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Discovery closes Scripps deal; Univision seeks IPO withdrawal

Top News

* Discovery Communications Inc. closed the acquisition of Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. The combined company will officially be known as Discovery Inc., according to a news release.

* Discovery Communications is considering developing a global streaming service for its reality, nature and lifestyle programming, London's Financial Times reports. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said there was an opportunity for a global service because "almost all other subscription video-on-demand services look the same."

* Univision Holdings Inc. requested the withdrawal of its Form S-1 registration statement submitted to the SEC for a proposed IPO of its class A shares. Also, Univision Holdings unit Univision Communications Inc. appointed Peter Lori the new CFO of the company, succeeding Francisco Lopez-Balboa, who has decided to leave the company to pursue other opportunities, the company said.

* Coca-Cola Co., an official FIFA sponsor; Sprint Corp.; and Volkswagen AG scored significant schedules. Telemundo (US) is also working on new sales opportunities tied to content that Buzzfeed and VICE Media LLC will produce around the 2018 World Cup.

Film & TV

* Viacom Inc.'s Nickelodeon (US) is ramping up its content lineup with more than 800 new episodes, original short-form content and the introduction of original VR and AR experiences. The upcoming slate includes a reboot of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," "The Loud House," new animated comedy series "Pony," and new game show, called "Keep It Spotless," according to a news release.

* Weinstein Co. LLC's deal to sell the company to an investor group led by billionaire Ron Burkle has collapsed, Variety reports, citing Burkle's investing partner Maria Contreras-Sweet. Burkle and Contreras-Sweet agreed to a $500 million deal with Weinstein's board March 1, but since then the investors have discovered new information on previously undisclosed liabilities, a source familiar with the transaction said.

* The number of high-profile sexual misconduct cases involving major companies surged in 2017. In response, some investors are demanding changes, including improvements in corporate culture, diversity and transparency.

Internet & OTT

* Netflix Inc. will stream "1983," its first Polish original series, globally later this year. This eight-episode series, which is currently in production, features Robert Wieckiewicz and Maciej Musial as a disgraced police investigator and an idealistic law student who stumble upon a conspiracy that changed the course of the nation and kept the Iron Curtain standing, the company said.

* Netflix green-lighted its third Colombian original series, "Distrito Salvaje." The 10-episode series, which will be available to Netflix members in the Americas in 2018, follows guerrilla fighter who escapes the jungle after the signing of the Colombian Peace Agreements, the company said.

* Although some believe Comcast Corp. and 21st Century Fox Inc. are on the brink of a bidding war for British pay TV giant Sky plc, there could still be a chance for the two sides to find a peaceful resolution. Comcast, the largest cable operator in the U.S., late in February announced a possible offer to acquire Sky.

The day ahead

Early morning futures indicators pointed to a lower opening for the U.S. market.

In Asia, the Hang Seng fell 1.03% to 30,196.92 and the Nikkei 225 dropped 0.77% to 21,252.72.

In Europe, around midday, the FTSE 100 fell 0.01% to 7,145.94 and the Euronext 100 fell 0.46% to 1,004.58.

On the macro front

The ADP Employment Report, EIA Petroleum Status Report and the Beige Book are due out today.

Featured news

The Daily Dose Europe: Viacom, Telenor ink content deal; Facebook, Google face French antitrust probe: Viacom has struck a deal with Norway's Telenor ASA to offer Paramount content on mobile devices, while France's antitrust watchdog may probe Facebook Inc. and Google Inc. over their "overwhelmingly dominant position" in the country's online ad market.

The Daily Dose Asia-Pacific: Ola in talks to raise US$1B; Chinese streaming platform HUYA files for US IPO: Indian ride-hailing company Ola is in talks with investors to raise US$1 billion, while Chinese live game-streaming platform HUYA Inc. filed for an IPO in the U.S.

Tech Time: New 5G industry body formed; Telefónica, China Unicom ink IoT deal: Telecom operators, tech firms and other companies have teamed up to create a new industry body for 5G network slicing, while Spain's Telefónica SA and China Unicom agreed on a global partnership for the internet of things.

Featured research

Economics of Internet: Millennials and mobile power YouTube gains in 2017: YouTube saw competition in the over-the-top video space intensify in 2017, but the platform is showing few ill-effects, with U.S. viewing rising sharply.

Economics of Advertising: Ad revenue at AMC's national networks dips 9.9% in Q4'17: Despite declining ad revenue, the company reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2017 revenue growth.

Global Multichannel: A year of crisis turned to opportunity for Chunghwa Telecom's MOD: Taiwan's telco giant reported 20.3% year-over-year subscriber growth for its Multimedia On Demand service, despite obstacles and setbacks while reforming the loss-making IPTV business.

Wireless Investor: MLB brings more statistics to apps and online video: Major League Baseball adds more statistics to online video and apps while dabbling in online streaming and virtual reality without blackouts.

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