• Paramount Global is in early discussions over potentially shutting down its Showtime streaming service and folding its content, which includes “Billions” and “Yellowjackets,” into Paramount+, according to people familiar with the company’s situation. A Paramount Global spokesperson said the company is “always exploring options to maximize the value of our content investment.” (The Wall Street Journal)
  
• Warner Bros. Discovery’s Chief Financial Officer Gunnar Wiedenfels said during a recent conference that HBO Max and Discovery+ are “fundamentally underpriced,” suggesting the company might raise prices when the two platforms merge into one streaming service in the middle of next year. Wiedenfels’ remarks came not long after competitor Walt Disney Co. announced price hikes to its streaming platforms, Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu. (CNBC)
• NBC’s broadcast of the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday night saw a record-low audience of 5.9 million viewers, down 20% from the 7.4 million who watched in 2021. The last time the Emmys saw more than 10 million viewers was in 2018, when 10.2 million tuned into the ceremony. (The Associated Press)
  

The Next Phase of the Streaming Wars Needs to Involve a Lot More Conservatives

Morning Consult

Paramount Ad Shake-Up: John Halley Promoted, Jo Ann Ross Shifts to Advisory Role

Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter

After 30 years at the company, Ross will become chairman of advertising at Paramount, where she will advise the company.

Imax Hires Former HBO Max Executive Michele Golden as Global Chief People Officer

Rebecca Rubin, Variety

In her new role, she will oversee the entertainment technology company’s human resources, recruiting, talent management, and diversity, equity and inclusion divisions.

Former Disney CEO Robert Iger to Join Venture Firm Thrive Capital

Berber Jin and Robbie Whelan, The Wall Street Journal

Robert Iger, the former chief executive of Walt Disney Co. is joining venture-capital firm Thrive Capital, where as a venture partner he will advise on day-to-day initiatives including mentoring startup founders and identifying new investment opportunities.

Russo Brothers Tap Chernin Group Vet Jason Bergsman As New AGBO CEO

Mike Fleming Jr, Variety

AGBO creators Joe & Anthony Russo have hired Jason Bergsman to be the Company’s new CEO. Bergsman will report to the Russo Brothers and will lead all aspects of the Company’s strategy and business operations.

Comedy Brand The Second City Names Sesame Workshop Veteran Ed Wells CEO

Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter

Wells says that a priority for him is expanding the company’s entertainment output as well as its geographic footprint.

UTA Elevates Co-Presidents David Kramer To President, Jay Sures To Vice Chairman

Dade Hayes, Deadline

UTA has given new roles to two of its most established senior leaders, promoting David Kramer to president and Jay Sures to vice chairman.

Cinemark CEO Says Exhibitors Can Benefit From Rising Streaming Platforms

Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter

Sean Gamble told an investors conference major studios can better manage risk by releasing movies in theaters and then shifting them earlier to online platforms if they don’t perform.

Robert Downey Jr. Accused of Stiffing Cult Expert to Make Synanon Podcast With His Reporting

Benjamin Lindsay, The Wrap

In a copyright infringement suit, Paul Morantz says Downey’s podcast ”The Sunshine Place“ pulls from his work without permission or credit

Lea Michele Takes ‘Funny Girl’ To $1.6M In First-Week Box Office, Setting Show Record

Greg Evans, Deadline

Even with a Covid-shortened performance schedule, Lea Michele’s star turn in Funny Girl was serious business last week, with box office for the musical revival more than doubling from the previous week.

Hugh Jackman eyes the end of the ‘The Music Man’ on Broadway

John Carucci, The Associated Press

Since he was a high school student, Hugh Jackman wanted to play the roguish traveling salesman Professor Harold Hill in “The Music Man” on Broadway. He’s fulfilled that dream — but all things must come to an end.

Glenn Close Cancels San Sebastian Film Festival Visit Due to Family Emergency

Naman Ramachandran, Variety

Glenn Close, who was due to serve as the jury president at the San Sebastian Film Festival, has canceled her trip due to a family emergency.

TIFF: Neon Acquires Eco-Terrorist Thriller ‘How to Blow Up a Pipeline’

Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter

The buzzy feature — starring Lukas Gage and Sasha Lane — becomes one of the first major acquisitions from the festival.

Mia Goth to reprise role of adult actress Maxine Minx from horror movie ‘X’ in sequel ‘MaXXXine’

Clark Collis, Entertainment Weekly

Director Ti West announced new film at TIFF screening of “X” prequel “Pearl.”

Almodóvar pulls out of first English-language feature film

The Associated Press

Oscar-winning director Pedro Almodóvar says that he is withdrawing from his first English-language feature, “A Manual for Cleaning Women” produced by and starring Cate Blanchett.

‘The Crown’ Enters Netflix Top Ten Following Death Of Queen Elizabeth II

Peter White, Deadline

The death of Queen Elizabeth II has sparked viewership of the first season of “The Crown.”

‘Abbott Elementary’ Was Most-Tweeted Show During 2022 Emmys, Sheryl Lee Ralph Was No. 1 Cited Nominee on Twitter

Todd Spangler, Variety

“Abbott Elementary” didn’t take home the trophy for comedy series at the 2022 Primetime Emmy Awards — but the breakout sitcom from Quinta Brunson won the night on Twitter.

Emmy Success for ‘Squid Game’ Is Hailed in South Korea

Jin Yu Young, The New York Times

After the dystopian Netflix drama picked up multiple wins, Koreans celebrated the awards as the latest example of their country’s rise as a cultural powerhouse.

‘House of the Dragon’ Viewership Up 5% With Episode 4

Selome Hailu, Variety

Viewership of “House of the Dragon” increased by 5% between Episodes 3 and 4, Variety has learned exclusively.

FX Jumps Into Comedy Special Business With Stand-Up From Kate Berlant, Bryan Bowers

Lynette Rice, Deadline

In a first for FX, the network is bringing two comedy specials to Hulu featuring stand-ups Kate Berlant and Bryan Bowers. Both of the specials will be available Thursday, Sept. 15 on Hulu.

HBO Acquires Andrew Callaghan’s Channel 5 Documentary About Jan. 6 Riot, Produced by A24

Jordan Moreau, Variety

Andrew Callaghan, the 25-year-old gonzo journalist who has grown to fame with his Channel 5 YouTube documentaries, is taking his next project to HBO.

Nintendo announces new ‘Zelda,’ ‘Fire Emblem’ and ‘Pikmin’ games

Amanda Silberling, TechCrunch

This morning’s Nintendo Direct was full of upcoming game announcements, but one in particular stood out to fans: the long-awaited sequel to “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” is coming to the Nintendo Switch on May 12, 2023.

Meta announces Discord-like ‘Community Chats’ on Messenger

Amanda Silberling, TechCrunch

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Tuesday morning that “Community Chats” are coming to Messenger and Facebook Groups.

YouTube Paid Over $6 Billion to Music Industry in Past 12 Months

Jem Aswad, Variety

YouTube, the world’s largest streaming platform for music, announced that it has paid more than $6 billion to the music industry in the 12 months between July 2021 and June 2022 — some $2 billion more than it said it paid in the previous 12 months.

Taylor Swift Must Face Looming ‘Shake It Off’ Trial, Judge Says

Bill Donahue, Billboard

Taylor’s lawyers made one more bid to avoid a courtroom showdown over the lyrics to her 2014 chart-topper, but the judge didn’t buy it.

Rapper PnB Rock killed after being shot multiple times at Los Angeles restaurant

Andrew Blankstein and Dennis Romero, NBC News

PnB Rock, 30, was at a Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘N Waffles when he was fatally shot, police said.

Demi Lovato Says Current Tour Will Be Her Last: “I Can’t Do This Anymore”

Rania Aniftos, Billboard

“I’m so f—ing sick I can’t get out of bed,” Lovato wrote on their Instagram Stories.