Ann Sarnoff Departing As WarnerMedia Studios And Networks Chief

On Last Week Tonight With John Oliver the host explains why restricting Disney World’s self-governing abilities will hurt the state of Florida in the long run. 

The 48 women abused by sex attack doctor Krishna Singh are the “tip of the iceberg” police have revealed – with four more women coming forward claiming he abused them.

Madeleine McCann abduction suspect Christian Brueckner is set be charged by the end of summer.

Movie star Ewan McGregor has admitted that meeting Darth Vader in ‘real life’ scared the ‘sh*t’ out of him.

The family of a young mum who took her own life after allegedly being sexually assaulted by two men have said she is “just a statistic” to police following a decision not to prosecute one of the pair.

The detective who spearheaded the investigation against serial sexual predator Dr Krishna Singh described the case as “complex and horrific”.

The council elections on Thursday are an opportunity to showcase all the work of local government, and the choices which affect residents at the most local level.

After an absence of more than 30 years, Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, the iconic soap couple will reunite in the roles which made them famous –  Scott Robinson and Charlene Mitchell on Neighbours.Producers said they were thrilled that both Kylie and Jason agreed to return to mark the end of the beloved soap. ”Scott and Charlene are the ultimate Neighbours couple and it would not feel right to end the show without them. We are thrilled that Jason and Kylie have come home to play a very special part in our series finale…”Jason Donovan dn Kylie MinogueThe pair were said to have recently shot their scenes, set to air during the soap’s final episode, at Pin Oak Court in Vermont South, a suburb of Melbourne. The final episode is set to air in Australia August 1. Both Jason and Kylie teased their return with matching Instagram posts showing the front page of a Neighbours script with their characters names. Natalie Bassingthwaite replied to Donovan’s post saying, “Ahh you did it!! YES!” while Courtney Act replied “gagged.”It has been an emotional experience for them, for us and I'm sure it will be for our viewers." – Neighbours EP Jason Herbison.— Neighbours (@neighbours) May 1, 2022Neighbours fans were thrilled by the news with one tweeting “Omg when I heard this news late last night I well got teary.

Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson addressed his long-running feud with Kanye West.Davidson appeared at the festival last Friday (April 29) to premiere his new show, Pete Davidson And Best Friends, which was filmed for release on Netflix later in the year. To a sold-out crowd at Los Angeles’ Fonda Theatre, he opened the set by nudging at the claims that West tried to spread rumours about Davidson – who is currently dating West’s ex-wife, Kim Kardashian – having AIDS.“I had an AIDS scare this year,” he quipped (per Variety), telling his audience that he got himself tested for the condition since West is a “genius”.

Liev Schreiber is using his platform to highlight the war in Ukraine.

Serena Williams is opening up about the funny story behind her daughter Olympia‘s tennis lessons!

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe Red Hot Chili Peppers paid tribute to late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins at Jazz Fest in New Orleans on Sunday while frontman Dave Grohl, Hawkins’ widow Alison, and other members of the Foo Fighters looked on from the wings, according to reports in nola.com and on social media.Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, a close friend of Hawkins, had “Taylor” spelled out on his bass drum, emblazoned with a hawk silhouette, similar to one on Hawkins’ arm.Foo Fighters were originally scheduled to headline Jazz Fest but canceled all tour dates in the wake of Hawkins’ death on March 25. Grohl’s presence in town sparked unfounded rumors that he might perform.

Naomi Judd's life and legacy were honored in an emotional Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Sunday.The country songstress died on Saturday, one day before she and her daughter Wynonna Judd — who make up the country music duo The Judds — were set to be inducted.While Wynonna's presence at the ceremony was confirmed prior to the event, sister Ashley Judd came out on stage to share her love and support amid the somber, bittersweet moment.«I’m sorry that she couldn’t hang on until today,» Ashley shared, through tears. The sisters embraced one another and recited a bible verse, Psalm 23, while memorializing their late mom.Wynonna also told the silent crowd, «Though my heart is broken I will continue to sing»During the event, fans gathered outside the museum. There was a white floral bouquet set up outside the entrance and a small framed photo of Naomi, honoring her memory.The star-studded ceremony — which cancelled the traditional red carpet pre-show event out of respect for Naomi's unexpected death — also celebrated the induction of music icons Ray Charles, Eddie Bayers and Pete Drake.Naomi died on Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee.

In one of the most head-scratching reporting changes under the new Warner Bros. Discovery leadership, Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Network has moved from the Discovery to the Warner Bros. side of the company under HBO and HBO Max Chief Content Officer Casey Bloys. Upon closer examination, the move, which could lead to a Magnolia-branded hub on HBO Max and the Gaines’ dipping their toe in scripted programming, is not that shocking. It just took the couple two mergers and three relationships to get there.

according to CNN.Discovery stakeholders had approved the deal in mid-March.The merger will place AT&T’s Warner Bros., CNN, Turner and Discovery’s stable of nonfiction networks squarely under one roof — as well as two currently competing streaming services, Discovery+ and HBO Max, possibly giving the combined entity a fighting chance of moving into competition with Netflix and Disney+ among the leading streaming services.The deal also combines WarnerMedia’s U.S. sports rights like the NBA, MLB and March Madness with Discovery international sports giant Eurosport.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterDiscovery completed its $43 billion acquisition of WarnerMedia from AT&T on Friday to form new company Warner Bros. Discovery.WarnerMedia owns HBO, HBO Max, CNN, Warner Bros., DC Films, New Line Cinema, TBS, TNT, TruTV, Cartoon Network/Adult Swim, Turner Sports and Rooster Teeth, among other brands, and is part owner of the CW Network along with Paramount.Discovery is the parent of Discovery Plus, Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, Turbo/Velocity, Animal Planet, Science Channel and OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network).Here is the new leadership structure for Warner Bros.

stepped down this week], and the entire WarnerMedia leadership, for leading this remarkable evolution through some of the most unprecedented times …. I am delighted to observe the progress and success you have enjoyed, and I am confident you will transition to this next chapter with even more opportunity. I offer my heartfelt thanks.”AT&T battled stiff regulatory resistance to acquire Time Warner in 2018, only to spin it off in a $43 billion deal with Discovery, whose shareholders approved the merger last month.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaAs Discovery closes its deal for WarnerMedia, John Stankey, the AT&T chief who oversaw the telecom company’s abandoned foray into the media world, bid farewell to his soon-to-be former colleagues. Stankey led AT&T’s acquisition of DirecTV and Time Warner in 2015 and 2018, before replacing Randall Stephenson as CEO role of AT&T in July 2020.“My respect and appreciation for those I have worked closely with is enduring, and I will miss continuing to learn and problem solve with you,” Stankey wrote.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterChip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Network will move under HBO’s purview upon the completion of Discovery’s acquisition of WarnerMedia, which will result in the launch of Warner Bros. Discovery Monday, Variety has learned exclusively.Allison Page, president of Magnolia, which is a joint venture between the Gaineses and Discovery, Inc., will report directly to HBO and HBO Max chief Casey Bloys.

EXCLUSIVE, UPDATED WITH MORE DETAILS: Less than 24 hours after CEO Jason Kilar, HBO Max boss Andy Forssell and Studio chief Ann Sarnoff were pink slipped from the about to disappear WarnerMedia, more executives were shown the door today.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterDiscovery is cleaning house among the top ranks at WarnerMedia ahead of the close of the two companies’ merger, which is expected to occur Friday, with six more executives shown the door Wednesday, Variety has learned.According to a WarnerMedia spokesperson, the newly cut WarnerMedia players include: Jennifer Biry – Chief Financial Officer, Jim Cummings – EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer; Tony Goncalves – EVP, Chief Revenue Officer; Christy Haubegger – EVP, Communications and Chief Inclusion Officer;  Jim Meza – EVP, General Counsel, WarnerMedia; and Richard Tom – Chief Technology Officer.Notably remaining with the soon-to-be-combined company, which will be renamed Warner Bros. Discovery and run by current Discovery CEO David Zaslav, is Gerhard Zeiler, president of WarnerMedia International, a source close to the internal leadership changes confirmed to Variety.

previously reported would be expected to kick off his tenure with in many ways a clean sweep of the top executives and replace with his own execs. More to come…

The Walt Disney Co. initially took heat for not taking a public position on Florida’s so-called “don’t say gay” bill — and now they are under fire for doing just that.

HBO Max executive vice president and general manager Andy Forssell is leaving WarnerMedia ahead of the close of the company’s merger with Discovery, which is now set to close as early as Friday, Variety has learned.News that Forssell is out the door comes just as sources confirmed WarnerMedia studios and networks group chairman and CEO Ann Sarnoff was informed on Tuesday by leadership that her position would be eliminated, and follows WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar’s resignation this morning.As Variety reported earlier Tuesday, though insiders previously said the transaction between Discovery and WarnerMedia’s current owner AT&T would be formally completed on April 11, leading to the creation of new company Warner Bros. Discovery, two sources with knowledge of the situation say the merger is now expected to potentially be finalized by the close of business Friday.

WarnerMedia studios and networks group chairman and CEO Ann Sarnoff is exiting her post, sources tell Variety.Sarnoff was informed by leadership on Tuesday that her position would be eliminated, one insider said. The ground is shifting rapidly for executives and other divisions at the media giant as it nears completion of its merger with Discovery.“I want to thank Ann for all of her leadership during a transformational period for the company and our industry. She has been a passionate and committed steward of the world’s most formidable creative engine and has led with integrity, focus and hard work in bringing WarnerMedia’s businesses, brands and workforce closer together,” said David Zaslav, the incoming CEO of the merged Warner Bros.

Ann Sarnoff, chairman and CEO at WarnerMedia’s studios and networks, is also exiting her post, individuals with knowledge told TheWrap. Sarnoff will be departing her current role effective at the closing of the proposed combination of Discovery, Inc.

WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar, who is stepping down this week before the company’s merger with Discovery closes, takes pride in being “first over the wall” with a day-and-date streaming movie strategy.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterThe Discovery-WarnerMedia merger could close as early as Friday, Variety has learned exclusively.Previously, insiders said the transaction between Discovery and WarnerMedia’s current owner AT&T would be formally completed on April 11. On Tuesday, amid WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar formally announcing his exit timed to the rapidly approaching close of the formation of Warner Bros.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterAs Discovery and WarnerMedia leaders go full throttle on final merger preparation for the anticipated April 8 closing date, the industry is eager to learn how Warner Bros., HBO and the former Turner cable networks will exist alongside Discovery’s large portfolio of global channels and content operations.The formal tying-of-the-knot can’t come soon enough for executives, staff, creatives and talent at both companies, who also are still largely in the dark about potential structural changes, management shifts and strategic pivots.On Tuesday morning, WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar announced that he would be stepping down ahead of the merger. Besides that, there’s a rudimentary “initial wordmark” logo for Warner Bros.

Jason Kilar, the former Hulu and Amazon exec who has led WarnerMedia as CEO since May 2020, has formalized plans to exit the company on the eve of its merger with Discovery.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterWarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar announced Tuesday he is stepping down ahead of the completion of Discovery’s acquisition of the company, which is expected to occur April 11.“With the pending transaction with Discovery nearing close, now is the right time to share with each of you that I will be departing this amazing company,” Kilar said in a memo sent to WarnerMedia staff. “There are many feelings one could have in a moment like this, but for me there are none bigger, or more lasting, than the feelings of gratitude and love that I have for this team, this company, and this mission. I’ve never been more fulfilled professionally.