FIRST LOOK
http://www.eonline.com/news
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Versant Media Group is teeing up a bigger swing in sports tech, agreeing to acquire golf simulator and analytics platform Full Swing for $350 million. The deal adds an interactive, data-driven sports layer to Versant’s portfolio, strengthening its ecosystem across Golf Channel, GolfNow, and GolfPass—bringing simulation, engagement, and real-world play a little closer together.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Comcast’s Sky has agreed to acquire ITV’s television network operations in a deal valued at £1.6 billion ($2.1 billion), ITV confirmed Monday.
· ITV will sell its broadcast network business to Sky, bringing one of Britain’s largest commercial TV networks under the umbrella of NBCUniversal.
· The transaction — subject to shareholder and regulatory approval — follows nearly nine months of negotiations.
· Sky will pay £1.2 billion upfront, with an additional £200 million contingent payment due in 2028 if ITV’s advertising revenue reaches £1.7 billion in 2027.
· ITV Studios, the company’s production arm, is not included in the sale.
· As part of a related £200 million side deal, Sky will sell Love Productions to ITV Studios.
· TheTakeaway: The acquisition marks another major consolidation move among traditional TV companies as they seek greater scale to compete with streaming giants.
(Source: Cynopsis)
ITV Studios partner Tomorrow Studios is producing “Guilty Creatures” for Apple TV+.Julia Garner (“Weapons”) is set to star and executive produce, and Craig Gillespie to direct the thriller series based on the true crime book by Mikita Brottman and Stuart Zicherman.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Microsoft is cutting 3,200 employees — or 20% of the workforce — from its Xbox division. Sixteen hundred people are being pink-slipped this week, with the rest to follow over the fiscal year. “Our business today is not healthy,” wrote Xbox Chief Executive Asha Sharma in a memo to staff. “We must reset XBOX.” Microsoft is also selling or spinning off four game development studios, which could cost at least 350 additional employees their jobs.
(Source: Cynopsis)
CBS’ Big Brother is expanding its digital footprint with two new live fan experiences on YouTube ahead of Season 28. The cast will be unveiled exclusively during the first-ever “Big Brother: Broveal,” streaming live Tuesday, July 7, at noon. When the show’s 24/7 live feeds launch Friday, July 10, at 9 p.m., they’ll stream not only on Paramount+ and Pluto TV, but also on YouTube for the first time. While YouTube viewers will get limited access following each episode throughout the summer, Paramount+ and Pluto TV subscribers will continue to have exclusive 24/7 access to the live feeds.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ are challenging proposed French regulations that would require streaming platforms to increase investment in animation, documentaries, and live performance programming.
· The companies are seeking changes to a government decree that has required foreign streaming services since 2021 to invest a portion of their French revenue into local film and television production. The required contribution rose 20% in January.
· In an op-ed published in Le Monde, Pauline Dauvin, VP of Content for Netflix France, said the company is appealing the new “diversity” rules while also seeking a cap on mandatory local content investment obligations.
· Prime Video said it remains committed to French production but is asking for “a regulatory framework that is balanced, fair, and legally sound,” arguing that France already has the European Union’s most burdensome streaming investment requirements and that additional mandates could discourage future investment.
· The Takeaway: The legal challenge underscores growing tensions between European policymakers seeking to bolster local content production and global streaming platforms pushing back against increasingly costly regulatory obligations.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Television City and Orbital Studios are teaming up to launch an advanced virtual production facility at the historic Television City lot in Los Angeles’ Fairfax district. The new LED volume at 7800 Beverly Blvd. is designed to expand the lot’s technology offerings while preserving its legacy.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Great Entertainment Television is celebrating the 20th anniversary of detective comedy-drama “Psych” with a fan-voted marathon Saturday, July 11 and Sunday July 12, from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Ahead of Paramount+ bout “UFS 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2” on July 11, corporate sibCBS will air “This Is UFC: McGregor vs. Holloway” on Friday, July 10 at 9 p.m. The special will cover the weigh-in, as well as interviews.
(Source: Cynopsis)
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