Business

Operator spending tied to DOCSIS infrastructure dropped 24% in Q1 2024, but a bounce back is on the horizon as operators move ahead on network upgrades, according to Dell’Oro Group.

The purchase of WGVT-LD Gainesville, Fla., by Hometown TV Network tops the latest list of TV station transactions submitted to the FCC for its approval, according to BIA Advisory Services.

Paramount Global’s Office of the CEO is postponing an employee town hall that was set for Wednesday to June 25 as controlling shareholder Shari Redstone reviews a takeover offer from David Ellison’s Skydance Media.

Wall Street cleaved between winners and losers Tuesday following a report showing a slowing economy.

The National Basketball Association and National Hockey League are concerned over Diamond Sports’ future, and whether the regional sports network owner can put together a viable business plan ahead of the upcoming seasons this fall. Lawyers for each league raised their concerns during a status conference in bankruptcy court on Tuesday, after Diamond said it was delaying its hearing to confirm its reorganization plan from mid-June until late July.

Paramount’s leadership presented a plan on Tuesday at the company’s annual shareholder meeting that lays out a future for the company if a sale doesn’t happen.

Warner Bros. Discovery has increased the price for the ad-free Max streaming plans just ahead of HBO’s House of the Dragon Season 2 premiere on June 16. Beginning today (June 4), Max’s ad-free tier in the U.S. will rise $1 from $15.99 to $16.99 per month, and the annual plan will jump from $149.99 to $169.99. The “ultimate” ad-free tier will also increase by $1 per month, rising to $20.99 per month, and by $10 per year, bringing the new annual cost to $209.99.

As Paramount Global controlling shareholder Shari Redstone mulls the terms of a merger between her conglom and Skydance, the network/studio/streaming service trotted out their best and brightest CEO troika Tuesday morning for its annual global stockholders meeting to tout their hit parade of 14 billion-dollar revenue earning franchises across all mediums, their assurance to cut $5 million in overhead, and maximize shareholder value and profits. L-r: George Cheeks, Brian Robbins, Chris McCarthy and Shari Redstone.

Congressmen Jerry Nadler and Joaquin Castro are sending a follow-up letter with additional questions as early as this week.

The firm, which owns approximately 6.57 million shares in the media conglomerate, sent a third letter of opposition Monday, saying the bid benefits only Shari Redstone.

Can there ever be too much NFL on TV? Netflix is about to find out. The streaming giant is likely to meet early resistance in its effort to woo advertisers to two Christmas Day NFL games that it has secured for next season, according to four people familiar with the current upfront market.

Some of the sector’s big media agencies have placed early focus on both Disney and NBCUniversal, according to four people with knowledge of these annual negotiations for billions in advertising deals struck between the networks and Madison Avenue. Those two aforementioned companies have the broadest portfolios of high-quality entertainment, these executives say, that encompass sports, news, entertainment and more. (Mario Wagner)

Wall Street drifted to a mixed finish Monday after the latest signal of a slowing economy.

The Spotify Premium Individual plan is increasing by $1, from $10.99 to $11.99 per month, according to the company’s updated price listings. The Premium Family plan, which provides access for up to six members a household, is going up by $3, from $16.99 to $19.99 per month.

The veteran broadcast manager will oversee the ABC affiliate beginning June 10.

Altice USA said it is renaming a4, its advanced advertising and data unit, as Optimum Media, bringing its branding in line with its pay TV, broadband and mobile phone businesses.

The joint venture among the three teams and Standard Media, CHSN will start with airing Blackhawks and Bulls preseason games in October, showing White Sox games beginning in 2025. The rest of the White Sox games in 2024 will remain on NBC Sports Chicago. (Aaron Gash/AP)

Hometown TV Network is paying $500,000 for the Budd Broadcasting LPTV station.

Paramount Global and David Ellison’s Skydance Media have agreed to deal terms on a potential merger, which currently awaits approval from controlling shareholder Shari Redstone, according to an individual familiar with the matter.

A special committee of Paramount’s board of directors supports a merger with Skydance, a studio that has increased its offer in recent days. But the deal isn’t done yet.

Matt Loeb, the president of IATSE, told members Saturday that he is hopeful that a deal will be reached “soon” with the studios on a new agreement for 23 local unions across the country.

Seedtag, which recently launched its Contextual TV offering for connected TV advertising, said it acquired Beachfront Media, a sell-side platform with direct access to CTV inventory.

In early trading Monday, Germany’s DAX advanced 1% to 18,728.00 and the CAC 40 in Paris climbed 0.6% to 8,040.94. Britain’s FTSE 100 added 0.4% to 8,313.50.

Wall Street rallied Friday to close out a bloom-filled May. Stocks broadly got a boost from easing Treasury yields in the bond market after the latest reading on inflation came in roughly as expected.

Two parties have expressed interest in buying Redstone’s National Amusements, while Paramount directors are backing Skydance deal.

The companies are discussing a Disney buyout of Comcast’s stake in streaming service; with a big valuation gap, the prospect of a court battle looms.

New data reveals AI job growth and wages are significantly outpacing the general job market.