WarnerMedia, Disney Hope NBA Play Brings New Business Bounce

Jill Goldsmith Co-Business EditorA federal judge Tuesday upheld New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s closure of movie theaters in the state, dismissing a motion for an injunction by the National Association of Theatre Owners and five cinema chains that would have allowed them to open their doors.Judge Brian Martinotti ruled that the state is not infringing on the theaters First Amendment rights in enforcing its pandemic-related closure.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorHistory plans two new hour-long documentaries and an original eight-part podcast devoted to coverage of the infamous events of September 11, 2001.The two documentaries,  “9/11: The Final Minutes of Fight 93” and “9/11: The Pentagon,” will debut Friday, September 11 at 8 pm. and 9 p.m.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorKeyshawn Johnson, Jay Williams and Zubin Mehenti have a big radio debut on Monday, when they take over ESPN’s national morning slot. But their new jobs started in earnest on Wednesday.The trio met in their studio at ESPN’s New York production facility for the first time, ready to test out their rapport.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorAmid hundreds of layoffs, WarnerMedia is still preparing for one crucial hire.The media company has yet to name a president to lead its advertising-sales efforts, and has not filled the position since executives abruptly pushed out industry veteran Donna Speciale in July of 2019 after she wrangled millions from sponsors to support WarnerMedia’s most recent programming cycle in haggling that was largely driven by conversations about digital opportunities.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorCarla Hall, a longtime Food Network contributor who has also logged stints on ABC’s “The Chew” and Bravo’s “Top Chef,” has struck a new talent pact with the Discovery-owned media property.Hall’s new deal means she will work exclusively with Food Network across its linear and digital outlets, and will take part in “Halloween Baking Championship,” “Holiday Baking Championship,” “Worst Cooks in America,”  and Food Network’s Kitchen app.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorWarnerMedia is expected to let go of at least 800 staffers at its Warner Brothers and HBO operations as part of a broad restructuring put in place by the unit’s CEO, Jason Kilar.Warner Brothers is expected to commence layoffs of around 650 people starting Monday, according to people familiar with the matter, while HBO is seen shedding between 150 and 175 staffers.

Aladdin actress Naomi Scott is trading in her magic carpet from the hit film for a spaceship in her upcoming one. The Charlie’s Angels star is in talks to join Amblin Partners' upcoming sci-fi adventure movie Distant, according to reports by The Hollywood Reporter.

Mike Fleming Jr Co-Editor-in-Chief, FilmEXCLUSIVE: Universal Pictures has put together a monstrous package around the satirical Simon Rich New Yorker short story Everyday Parenting Tips that has Rich scripting for Ryan Reynolds to star and Paddington‘s Paul King to direct.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorJackie Levin, a veteran producer at NBC News’ “Today” who in recent years steered the show’s 9 a.m.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorDiscovery said second-quarter net income fell 71% after the coronavirus pandemic spurred a pullback in advertising at both its U.S.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorAMC Networks said the coronavirus pandemic and a substantial impairment charge contributed to a significant decline in second quarter profit, the latest media company to show the signs of grappling with conditions that have scuttled TV production and slowed the flow of advertising.The New York owner of the AMC, IFC and Sundance cable networks said net income fell to $15 million, or 28 cents a share, compared with $128.7 million, or $2.25 a share, in the

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorAn interview between Axios reporter Jonathan Swan and President Donald Trump that aired Monday on HBO has drawn the kind of social-media huzzahs accorded to a heartwarming meme or the drop of a Taylor Swift album.In a conversation taped Tuesday, July 28, Swan questions Trump’s use of statistics to describe how the nation is grappling with coronavirus, suggesting U.S. efforts are working better than those of other countries.

Cystic fibrosis sufferer has made a harrowing plea for urgent access to a wonder drug which could save her life, telling medics: “I will soon be dead.

Paisley woman Maria O’Neill, who saw her life turned upside down during lockdown but has come out of the experience stronger than before.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorBasketball fans can’t sit courtside these days, but they might just get the ultimate view of NBA action when ESPN opens its coverage of the league’s season this evening.Fans who use the ESPN App will be able to access full games with a “rail-cam” view, which lets the streaming audience see the action through a camera lens placed on a mobile table.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorMike Greenberg must move fast as the host of ESPN’s “Get Up” each weekday morning. He’s hoping a new radio gig in the afternoons will give him the chance he needs to slow things down.“On the TV show, we are just flying through stuff.

A.K. Paul has shared a new offering from he and his brother Jai Paul‘s Paul Institute – listen to ‘Be Honest’ below.The musician revealed that the track was “about giving up control for a moment, allowing yourself to feel something beyond what you’ve known”.“It’s a song about liking something you didn’t think you would like, feeling something you didn’t think you would feel – and as you come to your senses being faced with the prospect you’ve only half lived…”A.K.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorFans won’t be able to watch NBA games court-side thanks to the coronavirus, but the league hopes to fill their absence with everything from the sounds of sneaker squeaks to the sight of fans beaming on the sidelines on big screens thanks to partnerships with Anheuser-Busch InBev and Microsoft.More than 300 fans will be invited to appear live on 17-foot video boards surrounding the court at NBA games taking place in Orlando at Walt Disney’s ESPN Wide World of