shift in the anchor’s left-leaning reporting to more centrist and conservative-friendly takes amounts to “pandering” and “kissing up” to his new bosses.

Channel 4 HD changes channel numbers on Virgin Media next week

 The Following will happen on September 27th on Virgin Media:

Deadline: CNN’s Christiane Amanpour Says Interview With Iran’s President Canceled After She Refused To Wear Headscarf

Story from Deadline:

CNN’s chief international anchor Christiane Amanpour said that she declined to do an interview with Iran’s president in New York after one of his staffers informed her that she would be required to wear a headscarf.

Hollywood Reporter: Amazon Scores Big With First ‘Thursday Night Football’ Game

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

The NFL’s bet on streaming is looking like it will pay off.

Deadline: Jake Tapper To Host CNN Primetime Show Through Midterms, Alisyn Camerota And Laura Coates To Anchor Nightly Block

Story from Deadline:

CNN is filling in some of the gaps in its nightly schedule, at least through the midterms, with Jake Tapper hosting CNN Tonight at 9 PM ET, and Alisyn Camerota and Laura Coates sharing anchor duties in the 10 PM-midnight block.

Deadline: Alison Roman’s New Show To Join CNN Lineup This Fall

Story from Deadline:

CNN announced that Alison Roman’s new project (More Than) A Cooking Show will join the network’s lineup this fall.

Deadline: Warner Bros. Discovery Sets Trio of UK Unscripted Series

Story from Deadline:

Warner Bros. Discovery UK has commissioned three series: Secret Life of the Auction House (working title), Vintage Brokers and Supercar Airport (w/t) and confirmed the returns of Kings of the Wood, MotorPickers, Fifth Gear Recharged and Wheeler Dealers.

Deadline: Ben Stephenson’s ITV Studios-Backed Poison Pen Signs Sky Studios Drama Boss Preethi Mavahalli

Story from Deadline:

Sky Studios In-House Drama Director Preethi Mavahalli has joined Ben Stephenson’s transatlantic ITV Studios-backed indie, which will be called Poison Pen Studios.

Deadline: How UK Broadcasters Are Helping Producers Through The Worst Cost-Of-Living Crisis In Decades

Story from Deadline:

New UK Prime Minister Liz Truss and Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng are preparing to unveil the government’s plan to tackle the worst cost-of-living crisis for decades, and the TV industry is not immune.

Daily Mail: Channel 4 forced to shelve Frankie Boyle show on royals after Queen's death

Story from Daily Mail:

Channel 4 has been forced to shelve its 'foul' Frankie Boyle show about the royals amid weeks of national mourning for Britain's devoted head of state, it was revealed today.

Deadline; ‘Fantastic Four’: Jeff Kaplan & Ian Springer To Write New Film For Marvel Studios

Story from Deadline:

With Matt Shakman boarding as director, Marvel Studios has now found its writers to deliver the new Fantastic Four pic. Sources tell Deadline that Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer are on board to write the script for the film.

Hollywood Reporter: Hulu’s Value in Focus as Disney, Comcast Go Public With Negotiation Tactics

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

As Disney prepares to buy out the remainder of Comcast’s stake in Hulu by 2024, top executives at the two companies have increasingly taken their negotiating tactics public as they weigh the worth of the streaming service.

Media Leader: New UK Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan shows promise but will prejudice prevail?

Story from Media Leader:

The new Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan is already a proven upgrade on her predecessor Nadine Dorries. However, she suffers from several of the same delusions.

Variety: ‘House of the Dragon’ Averaging 29 Million Viewers Per Episode, Audience Rises 3% in Week 5

Story from Variety:

Viewership of “House of the Dragon” has hit a steady pace.

Variety: ‘See How They Run’ Stays Atop U.K. Box Office, ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Reenters Top Five

Story from Variety:

Disney’s “See How They Run” occupied the top spot for the second weekend in a row at the U.K. and Ireland box office, with £984,779 ($1.1 million), per numbers released by Comscore. The film now has a total of £2.8 million.

Deadline: Paramount Taps ‘Ms. Marvel’s Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy To Helm Marcus Sakey Novel ‘Brilliance’; Will Smith Producing And Eyed To Star

Story from Deadline:

Four-time Emmy- and two-time Oscar-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy will make her narrative feature directorial debut on Brilliance, the Paramount Pictures adaptation of the Marcus Sakey novel.

Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros. Discovery Restructures DEI Team With an International Geographic Focus

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Warner Bros. Discovery has restructured its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion group for the first time since the newly formed company’s merger was completed in April.

Variety: Marc Graboff Exits as Head of Discovery’s Studio and Worldwide Business and Legal Affairs

Story from Variety:

Marc Graboff has decided to exit as president of global business and legal affairs and content supply chain at the legacy Discovery side of Warner Bros. Discovery, Variety has learned exclusively.

Deadline: Queen Elizabeth II’s Funeral Watched By 37.5M Viewers In UK

Story from Deadline:

Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral was watched by a peak of around 37.5M UK viewers yesterday and 27M tuned in for the procession.

Advanced Television: HBO launches ‘Fifty Years of Firsts’ campaign

Story from Advanced Television:

In celebration of HBO’s 50th anniversary on November 8th, the pay-TV brand has launched its ‘Fifty Years of Firsts’ campaign.

Variety: CNN’s Morning Plan Will Face A.M. Scramble

Story from Variety:

CNN’s new chief hopes primetime anchor Don Lemon can help the network gain ground in some of TV news’ toughest terrain.

New York Post: Critics rip CBS over decision to cut Queen’s funeral to air ‘The Price Is Right’

Story from New York Post:

CBS News insiders slammed the struggling network over its tone-deaf decision to cut short coverage of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in order to air episodes of “Let’s Make a Deal” and “The Price Is Right.”

Variety; John Oliver Baffled He Got Censored for Comment About the Queen’s ‘Shocking’ Death at 96: ‘Scientifically, It’s Not a Joke’

Story from Variety:

John Oliver said on the Sept. 19 episode of “Late Night With Seth Meyers” that it was “pretty shitty” to have his Queen Elizabeth II jokes censored by the U.K. television network Sky following the British monarch’s death.

Daily Mail: 'She's making out like she was at Buckingham Palace every weekend!': Royal fans shocked as CNN ropes in Trisha Goddard to provide 'analysis' on the Queen's funeral

Story from Daily Mail:

Brits watching coverage of the Queen's funeral on CNN were left shocked on Monday as Trisha Goddard was roped in to provide 'analysis.'

Daily Mail: Awkward moment BBC newsreaders don't have a clue who Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is - but Aussie commentators also didn't recognise UK leader Liz Truss

Story from Daily Mail:

British presenters were left red-faced after failing to recognise Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as he arrived for Queen Elizabeth II's funeral.

Media Leader: Culture Sec to ‘reexamine’ Channel 4 privatisation

Story from Media Leader:

Michelle Donelan, the new UK Culture Secretary, has said she would re-evaluate the plan to privatise Channel 4 in an interview with the BBC.

Deadline: UK Media Counts Cost – Surprisingly Negative! – Of The Queen’s Death And Funeral

Story from Deadline:

It may seem a foregone conclusion that, while a sad occasion, the death of Queen Elizabeth II and her State Funeral that followed would be a triumphant day for UK broadcasters seeking ratings and newspaper editors seeking readers.

Media Guardian: Ministers to review Channel 4 privatisation and scrapping of BBC licence fee

Story from Media Guardian:

Ministers are reviewing the decisions to privatise Channel 4 and to scrap the BBC licence fee, the new culture secretary has said, saying she is “re-examining the business case”.

Media Guardian: Queen Elizabeth II funeral TV coverage – the end of an era, meticulously managed and undeniably moving

Story from Media Guardian:

Here we are, then. It is not often you can say you witnessed the end of an era. But by definition, the second Elizabethan age is over.

Variety: Netflix Renews Deal with Millimages for Seasons 2, 3, 4 of Hit Series ‘Molang’

Story from Variety:

French kids entertainment company Millimages has announced it is renewing with Netflix for Seasons 2, 3 and 4 of its hit series “Molang”, already picked up by co-producers TF1 and Canal+.

Media Guardian: The BBC axing my show was in very poor taste

Story from Media Guardian:

Despite wearing a supportive EU blue-and-gold hat to the first post-referendum parliament, the Queen’s genius was that she remained a mystery, a blank canvas the whole nation could project its hopes and dreams on to.

Daily Mail: Now the queue has its own weather forecast! BBC reveals it is 7C in the Elizabeth Line where mourners are facing a 14-hour wait to pay their respects to the Queen

Story from Daily Mail:

The queue to see the Queen lying-in-state has become so big that the BBC decided to give it its own tongue-in-cheek weather forecast - as tens of thousands of mourners continue to face a 14-hour wait to pay their respects to Her Majesty Elizabeth II.

Channel 4 Takeover - Media Guardian; The Guardian view on Channel 4 privatisation: a moment to step back

Story from Media Guardian:

The teetering in tray that faces the government after its long, hot summer offers opportunities as well as challenges, not least for the new culture secretary, Michelle Donelan.

Media Guardian: Queen’s funeral may break TV records, but ad blackout will cost media dearly

Story from Media Guardian:

The death of the Queen and coverage of her funeral will top the ranks of the most-watched broadcasts in British television history, while newspaper publishers have seen an unprecedented boost in sales as mourners seek commemorative copies.

Variety: Keanu Reeves Returns for ‘Constantine’ Sequel, HBO Max’s TV Reboot Dead Along With ‘Madame X’

Story from Variety:

The only soul Satan himself would come up to collect is getting a follow-up film. “Constantine” is back.

Media Guardian: ‘Do it solemnly, quickly, and shut up’: how TV is preparing for the royal funeral

Story from Media Guardian:

Miles of television broadcast cabling has been laid, almost every satellite truck in the UK has been hired out and international broadcasters are offering wads of money to anyone who can secure them a broadcast location overlooking the ceremony.

Hollywood Reporter; David Zaslav’s Strategy Shift: Licensing Out Warners’ IP Treasure

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Amazon was launching its own $500 million Lord of the Rings TV series, and it was in the market for a way to hook potential viewers of its fantasy epic.

New York Post: Don Lemon claims new CNN role is a ‘promotion’ despite losing primetime show

Story from New York Post:

Don Lemon sounded off Thursday night, insisting that his new job co-hosting CNN’s morning show is a “promotion” — even as the network axed his primetime show.

Deadline: TNets Strategy Comes Into Focus With Lower-Cost, Mass-Appeal Shows As New Chief Kathleen Finch Meets With Creative Community

Story from Deadline:

There probably has been no other division of WarnerMedia more impacted by the Discovery merger than the TNets, which consist of TNT, TBS and TruTV.

Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros. Discovery Has Bigger Problems Than Its DC Search

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

In early August — two days after David Zaslav terminated his brief honeymoon with Hollywood by dumping the HBO Max film Batgirl — the Warner Bros. Discovery CEO was still sounding confident about the future of one of the studio’s most important properties.

New York Post: Keith Olbermann slams CNN’s Chris Licht over morning shakeup: ‘S–tstorm is here’

Story from New York Post:

Ex-MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann labeled former colleague Chris Licht a “TV fascist” after the new CNN boss announced an overhaul of the struggling network.

Variety: Disney Removes ‘Star Wars’ Spinoff ‘Rogue Squadron’ From Release Calendar, Sets Dates for ‘Snow White,’ ‘Inside Out 2’ and ‘Lion King’ Sequel

Story from Variety:

Disney has removed “Rogue Squadron,” the “Star Wars” film from director Patty Jenkins, from its release calendar.

New York Post: CNN axes Don Lemon from primetime, moves him to morning show in anchor shakeup

Story from New York Post:

Ratings-challenged CNN will reshuffle the deck chairs on the slowly sinking network, pushing out left-leaning primetime host Don Lemon from his plum solo slot to a newly created morning team, boss Chris Licht announced Thursday.

Variety; ‘House of the Dragon’ Star Milly Alcock: Fans Pitting Rhaenyra and Alicent Against Each Other Is ‘F—ing Ironic’

Story from Variety:

Aside from Westerosi politics and fire-breathing beasts, HBO’s “House of the Dragon” plots the demise of a friendship between Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock) and Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey), who marries Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys (Paddy Considine), and threatens her friend’s claim to the Iron Throne with a newborn son.

Variety: Don Lemon, Kaitlan Collins, Poppy Harlow to Lead CNN Morning Show in Shake-Up

Story from Variety:

CNN is hoping to wake up its morning schedule.

Hollywood Reporter: Bob Chapek Says Comcast Would Need to Offer “Reasonable Terms” for Disney to Buy Hulu Stake Earlier

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Disney CEO Bob Chapek signaled his interest in integrating Hulu into Disney+ after the company buys out the remaining rights from Comcast.

Variety: Even With Disney+’s Looming Price Hike, Streamer Is ‘Way Underpriced,’ Says CEO Bob Chapek

Story from Variety:

Disney+ was first launched three years ago with the “pretty absurd” low price point of $6.99 per month, CEO Bob Chapek admitted.

Variety: Comcast Would Be Interested in Buying Hulu From Disney ‘If It Was Up for Sale,’ CEO Brian Roberts Says

Story from Variety:

Is there a bidding war brewing over Hulu — or is Brian Roberts trolling Disney?

Deadline: As Hulu Haggle Continues, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts Takes “Great Exception” To Disney Chief Bob Chapek’s View That Streaming Valuations Have Cooled

Story from Deadline:

With a bit more than a year left before Disney can buy out Comcast’s financial stake in Hulu, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts pushed back on Disney CEO Bob Chapek’s suggestion that Hulu’s value has declined amid public market skepticism about streaming.

Deadline: Frequent CNN Legal Expert Page Pate Drowns Off Georgia Coast

Story from Deadline:

Attorney Page Pate, who was regularly featured on CNN as a legal expert on topics such as Georgia’s probe into potential election interference by former president Donald Trump, FL Gov. Ron DeSantis’ stripping Walt Disney World of its special district and the Ghislaine Maxwell trial, died off the coast of Georgia on Sunday, his law firm Pate, Johnson & Church told CNN. He was 55.

Deadline: Disney Chief Bob Chapek Sees Clear Path For Hulu To Merge With Disney+ Once Comcast Buyout Is Complete

Story from Deadline:

Disney CEO Bob Chapek, coming off a promotional blitz at the company’s D23 conference last weekend, reiterated many of those messages for a Wall Street audience but struck a more definitive tone than ever before in outlining the future of Hulu.

Variety: CNN Veteran Rebecca Kutler Named MSNBC’s SVP of Content Strategy

Story from Variety:

CNN’s loss is MSNBC’s gain.

Deadline; Paramount CEO Bob Bakish Confirms Talks About Fate Of Showtime Streaming: “If We Weren’t Having That Conversation, You Should Fire All Of Us”

Story from Deadline:

Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish confirmed the company has held preliminary discussions about possibly winding down Showtime’s stand-alone streaming service and shifting its programming to Paramount+.

Hollywood Reporter: John Goldwyn, Karen Rosenfelt Reunite With Warner Bros. TV First-Look Deal

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Former Paramount Pictures duo John Goldwyn and Karen Rosenfelt are reuniting at Warner Bros. Television.

Deadline: Timothy Olyphant To Star In Steven Soderbergh’s ‘Full Circle’ HBO Max Limited Series

Story from Deadline:

Deadwood alum Timothy Olyphant is returning to HBO, signing on as a lead opposite Zazie Beetz and Claire Danes in the HBO Max limited series Full Circle, from director Steven Soderbergh and writer Ed Solomon.

Deadline; Roybal Film & Television Production Magnet Fund: Amazon, Disney, Fox, NBCUni, Paramount & Warner Bros. Discovery Commit $4M+ To School

Story from Deadline:

Amazon Studios, Disney, Fox Corporation, NBCUniversal/Telemundo Enterprises, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Discovery have signed on as Founding Partners of the Roybal Film and Television Production Magnet Fund, which was established by George Clooney, Grant Heslov and Creative Artists Agency’s Bryan Lourd, to support The Roybal Film and Television Production Magnet, a specialized academy created to drive transformational change across the industry by building a more inclusive pipeline of historically underrepresented college- and career-ready students pursuing below-the-line careers in film and television.

Variety: ‘House of the Dragon’ Viewership Up 5% With Episode 4

Story from Variety:

Viewership of “House of the Dragon” increased by 5% between Episodes 3 and 4, Variety has learned exclusively.

New York Post: CNN cuts away from Biden inflation reduction party as stocks plunge

Story from New York Post:

CNN anchors called out President Biden on Tuesday while the network aired a jarring image that showed the commander-in-chief celebrating passage of the Inflation Reduction Act even as the stock market tanked.

Variety: ‘Property Brothers’ Drew and Jonathan Scott Sign New Three-Year Deal at HGTV

Story from Variety:

Following a multi-platform bidding war, “Property Brothers” stars Drew and Jonathan Scott have signed a new exclusive multi-year deal with their longtime home HGTV.

Variety; HBO Max Sets ‘Batman: The Audio Adventures’ Season 2 Premiere Date, Jeffrey Wright Talks Voicing Caped Crusader

Story from Variety:

HBO Max is bringing DC’s “Batman: The Audio Adventures” back for a second run next month, with actor Jeffrey Wright again lending his rumbling baritone to the iconic superhero.

Variety: HBO Acquires Andrew Callaghan’s Channel 5 Documentary About Jan. 6 Riot, Produced by A24

Story from Variety:

Andrew Callaghan, the 25-year-old gonzo journalist who has grown to fame with his Channel 5 YouTube documentaries, is taking his next project to HBO.

Hollywood Reporter: HBO Max and Discovery+ Are “Not Perfect Right Now,” Says Warner Bros. Discovery CFO

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Warner Bros. Discovery is happy with its Emmy Awards haul, even if it will take some more time to combine its two big streaming services into one that merges the best of both, CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels told an investor conference Tuesday.

Deadline: Marc Stewart Joins CNN As Correspondent In Asia

Story from Deadline:

Marc Stewart is joining CNN as an international correspondent based in Asia.

Deadline: Warner Bros Discovery Starts 30% Trim Of Ad-Sales Ranks As Pursuit Of $3B In Post-Merger Cost Savings Continues

Story from Deadline:

The layoffs of about 30% of ad sales employees at Warner Bros Discovery started today and will likely proceed over the next few weeks.

Deadline: Paramount Exploring Shuttering Showtime’s Stand-Alone Streaming Service And Shifting Content To Paramount+

Story from Deadline:

In the latest sign of companies looking to streamline their brands in an increasingly streaming-centric world, Paramount Global has explored discontinuing Showtime streaming service and folding its content into the Paramount’s flagship Paramount+ offering.

Deadline: As ‘Last Week Tonight’ Wins Seventh Consecutive Late-Night Emmy, John Oliver Knows How Lucky He Is

Story from Deadline:

John Oliver’s winning streak at the Emmys continues.

Deadline: When Will John Oliver Stop Winning Emmys For Best Variety Talk Series? The Host Has An Answer – Emmys Backstage

Story from Deadline:

“How many Emmys do you have?” one reporter quizzed John Oliver about his Emmy winning streak for Last Week Tonight With John Oliver.

Deadline: HBO & HBO Max’s Casey Bloys On Dominant Emmy Performance & What’s Next For Winners ‘White Lotus’, ‘Succession’, ‘Euphoria’, ‘Hacks’ & ‘Last Week Tonight’

Story from Deadline:

HBO/HBO Max was on a roll tonight, winning 12 categories — more than all other networks and streamers combined. Factoring in the Creative Arts, HBO/HBO Max led the field with 38 Emmys vs. 26 for its main rival Netflix, which had a more modest haul of three trophies tonight.

Variety: Michael Keaton Assumes ‘Batgirl’ Cancellation Was a ‘Good’ Business Decision, but ‘I Really Don’t Know’

Story from Variety:

Michael Keaton, who scored his first Emmy win for best lead actor in a limited or anthology series, reacted backstage to the cancellation of “Batgirl” at the Emmy Awards Monday night.

Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros. Discovery Leads All Emmy Winners as HBO Tops Netflix

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Going into Sunday’s Emmys, HBO and Netflix were tied with 23 wins apiece after two nights of the Creative Arts awards.

Hollywood Reporter: Sky Cuts Queen Elizabeth II-Related Jokes From ‘Last Week Tonight With John Oliver’ in U.K.

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Comcast-owned pay TV giant Sky cut some jokes related to the death of Queen Elizabeth II from the latest episode of Last Week Tonight With John Oliver in the U.K.

Deadline: ProSiebenSat.1 To Own All Of German Streaming Service Joyn Following Warner Bros. Discovery Deal

Story from Deadline:

German media giant ProSiebenSat.1 has struck a deal to pick up the remaining 50% stake in the German streaming service Joyn from Warner Bros Discovery.

Deadline: CNN Anchor & Senior Political Correspondent Abby Phillip Signs With UTA

Story from Deadline:

Abby Phillip, CNN’s senior political correspondent and anchor of Inside Politics Sunday, an hourlong program focused on the week’s most important political storylines, has signed with UTA.

Deadline: Brian Stelter Takes Role As Media And Democracy Fellow At Harvard’s Shorenstein Center

Story from Deadline:

Former CNN host Brian Stelter has announced his next immediate move: He will be a fall 2022 fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy.

Daily Mail; 'We've all been preparing for this for 10-15 years': GMB's Ben Shephard discusses rehearsing for the Queen's death as a live broadcaster and says 'there's a protocol'

Story from Daily Mail:

Ben Shephard admitted that he and his Good Morning Britain colleagues have been preparing for the Queen's death for 'years.'

Daily Mail; BBC removes Andrew Marr voiceover from documentary on the Queen's life after his move to rival LBC: Journalist tells of shock after former employer 'reneged on gentleman's agreement' and replaced him with Kirsty Young

Story from Daily Mail:

The BBC removed Andrew Marr's voiceover from a documentary on the Queen's life after his move to rival LBC, leaving the journalist shocked after his former employer renegged on a 'gentleman's agreement'.

Media Guardian: Andrew Marr dropped from Queen film after leaving BBC

Story from Media Guardian:

Andrew Marr was unceremoniously dropped from the BBC’s coverage of the Queen’s death despite being promised before he left for a rival broadcaster that the BBC would air his documentary about the former monarch.

Radio Today: Alan Davey to step down as Controller of BBC Radio 3

Story from Radio Today:

Alan Davey, Controller of Radio 3, BBC Proms, and BBC Orchestras and Choirs has announced that he will leave the BBC in March 2023 after over eight years in post.

Daily Mail: How news of the Queen's death was revealed on TV: Emotional presenters clad in black verge on tears as they tell the nation Her Majesty, 96, had passed away - before national anthem is played

Story from Daily Mail:

Emotional television presenters choked back tears today as they revealed the news that the Queen had died peacefully at Balmoral.

Media Leader: UK broadcasters drive TV production recovery more than streamers

Story from Media Leader:

UK broadcasters were described as the “driving force” in the UK TV production industry’s recovery, with its total revenues growing 13% from 2020 to 2021.

Media Leader: Why the media can expect different treatment from King Charles

Story from Media Leader:

King Charles’ track record as Prince of Wales suggests there may be a sympathetic ear for the BBC in the new regime at Buckingham Palace.

Daily Mail: Premier League football's return faces a problem with a lack of TV TRUCKS - with Sky News' needs for covering the death of the Queen putting a strain on Sky Sports' resources

Story from Daily Mail:

The return of Premier League football could be jeopardised by a shortage of TV trucks caused by the 24/7 coverage being given to Her Majesty the Queen's funeral.

Variety: Investor Daniel Loeb Backs Off Disney-ESPN Sale Proposal, Citing ‘Better Understanding’ of Company’s ‘Growth and Innovation’ Plan

Story from Variety:

Activist investor Daniel S. Loeb of Third Point has backed off his proposal from last month for Disney to divest itself of ESPN in order to devote even more resources to content creation for streaming platforms.

Media Guardian: Sky News apologises for report mistaking protest for royal crowds

Story from Media Guardian:

Sky News has apologised after one of its reporters incorrectly told viewers that a protest march following the killing of Chris Kaba, who was shot by a Metropolitan police officer on Monday, was instead a gathering of people marking the death of the Queen.

Daily Mail: CNN reporter is blasted for 'disrespectfully' referring to William and Kate as 'the other two royals' during report about Windsor truce walkabout in wake of Queen's death

Story from Daily Mail:

CNN angered monarchists on Saturday by referring to Harry and Meghan by name - only to dismiss Prince William and Kate Middleton as 'the other two royals' moments later.

Deadline: Kenneth Branagh Plays Boris Johnson; Defends Covid Drama ‘This England’ Slammed By Critics As “Too Soon”

Story from Deadline:

Kenneth Branagh has defended upcoming political drama This England, in which he stars as British former prime minister Boris Johnson, which many people have slammed as “too soon.”

Variety: Bob Chapek Talks Disney+, ESPN and Hulu Future and Hints at ‘Hard Bundle’ Integration to Come

Story from Variety:

“You should see the backstage,” actor Diego Luna told the D23 Expo crowd Saturday morning as he talked up his new “Star Wars”-branded Disney+ series “Andor” to the 5,000 faithful fans who packed the Anaheim Convention Center.

Daily Mail: Vanessa Feltz shakes with tears as she reveals news live on air while Susanna Reid pays emotional tribute to ‘the most constant presence in all of our lives’ on GMB

Story from Daily Mail:

TalkTV presenter Vanessa Feltz was shaking with tears live on air as she announced the death of the Queen - as TV hosts across the nation were rocked by Her Majesty's passing.

Daily Mail: 'Not sure this guy has any idea the Queen is dead...': Bizarre moment man 'on work night out' stumbles into BBC interview outside Buckingham Palace and tells reporter 'I saw something was happening so thought I would come down'

Story from Daily Mail:

This is the bizarrely funny moment a BBC correspondent interviewed a passerby 'on a work night out' who decided to head to Buckingham Palace at 2am following the death of the Queen.

Daily Express: New culture secretary gets tough on BBC and demands licence fee is 'scrapped altogether'

Story from Daily Express:

Michelle Donelan, who was appointed to take over from Nadine Dorries on Tuesday, has criticised the national broadcaster for failing older viewers. And she has spoken of her wish for the "unfair tax" to be "scrapped altogether".

Daily Mail: Gogglebox becomes the most watched non-royal show as series premiere is seen by 2.6million - after viewers praised show for 'bringing normality' after Queen's death

Story from Daily Mail:

Gogglebox became the most watched non-royal programme on Friday with 2.63million people tuning in.

New York Post: Chris Licht taps ex-NYPD terror expert John Miller for CNN gig

Story from New York Post:

CNN boss Chris Licht made his first two big on-air hires Tuesday, following weeks of pushing out some of the network’s boldface names.

Daily Mail: BBC are blasted for 'poor error of judgement' after pair were spotted taking photos on their phones in background as emotional Huw Edwards announces Queen's death to the nation

Story from Daily Mail:

As BBC presenter Huw Edwards delivered the sombre news of Queen Elizabeth II's tragic death, two newsroom staff appeared to be taking photos in the background.

Deadline: ITV Moves National Television Awards From September To October Due To UK Period Of Mourning

Story from Deadline:

ITV and Indigo Television have decided to reschedule this year’s National Television Awards to respect the UK’s period of national mourning.

TBI Vision: Warner Bros. Discovery UK & Benelux, 7Mate among deals struck for ‘Gem Hunters’

Story from TBI Vision:

Seven Network’s 7Mate in Australia is among a raft of buyers to have struck pre-sale deals for Gem Hunters Down Under.

TBI Vision: Warner Bros. Discovery ‘firing up’ third-party distribution as FAST push emerges

Story from TBI Vision:

Warner Bros. Discovery is “firing up” its third-party distribution efforts and exploring a push into FAST channels as it looks to increase revenues.

Media Guardian: Emily Maitlis was right to speak out about government interference at the BBC

Story from Media Guardian:

BBC Panorama’s Carrickmore incident features in the first instalment of David Dimbleby’s recent documentary trilogy on BBC scandals.

Media Guardian: Death of Elizabeth II leaves BBC with tricky balancing act

Story from Media Guardian:

The death of the Queen has left the BBC with a tricky balancing act. It needs to act as the national broadcaster and commemorate the Queen, while also ensuring it doesn’t overwhelm audiences so much they switch off altogether.

Deadline: Sky Shifting ‘This England’ Launch Date By One Week To Respect UK Period Of Mourning

Story from Deadline:

Sky is shifting the TX date of its Boris Johnson TV series This England following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Daily Mail: BBC News' Huw Edwards 'practised and rehearsed' Queen's death moment

Story from Daily Mail:

BBC News broadcaster Huw Edwards is said to have been practicing the announcement of the death of the Queen in the bathroom mirror' for 'some time'.

Deadline: ‘Batgirl’ Shelving Was “Blown Out Of Proportion” By Press, Warner Bros Discovery CFO Says: “Media Likes To Talk About Media”

Story from Deadline:

The surprising decision last month to shelve completed DC movie Batgirl was “blown out of proportion” by the press, according to Warner Bros Discovery CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels.

Media Guardian: BBC One announces Queen’s death and plays national anthem

Story from Media Guardian:

UK news broadcasters including the BBC and ITV had well-rehearsed their strategies to deliver meticulous coverage of the death of the Queen.

Deadline: HBO Documentary Films Acquires Laura Poitras Oscar Contender ‘All The Beauty And The Bloodshed’ Ahead Of TIFF North American Premiere

Story from Deadline:

HBO Documentary Films has acquired U.S. television and streaming rights to Oscar winner Laura Poitras’s film All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, fresh from its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival and sneak preview at Telluride.

New York Post; Muslim groups slam CNN for hiring ex-NYPD official John Miller: ‘A cruel joke’

Story from New York Post:

Muslim groups slammed CNN’s decision to hire a former top cop at the NYPD to serve as its chief law enforcement and intelligence analyst — calling it a “cruel joke” because of his role in the police surveillance program after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Deadline; Bernard Shaw Dies: First Chief Anchor At CNN’s Launch Was 82

Story from Deadline:

Bernard Shaw, the first chief anchor for CNN who helped lead breaking news coverage for more than 20 years, has died. He was 82.

Deadline: Prominent MP Seeks To Halt Nadine Dorries’ Path To UK House Of Lords Over ‘Tower Block Of Commons’ Remarks

Deadline:

A prominent Scottish MP is attempting to block former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries’ path to the House of Lords over her controversial claim that Channel 4 used actors in Love Productions’ reality format Tower Block of Commons.

Variety; ‘Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler’ Gets Season 3 Trailer

Story from Variety:

Batman’s butler is coming to HBO Max.

New York Post: CNN ratings continue to tank as boss Chris Licht ‘has work cut out for him’

Story from New York Post:

CNN continues to hemorrhage viewers as new cable news boss Chris Licht scrambles to remake the primetime and morning lineups in an effort to reorient the channel toward more centrist reporting.

Deadline: ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ Adds Catherine Keener To Ensemble In Secret Role

Story from Deadline:

Oscar nominee Catherine Keener has landed a major role opposite Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga in Todd Phillips’ Joker sequel Joker: Folie à Deux for Warner Bros. and DC Films. Deadline recently broke the news that Brendan Gleeson would be joining the ensemble as well as Zazie Beetz.

Media Leader: Truss names Michelle Donelan as Culture Sec

Story from Media Leader:

New Prime Minister Liz Truss has named Michelle Donelan as the UK Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Variety: ‘House of the Dragon’ Episode 3 Falls by 1 Million Cable Viewers, Marking First Linear Ratings Drop

Story from Variety:

Traditional TV viewership of “House of the Dragon” has dropped for the first time.

Daily Mail: Don Lemon is branded a misogynist after asking stuttering Republican CNN commentator, 43, if she was suffering from 'MOMMY BRAIN'

Daily Mail:

CNN's Don Lemon was accused of misogyny after asking a Republican panelist who lost her train of thought if she was suffering from 'mommy brain.'

Variety: CNN’s Anderson Cooper to Explore Grief and Loss in New Series

Story from Variety:

In today’s podcast roundup, CNN’s Anderson Cooper delves into how to move forward after losing a love one; NPR sets “Invisibilia” Season 9 premiere date; former Obama adviser David Plouffe hosts podcast focused on the 2022 midterm elections for Cadence13; and more.

Variety; From WWE Marketing Manager to U.K.’s New Culture Secretary: 5 Things You Need to Know About Michelle Donelan

Story from Variety:

Late Tuesday evening local time, Michelle Donelan was appointed the U.K.’s latest secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport (DCMS) by incoming Prime Minister Liz Truss (herself only elected on Monday.)

Deadline: BBC Unveils First Diversity & Inclusion Director

Story from Deadline:

The BBC has unveiled its first Diversity & Inclusion Director, with L’Oréal (UK & Ireland) diversity exec Chinny Okolidoh taking on the role.

City A.M: BBC brings in Bain & Co to help make a licence fee freeze plan

Story from City AM:

BBC have called in Bain & Co to review its funding strategy as the licence freeze sinks in for the broadcaster.

Deadline: UK Prime Minister Liz Truss Names Former WWE Marketing Manager Michelle Donelan As Culture Secretary

Story from Deadline:

Michelle Donelan, a former WWE marketing manager who was Boris Johnson’s Education Secretary for just 48 hours, is to replace Nadine Dorries as Culture Secretary in UK Prime Minister Liz Truss’ first cabinet.

Hollywood Reporter: DC Chief Search Continues as Dan Lin No Longer in Talks for Top Job

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Dan Lin will not be accepting the keys to the DC kingdom. The producer was in negotiations to assume the expansive role encompassing film and television for the comic book brand, but talks broke down in recent days.

Deadline: Chris Wallace Show Sets Premiere Dates On HBO Max And CNN

Story from Deadline:

Chris Wallace’s talk show will premiere on HBO Max on Sept. 23 and two days later on CNN.

Variety: Karen Grinthal, Veteran Ad Exec, to Exit Warner Bros. Discovery

Story from Variety:

Karen Grinthal, a veteran ad-sales executive who has long represented cable’s Food Network and other properties to Madison Avenue, is set to retire from her post.

New York Post: Chris Licht taps ex-NYPD terror expert John Miller for CNN gig

Story from New York Post:

CNN boss Chris Licht made his first two big on-air hires Tuesday, following weeks of pushing out some of the network’s boldface names.

Press Gazette: Clive Myrie urges Liz Truss to reject Netflix-style funding of BBC and Channel 4 privatisation

Story from Press Gazette:

Clive Myrie has warned the government against turning the BBC into a subscription business, arguing that doing so could imperil the future of its news service.

Media Guardian: BBC chief denies Emily Maitlis’s ‘Tory agent’ claims

Story from Media Guardian:

The BBC’s chairman has rejected claims by the former Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis that a former Downing Street director of communications is acting as an agent of the Conservative party inside the corporation.

Deadline: BBC Bosses Reject Emily Maitlis MacTaggart Claims, Shrug Off Joe Lycett Criticism & Share “Significant” Funding Concerns

Story from Deadline:

BBC Chair Richard Sharp has said MacTaggart lecturer Emily Maitlis was “completely wrong” to say due process was not followed after her now-infamous Dominic Cummings Newsnight rant, and rubbished her claim that a Conservative Party agent sits on the BBC Board.

Deadline: ‘House Of The Dragon’ Breaks Sky Viewing Records In UK

Story from Deadline:

Having last month become HBO’s biggest European launch, Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon is also smashing UK records, becoming Sky’s biggest U.S. drama launch and biggest Sky Atlantic series premiere in its 11-year-history.

Digital TV Europe: Scots turning off SVOD

Story from Digital TV Europe:

Scottish consumers are turning away from subscription TV services, according to research by ScotPulse commissioned by commercial broadcaster STV.

City A.M: BBC chiefs can’t rule out further cuts as licence fee freeze stings

Story from City AM:

BBC chiefs have not ruled out further cuts to services as the broadcaster continues to feel the ramifications of the licence fee squeeze.

Variety: U.K. Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries Resigns

Story from Variety:

U.K. Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has formally resigned, less than a year into her role.

Daily Mail: Question of Sport loses millions of viewers after Sue Barker departure

Story from Daily Mail:

Ratings for Question of Sport have slumped to a new low following the departure of long-running host Sue Barker.

Media Leader: Nadine Dorries resigns as Culture Sec

Story from Media Leader:

Nadine Dorries has stepped down as UK Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), following Liz Truss’s election as leader of the Conservative Party yesterday.

Digital TV Europe: BT Sport deploys Red Bee Media automated subtitling tech

Story from Digital TV Europe:

BT Sport has announced a new partnership with Red Bee Media to make live content more accessible with the company’s automated subtitling service.

Daily Mail: SPFL move to change league rules in an attempt to force through a new £30m-a-year broadcasting contract with Sky Sports after Rangers failed to provide response on potential increase of fixture coverage

Story from Daily Mail:

The SPFL have moved to change league rules in a bid to force through a new £30million-a-year broadcasting contract with Sky Sports at the second attempt.

Media Guardian: Opinion is cheap and easy. The BBC’s mission is to deliver facts and evidence

Story from Media Guardian:

Indulge me for a few seconds and close your eyes. Now, imagine a world without the BBC. What’s it like in the darkness? No EastEnders or RuPaul’s Drag Race. No Newsnight or Question Time.

BBC News; BBC presenters: What's behind the large number leaving?

Story from BBC News:

A large number of presenters have left the BBC in recent months - either by force or by choice. Their departures have invited some uncomfortable headlines and questions for the corporation in the process.

Daily Mail; CNN sees pink: How Embattled broadcaster LIGHTENED 'demonic blood-red' background of Biden's furious 'soul of the nation' - despite new CEO vowing to lose the liberal bias and win back trust

Story from Daily Mail:

CNN appeared to alter the backdrop of President Joe Biden's fiery 'soul of the nation' speech from a stark blood-red to a gentler shade of pink.

Media Guardian: Comedy impartiality back on the radar of BBC’s enemies

Story from Media Guardian:

When Liz Truss and Joe Lycett turned up to film the first edition of the BBC’s new flagship political interview show, the future prime minister probably expected to be the one making the headlines.

Media Leader: What should the new government deliver for the media industry?

Story from Media Leader:

From the potential privatisation of Channel 4 to future HFSS advertising regulation and the Online Safety Bill, the new government has a lot on its plate that could massively impact the media industry and how it works.

Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery Unveils Nordics Leadership Team

Story from Variety:

Warner Bros. Discovery has unveiled its leaderships in the Nordics, including Pil Gundelach Brandstrup, who will be in charge of all content and planning across the region. Brandstrup will also continue leading content for Denmark.

Deadline; Analysis: All Eyes On Nadine Dorries’ Next Move As BBC & Channel 4 Fear The Worst For Privatization & License Fee Future Under New UK Prime Minister Liz Truss

Story from Deadline:

The BBC and Channel 4 may fear the worst as the anti-Public Service Broadcasting agenda led by Boris Johnson’s administration looks set to continue under a Liz Truss premiership, with all eyes trained on whether Nadine Dorries remains Culture Secretary.

Advanced Television: Warner Bros. Discovery names Nordic leadership team

Story from Advanced Television:

The management team that will lead Warner Bros. Discovery forwards in the Nordics has been announced by Christina Sulebakk following her appointment in June as General Manager.

Daily Mail: SPFL set to hold emergency talks as £30m-a-year TV deal with Sky Sports is thrown into doubt after Rangers failed to provide response on potential increase of fixture coverage

Story from Daily Mail:

The board of the SPFL will hold emergency talks after a new £30million a year broadcasting agreement between Sky Sports and the SPFL was thrown into doubt.

Advanced Television: MPs to question BBC chiefs tomorrow

Story from Advanced Television:

The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee of the UK House of Commons is to question senior BBC figures on the licence fee, impartiality, and earnings.

Deadline; Creative Arts Emmys: The Complete List Of Winners

Story from Deadline:

The Sunday portion of the 2022 Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony has wrapped with HBO and HBO Max and its Euphoria and The White Lotus the biggest winners along with Netflix’s Stranger Things.

Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros. Discovery Unveils Executive Team for Nordics

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Warner Bros. Discovery has unveiled its management team for the Nordics, led by Christina Sulebakk, who was appointed general manager of the business in June.

UPDATE: What Brands do Warner Bros. Discovery own in UK and Northern Ireland?

THIS PAGE WAS LAUNCH ON AUGUST 4TH - LATEST UPDATED ON SEPTEMBER 4TH:

Here is a full list of Brands that Warner Bros. Discovery do own in UK and Northern Ireland^:

Channel 4 Takeover - Variety: U.K. Producers Call on Next Prime Minister to Halt Channel 4 Privatization

Story from Variety:

Over 700 U.K. production companies, ranging from tiny indies to industry titans, have signed an open letter addressed to the next U.K. Prime Minister urging the privatization of public broadcaster Channel 4 to be halted in its tracks.

Deadline: ‘Last Week Tonight With John Oliver’ Continues Emmy Streak With Writing Win; Can Anyone Stop HBO Show In Main Late-Night Category?

Story from Deadline:

John Oliver can’t stop winning Emmys.

New York Post: CNN questioned after altering blood-red background of Biden’s speech

Story from New York Post:

CNN is facing questions from critics after the network was busted altering the lighting for President Biden’s Thursday address, softening the blood-red hues to calmer shades of pink.

Daily Mail: Huge £150m broadcast deal between Sky and SPFL in jeopardy with Rangers yet to agree an extension ahead of Tonight's midnight deadline... but every other top-flight team in Scotland has signed up

Story from Daily Mail:

The fate of a £150million broadcast deal between Sky and the SPFL hangs in the balance after Rangers left league chiefs sweating over their final decision.

Media Guardian: Correspondent abruptly leaves CNN after calling Trump a ‘demagogue’

Story from Media Guardian:

A White House correspondent for CNN – whose new leader wants the channel to adopt what he considers a more politically neutral voice to its coverage – has departed the network after calling Donald Trump “a dishonest demagogue” on the air.

BT Sport/Eurosport UK merger - Digital TV Europe: The BT Sport-Eurosport merger gives glimpse of wider Warner Bros. Discovery strategy

Story from Digital TV Europe:

In relatively swift fashion from the reveal of exclusive talks in February and a deal announced in May, Warner Bros. Discovery and BT Group have completed the merger of BT Sport and Eurosport into a combined 50:50 joint venture.

Variety: CNN White House Correspondent John Harwood Is Leaving Network

Story from Variety:

John Harwood, a White House correspondent who joined CNN in 2020, is leaving the network — the latest exit in recent weeks as executives appear to be mulling the news outlet’s roster in the aftermath of corporate parent Discovery’s acquisition of WarnerMedia.

New York Post: CNN’s John Harwood quits as new boss Chris Licht cleans house

Story from New York Post:

John Harwood, the veteran White House correspondent for CNN, announced he is leaving the embattled cable network on Friday — the latest high-profile departure under new boss Chris Licht.