Select HBO Programming End Up On Netflix
Issue #125 — The streaming wars are taking an unusual turn as HBO content will soon be showing up on Netflix.
Select HBO Programming End Up On Netflix
Next time you get on Netflix, don’t do a double-take when some of your favorite HBO shows are recommended to you.
The home of top-tier programming will soon license some of its shows to the streamer in an unusual but not out-of-the-ordinary deal.
HBO’s parent company Warner Bros. Discovery is negotiating with Netflix to license some of its “library” shows, i.e., shows no longer in production. At this time, it’s unclear which shows will be licensed to Netflix but expect some fan favorites to pop up on the streamer.
Why is it a big deal to be seeing HBO programming on Netflix? Well, because WBD, home of HBO, has its own streaming service, Max — formerly HBO Max. Max was to be the home of all HBO and WBD programming and is one of the numerous competitors in the heated streaming wars battles.
Max is in a battle to take on the juggernaut that is Netflix, so it makes sense for it to retain as much of its intellectual property as possible to maintain a competitive edge.
So, why would WBD offload some of its programming to its rival? As with every business decision, the answer always boils down to money.
Since inheriting the WarnerMedia networks, the Discovery part of WBD has been on a ruthless cost-cutting spree as it looks to pare down its massive debt, which has led it to rethink its streaming business.
Gone are the days of chasing subscribers numbers; what is in fashion is profitability, and for WBD, hoarding its content to Max, it gains no financial returns. Licensing it out to other streamers gives the content additional financial legs and is a boon for WBD.
As pointed out earlier, this is not an out-of-the-ordinary deal. Before the start of the streaming wars, HBO would license its content to various platforms, including Netflix.
What makes it unusual, though, is that competitors are working on a licensing agreement. By having its content, does WBD risk losing potential Max subscribers as they can now access HBO content on Netflix?
This new phase of the streaming wars has taken an unexpected turn with the introduction of licensing deals, and it will be interesting to see the outcome of all this.
(Deadline, Vox)
RECAP
Geraldo Rivera Is Off The Five And Maybe Out Of Fox News
Could Geraldo Rivera be on his way out at Fox News? Judging by his actions this week, Rivera is making a strong case that his time at the Rupert Murdoch-owned news network is quickly coming to an end. Rivera on Wednesday announced via Twitter that he would no longer be part of Fox News’ evening news program The Five. Rivera had been one of the rotating “liberal” co-hosts of the program since 2022 and had a rocky tenure during his stint, with much of that as a result of the frequent battles he had with Greg Gutfeld. Rivera indicated he would remain a correspondent at large for the network, but by Friday, he was singing a different tune. He tweeted that on Friday, June 30, he will announce “whether I stay with Fox or do something else.” So, Friday, it is to see what moves Rivera will make. (Geraldo Rivera/Twitter, TVNewser )
ESPN Restructures Content Group as On-Air Talent Layoffs Are Announced
ESPN is shaking up its content teams, giving more responsibilities to two of its executives, Norby Williamson and Dave Roberts. Williamson will now oversee all of ESPN’s live event and studio productions as well as all of its football productions, while Roberts will be in charge of all of ESPN’s college sports (minus football and baseball), Formula 1, ACC Network, and the ESPYs. These changes come at a time when the Disney-mandated layoffs are now starting to affect the network’s on-air staff. ESPN is not renewing former NFL player Rob Ninkovich’s contract; meanwhile, the network also announced the cancellation of Keyshawn Johson, Jay Williams, and Max Kellerman’s morning radio show. The status of these personalities is not currently known, but clarity will soon come as ESPN will be letting its on-air talent know who is staying and who is leaving in the next few weeks. (Sports Media Watch, New York Post)
Layoffs Hit Cheddar News
If you’ve ever pumped gas at one of the pumps with video screens, then more than likely, you have encountered Cheddar News. Cheddar News is a streaming network aimed at millennials and Gen-Zers and offers quick news bites news ranging from serious to zany. But its inefficient distribution model has made operations all the more difficult, which has resulted in the network recently cutting back on resources and staff. This past Thursday, Cheddar News announced a new round of layoffs that took a direct hit on two popular anchors, Baker Machado, and Chloe Aeiollo. Also departing were producers and other back-office staff, with the total number of jobs being eliminated totaling around 12. This round of layoffs follows the elimination of six positions earlier in the year. (Talking Biz News)
QUICK RECAP
Award: Fox Sports wins nine Promax Awards. (Fox Sports PR/Twitter)
Award: CBS News’ Michelle Miller gets the President’s Award from the New York Association of Black Journalists. (CBS News PR/Twitter)
Award: CBS Sunday Morning earns Gwen Ifill Award for Excellence in News Reporting by the New York Association of Black Journalists. (CBS News PR/Twitter)
Award: CBS News wins big at the Society of Professional Journalists’ Sigma Delta Chi Awards. (CBS News PR/Twitter)
Profile: NBC News’ Lester Holts in his own words. (Esquire)
Profile: MSNBC’s Jonathan Capehert on his morning routine. (Axios)
Profile: Fox News “it” guy Greg Gutfeld. (The Wall Street Journal)
Interview: YouTube’s Jon Cruz on the success of NFL’s Sunday Ticket. (Morning Consult)
Shannon Sharpe will be heading to Fan Duel. (Front Office Sports)
TV statistician Mike Mulvihill promoted to president, insights and analytics at Fox. (Broadcasting+Cable)
Rachel Nichols joins Washington D.C.’s rebranded Monumental Sports Network. (Awful Announcing)
Bryan Tyler Cohen joins MSNBC as a contributor. (TVNewser)
Chief diversity officer Latondra Newton departs Disney. (Variety)
Former NFL player Rob Ninkovich’s contract is not being renewed by ESPN. (Front Office Sports)
Laura Gentile is leaving ESPN after 20 years. (Sports Business Journal)
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon breaks his silence. (Business Insider)
The Weather Channel and Google announce camera network partnership. (NewscastStudio)
Local CBS News newscasts embrace “solutions journalisms.” (Associated Press)
Netflix begins password crackdown in the UK. (The Guardian)
What will the outcome be from the Fox News, Tucker Carlson feud? (The Guardian)
BBC News’ BBC Breakfast gets a morning studio makeover. (NewscastStudio)
Derek Jeter makes his MLB on Fox debut during the MLB’s London series. (Fox Sports PR/Twitter)
Neil Everett signs off from ESPN’s SportsCenter one last time. (Awful Announcing)
This year’s NBA Draft was the most-watched draft ever on any network. (ESPN Pressroom)
Phoenix Suns’ new media rights deal blocked by federal judge. (Front Office Sports)
Paramount Plus cancels and removes shows as part of tax write-off. (The Hollywood Reporter)
Will Victor Wembanyama boost the San Antonio Spurs and the NBA’s ratings? (The Atheltic)
Could CNN be up for sale? (New York Post)
Is Netflix serious about jumping into live sports? (Los Angeles Times)
Fox Sports announces its 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup group stage broadcast announcer assignments. (Fox Sports Press Pass)
Chris Cuomo seeks lawyer in CNN case removed. (The Daily Beast)
Derek Jeter joins Fox Sports; what will it take for him to succeed? (New York Post)
Premier League Summer Series announcers announced by NBC Sports. (NBC Sports Group Press Box)
Netflix’s Tudum livestream gets 78 million views. (Variety)
Fortress Investment Group acquires Vice Media Group. (New York Times)
Streaming grows to 36.4% of all TV viewing. (NewscastStudio)
Fox Sports debuts its new digital-only studio. (Fox Sports PR/Twitter)
Bret Baier’s interview with Donald Trump gives Fox News 2.6 million viewers. (Mediaite)
What’s the future of Max Kellerman at ESPN? (Awful Announcing)
Slamball signs two-year media rights deal with ESPN. (Joe Pompliano/Twitter)
How to deal with Warner Bros. Discovery’s David Zaslav. (The Hollywood Reporter)
Former CNN Producer John Griffin sentenced to more than 19 years for child sex crimes. (TVNewser)
Washington Nationals and MASN settle longstanding media rights fee. (Front Office Sports)
NBC News’s Nightly News with Lester Holt debuts new look. (NewscastStudio)
Producer Ryan Murphy leaves Netflix to head back to Disney. (Bloomberg)
Utah Jazz games will be broadcast on over-the-air TV for free. (Salt Lake Tribune)
BBC under pressure to do something about its laid-off female anchors. (Deadline)
Netflix updates its top 10 rankings and adds view count. (The Hollywood Reporter)
CBS Sports to cover UEFA European Under-21 Championship. (Paramount Press Express)
Diamond Sports Group pays its media rights bill to the Texas Rangers. (Cable Fax)
Fox News’ announces the date for the first Republican presidential primary debate. (TVNewser)
CNN’s John King defends the network’s controversial Trump town hall. (Press Gazette/Twitter)
Fox News’ Bret Baier earns praise for his Trump interview. (TVNewser)
NewsNation to host a town hall with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday, June 28 (TVNewser)
Thanks for reading the Coverage Notes Newsletter. Apologies for the extended hiatus.
Subscribe & share. Let us know what you think here - love or hate it, we'll learn to deal with it and improve it.
A MarkHenry Media LLC publication - Issue #125 - 2023