Business scams to avoid

Making its first upfronts pitch to advertisers as a merged company, TelevisaUnivision delivered a message of balanced strategy to ad buyers in an hour-long presentation at New York’s Javits Center. “Here’s one thing you’re not going to hear this week: Our linear business is on fire,” ad sales and marketing chief Donna Speciale said. She pointed to 7% growth across the company’s portfolio, and 18% at its flagship broadcast network, maintaining, “Everyone else is either flat or declining.” At the same time, TelevisaUnivision has made several moves in streaming , acquiring assets and positioning itself with a two-tiered new service, the free Vix and subscription Vix+. “We didn’t need to turn to streaming to save our TV business,” Speciale said. “We saw an opportunity.” Last January, Univision and Grupo Televisa closed their $4.8 billion combination, which saw the media assets of Televisa come under Univision’s control and a number of prominent minority investors … [Read more...] about In First Post-Merger Upfronts Pitch, TelevisaUnivision Says Streaming Will Add To Linear Business That’s “On Fire”

L.A. Law not moving forward at ABC was one of the surprises of this pilot season. ABC boss Craig Erwich told Deadline that “unfortunately the pilot just did not come together as we had hoped it would.” ABC Upfront 2022: Deadline’s Complete Coverage The reboot, which was headlined by Blair Underwood, reprising his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins, had a high bar to hit with big expectations. The original series’ Corbin Bernsen also reprised his role as Arnie Becker in the pilot alongside Hari Nef, Toks Olagundoye, Ian Duff, John Harlan Kim and Juliana Harkavey, and Kacey Rohl. The pilot was written by Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed and directed by Anthony Hemingway. It followed the law firm of McKenzie Brackman — now named Becker Rollins — as it reinvented itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases. Underwood, Guggenheim and Mohamed executive produced alongside Hemingway via Anthony Hemingway … [Read more...] about ABC Boss On ‘L.A. Law’ Not Moving Forward, Staying In Business With Comedian Jo Koy & Eyeing Pilots For Midseason

Shares of Paramount popped higher in early trading after Berkshire Hathaway , the company of legendary investor Warren Buffett , disclosed late yesterday that it acquired a chunky stake in the company. Paramount shares are up more than 10% at nearly $31 at market open morning, following a 1% dip yesterday. They stock is still well off a 52-week high of $47, but pulling away from its year low of $26. Berkshire bought almost 69 million shares of Paramount Global during the first quarter, it said in an SEC filing, along with a $2.9 billion stake in giant Citigroup. It also took or boosted positions in Activision Blizzard and Apple as well as Ally Financial, Markel, McKesson, Celanese, Occidental Petroleum and Chevron. Overall, the investing giant acquired $51 billion worth of stocks during the first quarter of the year. The SEC requires institutional investors that manage more than $100 million to disclose equity holdings within 45 days after a quarter ends. … [Read more...] about Paramount Global Stock Jumps 10% After Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Buys In

Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs ’ Candle Media have struck again, announcing the purchase ATTN, a social media storytelling company for Gen Z and Millennials. The price wasn’t announced but is said to be about $100 million in cash and stock. ATTN’s co-founders Matthew Segal and Jarrett Moreno, and its existing senior management team will continue to oversee day-to-day operations, original content, production and studio work. The transaction is expected to close within thirty days. “ATTN: has a deep, digital-native understanding for how to cut through the noise and reach today’s audiences through engaging content on social media. We are excited for them to join Candle and provide the benefits of their talented team’s expertise across our brands and franchises,” Mayer and Staggs said. “Partnering with Candle and their growing, talented team of creators will allow us to further this mission in a whole new way, accelerating our growth and reaching even more people … [Read more...] about Candle Media Acquires Gen Z Social Video Company ATTN For $100M

Lionsgate will be the key tenant with naming rights to a major new studio project in Newark, New Jersey being built being by Robert Halmi and Fehmi Zeko’s Great Point Studios . The $125 million+ project on 12 acres follows a collaboration by the partners on recently opened Lionsgate Studios in Yonkers as demand for production space continues to explode. It will be first purpose-built studio in the state specifically constructed for TV and film production and is expected to start operations in late 2004. “This is a great opportunity to scale our East Coast studio footprint [and] support our robust film and television production,” said Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer. The studio had 14 new TV shows picked up to series last year and 16 series renewed, and made 21 feature films last year, underscoring its need for more space — an issue across the industry. This studio will rise in Newark’s South Ward at the former Seth Boyden Housing site close to the Newark Airport, the … [Read more...] about Lionsgate, Great Point Partner For Major New Jersey Studio Complex

Eric Clapton , who last summer declared that he reserved the right to cancel performances at venues where audience members were required to show proof of Covid vaccination, has indeed canceled two shows, but for another reason: Clapton just tested positive for the coronavirus. The announcement of the show cancelations in Zurich and Milan was made on Clapton’s official Facebook page last night. “Eric Clapton is unfortunately suffering from Covid having tested positive shortly after the second concert at the Royal Albert Hall,” the post reads.  He has been told by his medical advisors that if he were to resume traveling and performing too soon, it could substantially delay his full recovery. Eric is also anxious to avoid passing on any infection to any of his band, crew, Promoters, their staff and of course the fans.” The performance in Zurich was scheduled for today, May 17, with Milan initially set for May 18. Clapton’s team says the guitarist hopes to resume the … [Read more...] about Eric Clapton Has Covid, Cancels Shows; Guitarist Had Denounced Vaccine Protocols

Big broadcaster Tegna is in the home strength of a long and sometimes contentious change of ownership, announcing that its shareholders have approved a sale led by investment firm Standard General. Stockholders representing some 78% of common stock voted at the company’s special meeting today to approve the deal, according to preliminary results. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2022, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. At close, Tegna will become a private company and its shares will no longer be traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Tegna’s assets include 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, It’s the largest owner of top 4 network affiliates in the top 25 markets among independent station groups. It also owns multicast networks include True Crime Network, Twist and Quest, and OTT advertising service Premion. Tegna was in play for years before agreeing last Feb. to sell itself to Standard General … [Read more...] about Tegna Shareholders Approve Sale Of Broadcaster To Standard General, Apollo Global

EXCLUSIVE : Layoffs are underway at Netflix today. About 150 positions out of the streamer’s workforce of 11,000 are being eliminated amid a slowdown in the company’s revenue growth. They are largely based in the U.S., with a significant portion in creative, across both film and TV, sources said. A number of those laid off are in the executive ranks, including in original content, I hear, with a couple of director-level original series execs rumored to be leaving. There is also rampant rumor that the indie film division will suffer heavy casualties but sources internally say that is not the case. “As we explained on earnings, our slowing revenue growth means we are also having to slow our cost growth as a company. So sadly, we are letting around 150 employees go today, mostly US-based,” a Netflix spokesperson said in a statement to Deadline. “These changes are primarily driven by business needs rather than individual performance, which makes them especially tough as … [Read more...] about Netflix Hit By Layoffs; About 150 Mostly U.S.-Based Employees Affected

AMC Networks has appointed industry vet Len Fogge as its head of marketing and also expanded the purview of streaming chief Miguel Penella, who will now also oversee the company’s international portfolio. Both execs will report to AMC Networks Interim CEO Matt Blank. As president of marketing, Fogge will lead global marketing and brand strategy including performance marketing, creative, and social for AMC Networks’ domestic and international portfolio of entertainment brands. In addition to well-established linear channels like AMC, BBC America and IFC, the roster also includes streaming outlets like AMC+, Acorn TV and Shudder. Penella, who has guided the company’s niche streaming strategy, will now also lead AMC Networks International, which reaches more than 125 countries. In its most recent quarterly report, the company said it had 9.5 million streaming subscribers as of March 31, and remains on track to hit its goal of 20 million to 25 million by 2025. “As … [Read more...] about AMC Networks Names Len Fogge Marketing Chief, Adds International Oversight To Portfolio Of Streaming Chief Miquel Penella

President Donald Trump tweeted a response to the ongoing protests to his call for firing the national anthem kneelers: Great solidarity for our National Anthem and for our Country. Standing with locked arms is good, kneeling is not acceptable. Bad ratings! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017 Despite Trump’s attempt to paint a picture of triumph on the issue, celebrities were showing solidarity with NFL players, as derision, anger, and some conservative support keeps building in reaction to the tweets by President Trump decrying national anthem kneeling and other social justice protests. A roundup of reactions: I’m starting to regret naming my son “Donald Trump, Jr.” It seemed okay 11 years ago. — Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) September 24, 2017 As a football fan, I am proud of the NFL players today. Nothing is more American than the right to peacefully protest. — Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) September 24, 2017 … [Read more...] about Trump Responds To Protests; Conan O’Brien, Ellen DeGeneres Among Celebrities Supporting NFL Players