Top News:
Barbara Moens / Financial Times:
Sources: the EU is set to approve Paramount's $111B WBD takeover provided the company accepts certain remedies, the details of which are still being worked out — David Ellison's media group is discussing remedies with Brussels in order to clear key regulatory hurdle
RELATED:
Foo Yun Chee / Reuters:
Source: Paramount is prepared to sell its film distribution joint venture with Universal Pictures to address EU antitrust concerns over its WBD acquisition — Paramount Skydance Corp (PSKY.O) is prepared to divest its film distribution joint venture with Universal Pictures …
Discussion:
New York Post
Daniel Thomas / Financial Times:
An interview with Bob Iger on stepping down as Disney's CEO, his legacy, new CEO Josh D'Amaro, Bob Chapek, Apple, Disney+, purchasing Pixar, AI, and more — For two decades, Hollywood's most indispensable executive has been synonymous with Disney. Can he really tear himself away?
Discussion:
The Wrap, Variety, Fox News, iDrop News, New York Post, iPhone in Canada, National Enquirer, The Mac Observer, Awful Announcing, Daniel Thomas on LinkedIn, The Verge, @trevorbaxendale, @rwhelanwsj, @laurenshirsch, @johnwilson, Gamereactor UK, Deadline, Comic Book, AppleInsider, 9to5Mac, IGN, LateNighter, The Hollywood Reporter and GamesRadar, more at Techmeme »
Matthew Keys / TheDesk.net:
Source: iHeartMedia has begun a new round of layoffs affecting dozens of workers in its local radio broadcasting units as part of a broader restructuring — iHeartMedia has begun a new round of layoffs affecting dozens of workers in its local radio broadcasting units, The Desk has learned.
Discussion:
Radio Ink, Denver Post, @thedesk.net and The Hollywood Reporter
The Guardian:
How the DOJ used leftist zines published by anti-ICE protesters as evidence to convict them of terrorism charges tied to a 2025 protest at a Texas ICE facility — Advocates sound alarm after zines were used as evidence to convict protesters of terrorism charges tied to 2025 protest at Texas ICE facility
Discussion:
Breitbart, @lexmcmenamin.com, @harikunzru.bsky.social, Straight Arrow, @mikesatz.bsky.social, @cdarwin@c.im, @jenstden.bsky.social, @wyldefire.bsky.social, @jeffjarvis.bsky.social, Boing Boing, @haydenb.bsky.social, @lisatozzi.bsky.social, @rimaanabtawi.bsky.social, @haiku_brian@hachyderm.io, @161bklyn.bsky.social, @161bklyn.bsky.social, @firestorm.coop, @davidforbes.bsky.social, @pplscitycouncil.bsky.social, The Intercept, Support the Prairieland …, New Politics, Freedom of the Press …, Associated Press, HuffPost, Washington Post, New York Times and Raw Story
New York Times:
A profile of NFL reporter Dianna Russini, who resigned from The Athletic after photos of her with the coach of New England Patriots prompted an internal probe — Dianna Russini had been busted. — It was January, and Ms. Russini — then the star N.F.L. reporter for The Athletic …
Discussion:
Page Six, Front Office Sports, @nick_field90, @burackbobby_, @madisonmcvan.bsky.social, The Maine Wire, @hburns_usat, The Wrap, TMZ.com, Fox News, Daily Mail, USA Today, @sptweetmn, @channel__ocho, @tonysmarkettips, sports.yahoo.com, Awful Announcing, Us Weekly, Just Jared, New York Post and Crossing Broad
Alex Curley / Semipublic:
Semipublic, a nonprofit offering data-driven analysis of public media funding, debuts about a year after it started “Adopt A Station” to encourage more funding — In honor of the official launch of our nonprofit, we're announcing the addition of six new tags to station listings based on our own research.
Discussion:
@benmullin
Thomas Buckley / Bloomberg:
Sony Pictures Entertainment invests $100M in Cosm, a startup specializing in immersive, large-screen theaters, which has partnerships with NBCUniversal and WBD — Sony Pictures Entertainment is investing $100 million in Cosm, an operator of large-screen theaters that show films and sporting events.
Discussion:
The Wrap, Los Angeles Times, IndieWire, Reuters, Variety, Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter
Jake Kanter / Deadline:
Source: the BBC plans a pilot program to live stream its 24-hour rolling news channel on YouTube in some international markets, including Australia — Deadline understands that the BBC is planning to make the 24-hour rolling news channel available on YouTube in select countries outside of the UK.
Discussion:
Texas Scorecard and @davelee.me
Ethan Millman / The Hollywood Reporter:
Court docs: Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino spoke with President Trump in the weeks before the company settled with the DOJ in its monopoly lawsuit — In court filings this week, Live Nation confirmed Michael Rapino had spoken with Trump before the settlement but said that …
Alyssa Mercante / Digiday:
Forbes unveils Forbes Creator, which uses TikTok, Instagram, and events to push video-led coverage fronted by six creators, with flexible, case-by-case payments — Forbes is testing a creator-led audience play that puts TikTok and Instagram talent at the front of its off-platform push.
Discussion:
MediaPost, Forbes and Daily Star
Jose Alejandro Bastidas / The Wrap:
A look at the declining representation of LGBTQ+ characters on TV, as smaller audiences and slow growth pressure execs to cater to “safer” mainstream audiences — The loss of high-profile queer characters on TV is a troubling sign, but surprise hits like “Heated Rivalry” offer a glimmer of hope
Discussion:
The Guardian and @jenka.bsky.social
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