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CNN Names David Leavy COO as Layoffs Reportedly Loom

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June 02, 2023 | June 02, 2023 | ENTERTAINMENT By Saleah Blancaflor | Twitter  Email   Top Stories CNN hired David Leavy as chief operating officer. Leavy, who was most recently Warner Bros. Discovery’s chief corporate affairs officer, will oversee the commercial, operational and promotional strategies for the news network beginning June 20, while layoffs at Warner Bros. Discovery’s cable networks are reportedly expected to take place next month as the company continues to find ways to cut costs. (The Wall Street Journal) Veteran producer Peter Rice signed a production deal with A24. Rice, the former Walt Disney Co. General Entertainment chairman who was fired last year, will produce and co-finance film and TV projects for global distribution, theatrical and streaming. (The Hollywood Reporter) A new bundle will offer Netflix and Paramount+ with Showtime together. Verizon Communications Inc.’s +Play package marks the first time the two rival streaming platforms will be offered in the same bundle and will cost $25.99 per month, a 19% discount on the regular price for separate subscriptions to both services. (TechCrunch) Epic Records promoted Ezekiel Lewis to president. Lewis, who has served as the record label’s executive vice president and head of its artists and repertoire unit since 2020, will continue to oversee the A&R team while overseeing the company’s daily operations. (Variety)   Chart Review What Consumers Want From Their Cellphones: Spam Prevention and Even Faster Service Morning Consult Satisfaction With Wireless Plan Features Is High Share of U.S. adults who are satisfied or dissatisfied with the following aspects of their wireless plan: W Very satisfied B Somewhat satisfied H Neutral l Somewhat dissatisfied M Very dissatisfied Not offered wietesscoverace T S e s I B oats pen oo S 2550 R ety orretes covrace T 55 I Customer serce S IR B T Ve of e iretes i 55 V. MORNING CONSULT Survey conducted May 20-21, 2023, among 2,148 U.S. mobile phone owners, with an unweighted margin of error of -2 percentage points. Figures may not add up to 100% due to rounding. A MESSAGE FROM MORNING CONSULT SPECIAL REPORT MOST TRUSTED BRANDS plopic DOWNLOAD Most Trusted Brands 2023 15 brand rankings. 24 case studies. 57 pages of insights. Morning Consult’s fourth annual Most Trusted Brands report highlights the brands that have secured top spots in consumer trust around the world, within the United States and among their respective industries. Download now.   What Else You Need To Know GENERAL Judge denies DeSantis bid to disqualify him from Disney case, but recuses himself anyway because his relative owns company’s stock  Kevin Breuninger, CNBC A federal judge overseeing Disney’s civil free speech lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recused himself from the case Thursday, days after learning that one of his relatives owns stock in The Walt Disney Company. Bill Cosby is facing a new sexual assault lawsuit Manuel Roig-Franzia, The Washington Post His accuser, Victoria Valentino, says she gained confidence from E. Jean Carroll’s civil court win against Donald Trump. Actor Mark Wahlberg lobbies to make Las Vegas a Hollywood in the desert Contessa Brewer, CNBC Actor Mark Wahlberg is pushing Nevada lawmakers to pass a package of tax credits worth $190 million annually to woo film production to Las Vegas. Polygram Entertainment Names Daniel Inkeles as SVP of Film and TV Development and Production Kayla Cobb, The Wrap Polygram Entertainment, the film and television division of Universal Music Group, has announced that Daniel Inkeles will become the new senior vice president of film and television development and production. AMC Networks CFO Outlines Three Steps to “Economic Repair” in the Streaming Age Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter "We were less drunk on the thesis of streaming über alles," Patrick O'Connell told TD Cowen’s 51st Annual Technology, Media & Telecom Conference. Netflix Shareholders Decline To Back Executive Compensation Packages After WGA Urged Rejection Of “Inappropriate” Pay During Strike Dade Hayes, Deadline Netflix shareholders declined to support the 2023 pay packages of top executives during a non-binding vote at the company’s annual shareholder meeting on Thursday. MPTF Sees A “Significant Spike” In Requests For Financial Assistance During WGA Strike David Robb, Deadline The Motion Picture & Television Fund has seen a “significant spike” in requests for financial assistance from industry members impacted by the month-old Writers Guild strike. AMC Theatres Winds Down On Demand Streaming Service, Referring Users To Fandango’s Vudu But Retaining Stake In Movie Revenue There Dade Hayes, Deadline AMC Theatres, which launched an on-demand streaming service just ahead of the Covid pandemic in October 2019, is winding down the service and referring users to Fandango’s platform Vudu. iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman sings radio’s praises, says it’s as ‘strong as ever’ Lydia Moynihan, New York Post Bob Pittman, who ran MTV, AOL, and Six Flags before helming iHeartMedia as CEO, weighs in on Burning Man, radio, and why he’s one of the few executives who believes in remote work. Soros, Fortress in a vise to find new buyer for bankrupt Vice Lydia Moynihan, New York Post As Vice Media looks to sell itself later this month, insiders say the likelihood of finding an outside buyer is grim. American Film Institute Sets 2023 AFI Awards Date Beatrice Verhoeven, The Hollywood Reporter Honorees will be announced in December. Brendan Fraser, Stephanie Hsu, Chance The Rapper Among Members Of Tribeca Festival Jury Dade Hayes, Deadline The Tribeca Festival, which gets under way Wednesday in New York, has announced members of the jury who will decide winners in 15 award categories. FILM Christopher Nolan breaks down the best ways to watch a movie, ahead of his ‘Oppenheimer’ release Lindsey Bahr, The Associated Press It’s no secret that Christopher Nolan made “ Oppenheimer ” to be seen on the big screen. But not all big screens are created equal. ‘Oppenheimer’ Earns R Rating, IMAX Film Prints Are 11 Miles Long and Weigh 600 Pounds Zack Sharf, Variety Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” is officially rated R, Variety confirms with Universal Pictures. ‘Little Mermaid’ alleged ‘review bombing’ prompts rating system change by IMDb Lisa Respers France, CNN The live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid” stirred strong reaction before production even began on the film, and that has continued since the movie’s debut in theaters last week. 'The Rock' will return as Luke Hobbs in new 'Fast & Furious' film Danielle Broadway, Reuters Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is returning for an as yet untitled “Fast & Furious” movie as Luke Hobbs, the actor announced on Twitter on Thursday, after bowing out of the successful franchise in 2021 due to differences with star Vin Diesel. Freddy Krueger Actor Robert Englund on His 50-Year Career, Why He Won’t Play Freddy Anymore and Who Should Portray the ‘Elm Street’ Villain Next William Earl, Variety Robert Englund starred in one of the most revered science fiction series of all time; he’s directed films; voiced video game characters; and acted in scores of movies and shows. TELEVISION Kim Kardashian Called Out for Crossing Picket Line to Film ‘American Horror Story’ Helen Holmes, The Daily Beast Kardashian could have told producers she’s “not comfortable crossing a line,” showrunner Warren Leight told The Daily Beast. “She chose to cross.” Writers Guild Picket Shuts Down Atlanta Production of Peacock’s ‘Hysteria!’ Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter The action marks the first time union members have stopped a production in Georgia. How FX’s ‘Dave’ Landed Brad Pitt for Its Season Finale Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter Pitt plays a version of himself in the comedy from creator/star Dave Burd, aka Lil Dicky. ‘Somebody Somewhere’ Renewed for Season 3 at HBO Nick Caruso, TVLine Fred Rococo’s wedding isn’t the only cause for celebration: Somebody Somewhere has officially been renewed for Season 3, HBO announced Thursday. Fox News Channel Shuffles Weekend Primetime Lineup Brian Steinberg, Variety In the aftermath of the departure of weekend opinion host Dan Bongino, Fox News intends to add a new panel show to its Saturday-night grid, while ending Steve Hilton’s Sunday-night program, “The Next Revolution.”  Meghann Fahy and Theo James Tell All on Their Twisted ‘White Lotus’ Love Story: They’re ‘Cut From the Same Cloth’ Katcy Stephan, Variety When Theo James and Meghann Fahy reunite over Zoom to discuss their roles, they’re perfectly in sync and often answer questions in unison, evoking their characters’ deliciously duplicitous cat-and- mouse relationship. TECHNOLOGY AND NEW MEDIA Meta Announces $500 Quest 3 Headset Just Ahead of Apple Launch Nick Turner, Bloomberg Meta Platforms Inc. announced the latest version of its Quest mixed-reality headset, a lower-cost alternative to the long-awaited device that Apple Inc. is expected to unveil in a few days. Spotify’s Podcast Teams Haven’t Received Annual Budgets as Layoff Rumors Spread Ashley Carman, Bloomberg Podcast teams at Parcast and Gimlet Media haven’t been able to greenlight new shows or approve travel allowances for existing productions. ChatGPT to Fuel $1.3 Trillion AI Market by 2032, New Report Says Jake Rudnitsky, Bloomberg The release of consumer-focused artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT and Google’s Bard is set to fuel a decade-long boom that grows the market for generative AI to an estimated $1.3 trillion in revenue by 2032 from $40 billion last year. MUSIC Lucas Shaw, Bloomberg Hybe Co., the South Korean music agency behind BTS and Ariana Grande, is seeking to raise around 500 billion won ($380 million) to fund acquisitions in the US and expand its business beyond K-pop. Billy Joel will end Madison Square Garden residency in 2024 Michael Gartland and Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News The Piano Man’s residency at the famed Manhattan arena will end in July 2024 after his 150th lifetime show there, MSG CEO James Dolan announced Thursday at a news conference attended by Joel and Mayor Adams. Alicia Keys Musical ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ Set For Fall Opening At New York’s Public Theater Greg Evans, Deadline The new Alicia Keys musical Hell’s Kitchen will make its world premiere this fall as part of the 2023-24 season of New York’s Public Theater Off Broadway, the Public announced today. Emmy-Eligible Music Specials Had Selena Gomez, Ed Sheeran, U2 and Others Showing a Different Side Chris Willman, Variety Four films or limited series stand out in the subgenre of docs that were initially commissioned to capture an album or tour and, through circumstances, evolved into something deeper or darker. Tupac Shakur to Get Hollywood Walk of Fame Star 10 Years After Selection Sharon Knolle, The Wrap The late rap legend and actor will be honored next week. OPINIONS, EDITORIALS, PERSPECTIVES AND RESEARCH When AI Is Making Music, Where Do the Humans Fit In? Julia Gray, The Ringer The Drake and Weeknd song that went viral in April is just the beginning. In a time when ChatGPT is going mainstream and programs are allowing musicians to create once-unimaginable compositions, what’s the value of creativity? Is the Music Business Slipping on Its Pledge to Diversity? Elias Leight, Billboard Black music executives say that, despite promises of greater diversity and inclusion, not enough advances have been made since Blackout Tuesday. Will There Be Any Successors to ‘Succession’? Joy Press, Vanity Fair Is this the end of an era for Hollywood, or inspiration for a new beginning? Why AI Isn’t Funny — At Least Not Yet Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter Researchers believe that most original comedy is out of reach now for the tech, with this caveat for studios: “How mediocre are you OK with your comedy being?” Business Affairs: Good Cop/Bad Cop of the Streaming Wars Entertainment Strategy Guy, The Ankler In particular, no one ever talks about “business affairs”, the lawyers (largely) that handle talent negotiations for Hollywood studios and streamers. And why not? Because, uh, it’s not cool to be a lawyer — especially a “business affairs” lawyer. That’s why lawyer jokes persist time and again. Harvey Guillén finds his light: ‘The What We Do in the Shadows’ star on pride, perseverance, and ‘Puss in Boots’ Patrick Gomez, Entertainment Weekly “It's more important now than ever to be as loud as we can be, to create the queerest content we can,” says the Blue Beetle actor, who graces EW’s 2023 Pride cover. NING C NG CONSIL This email was sent to: [email protected] by: Morning Consult 1025 F Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004
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