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"Disney Triumphs Over Activist Investor Nelson Peltz in Shareholder Showdown"
Disney shareholders rejected activist investor Nelson Peltz's board nominees, opting instead for the company's 12-person slate at its annual meeting. The proxy battle, fueled by Peltz's criticism of Disney's streaming strategy and CEO succession plan, ended with shareholders supporting the company's direction. Disney has faced challenges in the streaming era, with Peltz's Trian Partners advocating for cost cuts and a clearer strategy. Despite Disney+ gaining 111.3 million subscribers, the platform has yet to turn a profit, and the issue of CEO succession remains a point of contention.

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"Apollo's $11 Billion Bid for Paramount Studio Sparks Stock Surge"
TrekMovie•1 year ago
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"Apollo's $11 Billion Bid Boosts Paramount Global Stock"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Deadline

Apollo Global has reportedly made an $11 billion bid for Paramount Global's film and TV studio, causing the company's stock to surge over 11%. The board is reviewing the offer, while other suitors like Skydance Media and Byron Allen are also in the mix. Paramount Global, battling streaming losses and high debt, has been a takeover target for months without any deal. Majority shareholder Shari Redstone has been reluctant to sell off the studio, complicating potential deals involving National Amusements, Warren Buffett, and Mario Gabelli. The company has stated it will consider all offers while undergoing retrenching and divesting non-core assets.
"DirecTV Offers Subscribers Option to Remove Local Channels"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Variety

DirecTV is offering subscribers the option to opt out of receiving local TV station feeds in exchange for a $12 monthly discount, as the company aims to address concerns about the high cost and limited choices of pay TV. This move reflects the broader pushback from content distributors against the shift of premium video entertainment to streaming platforms. The decision comes amid disputes between entertainment companies and cable/satellite distributors over access to local station content, which has also begun to move online.
"Reliance Industries Acquires Paramount Global's Stake in Viacom18 for $517M"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Yahoo Finance

US media giants Paramount and Disney are selling their stakes in India's Viacom18 and merging their India assets with Reliance Industries, respectively, due to challenges in profitability and monetization in the region. Paramount's heavy debt load and Disney's struggle with Hotstar subscribers after losing rights to stream Indian Premier League Cricket matches to Reliance have contributed to their decisions. Despite India's significant advances in the media and entertainment industry, the current challenges and geopolitical tensions make it a less favorable time for further investments in riskier overseas markets.
"Ultra-Wealthy Extravaganza: Billionaire Bling and Rihanna's Concert at Opulent Indian Wedding"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Root

Rihanna's multi-million-dollar performance at an Indian billionaire's pre-wedding party is seen as a strategic business move to expand her Fenty Beauty brand in India, with the help of Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries, which acquired Sephora's stores in the country. With India's rapidly growing beauty market and the potential for Fenty Beauty to become the first Black-owned brand in Sephora India stores, the move could significantly boost the brand's global presence and sales.
"Reliance and Disney's $8.5 Billion Merger Creates Indian Media Powerhouse"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by CNBC

Disney and Indian conglomerate Reliance are merging their media units in a $8.5 billion deal, forming a joint venture that will give Disney access to valuable cricket streaming rights in India, a country passionate about the sport. The merger, expected to reach over 750 million viewers, is seen as a strategic move for Disney to regain lost customers in the Indian market after losing streaming rights to the Indian Premier League in 2022. The deal, led by Asia's richest man Mukesh Ambani, aims to bolster Disney's streaming efforts in India and is not expected to hurt Disney's earnings.
"Paramount+ Surpasses Subscriber Expectations, Narrows Streaming Losses"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Hollywood Reporter

Paramount+ reaches 67.5 million subscribers, with a streaming loss shrinking to $490 million, as the company expects profitability domestically in 2025 and significant earnings growth in 2024. The studio's first-quarter net earnings were $514 million, with a smaller streaming loss and increased advertising and subscription revenue. Paramount is adapting to changing TV viewing habits and considering strategic options, including potential partnerships and acquisitions, as it navigates a consolidating marketplace.
"Paramount Global's Path to Profit: Navigating Ad Decline and Streaming Losses"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Deadline

Paramount Global's Q4 earnings slightly surpassed Wall Street expectations, but a 6% decline in revenue was attributed to a 15% drop in linear TV advertising. The company projects its domestic streaming business to become profitable by 2025, with Paramount+ showing a 69% revenue increase and 67.5 million subscribers. Paramount Pictures struggled in the fourth quarter, with a 31% revenue decline primarily due to lower licensing revenue. Amid talks of potential acquisitions, Paramount's shares fell almost 2% and are down more than 20% in 2024, prompting CEO Bob Bakish to emphasize the company's focus on profitable growth and scaling streaming.
Paramount Global's Q1: Layoffs, Cost Cuts, and Streaming Success
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Variety

Paramount Global reported a 6% decline in overall revenue in its fourth quarter, with losses in its traditional TV and movie operations but a narrowed loss in its streaming business. The company emphasized cost-cutting measures, including a $1 billion charge for layoffs and restructuring, and aims for Paramount+ to be profitable in the U.S. by the end of 2025. Despite rising advertising and subscriptions at Paramount+, revenues fell in traditional businesses, with declines in advertising, affiliate fees, and licensing. Executives outlined a strategy to focus on making streaming profitable and reducing production costs for movies and TV, while strategically deploying content across various platforms.
"Disney's $8.5 Billion Merger Creates Media Giant in India"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by BBC.com

Disney is merging its Star India service with Viacom18, backed by Reliance Industries, in an $8.5bn deal led by Asia's richest man, Mukesh Ambani. Reliance will inject $1.4bn to help the firm grow, creating one of the biggest media forces in India. The joint venture aims to address challenges in the Indian streaming market, where Reliance outbid Disney for rights to stream the popular India Premier League cricket tournament in 2022. The deal, expected to be completed by the end of this year or early next year, will see Disney owning a 37% stake, Viacom18 holding 47%, and Reliance having 16%.
"Disney's Sean Bailey Steps Down, David Greenbaum Takes Over Live-Action Film Production"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The New York Times

Sean Bailey, the longtime president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, has resigned amid disappointing box office results. Disney named David Greenbaum as his successor, expanding his role to oversee live-action remakes of animated classics and 20th Century Studios. Bailey had been with Disney for 14 years, providing stability during a tumultuous period for the company's film division.