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Emmys Abandon Broadcast Networks for Amazon Prime Video in Six-Year Deal
6 days ago•Source: NBC News
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16.615 min•6 days ago
Skydance Marks Merger Close With Water Tower Repaint and Layoff Warnings
The $110 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery officially closed on October 6, 2026, creating the new entity Skydance. CEO David Ellison and co-CEO Ynon Kreiz immediately updated the iconic Warner Bros. water tower in Burbank to reflect the new corporate name. While the leadership team emphasized a 'creative-first' vision and the preservation of legacy brands, they also confirmed that significant layoffs are imminent to achieve projected cost savings and manage substantial debt.
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Zaslav Bids Farewell to Warner Bros. Staff as Skydance Merger Closes
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Skydance CEO Reaffirms L.A. Headquarters Amid Ongoing Corporate Flight Concerns
David Ellison confirmed Skydance will remain in Los Angeles, but the threat of relocation has already given the company leverage in its antitrust settlement with state regulators.
Disney and Netflix Sign Broad Licensing Deal, Bringing 'Ice Age' and 'Percy Jackson' to Streaming Rival
Disney and Netflix have finalized a new content licensing agreement, bringing a mix of library titles and current-season series to Netflix. The deal includes all five 'Ice Age' films and 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' for short promotional windows, alongside current shows like 'Will Trent' and 'Shifting Gears.' Library series such as 'Felicity' and 'This Is Us' are also included. This move allows Disney to monetize its catalog and promote upcoming releases via Netflix's 325 million subscribers, while maintaining exclusivity on Disney+ and Hulu for core titles.
Disney and Netflix Expand Licensing Pact, Bringing 'Ice Age' and 'Percy Jackson' to Streaming Rival
Disney and Netflix have finalized a broad content licensing agreement, moving a mix of library titles and current-season series to Netflix. The deal includes all five 'Ice Age' films and 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' for short promotional windows, alongside current shows like 'Will Trent' and 'Shifting Gears.' Library series such as 'Felicity' and 'This Is Us' are also included. This move allows Disney to monetize its catalog and promote upcoming releases via Netflix's 325 million subscribers, while maintaining exclusivity on Disney+ and Hulu for core titles.
Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Set to Close Oct 6 Amid Ruffalo's 'Stifle Creativity' Protests
The merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery is scheduled to close on October 6, 2026, despite intense opposition from actor Mark Ruffalo and a coalition of state attorneys general. Ruffalo criticized the deal as a threat to creativity and free speech, while corporate filings confirmed the anticipated closing date and share conversion terms.
Holland Exits Paramount, Clearing Path for Bloys to Lead Merged Streaming Empire
Cindy Holland has resigned as Paramount’s direct-to-consumer chair, effectively handing control of the merged Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery streaming division to HBO chief Casey Bloys. Holland’s departure resolves a leadership impasse, as neither executive would report to the other. While Holland successfully revitalized Paramount+, Ellison prioritized 'HBO stability' and Bloys’ broader domain. The move precedes the merger’s closing, which faces ongoing legal scrutiny but has cleared key regulatory hurdles.
Kreiz to Lead Operations at Merged Paramount-Warner Bros. as Lynch Succeeds Him at Mattel
David Ellison has appointed Ynon Kreiz as co-CEO of the merged Paramount-Warner Bros. entity, with Kreiz taking over day-to-day operations while Ellison focuses on strategy. Kreiz leaves Mattel after eight years, where he is succeeded by Condé Nast CEO Roger Lynch. The merger is set to close on October 6, 2026, following the resolution of an antitrust lawsuit.
NBC's 'Today' Reclaims Morning News Ratings Crown After 14-Year Drought
NBC's 'Today' has reclaimed the top spot in morning news ratings for the first time since 2011-2012. The program finished the 2025-26 season with the highest overall viewership and the largest audience among adults aged 25-54, outpacing ABC's 'Good Morning America' and CBS's 'Mornings.' This achievement marks a significant turnaround for the franchise, which had not led both key metrics simultaneously in over a decade.
BBC Prepares Major Network Closures to Meet £500M Savings Target
The BBC is expected to announce the closure of several TV and radio services next week as part of a strategy to save £500 million. Director General Matt Brittin is reviewing the broadcaster's portfolio to align with shifting audience habits, with youth network BBC Three and BBC Scotland facing potential cuts. The moves follow a £80 million reduction in commissioning spend and occur amid tense union negotiations and charter renewal talks with the UK government.
media-and-entertainment24 days ago
Megan Rivers Retires from WBAL-TV, Receives Tributes from Local Leaders and Colleagues
Megan Rivers has announced her retirement from WBAL-TV 11 News in Baltimore, marking the end of her career in local journalism. The station published a farewell segment on September 18, 2026, featuring video messages from colleagues, family, and community figures. Notable send-offs included remarks from Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore, and national weather personality Al Roker. The announcement highlights the respect Rivers commanded within the local media and civic community, though specific details regarding her next steps or career length were not provided in the available reporting.
60 Minutes Season 59 Premiere Draws 7.94M Viewers, Down 21% Year-Over-Year
The 59th season premiere of 60 Minutes drew 7.94 million viewers on September 13, 2026, a 21% drop from the 10.03 million viewers recorded for the 2025 premiere. The broadcast followed a major overhaul by CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, which included the departure of veteran correspondents Scott Pelley, Sharyn Alfonsi, and Cecilia Vega, and the appointment of Nick Bilton as executive producer. While linear TV ratings declined, social media views tripled to 116.7 million, and the program remained the most-watched news broadcast of the week.