Business Archives - TheWrap https://www.thewrap.com/category/category-business/ Your trusted source for breaking entertainment news, film reviews, TV updates and Hollywood insights. Stay informed with the latest entertainment headlines and analysis from TheWrap. Thu, 23 Jan 2025 22:58:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://i0.wp.com/www.thewrap.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/the_wrap_symbol_black_bkg.png?fit=32%2C32&quality=80&ssl=1 Business Archives - TheWrap https://www.thewrap.com/category/category-business/ 32 32 Disney CEO Bob Iger’s Pay Package Rises 30% to $41.1 Million in 2024 https://www.thewrap.com/disney-ceo-bob-iger-salary-pay-2024/ Thu, 23 Jan 2025 22:04:51 +0000 https://www.thewrap.com/?p=7688709 Iger is slated to lead the media conglomerate through the end of 2026

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Disney CEO Bob Iger’s total compensation for the 2024 fiscal year climbed to $41.1 million, according to a proxy filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday – a 30% increase compared to his $31.6 million package in fiscal 2023.

The 2024 pay package included a $1 million salary, $18.25 million in stock awards, $12 million in option awards, $7.22 million in non-equity incentive plan compensation, $495,142 reflecting a change in pension value and non-qualified deferred compensation earnings, and $2,145,767 in “other” compensation, including $523,685 in personal air travel and $1.44 million in security costs.

Iger, who returned to the role of Disney CEO in 2022 following the ouster of his successor-turned-predecessor Bob Chapek, is currently slated to serve in the role through the end of 2026.

Disney board chairman James Gorman has said a successor for Iger would be announced in early 2026. Internal candidates currently being considered for Iger’s replacement include Disney Entertainment co-chairs Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro and Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Josh D’Amaro.

“As Chair of the Succession Planning Committee, I am focused on managing our succession process, and we have continued to make strong progress over the last year,” Gorman wrote in Thursday’s filing. “The full Board is engaged in and committed to finding the right leader for the Company and we are planning for a smooth leadership transition that will enable Disney’s continued success.”

Disney shares have climbed 18.4% in the past year and 22% in the past six months.

In addition to Iger’s pay package, Disney revealed that chief financial officer Hugh Johnston received total compensation of $24.5 million for fiscal 2024.

The packaged included a salary of $1.65 million, a $3 million bonus, $10.5 million in stock awards, $3.5 million in option awards, $5.75 million in non-equity incentive plan compensation and $84,735 in “other” compensation, including $67,518 in relocation services.

Disney’s annual meeting is slated for March 20 at 10 a.m. PT.

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NBCUniversal Unveils Leadership Restructuring Ahead of Cable Spinoff, Launches Universal Television Entertainment Group https://www.thewrap.com/nbcuniversal-leadership-changes-universal-television-entertainment-group/ Thu, 23 Jan 2025 20:03:29 +0000 https://www.thewrap.com/?p=7688450 The division, which brings programming for its TV studios, NBC Entertainment, Bravo and Peacock under one roof, will be led by Frances Berwick, Pearlena Igbokwe, Liz Jenkins and Jenny Storms

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NBCUniversal is bringing programming for its television studios, NBC Entertainment, Bravo and Peacock under one roof as part of a broader restructuring designed to enhance collaboration among its teams and streamline decision making.

The new division, dubbed Universal Television Entertainment Group, will be led by Frances Berwick, Pearlena Igbokwe, Liz Jenkins and Jenny Storms. The executives will report directly to NBCUniversal Entertainment and Studios chairman Donna Langley.

Berwick will serve as Bravo and Peacock’s unscripted chairman, where she will continue to oversee first run syndication and unscripted programming across Bravo and Peacock including documentaries, true crime, and tentpoles such as “The Traitors” and “Love Island.”

Igbokwe will serve as chairman of television studios, NBC Entertainment and Peacock scripted. She will continue to lead Universal Studio Group, which includes Universal Television, UCP, Universal International Studios and Universal Television Alternative Studio, and add oversight of NBC Entertainment’s scripted, unscripted, late night, live events and specials and Peacock scripted originals to her purview.

Jenkins will serve as chief business officer, overseeing content strategy, TV acquisitions, strategy and business operations across the entertainment and studio groups. She will help shepherd the greenlighting process for TV and streaming content and closely partner with Matt Strauss and his teams to ensure alignment and enhance collaboration with the Media Group.

Storms will serve as chief marketing officer for NBCU’s television and streaming, leading brand strategy, integrated marketing, media and consumer engagement for all entertainment content and sports, including content and brand marketing for Peacock. 

“As you can see, the formation of this group is a testament to the incredible talent we have here at NBCUniversal,” Langley said in a memo to staff. “With our shared vision and combined expertise, we are poised to lead our dynamic industry in creativity and innovation, and seize growth opportunities for our business while delighting audiences across all platforms.”

The current entertainment and studios team, which includes business affairs and operations chairman Jimmy Horowitz, global distribution chairman Pete Levinsohn, head of people & culture Lissa Freed, global communications executive vice president Evan Langweiler, general counsel Chris Miller and Adam Moysey, will work closely with the new television entertainment leadership team to align functional areas in the coming weeks.  

Brian Henderson and the Peacock programming team will move from the Media Group team into the Entertainment and Studios team.

In addition, Jen Friedman has been promoted to chief communications officer and will continue to oversee global communications across NBCU corporate and its business units. Hilary Smith will continue to lead the Corporate Social Responsibility team and Pauline Lord will lead Corporate Events following Blaise Cashen’s retirement. Both will report to Friedman, as will Chip Sullivan, who will become executive vice president of Corporate Initiatives.

The shake-up comes as NBCU parent company Comcast plans to spin off its cable network portfolio — which includes USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel — and digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow and SportsEngine into a standalone, publicly traded company that will reach 70 million U.S. households and generate $7 billion in annual revenue.

Bravo, which is known for reality TV hits such as “The Real Housewives” and is viewed as a primary Peacock “feeder,” will stay with Comcast. Also staying are the streaming service and the NBC broadcast network, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBCU’s local stations and the company’s film and television studios. Universal Kids is set to shutter in March.

The spinoff is expected to take about a year, subject to final approval by Comcast’s board and regulatory approval, and will be tax-free to Comcast shareholders.

SpinCo will be led by former NBCUniversal Media Group chairman Mark Lazarus, who will serve as chief executive officer, and former NBCUniversal chief financial officer Anand Kini, who will serve as CFO and chief operating officer. Joining the pair will be Val Boreland as president of entertainment, Keith Cocozza as chief communications officer, Brian Dorfler as chief human resources officer, Jeff Mayzurk as president of operations and technology, Kristin Newkirk as TV networks chief financial officer, David Pietrycha as chief revenue and business officer and Greg Wright as chief accounting officer and controller.

NBCU Media Group CFO Christy Shibata will also transition to the SpinCo team.

Direct-to-consumer head Matt Strauss will succeed Lazarus as NBCUniversal Media Group chairman, continuing to lead Peacock, international networks and global streaming, while adding NBC Sports, advertising sales, content distribution, decision sciences & research and NBC broadcast affiliate relations to his purview.

His leadership team will include global advertising & partnerships chairman Mark Marshall, NBC Sports president Rick Cordella, international networks and DTC president Ken Bettstellar, chief product officer Jim Denney, chief technology officer Patrick Miceli and chief data officer Will Gonzalez and NBCU media group general counsel Andra Shapiro, who will continue in their respective roles.

Matt Schnaars has been promoted to president of platform distribution & partnerships, overseeing content distribution, affiliate relations and strategic partnerships across NBC, Peacock, Bravo, Telemundo and various FAST channels.

Shannon Willett will become the media group’s chief commercial officer, leading day-to-day strategy and execution for Peacock and cross business initiatives, while Earl Marshall will take on the expanded role of the division’s chief financial officer and strategy EVP. Joanne O’Brien will become head of NBCU media group HR, overseeing people and talent strategy.

Courtney Rowe will serve as executive vice president of corporate and NBCU media group communications, reporting to Strauss and Friedman. NBCU TV and Streaming group communications EVP Allison Rawlings will work with Rowe and the NBCU Entertainment and Studios team on the transition.

Strauss will hold a virtual all hands meeting to review the new structure and 2025 goals on Jan. 30 at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT.

“In the coming weeks, Donna and I will share our vision for the Media business and how we can collaborate effectively to drive success for our networks, platforms and key stakeholders,” Strauss said in a separate memo to staff. “Throughout my career, I’ve always been passionate about opportunities to build the future of media, and today’s changes are how we can continue transforming our Media business, in partnership with Entertainment and Studios. I’m excited by the possibilities ahead – let’s go!”

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Liz Wise Lyall Returns to Lifetime as SVP of Scripted Programming and Development https://www.thewrap.com/liz-wise-lyall-lifetime-scripted-programming-development-svp/ Thu, 23 Jan 2025 18:00:00 +0000 https://www.thewrap.com/?p=7688319 In her new role, the executive will lead the network's movie production strategy and scripted co-productions

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Liz Wise Lyall is returning to Lifetime to serve as its senior vice president of scripted programming and development, the network announced on Thursday.

In her new role, Lyall will be responsible for leading the network’s movie production strategy and scripted co-productions. She will oversee the development and execution of original films while expanding strategic partnerships and acquisitions.

During her initial stint from 2005-2011, she served as a manager before being elevated to a director, working on movies such as “The Pregnancy Pact” with Thora Birch, “To Be Fat Like Me” starring Kaley Cuoco and “Girl, Positive” with Jennie Garth. Lyall also worked on creative partnerships with Gale Anne Hurd, Garth Brooks and Salma Hayek, among others.

“Lifetime movies are iconic and a genre in of itself so I could not be more thrilled to have Liz return with her deep understanding and knowledge of Lifetime movies,” A&E, Lifetime and LMN executive vice president of programming Elaine Frontain Bryant said in a statement. “Liz’s energy coupled with her experience in bringing teams together will help drive further growth for our movie team.”

Prior to rejoining Lifetime, Lyall spent over 14 years at The CW Network, most recently serving as senior vice president and head of scripted programming, where she was in charge of current programming, scripted development and international co-productions.

Lyall played a pivotal role in series like “Wild Cards,” “Superman & Lois,” “Riverdale,” “Arrow,” “The Flash,” “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow,” “The 100,” “iZombie” and the upcoming “Good Cop, Bad Cop.” She also oversaw the DC animated films for The CW’s Seed platform, such as “Constantine” and “Vixen,” the comedy “Significant Mother” and the network’s first original animated holiday special “Beebo Saves Christmas.”

Following The CW’s ownership transition to Nexstar, Lyall led the initiative to merge the current programming and development departments into a unified team, streamlining operations and encouraging creative innovation across the network.

Before venturing into television, she was a literary agent at Alpern Group in Los Angeles and Harrison Artist Management in her native Canada.

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Sony Pictures Television’s 19 Entertainment Names Joey Arbagey as EVP of Music https://www.thewrap.com/sony-pictures-television-19-entertainment-joey-arbagey-evp-of-music/ Thu, 23 Jan 2025 18:00:00 +0000 https://www.thewrap.com/?p=7688441 The former Epic Records exec will run "American Idol's" music business

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Sony Pictures Television’s 19 Entertainment has named Joey Arbagey as its newest EVP of music.

Arbagey, who most recently spent a decade as an executive for Epic Records, will be tasked will spearheading the music business connected to 19 Entertainment-produced “American Idol,” which has launched the careers of stars like Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson and Phillip Phillips, among others.

In the role, Arbagey will over the music division, including 19 Recordings, 19 Publishing, and 19 Management, as well as the branch’s collaboration, including the distribution partnership with BMG. He will report to SPT nonfiction president, Eli Holzman, and EVP of production Rachel Dax.

Arbagey’s appointment comes just days after the company promoted Keith Le Goy to chairman of Sony Pictures Television, expanding the longtime executive’s oversight to include all of the studio’s domestic and international production.

“We are so glad to bring Joey aboard as we work to evolve our music division to address the needs of artists in the music industry of today,” Holzman and Dax said in a joint statement. “He is an outstanding executive with a strong track record across both the business and creative sides of the industry. His input will be invaluable as we continue to build the legacy of one of the most iconic institutions in music.”  

Arbagey has been behind a handful of hit artists and songs, including records for Camila Cabello, Mariah Carey, John K and Eddie Benjamin, of which he oversaw the creative record-making process during his time as EVP of A&R for Epic
Records. Before that, he served as head of A&R for Antonio “LA” Reid, where he oversaw artists including Future, Travis Scott, DJ Khaled and Meghan Trainor. 

“I couldn’t be more excited to join Eli, Aaron, and Rachel, and the rest of the 19
Entertainment team, particularly at this moment,” Arbagey said in a statement. “They’ve built a music division with a roster that speaks for itself, and I look forward to working with them and our partners as we aim for even greater heights with our next chapter.”

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Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment President David Haddad to Exit After 12 Years https://www.thewrap.com/warner-bros-games-interactive-entertainment-president-david-haddad-exit/ Thu, 23 Jan 2025 17:01:43 +0000 https://www.thewrap.com/?p=7688424 The gaming executive will remain with the company for the next three months to assist in finding his replacement

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Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment president David Haddad is set to exit after 12 years, TheWrap has learned.

WBD Global Streaming and Games CEO and president JB Perrette shared the news in a staff memo on Thursday. Haddad will stay with the company for the next three months as he assists in finding his replacement.

“On behalf of David Zaslav and all of us at WBD, I want to express my deepest gratitude to David for his phenomenal work and passion during his time here. With the support and incredible efforts of this whole team, David has led WB Games to numerous accomplishments over the years, both creatively and commercially,” Perrette wrote. “His vision, talent and passion have helped build one of the most successful and admired gaming companies in the industry and navigated some of the biggest changes and challenges as well.”

In the exit announcement, Haddad was praised for helping lead multiple billion-dollar games and franchises, such as Hogwarts Legacy, Game of Thrones
Conquest, Golf Clash and Mortal Kombat.

“I am so proud of everything we’ve accomplished together at Warner Bros. Games during my time with the company,” Haddad said in his own statement. “It has been an absolute pleasure working on and building our iconic gaming franchises, and I will continue to be an enthusiastic supporter of this talented team’s future endeavors. I look forward to working on the next chapter of my career and will always be grateful for my time with Warner Bros. Games.”

Warner Bros. Discovery will hold a town hall to discuss the global games department’s next steps.

Furthermore, Variety reports there is no indication WBD will be selling the gaming division anytime soon.

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NBCUniversal Unscripted Boss Corie Henson to Exit in Restructuring https://www.thewrap.com/nbcuniversal-unscripted-boss-corie-henson-exiting-restructuring/ Thu, 23 Jan 2025 16:13:03 +0000 https://www.thewrap.com/?p=7688213 Since 2022, the executive has overseen hits like "America’s Got Talent," "The Voice," "The Traitors" and "Love Island"

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NBCUniversal’s executive vice president of unscripted content, competition and game shows Corie Henson is set to exit the media giant as part of a broader restructuring.

Since taking on the role in 2022, Henson has overseen hits like “America’s Got Talent” and “The Voice” on NBC, “The Traitors” and “Love Island” on Peacock, and programming across the company’s portfolio of channels like Bravo, E!, Oxygen True Crime, Syfy and USA Network.

A spokesperson for NBCUniversal declined to comment.

Henson previously served as EVP and head of unscripted for TNT, TBS and TruTV. She developed and launched an unscripted programming strategy that included “Wipeout,” “Hogwart’s Tournament of Houses” and more. She was also formerly the EVP of Fox Alternative Entertainment, spearheading strategy for shows like “The Masked Singer,” “MasterChef,” “So You Think You Can Dance,” “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Beat Shazam With Jamie Foxx.”

Prior to Fox, she served as executive vice president of unscripted television for the multi-platform studio Electus, overseeing series including NBC’s “Running Wild With Bear Grylls,” truTV’s “Breaking Greenville” and National Geographic’s “Southern Justice.” She also served as ABC Entertainment’s vice president of alternative series, overseeing “Dancing With the Stars” and “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” as well as developing and launching “Shark Tank” and “Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition.”

Additionally, she previously produced a wide variety of shows for broadcast, cable and daytime, including CBS’ “Big Brother,” NBC’s “Grease: You’re the One That I Want,” Fox’s “On Air With Ryan Seacrest” and TLC’s “The Secret Life of a Soccer Mom.” She also executive produced the Critics’ Choice Awards and oversaw live red carpet coverage for the major award shows at E! Entertainment Television earlier in her career.

The move comes as NBCU parent company Comcast plans to spin off its cable network portfolio — which includes USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel — and digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow and SportsEngine into a standalone, publicly traded company that will reach 70 million U.S. households and generate $7 billion in annual revenue.

The spinoff is expected to take about a year, subject to final approval by Comcast’s board and regulatory approval, and will be tax-free to Comcast shareholders.

SpinCo will be led by former NBCUniversal Media Group chairman Mark Lazarus, who will serve as chief executive officer, and former NBCUniversal chief financial officer Anand Kini, who will serve as CFO and chief operating officer.

Joining the pair will be Val Boreland as president of entertainment, Keith Cocozza as chief communications officer, Brian Dorfler as chief human resources officer, Jeff Mayzurk as president of operations and technology, Kristin Newkirk as TV networks chief financial officer, David Pietrycha as chief revenue and business officer and Greg Wright as chief accounting officer and controller.

In connection with the move, chief content officer Donna Langley has been elevated to chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment and Studios, giving her full oversight of entertainment programming and marketing across Peacock, Bravo and NBC — including primetime and late night — as well as continued oversight of global creative strategy, business operations, production, acquisitions, marketing and distribution for the company’s film and television studios.

Direct-to-consumer head Matt Strauss will succeed Lazarus as NBCUniversal Media Group chairman, continuing to lead Peacock, international networks and global streaming, while adding NBC Sports, advertising sales, content distribution, decision sciences & research and NBC broadcast affiliate relations to his purview.

Cesar Conde will remain chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, overseeing NBC News, NBC News Now, Telemundo Enterprises and NBCU Local stations, while Mark Woodbury will continue as chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences.

Comcast president Mike Cavanagh’s core leadership team will include current executive vice president Adam Miller, who will become NBCU’s chief operating officer; Craig Robinson who will continue as executive vice president and chief diversity officer; and Kim Harris, who will continue as executive vice president of Comcast and general counsel of NBCU.

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Comcast Launches Xfinity Sports & News TV Package for $70 Per Month https://www.thewrap.com/comcast-xfinity-sports-news-package-pricing-launch/ Thu, 23 Jan 2025 15:29:38 +0000 https://www.thewrap.com/?p=7688324 The new offering is aimed at competing with YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV

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Comcast’s Xfinity has launched a new sports and news TV package in an effort to compete with YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV.

Xfinity Sports & News is available for $70 per month. In comparison, YouTube Standard and Hulu Live + Hulu with Ads are both available for $82.99 per month.

The offering features over 50 live news, sports and broadcast channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNBC, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Telemundo, Univision, ESPN, FS1, Big Ten Network, SEC Network and ACC Network, along with Peacock Premium at no extra cost.

The package will offer customers more than 8,000 hours of live sports coverage from the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, NCAA, Premier League and more, hit movies right after they’re in theaters, next-day access to all new shows from NBC and Bravo, fan-favorite library content and daily live news.

It also includes over 100 streaming channels, 300 hours of premium DVR service and allows viewers to stream content live or download it from their devices, including TVs, laptops, phones and tablets. Viewers who add an X1 TV box to their subscription can also get features like enhanced 4K, multi-view, Odds Zone and integrated search with the Xfinity voice remote.

Sports & News TV is available both in-home and on-the-go via the Xfinity Stream app on supported third-party platforms such as Apple TV, Fire TV, iOS and Roku.

Sports & News TV customers looking for more live sports can pay an additional $9.95 per month for Xfinity’s More Sports & Entertainment package, which includes channels like NFL RedZone, NFL Network, MLB Network, NBA TV and NHL Network. They can also pay an additional $15 to add Xfinity StreamSaver with Netflix and Apple TV+.

Separately, Comcast launched its $20 per month Now TV package back in 2023, which includes Peacock Premium, more than 40 linear channels and 20 ad-supported streaming channels for viewers who don’t mind not having sports or local news stations.

Comcast’s latest package comes on the heels of DirecTV unveiling a $70 per month MySports bundle, which includes access to 40 sports and broadcast channels and is available in 24 metro areas. Its introduction followed the death of Fox, Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery’s Venu Sports.

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Complaints of Bias, ‘News Distortion’ Against CBS, ABC and NBC Reinstated by Trump-Appointed FCC Chair https://www.thewrap.com/fcc-complaint-news-bias-cbs-abc-nbc-trump-reinstated/ Thu, 23 Jan 2025 01:11:08 +0000 https://www.thewrap.com/?p=7687963 Brendan Carr's predecessor said the complaints were "seeking to weaponize" the agency and were "at odds" with the First Amendment

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Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr has reversed his predecessor Jessica Rosenworcel’s last-minute decision to dismiss three complaints against local CBS, ABC and NBC stations.

The complaints were filed by The Center for American Rights, a self-described “nonpartisan public interest law firm.” The firm accused ABC Philadelphia’s WPVI-TV of favoring Vice President Kamala Harris when the network hosted the September presidential debate, New York’s WCBS-TV for “news distortion” for the way Harris’ “60 Minutes” interview was edited, and New York’s WNBC-TV of violating the FCC’s equal time rule when Harris appeared on “Saturday Night Live” during the weekend leading up to the presidential election.

In her decision last week, Rosenworcel said that the complaints had aimed to “weaponize” the agency and were “at odds” with the First Amendment. In the order denying the complaints against WPVI and WCBS, the FCC said that the First Amendment restricts the agency from interfering with the free press. In the order denying the complaint against WNBC, the agency noted that the station complied with the equal time rule by giving Trump airtime the next day during a NASCAR race and an NFL “Sunday Night Football” game. She added that the FCC “should not be the President’s speech police” or “journalism’s censor-in-chief.”

But Carr argues that Rosenworcel’s order was “issued prematurely based on an insufficient investigatory record for the station-specific conduct at issue.”

“We therefore conclude that this complaint requires further consideration,” he added. “Thus, on our own motion and pursuant to our existing authority under section 1.113 of the Commission’s rules, we hereby set aside the Letter Order and reinstate the complaint.”

The decision to reinstate the complaints come as president Donald Trump has previously called for the broadcast licenses of ABC, NBC and CBS to be revoked over their coverage during the campaign.

Meanwhile, a fourth complaint filed by the Media and Democracy Project, which pushed to revoke the broadcast license of Fox Philadelphia’s WTXF-TV, will not have its dismissal reversed. The complaint, which was supported by former News Corp. government relations head Preston Padden, alleged that the Dominion Voting System lawsuit against Fox Corp. showed that Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch lacked the “character” to hold a broadcast license.

In the order denying the complaint against WTFX, the FCC said the character assessment requested is “at odds with the First Amendment and continued freedom of the press” and that previous actions that revoked broadcast licenses for “character” issues “involved the station’s clear failure to comply with agency rules (not at issue here) or a clearly adjudicated felony for the station owner (also not at issue here).”

In a joint statement, the Media and Democracy Project and Padden said they “look forward to presenting on appeal the multiple court decisions that raise serious questions about the Murdochs’ and Fox’s character qualifications to remain broadcast licensees.”

They noted that the petition is based on “judicial findings that Fox made repeated false statements that undermined the electoral process and resulted in property damage, injury and death; that Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch engaged in a ‘carefully crafted scheme’ in ‘bad faith’ to deprive Lachlan’s siblings of the control to which they are entitled under an irrevocable trust; and that ‘Murdoch knowingly caused the corporation to violate the law.’”

“As renowned First Amendment scholar Floyd Abrams stated in his filing with the Commission, the First Amendment is no bar to Commission action given the facts of this case. Our petition is clearly distinct from the other politically motivated complaints,” they added. “It simply will be wrong if the Murdochs and Fox escape any responsibility for their prominent role for the riot at the Capitol on January 6th and the efforts to overturn the results of a presidential election.”

Carr has previously said that the “news distortion” complaint against CBS is likely to arise in the context of the agency’s review of Paramount Global’s pending $8 billion merger with Skydance Media. The deal, which is on track to close in the first half of 2025, is subject to regulatory approval from the FCC due to a required transfer of broadcast licenses.

The Center for American Rights has asked that approval of the merger be conditioned upon Paramount’s commitment that it will avoid foreign influence and promote viewpoint diversity – going as far as suggesting the agency coordinate with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) or other national security agencies to review the transaction.

It argues that an investment in Skydance from Tencent Holdings raises questions about “troubling questions about undue foreign influence from China.” It also claims that CBS News has “exhibited improper ideological bias” and that CBS Television has “apparently engaged in illegal racial quotas for its hiring.”

Skydance and Paramount have asked the FCC to dismiss the firm’s objections to the merger, arguing the viewpoint neutrality condition would “improperly encroach on broadcasters’ editorial discretion” and violate the First Amendment. They also said that the allegations of Chinese influence have “no factual foundation and are legally unavailing” and that Tencent’s “entirely passive, non-attributable, minority interests present no basis for concern about undue influence.”

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‘South Park’ Streaming Rights Battle Between Paramount and WBD Moves to Discovery Stage https://www.thewrap.com/paramount-wbd-south-park-streaming-rights-legal-battle-advances/ Wed, 22 Jan 2025 23:52:50 +0000 https://www.thewrap.com/?p=7687896 A judge denied Paramount's motion to dismiss an "unjust enrichment" claim filed by Warner Bros.

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Paramount Global will remain on the hook for some of the claims in its legal battle with Warner Bros. Discovery over a 2019 licensing agreement for the long-running Comedy Central series “South Park,” which was brokered for more than $500 million.

The media giant is accused of breach of contract after South Park Digital Studios made two special episodes available to Paramount and MTV and not WBD; “tortious interference” for causing SPDS to breach its agreement with WBD and “unjust enrichment” because it benefitted from streaming the specials that were outside the scope of the deal.

In a ruling on Tuesday, Justice Margaret A. Chan of Manhattan’s State Supreme Court advanced the case to the discovery stage and denied a motion for partial summary judgement to dismiss the unjust enrichment claim, which Paramount had argued is duplicative to the breach of contract and tortious interference claims.

The ruling moves the case to the discovery stage, clearing the way for a trial.

Warner Bros. Discovery claims that Paramount’s priorities “changed drastically” upon the launch of Paramount+ in 2021, resulting in a “multi-year scheme to unfairly take advantage” of the former conglomerate by breaching its agreement and “stealing its content.”

Per the 2019 agreement, where Warner/HBO outbid others in a highly competitive situation to garner the exclusive rights to the series, the company acquired the series’ entire catalog (23 seasons at the time) in addition to three new installments, totaling more than 300 episodes. Based on the representations made in the deal, WBD alleges that Paramount Global promised exclusivity in hosting all 333 episodes — the 303 existing at the time, in addition to the 30 that would be added across the three new seasons — and that sharing rights was a “non-starter.”

However, as a result of the pandemic, Paramount delayed filming on Season 24, instead producing two nearly hour-long COVID-themed specials that released initially on Comedy Central and were later put on HBO Max. Because of the specials’ longer runtime, WBD paid double the typical single-episode rate. The company says it did not receive Season 24 episodes despite the entry of a new deal in 2021 between the show’s creators and the Paramount subsidiary MTV worth $900 million to produce 14 original movies for Paramount+. At the time, the series was also renewed through Season 30.

Chan found that the “ambiguous contract” is “silent on vital details,” such as “how to decide what is in the Seasons 24-26 and whether plaintiff can pursue disgorgement against third parties who stream content before the plaintiff.”

“As such, the dispute is not properly addressed by the contract,” she wrote. “Given the ambiguity of the Term Sheet, parol evidence will likely be necessary to determine whether and how the Term Sheet applies — parol evidence that is unavailable at this early stage of litigation. Thus, summary judgment is denied as premature.”

Chan also said that the unjust enrichment and tortious interference claims in the case “share little overlap,” making it premature to determine whether the former claim is duplicative.

“Because there are still disputed facts regarding the scope of the parties’ relationships and the rights to the Specials, plaintiff is not required to elect between tortious interference and unjust enrichment at this stage,” Chan added. “After discovery, when the facts are no longer in dispute, plaintiff can choose a claim.”

In addition to the three existing claims, Paramount previously faced two additional claims of “breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing” and “violation of New York Business Law,” though those had been dropped in November.

The post ‘South Park’ Streaming Rights Battle Between Paramount and WBD Moves to Discovery Stage appeared first on TheWrap.

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Starz/Max Bundle Launches on Prime Video for $20.99 Per Month https://www.thewrap.com/starz-max-bundle-prime-video-launch/ Wed, 22 Jan 2025 17:11:01 +0000 https://www.thewrap.com/?p=7687662 The offering, which is available on the Amazon-owned streamer for a limited time, marks savings of approximately 25%

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Starz is teaming up with Prime Video and Warner Bros. Discovery to launch a new ad-free Max/Starz bundle that will be available to the Amazon-owned streamer’s customers in the U.S. for $20.99 per month.

The deal, which is available for a limited time and marks savings of approximately 25%, will give eligible subscribers access to Starz’s library of original series, including “Outlander,” the upcoming fourth season of “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” and the new thriller “The Couple Next Door,” as well as action-packed films such as “John Wick: Chapter 4,” “Borderlands” and “Spiderman: No Way Home.”

It also includes original series, blockbuster movies, documentaries and more from HBO, Warner Bros., A24, Adult Swim and the DC Universe, including “The Pitt,” the upcoming seasons of “The White Lotus” and “The Last of Us,” “The Penguin,” “House of the Dragon,” “Hacks,” “Barbie,” “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” both “Dune” films, and classics like “Friends,” “The Big Bang Theory” and many more.

“We are thrilled to team with Prime Video and Max to deliver this new offering of critically acclaimed programming to an even broader customer base,” Starz Networks president Alison Hoffman said in a Wednesday statement. “Together, our world-class libraries provide an unparalleled viewing experience, offering a diverse selection of high-quality series and films across multiple genres.”

The latest bundle comes after Vizio unveiled a Starz-AMC+ bundle for $13.99 per month, compared to $20.98 per month when purchasing the two services separately.

DirecTV also unveiled a $70 per month MySports bundle, which includes access to 40 sports and broadcast channels and is available in 24 metro areas. Its introduction followed the death of Fox, Disney and WBD’s Venu Sports.

In addition, Disney and WBD teamed up on a Disney+/Hulu/Max bundle, which launched back in July for $16.99 per month with ads and $29.99 per month without ads.

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