Stephen Battaglio

Staff Writer

Stephen Battaglio writes about television and the media business for the Los Angeles Times out of New York. His coverage of the television industry has appeared in TV Guide, the New York Daily News, the New York Times, Fortune, the Hollywood Reporter, Inside.com and Adweek. He is also the author of three books about television, including a biography of pioneer talk show host and producer David Susskind.

Latest From This Author

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‘The Big Bang Theory’ streaming rights will go to HBO Max

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‘The Big Bang Theory’ streaming rights will go to HBO Max

The popular series “The Big Bang Theory,” which ran for 12 seasons on CBS, will be on the WarnerMedia platform scheduled to launch next year.
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Netflix acquires the global streaming rights to ‘Seinfeld’

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Netflix acquires the global streaming rights to ‘Seinfeld’

Landing “Seinfeld” is a major comeback statement for Netflix, which recently lost the streaming rights to “The Office” and “Friends.”
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Third Democratic debate scores 14 million viewers on ABC and Univision

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Third Democratic debate scores 14 million viewers on ABC and Univision

First meeting of the front-runners in the Democratic presidential nomination is a major TV draw
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The end of the backend? Disney wants to limit profit participation on its new TV shows

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The end of the backend? Disney wants to limit profit participation on its new TV shows

A new deal structure could have a significant impact on the long-term earnings of show creators.
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NFL and its TV partners are hoping to score more ratings increases

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NFL and its TV partners are hoping to score more ratings increases

The NFL is off to a strong start as Thursday night’s season kickoff scored 22 million TV viewers, a 16% jump over last year.
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Disney closes sale of regional sports network YES to Sinclair, the Yankees and Amazon

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Disney closes sale of regional sports network YES to Sinclair, the Yankees and Amazon

Disney unloads YES sports network, as required to get approval for its purchase of 21st Century Fox, in deal that values the channel at $3.47 billion.
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Is President Trump falling out of love with Fox News?

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Is President Trump falling out of love with Fox News?

President Trump has begun turning his angry tweets toward his favorite cable news outlet, Fox News.
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Q&A: He was tied to the old regime at CBS. Can Joe Ianniello pave its future under Viacom?

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Q&A: He was tied to the old regime at CBS. Can Joe Ianniello pave its future under Viacom?

Once the heir apparent to disgraced CBS chief Leslie Moonves, Joe Ianniello will now steer the legendary media company through its second merger with Viacom but he faces a host of challenges.
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Sarah Huckabee Sanders joins Fox News as a contributor

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Sarah Huckabee Sanders joins Fox News as a contributor

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the former White House press secretary, will make her debut on “Fox & Friends” on Sept. 6.
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Bakish will get a big raise as head of ViacomCBS; Ianniello committed to stay on until 2021

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Bakish will get a big raise as head of ViacomCBS; Ianniello committed to stay on until 2021

Appointment of Bob Bakish as chairman of the merged Viacom-CBS triggered a clause in Ianiello’s contract that gives the executive a hefty payment. Three CBS board members are also exiting.