The week before the Super Bowl is always a heady time in media—if only, perhaps, because so many operators and journalists are rubbing shoulders and so many executives are trying to announce deals, or bury rough announcements under the weight of the big game. This year was hardly any different. CNN C.E.O. Mark Thompson pulled the plug on his morning show and indicated that his turnaround plan will be as stark as announced. Meanwhile, Bob Iger, David Zaslav, and Lachlan Murdoch dropped the news of their epic and enigmatic streamer into the maw of the Super Bowl’s media day festivities, which surely was timed to provide momentum for earnings calls and infuriate Paramount Global C.E.O. Bob Bakish and Sean McManus, the retiring president of CBS Sports, which is airing the big game. Herewith, Jon Kelly and I dig into these issues and other related and top-of-mind media industry grumblings.
Try Puck for free
Sign up today to join the inside conversation at the nexus of Wall Street, Washington, A.I., Hollywood, and more.
Already a member? Log In
- Daily articles and breaking news
- Personal emails directly from our authors
- Gift subscriber-only stories to friends & family
- Unlimited access to archives
- Exclusive bonus days of select newsletters
- Exclusive access to Puck merch
- Early bird access to new editorial and product features
- Invitations to private conference calls with Puck authors
Exclusive to Inner Circle only
Latest Articles from Media
Bari’s Prison of Her Own Design
The Politico Succession Games Begin…
Tony and Bari on the Rocks
Semafornication
The Tony Accords
Common Sense & Sensibility
The Weiss Flag
Get access to this story
Enter your email for a free preview of Puck’s full offering, including exclusive articles, private emails from authors, and more.
Latest Articles from Media
The 2025 Media State of the Union
The Gulf of Semafor
The Lanzone That Time Forgot
A Weiss Christmas
CNN’s Bari Christmas
The Nuzzicracker Ballet
Substack Entrapment Theory
You have 1 free article Left
To read this full story and more, start your 14 day free trial today →
Already a member? Log In
Get access to this story
Enter your email to get access to one article and free previews of our private emails from Puck authors and editors.
Already a Member? Sign in
Latest Articles from Media
Roman Holiday
Zaz’s Hollywood Endings
A Brave Nuzzi World
The RedBird Balloon
The Bankoff Job
Stan By Me