• California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) proposed that film productions will lose 4% of their tax credit allocation if they fail to meet diversity goals as part of the state’s five-year extension of its $330 million tax credit incentive program. Productions that receive credit will be required to submit a diversity “workplan” that “broadly reflects” California’s demographics, according to the proposal, which is still in the early stages of the legislative process. (Variety)
• ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro is restructuring his senior leadership team, which includes the promotion of Burke Magnus to president of content, which will see him in charge of studio shows, live events, audio and films, according to a memo to employees obtained by the Hollywood Reporter. Pitaro also said in the memo that Rosalyn Durant, who was previously in Disney’s parks and experiences division, is now executive vice president of programming and acquisitions to oversee rights negotiations, ESPN+ and ESPN International. (The Hollywood Reporter)
• The production of HBO’s upcoming series “The Idol,” which  was co-created by “Euphoria’s” Sam Levinson and Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, has been plagued with production delays, reshoots, rewrites and controversy since director Amy Seimetz exited last spring, according to multiple sources, with one comparing Levinson’s rewritten scripts to “torture porn.” (Rolling Stone) Though the Weeknd did not respond to Rolling Stone’s request for comment, the pop star-turned-actor tweeted a clip from the series in which his character calls the magazine “irrelevant,” while HBO defended the show and its production process in a statement to Rolling Stone. (TVLine)

Snapchat gets the AI treatment

The Hustle

Liberty Media Fourth-Quarter Revenue Grows Across SiriusXM, Atlanta Braves, F1 Units

Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter

The company, led by CEO Greg Maffei and chairman John Malone, said it was on track to complete a split-off of the Braves and create a new Liberty Live Group tracking stock in the second quarter.

Adam Sandler to Receive King of Comedy Award at Kids’ Choice

Marc Malkin, Variety

Adam Sandler will be honored at the 2023 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards with the King of Comedy Award.

Ozy Media Shuts Down Following Federal Fraud Indictment of Founder Carlos Watson

Josh Dickey, The Wrap

Ozy said its board had ”determined that it’s in the best interests of its stakeholders to suspend operations immediately.”

Why Some Black Playwrights Are Saying Their Shows Must Not Go On

Michael Paulson, The New York Times

Several Black playwrights have canceled productions of their works, in some cases after performances started, because of concerns about conditions at the theaters presenting them.

Will Smith Returns to Awards Stage for the First Time Since the 2022 Oscars

Evan Nicole Brown, The Hollywood Reporter

The actor attended the African American Film Critics Association Awards to accept the Beacon Award alongside his “Emancipation” director Antoine Fuqua.

Jena Malone Shares She Was Sexually Assaulted During ‘Hunger Games’ Production

Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire

Jena Malone has shared that she was sexually assaulted during the “Hunger Games” films.

‘Afire,’ Winner of the Silver Bear at Berlinale, Acquired by Sideshow and Janus Films

Harper Lambert, The Wrap

Christian Petzold’s film will premiere in theaters this summer.

A24 Acquires Darren Aronofsky’s First Film ‘Pi,’ Sets Imax Re-Release on Pi Day

Rebecca Rubin, Variety

When Darren Aronofsky brought his debut feature “Pi” to Sundance Film Festival in 1998, he negotiated for the rights to eventually revert back to himself. Now, 25 years later as the owner of the numbers-inspired psychological thriller, he’s sold the film to A24.

The Cult of Daniels

Bilge Ebiri, New York magazine

How the directors of the universe-hopping kung fu drama “Everything Everywhere All at Once” became unlikely Oscar front-runners.

MSG Networks to launch streaming service for Knicks, Rangers games

Lillian Rizzo, CNBC

MSG Networks, James Dolan’s cable-TV channels that feature local New York and New Jersey professional sports games, is launching its own streaming service.

Fulwell 73 Renews Deal With CBS Studios, Extending Partnership After ‘The Late Late Show’

Elizabeth Wagmeister, Variety

“The Late Late Show With James Corden” might be making its final curtain call on CBS this spring, but CBS Studios is continuing its partnership with Fulwell 73, the production company behind the late-night show and much more.

Kristen Bell to Star in Netflix Comedy Series

Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter

Steven Levitan will exec produce the show from creator Erin Foster about an unlikely relationship.

Robert De Niro-Led Thriller ‘Zero Day’ a Go at Netflix

Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter

Lesli Linka Glatter has signed on to direct the limited series.

Zachary Quinto to Headline NBC Medical Drama Pilot ‘Wolf’

Ryan Schwartz, TVLine

Zachary Quinto is eyeing a returning to NBC. The former “Heroes” star is scrubbing in as lead of the one-hour drama pilot Wolf, TVLine has learned.

‘Frasier’ Revival at Paramount+ Adds Bebe Neuwirth in Guest Role

Joe Otterson, Variety

The upcoming “Frasier” revival at Paramount+ is bringing back Bebe Neuwirth as Dr. Lilith Sternin in a guest star role.

‘Get It Beauty,’ Long-Running Korean Lifestyle Show, Set for U.S. Adaptation

Patrick Frater, Variety

CJ ENM and Scott Sternberg Productions have agreed a deal under which popular Korean lifestyle show “Get it Beauty” will be adapted for the U.S. market.

NBC’s Hoda Kotb off ‘Today’ show due to family health issue

The Associated Press

NBC’s “Today” show is without both of its hosts and addressed Hoda Kotb’s absence on the program Wednesday. Kotb is dealing with an unspecified “family health matter,” the show’s Craig Melvin said.

U.S. House panel approves bill giving Biden power to ban TikTok

David Shepardson, Reuters

The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee voted on Wednesday along party lines to give President Joe Biden the power to ban Chinese-owned TikTok, in what would be the most far-reaching U.S. restriction on any social media app.

New YouTube Chief Neil Mohan Touts Traction With Paid Channels, NFL Sunday Ticket

Dade Hayes, Deadline

Neil Mohan, who took over as YouTube’s CEO last month after longtime chief Susan Wojcicki segued to an advisory role at parents Google and Alphabet, has outlined the company’s 2023 priorities.

APA Names Nick Panella Head of New Podcast and Audio Group

Matt Donnelly, Variety

Nick Panella has been named the leader of a new podcast and audio group at Agency for the Performing Arts, Variety can report exclusively. 

OpenAI Makes ChatGPT Available for Companies to Integrate in Apps

Dina Bass, Bloomberg

Instacart, Snap and others are incorporating the popular chatbot.

Audible set to launch its first audio-only singing competition series with judges Kelly Rowland & Sara Bareilles

Lauren Forristal, TechCrunch

Audible announced on Wednesday that it would launch its first-ever singing competition series as an exclusive podcast featuring artists Sara Bareilles and Kelly Rowland as judges. “Breakthrough” will premiere on the Amazon-owned audio service on June 1.

Ed Sheeran Announces New Album ‘-‘

Rania Aniftos, Billboard

Ed Sheeran is completing the equation. The star took to social media on Wednesday (Mar. 1) to reveal that his upcoming album, –, will be arriving on May 5 via Atlantic Records.

Justin Bieber cancels remaining Justice World Tour dates

Amarachi Orie, CNN

Justin Bieber fans waiting eagerly for new dates for his postponed international tour have been told the shows won’t be going ahead.

Kiss reveal last dates of their farewell tour, ending in NYC

The Associated Press

Rockers Kiss have announced the final shows of their last tour: The band plans to hang up their platform boots after two back-to-back shows at Madison Square Garden in New York at the end of 2023.

How One of the Fugees Got Sucked Into US-China Intrigue

Jason Leopold et al., Bloomberg Businessweek

The Fugees’ Pras Michél got entangled in one of the century’s great financial scandals, mediated a high-stakes negotiation between global superpowers and may now face the consequences.

When Songs Sound Similar, Courts Look for Musical DNA

Ben Sisario, The New York Times

The chord progressions in Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” and Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” are part of a debate about just how much of a piece of music can be protected by law.

Travis Scott Allegedly Caused $12,000 in Damages During Nightclub Altercation

Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone

The rapper has been accused of punching a 52-year-old male at the nightclub Nebula in New York City.