Skip a newsletter last week? “In Case You Missed It” rounds up the top stories in each of our three daily editions, so you can be up on the latest news, Cynopsis-style, in the worlds of linear, digital, and sports television. Enjoy!
FLAGSHIP
Matthew C. Blank, Chairman and CEO of Showtime Networks since 1995, will pass his CEO title on to David Nevins, current president of Showtime, on January 1. “Matt Blank has led Showtime as its Chairman and CEO through two decades of dramatic change and evolution in the industry,” said Leslie Moonves, president and CEO, CBS Corporation. “One of the key attributes I look for in my leadership team is the capacity and willingness to bring up the next generation of management.
A succession plan is also in the works at 21st Century Fox. Numerous reports on Thursday cited sources saying Rupert Murdoch, 84, will hand his CEO crown to son James; the elder Murdoch would remain executive chairman with son Lachlan as co-executive chairman. Chase Carey would give up the COO title but continue as advisor. Last year, heir apparent James Murdoch was promoted to co-COO.“The matter of succession is on the agenda at our upcoming, regularly scheduled board meeting,” Nathaniel Brown, a Fox spokesman, said in a statement.
NBC is replacing medical drama Heartbreaker on its fall schedule with Dick Wolf spinoff Chicago Med, to accommodate the pregnancy of Heartbreaker star Melissa George. Originally set to debut midseason, Chicago Med will step into the Tuesday post-The Voice slot in September. Both shows start production this summer, but Heartbreaker will take a baby break.
DIGITAL
Besieged Twitter CEO Dick Costolo will depart the company, the social media network announced yesterday. Co-founder Jack Dorsey will serve as interim CEO starting July 1. Twitter Inc. shares surged eight percent after the announcement. Since Twitter went public in 2013, the company has struggled to attract new users and develop fresh forms of advertising. “I am tremendously proud of the Twitter team and all that that team has accomplished together during my six years with the Company,” said Costolo. Twitter may be next in line to be acquired; Google is one of the possible named choices so far.
Apple kicked off its Worldwide Developers Conference yesterday, unveiling updates to its iOS products and a new music streaming service called Apple Music. The service will cost $9.99 a month and include a “For You” tab that creates playlists and suggests songs as well as a music discovery engine called “New.”
SPORTS
NBC Sports Group captured the Claret Jug, striking a 12-year deal with The R&A to form a US media partnership beginning with The Open in 2017. The move will shift the tournament’s long-standing run with ABC/ESPN to bring coverage across all media to NBC and Golf Channel for The Open, The Senior Open Championship, and The Amateur Championship, as well as the RICOH Women’s British Open. The agreement also includes coverage of the Walker Cup and Curtis Cup, in years when these international amateur team events are hosted by The R&A and Ladies’ Golf Union.
“The R&A is synonymous with the traditions and history of golf, and The Open is golf’s original championship. NBC Sports is proud to present The Open Championship, and to work with The R&A on their initiatives to grow the game around the globe,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman of NBC Sports Group. “This partnership will allow NBC Sports, Golf Channel and NBC Universo to serve the legions of sports fans in the U.S. with complete coverage that reflects the prestige of The R&A’s championships.”
Nike emerged the winner in the battle for the NBA, announcing an eight-year global merchandising and marketing partnership that will makes the brand the official oncourt apparel provider beginning with the 2017-18 NBA season. Deal points will see Nike become the first NBA apparel partner to have its logo appear on NBA uniforms; own the global rights to design and manufacture authentic and Swingman jerseys as well as oncourt warm-ups and shooting shirts; have an expanded presence at WNBA All-Star and other events throughout the season; and, for the first time, NIKE will become a marketing partner of the NBA Development League
