For basketball fans already mourning the potential loss of TNT’s Inside the NBA, there may be some small consolation: NBC may bring back John Tesh’s iconic “Roundball Rock.”
NBCU is reportedly set to bid $2.5 a year for rights to NBA games going forward, according to the Wall Street Journal. If the offer is successful, the company would supplant media rival Warner Bros. Discovery, whose TBS and TNT cable networks began carrying NBA games in 1988. TNT has been the flagship Turner network associated with pro basketball, with its Inside the NBA the gold standard of sports studio shows, since 1989.
The NBA’s other two partners in its next contract are said to be Disney and Amazon’s Prime Video.
If NBC is successful in securing the third slot, it would likely mean the end of the Emmy-winning Inside the NBA, much to the chagrin of sports fans. But when one door closes,...
NBCU is reportedly set to bid $2.5 a year for rights to NBA games going forward, according to the Wall Street Journal. If the offer is successful, the company would supplant media rival Warner Bros. Discovery, whose TBS and TNT cable networks began carrying NBA games in 1988. TNT has been the flagship Turner network associated with pro basketball, with its Inside the NBA the gold standard of sports studio shows, since 1989.
The NBA’s other two partners in its next contract are said to be Disney and Amazon’s Prime Video.
If NBC is successful in securing the third slot, it would likely mean the end of the Emmy-winning Inside the NBA, much to the chagrin of sports fans. But when one door closes,...
- 5/21/2024
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Former ESPN President John Skipper, who led the effort to secure the current NBA rights deal, says incumbents Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery have no choice but to re-up with the league.
“These are existential rights for ESPN,” he said during an episode of Pablo Torre Finds Out, a podcast produced by Meadowlark Media, which Skipper co-founded in 2021. “They have to have the NBA. And it’s pretty close to existential with TNT. I don’t know if they have to have the NBA, but I think they do.”
The companies’ 9-year pacts with Turner and ESPN, which average a total of $2.6 billion a year, are due to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season. As has happened in the NFL and other sports, large tech firms like Amazon and Apple are taking a close look at the rights given the overall shift toward streaming. NBCUniversal, whose Peacock streaming...
“These are existential rights for ESPN,” he said during an episode of Pablo Torre Finds Out, a podcast produced by Meadowlark Media, which Skipper co-founded in 2021. “They have to have the NBA. And it’s pretty close to existential with TNT. I don’t know if they have to have the NBA, but I think they do.”
The companies’ 9-year pacts with Turner and ESPN, which average a total of $2.6 billion a year, are due to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season. As has happened in the NFL and other sports, large tech firms like Amazon and Apple are taking a close look at the rights given the overall shift toward streaming. NBCUniversal, whose Peacock streaming...
- 10/27/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: EverWonder Studio is teaming with John Skipper’s Meadowlark Media on its first project, a feature-length documentary examining the dynamic relationship between tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, which it will finance and co-produce.
The teams have also secured rights for a future scripted adaptation of the story, Deadline can exclusively reveal.
“I’m thrilled that this project is moving forward, and that we’ve found the right partners in EverWonder and Meadowlark,” stated Evert. “I’m looking forward to sharing our story with global audiences – not just with tennis fans but with anyone who appreciates an inspirational journey through rivalry and to mutual respect and friendship.”
Said Navratilova, “This film has been decades in the making, and EverWonder and Meadowlark are the right studios to finally take it from a concept to a reality. It was important to us to work with storytellers who will honor the...
The teams have also secured rights for a future scripted adaptation of the story, Deadline can exclusively reveal.
“I’m thrilled that this project is moving forward, and that we’ve found the right partners in EverWonder and Meadowlark,” stated Evert. “I’m looking forward to sharing our story with global audiences – not just with tennis fans but with anyone who appreciates an inspirational journey through rivalry and to mutual respect and friendship.”
Said Navratilova, “This film has been decades in the making, and EverWonder and Meadowlark are the right studios to finally take it from a concept to a reality. It was important to us to work with storytellers who will honor the...
- 9/26/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The roller coaster of ESPN staffing news continued today, as NFL analyst Mina Kimes is set for what’s reported to be a massive new deal. The agreement is worth more than $1.7 million, according to the New York Post’s Andrew Marchand, and puts Kimes over seven figures for the first time.
“Kimes’ role with ESPN will basically stay the same,” reported Marchand. She will be featured on NFL Live and make other appearances on the network’s shows.
Additionally, Dan Le Batard announced this morning that Kimes had signed a new deal with former ESPN boss John Skipper’s Meadowlark Media. She will continue to appear on “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz.”
Kimes will also reportedly continue her podcast, which is produced by Omaha Productions as part of the Peyton Manning-led company’s partnership with ESPN.
The announcements come one day after longtime football analyst Chris Mortensen announced his retirement,...
“Kimes’ role with ESPN will basically stay the same,” reported Marchand. She will be featured on NFL Live and make other appearances on the network’s shows.
Additionally, Dan Le Batard announced this morning that Kimes had signed a new deal with former ESPN boss John Skipper’s Meadowlark Media. She will continue to appear on “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz.”
Kimes will also reportedly continue her podcast, which is produced by Omaha Productions as part of the Peyton Manning-led company’s partnership with ESPN.
The announcements come one day after longtime football analyst Chris Mortensen announced his retirement,...
- 9/7/2023
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
DraftKings is officially entering the free, ad-supported TV (Fast) game with the launch of the DraftKings Network on Samsung TV Plus. Samsung’s platform will be the first to feature the new sports and gambling channel, which will air 24/7 content featuring DraftKings’ army of emerging personalities.
Slowly but surely, DraftKings has amassed some reputable sports personalities to supplement its daily fantasy sports and sportsbooks. Among the familiar faces you’ll see populate the DraftKings Network include those in the “Dan LeBatard Show with Stugotz” universe, Mike Golic Sr. and Jr., Jared Carrabis, Ross Tucker, and more.
“In bringing together some of the most authentic sports and entertainment voices under one umbrella, DraftKings Network is the destination for ‘In on the Action’ sports fans and content they love,” DraftKings VP Stacie McCollum said. “We look forward to reaching fans with our deep roster of independent, credible, and relatable voices that resonate...
Slowly but surely, DraftKings has amassed some reputable sports personalities to supplement its daily fantasy sports and sportsbooks. Among the familiar faces you’ll see populate the DraftKings Network include those in the “Dan LeBatard Show with Stugotz” universe, Mike Golic Sr. and Jr., Jared Carrabis, Ross Tucker, and more.
“In bringing together some of the most authentic sports and entertainment voices under one umbrella, DraftKings Network is the destination for ‘In on the Action’ sports fans and content they love,” DraftKings VP Stacie McCollum said. “We look forward to reaching fans with our deep roster of independent, credible, and relatable voices that resonate...
- 5/10/2023
- by Jeff Kotuby
- The Streamable
Sports betting has come an awfully long way in the United States in a relatively short amount of time. Since the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2018, more than 35 states have decided to legalize wagering on live sports.
Nowadays, sports betting companies are behaving more and more like media companies as they try to expand their brands. That’s certainly the case for DraftKings, as according to Bloomberg the company has announced it is launching a new ad-supported streaming service in the coming weeks.
The service will be free, and feature video versions of podcasts sponsored by DraftKings. The company currently has deals in place with the podcast conglomerate iHeartMedia, as well as Meadowlark Media, a startup founded by former ESPN founder John Skipper and ESPN radio and podcast host Dan Le Batard.
“Over the years DraftKings has expanded our media...
Nowadays, sports betting companies are behaving more and more like media companies as they try to expand their brands. That’s certainly the case for DraftKings, as according to Bloomberg the company has announced it is launching a new ad-supported streaming service in the coming weeks.
The service will be free, and feature video versions of podcasts sponsored by DraftKings. The company currently has deals in place with the podcast conglomerate iHeartMedia, as well as Meadowlark Media, a startup founded by former ESPN founder John Skipper and ESPN radio and podcast host Dan Le Batard.
“Over the years DraftKings has expanded our media...
- 4/27/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Pablo Torre is about to become a creature of two worlds.
The veteran ESPN writer and on-air personality is leaving the Disney sports-media giant — and he’s staying, too. Torre is joining Meadowlark Media, the content company founded by former ESPN chief John Skipper and the sports commentator Dan Le Batard. And yet, Torre is expected to remain a regular contributor to “Around The Horn” and “Pardon The Interruption,” two of the mainstay programs on the ESPN daytime schedule.
“They are looking to build another show directly out of ‘The Dan LeBatard Show,’ which is a monster,” Torre says of Meadowlark in an interview. Torre envisions a digital program with audio and video components that will allow him to “tell original stories, do a bit of journalism and figure out how to make that show a home that can fit all of the things I aspire to do creatively.” Torre...
The veteran ESPN writer and on-air personality is leaving the Disney sports-media giant — and he’s staying, too. Torre is joining Meadowlark Media, the content company founded by former ESPN chief John Skipper and the sports commentator Dan Le Batard. And yet, Torre is expected to remain a regular contributor to “Around The Horn” and “Pardon The Interruption,” two of the mainstay programs on the ESPN daytime schedule.
“They are looking to build another show directly out of ‘The Dan LeBatard Show,’ which is a monster,” Torre says of Meadowlark in an interview. Torre envisions a digital program with audio and video components that will allow him to “tell original stories, do a bit of journalism and figure out how to make that show a home that can fit all of the things I aspire to do creatively.” Torre...
- 3/14/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Meadowlark Media, the content studio founded by former ESPN president John Skipper and ESPN radio host Dan Le Batard, wants a sports content franchise to call its own.
And so the production company is launching its most ambitious content effort yet, a multi-platform series called Sports Explains the World.
“We are putting a stake in the ground that we are going to be a storytelling company,” Skipper tells The Hollywood Reporter. “When we launched the company, what we wanted to do overwhelmingly is to tell stories. Both in the number of podcasts we do and in our video. And one of the great ways to tell a story is to have an anthology series in which to put those.”
Sports Explains the World is Meadowlark’s “bold statement” that it is playing to win. “When we launched 30 for 30 [at ESPN], people knew it was quality,...
Meadowlark Media, the content studio founded by former ESPN president John Skipper and ESPN radio host Dan Le Batard, wants a sports content franchise to call its own.
And so the production company is launching its most ambitious content effort yet, a multi-platform series called Sports Explains the World.
“We are putting a stake in the ground that we are going to be a storytelling company,” Skipper tells The Hollywood Reporter. “When we launched the company, what we wanted to do overwhelmingly is to tell stories. Both in the number of podcasts we do and in our video. And one of the great ways to tell a story is to have an anthology series in which to put those.”
Sports Explains the World is Meadowlark’s “bold statement” that it is playing to win. “When we launched 30 for 30 [at ESPN], people knew it was quality,...
- 10/11/2022
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Hollywood has come to accept that content is the primary weapon in the streaming wars. Quietly, as legalized online sports betting spreads across the country, content also has become the weapon of choice for digital casino operators and betting firms looking for that edge in what has been an expensive grab for consumer dollars. And content creators, from production companies to podcasters to established TV talent, are cashing in. “It is the streaming wars version for casino operators,” former Wall Street analyst Hal Vogel says.
Online sports betting has been on a steady expansion across the U.S. since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling in Murphy vs. NCAA paved the way for states to permit the practice. As each state legalized access to sports betting (it’s legal in 21 states, with another nine pending and others expected to follow), gaming operators jumped into the space,...
Hollywood has come to accept that content is the primary weapon in the streaming wars. Quietly, as legalized online sports betting spreads across the country, content also has become the weapon of choice for digital casino operators and betting firms looking for that edge in what has been an expensive grab for consumer dollars. And content creators, from production companies to podcasters to established TV talent, are cashing in. “It is the streaming wars version for casino operators,” former Wall Street analyst Hal Vogel says.
Online sports betting has been on a steady expansion across the U.S. since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling in Murphy vs. NCAA paved the way for states to permit the practice. As each state legalized access to sports betting (it’s legal in 21 states, with another nine pending and others expected to follow), gaming operators jumped into the space,...
- 6/22/2022
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Telemundo is building its 2022-23 season lineup around the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the return of two of the Spanish-language outlet’s biggest star drama vehicles: Kate del Castillo in Season 3 of “La Reina del Sur” and Rafael Amaya rising from the dead for an eighth round of “El Señor de los Cielos.”
The NBCUniversal-owned programmer also is stepping up investment in a range of multilingual content for the Peacock streaming platform.
Telemundo will formally unveil its programming plans to advertisers and media buyers on Monday evening as the industry gathers in New York for the network upfront presentation. Headlining the scripted side of the presentation is the return of hits “La Reina del Sur” (“The Queen of the South”) and “El Señor de los Cielos” (“Lord of the Skies”), which are both set in the world of Latin American drug trafficking.
The NBCU Spanish-language group will use the...
The NBCUniversal-owned programmer also is stepping up investment in a range of multilingual content for the Peacock streaming platform.
Telemundo will formally unveil its programming plans to advertisers and media buyers on Monday evening as the industry gathers in New York for the network upfront presentation. Headlining the scripted side of the presentation is the return of hits “La Reina del Sur” (“The Queen of the South”) and “El Señor de los Cielos” (“Lord of the Skies”), which are both set in the world of Latin American drug trafficking.
The NBCU Spanish-language group will use the...
- 5/12/2022
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
When former ESPN president John Skipper greenlit Bill Simmons’ and Connor Schell’s award-winning “30 for 30” documentary series, he also built the template for his new company, Meadowlark Media: Great content that may or may not be about sports, but is never afraid to show its politics.
“We have credibility in sports, so you use that credibility to get started,” Skipper said before boarding an airplane traveling south-by-southwest to SXSW. There, he and former ESPN host-turned-Meadowlark partner Dan Le Batard will tape leading sports podcast “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” March 13 and 14 (from 3-5:30 p.m. Ct) with a live studio audience at Austin’s Four Seasons Hotel. Le Batard is also hosting a conversation at SXSW’s Athlete Empowerment Summit with Ricky Williams, the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner who now does astrology readings on the podcast.
Skipper said he roots for artists as hard as he roots for athletes.
“We have credibility in sports, so you use that credibility to get started,” Skipper said before boarding an airplane traveling south-by-southwest to SXSW. There, he and former ESPN host-turned-Meadowlark partner Dan Le Batard will tape leading sports podcast “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” March 13 and 14 (from 3-5:30 p.m. Ct) with a live studio audience at Austin’s Four Seasons Hotel. Le Batard is also hosting a conversation at SXSW’s Athlete Empowerment Summit with Ricky Williams, the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner who now does astrology readings on the podcast.
Skipper said he roots for artists as hard as he roots for athletes.
- 3/11/2022
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
South by Southwest Conference and Festivals today announced a final round of Keynotes and Featured Speakers for the 36th annual Conference taking place in Austin, TX from March 11-20, with Ron Howard, Ted Lasso stars Brett Goldstein and Brendan Hunt, actor-filmmaker Gillian Jacobs, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. representative Beto O’Rourke, and musicians Brian Eno and Nathaniel Rateliff among the notable additions.
Buttigieg, More than Robots helmer Jacobs, O’Rourke and more will serve as featured speakers, with Howard, Goldstein, Hunt, Eno and Rateliff respectively taking part in featured sessions on Changing the Future of Food, Ted Lasso Season 2, Art & Climate and Music & The Movement.
Priya Parker, author of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters and EP and host of The New York Times podcast Together Apart, will serve as the conference’s Opening Speaker, with writer Nabil Ayers (My...
Buttigieg, More than Robots helmer Jacobs, O’Rourke and more will serve as featured speakers, with Howard, Goldstein, Hunt, Eno and Rateliff respectively taking part in featured sessions on Changing the Future of Food, Ted Lasso Season 2, Art & Climate and Music & The Movement.
Priya Parker, author of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters and EP and host of The New York Times podcast Together Apart, will serve as the conference’s Opening Speaker, with writer Nabil Ayers (My...
- 3/1/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Meadowlark, the production company set up by former ESPN boss John Skipper, has struck its latest sports deal – inking a first-look deal with Backstage Media.
Backstage Media is a new content development company founded by former ESPN and NFL exec John Marvel and former Sports Illustrated writer and podcaster Mike Silver.
The deal will see the two companies develop several projects in audio and television across multiple sports.
Marvel is the former managing editor of news and features at NFL Media Group and ex-vp and executive editor of ESPN.com and also worked at Golf Digest Properties, while Silver has contributed to NFL 360 and co-authored with Kurt Warner book All Things Possible that has been adapted as feature film American Underdog.
It is the latest deal for Meadowlark, which was founded by Skipper and national radio and podcast host, Dan Le Batard in 2021. Last week, it teamed with...
Backstage Media is a new content development company founded by former ESPN and NFL exec John Marvel and former Sports Illustrated writer and podcaster Mike Silver.
The deal will see the two companies develop several projects in audio and television across multiple sports.
Marvel is the former managing editor of news and features at NFL Media Group and ex-vp and executive editor of ESPN.com and also worked at Golf Digest Properties, while Silver has contributed to NFL 360 and co-authored with Kurt Warner book All Things Possible that has been adapted as feature film American Underdog.
It is the latest deal for Meadowlark, which was founded by Skipper and national radio and podcast host, Dan Le Batard in 2021. Last week, it teamed with...
- 2/8/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Angels of the Avalanche Age, the longform GQ story written by Joshua Hammer, tells the story of a helicopter rescue team battling life-and-death obstacles in the high mountain slopes of the Swiss Alps.
It is now being developed for the screen as a documentary.
GQ Studios, the Condé Nast Entertainment-run production arm of the glossy monthly, has teamed up with Meadowlark, the production company run by former ESPN chief John Skipper to adapt the story.
It marks one of the highest profile developments for GQ Studios and forms part of Condé Nast Entertainment President Agnes Chu’s plan to turn high-profile magazine IP into TV series, films and documentaries. The company is adapting stories about Kundalini yoga and megachurch Hillsong with Vf Studios, the production arm of Vanity Fair, turning History of Black Twitter from Wired Studios into a three-part documentary and making a feature film based on short story Cat Person,...
It is now being developed for the screen as a documentary.
GQ Studios, the Condé Nast Entertainment-run production arm of the glossy monthly, has teamed up with Meadowlark, the production company run by former ESPN chief John Skipper to adapt the story.
It marks one of the highest profile developments for GQ Studios and forms part of Condé Nast Entertainment President Agnes Chu’s plan to turn high-profile magazine IP into TV series, films and documentaries. The company is adapting stories about Kundalini yoga and megachurch Hillsong with Vf Studios, the production arm of Vanity Fair, turning History of Black Twitter from Wired Studios into a three-part documentary and making a feature film based on short story Cat Person,...
- 1/31/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Skydance Sports, the sports content division of Skydance Media, has set a partnership with Meadowlark Media for the production of unscripted sports content.
The companies are co-producing Good Neighbors, a docuseries on what is arguably the world’s greatest soccer rivalry—that between the U.S. and Mexican men’s national teams. It’s currently in production and will debut in front of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The second project to emerge from the partnership is billed as the definitive, authorized chronicle of the life and career of Diana Taurasi, the most accomplished player in the history of women’s basketball, whose accolades include three NCAA titles, three WNBA titles, five Olympic gold medals, multiple European league championships and numerous individual honors.
The announcement of the Skydance-Meadlowlark partnership was made today by Skydance’s President and COO Jesse Sisgold, who heads up the media company’s sports content division with award-winning writer,...
The companies are co-producing Good Neighbors, a docuseries on what is arguably the world’s greatest soccer rivalry—that between the U.S. and Mexican men’s national teams. It’s currently in production and will debut in front of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The second project to emerge from the partnership is billed as the definitive, authorized chronicle of the life and career of Diana Taurasi, the most accomplished player in the history of women’s basketball, whose accolades include three NCAA titles, three WNBA titles, five Olympic gold medals, multiple European league championships and numerous individual honors.
The announcement of the Skydance-Meadlowlark partnership was made today by Skydance’s President and COO Jesse Sisgold, who heads up the media company’s sports content division with award-winning writer,...
- 1/20/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
John Skipper and Dan Le Batard’s Meadowlark Media has brought on Deirdre Fenton as executive director of unscripted, Variety has learned exclusively.
In her new role, Fenton will oversee the company’s unscripted programming. She will report to Skipper, who is the CEO of Meadowlark. One of Fenton’s early focuses will be leading Meadowlark’s relationship with Apple, with Meadowlark recently signing a first-look deal with the streamer.
“Deirdre has a fabulous eye for what makes a good story and the industry experience to bring it to life,” said Skipper. “Having had the good fortune to work with her often in recent years, I look forward to seeing the immediate and positive impact she will have on Meadowlark.”
Prior to joining Meadowlark, Fenton worked at both ESPN and Dazn in the documentary space. Her time at ESPN included work on the “30 for 30” franchise, as well as...
In her new role, Fenton will oversee the company’s unscripted programming. She will report to Skipper, who is the CEO of Meadowlark. One of Fenton’s early focuses will be leading Meadowlark’s relationship with Apple, with Meadowlark recently signing a first-look deal with the streamer.
“Deirdre has a fabulous eye for what makes a good story and the industry experience to bring it to life,” said Skipper. “Having had the good fortune to work with her often in recent years, I look forward to seeing the immediate and positive impact she will have on Meadowlark.”
Prior to joining Meadowlark, Fenton worked at both ESPN and Dazn in the documentary space. Her time at ESPN included work on the “30 for 30” franchise, as well as...
- 11/2/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Former ESPN colleagues John Skipper and Dan Le Batard are getting into business with Apple TV+. Skipper and Le Batard have signed a multi-year first-look deal with the Apple streaming service via their recently launched Meadowlark Media. Under the pact, Meadowlark will produce premium documentary films and unscripted series for Apple TV+.
In January, Skipper and Le Batard announced the formation of Meadowlark, a new content company with a creator-centric point of view. Meadowlark will partner with industry-leading storytellers on a variety of content projects with an initial focus on sports. In April, DraftKings and Meadowlark announced a first-of-its-kind content, distribution, monetization and sponsorship agreement centered on The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz.
Skipper had led sports streaming outfit Dazn since 2018 prior to forming Meadowlark. Skipper spent 27 years at ESPN, the last six of them as president, before departing in...
In January, Skipper and Le Batard announced the formation of Meadowlark, a new content company with a creator-centric point of view. Meadowlark will partner with industry-leading storytellers on a variety of content projects with an initial focus on sports. In April, DraftKings and Meadowlark announced a first-of-its-kind content, distribution, monetization and sponsorship agreement centered on The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz.
Skipper had led sports streaming outfit Dazn since 2018 prior to forming Meadowlark. Skipper spent 27 years at ESPN, the last six of them as president, before departing in...
- 11/1/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
John Skipper and Dan Le Batard’s Meadowlark Media has signed a multi-year first-look deal with Apple.
Under the deal, Meadowlark will produce documentary and unscripted series for the streamer. Meadowlark was launched in January, with the company at that time announcing an initial focus on sports content. However, they have previously stated that they will partner with many different creators in a variety of content areas.
In April, DraftKings and Meadowlark announced a content, distribution, monetization, and sponsorship agreement with Meadowlark Media centered on “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz.”
Skipper is the former president of ESPN. He resigned from that position in 2017. He first joined ESPN in 1997 and took over as president in 2012. In addition to forming Meadowlark with Le Batard, Skipper is currently the executive chairman of Dazn Group.
Le Batard is a popular TV, radio and podcast host. He also worked at ESPN, leaving the...
Under the deal, Meadowlark will produce documentary and unscripted series for the streamer. Meadowlark was launched in January, with the company at that time announcing an initial focus on sports content. However, they have previously stated that they will partner with many different creators in a variety of content areas.
In April, DraftKings and Meadowlark announced a content, distribution, monetization, and sponsorship agreement with Meadowlark Media centered on “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz.”
Skipper is the former president of ESPN. He resigned from that position in 2017. He first joined ESPN in 1997 and took over as president in 2012. In addition to forming Meadowlark with Le Batard, Skipper is currently the executive chairman of Dazn Group.
Le Batard is a popular TV, radio and podcast host. He also worked at ESPN, leaving the...
- 11/1/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
John Skipper and Dan Le Batard’s Meadowlark Media is expanding its footprint.
The two ESPN veterans have signed a first-look deal with Apple TV+. Under the multi-year deal, Meadowlark will develop and produce documentaries and unscripted series for the streaming platform.
Skipper, a former president of ESPN, and Le Batard, a former Miami Herald columnist turned radio and TV host at the cable sports giant, founded Meadowlark Media in January, a month after Le Batard and ESPN parted ways.
Le Batard has continued to host the Dan Le Batard Show With Stugotz as a daily podcast after ESPN Radio stopped distributing it. Meadowlark ...
The two ESPN veterans have signed a first-look deal with Apple TV+. Under the multi-year deal, Meadowlark will develop and produce documentaries and unscripted series for the streaming platform.
Skipper, a former president of ESPN, and Le Batard, a former Miami Herald columnist turned radio and TV host at the cable sports giant, founded Meadowlark Media in January, a month after Le Batard and ESPN parted ways.
Le Batard has continued to host the Dan Le Batard Show With Stugotz as a daily podcast after ESPN Radio stopped distributing it. Meadowlark ...
- 11/1/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
John Skipper and Dan Le Batard’s Meadowlark Media is expanding its footprint.
The two ESPN veterans have signed a first-look deal with Apple TV+. Under the multi-year deal, Meadowlark will develop and produce documentaries and unscripted series for the streaming platform.
Skipper, a former president of ESPN, and Le Batard, a former Miami Herald columnist turned radio and TV host at the cable sports giant, founded Meadowlark Media in January, a month after Le Batard and ESPN parted ways.
Le Batard has continued to host the Dan Le Batard Show With Stugotz as a daily podcast after ESPN Radio stopped distributing it. Meadowlark ...
The two ESPN veterans have signed a first-look deal with Apple TV+. Under the multi-year deal, Meadowlark will develop and produce documentaries and unscripted series for the streaming platform.
Skipper, a former president of ESPN, and Le Batard, a former Miami Herald columnist turned radio and TV host at the cable sports giant, founded Meadowlark Media in January, a month after Le Batard and ESPN parted ways.
Le Batard has continued to host the Dan Le Batard Show With Stugotz as a daily podcast after ESPN Radio stopped distributing it. Meadowlark ...
- 11/1/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ESPN said it would place sports host Max Kellerman in a new mid-afternoon program after taking him off the popular hot-talk show “First Take” last month, unveiling a daytime schedule it hopes will keep viewers interested for a longer period of time.
Kellerman’s new program, “This Just In,” will debut September 14 at 2 p.m., and offer news, opinion and analysis of trending sports headlines as well as looking ahead at potential sports news from the evening ahead. Kellerman is slated to be joined by several of ESPN’s sports insiders and analysts each day.
“With the addition of ‘This Just In,’ we’ve added yet another opportunity for live reaction in a key timeslot,” said Norby Williamson, ESPN’s executive vice president and executive editor, production, in a statement. “Max is always able to successfully connect and resonate with fans in meaningful ways across platforms and it’s great...
Kellerman’s new program, “This Just In,” will debut September 14 at 2 p.m., and offer news, opinion and analysis of trending sports headlines as well as looking ahead at potential sports news from the evening ahead. Kellerman is slated to be joined by several of ESPN’s sports insiders and analysts each day.
“With the addition of ‘This Just In,’ we’ve added yet another opportunity for live reaction in a key timeslot,” said Norby Williamson, ESPN’s executive vice president and executive editor, production, in a statement. “Max is always able to successfully connect and resonate with fans in meaningful ways across platforms and it’s great...
- 9/9/2021
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Meadowlark Media, the content company founded by former ESPN president John Skipper and radio and podcast host Dan Le Batard, has landed its first audio production deal. The company has been commissioned by the BBC to produce a new podcast for the series Sport’s Strangest Crimes.
“This is a victory in that we have a commission from a second buyer,” Skipper tells The Hollywood Reporter, adding that it builds on the deal signed with DraftKings for Le Batard’s programs. “We do have ambitions to be a global supplier of sports content, so for us it represents a step outside of the Le Batard ...
“This is a victory in that we have a commission from a second buyer,” Skipper tells The Hollywood Reporter, adding that it builds on the deal signed with DraftKings for Le Batard’s programs. “We do have ambitions to be a global supplier of sports content, so for us it represents a step outside of the Le Batard ...
- 8/12/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Meadowlark Media, the content company founded by former ESPN president John Skipper and radio and podcast host Dan Le Batard, has landed its first audio production deal. The company has been commissioned by the BBC to produce a new podcast for the series Sport’s Strangest Crimes.
“This is a victory in that we have a commission from a second buyer,” Skipper tells The Hollywood Reporter, adding that it builds on the deal signed with DraftKings for Le Batard’s programs. “We do have ambitions to be a global supplier of sports content, so for us it represents a step outside of the Le Batard ...
“This is a victory in that we have a commission from a second buyer,” Skipper tells The Hollywood Reporter, adding that it builds on the deal signed with DraftKings for Le Batard’s programs. “We do have ambitions to be a global supplier of sports content, so for us it represents a step outside of the Le Batard ...
- 8/12/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: CAA sports media agent Michael Klein is leaving the agency to form a management company with a specialty in audio and betting.
His client roster, includes ESPN’s Mina Kimes and Bomani Jones as well as Pft Commenter, the alter ego of Barstool Sports NFL writer Eric Sollenberger, will continue to be co-repped with CAA.
The new firm, Silver Tribe Media, will be based in LA.
Sports wagering has been dramatically expanding since the Supreme Court made a landmark ruling in 2018 legalizing it in New Jersey. A number of other states have followed in legalizing betting, and businesses like DraftKings and FanDuel have grown along with the opportunity. Media companies have also jumped aboard the betting trend. With increasing numbers of athletes looking to establish a media presence, Klein sees Silver Tribe as a home for those looking to take that step.
“I’m excited to begin this next...
His client roster, includes ESPN’s Mina Kimes and Bomani Jones as well as Pft Commenter, the alter ego of Barstool Sports NFL writer Eric Sollenberger, will continue to be co-repped with CAA.
The new firm, Silver Tribe Media, will be based in LA.
Sports wagering has been dramatically expanding since the Supreme Court made a landmark ruling in 2018 legalizing it in New Jersey. A number of other states have followed in legalizing betting, and businesses like DraftKings and FanDuel have grown along with the opportunity. Media companies have also jumped aboard the betting trend. With increasing numbers of athletes looking to establish a media presence, Klein sees Silver Tribe as a home for those looking to take that step.
“I’m excited to begin this next...
- 5/21/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
DraftKings is making another big media play: The sports-wagering site announced a multiyear content distribution, monetization and sponsorship agreement with Meadowlark Media, the digital media company formed by ex-ESPN boss John Skipper and ex-espn host Dan Le Batard.
As part of the deal, DraftKings secured rights to sports and pop-culture podcasts “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” and the “Le Batard & Friends Network.” The companies said they will distribute the shows across a wide range of audio, TV, digital and social channels.
Under the deal, DraftKings will pay Meadowlark at least $50 million over three years, the Wall Street Journal reported.
According to DraftKings, the shows from Meadowlark will “prominently feature DraftKings’ odds, betting trends and general sportsbook and daily fantasy information.” In a statement, Le Batard addressed the new ownership situation: “To our fans, know that DraftKings is the reason you aren’t behind a paywall, and I...
As part of the deal, DraftKings secured rights to sports and pop-culture podcasts “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” and the “Le Batard & Friends Network.” The companies said they will distribute the shows across a wide range of audio, TV, digital and social channels.
Under the deal, DraftKings will pay Meadowlark at least $50 million over three years, the Wall Street Journal reported.
According to DraftKings, the shows from Meadowlark will “prominently feature DraftKings’ odds, betting trends and general sportsbook and daily fantasy information.” In a statement, Le Batard addressed the new ownership situation: “To our fans, know that DraftKings is the reason you aren’t behind a paywall, and I...
- 4/27/2021
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Dan Le Batard’s radio show finally has a new home. Sort of.
The former ESPN host’s flagship Dan Le Batard Show will be distributed by DraftKings as part of a wide-reaching distribution and content agreement between the sports-betting giant and Meadowlark Media, the content studio founded by Le Batard and former ESPN president John Skipper.
As part of the deal, DraftKings will distribute Meadowlark’s content “across a wide range of audio, TV, digital and social channels,” with odds, betting trends and fantasy sports content integrated into the programming. In addition, DraftKings will also commission original programming that ...
The former ESPN host’s flagship Dan Le Batard Show will be distributed by DraftKings as part of a wide-reaching distribution and content agreement between the sports-betting giant and Meadowlark Media, the content studio founded by Le Batard and former ESPN president John Skipper.
As part of the deal, DraftKings will distribute Meadowlark’s content “across a wide range of audio, TV, digital and social channels,” with odds, betting trends and fantasy sports content integrated into the programming. In addition, DraftKings will also commission original programming that ...
- 4/27/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Dan Le Batard’s radio show finally has a new home. Sort of.
The former ESPN host’s flagship Dan Le Batard Show will be distributed by DraftKings as part of a wide-reaching distribution and content agreement between the sports-betting giant and Meadowlark Media, the content studio founded by Le Batard and former ESPN president John Skipper.
As part of the deal, DraftKings will distribute Meadowlark’s content “across a wide range of audio, TV, digital and social channels,” with odds, betting trends and fantasy sports content integrated into the programming. In addition, DraftKings will also commission original programming that ...
The former ESPN host’s flagship Dan Le Batard Show will be distributed by DraftKings as part of a wide-reaching distribution and content agreement between the sports-betting giant and Meadowlark Media, the content studio founded by Le Batard and former ESPN president John Skipper.
As part of the deal, DraftKings will distribute Meadowlark’s content “across a wide range of audio, TV, digital and social channels,” with odds, betting trends and fantasy sports content integrated into the programming. In addition, DraftKings will also commission original programming that ...
- 4/27/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Content startup Meadowlark Media has made a steady stream of news since former ESPN president John Skipper and ex-espn host Dan Le Batard announced the venture at the start of the year.
The Meadowlark partners signaled their ambition to cast a wide lens on sports, entertainment and culture by revealing that former ESPN personality Jemele Hill and “The Good Place” creator Michael Schur would serve as creative advisers for the company. Skipper, who serves as CEO, also confirmed that the venture has raised $12.6 million in private funding to build up its content pipeline.
“You get the sense when you talk to them that their cup runneth over,” Schur tells Variety of Meadowlark’s plans. “We’re in this kind of weird new world where there’s dozens and dozens of companies and outlets and production houses that are making content in a bunch of different ways.”
Early announcements include a new podcast from Hank Azaria,...
The Meadowlark partners signaled their ambition to cast a wide lens on sports, entertainment and culture by revealing that former ESPN personality Jemele Hill and “The Good Place” creator Michael Schur would serve as creative advisers for the company. Skipper, who serves as CEO, also confirmed that the venture has raised $12.6 million in private funding to build up its content pipeline.
“You get the sense when you talk to them that their cup runneth over,” Schur tells Variety of Meadowlark’s plans. “We’re in this kind of weird new world where there’s dozens and dozens of companies and outlets and production houses that are making content in a bunch of different ways.”
Early announcements include a new podcast from Hank Azaria,...
- 4/9/2021
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Adnan Virk, a Canadian sports broadcaster whose nine-year run at ESPN ended abruptly in 2019, is reuniting with ex-colleagues Dan Le Batard and John Skipper at Meadowlark Media.
The emerging content company, which launched in January, will add Virk as a regular contributor starting in July. Le Batard was a popular host of Highly Questionable and Skipper had a nearly three-decade tenure at ESPN, including six years as president.
ESPN fired Virk, who had been on the rise at the network, in 2019. Reports at the time indicated that he had been accused of leaking confidential information to the media on more than one occasion. Virk denied the charges and later agreed with ESPN that both parties would abandon plans to sue each other in order for Virk to be let out of his contract.
Along with his lengthy sports career, which has also included stints at Canada’s Tsn and, more recently,...
The emerging content company, which launched in January, will add Virk as a regular contributor starting in July. Le Batard was a popular host of Highly Questionable and Skipper had a nearly three-decade tenure at ESPN, including six years as president.
ESPN fired Virk, who had been on the rise at the network, in 2019. Reports at the time indicated that he had been accused of leaking confidential information to the media on more than one occasion. Virk denied the charges and later agreed with ESPN that both parties would abandon plans to sue each other in order for Virk to be let out of his contract.
Along with his lengthy sports career, which has also included stints at Canada’s Tsn and, more recently,...
- 4/7/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Adnan Virk is joining John Skipper and Dan Le Betard’s Meadowlark Media as a regular contributor, TheWrap has learned exclusively. Virk will begin in July.
As part of the deal, Virk’s “Cinephile” podcast will become part of the “Le Betard & Friends” network.
Since 2016, Virk has offered weekly podcast reviews of the newest films and television as well as conversations with heavy hitters from the entertainment industry. “Cinephile” also offers historical perspective, recapping some of the most influential TV shows and films of all time.
Additionally, Virk will make appearances on “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” and participate in Meadowlark projects in the future.
“I’ve been told by people who know such things that Adnan Virk has as much range as anyone in broadcasting, but I’ve simply never liked him,” said Le Batard. “That polish and happy energy is annoying and … what? We did what?...
As part of the deal, Virk’s “Cinephile” podcast will become part of the “Le Betard & Friends” network.
Since 2016, Virk has offered weekly podcast reviews of the newest films and television as well as conversations with heavy hitters from the entertainment industry. “Cinephile” also offers historical perspective, recapping some of the most influential TV shows and films of all time.
Additionally, Virk will make appearances on “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” and participate in Meadowlark projects in the future.
“I’ve been told by people who know such things that Adnan Virk has as much range as anyone in broadcasting, but I’ve simply never liked him,” said Le Batard. “That polish and happy energy is annoying and … what? We did what?...
- 4/7/2021
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Emerging content supplier Meadowlark Media has raised $12.6 million in Series A funding, CEO and co-founder John Skipper has announced.
Investors include Dazn (where Skipper was executive chairman), DraftKings, Wasserman and Michael Lynton, former Sony entertainment chief and now chairman of Snap.
The Series A funding will go toward building Meadowlark’s pipeline and helping it staff up in content and business development, according to a press release. While the company is at an early stage, it aims to take advantage of surging demand for programming. Emerging areas like podcasting and streaming have scaled dramatically in recent years, though there are still plenty of opportunities in more traditional sectors.
Skipper, who spent nearly three decades at ESPN, including a stint as president, co-founded Meadowlark with former colleague Dan Le Batard, who left ESPN at the start of 2021.
Meadowlark’s initial focus will be on sports-themed projects but it has broader ambitions.
Investors include Dazn (where Skipper was executive chairman), DraftKings, Wasserman and Michael Lynton, former Sony entertainment chief and now chairman of Snap.
The Series A funding will go toward building Meadowlark’s pipeline and helping it staff up in content and business development, according to a press release. While the company is at an early stage, it aims to take advantage of surging demand for programming. Emerging areas like podcasting and streaming have scaled dramatically in recent years, though there are still plenty of opportunities in more traditional sectors.
Skipper, who spent nearly three decades at ESPN, including a stint as president, co-founded Meadowlark with former colleague Dan Le Batard, who left ESPN at the start of 2021.
Meadowlark’s initial focus will be on sports-themed projects but it has broader ambitions.
- 4/1/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Meadowlark Media, the content company founded by former ESPN on-air host Dan Le Batard and former ESPN president John Skipper, has raised $12.6 million in a Series A funding round.
The company says that participants in the round included Dazn (where Skipper was most recently chairman), DraftKings, Snap Inc. chairman (and former Sony Pictures chief) Michael Lynton, Emj Ventures, Verance Capital, Wasserman and Carmen Busquets.
Meadowlark says that the initial round of funding will be used for key hires and to fund the first slate of projects. The first official project is a podcast hosted by Hank Azaria in character as ...
The company says that participants in the round included Dazn (where Skipper was most recently chairman), DraftKings, Snap Inc. chairman (and former Sony Pictures chief) Michael Lynton, Emj Ventures, Verance Capital, Wasserman and Carmen Busquets.
Meadowlark says that the initial round of funding will be used for key hires and to fund the first slate of projects. The first official project is a podcast hosted by Hank Azaria in character as ...
Meadowlark Media, the content company founded by former ESPN on-air host Dan Le Batard and former ESPN president John Skipper, has raised $12.6 million in a Series A funding round.
The company says that participants in the round included Dazn (where Skipper was most recently chairman), DraftKings, Snap Inc. chairman (and former Sony Pictures chief) Michael Lynton, Emj Ventures, Verance Capital, Wasserman and Carmen Busquets.
Meadowlark says that the initial round of funding will be used for key hires and to fund the first slate of projects. The first official project is a podcast hosted by Hank Azaria in character as ...
The company says that participants in the round included Dazn (where Skipper was most recently chairman), DraftKings, Snap Inc. chairman (and former Sony Pictures chief) Michael Lynton, Emj Ventures, Verance Capital, Wasserman and Carmen Busquets.
Meadowlark says that the initial round of funding will be used for key hires and to fund the first slate of projects. The first official project is a podcast hosted by Hank Azaria in character as ...
Meadowlark Media may soon add another big name from Hollywood to its roster: multihyphenate Adam McKay.
McKay was a guest on Meadowlark co-founder Dan Le Batard’s South Beach Sessions podcast Wednesday morning, and Le Batard suggested that the two would be working together in the future.
Meadowlark declined to comment on whether McKay would be working with the company, but an industry source tells The Hollywood Reporter that the two are in talks to formalize the relationship.
“I don’t think we’re violating anything when I say that Adam McKay and I are thrilled to just be doing stuff in the future ...
McKay was a guest on Meadowlark co-founder Dan Le Batard’s South Beach Sessions podcast Wednesday morning, and Le Batard suggested that the two would be working together in the future.
Meadowlark declined to comment on whether McKay would be working with the company, but an industry source tells The Hollywood Reporter that the two are in talks to formalize the relationship.
“I don’t think we’re violating anything when I say that Adam McKay and I are thrilled to just be doing stuff in the future ...
- 3/31/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Meadowlark Media may soon add another big name from Hollywood to its roster: Multi-hyphenate Adam McKay.
McKay was a guest on Meadowlark co-founder Dan Le Batard’s South Beach Sessions podcast Wednesday morning, and Le Batard suggested that the two would be working together in the future.
Meadowlark declined to comment on whether McKay would be working with the company, but an industry source tells The Hollywood Reporter that the two are in talks to formalize the relationship.
“I don’t think we’re violating anything when I say that Adam McKay and I are thrilled to just be doing stuff in the future ...
McKay was a guest on Meadowlark co-founder Dan Le Batard’s South Beach Sessions podcast Wednesday morning, and Le Batard suggested that the two would be working together in the future.
Meadowlark declined to comment on whether McKay would be working with the company, but an industry source tells The Hollywood Reporter that the two are in talks to formalize the relationship.
“I don’t think we’re violating anything when I say that Adam McKay and I are thrilled to just be doing stuff in the future ...
- 3/31/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jemele Hill and Mike Schur have thrown in with Meadowlark Media, the content studio startup focused on sports creators headed by former ESPN boss John Skipper and ex-espn host Dan Le Batard.
Earlier this month Skipper exited his post as executive chairman of sports-streaming company Dazn to focus on Meadowlark Media, which he launched in January with Le Batard. Hill in 2018 left ESPN, where she had cohosted an edition of “SportsCenter,” and is now a contributing writer at The Atlantic. Schur is creator of sitcom “The Good Place” and co-created “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “Parks and Recreation” after serving as a writer and producer on “The Office.”
In their advisory roles, Hill and Schur will “participate in idea generation for new Meadowlark projects,” as well as provide guidance and feedback on in-progress projects, according to the company. They’ll also assist in business development efforts on an ongoing basis.
“With Jemele and Michael on board,...
Earlier this month Skipper exited his post as executive chairman of sports-streaming company Dazn to focus on Meadowlark Media, which he launched in January with Le Batard. Hill in 2018 left ESPN, where she had cohosted an edition of “SportsCenter,” and is now a contributing writer at The Atlantic. Schur is creator of sitcom “The Good Place” and co-created “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “Parks and Recreation” after serving as a writer and producer on “The Office.”
In their advisory roles, Hill and Schur will “participate in idea generation for new Meadowlark projects,” as well as provide guidance and feedback on in-progress projects, according to the company. They’ll also assist in business development efforts on an ongoing basis.
“With Jemele and Michael on board,...
- 3/24/2021
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
ESPN alum Jemele Hill and “Good Place” creator Michael Schur have joined Meadowlark Media today as creative advisers to founders John Skipper and Dan Le Batard, the newly launched content company announced Wednesday.
Per Meadowlark, “In this role, these award-winning creators will participate in idea generation for new Meadowlark projects, provide guidance and feedback on in-progress projects, and assist in business development efforts on an ongoing basis.”
Additionally, former ESPN employee Hill’s production company has set a first-look deal with Meadowlark on all sports-related projects.
Skipper and Le Batard, both formerly of ESPN, formed Meadlowlark Media in January, following Le Betard’s exit from the Disney-owned sports network. The duo describes their venture as having a “creator-centric point of view” and plan to “partner with industry-leading storytellers on a variety of content projects with an initial focus on sports.”
“This is a partnership that made too much sense. Skipper...
Per Meadowlark, “In this role, these award-winning creators will participate in idea generation for new Meadowlark projects, provide guidance and feedback on in-progress projects, and assist in business development efforts on an ongoing basis.”
Additionally, former ESPN employee Hill’s production company has set a first-look deal with Meadowlark on all sports-related projects.
Skipper and Le Batard, both formerly of ESPN, formed Meadlowlark Media in January, following Le Betard’s exit from the Disney-owned sports network. The duo describes their venture as having a “creator-centric point of view” and plan to “partner with industry-leading storytellers on a variety of content projects with an initial focus on sports.”
“This is a partnership that made too much sense. Skipper...
- 3/24/2021
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Writer, podcaster and former ESPN personality Jemele Hill and Brooklyn Nine-Nine co-creator and prolific producer Mike Schur have joined Meadowlark Media as creative advisers.
Meadowlark is a content venture created in January and led by former ESPN president John Skipper and former TV host and columnist Dan Le Batard.
In their advisory roles, Hill and Schur will help generate ideas for new projects, provide guidance and feedback on in-progress projects, and assist in business development.
Meadowlark’s backers include billionaire Len Blavatnik, whose company owns streaming service Dazn. Skipper was executive chairman of Dazn until reuniting with Le Batard to form Meadowlark. Both worked with Hill at ESPN.
“This is a partnership that made too much sense. Skipper was one of my biggest champions while at ESPN and I have such deep, unconditional respect for Dan and greatly admire his boundless creativity,” Hill said in a press release. “At this stage in my career,...
Meadowlark is a content venture created in January and led by former ESPN president John Skipper and former TV host and columnist Dan Le Batard.
In their advisory roles, Hill and Schur will help generate ideas for new projects, provide guidance and feedback on in-progress projects, and assist in business development.
Meadowlark’s backers include billionaire Len Blavatnik, whose company owns streaming service Dazn. Skipper was executive chairman of Dazn until reuniting with Le Batard to form Meadowlark. Both worked with Hill at ESPN.
“This is a partnership that made too much sense. Skipper was one of my biggest champions while at ESPN and I have such deep, unconditional respect for Dan and greatly admire his boundless creativity,” Hill said in a press release. “At this stage in my career,...
- 3/24/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Meadowlark Media, the content company launched by former ESPN president John Skipper and ESPN radio and TV host Dan Le Batard, is bringing on board two high-profile additions as creative advisers.
Writer-producer Michael Schur (The Office, The Good Place, Parks & Recreation) and former ESPN host Jemele Hill will advise Meadowlark on current projects, assist in business development and help create new projects for the company.
The additions of Hill and Schur come after Meadowlark announced its first new project: A podcast hosted by Hank Azaria’s fictional sportscaster Jim Brockmire, a character popularized on the IFC program Brockmire.
“We’re quite lucky to have such talented and accomplished people ...
Writer-producer Michael Schur (The Office, The Good Place, Parks & Recreation) and former ESPN host Jemele Hill will advise Meadowlark on current projects, assist in business development and help create new projects for the company.
The additions of Hill and Schur come after Meadowlark announced its first new project: A podcast hosted by Hank Azaria’s fictional sportscaster Jim Brockmire, a character popularized on the IFC program Brockmire.
“We’re quite lucky to have such talented and accomplished people ...
- 3/24/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Meadowlark Media, the content company launched by former ESPN president John Skipper and ESPN radio and TV host Dan Le Batard, is bringing on board two high-profile additions as creative advisers.
Writer-producer Michael Schur (The Office, The Good Place, Parks & Recreation) and former ESPN host Jemele Hill will advise Meadowlark on current projects, assist in business development and help create new projects for the company.
The additions of Hill and Schur come after Meadowlark announced its first new project: A podcast hosted by Hank Azaria’s fictional sportscaster Jim Brockmire, a character popularized on the IFC program Brockmire.
“We’re quite lucky to have such talented and accomplished people ...
Writer-producer Michael Schur (The Office, The Good Place, Parks & Recreation) and former ESPN host Jemele Hill will advise Meadowlark on current projects, assist in business development and help create new projects for the company.
The additions of Hill and Schur come after Meadowlark announced its first new project: A podcast hosted by Hank Azaria’s fictional sportscaster Jim Brockmire, a character popularized on the IFC program Brockmire.
“We’re quite lucky to have such talented and accomplished people ...
- 3/24/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Hank Azaria will reprise his role from the IFC comedy Brockmire in a 10-episode podcast produced by Dan Le Batard and John Skipper’s Meadowlark Media.
Brockmire ran for four seasons, ending in 2020. Azaria played the title character, a plain-spoken, plaid-jacketed, hard-drinking sportscaster. The Jim Brockmire Podcast will see Azaria-as-Brockmire interview guests from sports and entertainment, starting with NBA star and TNT analyst Charles Barkley on April 7. Interviewees down the line will include Joe Buck, Don Cheadle, Colin Cowherd, Jemele Hill and Ben Stiller.
Azaria and Brockmire producer Sheena Datt are re-teaming on the podcast.
Meadowlark was formed in January by former ESPN colleagues Le Batard and Skipper. The latter, whose lengthy run at ESPN included several years as president, had been executive chairman of Dazn. The sports streaming service’s parent company, Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries has pledged to invest in the new content venture. After signing...
Brockmire ran for four seasons, ending in 2020. Azaria played the title character, a plain-spoken, plaid-jacketed, hard-drinking sportscaster. The Jim Brockmire Podcast will see Azaria-as-Brockmire interview guests from sports and entertainment, starting with NBA star and TNT analyst Charles Barkley on April 7. Interviewees down the line will include Joe Buck, Don Cheadle, Colin Cowherd, Jemele Hill and Ben Stiller.
Azaria and Brockmire producer Sheena Datt are re-teaming on the podcast.
Meadowlark was formed in January by former ESPN colleagues Le Batard and Skipper. The latter, whose lengthy run at ESPN included several years as president, had been executive chairman of Dazn. The sports streaming service’s parent company, Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries has pledged to invest in the new content venture. After signing...
- 3/17/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Jim Brockmire is back.
Hank Azaria will reprise his role as the fictional sportscaster for a new interview podcast series. The Jim Brockmire Podcast is the first new project to come out of Meadowlark Media, the content company created by former ESPN president and Dazn chairman John Skipper, and former ESPN TV and radio host Dan Le Batard.
Each episode of the podcast will see Azaria’s Brockmire interviewing a celebrity guest. Charles Barkley, Joe Buck, Don Cheadle, Steve Cohen, Colin Cowherd, Rich Eisen, Jemele Hill, Dan Patrick, Ben Stiller and Joy Taylor are among the guests booked.
Azaria originated the ...
Hank Azaria will reprise his role as the fictional sportscaster for a new interview podcast series. The Jim Brockmire Podcast is the first new project to come out of Meadowlark Media, the content company created by former ESPN president and Dazn chairman John Skipper, and former ESPN TV and radio host Dan Le Batard.
Each episode of the podcast will see Azaria’s Brockmire interviewing a celebrity guest. Charles Barkley, Joe Buck, Don Cheadle, Steve Cohen, Colin Cowherd, Rich Eisen, Jemele Hill, Dan Patrick, Ben Stiller and Joy Taylor are among the guests booked.
Azaria originated the ...
- 3/17/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Jim Brockmire is back.
Hank Azaria will reprise his role as the fictional sportscaster for a new interview podcast series. The Jim Brockmire Podcast is the first new project to come out of Meadowlark Media, the content company created by former ESPN president and Dazn chairman John Skipper, and former ESPN TV and radio host Dan Le Batard.
Each episode of the podcast will see Azaria’s Brockmire interviewing a celebrity guest. Charles Barkley, Joe Buck, Don Cheadle, Steve Cohen, Colin Cowherd, Rich Eisen, Jemele Hill, Dan Patrick, Ben Stiller and Joy Taylor are among the guests booked.
Azaria originated the ...
Hank Azaria will reprise his role as the fictional sportscaster for a new interview podcast series. The Jim Brockmire Podcast is the first new project to come out of Meadowlark Media, the content company created by former ESPN president and Dazn chairman John Skipper, and former ESPN TV and radio host Dan Le Batard.
Each episode of the podcast will see Azaria’s Brockmire interviewing a celebrity guest. Charles Barkley, Joe Buck, Don Cheadle, Steve Cohen, Colin Cowherd, Rich Eisen, Jemele Hill, Dan Patrick, Ben Stiller and Joy Taylor are among the guests booked.
Azaria originated the ...
- 3/17/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Kevin Mayer, whose long tenure at Disney culminated in the successful launch of Disney+, is joining sports streaming outfit Dazn as chairman.
He replaces former colleague John Skipper, the longtime former ESPN executive who steered Dazn through launches in the U.S. and other global territories. Backed by billionaire Len Blavatnik, Dazn specializes in boxing and soccer, but also controls rights to several other sports in various territories.
Given its resources, the service has been considered a candidate to make a play for more high-end sports rights. The value of those rights has declined in some international markets, making them attractive, and is becoming unwieldy for traditional U.S. media companies. In keeping with its new mission to expand to 200 countries, a plan first reported by Deadline last fall, the emphasis for Dazn is expected to remain outside the U.S. in the near term.
Skipper and ex-espn host Dan Le Batard...
He replaces former colleague John Skipper, the longtime former ESPN executive who steered Dazn through launches in the U.S. and other global territories. Backed by billionaire Len Blavatnik, Dazn specializes in boxing and soccer, but also controls rights to several other sports in various territories.
Given its resources, the service has been considered a candidate to make a play for more high-end sports rights. The value of those rights has declined in some international markets, making them attractive, and is becoming unwieldy for traditional U.S. media companies. In keeping with its new mission to expand to 200 countries, a plan first reported by Deadline last fall, the emphasis for Dazn is expected to remain outside the U.S. in the near term.
Skipper and ex-espn host Dan Le Batard...
- 3/3/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Former high-ranking Disney executive and TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer has been named chairman of the board at sports streaming service Dazn.
Mayer effectively replaces John Skipper, though Skipper will remain on Dazn’s board of directors and serve as a “strategic adviser.” Mayer was recently the CEO of TikTok before resigning in August. He was previously chairman of direct-to-consumer and international operations at Disney. In addition to running Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ and Hotstar, Mayer oversaw the company’s global ad, content and channels sales.
Prior to that extremely important role, he had a different extremely important role: As Disney’s chief strategy officer, Mayer led the acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, 21st Century Fox and BamTech.
The Mayer appointment comes as no surprise — he joined Dazn’s parent company as a senior adviser in November.
Skipper, the former head honcho at ESPN who joined Dazn Group in 2018, stepped down from...
Mayer effectively replaces John Skipper, though Skipper will remain on Dazn’s board of directors and serve as a “strategic adviser.” Mayer was recently the CEO of TikTok before resigning in August. He was previously chairman of direct-to-consumer and international operations at Disney. In addition to running Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ and Hotstar, Mayer oversaw the company’s global ad, content and channels sales.
Prior to that extremely important role, he had a different extremely important role: As Disney’s chief strategy officer, Mayer led the acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, 21st Century Fox and BamTech.
The Mayer appointment comes as no surprise — he joined Dazn’s parent company as a senior adviser in November.
Skipper, the former head honcho at ESPN who joined Dazn Group in 2018, stepped down from...
- 3/3/2021
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Former Disney streaming chief and TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer is taking on another role in the streaming world.
Mayer has been named chairman of the board of directors at Dazn Group, the global streaming sports platform. His addition suggests that the streamer remains committed to becoming a viable player in the streaming sports market, despite the pandemic impacting its business over the past year.
Mayer succeeds former ESPN president John Skipper, who is leaving to launch a new venture called Meadowlark Media with radio host Dan Le Batard. Skipper will remain on Dazn’s board and continue to be an adviser ...
Mayer has been named chairman of the board of directors at Dazn Group, the global streaming sports platform. His addition suggests that the streamer remains committed to becoming a viable player in the streaming sports market, despite the pandemic impacting its business over the past year.
Mayer succeeds former ESPN president John Skipper, who is leaving to launch a new venture called Meadowlark Media with radio host Dan Le Batard. Skipper will remain on Dazn’s board and continue to be an adviser ...
Former Disney streaming chief and TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer is taking on another role in the streaming world.
Mayer has been named chairman of the board of directors at Dazn Group, the global streaming sports platform. His addition suggests that the streamer remains committed to becoming a viable player in the streaming sports market, despite the pandemic impacting its business over the past year.
Mayer succeeds former ESPN president John Skipper, who is leaving to launch a new venture called Meadowlark Media with radio host Dan Le Batard. Skipper will remain on Dazn’s board and continue to be an adviser ...
Mayer has been named chairman of the board of directors at Dazn Group, the global streaming sports platform. His addition suggests that the streamer remains committed to becoming a viable player in the streaming sports market, despite the pandemic impacting its business over the past year.
Mayer succeeds former ESPN president John Skipper, who is leaving to launch a new venture called Meadowlark Media with radio host Dan Le Batard. Skipper will remain on Dazn’s board and continue to be an adviser ...
John Skipper and Dan Le Batard no longer work at ESPN, but that won’t keep them out of the scrum to dominate the world of sports content.
Skipper, the former ESPN chief, and Le Batard, once one of the Disney-backed company’s most popular hosts, are launching Meadowlark Media, an independent content company that will initially focus on sports, with an emphasis on individual creators. Skipper will remain an an executive at Dazn Group, a company that has snapped up rights to stream boxing and mixed-martial fighting matches, among other contests.
The two join a crowded field of entrepreneurs trying to challenge traditional media giants on the sports-content field. The Ringer, a sports-and-entertainment focused outlet founded by former ESPN producer Bill Simmons, was purchased in November by Spotify. Meanwhile, other former ESPN content personnel — including top executives like Connor Schell and Libby Geist — have left the sports giant in recent weeks.
Skipper, the former ESPN chief, and Le Batard, once one of the Disney-backed company’s most popular hosts, are launching Meadowlark Media, an independent content company that will initially focus on sports, with an emphasis on individual creators. Skipper will remain an an executive at Dazn Group, a company that has snapped up rights to stream boxing and mixed-martial fighting matches, among other contests.
The two join a crowded field of entrepreneurs trying to challenge traditional media giants on the sports-content field. The Ringer, a sports-and-entertainment focused outlet founded by former ESPN producer Bill Simmons, was purchased in November by Spotify. Meanwhile, other former ESPN content personnel — including top executives like Connor Schell and Libby Geist — have left the sports giant in recent weeks.
- 1/19/2021
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Updated with name and details of new venture: John Skipper and Dan Le Batard, who were ESPN colleagues as network president and on-air talent, respectively, have formed Meadowlark Media.
The content venture, supported by billionaire Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries, “will emphasize a creator-centric point of view,” the official announcement said. Skipper will remain in his role as executive chairman of Dazn, the global streaming service backed by Blavatnik.
“I’m thrilled to be back in business with Dan, one of the leading and most unique voices in sports media,” said Skipper. “We have a lot in the works, but the first order of business will be to find Dan a new home for his wildly popular audio programs.”
Le Batard broadcast his final ESPN show on January 4.
“We hear the term ‘free agency’ a lot, but our fans, as loyal and rabid as any in sports, just gave us...
The content venture, supported by billionaire Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries, “will emphasize a creator-centric point of view,” the official announcement said. Skipper will remain in his role as executive chairman of Dazn, the global streaming service backed by Blavatnik.
“I’m thrilled to be back in business with Dan, one of the leading and most unique voices in sports media,” said Skipper. “We have a lot in the works, but the first order of business will be to find Dan a new home for his wildly popular audio programs.”
Le Batard broadcast his final ESPN show on January 4.
“We hear the term ‘free agency’ a lot, but our fans, as loyal and rabid as any in sports, just gave us...
- 1/19/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Former ESPN president John Skipper and radio host and former ESPN on-air talent Dan Le Batard are joining forces on a new content venture. The pair are launching Meadowlark Media, which will emphasize a “creator-centric point of view” to content, with its initial focus on sports.
The company is launching with the support of Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries, which owns a controlling stake in Warner Music Group and the streaming sports service Dazn, for which Skipper had been chairman. Skipper will continue working with Dazn Group.
The first order of business for Meadowlark, according to Skipper, will be ...
The company is launching with the support of Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries, which owns a controlling stake in Warner Music Group and the streaming sports service Dazn, for which Skipper had been chairman. Skipper will continue working with Dazn Group.
The first order of business for Meadowlark, according to Skipper, will be ...
- 1/19/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
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