All articles tagged with #media and entertainment
Xbox has established a new division called XP to centralize its film, television, consumer products, and live experience efforts. Led by Kayleen Walters, the unit aims to expand gaming franchises like Minecraft and Call of Duty beyond gameplay. Maria Angelidou-Smith has been appointed as the new CEO of Mojang, succeeding Walters.
The Television Academy has signed a six-year agreement with Amazon Prime Video to exclusively stream the Emmy Awards starting in 2027, ending the ceremony’s decades-long rotation among major broadcast networks. The move aims to expand global reach and modernize the event, though financial terms remain undisclosed.
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.
Amazon Prime Video has finalized a six-year agreement to broadcast the Primetime Emmy Awards globally, ending the 31-year-old 'wheel deal' rotation among major broadcast networks. The deal, valued at approximately $15 million annually, moves the ceremony to a streaming platform for the first time since 1949, with the first broadcast scheduled for September 2027. The Television Academy confirmed the merger with the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is on track for mid-2027, potentially integrating daytime awards into the new streaming framework.
David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, released a farewell video to employees on October 5, 2026, ahead of the $111 billion merger with Paramount Skydance. The new entity, Skydance Corp, will launch on October 6. Zaslav is set to receive a golden parachute payout of at least $550 million, following a 2025 compensation package of $165 million. The merger ends Zaslav’s four-and-a-half-year tenure, which included cost-cutting measures and a failed plan to split the company into two entities.
The newly formed media conglomerate, resulting from the merger of Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount, has officially adopted the name Skydance. This rebrand, which unifies major brands like HBO, CNN, and DC Comics under one corporate umbrella, has triggered significant public criticism. Critics argue the name appears ego-driven and highlights the controversial consolidation of media ownership, despite the company’s intention to keep legacy studio identities intact.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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' 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.
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.
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.