Latest news with #BestofTheHollywoodReporter
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Elizabeth Warren Calls for Bribery Investigation Into Paramount-Trump Settlement as Blowback Widens
Wednesday morning brought blowback to the settlement between Paramount Global and President Trump from Democratic lawmakers and regulators. Sen. Elizabeth Warren said that she is demanding an investigation into the settlement, and said that she 'will soon introduce new legislation to rein in corruption through presidential library donations.' More from The Hollywood Reporter Inside CBS News, Staffers Voice Disgust, Anger, Relief and Anxiety After Trump Settlement Paramount and Trump in "Advanced" Settlement Talks As Merger Deadline Nears "BET Is Not Immune" From Paramount Job Cuts, CEO Scott Mills Says in Unveiling "Streamlining" 'With Paramount folding to Donald Trump at the same time the company needs his administration's approval for its billion-dollar merger, this could be bribery in plain sight,' Warren said in a statement. 'Paramount has refused to provide answers to a congressional inquiry, so I'm calling for a full investigation into whether or not any anti-bribery laws were broken.' In addition, Democratic FCC commissioner Anna Gomez released a statement requesting that the broadcast regulator, chaired by Brendan Carr, bring the pending Paramount-Skydance transaction to a full-commission vote. 'This moment marks a dangerous precedent for the First Amendment, and it should alarm anyone who values a free and independent press,' Gomez said. 'Approving this transaction behind closed doors would be a shameful outcome that denies the American people the transparency and accountability they deserve, especially when press freedom is at stake.' The settlement between Paramount and Trump will see the media giant pay $16 million ($15 million to a future presidential library and $1 million in legal fees), but it will not include an apology. That said, the settlement does require that 60 Minutes release any future transcripts with presidential candidates. Paramount had said previously that 'this lawsuit is completely separate from, and unrelated to, the Skydance transaction and the FCC approval process. We will abide by the legal process to defend our case.' Still, the pending license transfer at the FCC has raised alarm bells, with Democratic members of Congress and outside groups suggesting that if the FCC approves the deal after a settlement, Paramount executives could be exposed to anti-bribery laws. The Paramount settlement is similar in scale to a settlement from Disney over an ABC News broadcast. Inside CBS News, staffers expressed anxiety and relief at the settlement, angry at the precedent it sets, but relieved that they can move on without it hanging over their work. Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Paramount Global to Add Three New Board Directors As It Deals With Trump Lawsuit, FCC Review
At a critical moment for the company, Paramount Global says that it will add three new independent directors to its board, asking shareholders to support the nominees at its upcoming annual meeting. In its proxy filing, filed Monday, Paramount said that attorney Mary Boies, former judge Roanne Sragow Licht and venture capitalist Charles Ryan have been nominated to join its board. The trio were nominated by the board's governance committee, after being introduced to the board by 'a non-management director and stockholder of the Company.' More from The Hollywood Reporter Paramount Plans Immersive 'Top Gun' Experience in Las Vegas Paramount May Usher In a Big Change to Hollywood's Ruling Class (Guest Column) Upfronts Kick Off: Hollywood's Ad Dollar Scramble Arrives in Strangest Market in Years Paramount's board has been light for the past year after four board members opted to step down at last year's annual meeting, and with Charles Phillips exiting late last year. This year's annual meeting gives the company a chance to freshen up the board, allowing it to proceed as business as usual. Of course, the nominations come as the company goes through a number of things that are anything but business as usual. Paramount agreed to sell to Skydance last year, but that deal is still being reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission. At the same time, President Donald Trump has an active lawsuit against the company over an interview that CBS' 60 Minutes conducted with Vice President Kamala Harris. The two sides are currently in mediation talks to try and resolve the suit. Paramount is reported to have offered $15 million to resolve the suit. The FCC is also reviewing the interview via its 'news distortion' purview. Paramount chair Shari Redstone and the company's three co-CEOs Chris McCarthy, Brian Robbins and George Cheeks alluded to the issues in their annual letter to shareholders, which was also published Monday. 'Against the backdrop of a dynamic and complicated time in the macro-economic environment and our industry, we are proud that 2024 proved to be a transformative year for Paramount,' they wrote, touting improved profitability in streaming, ratings success at CBS and new franchise development. 'As the FCC continues its review of the Skydance transactions, we remain focused on delivering high-performing hits, supporting our creative culture, and driving value for shareholders.' The new board members are important because if the Skydance deal does not move forward, they will need to help the company chart a new course. And the board would likely need to sign off on any final settlement in the lawsuit. Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ITV Sees No 'Direct Impact' From Possible Film Tariffs, Studios Unit Returns to Growth After Strikes
ITV Studios 'returned to growth following the impact of the U.S. strikes and is on course to achieve good growth in total revenues over the full year, weighted towards the second half,' as previously guided, U.K. TV giant ITV said on Thursday. ITV, led by CEO Carolyn McCall, provided a first-quarter 2025 trading update early in the morning. 'We continue to assess the possibility of trade tariffs in the U.S.,' it highlighted. 'ITV Studios only produces TV programming and therefore do not anticipate any direct impact from the imposition of tariffs on films.' More from The Hollywood Reporter Need a Drink? 5 Cannes Watering Holes to Wet Your Whistle Christopher Nolan's 'Odyssey' Will Be the First Blockbuster Shot Entirely on Imax Film Cameras Ryan Werner, Veteran Awards and Marketing Guru, Joins Neon as President of Global Cinema The company is also bullish on its broader trends. 'Media & entertainment (M&E)'s solid performance demonstrates ITV's market-leading position in U.K. streaming and broadcast,' the CEO said. 'ITVX continues to perform well, and we expect sustained strong growth in digital revenues. This is underpinned by the powerful reach and strong cash generation of M&E.' Total ITV Studios revenue grew 1 percent in the first quarter, while M&E revenue declined 3 percent, with total advertising revenue (TAR) down 2 percent, as previously guided. 'Within this, digital advertising revenue (a component of digital revenue) grew strongly, up 15 percent,' ITV said. In its ad outlook, ITV noted: 'As previously guided, the year-on-year second-quarter TAR outlook reflects the benefit in 2024 of the men's Euros which drove substantial advertising revenues. Compared to the same period in 2023, second-quarter and first-half 2025 TAR are expected to be broadly flat year on year.' ITV also shared updates on broader trends and initiatives. 'We are continuing to make good progress in implementing our cost and efficiency program and are on track to deliver significant non-content cost savings while optimizing our content spend to best reflect viewer dynamics,' McCall highlighted. 'While the macroeconomic environment is uncertain, we remain confident that our strategic initiatives, our focus on financial and cost discipline and our diversified revenue and customer base will enable us to successfully navigate an evolving market landscape and deliver long-term value to our shareholders.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump Extends TikTok Sale Deadline by 75 Days
President Trump has signed another executive order to keep TikTok operating by giving the popular social video app owned by China's ByteDance another 75 days to find a buyer. The TikTok parent had until April 5 to divest by finding a U.S. buyer. 'The Deal requires more work to ensure all necessary approvals are signed, which is why I am signing an Executive Order to keep TikTok up and running for an additional 75 days,' Trump said on his Truth social media site. More from The Hollywood Reporter Courtroom Magician Joe Tacopina Saved A$AP Rocky's Life - Now Diddy's Knocking on his Door Mel Gibson's Gun Rights Restored by Justice Department (Report) Critic's Notebook: 'The Handmaid's Tale' and Trump, Reunited News of the TikTok deadline extension came on the same day China announced it will impose a 34 percent tariff on all goods imported from the U.S. starting on April 10 as part of escalating global tariff turmoil. 'We hope to continue working in Good Faith with China, who I understand are not very happy about our Reciprocal Tariffs (Necessary for Fair and Balanced Trade between China and the U.S.A.!)… We do not want TikTok to 'go dark.' We look forward to working with TikTok and China to close the Deal. Thank you for your attention to this matter!' Trump added in his post. The previous Biden administration proposed a national ban on TikTok if its parent company didn't sell the platform. But incoming President Trump in January signed an earlier executive order to delay the implementation of the bill to require TikTok to divest. Efforts to find a U.S. buyer for TikTok has produced apparent bidders, but as yet no definitive deal for ByteDance to spin off the social media app to avoid a U.S. ban. Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CBS News President of Editorial Adrienne Roark to Exit for New Job at TEGNA
Another top executive is exiting CBS News, as the news division continues to reel amid reported settlement talks between owner Paramount Global and President Trump. Adrienne Roark, who was named president of editorial and newsgathering at CBS News just seven months ago, is exiting the company to take a senior role at the local TV station giant TEGNA. More from The Hollywood Reporter L.A. Local News Ratings Go High With Wildfires Coverage Susan Zirinsky Returns to Exec Role at CBS News as Network Tackles "Perceived Bias" Richard Cohen, Journalist and Husband of Meredith Vieira, Dies at 76 Roark was elevated to the role last August after former CBS News president Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews announced her plan to leave the news division. Ciprian-Matthews had only been running CBS News for a year when she announced her plan to leave. Wendy McMahon, who oversees the CBS News, local TV stations and syndicated TV businesses, had previously added direct oversight of the flagship CBS News programs. Roark's exit comes after a tumultuous few months for CBS News, with CBS Mornings having dealt with fallout from an interview that CBS Mornings co-anchor Tony Dokoupil conducted with author Ta-Nehisi Coates. Roark is the executive — along with McMahon — who pushed back on Dokoupil's tone in the interview, in a meeting with CBS News staff. And CBS News owner Paramount Global is reportedly in settlement talks with President Trump over his $20 billion lawsuit against 60 Minutes over how it edited an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. The interview is now the centerpiece of an FCC investigation, and could hold up the sale to Skydance. CBS News staff are furious about the possibility of a settlement, given how innocuous they see the edit as being. Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire
