Top News:
Financial Times:
Sources: WBD weighs splitting off its streaming and studio businesses from its legacy TV networks including CNN, leaving most of its debt with the TV networks — Group behind CNN and HBO has discussed options including spin-off of its streaming service and movie studio
Mike Vorkunov / New York Times:
Sources: the WNBA's media rights deals mirror the NBA's, and the league is set to get at least $2.2B over 11 years or $200M/year, up from the current ~$50M/year — The WNBA's next national media rights package has come into shape. The league is set to receive roughly $2.2 billion …
Discussion:
Awful Announcing, The Streamable, New York Post, TVNewsCheck, Sportico, @kennysmith.bsky.social, Front Office Sports, Front Office Sports, Chelsee Washington on LinkedIn, Sports Illustrated, Next TV, New York Post, Mediaite, The Guardian, Black America Web, USA Today and Sports Media Watch
RELATED:
Hong Kong Free Press:
Hong Kong-based reporter Selina Cheng says she was fired by The Wall Street Journal for taking up the position of chair of the Hong Kong Journalist Association — American newspaper The Wall Street Journal has fired Hong Kong-based reporter Selina Cheng weeks she was elected chair …
Discussion:
Washington Post, @selina_cheng, National Union of Journalists …, Al Jazeera, Eric Wishart on LinkedIn, @laurengoode, The Atlantic, @jonamorem, @jfsteinfeld, @missanabeem, @maryhui, @lewispants, @semaforben, @lilahass, @compliancememe, @tulikabose_, @moorehn, @sharp_writing, @nate_dicamillo, @mike_hixenbaugh, @dancow, @wesleylowery, @johnsimpsonnews, @selina_cheng, @_karenhao, @usa_baozilover, @feliciasonmez, @debbychan_hk, @tomgrundy, Associated Press, Semafor, Sheila Coronel on LinkedIn, @jenvalentino_nyt@threads.net, The Guardian, Reuters, Dr. Eric Yan-ho Lai on LinkedIn and Talking Biz News
Adam Crafton / New York Times:
CBS Sports secures a four-year deal to air at least 250 English Football League matches per season, starting in August 2024 — CBS Sports is the new home of the English Football League (EFL) and Carabao Cup in the United States after agreeing a four-deal to prise coverage of the competitions away from ESPN.
Discussion:
Radio & Television …, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline and TVNewsCheck
Bloomberg:
Sources: Apple has spoken to major Hollywood studios about acquiring more programming from their libraries to offer customers both in the US and abroad — - Apple TV+ has relied on original series like ‘Ted Lasso’ … The iPhone maker has spoken to several of the largest studios about acquiring …
Discussion:
Reuters and 9to5Mac, more at Techmeme »
Reuters:
An Italian court orders a journalist to pay PM Giorgia Meloni €5K for mocking her height; in 2023, journalist Roberto Saviano was fined €1K for insulting Meloni — A Milan court has ordered a journalist to pay Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni damages of 5,000 euros ($5,465) …
Discussion:
The Guardian
Brian Steinberg / Variety:
WPP's GroupM names Brian Lesser, a veteran Madison Avenue operative who has worked in senior media investment roles on both sides of the table, as global CEO — Brian Lesser, a veteran Madison Avenue operative who has worked in senior media-investment roles on both sides of the table …
Discussion:
Ad Age, Radio Ink, Digiday, Mumbrella, The Information, MediaPost, Adweek, AdExchanger, Next TV and The Media Leader
Peter White / Deadline:
Emmy nominations numbers: Netflix took the top spot with 107; FX had 93, HBO/Max 91, Apple TV+ 72, ABC and CBS 38 each, Prime Video 37, Hulu 26, and Disney+ 19 — The revolving door of Emmy nominations leader continues to swing. — Netflix has taken top spot with the most Emmy nominations …
Discussion:
Variety, Variety, Adweek, BGR, The Hollywood Reporter, GoldDerby, Variety, Variety, AppleInsider, Variety, The Ringer, Los Angeles Times, SWAMY WORLD, Media Play News, Associated Press, Next TV, The Wrap, 9to5Mac and ComingSoon.net
Daniel Thomas / Financial Times:
Publicis reports H1 2024 revenue up 7.7% YoY to €7.7B and raises revenue growth guidance from 4%-5% to 5%-6% for 2024, as US tech clients' ad spending picks up — Paris-based advertising agency nudges up annual forecast on recovery in marketing budgets
Discussion:
Ad Age, Adweek, The Drum, Publicis Groupe, Bloomberg, Reuters, Publicis Groupe, Wall Street Journal, Publicis Groupe and MediaPost
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Verizon offers customers who subscribe to Peacock Premium at the new $79.99 per year rate one year of Netflix Premium for free — Verizon keeps reshuffling its deck of various and sundry streaming bundle deals, aiming for new ways to appeal to bargain hunters — and to cater to particular sign-up goals of its content partners.
Discussion:
Deadline, @tvgrimreaper, ComingSoon.net and The Hollywood Reporter
Bloomberg:
The US SEC sues former DWAC CEO Patrick Orlando for allegedly misleading investors about his company's plans for a SPAC merger with Trump's social media company — - Patrick Orlando eyed Trump Media before IPO, SEC claim — SEC settled with DWAC for $18 million over similar issue
Discussion:
Quartz, Raw Story, @hugolowell and Reuters, more at Techmeme »
Ben Werdmuller / Werd I/O:
The news media seems to be trapped in a place where technical innovation is nonexistent, perhaps due to the risks of experimentation or due to top-down culture — If you're waiting for permission to build something, or if you want to see how well something has worked for your peers …