Monday round-up: Latest news, deals & hires

WBD to retain Polish giant TVN

Warner Bros Discovery has decided not to sell its Polish broadcast group TVN, following a strategic review of the business.

Gerhard Zeiler, WBD’s president of international, and Kasie Kieli, the company’s head of Poland and TVN chief exec, confirmed the news in an update to staff today.

TVN, which houses a streamer, numerous entertainment channels and two news networks, had reportedly been a target for MediaForEurope - the company currently attempting to buy ProSiebenSat.1.

Reuters said WBD’s decision to retain the business, whose sale would have required a greenlight from the Polish government, had been influenced by uncertainty from recent US trade tariffs.

Kieli and Zeiler said: “Moving forward, we are united as part of the WBD team, dedicated to supporting our colleagues and driving the success of our group.”

Apple TV+ engages HBO, Hulu alum  

Succession streamer Apple TV+ has appointed former Max exec Jonathan Melber as its head of global licensing. 

Melber had been with the tech giant’s streaming service for the past 12 months in a consultancy role but will now take on an expanded remit to acquire shows to expand its offering worldwide.

He was previously senior vice president of content acquisitions for HBO Max (prior to its rebranding to Max), working on film and TV.

Melber has also had stints with Hulu and WBD forerunner Turner, where he acquired shows for channel brands such as Adult Swim, Cartoon Network and TBS.

Monday’s Rabbit lands German quiz format

Rabbit International, the distribution arm of the Monday Media Group, has secured the global sales rights for Bavaria Entertainment quiz format Masters of Everyday Life (Meister des Alltags).

The show, created in association with SWR Germany, is a studio-based quiz show that sees teams of celebrities compete in topics related to everyday knowledge. The teams are presented with everyday questions and celebs have only 10 seconds to place each answer in the True or False column. 

Each correct answer earns up to €200, with prize money won during the show donated to a charity of the winning team’s choice.

DOGTV expands on FAST, YouTube

DOGTV Networks, the recently rebranded company behind the app and subscription service DOGTV, has launched a new FAST and YouTube channel.

Unleashed by DOGTV is launching on Amazon’s Fire TV in the US and Tugo TV in the US and Canada, as well as on its own YouTube channel. It will also soon be available on TCL International and Anoki AI’s LiveTVx (for GoogleTV devices).

While DOGTV caters to canines, Unleashed by DOGTV is a 24/7 streaming channel for dog lovers and owners. More than 250 hours have been acquired for the launch period and new productions include home video show Dogstar and The Adoption Show, which epxlores animals in the US waiting for new home.

Unlike DOGTV’s content, which has been created for dogs to follow (and therefore with minimal language), Unleashed by DOGTV’s programming is produced in English - but can be readily sub-titled or dubbed by DOGTV Networks.

Paramount’s 5 preps Purple docs 

Princess Anne and Prince George are each the subject of feature-length documentaries from Purple Productions for Paramount-owned 5.

When Anne Married Mark: The Royal Wedding of the 70s looks at the romance and wedding of Queen Elizabeth II’s only daughter to soldier and Olympic equestrian Mark Phillips, while Prince George: The Next Generation of Royals (w/t) examines the making of a future king.

The 2 x 90-minute films were ordered by Denise Seneviratne, commissioning editor, non-scripted for 5 and Paramount+, with Purple co-creative directors Pam Cavannagh and Dympna Jackson exec producing and Naomi Callan series producing. Manchester-based Purple Productions is a part of All3-owned Objective Media Group. Read more 

John Malone steps down at WBD

Warner Bros. Discovery has confirmed that John Malone has decided not to stand for re-election to the company’s board of directors and will be transitioning to the role of chair emeritus.

He takes up the role on the expiration of his term at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, but will continue to regularly attend board meetings and provide strategic counsel and support to the board and management team.

“Working alongside John has profoundly enriched our ability to navigate complex challenges, seize transformative opportunities, and create lasting value,” said David Zaslav, president and chief exec at Warner Bros. Discovery.

Warner Bros. Discovery intends to nominate Anton Levy for election by stockholders at the Annual Meeting.