Adia Matthews’ Post

✅🖥️ The Hollywood Reporter (7/9): “CBS owns a key portion of the NFL’s media rights and is a model of consistency even in the increasingly challenging linear TV world: It has led all networks in viewers for a record-setting 16 straight years. The network’s series are also consistently among the most watched titles on Paramount+. In their remarks to analysts and reporters, (executives) talked a lot about the potential for Paramount+ to become a technological leader among streaming platforms: upgrading its recommendation engine and ad-tech capabilities (as well as those of FAST service Pluto TV) and being at the forefront of Paramount “expand[ing] into a media and technology company,” as one executive put it. What they didn’t mention much was what’s actually on Paramount+, which is home to most of Yellowstone mastermind Taylor Sheridan’s output — and, crucially, will also be where any sequels to or continuations of Yellowstone itself land (the flagship series streams on Peacock, thanks to a deal made years ago). CBS shows and live sports streams bring healthy viewing to Paramount+, and series within the Sheridan and Star Trek franchises have performed fairly well, the service has yet. As the Skydance-Paramount transaction makes its way toward the finish line, in cable TV, Paramount Network will likely get a huge influx of viewers for the final, Kevin Costner-less episodes of Yellowstone. Comedy Central has seen The Daily Show audience grow with Jon Stewart’s part-time return to the anchor desk. But there’s precious little else in the way of original programming on either of those networks, and while MTV still offers up reality staples like The Challenge and Are You the One?, 10-hour marathons of Catfish: The TV Show and weekend-long blocks of Ridiculousness repeats are more the norm. The most robust slate of original series among Paramount’s cable channels is at BET, which the company is reportedly interested in selling.” ⬇️ #streamingtv #ctvadvertising #upfronts #avod #ott #cordcutting https://lnkd.in/gsh4-g98

Paramount Global (Viacom CBS) controlled by NationalAmusements is more a mess than people realize. This is conglomerate is: Paramount, Showtime, CBS, BET, MTV, CMT, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, Paramount+, Pluto TV. It is preparing for layoffs, maybe a sale, and closing streaming services. ----- Variety: "Paramount Global Mulling 1,000-Plus Layoffs Amid Shari Redstone’s Talks to Sell Controlling Interest (Report)" Variety: https://lnkd.in/giYsJFwf ----- YahooFinance: "Shari Redstone Weighs Sale of Stake in Paramount Global" (Thomas Buckley & Michelle F. Davis) (Dec 12, 2023 at 6:33 AM PST·3 "Redstone has held talks with Hollywood producer David Ellison, and RedBird Capital Partners, about an acquisition of her family’s stake in the business, according to people familiar with the matter. A buyer of Redstone’s stake could generate $13.5 billion by selling Paramount’s TV networks, including CBS and Showtime, according to Wells Fargo & Co.’s Steven Cahall. The remaining businesses, including the Paramount Pictures film studio and production operations behind shows like the hit TV series Yellowstone, could be worth $19 billion, or around $23 a share, he said . Shares of Paramount were down about 1% Tuesday morning in New York at $16.09. Proceeds from asset sales would be used to reduce Paramount’s $15.6 billion in long-term debt by two-thirds. Cahall’s analysis also envisions new owners closing the Paramount+ streaming service, which is projected to lose $1.6 billion this year. Whether a sale actually occurs is in the hands of Redstone, who is Paramount’s chairperson and controls 77% of the voting shares through a family holding company, National Amusements Inc. The websites Deadline and Puck reported on the talks last week. Activision Blizzard Inc. CEO Bobby Kotick, who is leaving that company at the end of the month, has also held talks with Redstone about a potential sale, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. The newspaper also said Paramount is considering layoffs of 1,000 workers early next year. A spokesperson for the company declined to comment on any job cuts. YahooFinance: https://lnkd.in/gMEUNb9h ----- Bloomberg: "Shari Redstone Weighs Sale of Stake in Paramount Global --Legacy TV channels could fetch $13 billion, analyst suggests --Proceeds could help smaller, production company reduce debt" "Shari Redstone is contemplating the sale of her interest in the Paramount Global movie and TV empire, a deal that could lead to more than $13 billion in asset sales, including the CBS network." Bloomberg: https://lnkd.in/gjkmdwbQ ----- WallStreetJournal: "Redstone’s Predicament: Whether to Sell or Fix Her Media Empire. Shari Redstone considers sale of controlling stake in National Amusements amid pressures from Paramount’s cable business, ad market" "Shari Redstone has a decision to make: fight or flight." WallStreetJournal: https://lnkd.in/gxwBfRhN #hollywood #filmindustry #tvindustry #streamingmedia #paramount #cbsviacom

As some of you may know, early in my life I suffered a personal loss that has affected me profoundly. Losing my best friend and high school boyfriend, Max, to a deadly hazing incident was something of my worst nightmares, and has lead myself and his family to advocate for hazing prevention primarily through the Max Gruver Foundation. Over the summer, The Intellectual Property Corporation, ABC News Studios and Hulu approached Max’s loved ones, asking us to participate in a documentary series, Death in the Dorms, to tell his story. Death in the Dorms 2 is now streaming on Hulu! Max’s story can be found on episode 4. To learn more about Max and his story, please visit https://lnkd.in/eY73bEbf

𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗩 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴! Ever wondered how a TV show's success hinges on strategic positioning? Dive into the world of captivating television! 🌠 🔍 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 A top UK media house faced a challenge: strategically position a new TV show to captivate diverse audiences. What did it take to hit the mark? 🔬 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 Jasper Colin delved deep into audience preferences and tested multiple positioning strategies. The game plan? A mystery until you read more! 🚀 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁 Our strategic roadmap paved the way for success, crafting intrigue, excitement, and emotional connections. But there's more behind the scenes! 💡 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘀 The results were beyond expectations! How did strategic positioning elevate the show's success? The answers lie within the report below! Get ready to uncover the secrets of captivating TV! 📺 #Jaspercolin #Datatodecision #TVShowPositioning #strategicinsights #CuriousToKnow #mediaentertainment #casestudy #broadcasting #tvproduction #tvshows #mediainsights

Big news in big Hollywood media: Paramount is merging with Skydance, and Oracle heir turned producer David Ellison is the mogul at the head of it all. It's been a drama going on for months, involving complex negotiations with the Redstone family who owned and controlled Paramount since 1994. One of the oldest majors, Paramount Pictures was originally founded in 1914. There would be lots to say about the brand, but to be brief, the company has been struggling and their streaming arm Paramount+ is bleeding cash every month. Cost cutting measures and layoffs are on the horizon with the new ownership. I got interested in new person at the head of it all. David Ellison is the son of Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle. He showed up in Hollywood 15 years ago with lots of trust-fund money saying he loved cinema. He did spend a lot of money, though is also a hard-working, ambitious, and apparently shrewd businessman who clearly stuck it out. He dropped out of university, tried acting (Flyboys), more significantly launched a production company. While he did have a few flops (Gemini Man, Geostorm), he also has a string of big successes particularly with Paramount (Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Top Gun: Maverick), and quickly got into producing stuff for streaming companies (The Old Guard, The Tomorrow War, The Adam Project, Air, Grace & Frankie). He produces and has final cut on all projects apparently. If like me you wonder why more and more high budget movies seem so bland and rehashing of things we've all seen many times before, him and his media company Skydance seem worth taking a closer look at. For a different perspective, maybe the mogul is just producing what people will watch and spend money on (what the streaming services will, maybe same difference). Tom van der Linden over at Like Stories of Old published a new video essay titled "How Modern Audiences Are Failing Cinema" in which he explores what he calls "the commodification of relatability, self-righteous moralism in cinema, and constant stimulants." It takes effort to go out of our comfort zones; to stop mindlessly scrolling videos that are served to us by algorithms, watching the same TV channel news, or whatever Netflix is pushing to our home screen. Don't get me wrong, I definitely watch dreadful films all the time, I'm not better than anyone else. It is also totally worth deliberately going out of our comfort zones to get fresh ideas and perspectives. (testing things, not copying urls, sorry) NY Times:  Paramount Agrees to Merge With Skydance A Diminished Hollywood Welcomes a New Mogul Dumb Money No More: How David Ellison Became a Hollywood High Flier Fortune: Who is David Ellison? Heir to the Oracle fortune celebrates his biggest deal ever by clinching control over ‘Top Gun’ studio Paramount Like Stories of Old (Youtube): How Modern Audiences Are Failing Cinema

BUSINESS FOCUS: Paramount Television Studios, is shutting down as a $500 million cost cutting effort by parent corporation Paramount Global. A bitter but possibly necessary medicine (that they may yet grow to regret). A rather sad end to the division that was Desilu Production Studio, founded by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, and that also produced Star Trek and most recently Jack Ryan series. This streamlining move will bring series creation back to CBS Studios, and a much-needed creative talent boost for the NCIS universe that has been plagued by confusion due to constant changes. However, there is a risk that this shift could limit the emergence of fresh and unconventional series ideas as CBS Studios tends to focus heavily on a single genre. This may result in valuable input from former Paramount Television creators being overlooked and fewer opportunities for new ideas to surface, given the reduced channels of communication for discussing TV series. Summary Analysis: the decision is necessary to achieve cost-cutting goals and improve management efficiency. Yet, there is a concern that it could impede the development of innovative series needed to thrive in the evolving landscape of Paramount Global. It is crucial to find a balance that preserves a culture of creative thinking and embraces risk-taking to continue fostering innovative ideas and opportunities in the television industry.

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Paramount Axes Decades Of Comedy Central History In Latest Round Of Brunchlord Dysfunction - Last month we noted how the brunchlords in charge of Paramount (CBS) decided to eliminate decades of MTV News journalism history as part of their ongoing “cost saving” efforts. It was just the latest casualty in an ever-consolidating and very broken U.S. media business routinely run by some of the least competent people imaginable. We’ve noted how with streaming growth slowing, there’s no longer money to be made goosing stock valuations via subscriber growth. So media giants (and the incompetent brunchlords that usually fail upward into positions of unearned power within them) have turned their attention to all the usual tricks: layoffs, pointless megamergers, price hikes, and more and more weird and costly consumer restrictions. Part of that equation also involves being too cheap to preserve history, as we’ve seen countless times when a journalism or media company implodes and then immediately disappears not just staffers but decades of their hard work. Usually (and this is from my experience as a freelancer) without any warning or consideration of the impact whatsoever. Paramount has been struggling after its ingenious strategy of making worse and worse streaming content while charging more and more money somehow hasn’t panned out. While the company looks around for merger and acquisition partners, they’ve effectively taken a hatchet to company staff and history. First with the recent destruction of the MTV News archives and a major round of layoffs, and now with the elimination of years of Comedy Central history. Last week, as part of additional cost cutting moves, the company basically gutted the Comedy Central website, eliminating years of archived video history of numerous programs ranging from old South Park clips to episodes of the The Colbert Report. A website message and press statement by the company informs users that they can simply head over to the Paramount+ streaming app to watch older content: “As part of broader website changes across Paramount, we have introduced more streamlined versions of our sites, driving fans to Paramount+ to watch their favorite shows.” Except older episodes of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report can no longer be found on Paramount+, also due to layoffs and cost cutting efforts at the company. Paramount is roughly $14 billion in debt due to mismanagement, and a recent plan to merge with Skydance was scuttled at the last second. Eventually Paramount will find somebody else to merge with in order to bump stock valuations, nab a fat tax cut, and justify excessive executive compensation (look at me, I’m a savvy dealmaker!). At which point, as we saw with the disastrous AT&T–>Time Warner–>Discovery series of mergers, an entirely new wave of layoffs, quality erosion, and chaos will begin as they struggle to pay off deal debt. It’s all so profoundly pointless, and at no ...

Very curious to see how this one shakes out considering Allen’s past attempts to bid for ABC, Tegna, E.W Scripps, BET, and Paramount! Paramount Pictures and its surrounding production resources have tremendous potential if paired with the right buyer. CBS, with an NFL rights contract that runs through 2033, is likely the only linear TV asset that retains a fraction of the value Shari Redstone sees in it. The time to sell was 3-4 years ago; think Murdoch starting a bidding war for Fox’s theatrical assets and generating a 71.3 billion dollar sale price. Paramount’s best fit for a buyer is someone looking to replicate Sony’s “content dealer” license revenue model with streamers, or a PE firm with mountains of cash and large scale holdings in linear TV (looking at you Apollo). https://lnkd.in/guUM88_j

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