Before we get into the news of today, I open today’s ABW with a personal note. As many of you may have read yesterday afternoon, I’m unexpectedly out on the job market after a decision was made to let me go as Editor from Mediaweek.
Like many employees, when you sign on for a job, there’s things you can’t say about your experience when you leave (which is probably for the best because no matter how just you might be, nobody ever comes off well in the public’s eye). Yesterday Mumbrella published a story on my exit and they asked me for a quote, which I provided through to them.
I was pretty miserable there for most of my tenure, so it’s not entirely unwelcome. The loss of income is a pretty big deal to me though. If you’re a reader of this newsletter, might I suggest that right now is a pretty good time to consider a paid subscription.
So, no, I won’t be at the Seven Upfronts held this afternoon (my invite was for me as a Mediaweek staffer). Likewise, I’m not joining the Big Brother / Paramount Upfronts/not-an-Upfronts event on the GC next week as, again, that invite was tied to my former employer. I will, however, have some level of coverage in this newsletter (there’s actually an interesting Seven project that caught my eye…).
And now, on with the show…
Warner Bros Discovery is very much up for sale
WBD stock today hit a three year high following news that the WBD board has launched “a review of strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value.” In other words, the company is looking at the best way to sell off the company to maximise investor return. Apparently the business has “unsolicited interest” from “multiple” parties.
As per THR:
“Strategic options” include continuing with the previously announced split and spin, a la NBCUniversal and Versant, a “transaction for the entire company” or “separate transactions for its Warner Bros. and/or Discovery Global businesses.” There is even the potential for “an alternative separation structure that would enable a merger of Warner Bros. and spin-off of Discovery Global to our shareholders.”
I always like to consider this sort of activity around what the best outcome is for consumers.
A Paramount deal is a bad outcome - it seems like Paramount is finally getting its act together with a promising team leading the TV/streaming side of the business. Smashing that together with HBO… that doesn’t seem like a great benefit in the way that combining, say, Apple TV and HBO would.
The NYT today has a good infographic article that shows what a combined Paramount/WBD looks like and there’s just too much overlap.
I’ve argued before that WBD would actually bring tremendous value to Apple as a business, which, I feel, would also benefit the consumer experience too. A merging of HBO and the Apple TV product would be seamless, delivering Apple a robust, respected, and brand safe library. The feature film division delivers big, culture defining titles that actually align with the Apple brand pretty well. The WBD cable linear channels can be adjusted to feel a bit more premium, delivering new IPTV content experiences for its connected TV and streaming platform. And then there’s CNN - Apple can spin that off if there’s no appetite for news, or use it to replace the kinda lame Apple News product.
However this plays out, I’m not expecting it to be in the consumer interest. But gosh… an Apple WBD stitch-up would sure tick a lot of boxes.
AI host stunt for Channel 4
UK broadcaster Channel 4 aired a documentary on Monday night called Will AI Take My Job? . At the end of it, they revealed the SHOCK TWIST… the host of the show, Aisha Gaban, who you have never seen before on any other TV show, is actually an AI creation.
Yeah, it’s all a bit lame. Apparently they couldn’t get the host to be able to sit down to interview people, so it’ll be a while before humans are replaced in shallow, out-of-touch, stunt-driven Channel 4 documentaries. Read: Deadline
A cinema release for the Stranger Things finale?
Matt Belloni’s latest Puck newsletter included the tidbit that Netflix has struck a deal with US chain AMC to release the final episode of Stranger Things into cinemas.
The finale is scheduled for release on New Years Eve (with the final season split into three releases, starting Nov 26).
The plan is for a same day release in cinemas and on the streaming service. While I think there will definitely be an audience keen to go out and see the show on the big screen (I’ll probably be one of them), I’m pretty sure most people will be staying home to watch this as the almighty (Ted Sarandos) intended.
News Desk
Netflix is developing TV shows and films based on board game The Settlers of Catan. Catan should have a bigger cultural presence than it has, so this is welcome news. Read: THR
In a quarterly earnings report, Netflix advised that it saw total revenues of $11.5 billion, operating income of $3.2 billion, and a margin of 28.2 percent, all up double digits from a year ago. It also says that it fell short of projections, citing an unusual tax issue in Brazil. Read: THR
HBO Max will raise its prices in the US, for a third year in a row. Read: The Verge
Fox News host Jesse Watters revealed his mother attended the No Kings rally over the weekend. This is the same mother who also didn’t invite her son to Thanksgiving dinner last year. Anne Purvis is the hero we all deserve. Read: TV Insider
The Duffer Brothers have confirmed that Joseph Quinn’s character Eddie will not return in season 5 of Stranger Things and is very much dead. This, I am very much okay with. Read: Variety
Shrinking will be back for a third season on Apple TV Jan 28. Read: Deadline
Hijack will be back for a second season on Apple TV Jan 14. Read: thefutoncritic
Adam Driver says that he was up for making a Ben Solo Star Wars movie and that the higher ups at Disney weren’t into it. More interesting was that he spent two years developing it with Steven Soderbergh. Read: AP
Elizabeth Olsen says she is no longer signing on to Hollywood studio movies that don’t have a guaranteed theatrical release. Read: InStyle
Canada’s CBC has launched a Schitt’s Creek FAST channel featuring all six seasons of the show. Read: Deadline
Ari Aster’s Eddington, a film that I liked, but wasn’t crazy for, will stream on HBO Max from Nov 14 (this is US, there hasn’t been an Australian release announced… yet). I’m keen to re-watch this one because more than any other film this year, it really hasn’t left my mind. Read: Deadline
The First Snow of Fraggle Rock is a special debuting on Apple TV on Dec 5.
A new study from Carnegie Mellon University found that a “drip” (ie weekly) release strategy of releasing TV shows leads to a 48 percent greater short-term retention of subscriptions vs. binge releases. Read: THR
Trailer Park
Troll 2 (no, not that one) debuts on Netflix Dec 1.
A new troll has awakened! Join Nora, Andreas, and Captain Kris as they embark on their most dangerous adventure yet. With the clock ticking and chaos spreading, they’ll need new allies and ancient secrets to stop the rampage. Can they save Norway before it’s too late?
That’s the newsletter for today. It was a very quiet weekend.
Consider becoming a paid supporter of Always Be Watching.
Connect with Dan on Bluesky. Connect with Dan on Letterboxd. Connect with Dan on Linkedin. Email Dan @ alwaysbewatching.com or just reply to this email.
Sorry to hear about the job loss! Fingers crossed you find something soon.