PTTP #11 - WSJ's Joe Flint On Comcast Spinning Off NBCUniversal, Paramount-WarnerBrosDiscovery, IMAX

Joe Flint of The Wall Street Journal joins the pod to discuss the latest deals and developments from across the sports media landscape. The conversation starts with a look at this year's FIFA World Cup and how it serves as a dry run for the LA28 Olympic Games. After that, a preview of how Netflix is going to handle the 2027 Women's World Cup, the streamer's largest sports endeavor yet. That's followed by a sizing up of the candidates for the media rights to the Men's 2030 World Cup and beyond. Jake and Joe then explore Comcast's decision to spin off NBCUniversal and what the ramifications might be. They then analyze the Paramount-WarnerBrosDiscovery deal as it works its way through the regulatory process. Next, they react to the news that IMAX is exploring a sale. They conclude with an overview of the NFL's new standalone game windows and what it could mean moving forward as the league looks to renegotiate its existing media rights deals. In Jake's Takes, why the Tour de France starting in Spain should cause some concern. Then, a look at the extensions Dave Pasch and Jason McCourty signed with ESPN and what it could signal for how the network handles contracts with its NFL talent moving forward. Finally, the significance of the Harry Potter films having a new linear TV home. Joe Flint is a media and entertainment reporter for The Wall Street Journal based in the Los Angeles bureau, covering everything from broadcast networks and sports to cable and streaming. He has previously written for the Los Angeles Times, Variety, and Entertainment Weekly. He also served as the director of industry programs at the Paley Center For Media. You can follow him on Twitter / X https://x.com/JBFlint. Sports / SportsBiz / MediaBiz / Entertainment / All Else We're all striving for some kind of podium. What's yours? Follow on Twitter / X: https://x.com/JakeAKline, https://x.com/PathwayToThePod Follow on YouTube:    / @pathwaytothepodiumpod   Follow on Instagram:   / pathwaytothepodium   Follow on TikTok:   / pathwaytothepodium   Please send inquiries to: mailto:[email protected]