ESPN and TNT Sports have reached a 5-year sublicensing deal that will see the Warner Bros. Discovery subsidiary carry select College Football Playoff games from ESPN.
Starting later this year and continuing in 2025, TNT will present two first-round playoff games and then add two quarterfinal games each year beginning in 2026 through the end of the agreement. ESPN will present all other College Football Playoff games on its networks including the annual Cfp National Championship Game. ESPN will also continue to manage the sponsorship program for the presentation of the Cfp.
The playoff, which began a decade ago as a replacement for the longtime system of polls and disputed championships, has been a ratings magnet and moneymaker for universities and conferences. The stakeholders recently voted to expand the field from four to 12 teams, which promises to bring in even more revenue given recent ratings trends. Outside of the NFL, college football...
Starting later this year and continuing in 2025, TNT will present two first-round playoff games and then add two quarterfinal games each year beginning in 2026 through the end of the agreement. ESPN will present all other College Football Playoff games on its networks including the annual Cfp National Championship Game. ESPN will also continue to manage the sponsorship program for the presentation of the Cfp.
The playoff, which began a decade ago as a replacement for the longtime system of polls and disputed championships, has been a ratings magnet and moneymaker for universities and conferences. The stakeholders recently voted to expand the field from four to 12 teams, which promises to bring in even more revenue given recent ratings trends. Outside of the NFL, college football...
- 5/22/2024
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
As it appears on the verge of losing rights to the NBA, TNT is pivoting to another high-profile sports property. Starting next season, TNT Sports will present two first-round College Football Playoff games. Beginning in 2026, TNT will add two quarterfinal games as well.
The deal comes through a sublicence with ESPN, TNT’s partner in the newly created sports streamer, Venu Sports.
ESPN will present all other College Football Playoff games on its networks including the annual Cfp National Championship Game.
This year brings a huge expansion of the College Football Playoff from four teams to 12. The four highest-ranking conference champions will be seeded 1-4 and receive first-round byes. The Cfp first round will consist of four games played at home campus venues, with teams seeded 5-8 hosting teams seeded 9-12.
Where Can You Stream TNT?
In 2024, four live TV streaming services carry TNT: Directv Stream, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV,...
The deal comes through a sublicence with ESPN, TNT’s partner in the newly created sports streamer, Venu Sports.
ESPN will present all other College Football Playoff games on its networks including the annual Cfp National Championship Game.
This year brings a huge expansion of the College Football Playoff from four teams to 12. The four highest-ranking conference champions will be seeded 1-4 and receive first-round byes. The Cfp first round will consist of four games played at home campus venues, with teams seeded 5-8 hosting teams seeded 9-12.
Where Can You Stream TNT?
In 2024, four live TV streaming services carry TNT: Directv Stream, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV,...
- 5/22/2024
- by Ben Bowman
- The Streamable
ESPN and TNT Sports — already partners in an upcoming sports streaming bundle — are teaming up again.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT Sports will air some early-round College Football Playoff games in a sublicensing deal with ESPN, beginning with the coming season as the playoff expands to 12 teams. The five-year deal calls for TNT to air two first-round games following the 2024 and 2025 seasons, then add two quarterfinal matchups in the remaining three years of the deal.
In March, ESPN signed a six-year extension, valued at a reported $7.8 billion, with the College Football Playoff that will keep the playoff under its umbrella through 2031-32. The sublicense with TNT will mark the first time any Cfp games have aired anywhere but ESPN and its fellow Disney outlets.
“We’re delighted to reach this agreement with ESPN, providing TNT Sports the opportunity to showcase these College Football Playoff games on our platforms for years to come,...
Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT Sports will air some early-round College Football Playoff games in a sublicensing deal with ESPN, beginning with the coming season as the playoff expands to 12 teams. The five-year deal calls for TNT to air two first-round games following the 2024 and 2025 seasons, then add two quarterfinal matchups in the remaining three years of the deal.
In March, ESPN signed a six-year extension, valued at a reported $7.8 billion, with the College Football Playoff that will keep the playoff under its umbrella through 2031-32. The sublicense with TNT will mark the first time any Cfp games have aired anywhere but ESPN and its fellow Disney outlets.
“We’re delighted to reach this agreement with ESPN, providing TNT Sports the opportunity to showcase these College Football Playoff games on our platforms for years to come,...
- 5/22/2024
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
(Stock image via Pexels/Graphic by The Desk)
The Walt Disney Company’s ESPN has inked a sublicensing agreement with Warner Bros Discovery (Wbd) to jointly host certain College Football Playoff (Cfp) games, starting with the upcoming football season.
Wbd’s TNT Sports will present two first-round Cfp games during the 2024 and 2025 season as part of the agreement, the companies announced on Wednesday. Additionally, TNT Sports will also add two quarterfinal games each year from 2026 to 2028.
TNT will be the primary network offering Cfp games, along with other TNT Sports distribution points, including Max and Venu Sports.
ESPN will retain the telecast rights to all other Cfp games, including the annual Cfp National Championship Game. It will also manage the sponsorship programs for the presentation of the Cfp, the network affirmed.
“We’re delighted to reach this agreement with ESPN, providing TNT Sports the opportunity to showcase these College Football...
The Walt Disney Company’s ESPN has inked a sublicensing agreement with Warner Bros Discovery (Wbd) to jointly host certain College Football Playoff (Cfp) games, starting with the upcoming football season.
Wbd’s TNT Sports will present two first-round Cfp games during the 2024 and 2025 season as part of the agreement, the companies announced on Wednesday. Additionally, TNT Sports will also add two quarterfinal games each year from 2026 to 2028.
TNT will be the primary network offering Cfp games, along with other TNT Sports distribution points, including Max and Venu Sports.
ESPN will retain the telecast rights to all other Cfp games, including the annual Cfp National Championship Game. It will also manage the sponsorship programs for the presentation of the Cfp, the network affirmed.
“We’re delighted to reach this agreement with ESPN, providing TNT Sports the opportunity to showcase these College Football...
- 5/22/2024
- by Matthew Keys
- The Desk
Charles Barkley, one of the mainstays of the long-venerated studio show Inside the NBA — which won yet another Sports Emmy last night — says the current media rights situation “sucks right now” for Warner Bros. Discovery staffers.
About 200 jobs could be lost, Barkley said in an interview Wednesday on SiriusXM, if Wbd loses out to NBCUniversal. (Listen to a clip below.)
“It just sucks right now for the people I work with,” Barkley said. “I’m worried about all the people I work with. I just turned 61. I’ve got enough money.”
Related: TNT Sports Reaches 5-Year Deal With ESPN To Exclusively Air Select College Football Playoff Games
Sports Business Journal reported earlier Wednesday that a deal could be completed as soon as next week. Wbd’s Turner Sports, which has carried NBA games for nearly four decades, could potentially lose out to NBCUniversal. Disney/ESPN and Amazon have reportedly reached...
About 200 jobs could be lost, Barkley said in an interview Wednesday on SiriusXM, if Wbd loses out to NBCUniversal. (Listen to a clip below.)
“It just sucks right now for the people I work with,” Barkley said. “I’m worried about all the people I work with. I just turned 61. I’ve got enough money.”
Related: TNT Sports Reaches 5-Year Deal With ESPN To Exclusively Air Select College Football Playoff Games
Sports Business Journal reported earlier Wednesday that a deal could be completed as soon as next week. Wbd’s Turner Sports, which has carried NBA games for nearly four decades, could potentially lose out to NBCUniversal. Disney/ESPN and Amazon have reportedly reached...
- 5/22/2024
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
It isn’t yet clear whether NBC will walk away with rights to NBA games beginning next year (the league is still holding talks with current rightsholder Warner Bros. Discovery, though NBC made an aggressive bid for its package).
But one thing is now clear: “Roundball Rock” will be making a comeback.
The song, composed by John Tesh, was the anthem of The NBA on NBC from 1990 until the network lost NBA rights in 2002.
Tesh was a guest on The Dan Le Batard Show Tuesday, and he was asked whether the network had reached out to him about re-licensing the song.
“They have, actually, yeah,” Tesh said when asked by the radio host about a reach-out from the network. “Nothing firm, but they said, ‘Hey, can you stay frosty on this?’ like a Navy SEALs thing.”
In fact, Tesh added that he was planning to re-record “Roundball Rock” next month,...
But one thing is now clear: “Roundball Rock” will be making a comeback.
The song, composed by John Tesh, was the anthem of The NBA on NBC from 1990 until the network lost NBA rights in 2002.
Tesh was a guest on The Dan Le Batard Show Tuesday, and he was asked whether the network had reached out to him about re-licensing the song.
“They have, actually, yeah,” Tesh said when asked by the radio host about a reach-out from the network. “Nothing firm, but they said, ‘Hey, can you stay frosty on this?’ like a Navy SEALs thing.”
In fact, Tesh added that he was planning to re-record “Roundball Rock” next month,...
- 5/21/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A new report offers details on what could happen to the joint venture sports streaming platform if Wbd’s NBA package moves to NBC.
No matter how confident Warner Bros. Discovery executives sound when discussing the issue, the company is in a tight spot with the NBA. The company finds itself in the unenviable position of having to pay more than twice the amount it now spends to buy a smaller package of NBA games than it currently has starting in 2025, or simply admitting defeat and walking away in the face of NBC’s $2.5 billion-per-season offer for the package. But Wbd’s decision on this question doesn’t just affect its own business, it also has important implications for Venu Sports, the joint venture streaming service Wbd is at work on with Disney and Fox.
Key Details: Losing Wbd’s NBA package would be a blow to the value of Venu Sports,...
No matter how confident Warner Bros. Discovery executives sound when discussing the issue, the company is in a tight spot with the NBA. The company finds itself in the unenviable position of having to pay more than twice the amount it now spends to buy a smaller package of NBA games than it currently has starting in 2025, or simply admitting defeat and walking away in the face of NBC’s $2.5 billion-per-season offer for the package. But Wbd’s decision on this question doesn’t just affect its own business, it also has important implications for Venu Sports, the joint venture streaming service Wbd is at work on with Disney and Fox.
Key Details: Losing Wbd’s NBA package would be a blow to the value of Venu Sports,...
- 5/17/2024
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
The last outstanding package of national NBA games is still unsold, but Wbd doesn’t sound all that worried that it will lose the games to NBC.
Warner Bros. Discovery is putting on a brave front over the prospect of seeing NBC steal its package of national NBA games following next season. The company currently offers more than 60 NBA contests each regular season, alongside a host of playoff games on TNT. The NBA’s deal with Wbd expires following the 2024-25 season, and it has been negotiating with prospective partners (including Wbd) on its next deal for several months. The NBA will split its rights into three packages in the next contract — as opposed to the two in its current agreement with ESPN and TNT — and the last unsold bundle is the package currently belonging to Wbd. NBC has been in hot pursuit, but Wbd officials reiterated at the company...
Warner Bros. Discovery is putting on a brave front over the prospect of seeing NBC steal its package of national NBA games following next season. The company currently offers more than 60 NBA contests each regular season, alongside a host of playoff games on TNT. The NBA’s deal with Wbd expires following the 2024-25 season, and it has been negotiating with prospective partners (including Wbd) on its next deal for several months. The NBA will split its rights into three packages in the next contract — as opposed to the two in its current agreement with ESPN and TNT — and the last unsold bundle is the package currently belonging to Wbd. NBC has been in hot pursuit, but Wbd officials reiterated at the company...
- 5/16/2024
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Warner Bros. Discovery kept up with TV upfronts week’s biggest trend at their presentation out of The Theater at Madison Square Garden Tuesday: Promoting not just its TV slate as a prime ad-buying opportunity — but also its film franchises.
First up from CEO David Zaslav’s team, WB Discovery revenue and strategy chief Bruce Campbell addressed the Madison Avenue crowd following a sizzle featuring top Wbd IP and brands across film and TV series. Then Mindy Kaling took the stage to promote her Max comedy “The Sex Lives of College Girls” before introducing HBO and Max chairman and CEO Casey Bloys.
“I know when you look at me, you see a young, beautiful mother,” Kaling said. “The truth is I am an old Max veteran. I was here way back when Max was HBO Max, it was this whole other thing. It was just me, ‘Tom & Jerry’ reruns...
First up from CEO David Zaslav’s team, WB Discovery revenue and strategy chief Bruce Campbell addressed the Madison Avenue crowd following a sizzle featuring top Wbd IP and brands across film and TV series. Then Mindy Kaling took the stage to promote her Max comedy “The Sex Lives of College Girls” before introducing HBO and Max chairman and CEO Casey Bloys.
“I know when you look at me, you see a young, beautiful mother,” Kaling said. “The truth is I am an old Max veteran. I was here way back when Max was HBO Max, it was this whole other thing. It was just me, ‘Tom & Jerry’ reruns...
- 5/15/2024
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Sports fans who are looking to ditch cable, you just scored big time.
Max is introducing a new sports tier, dubbed the Bleacher Report Sports Add-On, that will offer live simulcasts of NBA, MLB and NHL games from Warner Bros. Discovery channels TNT, TBS and truTV, the streamer announced on Tuesday. The tier, which debuts Thursday, Oct. 5, will allow fans to watch dozens of live games that were previously only available with a cable subscription.
More from TVLineDoom Patrol's Final Episodes Now Have a Premiere Month - When Will It Be Back?Max Questions Answered: How to Get a Max Free Trial?...
Max is introducing a new sports tier, dubbed the Bleacher Report Sports Add-On, that will offer live simulcasts of NBA, MLB and NHL games from Warner Bros. Discovery channels TNT, TBS and truTV, the streamer announced on Tuesday. The tier, which debuts Thursday, Oct. 5, will allow fans to watch dozens of live games that were previously only available with a cable subscription.
More from TVLineDoom Patrol's Final Episodes Now Have a Premiere Month - When Will It Be Back?Max Questions Answered: How to Get a Max Free Trial?...
- 9/19/2023
- by Dave Nemetz
- TVLine.com
After years of talk — mostly by the previous corporate regime — a live sports streaming tier is finally coming to Max.
The $10-a-month streaming add-on will go live on October 5, just before the start of the Major League Baseball playoffs. Live coverage of the NBA, NHL and NCAA March Madness will be simulcast on Max, though linear networks will still carry the action — a key point of difference with other streaming offerings. The tier will only be available as part of Max, and existing subscribers will get free access during a trial period ending next February 29 before they are asked to pay for it.
It’s a big leap for Warner Bros. Discovery, whose corporate ancestor, WarnerMedia, saw a previous sports streaming venture, B/R Live, quickly fizzle due to glitchy tech and trouble securing enough must-see live events.
Jb Perrette, CEO and President, Global Streaming and Games, and Luis Silberwasser, Chairman and CEO,...
The $10-a-month streaming add-on will go live on October 5, just before the start of the Major League Baseball playoffs. Live coverage of the NBA, NHL and NCAA March Madness will be simulcast on Max, though linear networks will still carry the action — a key point of difference with other streaming offerings. The tier will only be available as part of Max, and existing subscribers will get free access during a trial period ending next February 29 before they are asked to pay for it.
It’s a big leap for Warner Bros. Discovery, whose corporate ancestor, WarnerMedia, saw a previous sports streaming venture, B/R Live, quickly fizzle due to glitchy tech and trouble securing enough must-see live events.
Jb Perrette, CEO and President, Global Streaming and Games, and Luis Silberwasser, Chairman and CEO,...
- 9/19/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Max has finally entered the live sports game with an optional add-on from Bleacher Report. The sports tier will launch on the platform Oct. 5.
The Bleacher Report Sports add-on will be available to all Max subscribers during a promotional period that will last through Feb. 29. After that, it will cost $9.99 a month in addition to the typical cost for the streaming service.
Subscribers will be able to watch live games from the MLB, NHL, NBA, NCAA Men’s March Madness, U.S. soccer and golf through Bleacher Report’s “The Match.” These games will simulcast on Max via the Bleacher Sports add-on and will continue to air on TNT, TBS and TruTV. Warner Bros. Discovery has predicted the new add-on will give subscribers access to more than 300 live games a year.
Additionally, Bleacher Report’s live video content and VOD library will be available to subscribers. This will include “Inside...
The Bleacher Report Sports add-on will be available to all Max subscribers during a promotional period that will last through Feb. 29. After that, it will cost $9.99 a month in addition to the typical cost for the streaming service.
Subscribers will be able to watch live games from the MLB, NHL, NBA, NCAA Men’s March Madness, U.S. soccer and golf through Bleacher Report’s “The Match.” These games will simulcast on Max via the Bleacher Sports add-on and will continue to air on TNT, TBS and TruTV. Warner Bros. Discovery has predicted the new add-on will give subscribers access to more than 300 live games a year.
Additionally, Bleacher Report’s live video content and VOD library will be available to subscribers. This will include “Inside...
- 9/19/2023
- by Kayla Cobb
- The Wrap
After a year and a half of speculation, Warner Bros. Discovery announced on Tuesday that the company would finally be adding a full, live sports component to its flagship streaming service in the coming weeks. Beginning on Oct. 5, just in time for the MLB postseason, Wbd will launch the Bleacher Report Sports add-on tier to Max.
7-Day Free Trial $9.99+ / month Max via amazon.com
Get 20% Off Your Next Year of Max When Pre-Paid Annually
The package will offer customers a full slate of premium live sports, including MLB, NHL, NBA, NCAA Men’s March Madness, and U.S. Soccer games and matches, as well as sports-focused programming including as “Inside the NBA,” select live international sports events such as 24 Hours of Le Mans, and extensive video-on-demand content from around the Warner Bros. Discovery company, including TBS and TNT.
The sports tier will be free and included in all domestic Max subscriptions from October until Feb.
7-Day Free Trial $9.99+ / month Max via amazon.com
Get 20% Off Your Next Year of Max When Pre-Paid Annually
The package will offer customers a full slate of premium live sports, including MLB, NHL, NBA, NCAA Men’s March Madness, and U.S. Soccer games and matches, as well as sports-focused programming including as “Inside the NBA,” select live international sports events such as 24 Hours of Le Mans, and extensive video-on-demand content from around the Warner Bros. Discovery company, including TBS and TNT.
The sports tier will be free and included in all domestic Max subscriptions from October until Feb.
- 9/19/2023
- by Matt Tamanini
- The Streamable
Warner Bros. Discovery aims to make all of the sporting events it has developed over the years for cable crowds available to streamers at the same time — so long as they are willing to pay extra for the privilege.
The media giant, which enjoys lucrative rights deals with the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NHL and the NCAA “March Madness” tournament, wants to use those properties to bring eyeballs to Max, its streaming service. And so, starting Oct. 5, the company will launch a new “Bleacher Report” add-on package to Max. The offering will also include access to TNT’s popular “Inside the NBA” studio program and live international events such as “24 Hours of Le Mans.” Warner Bros. Discovery vows to stream 300 live games per year.
“We are trying to find customers everywhere we can,” says Jb Perrette, CEO and president of streaming and games for Warner Bros. Discovery, in...
The media giant, which enjoys lucrative rights deals with the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NHL and the NCAA “March Madness” tournament, wants to use those properties to bring eyeballs to Max, its streaming service. And so, starting Oct. 5, the company will launch a new “Bleacher Report” add-on package to Max. The offering will also include access to TNT’s popular “Inside the NBA” studio program and live international events such as “24 Hours of Le Mans.” Warner Bros. Discovery vows to stream 300 live games per year.
“We are trying to find customers everywhere we can,” says Jb Perrette, CEO and president of streaming and games for Warner Bros. Discovery, in...
- 9/19/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Live sports are coming to Max next month.
The Warner Bros. Discovery-owned streaming platform will launch a new premium sports tier Oct. 5, just in time for the Major League Baseball playoffs, which start two days later.
The new tier will be called the Bleacher Report Sports Add-On (or B/R Sports), taking the name of Wbd’s digital sports news, opinion and highlights brand. It will cost $10 per month on top of the subscription for Max, however it will be available for free during a promotional period that runs through the end of February, covering the MLB playoffs, and much of the NBA and NHL seasons.
“Part of our thinking about setting the $9.99 monthly price and an upcharge to it, is we don’t think the way that it’s currently being done in streaming where most of the other streamers are just giving away the content for free...
The Warner Bros. Discovery-owned streaming platform will launch a new premium sports tier Oct. 5, just in time for the Major League Baseball playoffs, which start two days later.
The new tier will be called the Bleacher Report Sports Add-On (or B/R Sports), taking the name of Wbd’s digital sports news, opinion and highlights brand. It will cost $10 per month on top of the subscription for Max, however it will be available for free during a promotional period that runs through the end of February, covering the MLB playoffs, and much of the NBA and NHL seasons.
“Part of our thinking about setting the $9.99 monthly price and an upcharge to it, is we don’t think the way that it’s currently being done in streaming where most of the other streamers are just giving away the content for free...
- 9/19/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Warner Bros. Discovery is set to undergo another round of layoffs in its television business.
Deadline understands that the company is expected to cut some roles in its cable TV business, which includes the Discovery-branded cable networks.
It’s been described as “pockets of refinement” rather than wholesale cuts and sources have told Deadline that cable staffers have been bracing themselves over the last couple of weeks.
The timing is yet to be confirmed. Sources originally told Deadline that the cuts were expected over the next few weeks, but it’s more likely later this summer.
Warner Bros. Discovery operates cable networks including Discovery Channel, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Science Channel and Animal Planet as well as the former Scripps networks such as Food Network and HGTV. It also operates the former Turner-branded networks such as TNT, TBS and truTV.
The division is run by Chairman and Chief Content Officer,...
Deadline understands that the company is expected to cut some roles in its cable TV business, which includes the Discovery-branded cable networks.
It’s been described as “pockets of refinement” rather than wholesale cuts and sources have told Deadline that cable staffers have been bracing themselves over the last couple of weeks.
The timing is yet to be confirmed. Sources originally told Deadline that the cuts were expected over the next few weeks, but it’s more likely later this summer.
Warner Bros. Discovery operates cable networks including Discovery Channel, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Science Channel and Animal Planet as well as the former Scripps networks such as Food Network and HGTV. It also operates the former Turner-branded networks such as TNT, TBS and truTV.
The division is run by Chairman and Chief Content Officer,...
- 5/22/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
With the writers strike sowing doubt about long-term scripted entertainment, and the overall advertising market still in a downturn, Warner Bros. Discovery and other major media companies are now leaning into a form of entertainment that has proven to be resilient: Live sports.
And it is a particularly strong moment for sports at Wbd, which is fresh off the March Madness basketball tournament, at the beginning of the MLB season, and smack in the middle of the NBA and NHL playoffs.
“Our strategy in many ways is very different from other players, right? We’re not into tonnage, we’re really about picking and having the most premium sports out there,” says Luis Silberwasser, the chairman and CEO of Wbd Sports. “Whether it’s on TNT or TBS, or TruTV, it just it creates a cultural moment, right? So when these games are happening on primetime, people come to us.
And it is a particularly strong moment for sports at Wbd, which is fresh off the March Madness basketball tournament, at the beginning of the MLB season, and smack in the middle of the NBA and NHL playoffs.
“Our strategy in many ways is very different from other players, right? We’re not into tonnage, we’re really about picking and having the most premium sports out there,” says Luis Silberwasser, the chairman and CEO of Wbd Sports. “Whether it’s on TNT or TBS, or TruTV, it just it creates a cultural moment, right? So when these games are happening on primetime, people come to us.
- 5/8/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Around 70 staff members of Warner Bros. Discovery’s sports division have been laid off, IndieWire has confirmed. The Wbd Sports Chair and CEO Luis Silberwasser announced the news to his staff via an email Tuesday afternoon.
“Today we communicated difficult staffing decisions that affect team members within our sports organization, and it has been an emotional and challenging day for everyone,” Silberwasser wrote in the email. “Our reality is we must evolve to position Wbd and our Sports division for long-term success against an environment that includes a challenging macroeconomic forecast, as well as headwinds from the accelerated changes in our media industry and business model. Today’s actions are necessary as we transform and evolve our business, as we remain focused on delivering best-in-class product, talent and digital experiences for our fans.”
The majority of those laid off worked for the division’s Turner Sports and Bleacher Report brands,...
“Today we communicated difficult staffing decisions that affect team members within our sports organization, and it has been an emotional and challenging day for everyone,” Silberwasser wrote in the email. “Our reality is we must evolve to position Wbd and our Sports division for long-term success against an environment that includes a challenging macroeconomic forecast, as well as headwinds from the accelerated changes in our media industry and business model. Today’s actions are necessary as we transform and evolve our business, as we remain focused on delivering best-in-class product, talent and digital experiences for our fans.”
The majority of those laid off worked for the division’s Turner Sports and Bleacher Report brands,...
- 11/15/2022
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Ahead of tomorrow’s tipoff of the 2022-23 NBA season, Warner Bros Discovery announced contract renewals for the four hosts of TNT’s mainstay studio show Inside the NBA.
Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal and Ernie Johnson will continue to host the program “for many years to come,” according to the official announcement. Barkley had been wooed by the Liv golf tour, a nascent venture backed by Saudi Arabia that has lavished extraordinary amounts of cash on players and broadcasters.
Terms were not disclosed. The New York Post reported that Barkley’s deal is for 10-years and “well over” 100 million. Kathleen Finch, Warner Bros. Discovery US Networks Group chair and chief content officer, indicated in an interview last week with Deadline sister publication The Hollywood Reporter that Barkley would be staying in the fold. She suggested his new role would include much more than the NBA. “I’m excited...
Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal and Ernie Johnson will continue to host the program “for many years to come,” according to the official announcement. Barkley had been wooed by the Liv golf tour, a nascent venture backed by Saudi Arabia that has lavished extraordinary amounts of cash on players and broadcasters.
Terms were not disclosed. The New York Post reported that Barkley’s deal is for 10-years and “well over” 100 million. Kathleen Finch, Warner Bros. Discovery US Networks Group chair and chief content officer, indicated in an interview last week with Deadline sister publication The Hollywood Reporter that Barkley would be staying in the fold. She suggested his new role would include much more than the NBA. “I’m excited...
- 10/17/2022
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Warner Bros. Discovery is putting a sizable bet down that it will be part of the NBA’s next media rights deal.
The conglomerate’s sports division has signed long-term deals with Inside the NBA hosts Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal. Terms weren’t disclosed, but Wbd Sports said in announcing the deals that the new contracts will keep the quartet together “for many years to come.” Sports Business Journal reported Barkley’s deal runs 10 years.
“Our partnership with the NBA is very important to us and this long-term agreement with the Inside the NBA team is recognition of their significance to that relationship,” Warner Bros. Discovery Sports chairman and CEO Luis Silberwasser said in a statement. “Inside the NBA epitomizes the creativity and innovative spirit we’ve established throughout our successful, long-standing partnership with the league.”
The length...
Warner Bros. Discovery is putting a sizable bet down that it will be part of the NBA’s next media rights deal.
The conglomerate’s sports division has signed long-term deals with Inside the NBA hosts Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal. Terms weren’t disclosed, but Wbd Sports said in announcing the deals that the new contracts will keep the quartet together “for many years to come.” Sports Business Journal reported Barkley’s deal runs 10 years.
“Our partnership with the NBA is very important to us and this long-term agreement with the Inside the NBA team is recognition of their significance to that relationship,” Warner Bros. Discovery Sports chairman and CEO Luis Silberwasser said in a statement. “Inside the NBA epitomizes the creativity and innovative spirit we’ve established throughout our successful, long-standing partnership with the league.”
The length...
- 10/17/2022
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Bros. Discovery just sent a bright signal about its intentions regarding the NBA.
The media company has re-signed Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith to new multi-year deals to host TNT’s flagship studio show, “Inside The NBA,” just as anticipation is building for negotiations around the NBA’s next rights deals, which are slated to expire with Warner Bros. and Walt Disney’s ESPN after the 2024-2025 season. Shaquille O’Neal, the fourth member of the show’s studio team, struck a broader pact with the parent company in 2020.
“Inside the NBA” has, in the current era, become perhaps the biggest program on TNT, where new emphasis is being placed on showcasing games from the NBA and NHL.
““Our partnership with the NBA is very important to us and this long-term agreement with the ‘Inside the NBA’ team is recognition of their significance to that relationship,” said Luis Silberwasser.
The media company has re-signed Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith to new multi-year deals to host TNT’s flagship studio show, “Inside The NBA,” just as anticipation is building for negotiations around the NBA’s next rights deals, which are slated to expire with Warner Bros. and Walt Disney’s ESPN after the 2024-2025 season. Shaquille O’Neal, the fourth member of the show’s studio team, struck a broader pact with the parent company in 2020.
“Inside the NBA” has, in the current era, become perhaps the biggest program on TNT, where new emphasis is being placed on showcasing games from the NBA and NHL.
““Our partnership with the NBA is very important to us and this long-term agreement with the ‘Inside the NBA’ team is recognition of their significance to that relationship,” said Luis Silberwasser.
- 10/17/2022
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
HBO and HBO Max Chief Content Officer Casey Bloys has a new title, Chairman and CEO, HBO and HBO Max Content.
The new title for Bloys, who in July signed a new five-year contract with Warner Bros. Discovery, aligns him with the other brand/business leaders who are direct reports to Wbd President and CEO David Zaslav, all of whom have Chairman/Chairman and CEO titles. The group includes Pam Abdy and Mike De Luca, who each is Chairperson and CEO of Warner Bros. Film Group; Channing Dungey, Chairman, Warner Bros. Television Group; Kathleen Finch, Chairman and Chief Content Officer, US Networks Group; Chris Licht, Chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide; and Luis Silberwasser, Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery Sports.
HBO/HBO Max is coming off a dominating Emmy performance, leading the field with 140 nominations and winning 38 awards vs. 26 for its nearest rival, Netflix. That included Outstanding Drama...
The new title for Bloys, who in July signed a new five-year contract with Warner Bros. Discovery, aligns him with the other brand/business leaders who are direct reports to Wbd President and CEO David Zaslav, all of whom have Chairman/Chairman and CEO titles. The group includes Pam Abdy and Mike De Luca, who each is Chairperson and CEO of Warner Bros. Film Group; Channing Dungey, Chairman, Warner Bros. Television Group; Kathleen Finch, Chairman and Chief Content Officer, US Networks Group; Chris Licht, Chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide; and Luis Silberwasser, Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery Sports.
HBO/HBO Max is coming off a dominating Emmy performance, leading the field with 140 nominations and winning 38 awards vs. 26 for its nearest rival, Netflix. That included Outstanding Drama...
- 10/4/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
TelevisaUnivision has elevated company veteran Ignacio “Nacho” Meyer to the role of president of U.S. networks.
The Miami-based exec will report to CEO Wade Davis. His promotion is aimed at helping the company bolster its exec roster in the wake of the departure last spring of Luis Silberwasser. The exec left his post as president of TelevisaUnision’s television networks group to become CEO of Warner Bros Discovery Sports.
TelevisaUnivision’s brand has existed only since the closing several months ago of a 4.8 merger between Univision and the entertainment arm of Mexico’s Grupo Televisa. Davis, a former Viacom executive, led a consortium of private investors that prevailed in bidding for Univision prior to its combination with Televisa.
In more than a decade at TelevisaUnivision and Univision, Meyer held various exec positions. Most recently, he led the music and non-scripted entertainment division. He had previously overseen the strategic business efforts of the music,...
The Miami-based exec will report to CEO Wade Davis. His promotion is aimed at helping the company bolster its exec roster in the wake of the departure last spring of Luis Silberwasser. The exec left his post as president of TelevisaUnision’s television networks group to become CEO of Warner Bros Discovery Sports.
TelevisaUnivision’s brand has existed only since the closing several months ago of a 4.8 merger between Univision and the entertainment arm of Mexico’s Grupo Televisa. Davis, a former Viacom executive, led a consortium of private investors that prevailed in bidding for Univision prior to its combination with Televisa.
In more than a decade at TelevisaUnivision and Univision, Meyer held various exec positions. Most recently, he led the music and non-scripted entertainment division. He had previously overseen the strategic business efforts of the music,...
- 9/12/2022
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Ignacio “Nacho” Meyer has been named president of U.S. Networks for Spanish-language media giant TelevisaUnivison. The executive will be based in Miami and report to Wade Davis, the company’s CEO.
Meyer will take on a role that had previously been under the aegis of Luis Silberwasser, who decamped to Warner Bros. Discovery to lead its sports business.
“I am excited and energized for what’s to come under Nacho’s leadership and guidance,” said Davis, in a prepared statement. “Throughout his career at the company, Nacho has helped to cement Univision as a key partner to the entertainment, and Latin music ecosystem, super-serving audiences, building business opportunities, bringing to life today’s best productions, with the biggest artists and tomorrow’s rising stars across the record-setting network TV properties, adrenaline-fueled events, and fast-growing digital platforms.”
Meyer had worked for Univision for more than a decade. He most recently...
Meyer will take on a role that had previously been under the aegis of Luis Silberwasser, who decamped to Warner Bros. Discovery to lead its sports business.
“I am excited and energized for what’s to come under Nacho’s leadership and guidance,” said Davis, in a prepared statement. “Throughout his career at the company, Nacho has helped to cement Univision as a key partner to the entertainment, and Latin music ecosystem, super-serving audiences, building business opportunities, bringing to life today’s best productions, with the biggest artists and tomorrow’s rising stars across the record-setting network TV properties, adrenaline-fueled events, and fast-growing digital platforms.”
Meyer had worked for Univision for more than a decade. He most recently...
- 9/12/2022
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Ignacio “Nacho” Meyer has been named president of U.S. Television Networks at TelevisaUnivision, the company announced Monday.
Meyer, who has worked at TelevisaUnivision for more than 10 years, takes over the role from Luis Silberwasser, who left to act as chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery Sports. He will report directly to TelevisaUnivision CEO Wade Davis.
“I am excited and energized for what’s to come under Nacho’s leadership and guidance,” Davis said. “Throughout his career at the company, Nacho has helped to cement Univision as a key partner to the entertainment, and Latin music ecosystem, super-serving audiences, building business opportunities, bringing to life today’s best productions, with the biggest artists and tomorrow’s rising stars across the record-setting network TV properties, adrenaline-fueled events, and fast-growing digital platforms.”
Meye, who has a more than 20-year career in the media and entertainment industry,...
Ignacio “Nacho” Meyer has been named president of U.S. Television Networks at TelevisaUnivision, the company announced Monday.
Meyer, who has worked at TelevisaUnivision for more than 10 years, takes over the role from Luis Silberwasser, who left to act as chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery Sports. He will report directly to TelevisaUnivision CEO Wade Davis.
“I am excited and energized for what’s to come under Nacho’s leadership and guidance,” Davis said. “Throughout his career at the company, Nacho has helped to cement Univision as a key partner to the entertainment, and Latin music ecosystem, super-serving audiences, building business opportunities, bringing to life today’s best productions, with the biggest artists and tomorrow’s rising stars across the record-setting network TV properties, adrenaline-fueled events, and fast-growing digital platforms.”
Meye, who has a more than 20-year career in the media and entertainment industry,...
- 9/12/2022
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Bros. Television Group adds to its growing roster of talent by signing a new first-look deal with writer/producer Bill Prady and Chris Sanagustin’s Pine Tree Entertainment.
Under the terms of the deal, Pine Tree Entertainment will develop new scripted programming — including dramas, multi- and single-camera comedies, genre series, and more — for all platforms, including HBO Max, external streaming services, cable, and broadcast networks. Financial terms of the multi-year agreement were not disclosed.
“It’s exciting for Chris and me to be back at Warner Bros., a studio I first called home almost two decades ago,” Prady said. “We are thrilled to partner with a creative team that shares our vision for innovative television and the championing of new voices.”
Also Read:
Warner Bros Discovery Names Luis Silberwasser Chair and CEO of Sports Division
The deal brings both Prady and Sanagustin back into the Wbtv fold. Prady co-created...
Under the terms of the deal, Pine Tree Entertainment will develop new scripted programming — including dramas, multi- and single-camera comedies, genre series, and more — for all platforms, including HBO Max, external streaming services, cable, and broadcast networks. Financial terms of the multi-year agreement were not disclosed.
“It’s exciting for Chris and me to be back at Warner Bros., a studio I first called home almost two decades ago,” Prady said. “We are thrilled to partner with a creative team that shares our vision for innovative television and the championing of new voices.”
Also Read:
Warner Bros Discovery Names Luis Silberwasser Chair and CEO of Sports Division
The deal brings both Prady and Sanagustin back into the Wbtv fold. Prady co-created...
- 6/14/2022
- by Brandon Katz
- The Wrap
Warner Bros. Discovery has named Luis Silberwasser, a former exec at Discovery, Telemundo and most recently TelevisaUnivision, as chairman and CEO of its sports division.
Reporting to CEO David Zaslav, Silberwasser will lead the company’s domestic sports portfolio and oversee a unified, global sports strategy. The newly merged company brings together Discovery’s sports operation outside of the U.S. and assets like Eurosport with the domestic portfolio including Turner Sports and digital brand Bleacher Report. Along with the Olympics, the company has rights to the NBA, NHL, Major League Baseball and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Silberwasser is segueing from his position as president of TelevisaUnivision. From 2014 to 2018, he was head of Telemundo Networks.
A number of executives were considered for the position in recent months, but one aspect of Silberwasser’s background that likely appealed to Zaslav was familiarity. Earlier in his career, the newly appointed exec spent 16 years at Discovery,...
Reporting to CEO David Zaslav, Silberwasser will lead the company’s domestic sports portfolio and oversee a unified, global sports strategy. The newly merged company brings together Discovery’s sports operation outside of the U.S. and assets like Eurosport with the domestic portfolio including Turner Sports and digital brand Bleacher Report. Along with the Olympics, the company has rights to the NBA, NHL, Major League Baseball and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Silberwasser is segueing from his position as president of TelevisaUnivision. From 2014 to 2018, he was head of Telemundo Networks.
A number of executives were considered for the position in recent months, but one aspect of Silberwasser’s background that likely appealed to Zaslav was familiarity. Earlier in his career, the newly appointed exec spent 16 years at Discovery,...
- 6/9/2022
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros. Discovery has named Luis Silberwasser chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery Sports. The veteran media executive will report to CEO David Zaslav as he oversees the company’s U.S. sports portfolio and orchestrates a global sports strategy.
Silberwasser most recently served as president of TelevisiaUnivision, Inc. U.S. Network Group, where he led the growth of its broadcast and cable networks as well as the entertainment, news, and sports content and programming strategies. Prior to that, Silberwasser spent 16 years at Discovery Communications, Inc., holding a number of leadership positions including executive vice president and chief content officer at Discovery Networks International. In that role, Silberwasser helped to build the company’s global footprint and its early emphasis on live content, including sports.
“I have known Luis for many years and have tremendous respect for how hard he works, how collaborative he approaches the job, and his...
Silberwasser most recently served as president of TelevisiaUnivision, Inc. U.S. Network Group, where he led the growth of its broadcast and cable networks as well as the entertainment, news, and sports content and programming strategies. Prior to that, Silberwasser spent 16 years at Discovery Communications, Inc., holding a number of leadership positions including executive vice president and chief content officer at Discovery Networks International. In that role, Silberwasser helped to build the company’s global footprint and its early emphasis on live content, including sports.
“I have known Luis for many years and have tremendous respect for how hard he works, how collaborative he approaches the job, and his...
- 6/9/2022
- by Brandon Katz
- The Wrap
Click here to read the full article.
Warner Bros. Discovery has found its global sports chief.
The company has tapped Luis Silberwasser, currently president of U.S. networks for TelevisaUnivision, to serve as chairman and and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery Sports.
The new role instantly makes Silberwasser one of the most powerful executives in the world of sports, and one of the most high-profile Latino executives in media. Wbd’s sports rights include the NBA, NHL and MLB, as well as March Madness college basketball. The company also has Olympics rights in Europe through its Eurosport subsidiary, though those rights will be overseen by Wbd’s European sports chief Andrew Georgiou.
Lenny Daniels, the president of Turner Sports, and Patrick Crumb, who leads Wbd’s regional sports networks, will report to Silberwasser.
When he officially took over the combined company, Wbd CEO David Zaslav announced that he was planning...
Warner Bros. Discovery has found its global sports chief.
The company has tapped Luis Silberwasser, currently president of U.S. networks for TelevisaUnivision, to serve as chairman and and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery Sports.
The new role instantly makes Silberwasser one of the most powerful executives in the world of sports, and one of the most high-profile Latino executives in media. Wbd’s sports rights include the NBA, NHL and MLB, as well as March Madness college basketball. The company also has Olympics rights in Europe through its Eurosport subsidiary, though those rights will be overseen by Wbd’s European sports chief Andrew Georgiou.
Lenny Daniels, the president of Turner Sports, and Patrick Crumb, who leads Wbd’s regional sports networks, will report to Silberwasser.
When he officially took over the combined company, Wbd CEO David Zaslav announced that he was planning...
- 6/9/2022
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Luis Silberwasser is getting ready to till new terrain on a familiar piece of ground.
The veteran TV executive, who has in recent years become a top content executive in Spanish-language media, has been named chairman of the broader sports business for Warner Bros. Discovery, the company said on Thursday. In that new role, Silberwasser, who worked for years at Discovery overseeing international programming, will become one of the most influential executives in sports media, playing a part in determining how sports favorites like NBA games, NHL matches and the annual March Madness college basketball tournament will be shown to viewers. He will also command a large passel of European sports rights that the company controls.
Silberwasser’s new role was reported previously by The New York Times. Lenny Daniels, president, Turner Sports, and Patrick Crumb, president, Regional Sports Networks, will report to him.
“I have known Luis for many...
The veteran TV executive, who has in recent years become a top content executive in Spanish-language media, has been named chairman of the broader sports business for Warner Bros. Discovery, the company said on Thursday. In that new role, Silberwasser, who worked for years at Discovery overseeing international programming, will become one of the most influential executives in sports media, playing a part in determining how sports favorites like NBA games, NHL matches and the annual March Madness college basketball tournament will be shown to viewers. He will also command a large passel of European sports rights that the company controls.
Silberwasser’s new role was reported previously by The New York Times. Lenny Daniels, president, Turner Sports, and Patrick Crumb, president, Regional Sports Networks, will report to him.
“I have known Luis for many...
- 6/9/2022
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.