Salli Richardson-Whitfield Extends Deal at HBO, HBO Max; Joins ‘Winning Time’ as Executive Producer

After a few days of mass uncertainty, with folks on social media wondering what is going on at one of the biggest studios in Hollywood, Warner Bros. Discovery has shed some light on the company’s future.

HBO Max and Discovery+ will merge to become one streaming service next year.In a second quarter earnings call on Thursday (August 4), Warner Bros. Discovery’s CEO David Zaslav announced that the merged streamer will launch in the summer of 2023 in the US, with Latin America, Europe and other territories to follow soon after. The combined streaming service will be released with ad-free, ad-light and ad-only options.As reported by Entertainment Weekly, Zaslav addressed concerns that the merger would result in less emphasis on original programmes.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorWarner Bros. Discovery is not going to say how many HBO and HBO Max customers it has.In the second quarter, the media conglomerate said HBO Max, HBO and Discovery+ subscribers combined were 92.1 million, up about 1.6 million from 90.4 million the prior quarter. That’s up 22% 75.8 million on a pro-forma basis versus a year earlier.However, WBD’s streaming businesses lost subscribers domestically in Q2, dropping 300,000 — falling from 53.3 million in the first quarter to 53.0 million as of June 30.For Q1, AT&T — the prior owner of WarnerMedia and HBO Max — had reported 76.8 million total HBO and HBO Max subscribers worldwide, including 48.6 million domestically.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorTaylor Rooks is getting ready to open another field of study.The Bleacher Report standout and up-and coming Turner Sports broadcaster has signed a new multi-year deal to broadcast across both the digital-sports outlet and TV programs produced by the Warner Bros. Discovery sports division, even as she has secured a role as a features reporter for the new “Thursday Night Football” streamcast being handled by Amazon’s Prime Video.Rooks has been known for her coverage of the NBA.

Selome Hailu Netflix has extended its multi-year partnership with Dark Horse Entertainment, through which Dark Horse gives the streamer a first look at IP for film and TV. Among their active development slate is a “Bang!” movie starring Idris Elba and “Mind MGMT” from Curtis Gwinn.“Bang!” is based on the comic series of the same name by Matt Kindt and Wilfredo Torres and will be directed by David Leitch.

There are some interesting, somewhat odd things happening over at Warner Bros. Discovery, huh? Obviously, we have yesterday’s news that “Batgirl” and the new “Scoob!” films are both being shelved even though they were seemingly close to being finished.

Six hit Warner Bros. movies were quietly removed from HBO Max and fans are not happy.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorWarner Bros. Discovery has been quietly culling content from HBO Max — including several Warner Bros.

Why did Warner Bros scrap Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt?

Hey, Upper East Siders! Gossip Girl is coming back for a second season — and there may be another cameo from one of the original cast members.

Mark Dacascos (Hawaii Five-O) and Chelsea Muirhead (Slo Pitch) are set as series regulars on the upcoming third season of martial arts crime drama Warrior on HBO Max.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterCinedign has landed North American rights to “Sell/Buy/Date,” a playful and provocative film about the sex industry. Meryl Streep executive produced the movie, which debuted at this year’s SXSW Film Festival in Austin.“Sell/Buy/Date” is set to be released theatrically this fall in the hopes that the film can garner awards attention. After playing in theaters, it will stream exclusively on Fandor with a wider digital release to follow.Broadway veteran Sarah Jones (“Bridge & Tunnel”) directed the film in her feature debut.

Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin.The upcoming reboot, which drops its first three episodes Thursday on HBO Max, shifts the focus to Millwood, a small town not far from Rosewood. A series of tragic events 20 years ago almost tore the blue-collar town apart and now, in the present day, a disparate group of teen girls — aka the main Liars — find themselves tormented by an unknown assailant, «A,» and made to pay for the secret sins committed by their mothers two decades ago — and their own. Bailee Madison, who plays Imogen, shared that she connected with former star Lucy Hale, who portrayed Aria in the original series, throughout the process of getting cast on In fact, after Madison's casting was announced last July, Hale and fellow alum Shay Mitchell celebrated by leaving comments on her Instagram post. «Lucy's a dear friend of mine and was really with me through the whole process of finding out if I got to be a part of the show or not, and just held my hand through every step of the way, which meant the absolute world to me as a friend,» Madison told ET's Deidre Behar. «And just as someone I respect and have admired her for so many years.

Rodney Barnes, an executive producer and writer of “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” has extended his deal at HBO for an additional three years.As part of the extension Barnes will continue to develop, write and produce projects across drama, comedy and limited series formats through his Rodney Barnes Productions banner.Barnes has several projects in the works, including: the feature adaptation of “Ride Around Shining” with Jonah Hill’s Strong Baby Productions and LaKeith Stanfield set to produce, as well as a a miniseries based on the life of golf great Tiger Woods.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterRodney Barnes has renewed his overall deal with HBO for a further three years, Variety has learned.Barnes most recently worked as a writer and executive producer on the premium cabler’s hit series “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.” Barnes was credited with co-writing nine episodes of the show’s 10-episode first season. The show was renewed for a second season in April, with Barnes continuing on with the show as writer and executive producer.Under the terms of the deal, Barnes will continue to develop, write, and produce shows in a variety of formats under his Rodney Barnes Productions banner.Barnes’ past TV credits include shows like “Everybody Hates Chris,” “Wu-Tang: An American Saga,” “The Boondocks,” and “My Wife and Kids.” His current development slate include: the feature adaptation “Ride Around Shining” at Netflix; a miniseries on Tiger Woods; a feature for New Regency with Jordan Vogt-Roberts attached to direct.

Winning Time writer, producer and comic book creator Rodney Barnes is staying in business with HBO, with a renewal of his overall deal for three more years.