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1 big thing: From Tom Cruise deepfakes to de-aging Tom Hanks

Photo illustration of  Metaphysic CEO and cofounder Tom Graham with a digital eye and lines in the background.

2. The BFD: Meta's VR win

Illustration of a VR headset with Benjamin Franklin's eyes glowing in the lens.

3. Peltz targets Michael Froman

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4. Deal flow

5. Movin' on up (or out)

6. Channel surfing

Illustration of a TV color test screen in the shape of a wave.

🗓️ Situational awareness: Join Tim and Sara Fischer today at 12:30pm ET for a conversation forecasting media trends in 2023 and analyzing the year's biggest dealmaking stories so far. Register to attend.

@tim_bays: "The Play That Goes Wrong" at New World Stages. Braving the deep freeze on Saturday to take in my first Broadway show since returning to NYC.

@kerrymflynn: "Central Park" on Apple TV+. Finished season three and cannot get over how Stanley Tucci's character, Bitsy, got her dog. 

✏️ Thanks to Michael Flaherty for editing and Jay Bennett for copy editing this newsletter.

Thank you for reading Axios Pro Media Deals! Please ask your friends, colleagues and Tom Hanks to sign up.

1 big thing: ICYMI... Pro Event recap

Tim Baysinger and Sara Fischer, side by side, for Axios Pro Media Deals live event

2. Additional live event questions answered

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3. Deal flow

4. Movin' on up (or out)

5. Channel surfing

Illustration of a remote control in the shape of a surfboard leaning against a VW bus.

🏛️ Situational awareness: Tim and Kerry are in D.C. for Axios' company-wide retreat. But don't fret. We'll still be delivering newsletters all week!

@tim_bays: "Rules of Civility." Haven't picked up this book since the honeymoon, but a four-hour train ride to D.C. is a perfect excuse. 

@kerrymflynn: "Spare" on Audible. Listening to Prince Harry while traveling to D.C. 

Thank you for reading Axios Pro Media Deals! Please ask your friends, colleagues and Amtrak riders to sign up.

1 big thing: Whither Hulu

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2. The BFD: Atmosphere's unicorn moment

Illustration of a flatscreen television featuring a unicorn on a rainbow background

Illustration of a surfer with a television in the place of his head.

🏈 Situational awareness: The NFL signed a 10-year deal with DAZN Group to make DAZN the exclusive streaming home for NFL Game Pass International beginning next season.

@tim_bays: Retreat day two in D.C., where absolutely nothing else is happening tonight. 

@kerrymflynn: Excited for company karaoke. 

✏️ Thanks to George Moriarty for editing and Jay Bennett for copy editing this newsletter.

Thank you for reading Axios Pro Media Deals! Please ask your friends, colleagues and Hulu subscribers to sign up.

1 big thing: Marketing, but make it compliant

Constellation cofounders Nauman Hafiz, Diana Lee and Matt Woodruff

NCAA may break its own bundle

2. The BFD: NCAA taps advisers for media rights sale

Illustration of a bitcoin connected to a baseball, basketball, and soccer ball

3. Charted: DOJ vs. Google

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🗓️ Situational awareness: Join Tim and Sara Fischer tomorrow at 12:30pm ET for a conversation forecasting media trends in 2023 and analyzing the year's biggest dealmaking stories so far. Register to attend.

@tim_bays: "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" on Disney+. Time to re-watch future Oscar winner Angela Bassett. 

@kerrymflynn: "80 For Brady" at AMC Theatres. Wow, what a day to already have tickets to an early showing dubbed "Ladies Night Out." I'll be wearing my Brady jersey — the Patriots one. 

Thank you for reading Axios Pro Media Deals! Please ask your friends, colleagues and NCAA fans to sign up.

1 big thing: Telecom trends

Photo illustration of Jason Hill with a close up image of fiber optic cables and abstract shapes.

2. The BFD: Game over for Microsoft-Activision?

🗞️ Situational awareness: The New York Times reported $2.3 billion in 2022 revenue, an 11.3% increase over 2021.

@tim_bays: "Not Dead Yet" on ABC. If this is any good, ABC will have a pretty strong comedy block with "Abbott Elementary."

@kerrymflynn: "The Last of Us" on HBO Max. Missed episode 4 because of the Grammys. Grateful that episode 5 drops on Friday. 

Thank you for reading Axios Pro Media Deals! Please ask your friends, colleagues and ChatGPT obsessors to sign up.

1. The Recount's new owner

2. SiriusXM's new deal

3. Flipping the M&A channel

4. Constellation round 

5. NCAA taps advisers for media rights sale

6. Meta's VR win

What we're watching: Trian Partners' proxy fight against Disney is in full-on attack mode, with the activist hedge fund naming its board target this week and the company responding with a staunch and lengthy defense. A peace settlement doesn't look likely at the moment. Stay tuned. 

🙏 Thank you for reading us this week. 

🏛 Axios employees will be gathering in D.C. next week for our annual off-site. We'll still be sending our newsletter, though it may be streamlined on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Have a great weekend. — Michael Flaherty, editor

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