MGM

Amazon MGM released a report today detailing the progress it has made in supporting increased diversity in front of and behind the camera for its TV series and films. It shows significant growth in representation of women and people of color in creative roles and onscreen gains for women, people of color and LGBTQIA+ talent.

Josh McIvor has been promoted to global general manager of MGM+, the Amazon-owned streamer that relaunched in January after previously being known as Epix. As global general manager, he will report to Chris Brearton, vice president of Prime Video Studios corporate strategy.

Jennifer Salke just got a big vote of confidence at Amazon Studios. The head of Amazon Studios has just been handed total control of MGM’s film and television divisions following the retail giant/streamer’s February acquisition of the storied studio behind the James Bond and Rocky/Creed franchises. The Salke announcement is but one of multiple staffing moves announced via a trio of internal memos late Tuesday.

The premium cable network (which is also available as a standalone streaming service) will soon rebrand as MGM+. The name change will take effect on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, in conjunction with the Season 3 premiere of Forrest Whitaker crime drama Godfather of Harlem.

Wanda Sykes is knocking on the door of syndication with a new series that features videos taken from Ring doorbells. The comedian is to host Ring Nation, a new twist on the popular clip show genre, from MGM Television, Live PD producer Big Fish Entertainment and Ring. The series, which will launch on Sept. 26, will feature viral videos shared by people from their video doorbells and smart home cameras.

Following the $8.5 billion sale of MGM to Amazon, two town hall meetings were held Friday, the first with MGM employees and the second with Amazon Studios and Prime Video staffers. Both led by Amazon Studios and Prime Video SVP Mike Hopkins detailed a new organization structure: MGM Motion Picture Group Chairman Michael De Luca, Worldwide TV Group Chairman Mark Burnett and the studio’s COO Christopher Brearton will report to Hopkins. Amazon Studios chief Jen Salke will continue to report to Hopkins separately. Overall, there was no indication of any potential layoffs, including MGM’s sister distribution/marketing arm United Artists Releasing, and there was no option for employees of either company to ask questions.

The online shopping giant said last year that it was buying MGM in a $8.45 billion deal aimed at bulking up its video streaming service with more content to watch.VThe European Commission said its investigation found the deal “would not significantly reduce competition” in European markets, including for movie and TV production, wholesale supply of TV channels and retail supply of “audiovisual services.”

Amazon has given the Federal Trade Commission a fast-approaching deadline to deliver a verdict on its proposed $6.5 billion acquisition of the MGM movie and television studio, a move that could make it difficult for the agency to challenge the deal before the tech giant completes it.

A group of 34 trade groups, labor unions and consumer activist organizations jointly sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission last week, asking it to block the Amazon’s proposed $8.45 billion acquisition of MGM. “We urge the FTC to block Amazon’s purchase of MGM Studios in order to slow Amazon’s growing dominance,” said the groups, which included The Writers Guild of America West, the Center for Popular Democracy Action and Public Citizen.

In an unsurprising but make-or-break development for Amazon’s proposed MGM acquisition, the Federal Trade Commission on Friday opened an “in-depth” investigation of the deal, according to knowledgeable sources.

Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy have reinvigorated a once-storied Hollywood institution. Now it needs to figure out its place in a streaming company.

The Federal Trade Commission will be the agency to review Amazon’s proposed acquisition of Hollywood studio MGM, according to people familiar with the matter, just as the commission gets a new chairwoman, Lina Khan, who has been critical of the online giant’s expansion.

Amazon said Wednesday that it has struck a deal to acquire movie studio MGM for $8.5 billion, bolstering its efforts to become a top player in Hollywood. The deal will give the e-commerce and cloud computing giant a famed studio and catalogue of film and TV titles to beef up its Amazon Prime streaming service, from the James Bond and Rocky franchises to television series like The Handmaid’s Tale and Fargo.

The nearly $9 billion deal would turn a film operation founded in the silent era into a streaming asset for the e-commerce giant.

A deal would add Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s 4,000 films to Amazon’s streaming library, including the James Bond, Rocky and Legally Blonde franchises.

Co-general manager of Epix Laura Sher has been tapped to take on the additional role of executive vice president of MGM Scripted Television Operations, where she will work with MGM Chief Legal Officer Lesley Freeman, president of MGM scripted TV and Epix Michael Wright and President of TV Operations Brian Edwards to grow the studio’s scripted series business.

The two diginets reach more than 81 million U.S. Households via over-the-air, cable and online.

Unaired footage from Donald Trump‘s Celebrity Apprentice should be handed over to entrepreneurs who claim they were ripped off when Trump and his children repeatedly endorsed a troubled multilevel marketing company on the reality-TV show, a judge said.

Lauren Lake’s Paternity Court, Personal Injury Court and Couples Court with The Cutlers get a green light following clearances on more than 200 stations.

Verizon Media’s Yahoo Sports has entered into an exclusive multi-year partnership with BetMGM to power sports betting for Yahoo Sports and create what it’s calling “collaborative content experiences and live events.” As part of the deal, which kicks off next month, MGM Resorts and Yahoo Sports will collaborate on exclusive live events, broadcast productions, and promotional marketing efforts.

The CBS board has decided the company needs to get bigger, but merging with Viacom is not enough for Shari Redstone, who has voting control of both companies. If the CBS-Viacom deal gets done, Redstone’s National Amusements would like to move quickly with a second deal, the people said. Discovery Communications is interested in selling to CBS or a combined CBS-Viacom, according to two sources. Redstone is open to the idea, but would also consider buying other companies, including Sony Pictures and MGM.

Multiple CBS-owned stations are adding the new offering from MGM, including WLNY New York, WPSG Philadelphia, WUPA Atlanta, as well as CBS-owned stations in San Francisco, Tampa and Seattle.

The Drama features outspoken experts who use humor to help viewers solve problems and Personal Injury Court with Judge Gino Brogdon will be shown at NATPE 2019.

MGM Holdings has reported a strong 42% third-quarter revenue hike to $380.2 million, thanks to higher television revenues. In a filling Thursday on its investor relations website, privately held MGM also disclosed that its earnings slid to $25.3 million from $114.2 million in the year-ago quarter and adjusted EBITDA declined to $34.5 million from $90.8 million.

MGM has promoted Brian Edwards to president of the studio’s television operations, where he will continue to report to Mark Burnett, chairman, Global Television Group. Edwards will oversee all business aspects of MGM’s television and digital productions.