5 From WrapPRO More Paramount drama, the death of cable TV and a jubilant Democratic National Convention. This week, TheWrap offered an exclusive inside look at Edgar Bronfman's competing bid to buy Paramount, went long on what happens after cable TV hits rock bottom, examined the popularity of ketamine in the wake of Matthew Perry's death and opined on Kamala Harris' strong showing at the DNC. 1. Kamala Harris Can Pull It Off — If She Shows the Discipline and Grace of Her Nomination Speech By Sharon Waxman | Source:WrapPRO]( - Kamala Harris, previously seen as a less likely candidate, has gained significant momentum and media support, emerging as a prominent figure in the Democratic Party with a compelling personal and professional narrative that she highlighted in her DNC acceptance speech. - The speech was noted for its authority and personal touch. She addressed policy issues, including her stance on Israel and Gaza, and highlighted her commitment to defending American interests and advocating for women's rights. - Harris has effectively managed her public image and avoided potential pitfalls, such as criticism over her lack of biological children. [Keep Reading]( 2. Inside the Bronfman Bid for Paramount: No ‘Operational Distractions’ of Skydance Merger, Better for ‘B’ Shareholders | Exclusive By Barrionuevo | Source:WrapPRO]( - Edgar Bronfman proposed a $4.3 billion offer to acquire Paramount Global, arguing that his bid is more favorable than Skydance Media’s $8 billion offer. TheWrap has exclusive details on the bid, which Bronfman claims avoids the governance issues and operational distractions associated with merging Paramount and Skydance.
- Bronfman’s plan includes significant cost reductions, technological investments and strategic partnerships to boost Paramount’s earnings and stock value. He aims to double Paramount’s adjusted earnings and nearly triple its stock price.
- Bronfman’s bid proposes changing the voting structure to benefit Class B shareholders, who control the majority of Paramount’s value. [Keep Reading]( 3. Hollywood Finally Admitted Cable TV Is Dying: What Happens Next? | Analysis By Kayla Cobb and Jose Alejandro Bastidas | Source:WrapPRO]( - Major entertainment companies are acknowledging the decline of cable TV, as evidenced by significant write-downs of linear assets and a continued drop in cable subscribers.
- Tensions are rising between cable distributors and content companies as the latter shift their focus and investments towards streaming, but what happens next? Distributors are reluctant to increase cable package prices due to declining viewership and advertising revenue, while content companies are seeking to leverage their streaming platforms for growth.
- Despite the decline, cable TV remains profitable for now, particularly through sports rights, which are crucial for its survival. [Keep Reading]( 4. Matthew Perry’s Ketamine Death Reveals Hollywood’s Quiet New Drug Habit By Josh Dickey | Source:WrapPRO]( - Matthew Perry's death from ketamine overdose has highlighted Hollywood's growing and largely concealed use of the drug, which has been gaining traction both as a recreational substance and a therapeutic treatment.
- Despite ketamine-related fatalities being rare, Perry's case was notable for the extreme quantity of the drug he used, combined with unsafe self-administration practices that led to his drowning in a hot tub.
- The situation has brought attention to the dangers of unregulated ketamine use, especially as the drug's transition from clinical settings to recreational use has increased, raising concerns about its potential for abuse and the need for stricter controls. [Keep Reading]( 5. Why the Battle Between Disney and Universal for Orlando Theme Park Dominance Rages On: ‘It’s Just Getting Started' By Drew Taylor | Source:WrapPRO]( - The theme park rivalry between Disney and Universal is intensifying, with Disney recently showcasing ambitious future plans and Universal preparing to open Epic Universe, its largest and most advanced park yet, which is expected to attract more visitors to Orlando.
- Despite recent struggles and a shift in focus towards revenue from park add-ons and premium features, Disney remains confident, citing recent expansions and ongoing projects like new attractions and re-themes to maintain its competitive edge against Universal's upcoming offerings.
- But Universal is in pole position with Epic Universe opening in 2025 with new value-priced hotels and the park potentially drawing visitors away from traditional Disney-centric vacations. [Keep Reading]( With a focus on delivering actionable intelligence, the PRO Tip Sheet empowers readers to stay ahead of the game in the industry. Want to go deeper? [Explore WrapPRO today](. TheWrap | 2034 Armacost Ave Los Angeles, CA 90025 [Unsubscribe](