Tag Archives: disca

Apple Web TV: How many cable channels will make the cut?

What cable channels make the cut and are included in Apple’s (AAPL) expected Web TV service could take on more significance after the recent sell-off in media and entertainment stocks. Apple, it’s widely reported, has been in talks with programmers to offer a slimmed-down bundle of TV networks. While Apple is said to be keen on including live broadcast networks NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox, its plans for cable TV channels remain unknown. UBS analyst Doug Mitchelson, in a research report Tuesday on Discovery (DISCA), calls Apple’s Web TV launch a wild card for cable channels. Discovery is perhaps best known for its popular “Shark Week” programming, but Discovery stock is down nearly 35% in the past year as the pay-TV and video content industry goes through a transition, with more viewers moving to Internet services and dropping cable services, or cutting the cord.

Malone’s Discovery Renews Comcast Carriage Deal

Discovery Communications’ (DISCA) stock climbed after the owner of cable networks such as Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and TLC renewed its carriage agreement with Comcast (CMCSA). Financial terms of the Discovery-Comcast programming deal were not disclosed. Cable TV firms pay fees to carry cable channels. The deals usually last eight to 10 years. Media firms, though, have been impacted by subscriber losses as cable TV customers switch to Web

Discovery Communications stock in play after merger rumor

Discovery Communications (DISCA) stock jumped Monday on speculation that the multichannel television producer is a takeover target. A report late Sunday by the Australian Financial Review said that 21st Century Fox (FOXA) held preliminary merger talks with Discovery about two weeks ago. A Fox spokesperson responded to the article, saying, “The story is categorically untrue.” Discovery declined to comment. The idea that Discovery might be in play excited Wall Street. “If the parties, as they maintain, are not talking, we think they ought to have a chat,” Bernstein analyst Todd Juenger said in a research note Monday. “We believe a merger between FOXA and DISCA would make strategic sense on a number of levels.” Discovery owns such channels as Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Science, with such popular shows as “Gold Rush,” “Deadliest Catch” and “MythBusters.” The combination of Discovery and Fox would create a dominant player in international cable…