AT&T's WarnerMedia & Discovery merger streaming consolidation 2 2

[Buzzetta]

Let's just say that while the bananas are entertaining in spots, it's not the NBA or real baseball as those games continue to shift toward streaming platforms. 

Meanwhile Tony Khan continues to live in delusion as he still believes that WBD is going to hand over $1 billion for the rights to air AEW (wrestling) without putting their library on a streaming platform or host PPV. 

As the stock price continues to plunge and WB is picking up "lesser" sports, I cannot help but think that other shows and sports and organizations and leagues will seek higher offers elsewhere leading to less content hosted on WB networks and platforms. 

 

[Chip Cataldo]

On 8/10/2024 at 8:58 AM, Buzzetta said:

Warner Brothers signs a deal with the Savannah Bananas starting August 16th

If you do not know who the Savannah Bananas are the best way to describe them are by calling them the Harlem Globetrotters of Baseball. 

 

https://press.wbd.com/us/media-release/trutv-exclusively-televise-five-friday-night-savannah-bananas-games-starting-aug-16?language_content_entity=en

 

This is awesome news. We just watched the game last week with a rare Party Animals win. They are a ton of fun to watch.

[kimik]

On 8/10/2024 at 6:58 AM, Buzzetta said:

Warner Brothers signs a deal with the Savannah Bananas starting August 16th

If you do not know who the Savannah Bananas are the best way to describe them are by calling them the Harlem Globetrotters of Baseball. 

 

https://press.wbd.com/us/media-release/trutv-exclusively-televise-five-friday-night-savannah-bananas-games-starting-aug-16?language_content_entity=en

 

Way to show the NBA that WBD does not need them..............

[Buzzetta]

On 8/12/2024 at 1:23 AM, kimik said:

Way to show the NBA that WBD does not need them..............

It's not looking good.  I cannot help but wonder if they will sell the comics division to be perfectly honest. 

Or at the very least, I could see them starting to "lease" their characters similar but not to the throwaway model that Marvel did in the 90's in an effort to stay afloat.  

Hasbro is also in trouble lately when it comes to certain toylines and they have started to license out what was once considered their major properties.   They do not have as much leeway with Transformers as one would think since Tomy Takara shares the rights with Hasbro.  However, GI Joe?

Hasbro is retaining the right to produce GI Joe figures out in a 6" scale.  They stopped producing 3.75" figures and put them on hold, and opted to license that scale out to Reaction to make 5Point of Articulation Kenner Star Wars figure style GI Joes as well as O-Ring 80's molds.  When it comes to more modern sculpts they gave that license to Hiya Toys who have only been able to get two figures to hobby shelves.  They are also licensing Mattel of all people to produce Transformers and GI Joe Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars.  Their rival is their partner.

Could WBD do the same with Superman?   Stranger things have happened. 

Could Disney take the characters?  At this point, there is definitely a grudge between Amazon and WBD so I don't think they would go there.  Apple is always a customer for IP these days... just saying.   What if Netflix outright bought Superman? 

 

Again, stranger things have happened like when Sony sold Disney the merchandising rights back for Spider-man. 

[Bosco685]

Quote

Warner Bros. Discovery has been put on a watch by S&P Global for a possible credit rating downgrade over linear TV weakness as the Hollywood studio pivots to the streaming space.

 

On Friday, the ratings firm revised its outlook to negative, from stable, while affirming a ‘BBB’ credit rating. WBD, led by CEO David Zaslav, has been under pressure from Wall Street amid industrywide challenges, including advertising softness and cord-cutting, as investors look for a return on an expensive transition from legacy linear TV networks to the digital streaming world.

 

S&P cited debt concerns after its financial performance during the first half of the year. “The negative outlook reflects our expectations that WBD’s leverage will remain elevated in 2024 at 4.4x and decline to 3.8x in 2025, which is above our 3.5x threshold for the rating,” the ratings firm said on Friday.