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1:10 PM ET, February 20, 2026

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 Top News: 
CNBC:
James Cameron blasts Netflix's proposed acquisition of WBD, in a letter to Senator Mike Lee, calling it “disastrous for the theatrical motion picture business”  —  Legendary “Titanic” director James Cameron is likening the theatrical experience to a “sinking ship” if Netflix acquires Warner Bros. Discovery's film studio.
RELATED:
Bloomberg:
Ted Sarandos says a winning Netflix bid for WBD would lead to more films in theaters because Netflix would distribute its films via WBD's distribution system
Rohan Goswami / Semafor:
In a letter, six Democratic senators ask David Ellison to save communications with Trump, his family, lobbyists, and the DOJ about Paramount's pursuit of WBD
Marina Adami / Nieman Lab:
Editors and freelance journalists say AI has brought more productivity, increased expectations of speed, a need for more vetting, and sometimes job-loss fears  —  One freelancer said he's been offering editors access to his Google Docs version histories as evidence that he does the writing himself.
Hanaa' Tameez / Nieman Lab:
Substack announces new tools to help writers use Polymarket data and adds Polymarket to its sponsorship pilot, prompting questions from some journalists  —  Predictions market Polymarket and Substack are now “exclusive,” the companies announced.  And the relationship getting serious is raising a few eyebrows.
James Hibberd / The Hollywood Reporter:
After a backlash, AMC opts out of screening an AI short film during its pre-show, programmed by ad company Screenvision, before feature films  —  AMC has opted out of screening the award-winning short film during its third-party programmed pre-show, and it's unclear if other chains will follow suit.
Adam Liptak / New York Times:
How Alan Dershowitz's petition to seek review of his CNN libel suit threatens NYT v. Sullivan, which Dershowitz argues should only apply to government officials  —  Alan Dershowitz was present at the creation of New York Times v. Sullivan.  Now he is asking the Supreme Court to revise or destroy it.
Discussion: Townhall and SCOTUSblog
Dominic Ponsford / Press Gazette:
Only 11 out of 131 ABC-audited UK magazines grew their actively purchased print sales in 2025, including Harper's Bazaar, The Spectator, and The Week Junior  —  Full breakdown of UK print magazine sales risers and fallers in 2025.  —  Only 11 UK magazines grew their actively-purchased print sales in 2025 …
Daniel Thomas / Financial Times:
Discussion: The Guardian, The Wrap and Telegraph
Maxwell Zeff / Wired:
Perplexity's retreat from ads signals a strategic shift as it recognizes its product is not for a mass audience and expects growth to come from enterprise sales  —  The AI search startup once predicted advertising would be a massive business.  Now it's betting on a smaller, more valuable audience.
Charlotte Tobitt / Press Gazette:
Selome Hailu / Variety:
Matthew McConaughey and Timothée Chalamet discuss AI's potential to replace actors and win awards; McConaughey said AI actors will “infiltrate” the Oscars  —  Matthew McConaughey and Timothée Chalamet are telling young people to brace themselves and lead the entertainment industry through the rise of AI.
Charlotte Tobitt / Press Gazette:
The UK CMA says Getty and Shutterstock's $3.7B merger could lead to a “substantial lessening of competition” in the UK editorial market for news events  —  The $3.7bn merger of rival image providers Getty and Shutterstock could lead to a “substantial lessening of competition” …
 
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 More News: 
Anhata Rooprai / Reuters:
Apple TV has signed a distribution deal with EverPass Media to bring live sports content to US businesses such as bars, restaurants, hotels, and gyms
Etan Vlessing / The Hollywood Reporter:
Imax partners with Apple TV to show five 2026 Formula One races across at least 50 US Imax locations, as Imax continues to push into live events
 Earlier Picks: 
Deutsche Welle:
Germany public broadcaster Deutsche Welle's 2026 budget shrinks by €21M, prompting the closure of its Greek-language service, cuts to 160 positions, and more
 

 
From Techmeme:

Rafe Rosner-Uddin / Financial Times:
Sources: Amazon's AI tools have caused at least two AWS outages, including a 13-hour disruption in December; Amazon says it was “user error, not AI error”

The Information:
Sources: OpenAI has 200+ people working on a family of AI devices, including a smart speaker priced from $200 to $300, possibly smart glasses and a smart lamp

Adam Levine / Barron's Online:
Tech stocks rise slightly from their morning lows after the Supreme Court ruled that President Trump lacked the authority to impose sweeping global tariffs

 
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