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Tag: Mark Lazarus

  • Comcast to spin off cable TV networks into new company SpinCo

    Comcast to spin off cable TV networks into new company SpinCo

    MUMBAI: The reshaping of legacy behemoth media and entertainment companies continues. US media megacorp Comcast today announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company comprised of a strong portfolio of NBCUniversal’s cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets including Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow and Sports Engine, through a tax-free spin-off. 

    The well-capitalised independent company (SpinCo) will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. Over the past twelve months ended 30 September 2024, SpinCo generated approximately $7 billion in revenue.

    It will be an industry-leading news, sports and entertainment cable television business with a focused strategic direction. SpinCo’s stable of marquee brands will provide a diverse and differentiated content offering that will reach approximately 70 million US households. 

    Comcast is targeting to complete the spin-off in approximately one year, subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions, including obtaining final approval from its board, satisfactory completion of SpinCo financing, receipt of tax opinions and receipt of any regulatory approvals. 

    “When you look at our assets, talented management team and balance sheet strength, we are able to set these businesses up for future growth,” said Comcast chairman & CEO Brian L. Roberts. “With significant financial resources from day one, SpinCo will be ideally positioned for success and highly attractive to investors, content creators, distributors and potential partners.” 

    The planned spin-off will also strategically position NBCUniversal with its leading broadcast and streaming media properties, including NBC entertainment, sports, news and Bravo – which all power Peacock – along with Telemundo, the theme parks business and film and television studios.

    “This transaction positions both SpinCo and NBCUniversal to play offense in a changing media landscape,” said Comcast president Mike Cavanagh. “Taken together, the entirety of NBCUniversal will be on a new growth trajectory, fuelled by our world-class content, technology, IP, properties and talent – all working in concert with each other as an integrated media company.”

    The company said in a press release that “as a global media and technology company, Comcast will be well-positioned to continue to invest in its strategic core growth businesses across its content & experiences and connectivity & platforms businesses, including residential broadband, wireless, business services, streaming, studios and theme parks. The transaction is expected to be accretive to revenue growth at Comcast and approximately neutral to Comcast’s leverage position.”

    While SpinCo will operate as an independent business, it will enter into a transition services agreement with NBCUniversal to allow SpinCo to operate seamlessly from day one. 

    The new firm will be led by CEO Mark Lazarus, the current chairman of NBCUniversal Media group. Anand Kini who is the current chief financial officer of NBCUniversal and EVP of corporate strategy at Comcast, will serve as SpinCo’s  chief financial officer and chief operating officer. Together, the press release said, the duo will lead the development of an independent strategy, while also establishing SpinCo as a potential partner and acquirer of other complementary media businesses.

    “As a standalone company with these outstanding assets, we will be better positioned to serve our audiences and drive shareholder returns in this incredibly dynamic media environment across news, sports and entertainment,” said Mark Lazarus. “We see a real opportunity to invest and build additional scale and I’m excited about the growth opportunities this transition will unlock. Our financial strength will also provide capacity for an attractive capital return policy while allowing for investment in the growth of these businesses.”

  • NBC Broadcasting to restructure exec suites as chairman exits

    NBC Broadcasting to restructure exec suites as chairman exits

    MUMBAI: US-based NBC Broadcasting chief Ted Herbert is stepping down from his role as the chairman after 40 years in the industry. Herbert was key adviser to NBCUniversal chief Steve Burke. He saw a wide swath of territory including local advertising sales, the network’s owned television stations, affiliate relations and distribution of NBC-owned content.

    He was in the position since 2011 when Comcast Corp. completed its acquisition of NBCUniversal. Prior to that, he ran the E! cable network for Comcast.

    With this exit, Burke plans to restructure the executive suites at the network. NBC Sports Group chairman Mark Lazarus will take on Harbert’s title to become chairman of NBC Broadcasting and Sports. He will oversee affiliate relations, advertising and the owned-TV stations. Harbert other duties will be spread to other execs

    The syndication business will be overseen jointly by senior entertainment executives George Cheeks and Paul Telegdy.

    NBCUniversal Global Distribution chairman Kevin MacLellan will add domestic and new media distribution of NBC content to his responsibilities. Maggie McLean Suniewick has been named president of digital enterprises, which is a unit focusing on strategy and development in the digital space.

  • NBC Broadcasting to restructure exec suites as chairman exits

    NBC Broadcasting to restructure exec suites as chairman exits

    MUMBAI: US-based NBC Broadcasting chief Ted Herbert is stepping down from his role as the chairman after 40 years in the industry. Herbert was key adviser to NBCUniversal chief Steve Burke. He saw a wide swath of territory including local advertising sales, the network’s owned television stations, affiliate relations and distribution of NBC-owned content.

    He was in the position since 2011 when Comcast Corp. completed its acquisition of NBCUniversal. Prior to that, he ran the E! cable network for Comcast.

    With this exit, Burke plans to restructure the executive suites at the network. NBC Sports Group chairman Mark Lazarus will take on Harbert’s title to become chairman of NBC Broadcasting and Sports. He will oversee affiliate relations, advertising and the owned-TV stations. Harbert other duties will be spread to other execs

    The syndication business will be overseen jointly by senior entertainment executives George Cheeks and Paul Telegdy.

    NBCUniversal Global Distribution chairman Kevin MacLellan will add domestic and new media distribution of NBC content to his responsibilities. Maggie McLean Suniewick has been named president of digital enterprises, which is a unit focusing on strategy and development in the digital space.

  • NBC Sports retains Premier League rights in six-year deal

    NBC Sports retains Premier League rights in six-year deal

    MUMBAI: NBC Sports Group and the Premier League have reached a new six-year agreement by which NBC Sports Group will continue as the exclusive multi-platform media home of the Premier League in the United States through the 2021-22 season.

     

    As per the agreement, NBC Sports Group will continue to make all 380 Premier League matches available to fans – via NBCUniversal’s NBC, NBCSN, USA Network, TELEMUNDO and NBC UNIVERSO linear channels, plus the Premier League Extra Time TV package – and via live stream on NBC Sports Live Extra, or other platforms.

     

    “We are excited to continue our tremendous partnership with the Premier League, and we look forward to presenting the world’s finest soccer league to Americans for many years to come. As sports fans, there’s nothing better than waking up on a weekend morning to live and relevant events, and we at NBC Sports are thrilled to continue to be this outlet for the fast-growing Premier League fan base,” said NBC Sports Group chairman Mark Lazarus.

     

    “NBC Sports has done a fantastic job broadcasting the Barclays Premier League for the last two seasons and we are extremely pleased that they have invested in our US rights for seasons 2016-17 to 2021-22. Outstanding production, expert analysis, and wide audience reach have all been beyond expectations. First-rate creative marketing and promotional campaigns have driven interest in our clubs, and the competition as a whole, to unprecedented levels. NBC Sports has committed to extend partnership activation and promotion of clubs in future seasons – a significant factor in the awarding of these rights – and we look forward to continuing our excellent working relationship with them for the next seven years,” added Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore.

     

    On the strength of numerous innovations and programming initiatives – including Tactical Cam, The Men In Blazers Show, multiple Breakaway whip-around shows, road trips to the UK and NBC’s Super Bowl coverage, and The 2 Robbies Football Show — NBC Sports Group in May concluded its second season of Premier League coverage with viewership and consumption milestones.

     

    Premier League viewership on NBC and NBCSN averaged a record 479,000 viewers last season – up nine per cent from the record NBC Sports Group set during its debut covering the Premier League in 2013-14 (438,000 viewers). In addition, viewers consumed a record total of 317 million minutes of live Premier League action via NBC Sports Live Extra during the 2014-15 season – up 22 per cent from the prior season.

  • NBC Sports Group inks 12-year golf partnership with The R&A

    NBC Sports Group inks 12-year golf partnership with The R&A

    MUMBAI: NBC Sports Group and The R&A have inked a long-term media partnership in the United States beginning with The Open from Royal Birkdale in 2017 and spanning 12 years.

     

    NBC Sports Group chairman Mark Lazarus said, “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. 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.”

     

    The R&A CEO Peter Dawson added, “We are delighted to announce that from 2017, The Open will be broadcast by NBC Sports Group. They have unparalleled experience in golf and have demonstrated a genuine desire to showcase and promote The Open and The R&A’s elite championships through their extensive range of channels and digital platforms. The United States is home to millions of fans of The Open and we know that through NBC Sports Group, they will enjoy world-class coverage of the Championship.”

     

    The new partnership agreement includes coverage across all media of The Open, The Senior Open Championship, and The Amateur Championship, as well as the RICOH Women’s British Open, in partnership with the Ladies’ Golf Union. 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.

     

    “As these events’ new home in the U.S., NBC Sports Group’s coverage of the RICOH Women’s British Open and Curtis Cup will further raise the profile of these world-class events. Adding broadcast coverage of the Women’s British Open will contribute to the momentum that the LPGA Tour and Golf Channel have generated in the United States, as the women’s game continues to grow stronger,” said Lazarus.

     

    “This is fantastic news for the Women’s British Open and the Curtis Cup and for women’s golf generally. To have the full weight and breadth of the NBC Sports Group behind these two international events will be of tremendous benefit to their future growth,” said Ladies’ Golf Union chairman Trish Wilson.

     

    NBC Sports Group’s promotional effort will feature The Open as one of the final marquee events within NBC Sports’ widely recognized Championship Season each spring and summer. In addition, the partnership will collaborate on showcasing golf’s oldest and most international championships, including Golf Channel’s coverage of The Open Qualifying Series events, documentaries from the Emmy-nominated Golf Channel Films unit and a U.S. promotional tour of the Claret Jug, one of sport’s most iconic trophies. Golf Channel and The R&A will also work together on efforts to showcase The R&A’s global youth initiatives, utilizing Golf Channel’s presence in more than 200 million households, 80 countries and 11 languages around the world.

  • NBC Sports nabs NASCAR rights

    NBC Sports nabs NASCAR rights

    MUMBAI: NBCUniversal has secured the exclusive rights to a host of NASCAR races and events starting in 2015 and running through the 2024 season.

     

    The comprehensive agreement between NASCAR and NBC Sports Group covers the exclusive rights for the final 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, final 19 NASCAR Nationwide Series events, select NASCAR Regional & Touring Series events and other live content.

     

    NBC’s 20 Sprint Cup race schedule includes becoming the exclusive home to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR’s final 10 races of the season. Of the 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup series events, seven will be carried on NBC annually, with 13 on NBC Sports Network. Four of the group’s 19 NASCAR Nationwide Series races will broadcast on NBC, with 15 on NBC Sports Network.

     

    “NBC is known for being an exceptional partner and delivering outstanding production quality and presentation of live sports, as well as its broad portfolio of broadcast and digital properties so we are thrilled with the commitment they have made to NASCAR and its future,” said Brian France, NASCAR’s chairman and CEO. “We know this partnership will yield great value to our entire industry, provide a premium experience to our most important stakeholders, the fans, and help us achieve a number of strategic growth objectives. Our new partnership with NBC and the recent extension by FOX validate the strength of our fan base and the many bold steps we have taken the last several years to provide fans with better, more accessible racing.”

     

    “Acquiring the rights and bringing NASCAR back to NBC comes at an important point in time for NBC Sports Network, NBC, and all of our distributors and affiliates,” said Mark Lazarus, NBC Sports Group’s chairman. “We look forward to working with Brian and his management team, who have brought a renewed focus to NASCAR’s intersection of sports and technology.”

     

    “We are excited about the cross-promotional opportunities NBC provides, especially in the timeframes right before NBC’s NASCAR schedule and during the Chase,” added Steve Herbst, NASCAR’s VP of broadcasting and productions. “We’re confident NBC will utilize its powerful Championship Season lineup, including the NHL Playoffs, Premier League, the French Open, the Kentucky Derby and other events, to build interest and excitement for NASCAR. Those opportunities, combined with the opportunity to lead into the number one show on television-NBC’s Sunday Night Football-for select Chase races, were both very attractive prospects when considering this partnership.”

  • Yahoo! in content deal with NBC Sports Group

    Yahoo! in content deal with NBC Sports Group

    MUMBAI: Yahoo! and the NBC Sports Group has formed a content and promotional deal combining Yahoo! Sports’ original reporting expertise, coverage of big events, Rivals’ college content and popular fantasy sports products with NBC Sports Group’s growing digital assets, and significant television promotion and integration.

    While Yahoo! Sports and the NBC Sports Group will continue to maintain separate sites and editorial control of their respective newsrooms and digital properties, they will collaborate on premium sports news and events coverage both online and on the air.

    Yahoo! Sports’ popular products will also be included in the NBC Sports Group’s digital assets.

    “Passionate fans need news and analysis about their favorite teams in real time, and they want access to that information no matter where they are. We‘re thrilled to combine Yahoo!‘s fantasy offerings, product innovation and editorial authority with NBC‘s broadcast coverage of live sports events and award-winning on-air talent. We think our users will love the result,” said Yahoo! Global Media VP and Yahoo! Sports and Games Head Ken Fuchs.

    “The complementary nature of this partnership is unmatched in digital sports media. Through our growing television and digital platforms, the Yahoo! Sports partnership dramatically expands the digital reach of NBC Sports around the biggest sporting events. We are committed to continually growing this alliance for the benefit of both parties, our sports-property partners, and, most importantly, sports fans," said NBC Sports Group Chairman Mark Lazarus.

    Yahoo! Sports and NBC Sports will also provide scalable advertising solutions to reach engaged audiences through distinctive opportunities and sponsorships. The alliance will include the following sites: Yahoo! Sports, the Rivals Network, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports Regional Networks, Golf Channel.com, Rotoworld.com and Allisports.com. NBCSports.com will continue to provide sports content for NBCNews.com.

    Key features of the alliance include:

    Editorial Depth: The combined talent roster of Yahoo! Sports and NBC Sports features a deep bench of award-winning reporters and commentators, such as NBC’s Bob Costas and Mike Florio; Yahoo! Sports’ Dan Wetzel and Adrian Wojnarowski. Yahoo! Sports’ renowned investigative reporting will be featured on NBC TV, giving fans multiple-platform delivery.

    Original Video Programming Concepts: Yahoo! Sports and NBC Sports will work together to develop original made-for-web video programs that will appear on both Yahoo! Sports and NBCSports.com featuring fan favorites from among the award-winning editorial teams’ rosters.

    Live Streaming: Yahoo! Sports will link to and promote the NBC Sports Live Extra video player. Fans will be able to watch live streams of some of NBC’s biggest events, starting with Sunday Night Football and NHL Game of the Week. Live content from NBC Sports Network will continue to be distributed through NBC Sports Live Extra on a TV Everywhere basis.

    Fantasy Sports: Yahoo! Sports, the leading fantasy platform, will become the exclusive fantasy game provider of NBC Sports’ Rotoworld, the premiere fantasy news and information site. This will include Yahoo! Sports’ fantasy experiences for football, baseball, hockey, soccer, College Bowl Pick’em and Tourney Pick’em.

    Rivals.com: The college sports destination will power recruiting and college sporting news for NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports Regional Networks.

    NBC Sports Regional Networks: The authentic, local sports properties will serve as Yahoo! Sports’ preferred content provider in relevant markets, and integrate Yahoo! Sports’ team pages, fantasy experts and sports talent.

    NBC’s Alli Sports: Providing youth-focused, action-sports video and other content to Yahoo! Sports.

  • Cartoon Network, FDA encourage Kids to Spot The Block

    Cartoon Network, FDA encourage Kids to Spot The Block

    MUMBAI: US kids broadcaster Cartoon Network and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are unrolling a public education campaign this month.

    It encourages kids and tweens to use the Nutrition Facts information on the food label to make healthier food choices.

    Known as Spot The Block, the campaign uses online and customised public education on-air spots featuring characters from popular programs like Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends to promote portion control and a healthy eating lifestyle. This first of its kind partnership between Cartoon Network and the FDA kicks off today 14 February 2007.

    Spot The Block will feature two public education on-air spots produced by Cartoon Network and showcase favorite characters from the networks original programming lineup. The first on-air spot, Spot The Block, Yo! includes a funky, soulful song, ala School House Rock!, performed by characters from series, Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, Camp Lazlo, and My Gym Partners a Monkey.

    The fun song and dance number demonstrates where to look for (spot) the Nutrition Facts label (the block) and the useful information it contains to help kids and tweens make healthy food choices. Creative components for the second public education on-air spot unveiled later in the year will be available at a later date.

    Spot The Block will also feature a custom micro site. The online destination will offer kids the opportunity to engage with the FDAs key messaging and offer tools to enable them to better understand the Nutrition Facts label on their favorite foods.

    Turner Entertainment Group president Mark Lazarus says, “We are extremely honoured that the FDA has selected Cartoon Network as their media partner for communicating these important nutrition messages directly to kids and tweens, said president . The campaign fits in with our overall commitment to kids and Cartoon Networks Get Animated programme, which helps to teach and inspire kids to get healthy, active and involved; and our beloved characters are the perfect ones to deliver such a message.”

    Launched in February 2005, Cartoon Networks Get Animated provides on-air, online, print and off-channel programs to teach children the value of a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, good eating and helping others. Featuring the networks roster of popular cartoon characters, Get Animated currently includes multiple animated PSAs, a mobile tour, community programmes and its 2006 Rescuing Recess initiative.

     

  • Turner to launch broadband network in the US in January

    Turner to launch broadband network in the US in January

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) is further expanding its portfolio of consumer businesses on emerging platforms.

    It will launch Super Deluxe, an online comedy channel combined with interactive online-community tools, will launch on broadband in January 2007. Super Deluxe will be ad-supported, making the network entirely free to consumers, and will integrate advertising in different ways.

    Turner Entertainment Group president Mark Lazarus says, “Super Deluxe is not only the latest innovation from Turner Broadcasting, which pioneered such concepts as the basic cable network and the 24-hour news channel, but also the most recent addition to the company’s growing broadband network portfolio that includes CNN Pipeline and GameTap, among others. Its combination of original content and extensive online community tools will make it an ideal destination for young adults eager for this type of material in a dynamic interactive environment.”

    Drew Reifenberger will be Super Deluxe senior VP, GM. He said, “Today, the online comedy experience is largely comprised of random clips and homemade movies contained within a generic experience. Super Deluxe is focused on original, ‘television-quality’ programming, presented with a distinct editorial voice and in a highly interactive and social environment. It will deliver an experience more akin to watching your favorite TV show with friends – hanging out and sharing a laugh.”

    Super Deluxe will offer original comedy from both established and rising comedy stars, developed exclusively for the network and celebrating the artists’ creative spirit, providing comedic talents a forum to showcase and share their own inspired concepts and performances. Each artist will have his/her own personalised area featuring exclusive content, a blog and opportunities to promote appearances and projects or further customize their part of the network.

    Original programming will range from short films and sketches to episodic series and more. In addition to being available online, Super Deluxe content will be available via cable VOD, wireless devices and personal media players.

    Programming is just the beginning, however. Super Deluxe’s community tools will allow fans to interact with artists and each other, adding an extra dimension of value for the consumer. Through these tools, fans can express their own sense of humuor and interact with artists and others by creating their own profiles, uploading their own videos, rating and sharing content, making comments, sending messages and more. Fans can even join or create groups with other artists and users to share and discuss their favorite humorous topics, comedians or anything else that strikes their interest.