Byron Allen Makes $30 Billion Offer For All of Paramount Global

Byron Allen, who made headlines last year with his unsolicited bid to buy key assets from Walt Disney, is at it again with a $30 billion offer to acquire Paramount Global, Allen Media Group confirmed to sources.

Allen, whose Allen Media Group owns The Weather Channel, LocalNow, and more than two dozen local affiliate channels, is offering $28.58 for each voting share of Paramount, more than a 50% of its Tuesday closing price of $13.68, according to Bloomberg, which first reported on the news. The deal also includes an offer of $21.53 for non-voting shares. The offer to buy the outstanding shares equates to $14.3 billion, it said.

Despite its size and breadth of assets, Allen Media Group had largely operated quietly, ironic given Allen’s roots in comedy and show business. But the spotlight shone on the company after Allen made a $10 billion unsolicited bid for the ABC network, affiliates and cable channels like FX last summer, an offer Disney ultimately turned down.

Allen also pursued BET when Paramount shopped the cable network around last year, although that deal also fell short, despite some chatter in December. Now, Allen Media Group is back to buy the entire company.

“Mr. Byron Allen did submit a bid on behalf of Allen Media Group and its strategic partners to purchase all of Paramount Global’s outstanding shares,” a spokesman for Allen Media Group told sources. “We believe this $30 billion offer, which includes debt and equity, is the best solution for all of the Paramount Global shareholders, and the bid should be taken seriously and pursued.”

A spokesman for Paramount declined to comment.

The offer comes amid increased chatter of Paramount looking to make a deal, with Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav and Paramount CEO Bob Bakish in talks about a potential merger. While that the prospects of a transaction there has fizzled, Skydance Media CEO David Ellison, whose studio was behind Paramount films like Top Gun: Maverick and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, has also made a preliminary bid to buy National Amusements, the company run by Shari Redstone that owns a controlling stake in the media company.

Allen doesn’t want to keep the entire company. He intends to sell the Paramount film studio, one of the most storied in the entertainment business, the real estate and its intellectual property. He will keep the TV channels like Comedy Central and Nickelodeon, as well as its Paramount+ streaming service, according to Bloomberg.

The report also said he sent his offer via text message to senior management and the board members.

This isn’t the first time Allen has made an offer for a major media asset. Beyond his bids for BET and the Disney assets, he also tried to buy TV station owner Tegna and even an NFL football team.

The Simpson's History With The Gameboy With Game Included

Acclaim Entertainment teamed with Imagineering to release Bart Simpson's Escapes From Camp Deadly in 1991. The summer camp horror story was notable released before the show's intake of this idea in the season 4 episode titled Camp Krusty.

Acclaim Entertainment then also rushed out the continuation of Bart's handheld conflict in 1992 with The Simpsons: Bart Vs. The Juggernauts. The game's designers pulled out the idea from the most sacred of institutions which was American Gladiators.

Later that year, the handled Krusty's Funhouse also by Acclaim Entertainment was shipped on Gameboy. It was an impressively huge puzzle game featuring as many brain twisting levels as the console and computer versions.

It took a short break when the Bart mark started a waver and came back in 1993 with Itchy & Scratchy In Miniature Golf Madness. Surely these kids were clambering to have these two violent characters to play in an orderly game.

Itchy And Scratchy In Miniature Golf doesn't end with a bang but a whimper as Acclaim Entertainment exits the Gameboy with Bart And The Beanstalk in 1993. The game merges the existing universe of The Simpsons television series with the fairy tale of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Uncovered by Bartmania, THQ and Software Developer released what is the most memorable games in the Simpsons franchise titled The Night Of The Living Treehouse Of Horror in 2001. In colour and featuring the entire family released too late to make much of a splash.

The Simpsons made a leap to the Gameboy Advance courtesy of the THQ and Voltron with The Simpson's Road Rage in 2003. Based on the fun and fully 3D, the console game developed by Radical Entertainment plays like the paper craft taxi racing game you never wanted.

In total, The Simpsons managed to immense amount of 7 handheld games which is impressive for any handheld series.

Credits: Noiselandco

What Happened To NickMusic Africa On Nicktoons?

In 2021, Nickelodeon acquired NickMusic which is known as a linear channel in various feeds across the world and converted it into a TV show for sister brand Nicktoons. By the fall of 2023, NickMusic was quietly scrapped from the lineup leaving the window open for more SpongeBob.

In an enquiry to Paramount Africa over the sudden disappearance of NickMusic Africa had responded to say it will be back later in the year. Which is strange as Nicktoons would often just rehash previous episodes only for them to have scrapped it entirely.

Could it be that NickMusic will move to Nickelodeon with repeats on Nicktoons I mean the channel has lost touch of reality as it appears to have undergone a mini-merge with global feeds. They already offer Transformers: Earthspark, Monster High and Big Nate.

Nickelodeon did rollout a new on air look last year and had been spreading it across various platforms. Of course, the feeds in Africa and various international regions have yet to update their designs.

If anything, it's likely NickMusic Africa is playing a part in this maybe Nickelodeon wants to give the studio a new design. But questions amount to when Nick Jr. and Nicktoons would rebrand as Paramount promised end of the year for Nick Jr. but none of that came to pass.

Police Report Of Ms. Grant's Accusations Against Vince McMahon (PDF)

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Connecticut, alleges that Mr. McMahon, who was subject to an internal investigation in 2022 over allegations of misconduct, sexually exploited and trafficked the former employee, Janel Grant, from 2019 to 2022.

Click the link for the full police report: Download Now

WWE Boss Vince McMahon Accused Of Sexual Assault And Trafficking

WWE boss Vince McMahon was accused Thursday of sexual assault, trafficking, and physical and emotional abuse in a graphic lawsuit by a woman who previously worked for the pro wrestling giant.

McMahon is executive chairman of the board of TKO Group Holdings, which was formed last year by a merger of his wrestling company and the mix-martial arts company UFC.

The suit by Janel Grant — which alleges McMahon directed her to have sex with a WWE “superstar” and other men — seeks to void a nondisclosure agreement that Grant said she reached with McMahon in 2022. She said he agreed to pay her $3 million as part of that deal.

The suit says McMahon paid her $1 million “but failed to make any further payments.” Grant was one of several women who received payouts from McMahon over the years.

In addition to the 78-year-old McMahon, the suit filed in U.S. District Court in Connecticut names WWE and John Laurinaitis, the former head of talent relations and general manager, as defendants.

The complaint comes six months after federal law enforcement agents executed a search warrant on McMahon and served him with a grand jury subpoena as part of an investigation into McMahon’s payment of millions of dollars to multiple women after allegations of sexual misconduct.

McMahon last March paid WWE $17.4 million to cover costs related to a probe of the payouts by a law firm retained by the company.

TKO Group on Tuesday announced that Netflix would pay $5 billion over 10 years to stream the WWE’s flagship program “Raw,” and carry all other WWE shows and specials outside the United States.

Grant’s lawyer, Ann Callis, in a statement, said, “Today’s complaint seeks to hold accountable two WWE executives who sexually assaulted and trafficked Plaintiff Janel Grant, as well as the organization that facilitated or turned a blind eye to the abuse and then swept it under the rug.”

“She is an incredibly private and courageous person who has suffered deeply at the hands of Mr. McMahon and Mr. Laurinaitis,” Callis said. “Ms. Grant hopes that her lawsuit will prevent other women from being victimized. The organization is well aware of Mr. McMahon’s history of depraved behavior, and it’s time that they take responsibility for the misconduct of its leadership.”

In a statement to CNBC, TKO Group said, “Mr. McMahon does not control TKO nor does he oversee the day-to-day operations of WWE.”

“While this matter pre-dates our TKO executive team’s tenure at the company, we take Ms. Grant’s horrific allegations very seriously and are addressing this matter internally,” the company said.

A spokesman for WWE did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Netflix To Become The Exclusive Home Of WWE Network Beginning In 2025

WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc., and Netflix today announced a long-term partnership that will bring WWE’s flagship weekly program – Raw – to the world’s leading entertainment service. This marks a major programming shift as Raw leaves linear television for the first time since its inception 31 years ago. 

Beginning in January 2025, Netflix will be the exclusive new home of Raw in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America, among other territories, with additional countries and regions to be added over time. Likewise, as part of the agreement, Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S. as available, inclusive of Raw and WWE’s other weekly shows – SmackDown and NXT – as well as the company’s Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble. WWE’s award-winning documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects will also be available on Netflix internationally beginning in 2025. 

“This deal is transformative,” said Mark Shapiro, TKO President and COO. “It marries the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach and locks in significant and predictable economics for many years. Our partnership fundamentally alters and strengthens the media landscape, dramatically expands the reach of WWE, and brings weekly live appointment viewing to Netflix.”

“We are excited to have WWE Raw, with its huge and passionate multigenerational fan base, on Netflix,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria. “By combining our reach, recommendations, and fandom with WWE, we’ll be able to deliver more joy and value for their audiences and our members. Raw is the best of sports entertainment, blending great characters and storytelling with live action 52 weeks a year and we’re thrilled to be in this long-term partnership with WWE.”

“In its relatively short history, Netflix has engineered a phenomenal track record for storytelling,” said Nick Khan, WWE President. “We believe Netflix, as one of the world’s leading entertainment brands, is the ideal long-term home for Raw’s live, loyal, and ever-growing fan base." 

With 1,600 episodes to date, Raw is the most iconic show in sports entertainment. Since its debut in 1993, Raw has delivered action, compelling drama and unmatched athleticism – 52 weeks a year. Blending the best of scripted content with unpredictable live entertainment, the three-hour show has helped launch the careers of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Triple  H, John Cena, Roman Reigns, Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair. 

The show is currently the No. 1 show on USA Network, where it brings in 17.5 million unique viewers over the course of the year. One of television’s best performing shows in the 18-49 advertising demographic, Raw trends on X 52 weeks a year while each new episode is airing. On social media, WWE has more than one billion followers across its platforms. 

Kartoon Studios Announces Significant Increase in Content Production Planned for 2024

Kartoon Studios announces a significant increase in content production and development planned for 2024 for the Company’s Kartoon Channel!, Frederator Networks, Mainframe Studios, as well as major broadcasters and streamers, including Netflix, Disney Channel, and others. The Company has also appointed Gregg Goldin, former creative executive at DreamWorks Animation, Cartoon Network and MTV, to the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Development & Production.

Kartoon Studios kicks off 2024 with a roster of properties in production and/or development, including Stan Lee’s Cosmic Crusaders and three series for Frederator Networks: Land of Boggs; Chikn’ Nuggit, in partnership with BuzzFeed Animation Lab; and an adult animated comedy series in partnership with Wheelhouse DNA, starring internet sensation Adam W, who was named one of “The 20 Most Influential Creators” by Rolling Stone Magazine with over 50 million followers across his channels.

Goldin joins Kartoon Studios with over twenty years of experience in animation and live-action content development and production, overseeing highly successful movies and series across multiple genres, including DreamWorks Animation’s blockbuster franchises How to Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda, and Fast & Furious. In this new role, Goldin will be responsible for heading up development and production for both new and original IP to deliver to the marketplace. Goldin will report jointly to Kartoon Studios’ Chairman & CEO Andy Heyward and COO Michael Jaffa.

Brian Parisi, Chief Financial Officer, commented, “We have significantly streamlined our operations and have built a highly scalable infrastructure. With the increase in content production and other initiatives to be announced in early 2024 to drive revenue, we are well on our way to achieving our goal of sustained profitability. It should be noted that our streaming service Kartoon Channel! achieved break even in 2023, only three years after launch, and is expected to move to profitability in 2024, alongside Netflix. Kartoon Channel! continues to dominate the User Rankings in the Apple app store among all services delivering kids’ content.”

Andy Heyward noted, “As we enter a significant phase of growth in our development and production pipeline this year, with productions in the works for our Kartoon Channel! and Frederator Networks, we are thrilled to welcome a creative executive with Gregg’s pedigree to drive our content business. He has managed the development of some of the industry’s most successful franchises while at DreamWorks and Cartoon Network, and he will be an invaluable asset as we continue to build our IP catalog for global distribution. As Kartoon Channel achieved breakeven this last year, and drives to enhance profitability in 2024, Gregg will be pivotal in fueling the service with top tier content, as he did so successfully for DreamWorks Animation at Netflix.”

“Andy has made enormous contributions to the animation industry over the years, and I’m thrilled to work with him and the team at Kartoon Studios as we significantly ramp up over the next couple of years with new IP coming to market,” stated Goldin.

Goldin joins Kartoon Studios following a ten-year tenure at DreamWorks Animation where he served as Vice President of Current Series, overseeing multiple series in production. In this capacity, he also generated and pitched show presentations to marketing, franchise partners, publishers, retail buyers and network/streamers, facilitating new series launches and providing opportunities for consumer product programs.

Prior to DreamWorks Animation, Goldin guided the development and production of live-action and animated series and pilots at Cartoon Network, as well as a slate of original made-for-TV movies for seven years as Director of Development, Current & Original Series. Projects included two Ben 10 live-action features and Scooby-Doo prequel movies, among others. Previously, he served as Director of Development at MTV Films, contributing to the development and production of a robust slate of feature films, including Crossroads (Britney Spears), Jackass: The Movie, Save the Last Dance (Julia Stiles), Aeon Flux (Charlize Theron) and Fighting Temptations (Beyoncé).

Apollo Global Management Is Looking To Set It's Bid For A Possible Acquisition Of Paramount Global

National Amusements, Inc., the Shari Redstone-led company that owns the majority of voting shares in Paramount Global, is reportedly fielding interest from another entity mulling an acquisition offer. Apollo Global Management is among the wealthy individuals and companies that have contacted the investment bank advising NAI, BDT & MSD Partners, according to Bloomberg.

NAI owns a portfolio of movie theaters as well as nearly 80% of voting shares. As with recently discussed scenarios involving Skydance Media and RedBird Capital, the Apollo deal would be a route to gain control of Paramount, though the voting shares owned by NAI do not represent a majority of the economic value of the company, only most of its voting class of shares.

Redstone, who spent years gaining control of Viacom and CBS, withstanding legal challenges and objections from critics including her own father, the late Sumner Redstone, has been more willing than ever to entertain offers. Paramount, which was formed when Viacom and CBS reunited in 2019, has struggled due to pay-TV cord-cutting, a soft ad market, a loss-producing streaming operation and volatility in the movie business. While its namesake film studio has had its share of hits, including last weekend’s Mean Girls, the broader company does not have the scale of many media rivals. With its stock worth less than half of what it was when the merger closed, Redstone reportedly is open to turning the page if the right offer comes along.

Paramount shares perked up late in the trading day Friday on the report of Apollo’s interest, rising 2% to close at $13.40.

Apollo is one of the more active private equity players in media, with stakes in companies like Dune producer Legendary Entertainment, Peter Chernin’s North Road, Cox Media Group and Yahoo. It has also been a player in the TV station sector, taking part in the proposed takeover of Tegna by Standard General, which was ultimately quashed by regulators.

What If The M-Net Series Trademark Were Revived Perhaps In Place Of M-Net 101?

With MultiChoice and M-Net set to axe secondary networks M-Net Essentials (Me) and 1Magic in the coming weeks. It kind of leads one to wonder if the main M-Net channel which had been exclusive to premium consumers since it's inception will get purged.

Unlike Me and 1Magic, M-Net hadn't undergone any rebranding, name change or drastic reshuffling to programming if anything it has seen a decline in audiences. Similar to the United States were brands like HBO and NBC had lost at least 10% of their audience yearly.

M-Net has hit rough patch so much so that neither them or MultiChoice are ever public about the viewing numbers of their programs. When 1Magic debuted, their lowest rated show V-Entertainment had at least 10,000 viewers so M-Net would need to have something around that range.

Not that the channel has become irrelevant, but it's basically how SABC would view SABC 3 - niche. It's still dominant in the field it caters for or at least on linear platforms offering latest seasons to shows alongside films.

But with the downfall of the secondary networks and decline in viewership on M-Net, MultiChoice should consider unifying these brands under one name. I get that Me still had that M-Net trademark but by styling it's more like SABC 3 (S3) making it more alienated.

A brand that comes to mind would be M-Net Series, one of M-Net's most iconic trademarks was basically M-Net Movies but for drama series and reality shows. M-Net has been causing conflict with its premium movie channels airing select content before them.

M-Net Series would help reduce the rift between M-Net and M-Net Movies and if anything could help M-Net lure in viewers. M-Net (better yet M-Net Series 1) could add just add series like RuPaul's Drag Race and Power Book 4 Force in the timeslots allocated to movies.

The other two channels would serve as secondary brands rehashing content viewed on M-Net Series 1 and similar to 1Magic recieve first run programs. The second channel would tailor toward reality and lifestyle and the last would revive the M-Net City/Edge concept.

From my understanding, this concept was used several years back as M-Net Series Showcase, Reality and Zone. Only one out of the three garnered relevance but was partially due to the other two being folded under premium alongside the downsizing of content.

Again, I don't think the M-Net Series concept failed but how MultiChoice executed it was what led to its downfall. If anything, VUZU was more like how one would interpret M-Net Series Reality while Showcase was more like a rival brand to M-Net with content sharing between channels.

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated Almost Got A Third Season

Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated is often regarded as the best iteration of Scooby-Doo and we all assumed based on how the show ended that it ended on the writer's terms but it turns out that wasn't exactly true.

According to an interview on ScoobyAddicts.Com, Mitch Watson who was the head developers of the season mentioned that they were working on a third season of Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated at one point. They did want to produce a third season seeing as it was a hit overseas before getting cancelled.

The third season would have revolved around the gang driving off to the Harland Alison College and solving other mysteries along the way. Various monsters from previous iterations of franchise would make a comeback and there was also going to be a new mystery surrounding the college.

Unfortunately, two seasons was it and they were going to do a third season at one point. Honestly speaking, it was probably for the best as they had this one plot that consumed over two seasons and wanted to prolong the show with the third season which might have not been well recieved.

There comes a point where network executives want to prolong the franchise that it ends up seeing a drop in quality. It would come to a point where fans would want it to end and that's where Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated would have probably ended up if a third season existed.

If anything, it would have probably been better to make the third season a separate show from Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated.

Development Alert (Rumour): Pretty Freekin Scary Cancelled On The Disney Channel After One Season

During the month, it was reported Bunk'd would end on the Disney Channel with a 7th season. On top of that, the channel had been quietly cancelling shows such as The Ghost And Molly McGee and Saturdays, now rumours have that Pretty Freekin Scary is joining the line-up.

Synopsis for Pretty Freekin Scary:

After her sudden demise, Frankie Ripp, a 14-year-old girl, agrees to a deal with the Grim Reaper that she would go back home but accompanied by her underground parents. Frankie tries to keep the Grim Reaper a secret from everyone, while at the same time she must work for the Grim Reaper by completing a series of given tasks should she wish to keep her life.

Created by Jason P. Hauser, and based on Cloudco Entertainment's property of the same name, the series stars Eliana Su'a, Kyan Samuels, Leah Mei Gold, Yonas Kibreab, and Emma Shannon. It premiered on Disney Channel on June 15, 2023. 

Although the rumours pertaining to Pretty Freekin Scary hasn't been ruled out as yet it wouldn't seem far fetched. Disney Channel hadn't done much marketing for their fresher batch of content and another reason would be issue surrounding Saturday's demise.

According to some outlets, Disney is focusing on building out its multicam strategy and that includes prioritising shows that are based on Disney-owned IP, and creating global tentpole programming. It kind of leads one to wonder what fate awaits The Villains Of Valley View and mainly Hamster And Gretel.

Disney Channel is working on a fifth season to Phineas And Ferb with Dan Povenmire (creator of Hamster And Gretel). One has to wonder if Disney will prioritise both shows or leave one on the air as the creator had refused to have a crossover special for Hamster And Gretel if it bows out with only 2 seasons.

Marvel Comics: The Untold Story (PDF)

Marvel Comics: The Untold Story is a 2012 book by Sean Howe, based on the history of Marvel Comics and published by HarperCollins. Howe decided to write the book because the stories comic creators told in fanzine interview always seemed different from the official narrative. It starts with the comics published during the golden age, the characters created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, and then follows with the later decades. The information presented draws on over 150 interviews conducted by Howe. 

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Development Alert: The Ghost And Molly McGee Ends After Two Seasons On The Disney Channel

The Ghost and Molly McGee is an American animated supernatural comedy television series created by Bill Motz and Bob Roth that aired on Disney Channel from October 1, 2021 to January 13, 2024. The series featured the voices of Ashly Burch, Dana Snyder, Jordan Klepper, Sumalee Montano, Michaela Dietz, and Lara Jill Miller.

Synopsis for The Ghost And Molly McGee:

In the Human Realm, 13-year-old optimist Molly McGee arrives in her new hometown of Brighton, only to discover that her new house is already occupied by a grumpy ghost named Scratch. Scratch curses Molly in an attempt to scare her away; however, this backfires, forever binding him to her. While initially antagonistic toward her, Scratch opens up to Molly with time, and their friendship strengthens. The two go on wacky misadventures together and help each other through the good and bad in their lives (and afterlives). 

The first premiered on October 1, 2021 and ended on July 9, 2022 with 20 episodes while the second season premiered on April 1, 2023 and concluded on January 13, 2024 on Disney Channel with 21 episodes.

TGAMM crew member Noel Belknap confirmed Disney had originally greenlit scripts for a third season while the crew was working on season 2 but the show was cancelled as early as May 2022 between S1 episodes 115-116.

The End was additionally ordered to conclude the series. pic.twitter.com/oHEAtKP89i

— Owlphibia (@owlphibia) January 14, 2024

According to a tweet on Owlphobia, Noel Belknap who served as a crew member on the show revealed that Disney had greenlit a script for a third season while working on the second season. But Disney cancelled it as early as May 2022 while filming the first season.

"The End" which is set to rollout on Disney Channel in various countries served as an additional commission to conclude the show and was initially meant for the third season.

The third season would have tackled more serious topics such as relationships, death and loss. Unfortunately due to the cancellation and possible a change in management, all the ideas were scrapped and "The End" concluded the show.

Adventure Time Series Bible (PDF)

Adventure Time is the quintessential goofball buddy comedy, and it was every bit as goofy and fantastical when creator Pen Ward was pitching it. Here are some of the most clinically algebraic excerpts from the deck that was used to pitch the show, broken out by:

• Finn The Human Boy

• Jake The Dog

• Princess Bettie Bubblegum

• Marceline The Vampire Queen

• The Ice King

• The Lich King

• Ooo and The Awesome Fort

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New Paramount Merger Scenario Has Skydance Reportedly Mulling All-Cash Bid For National Amusements

The Wall Street Journal reported this afternoon that Skydance, with backing from other investors, is considering an all-cash bid for National Amusements. The Shari Redstone-led company controls nearly 80% of Paramount shares and is the gatekeeper for any M&A deal.

Redstone became non-executive chair of Paramount’s board after spending years engineering a merger of CBS and Viacom, with the combined company rebranding as Paramount Global in 2022. She has reportedly grown increasingly interested in fielding offers for the company in recent months. Like many of its media peers, Paramount has lost significant value due to cord-cutting, streaming expenses and concerns about its debt.

Skydance and Paramount declined to comment. Reps from National Amusements and Paramount did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The future of Paramount has been a fixture of industry conversations over the past month or more. Sources first reported that Skydance and RedBird Capital were taking a look at National Amusements, with that news giving Paramount shares a big boost, though they have been relatively flat in the intervening weeks.

Paramount shares perked up a bit after the latest report, but have been flat today. At $14.25, they are worth less than half what they were after the Viacom-CBS merger closed in December 2019.

One of the backers of the current bid by David Ellison’s Skydance is Ellison’s father, Oracle founder Larry Ellison, according to the WSJ report. The bid for control of National Amusements centers on Paramount Pictures, which Skydance has collaborated with extensively, financing several Mission: Impossible installments and 2022 megahit Top Gun: Maverick. The fit at Skydance of other core Paramount assets like CBS, its two-dozen-plus local TV stations and the cable TV assets is less clear.

One industry vet told Deadline the new report appeared to be “a little early” in the process given the extent of due diligence involved, including the data from Paramount+ and other streaming operations. “It’s not unusual for companies to leak these kinds of reports if they’re looking to boost their share price or get the attention of other potential suitors,” the source added.

In addition to its Paramount stake, National Amusements also runs a string of movie theaters. Byron Trott, Chairman and Co-CEO of BDT & MSD Partners, has been helping NAI evaluate its strategic options. Trott’s firm made a $125 million preferred equity investment in the company last spring.

While privately held firms like Skydance are circling Paramount, fellow media giant Warner Bros. Discovery has also expressed interest in a potential team-up. While WBD chief David Zaslav discussed a combo over lunch with Paramount CEO Bob Bakish just before Christmas, the talks have not progressed in the new year.

Sony Plans To Scrap Merger With Zee TV Parent Company

Japan's Sony (6758.T) is planning to scrap the merger of its Indian unit with Zee Entertainment (ZEE.NS), more than two years after the deal was announced, over a disagreement on who will lead the $10 billion entity, Bloomberg News reported on Monday.

Sony plans to file a termination notice before the extended Jan. 20 deadline to close the merger, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. It added that discussions between Sony and Zee were still ongoing.

Zee and Sony did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The deal to merge Zee and Sony's TV channels, streaming platforms and film assets has been delayed after India's markets regulator, in August, barred Punit Goenka, Zee CEO and a candidate to lead the merged entity, from directorships of any listed company.

An Indian tribunal, however, lifted the ban on Goenka in October but said he would have to cooperate with any investigation by the country's markets regulator.

In November, Sony pushed for N.P. Singh, the managing director of its Indian operations, to head the merged company, instead of Goenka, local business daily Mint had reported.

The Meaning Behind One Of Michael Jackson's Greatest Hits, "Billie Jeans"

Written by Jackson himself and produced alongside Grammy-award winner Quincy Jones, “Billie Jean” tackles the “groupie culture” Michael and his brothers experienced while on tour as the Jackson 5.

The song went on to reach the No.1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Jackson’s fastest rising single since “ABC” and “Say You’ll Be There” in 1970.

Meaning Behind the Lyrics

While the meaning behind the famous story of an obsessed woman stalking the “King of Pop,” calling him out as the father of her son, has floated around since the song’s release, Jackson continually denied the story before his death in 2009. Instead, he says “Billie Jean” is more of a character representing the many groupies he and his brothers were “plagued” with over the years.

In his 1988 autobiography, Moonwalk, Jackson says, “There never was a real Billie Jean. The girl in the song is a composite of people my brothers have been plagued with over the years. I could never understand how these girls could say they were carrying someone’s child when it wasn’t true.”

Billie Jean is not my lover

She’s just a girl who claims that I am the one

But the kid is not my son

She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son

Jackson’s biographer told a different story in his 1991 book, The Magic and the Madness. In it, he says that Billie Jean was inspired by real letters the singer received in 1981 from a woman claiming he was the father of her twins. Despite no reaction from Jackson, the woman continually sent letters before eventually escalating to sending a gun and a murder threat – talk about a die-hard fan.

But who can stand when she’s in demand

Her schemes and plans

‘Cause we danced on the floor in the round

So take my strong advice, just remember to always think twice

Breaking the MTV Color Barrier

The accompanying video for the song is often credited with breaking the color barrier on MTV. While a clip from reggae band Musical Youth for “Pass The Dutchie” was the first video from a Black act to make waves on the network, they were largely considered a novelty, with no member being older than 16.

After the oh-so-’80s video for “Billie Jean” debuted and was well-received, more Black artists began appearing on the network soon after—most notably Prince.

MTV was widely accused of racism during the era after Rick James’ funky hit “Super Freak” was rejected. With the added barrier of record companies not investing in videos for Black artists, thinking MTV wouldn’t play them, many Black musicians struggled to gain air time.

All of that went out the window with “Billie Jean,” as Jackson paved the way for more Black artists to be featured on the taste-making network.

“Compared to Michael, MTV staples like REO Speedwagon and Journey suddenly looked even more boring,” Rob Tannenbaum, co-author of I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution said. “When Michael’s videos created higher ratings for MTV, network executives claimed they’d ‘learned a lesson’ and tentatively embraced the softer side of black pop music, especially Lionel Richie.”

Moonwalk

Jackson’s 1983 Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever performance, marked the first time “Billie Jean” was performed live. The performance also marked the first time Jackson appeared to walk on air in his, now signature, moonwalk. The unsuspected move wowed the audience and lead to its use in almost all future performances. Adding to the image-making performance, it was also the first time Jackson donned his ubiquitous one-handed glove.

Thriller

While disco was steadily dying, Jackson moved in a new musical direction, opting for a mix of pop, rock, and funk on his sixth studio album, Thriller. He also moved towards darker themes in his music, like the paranoia and obsession motifs in “Billie Jean.”

Thriller was Jackson’s first number one on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs and Tapes chart, where he spent 37 non-consecutive weeks at the top sport.

Along with “Billie Jean,” seven other singles from the album reached the top ten including “The Girl Is Mine,” “Beat It,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Something,” “Human Nature,” “P.Y.T,” and “Thriller.”

After his performance at Motown 25, sales for the album skyrocketed, selling one million copies worldwide per week. By the end of 1983, 32 million copies of Thriller were sold, making it the best-selling album of all time.

Credits: Alex Hopper