Top News:
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Sources: Comcast, Netflix, and Paramount submitted second-round WBD bids on December 1; Paramount's includes financing from Apollo and Middle East wealth funds — Netflix reportedly made a mostly cash bid for the Warner Bros. streaming and studios entity; Comcast is also in the mix
Discussion:
TVBEurope, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, The American Bazaar, Sports Media Watch, The Wrap, Cord Cutters News, @nitishpahwa.com, Yahoo Finance, Screen, The Hollywood Reporter, Lucas Shaw on LinkedIn, The Streamable, Sports Business Journal, Blockonomi, Broadband TV News, Advanced Television, Proactiveinvestors UK, NewsMax.com, Awful Announcing, Screen Rant, Mercury News and Benzinga
RELATED:
Bloomberg:
Sources: Comcast is looking to merge NBCUniversal, including NBC TV, studios, and theme parks, with WBD, whose shareholders would get cash and stock — Comcast Corp. is looking to merge its NBCUniversal division with Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., according to people familiar with the company's plans.
Discussion:
The Wrap, The Movie Blog, Awful Announcing, Deadline and The Ringer
David Bauder / Associated Press:
The Pentagon denied the AP and others access to a few news briefings, claiming they're orientation events for the new press corps, which now includes Matt Gaetz — Outlets that reach millions of news consumers are being denied access to rare briefings by Pentagon officials this week …
Discussion:
Washington Post, @lauraloomer, Mediaite, @atrupar.com, The List, Defense News, Alternet.org, @bgrueskin.bsky.social, @browneyedsusan.bsky.social, @atnj.org, New York Times, @kenwhite.bsky.social, @premthakker.bsky.social, The Hill, @phildstewart, Mirror US, Bloomberg, @swin24.bsky.social, @seth_hettena, @quakerorts.bsky.social, Joe.My.God. and IJR
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Former Paramount streaming exec Jeff Shultz is named CEO of Radial Entertainment, which was formed last summer from the merger of FilmRise and Shout! Studios — Paramount Global alum Jeff Shultz is taking the helm of Radial Entertainment, the recently formed entertainment company encompassing FilmRise and Shout!
Discussion:
The Wrap, Deadline, TVNewsCheck, StreamTV Insider, Jeff Shultz on LinkedIn, Media Play News, TheDesk.net and Realscreen
Sara Fischer / Axios:
CNN partners with Kalshi to use its real-time prediction data in TV, digital, and social channel reporting, on-air data tickers, analysis, and fact-checking — CNN has stuck a partnership with Kalshi, the world's largest global prediction market company, bringing Kalshi's data …
Jess Weatherbed / The Verge:
YouTube launches Recap, which lets users review their most notable video habits over the past year, in the US on desktop and mobile, arriving globally next week — The new annual insights feature lets you review your top channels, interests, and other viewing habits.
Discussion:
Deadline, YouTube Official Blog, Tech Times, KSDK-TV, Dexerto, Destructoid, TechCrunch, Pocket-lint, MakeUseOf, Search Engine Journal, NPR, Android Police, DNYUZ, Android Authority, PCMag, Thurrott, iPhone in Canada, Chrome Unboxed, MacRumors, WeRSM, 9to5Google, TechRadar, CNET, Variety, The Keyword and YouTube, more at Techmeme »
Angus Whitley / Bloomberg:
YouTube says it will comply with Australia's social media ban for under-16s, after rejecting its inclusion in the crackdown and calling the regulation “rushed” — YouTube is taking steps to comply with Australia's upcoming under-16s social media ban, even after rejecting …
Discussion:
The Economic Times, BBC, Reuters, Crikey, iTnews, Tech in Asia, 9News, The Guardian, Digital Media Research Centre and The Indian Express
Sam Gutelle / Tubefilter:
Acast, with Little Dot Studios, is launching a UK-based program to boost ad opportunities for podcasters on YouTube; a beta version launches in January — In the US, podcast ad revenue is projected to soar to $2.5 billion this year. Meanwhile, across the pond, podcaster fortunes are improving as well …
Discussion:
Journalism.co.uk, Acast, Podnews and Advanced Television
Zac Ntim / Deadline:
Netflix says Southeast Asian content on the platform grew nearly 50% from 2023 to 2024 and 40+ Southeast Asian titles were in its Global Top 10 in 2025 — Netflix has said global viewership of Southeast Asian content on its platform grew by nearly 50% from 2023 to 2024.
Discussion:
Variety
Jessica Hammers / Marketing Dive:
Snapchat launches the Winter Village, a shoppable AR experience that includes Chopard, Lancome, and Boss virtual shops, available through December 31 — Chopard and other luxury brands are featured in the Snapchat Winter Village, a digital activation meant to mimic the in-person shopping experience.
Discussion:
Snap Newsroom, @naomishambles.bsky.social, Your Source for Retail, MediaPost and Social Media Today
Rachel Scharf / Billboard:
Warner Music Group sues PacSun for copyright infringement, claiming PacSun used at least 290 recordings by WMG artists in posts on Instagram and TikTok — The apparel company is accused of using unlicensed music in social media advertisements and influencer videos.
Discussion:
Music Business Worldwide and Bloomberg Law
Sean Hollister / The Verge:
Google is conducting a small test for some Discover users, replacing original news headlines with short AI-generated ones that are sometimes misleading or inane — Google tells us it's a “small UI experiment for a subset of Discover users”. … If we wrote those misleading headlines …
Discussion:
Engadget, @seanhollister.bsky.social, @gigawattconduit.bsky.social and @intro-p.bsky.social

