Top News:
Todd Spangler / Variety:
The FCC approves the Paramount-Skydance deal, granting the transfer of licenses for 28 CBS-owned local TV stations to the Skydance-led ownership group — The FCC has granted approvals necessary to clear the way for the $8 billion merger of Paramount Global and David Ellison's Skydance Media.
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Nellie Andreeva / Deadline:
Chris McCarthy, co-CEO of Paramount Global and president of Showtime/MTV, plans to depart the company once its acquisition by Skydance is completed — Chris McCarthy, co-CEO of Paramount Global and president of Showtime/MTV Entertainment, has opted to depart the company once its acquisition by Skydance is completed early next month.
Discussion:
The Wrap, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter and @sarafischer
Amy Walker / BBC:
BBC News, AFP, the AP, and Reuters say they are “desperately concerned for our journalists in Gaza, who are increasingly unable to feed themselves” — BBC News and three leading news agencies have expressed desperate concern for journalists in Gaza, who they say are increasingly unable …
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Jenna Amatulli / The Guardian:
One day after signing a $1.5B deal with Paramount, South Park satirizes Paramount's settlement with Trump, pro-Trump PSAs, and the cancellation of The Late Show — Show begins 27th season covering Trump's lawsuit against Paramount and cancellation of Stephen Colbert's show, depicting Trump in bed with Satan
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Ted Johnson / Deadline:
CBS News names Tanya Simon as executive producer of 60 Minutes; she has served as interim executive producer since Bill Owens resigned in April — Tanya Simon has been named the executive producer of 60 Minutes, taking the helm of the CBS News broadcast amid the aftermath of Paramount Global's settlement …
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Benjamin Mullin / New York Times:
Donations to US public media surge amid funding cuts, up by ~$70M YoY so far in 2025, but still fall well short of the annual $550M that Congress has cut — Donors are turning out to support local stations, but those contributions so far fall well short of the annual $550 million that Congress cut.
Discussion:
TheDesk.net, TVREV, @torrleonard.bsky.social, KTUU, @benmullin.bsky.social and Marin Independent Journal
Charlotte Klein / New York Magazine:
A look at WaPo's recent staff departures: five WaPo Opinion columnists, including Philip Bump, have taken buyouts, while two have moved to the newsroom — It briefly felt like the Washington Post had gained a semblance of stability after a tumultuous six months.
Alex Sherman / CNBC:
Sources: the NFL is in talks to take a minority stake of up to 10% in ESPN, which would own NFL Network and RedZone rather than just hold a controlling stake — CNBC's Most Valuable Sports Empires 2025: Here's how the top 20 empires in the world stack up — Eli Manning invests in sports equipment maker XTech
Allan Lengel / Deadline Detroit:
In a memo to staff, Gannett CEO Mike Reed offered employees voluntary buyout packages “to reduce our overall cost structure as we strive for revenue growth” — The Detroit Free Press, which has offered multiple buyouts over the years and has seen its staff shrink dramatically since …
Discussion:
The Wrap, @bymikedavis, @gaufre, Bloomberg and @benmullin
Jill Goldsmith / Deadline:
Imax says it delivered at least 10% of domestic US opening totals on seven consecutive “filmed for Imax” releases, with 20% shares for Sinners, M:I, and F1 — Imax saw profits surge and revenue rise last quarter as the company beat Wall Street forecasts with global box office …
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Variety, The Wrap, 9to5Mac, Media Play News and The Hollywood Reporter
Jesse Whittock / Deadline:
Sony acquires a ~2.5% stake in Tekken and Pac-Man owner Bandai Namco for $464M, to expand “the fan community for IP such as anime and manga around the world” — Sony Corp. has taken a small stake in Tekken and Pac-Man games giant Bandai Namco, as part of a strategic business alliance.
Discussion:
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Jon Lewis / Sports Media Watch:
MLS commissioner Don Garber says matches on Apple TV's MLS Season Pass are averaging 120,000 unique viewers this season, a 50% increase from last year — The following article “MLS commissioner offers rare disclosure of Apple TV viewership” originally appeared on Sports Media Watch.
