PRO Tip Sheet: 5 Insights From This Week

This week we reported on the struggle to remake the “The Six Million Dollar Man” into a movie, on how Netflix will replace film chairman Scott Stuber, on how CNN CEO Mark Thompson is looking to slash star salaries and on how CW bet on linear. [5 Insights From WrapPRO]( This week we delved into the struggle to remake the 50-year-old TV show, “The Six Million Dollar Man,” into a modern movie. We also reported on whether and how Netflix will replace film chairman Scott Stuber, on how CNN CEO Mark Thompson is looking to slash budgets and star salaries to fund a digital transformation, on how CW’s new bosses are eschewing SVOD and betting on linear, and revealed the story behind the iconic “I’m going to Disney World” commercials and how they pumped up Disney’s parks division. 1. [How Old Is Too Old? Inside the Battle to Remake the ‘Six Million Dollar Man’]( By Gonzalez and Drew Taylor | Source:WrapPRO]( - Despite its cultural impact and vast merchandise empire, for five decades attempts to remake “The Six Million Dollar Man” into a modern movie have failed due to legal complexities and casting challenges. - Mark Wahlberg's decade-long pursuit to star in a remake highlights the difficulty of adapting legacy TV properties, as no studio is willing to take on the project because of his attachment. - The property's rights have been tangled in a web of deals and renewals, with studios like Warner Bros. and Dimension Films unable to move the project forward. - The failure to remake the show is seen as a missed opportunity by industry experts, who view it as a significant pop culture property. - The future of “The Six Million Dollar Man” remains uncertain, with questions about its relevance in today's entertainment landscape and whether a remake could resonate with modern audiences. [Keep Reading]( 2. [As Netflix Shrinks Its Film Ambitions, Does Anyone Want to Replace Scott Stuber?]( By Kristen Lopez and Umberto Gonzalez | Source: [WrapPRO]( - Netflix's departure from big-budget theatrical releases underlines a strategic shift towards smaller-budget films, reflecting the company's focus on dominating the streaming market. - The departure of Scott Stuber from Netflix's film division highlights a growing disparity between traditional Hollywood aspirations and Netflix's evolving content strategy. - Netflix's film strategy faces challenges in attracting viewership, necessitating a shift toward strategic acquisitions. - The potential replacement for Stuber must navigate Netflix's algorithm-driven approach to content creation and the evolving dynamics of talent relationships. - Stuber's departure raises questions about Netflix's ability to maintain its position as a destination for high-profile filmmakers. [Keep Reading]( 3. [CNN Looks to Slash Budgets, Star Salaries as Mark Thompson Digs In]( By Emily Smith| Source:WrapPRO]( - Mark Thompson aims to revolutionize CNN by transforming it into a U.S. version of the BBC, prioritizing a digital-first approach and trimming anchor salaries, which currently exceed $50 million, to fund this transformation. - Top CNN earners like Anderson Cooper and Wolf Blitzer face potential salary cuts. - Thompson's strategy involves developing news anchors who can thrive in the digital landscape, focusing on creating content across broadcast, digital, and streaming platforms. - CNN's struggle with low ratings and competition from Fox and MSNBC underscores the urgency of its digital transformation, as linear television continues to decline. - The failure of CNN+ highlights the challenges of transitioning from the “big fat cable bundle” to digital platforms, necessitating a reevaluation of traditional TV models and talent compensation. [Keep Reading]( 4. [CW’s New Bosses Bet on Linear: ‘We’re Not in the SVOD Business’]( By Kayla Cobb and Jose Alejandro Bastidas| Source:WrapPRO]( - The CW's parent company Nexstar Media Group is eschewing the SVOD business, focusing instead on wide-ranging programming to attract viewers, a strategy that contrasts with other networks' efforts to compete in the streaming wars. - Nexstar's acquisition of the CW and subsequent restructuring led to the cancellation of several shows, with only four scripted originals retained. - The network's strategy includes investing in live sports and events to attract a broader audience. - While some programming bets, like “FBoy Island,” did not perform as expected, the network found success with “blue sky procedurals” and plans to continue exploring reality dating programming with new shows like “Lovers and Liars” and “Patti Stanger: The Matchmaker.” - The CW's leadership aims for smart, slow, steady growth, focusing on building a strong brand and increasing viewership for its original content, with shows like “Wild Cards” and “Joan.” [Keep Reading]( 5. [‘I'm Going to Disney World’: Inside One of the Most Iconic Commercials Ever Made]( By Drew Taylor | Source: [WrapPRO]( - The iconic “I'm going to Disney World!” phrase, started in 1987, is a pivotal marketing tool for Disney, symbolizing celebration and boosting the company's parks division. - Super Bowl ads, including the Disney campaign, are a key marketing strategy, with viewership steadily increasing over the years and ad costs rising significantly. - The “What's Next?” campaign began with a spontaneous idea at a dinner and quickly evolved into a successful and enduring marketing strategy. - The campaign's success helped rejuvenate Disney's image in the late 1980s, making the theme parks more appealing to older kids and teenagers. - Despite its humble beginnings, “What's Next?” has become a cultural artifact, showcasing the power of innovative marketing strategies in shaping consumer perceptions and driving engagement. [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](