WaPo’s Next Chief, Tech’s Hidden Crisis, Candle’s Burning Question

Welcome back to The Daily Courant, your afternoon dispatch of Puck’s best new reporting.

First up today, Bill Cohan reveals how Blackstone’s Steve Schwarzman could toss a spanner in Iger’s Disney succession race. Plus, notes on Byron’s $10 billion bid for ABC and Linda’s Twitter/X debt debacle.

Then, below the fold: Dylan Byers details NBC’s late-stage jostling to host the third Republican debate, before teasing the remaining contenders on Patty Stonesifer’s WaPo C.E.O. shortlist. Baratunde Thurston shines a klieg light on the tech industry’s “update” paradox. And on The Powers That Be, Peter Hamby and Jon Kelly exchange notes on the Times’ response to Adam Nagourney’s new book about the Gray Lady before digging into WBD’s new sports package.

WILLIAM D. COHAN

A downturn at Candle Media is lowering Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs’ altitude on the Disney C.E.O. shortlist. Plus, notes on Byron’s ABC bid and Linda’s Twitter/X mess.

DYLAN BYERS

Inside the late-stage negotiations for NBC News to host the third Republican debate—with the possible stipulation that it won’t be simulcast on MSNBC. Plus, updates on the remaining contenders in the Patty Stonesifer succession race.

BARATUNDE THURSTON

The digitization of our lives and livelihoods is leaving millions of Americans—particularly the elderly—on the wrong side of the digital divide. Is it possible to age-proof Silicon Valley?

PETER HAMBY & JON KELLY

Jon Kelly joins Peter to discuss the Times’ response to Adam Nagourney’s new Times book. And then they dig into WBD’s new sports package.