ViacomCBS U.K. Networks Unit Sets "No Diversity, No Commission" Policy

Spanish-language media giant Univision Communications, which earlier this year agreed to sell a majority stake to an investor group led by former Viacom CFO Wade Davis, reported lower second-quarter financials amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Jake Kanter International TV EditorViacomCBS International Studios, the global production arm of ViacomCBS Networks International, has named Cineflix Rights executive Kate Laffey as its vice president.Laffey will be based in London and will report to Pierluigi Gazzolo, president of studios and streaming at ViacomCBS Networks International.

One could argue that the past several months of theaters being shut down has had more of an impact on the future of the film industry and the box office than in the 100 years before it. And that’s even after you take out the fact that the chains and cinemas have been earning zero dollars over that time.

ViacomCBS CEO Bob Bakish told Wall Street on the company's second-quarter earnings conference call on Thursday that the company remains committed to the theatrical window, but also said windows will likely shorten, with new business models becoming more common.

ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI), a unit of ViacomCBS, is developing a premium streaming service that will start launching in key international markets next year, targeting "audiences of all ages with a competitively priced and super-sized selection of 'must-see' exclusives, premieres and box sets from ViacomCBS’ much-loved entertainment brands." The new SVOD service, whose branding will be revealed later, will start its international rollout early in 2021, with a focus on fast-growing

Dade Hayes Finance EditorAdding to comments from media executives in recent days about the state of theatrical movie releases, ViacomCBS CEO Bob Bakish defended Paramount Pictures but said windows will “probably shorten.”Paramount “is an incredible asset for ViacomCBS,” Bakish told Wall Street analysts during the company’s second-quarter earnings call Thursday.

CBS All Access rebrand in the United States, though both are expected to begin in 2021.CBS All Access originals, including “Guilty Party” and “The Harper House,” will also premiere exclusively on the new streaming service, ViacomCBS said.

Jake Kanter International TV EditorViacomCBS has pulled the curtain back on plans to launch a premium international streaming service, which will premiere new Showtime and CBS All Access originals, and will go live across three big territories in early 2021.The yet-to-be-named streamer — first mooted in May — was discussed on the ViacomCBS second-quarter earnings call on Thursday, with the company drawing up plans to go live in Australia, Latin America (including Argentina, Brazil and Mexico)

Dade Hayes Finance EditorAiming to further streamline its offerings for advertisers across its portfolio, ViacomCBS has set the launch of ViacomCBS EyeQ a platform billed as a “single transactional point of entry” to its digital video content.Advertising reach across broadcast and cable television, streaming and digital video was a big part of why Viacom and CBS merged last December.

ViacomCBS Networks U.K. on Thursday named former Channel 4 and ITV executive Sarah Rose chief operating officer, reporting to Maria Kyriacou, president, ViacomCBS Networks U.K.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorViacomCBS is playing the tonnage game with CBS All Access, paving the way for the launch of a renamed version of the direct-to-consumer streaming service in early 2021.CBS All Access is adding 70 shows — representing more than 3,500 episodes in all — from legacy Viacom cable networks including BET, Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon.

ViacomCBS' ViacomCBS Networks International unit on Monday unveiled four key leadership promotions in its Youth & Entertainment division. All the executives will report to Kerry Taylor, executive vp of VCNI’s Youth & Entertainment brands in 180 countries outside the U.S.

ViacomCBS' ViacomCBS Networks International unit on Monday unveiled four key leadership promotions in its Youth & Entertainment division. All the executives will report to Kerry Taylor, executive vp of VCNI’s Youth & Entertainment brands in 180 countries outside the U.S.

Jake Kanter International TV EditorViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI) has expanded the roles of four executives in its youth and entertainment team, reporting to Kerry Taylor, executive vice president of youth and entertainment brands.Kelly Bradshaw, vice president and brand lead for MTV UK, Northern and Eastern Europe, will become vice president of brand and content strategy, VCNI youth and entertainment.Craig Orr, formerly vice president of commissioning and development for MTV

Dade Hayes Finance EditorMike Francesa, a pioneering figure in sports talk radio and host for 30-plus years on WFAN, said Friday will be his last regularly scheduled broadcast on the New York station.Francesa, who made his acting debut as Adam Sandler’s bookie in Uncut Gems, plans to continue making occasional appearances on the station but will discontinue “Mike’s On.”Although he has been a solo host for more that a decade, Francesa is best remembered by listeners for his longtime teaming with

Peter White Television EditorArmando Bó, the Oscar-winning co-writer of Birdman, has unveiled his first television slate since launching his own production company, About Entertainment, earlier this year.The writer and filmmaker is developing two series based on well-known Argentinian stories.About Entertainment has acquired the rights to Las Malas, the 2019 autobiographic novel by Camila Sosa Villada, and is developing Cromanon, based on true events of the tragedy that took place at the venue

Jake Kanter International TV EditorViacomCBS Networks UK has introduced a new “no diversity, no commission” content policy to help promote diversity both on-screen and behind the scenes on the likes of Channel 5.The policy, which is being communicated to suppliers, was one of six commitments made by ViacomCBS Networks UK and Australia president Maria Kyriacou on Wednesday.

Harry and Meghan's Sussex Royal charitable body received a six-figure grant from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Royal Foundation. Harry's fledgling not-for-profit sustainable travel organisation Travalyst also received funds from the Cambridge's foundation, and it has received the assets of Sussex Royal which is in the process of being wound up.A spokesman for legal firm Schillings said: "The Duke of Sussex has always and continues to remain deeply committed to his charitable work.