Fiction
Endemol unveils reality formats for MipTV
MUMBAI: Television format creator and distributor Endemol has unveiled a lineup of reality and multiplatform formats set to make their international debut at next week’s television trade event MipTV 2011.
Headlining this year‘s line up is Club VIP, a series from Endemol France which pits reality TV celebrities against a group of unknown wannabes. The reality personalities are locked together with aspiring stars at Club VIP – a private resort where popularity is the name of the game. Every week, someone is voted off until the one final winner remains. Will it be the beloved and recognisable TV celebrity, or new talent who is ready to be the bright new star of the small screen?
Also among Endemol‘s highlights is Secret Story, an evolution of the Big Brother format which has aired in France, Portugal and the Netherlands. A group of contestants, each of them with their own dramatic secret, live together in a large house, isolated from the outside world. Hiding from detection is not easy as each and every contestant will be plotting to reveal the other‘s unknown truths.
Secret Story is already a major multiplatform hit in France, having aired four successful seasons on TF1. The show continues to be a breakout hit online with 90 million visitors and 1.1 billion pages visited and 200 million programmes viewed on the official website.
Returning formats include The Money Drop, the multiplatform hit created by Endemol UK which incorporates a hugely popular play along online game. The series has so far been sold to 14 territories with further deals in major markets due to be made prior to MIPTV.
Endemol chief commercial officer Tom Toumazis said, “Our portfolio of programmes for MIPTV is headlined by formats that have already pulled in fantastic ratings in major markets. These shows underline Endemol‘s reputation for innovative multiplatform entertainment and we‘re tremendously excited about showcasing them in Cannes next week.”
Fiction
Paramount taps Pentwater Capital’s Halbower in push to reshape Warner Bros board
Skydance-backed bid eyes board shake-up to derail Netflix deal and win shareholder support
CALIFORNIA: The battle for control of Warner Bros. Discovery has moved beyond takeover talks and into the boardroom, as Paramount Global and Skydance Media reportedly prepare for a proxy fight. At the center of the push is Pentwater Capital founder Matthew Halbower, whose potential nomination to the board could reshape the outcome of the high-stakes standoff.
Paramount is seeking to block Warner Bros. Discovery’s proposed tie-up with Netflix, arguing that its own $108.4 billion all-cash offer represents a stronger alternative for shareholders. By backing a new slate of directors, the Skydance-backed bidder aims to install leadership more receptive to its proposal — and willing to abandon the Netflix agreement.
As the seventh-largest investor in Warner Bros. Discovery, Halbower wields considerable influence. The Pentwater Capital chief has already voiced sharp criticism of the board, accusing it earlier this year of a “breach of fiduciary duty” for rejecting Paramount’s offer without what he described as adequate engagement.
According to Reuters, Halbower has held discussions with Paramount about a potential board role, though no final decision has been confirmed. He reportedly characterized his candidacy as a last resort, suggesting that if the current board meaningfully negotiates with Paramount, his presence would not be required.
In a bid to strengthen its appeal to shareholders, Paramount Global has enhanced its takeover proposal with added financial safeguards. The revised offer includes a delay-protection clause that would grant shareholders an additional $650 million in cash for every quarter the transaction remains incomplete beyond this year. Paramount has also pledged to absorb the $2.8 billion breakup fee that Warner Bros. Discovery would owe Netflix if it terminates its existing agreement, removing a significant financial obstacle to the deal.
Paramount is not alone in challenging the status quo. Hedge fund Ancora Holdings has also accumulated a stake in Warner Bros. Discovery and publicly opposed the Netflix deal.
With reports suggesting Paramount could nominate enough directors to overturn a majority of the company’s 14-member board, Warner Bros. Discovery’s leadership now faces mounting pressure from influential shareholders. The outcome of this proxy battle will determine whether the media giant proceeds with its streaming partnership or pivots toward a massive cash acquisition.
