Top News:
Lucas Manfredi / The Wrap:
Netflix says it is “not interested” and has no plans to pursue Lionsgate; Lionsgate shares closed up 13.85% on Tuesday before falling ~4% after hours — Shares of the Hollywood studio jumped 13% after Semafor reported the streamer was interested in a potential acquisition
Discussion:
Yahoo Finance, The Motley Fool, Deadline and Media Play News
RELATED:
Rohan Goswami / Semafor:
Sources: Netflix is interested in acquiring Lionsgate and took a look at Roku, but a Roku deal would have faced tougher antitrust scrutiny than Fox's — The Scoop — It failed in a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. Then, it bowed out of its pursuit of Roku, according to people involved in the sale process.
Discussion:
Digiday, Cord Cutters News, @rogoswami, Yahoo Finance, @rogoswami, Motley Fool, International Business Times, Straight Arrow, @semafor.com, New York Post, Comic Book, World of Reel, Investor's Business Daily, Sherwood News, @carlquintanilla.bsky.social, Media Play News, Morningstar, Washington Times, Wall Street Journal and r/MediaMergers
CBC News:
Canada's CBC, which began televising NHL games in 1952, will no longer show NHL games after it was unable to reach a new sublicense deal with Rogers Sportsnet — CBC Sports will launch new Saturday night prime time show focused on Olympic-oriented competition
Discussion:
Associated Press, @canada-dry.bsky.social, @ithx1138.bsky.social, @plnear.bsky.social, @thoughtsnations.bsky.social, @strayarc.bsky.social, @sportsnetpr, @puzzled@coales.co, @lisafellaantifa.bsky.social, @trapdinawrpool.bsky.social, @scottinmontreal.ca, The Detroit News, The Athletic, @rhinestonecanuck.bsky.social, @fiverdrive.bsky.social, @allanis.gay, New York Times, @rachelgilmore.bsky.social, @rachelgilmore.bsky.social, MobileSyrup, Defector, Awful Announcing, @chris@mstdn.chrisalemany.ca, @njiska.com, Barrett Media, Sports Business Journal, Canadian Press, Telecompaper, iPhone in Canada and @lukelebrun.ca
Mitchell Armentrout / Chicago Sun Times:
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signs a state budget that levies taxes on social media giants, digital advertising, and prediction and crypto markets — The eighth state spending plan of Pritzker's tenure includes additional funding for food assistance in the wake of deep federal funding cuts under President Donald Trump.
Mark Sweney / The Guardian:
Analysts: UK social media ban is likely to cause £1.3B in digital ad cuts in 2027, with streaming services poised to benefit as advertisers seek to reach teens — TV streamers and family shows set to benefit as brands cease marketing to teenagers on sites such as YouTube
Discussion:
City A.M. and Moneycontrol
Rebuild Local News:
The 2026 Local Journalist Index shows a persistent shortage of local journalists; states with fewer local journalists face higher municipal borrowing costs — MIAMI and BROOKLYN — The 2026 Local Journalist Index, a landmark annual study by Muck Rack, the AI communications platform …
Discussion:
Tim Franklin on LinkedIn, Steven Waldman on LinkedIn and Washington Monthly
Sarah Perez / TechCrunch:
WordPress survey: 60% of US consumers say “AI” in a brand's messaging is a turnoff, 86% always or sometimes check the original source after seeing an AI summary — Getting cited by AI is easier than earning consumers' trust, according to a new report from WordPress VIP …
Discussion:
PYMNTS, @drbarnard, @mattnavarra@threads.com and @Sarahp@mastodon.social
Sara Fischer / Axios:
People Inc. acquires Hot Luck, an Austin-based food and music festival, as part of a push to bring live experiences to lifestyle brands — - It also gives People Inc. access to a younger live audience within its food vertical. … - The event drew more than 10,000 attendees in 2025 …
Kerry Flynn / Axios:
New York Post Media Group is launching its first FAST channel with 150 hours of programming from across the NY Post, California Post, Page Six, and more — New York Post Media Group is launching its first free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel, head of video and audio Warren Cohen exclusively tells Axios.
Discussion:
TheDesk.net, Cord Cutters News, Media Play News and ExchangeWire.com
Alex Weprin / The Hollywood Reporter:
With the success of Backrooms, Reddit is increasingly a source of IP and talent for Hollywood, including an upcoming film starring Sydney Sweeney — The old-school forum that originated A24's ‘Backrooms’ is embracing its role as an idea incubator where “fandoms can grow organically.”
Discussion:
@mhwilliams.bsky.social
Sara Fischer / Axios:
USA Today adds 1,000 Marvel comics and an exclusive weekly, vertically formatted Spider-Man series to USA Today Play, expanding the app beyond puzzles and games — USA Today is adding 1,000 Marvel digital comics and an exclusive new, vertically formatted Marvel Infinity series, “Spider-Man TODAY …
Discussion:
TechRadar, Comic Book and @dude.computer
Nick Pinto / Hell Gate:
Reporters at Schneps Media, which owns 100+ newspapers, sites, and other media properties across NYC, including amNewYork, vote to form a union — Reporters at Schneps Media, which includes amNew York, Queens Courier, and the Brooklyn Paper, say they can't afford to live on their salaries.
