The Paramount-Warner Bros. merger has closed, bringing CNN and CBS News under the same corporate parent. The combined company, named Skydance, began trading on Wall Street Tuesday.
5:33 PMAl Jazeera80 stories from 13 sources
Skydance begins its Hollywood reign after Paramount-Warner merger
Day’s Recap
Supporting Articles
Paramount Plus will be phased out as HBO Max and Paramount Plus become a single streaming service under Skydance. The change follows the completion of the Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount merger.
1:12 PMPolygon
The Emmy Awards will stream exclusively and for free on Prime Video worldwide beginning in 2027 under a six-year agreement. The deal ends the ceremony’s run on broadcast television.
3:35 PMCNBCDisney and ABC are challenging the Trump administration's FCC in court over alleged pressure on the network's editorial and programming decisions. Trump has repeatedly demanded that ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel and has attacked the network's program The View as biased against him.
5:17 AMNPR Politics
Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein said Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures will continue developing and releasing their own film slates after the Skydance-led merger. Their plan emphasizes maintaining both studios as active production and distribution operations.
11:38 PMVarietyEva Marie Saint has died at 102. She won an Oscar for playing Edie, whose brother is murdered in "On the Waterfront," and later starred in Alfred Hitchcock's "North by Northwest."
6:45 PMNPR Arts
FKA twigs withdrew her lawsuit challenging Shia LaBeouf's use of a nondisclosure agreement after he agreed to void it. The singer had accused LaBeouf of abuse and invoked a California law in contesting the agreement.
8:09 PMNew York Times Arts
Five women allege that influential Hollywood figures targeted them with malicious public relations campaigns. Their lawsuits describe coordinated efforts to damage reputations and shape public narratives around allegations and disputes.
2:00 PMNYT New York5:33 PMAl Jazeera
CNN, CBS News now under one roof as Paramount-Warner Bros merger closes
Summary
The Paramount-Warner Bros. merger has closed, bringing CNN and CBS News under the same corporate parent. The combined company, named Skydance, began trading on Wall Street Tuesday.
The deal creates a larger media group with substantial influence across television, film, streaming, and
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
One owner now controls two major US news brands, increasing scrutiny of cost cuts, strategy, and editorial independence.
5 stories · 5 sources
1:12 PMPolygon
Say Goodbye to a Major Streaming Service With Paramount Plus Phaseout
Summary
Paramount Plus will be phased out as HBO Max and Paramount Plus become a single streaming service under Skydance. The change follows the completion of the Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount merger.
Subscribers will eventually lose Paramount Plus as a standalone destination and face a new combined
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The change will force Paramount Plus subscribers to reassess their plans, prices and access to existing content.
2 stories · 2 sources
3:35 PMCNBC
Emmy Awards leave broadcast TV for Prime Video in 2027 under six-year deal
Summary
The Emmy Awards will stream exclusively and for free on Prime Video worldwide beginning in 2027 under a six-year agreement. The deal ends the ceremony’s run on broadcast television.
The Emmys’ move gives Prime Video a major global live event while accelerating the collapse
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A flagship awards show has moved from traditional television to streaming, signaling that live cultural events are now part of the platforms’ competition for reach and prestige.
5:17 AMNPR Politics
Disney, ABC battle Trump's FCC in court over free speech protections
Summary
Disney and ABC are challenging the Trump administration's FCC in court over alleged pressure on the network's editorial and programming decisions. Trump has repeatedly demanded that ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel and has attacked the network's program The View as biased against him.
The dispute has moved from presidential criticism to a legal fight over whether federal regulators
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The case could define how far a president and the FCC can go in using regulatory power against critical broadcasters.
11:38 PMVariety
Skydance Film Heads Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein Set Studios Plan, Pledge Paramount and Warner Bros. Will ‘Build and Release’ Own Films
Summary
Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein said Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures will continue developing and releasing their own film slates after the Skydance-led merger. Their plan emphasizes maintaining both studios as active production and distribution operations.
The pledge directly addresses fears that consolidation will reduce theatrical output or turn one studio
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The new owners are promising continuity in theatrical filmmaking as they try to prove that consolidation will expand, not shrink, studio production.
6:45 PMNPR Arts
Actress Eva Marie Saint, who won an Oscar for 'On the Waterfront,' dies at 102
Summary
Eva Marie Saint has died at 102. She won an Oscar for playing Edie, whose brother is murdered in "On the Waterfront," and later starred in Alfred Hitchcock's "North by Northwest."
Saint's career linked socially conscious American drama with major studio thrillers. Her death marks the
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Saint's work helped define the transition from classical studio acting to a more naturalistic screen style.
2 stories · 2 sources
8:09 PMNew York Times Arts
FKA twigs Drops Suit Against Shia LaBeouf After He Agrees to Void NDA
Summary
FKA twigs withdrew her lawsuit challenging Shia LaBeouf's use of a nondisclosure agreement after he agreed to void it. The singer had accused LaBeouf of abuse and invoked a California law in contesting the agreement.
Voiding the NDA removes the contractual restriction at the center of twigs's legal challenge and
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The case shows how nondisclosure agreements can become a separate legal battleground in abuse claims.
2:00 PMNYT New York
How to Destroy a Reputation in Hollywood, as Told in 5 Women’s Lawsuits
Summary
Five women allege that influential Hollywood figures targeted them with malicious public relations campaigns. Their lawsuits describe coordinated efforts to damage reputations and shape public narratives around allegations and disputes.
The lawsuits frame reputation management as a power tool that can punish women beyond the
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The cases test whether Hollywood's informal influence systems can be held accountable for retaliatory reputation attacks.
Other Developments
A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.
The article revisits “33,” Battlestar Galactica’s 2004 premiere, in which a refugee fleet faces relentless Cylon attacks every 33 minutes while its exhausted crews struggle to stay alive. Its repetition, pressure, and moral costs established the series’ defining tone from the outset.
11:30 PMPolygon
After the acquisition closed, David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz presented Skydance’s leadership and priorities at the Paramount lot. The press conference addressed studio operations, control of the lot, political relationships and the broader direction of the combined company.
11:03 PMVariety
Freddie Jackson, known for R&B hits including "Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)" and "You Are My Lady," has died at 69. His music made polished slow jams feel expansive and deeply romantic.
8:00 PMNew York Times ArtsThe selection showcases Eva Marie Saint performances ranging from On the Waterfront to North by Northwest. It emphasizes her portrayals of complex, sympathetic women facing domestic and cultural pressures.
10:17 PMNew York Times Arts
After Olivia Rodrigo expressed support for the Jane Doe at the center of the Cornell 7 lawsuit, Megyn Kelly attacked the singer's comments and said she should remain silent on the case.
9:32 PMVariety
Kore-eda Hirokazu said his film with Eddie Redmayne for Searchlight Pictures remains in the screenplay stage. The director offered no specific plot details or production timeline.
9:00 PMVariety
Critical Role's fourth campaign has pushed Sam Riegel into bold character decisions that have left viewers emotional. The performance is being framed as a standout example of how far improvisational role-playing can go.
7:30 PMPolygon
A viewing guide recommends five science-fiction series for audiences interested in "Lanterns." It uses the upcoming show's appeal as a gateway to other speculative television.
7:30 PMPolygon
Former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick has joined David Ellison's board at Skydance after Paramount completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Kotick left Activision Blizzard King after Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of the company.
6:05 PMIGN
Comedians including Patton Oswalt and Margaret Cho are criticizing Sebastian Maniscalco's takeover of SiriusXM's Raw Comedy channel. They argue that the channel is abandoning its role of showcasing emerging performers and are calling on Maniscalco to preserve that mission.
5:10 PMThe Verge
The "Death Stranding" film has moved closer to production, with director Michael Sarnoski and cinematographer Pat Scola scouting locations in Iceland. Their update offers an early indication that the adaptation is advancing behind the scenes.
5:00 PMIGN
The article argues that “Lanterns” should fundamentally reinvent itself in a second season rather than repeat the approach that made Season 1 successful. It lays out why the DCU series cannot rely on its first-season strengths alone.
3:27 PMIGN
The Warner Bros deal is expected to reshape the entertainment and news industries, with potential effects on films, streaming services, and consumer prices. The central question is whether a more consolidated company will pass higher costs on to subscribers.
2:42 PMBBC
Apple TV is adding Small Prophets as it broadens its programming beyond a narrow slate of prestige series. The cozy new show extends the service's range as it competes more directly with Disney and Netflix.
1:15 PMThe VergeMurray Hill, known for HBO's Somebody Somewhere, has built a career through drag king performances, queer cabarets and now Showbiz!. He describes self-representation as a guiding principle when traditional entertainment offers few visible models.
11:52 AMNPR ArtsAvengers: Endgame has retaken the title of highest-grossing film from Avatar after the two movies traded the record over several years.
8:19 AMNPR Arts11:30 PMPolygon
20 Years Later, Battlestar Galactica’s Most Intense Episode Is Still an All-Time Classic
Summary
The article revisits “33,” Battlestar Galactica’s 2004 premiere, in which a refugee fleet faces relentless Cylon attacks every 33 minutes while its exhausted crews struggle to stay alive. Its repetition, pressure, and moral costs established the series’ defining tone from the outset.
“33” made exhaustion and repetition the central threats, rather than treating space combat as a
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The episode remains a model for using genre stakes to create sustained, character-driven tension.
11:03 PMVariety
David Ellison’s ‘Day One’ Skydance Press Conference: Studio Lot Dibs, Trump Ties and Everything Else We Learned
Summary
After the acquisition closed, David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz presented Skydance’s leadership and priorities at the Paramount lot. The press conference addressed studio operations, control of the lot, political relationships and the broader direction of the combined company.
The event marked the shift from acquisition campaign to operational control, with Ellison using Paramount’s
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Skydance is moving from ownership claims to a governing agenda, making its first public signals important for employees, filmmakers and investors.
8:00 PMNew York Times Arts
Freddie Jackson, ‘You Are My Lady’ Singer That Topped R&B Charts, Dead at 69
Summary
Freddie Jackson, known for R&B hits including "Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)" and "You Are My Lady," has died at 69. His music made polished slow jams feel expansive and deeply romantic.
Jackson's signature songs placed grand, adult-oriented romance at the center of mainstream R&B. His death
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Jackson leaves behind a defining body of work from an era when romantic ballads were central to R&B's commercial identity.
10:17 PMNew York Times Arts
10 Great Eva Marie Saint Performances to Stream
Summary
The selection showcases Eva Marie Saint performances ranging from On the Waterfront to North by Northwest. It emphasizes her portrayals of complex, sympathetic women facing domestic and cultural pressures.
The list presents Saint's career through the range and resilience of her characters, not just
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Streaming access offers a way to reassess Saint's work beyond her most famous roles.
9:32 PMVariety
Megyn Kelly Tells Olivia Rodrigo to ‘Stick to Singing’ After Speaking Out About Cornell 7 Case: ‘You Don’t Know What the F— You’re Talking About’
Summary
After Olivia Rodrigo expressed support for the Jane Doe at the center of the Cornell 7 lawsuit, Megyn Kelly attacked the singer's comments and said she should remain silent on the case.
Kelly has shifted the discussion from Rodrigo's expression of support to a public fight over
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Celebrity advocacy can broaden public attention to a legal dispute while also inviting backlash over credibility and expertise.
9:00 PMVariety
Eddie Redmayne’s Kore-eda Hirokazu Film Is Still Being Scripted, Director Says at Busan
Summary
Kore-eda Hirokazu said his film with Eddie Redmayne for Searchlight Pictures remains in the screenplay stage. The director offered no specific plot details or production timeline.
The project is earlier in development than its casting might suggest, with the script still
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
A high-profile attachment does not mean a film is close to production or release.
7:30 PMPolygon
Critical Role's Best Member Just Officially Raised the Bar for D&D Players Everywhere
Summary
Critical Role's fourth campaign has pushed Sam Riegel into bold character decisions that have left viewers emotional. The performance is being framed as a standout example of how far improvisational role-playing can go.
Riegel's choices show how long-form actual-play storytelling depends on performers accepting meaningful risks rather than
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Critical Role continues to set expectations for character-driven storytelling in the expanding actual-play entertainment industry.
7:30 PMPolygon
5 Sci-Fi Series To Watch If You Love Lanterns
Summary
A viewing guide recommends five science-fiction series for audiences interested in "Lanterns." It uses the upcoming show's appeal as a gateway to other speculative television.
The list treats "Lanterns" as part of a wider demand for serialized science fiction rather
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The guide turns anticipation for one high-profile series into a broader discovery funnel for science-fiction television.
6:05 PMIGN
Ex-Activision CEO Bobby Kotick Joins Skydance Board of Directors Following WB-Paramount Merger
Summary
Former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick has joined David Ellison's board at Skydance after Paramount completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Kotick left Activision Blizzard King after Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of the company.
Kotick brings experience running a major gaming publisher through a large-scale corporate sale and operating
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
A veteran of the biggest deal in gaming is joining a media company seeking new ways to expand beyond traditional film and television.
5:10 PMThe Verge
Sebastian Maniscalco’s SiriusXM channel is hurting up-and-coming talent, comics say
Summary
Comedians including Patton Oswalt and Margaret Cho are criticizing Sebastian Maniscalco's takeover of SiriusXM's Raw Comedy channel. They argue that the channel is abandoning its role of showcasing emerging performers and are calling on Maniscalco to preserve that mission.
The dispute turns on whether a platform built to develop new talent can remain useful
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The controversy reflects a broader struggle over who controls discovery platforms as entertainment brands consolidate around star talent.
5:00 PMIGN
Death Stranding Movie Gets Update as Director Scouts Beautiful Filming Locations in Iceland
Summary
The "Death Stranding" film has moved closer to production, with director Michael Sarnoski and cinematographer Pat Scola scouting locations in Iceland. Their update offers an early indication that the adaptation is advancing behind the scenes.
Location scouting suggests the project is developing its visual language and moving beyond the concept
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The update provides the first concrete sign of forward motion for a film adaptation built around an unusually cinematic game world.
3:27 PMIGN
Lanterns Needs to Become a Very Different Series in Season 2
Summary
The article argues that “Lanterns” should fundamentally reinvent itself in a second season rather than repeat the approach that made Season 1 successful. It lays out why the DCU series cannot rely on its first-season strengths alone.
Season 2 will need a new creative engine, not just another version of the existing
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The show’s long-term value to the DCU will depend on whether it can evolve without losing the identity that made its first season work.
2:42 PMBBC
From films to streaming prices - how the Warner Bros deal could affect you
Summary
The Warner Bros deal is expected to reshape the entertainment and news industries, with potential effects on films, streaming services, and consumer prices. The central question is whether a more consolidated company will pass higher costs on to subscribers.
The merger gives the new company more leverage over content distribution and subscription strategy. Consumers
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Media consolidation can change what viewers pay and which films, shows, and news services remain widely available.
1:15 PMThe Verge
Apple TV’s great year continues with Small Prophets
Summary
Apple TV is adding Small Prophets as it broadens its programming beyond a narrow slate of prestige series. The cozy new show extends the service's range as it competes more directly with Disney and Netflix.
Apple TV's strategy now depends on breadth as much as critical acclaim. A wider tonal
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Apple TV is shifting from a prestige-led identity toward a fuller streaming service with more reasons to subscribe.
11:52 AMNPR Arts
'Here I am, my full, authentic self': Murray Hill charts his own course in 'Showbiz!'
Summary
Murray Hill, known for HBO's Somebody Somewhere, has built a career through drag king performances, queer cabarets and now Showbiz!. He describes self-representation as a guiding principle when traditional entertainment offers few visible models.
Hill is turning a lack of representation into a career strategy rather than waiting for
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Hill's career shows how underrepresented performers can create their own platforms and expand the boundaries of mainstream entertainment.
8:19 AMNPR Arts
'Avengers: Endgame' takes the box office crown back from 'Avatar'
Summary
Avengers: Endgame has retaken the title of highest-grossing film from Avatar after the two movies traded the record over several years.
The latest reversal shows that the global box-office record now depends partly on re-releases and
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The contest reflects how studios can extend the commercial life of blockbuster franchises long after opening weekend.
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