ESPN Inks NCAA Eight-Year Media Rights Renewal Worth $920 Million

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor NBCUniversal‘s Peacock deal to exclusively stream the NFL‘s AFC Wild Card matchup between the Kansas City Chief and the Miami Dolphins delivered an end-zone spiking TD for the streamer, according to new data. NBCU already claimed the Jan. 13 playoff game was the biggest live-streamed event in U.S.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Netflix extended its lead as the world’s biggest premium video-streaming platform — gaining a better-than-expected 13.1 million subscribers for the fourth quarter of 2023. The company’s Q4 revenue came in slightly over Wall Street forecasts, while net income fell short. As of the end of 2023, Netflix counted 260.28 million total members globally.

Three people have been jailed for a total of nearly 8 years for running a human trafficking operation at a Scots flat.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor It’s game on for Amazon MGM Studios‘ TV division! MGM Alternative, a division of Amazon MGM Studios, announced a pact with the Global Esports Federation to create a range of content built around the GEF’s Global Esports Games, esports pro athletes and “the gaming lifestyle.” MGM Alternative’s productions include such reality shows as “The Voice,” “Shark Tank” and “Survivor.” The Singapore-based GEF, founded in December 2019, says it “promotes the credibility, legitimacy and prestige of esports globally.” The organization and MGM Alternative will work together to develop new linear and streaming content, as well as live events within GEF’s esports conventions and events. “With the global interest in esports at an all-time high, we’re eager to share the stories and excitement surrounding the Global Esports Games, their athletes and the gaming lifestyle,” Barry Poznick, GM of MGM Alternative, said in a statement.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is still a fan-favorite show after 16 seasons!

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Disney CEO Bob Iger saw his compensation hit $31.6 million in 2023 — down from $45.9 million in 2021, his last prior full year of employment at the company. Iger’s 2023 pay package included $865,385 in base salary, plus 16.1 million in stock awards, $10 million in stock-option awards, $2.14 million cash bonus and $2.48 million in other compensation, according to the company’s proxy statement filed Tuesday with the SEC. His contract with Disney runs through the end of 2026.

The countdown to the return of Stranger Things is on!

David Quinti only used to gamble on the weekends with his friends. It started out as a few quid here and there. It was just a bit of fun.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor ESPN has disciplined members of its staff who worked for years to secure Emmys for on-air personnel who were not normally eligible for the awards by using fake names and entering them in various categories, according to an investigation by The Athletic. The probe found that ESPN has for more than a decade inserted fake personnel names in entries to win more than 30 Emmys, then took the awards, removed the fraudulent nameplates and had the statues engraved anew so they could be given to on-air staff.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Netflix is seeing strong growth of its advertising-based plan, having recently eclipsed 23 million global monthly active users, president of advertising Amy Reinhard said. Reinhard spoke Wednesday at the Variety Entertainment Summit at CES 2024 at Las Vegas’ Aria Resort and Casino.

Naman Ramachandran Viacom18, a TV and streaming group backed by billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani, has secured Indian media rights for field hockey from the International Hockey Federation (FIH). The agreement runs for a four-year cycle (2023-2027) and includes all FIH events, except the FIH Nations Cup.

Pat McAfee is standing firm on his claims that an ESPN executive was “trying to sabotage” his show.

Kevin Negandhi will continue to be a presence on ESPN. The anchor and studio host has signed a new multi-year contract with the network in which he’ll continue to host weekday SportsCenter, as well as Special Olympics and ABC’s coverage of college football and the NBA draft.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a fan-favorite show after 16 seasons!

ESPN and the NCAA have agreed to an 8-year media rights deal, extending a run for college sports that began in 1979 when the all-sports cable network was in its infancy.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor The red carpet is rolling up for “Kim Kardashian: Hollywood,” the casual mobile game that let players create their own aspiring virtual celebrity. The game, after launching nearly a decade ago, was a smash hit — and pulled in millions of dollars in revenue over its run.

network imposed a ban on drinking alcohol last year.Cooper, host of “Anderson Cooper 360°,” and “Watch What Happens Live” host Cohen, made sure to be on their best behavior when they both downed shots of tequila while on air.The topic surrounding CNN’s alcohol restriction was brought up within minutes after going live from Times Square at 8 p.m., when Cohen, 55, asked Cooper, “Does daddy get his juice?”“Speaking of traditions, it’s the top of the hour. We’ve been here for seven years doing this, and for most of those years, well, at the top of the hour we typically have a toast,” Cohen goes.

There has been one person missing from the CNN New Year’s Eve 2024 celebration, according to fans, and that is Don Lemon!

The Royal Family wished people across the nation all the best for 2024 as the hours count down until the bells ring at midnight, as their official Twitter page posted a special message on New Year's Eve.

Most people might just be celebrating the New Year tomorrow, but these stars are also celebrating their birthday!