Legal
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Netflix Enters Pact with Spain’s Largest Telecom
As expected, Netflix and Telefónica, Spain’s largest telecom, have inked an agreement enabling the SVOD pioneer to be embedded in the latter’s Movistar over-the-top video service in Europe and Latin America. The first launches in several countries will be announced in the next few weeks and further launches will happen throughout the region in 2018. … Continue reading “Netflix Enters Pact with Spain’s Largest Telecom”
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Starz Bowing on YouTube TV, Hulu
Seeking to significantly upgrade the Starz brand globally, corporate parent Lionsgate has licensed the premium channel’s app to YouTube TV and Hulu. Speaking on the May 24 fiscal call, Jon Feltheimer, CEO of Lionsgate, said the distribution agreements were part of a global rollout of the Starz app across 15 territories over the next three … Continue reading “Starz Bowing on YouTube TV, Hulu”
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Judge Denies CBS Restraining Order in Merger Battle with Redstones
A judge in the Delaware Court of Chancery May 17 denied a restraining order request by CBS Corp. to stop majority shareholders Shari Redstone and her ailing 94-year-old father Sumner Redstone from blocking an expected CBS board vote later today that would dilute the Redstones’ voting power. The judge’s ruling means Shari Redstone can override … Continue reading “Judge Denies CBS Restraining Order in Merger Battle with Redstones”
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CBS Sues Controlling Shareholder for Independence
CBS Corp. May 14 filed a lawsuit in Delaware Court of Chancery alleging breaches of fiduciary duty by majority shareholder National Amusements, which is run by Sumner Redstone and his daughter Shari Redstone. CBS is seeking to prevent the Redstones from allegedly interfering with a special meeting of its board of directors to consider declaring a dividend … Continue reading “CBS Sues Controlling Shareholder for Independence”
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Rudy Giuliani Says Trump ‘Denied’ AT&T, Time Warner Merger
NEWS ANALYSIS — Depending on what side of the political aisle you walk, Rudy Giuliani is either a gift that keeps on giving or a self-inflicted wound that won’t heal. The former mayor of New York and newest member of President Donald Trump’s legal team is either carrying out a shrewd scorched-earth policy in the … Continue reading “Rudy Giuliani Says Trump ‘Denied’ AT&T, Time Warner Merger”
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Corporate Apology Tour Goes Public Following Michael Cohen Hire
NEWS ANALYSIS – Showtime’s compelling drama, “Billions,” showcases fictional machinations and strange bedfellows underscoring Wall Street greed and political malfeasance. A setting apparently not unlike corporate America operating under President Donald Trump. AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson May 11 became the second senior executive to apologize to employees for corporate decisions related to the hiring of … Continue reading “Corporate Apology Tour Goes Public Following Michael Cohen Hire”
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GameStop CEO Departs After 90 Days on the Job
GameStop May 11 announced the appointment of Daniel DeMatteo as interim CEO following the sudden resignation of CEO Michael Mauler for personal reasons. Mauler, a 16-year veteran at GameStop, had replaced J. Paul Raines, who stepped down for health reasons, and later died due to a reported recurrence of brain cancer. DeMatteo, one of the … Continue reading “GameStop CEO Departs After 90 Days on the Job”
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AMC Networks OTT Business Reduces Q1 Operating Loss
AMC Network May 10 reported a first-quarter (ended March 31) operating loss of $17 million in its over-the-top video and international business unit, which was down 12.5% from an operating loss of $19.2 million during the previous-year period. Revenue increased 4.3% to $111.3 million from $106.7 million. The “international and other” segment includes AMC Networks … Continue reading “AMC Networks OTT Business Reduces Q1 Operating Loss”
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UFC Hooks Up with ESPN Streaming Video Service
Walt Disney is getting into the octagon. Mixed martial arts league UFC and The Walt Disney Co. May 8 announced a multi-year media rights agreement for exclusive live UFC content on ESPN+, as well as across a variety of ESPN’s television, social and digital platforms, in English and Spanish, taking effect next January. The inaugural … Continue reading “UFC Hooks Up with ESPN Streaming Video Service”
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AT&T Says Divesting Time Warner Assets Would Undermine Merger Value
AT&T reportedly told the federal judge in the AT&T/Time Warner antitrust case any government request to divest DirecTV or Turner would undermine the value of the $85.4 billion merger. The statement is part of closing briefs submitted by both sides May 3 in the trial Judge Richard Leon is expected to rule on by mid-June. … Continue reading “AT&T Says Divesting Time Warner Assets Would Undermine Merger Value”
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Verizon, Samsung Ink Content Distribution Pact
Verizon and Samsung have signed an agreement enabling original content from the telecom’s Oath subsidiary to be distributed on mobile devices. Under terms of the deal, Samsung will embed apps from Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Finance, Oath Newsroom and Go90 on Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ smart phones. Oath becomes Samsung’s premiere content partner on the … Continue reading “Verizon, Samsung Ink Content Distribution Pact”
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House Passes Updated Music Copyright Bill
The House of Representatives April 25 approved the Music Modernization Act (H.R. 5447), legislation intended to update music copyright laws and remuneration to artists and creators in the digital age. The bill, which was introduced to the House on April 10 House Judiciary Committee chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), would … Continue reading “House Passes Updated Music Copyright Bill”
