Disney Plus has raised its ad-free plan, impacting subscribers as it juggles price with a broader push into tech, content, and AI.
Streaming platforms including Disney+, Hulu, Netflix and others have raised prices again, intensifying pressure on households already paying increasingly for ad-free and bundled plans. The moves come amid ongoing industry-wide shifts toward profitability and new pricing structures.
Disney has named Karandeep Anand, former CEO of Character.AI, as its first chief technology officer. He will oversee enterprise technology, infrastructure, data and AI platforms, reporting to CEO Josh D'Amaro. The move follows a rocky relationship with Character.AI and signals Disney’s renewed focus on technology to support storytelling and the company-wide One Disney initiative.
Meta has integrated its Muse AI assistant more deeply into glasses and wearables, unveiling new features at Connect 2026. The company is pushing Muse across hardware, including AI glasses, VR glasses, and a new Charm device, as it aims to embed AI into daily life while expanding hardware partnerships and services.
Ofcom has found 26% of UK viewers now turn to Netflix first when choosing what to watch, narrowly ahead of the BBC on 25%, while ITV is first for 15%. YouTube viewing has surged: TV viewing of YouTube has doubled since 2022 to 19 minutes a day and total daily YouTube time is 41 minutes. Traditional broadcasters’ weekly reach has fallen to 70%.
Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday features a multi-universe lineup with Robert Downey Jr. returning as Doctor Doom. The film, slated for December 18, 2026, follows Doomsday’s clash with the Fantastic Four and the X-Men, as Comic-Con previews reveal. Gosling is cast as Ghost Rider, while Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart and others reprise or join roles across a sprawling ensemble.
The White House has released a July Fourth report criticizing the Smithsonian’s portrayal of American history as biased toward activism. President Trump has issued an executive order directing sidewalk signs outside the Smithsonian and a temporary exhibit to present what he calls accurate information, while Smithsonian leadership defends ongoing scholarship and a fuller account of the nation’s story.
Xbox reports an outage lasting about 20 hours, affecting sign-ins and game launches. CTO Scott Van Vliet apologises and says a licensing service failure caused entitlement checks to fail. Microsoft will harden dependencies and roll out a fix to prevent future disruptions, amid renewed worries about a digital-only future in gaming.
Universal has taken takedown steps after a leaked version of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey circulated on X, with firms vowing to protect IP. The leak has not dented the film’s worldwide haul, which has surpassed $640m in two weekends and is positioned for a billion globally.
A curated guide from multiple outlets highlights versatile, travel-friendly outfits for work, holidays, and everyday life. The pieces emphasize comfort, style, and capsule wardrobe logic for quick packing and interchangeable looks.
NBCUniversal has struck a multi-year deal adding Peacock Premium to YouTube Premium in the U.S. from early 2027. Peacock, NBC’s live sports and popular shows will be accessible directly within YouTube, without extra charges for Premium subscribers. The move aims to broaden Peacock’s reach and boost advertising revenue, as NBCU expands distribution beyond its own apps.
Ronnie Le Drew, known for operating the Rainbow puppet Zippy, has died after a short illness. He trained at the Little Angel Theatre and co-founded the London School of Puppetry. His presidency of the British Puppet Guild and his contributions to puppetry are being remembered by colleagues and peers.
A wave of Chinese automakers is expanding into Europe and the UK, challenging traditional premium brands. Zeekr, BYD and others are pursuing UK launches while major players like Geely, Volvo and Lucid push into premium segments. European and US automakers are restructuring to cope with China’s rising export power and shifting supply chains.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has made social care reform a priority, urging cross‑party collaboration and an independent review to shape a national care service, with faster timelines for reform and funding discussions.
The White House has convened a meeting with AI leaders to review a proposed cybersecurity framework for advanced models, following OpenAI's recent agent hacks and calls for greater government access. Attendees include executives from Hugging Face, Anthropic, and others; Meta and Alphabet may participate. Markets show mixed responses as investors watch the policy discussion unfold.
The Federal Communications Commission has voted 2-1 to remove the statutory 39% national TV ownership cap and replace it with case-by-case reviews of proposed mergers. Chair Brendan Carr has said the change will let broadcasters scale up and invest in local news; Democrats and press advocates say the commission lacks authority and will spur consolidation and legal challenges.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day has opened with a record domestic debut, while The Odyssey leads the global box office, underscoring a year of mega releases. The industry is buoyed by premium formats and high ticket prices, even as overall audiences lag behind pre-pandemic levels.
The Welsh-language version of Star Wars: A New Hope has been announced for Christmas Day release on S4C, featuring a cast of Welsh actors and produced with Lucasfilm and Disney. The project marks a milestone for Welsh-language media, aligning with Wales' cultural sectors and 50th-anniversary celebrations.
OpenAI’s leaders discuss parenting with AI aids; responses show mixed public reaction. Reports highlight safety concerns, parental trust, and business interest in consumer AI tools.
Disney’s experiences division has posted near $10 billion in quarterly revenue, a 10% year-over-year rise, driven by strong domestic attendance and promotions across parks and a recently expanded cruise fleet. Executives say marketing and new rides are fueling demand amid macro uncertainty.
Disney has struck a first-of-its-kind pilot deal with TikTok to allow fan-made videos using Disney and Pixar IP in Disney+ Vert s, with a U.S. rollout followed by other markets. The initiative marks a shift toward creator-led content and expands Disney’s short-form strategy amid flatlining traditional box office for some titles.
Disney is exploring a free, ad-supported streaming tier to widen reach and boost ad revenue, while noting no near-term launch. The company cites a price-sensitive audience and higher ad inventory as catalysts for growth.
The Washington Post has reported that President Trump has secretly swapped planes when leaving a NATO summit in Ankara due to a credible Iranian threat. He boarded Air Force One in view of cameras and was later transported to a military aircraft via a catering truck, with journalists unaware. The president asserts he follows security guidance, while the administration defends the newer aircraft’s security.
Marvel Studios is moving forward with a standalone X‑Men film under Jake Schreier, following the integration of X‑Men characters into the MCU. Kit Connor is tipped for Cyclops and Samara Weaving for Emma Frost as casting discussions accelerate ahead of a D23 reveal. The project aims for a younger, ensemble-led approach, avoiding heavy time-travel tropes.
The prime minister has accelerated plans to make subscription cancellations easier and to curb deceptive discounts as part of a wider cost‑of‑living package. The government is bringing these changes forward to January 2027 and is planning consultations on banning misleading “was” prices.
Bob Iger and Josh Kushner have agreed to buy the Los Angeles Lakers from Mark Walter in a transaction valuing the franchise at about $12.5 billion. The sale has been announced this week, requires approval from the NBA Board of Governors and is subject to due diligence and Kushners divestment of a Miami Heat stake.
Lanterns has premiered on HBO/HBO Max with Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre delivering a grounded, police‑procedural Green Lantern story set in Nebraska. The series blends a murder mystery with alien intrigue, balancing earthbound drama with cosmic powers as Hal Jordan and his trainee John Stewart investigate a mass shooting that hints at a larger invasion.
Two Scotsman articles chronicle Edinburgh’s art festival scene and a Sounds of Pandora-inspired ballet score, highlighting immersive performances, cross-arts collaboration, and the evolving Edinburgh fringe landscape.
Actor Mark Ruffalo has urged lawmakers to block Paramount Skydance’s $111 billion merger with Warner Bros Discovery, linking the deal to Oracle’s ties to Israel. Paramount calls the rhetoric antisemitic tropes; George Clooney defends Ruffalo’s right to speak. Over 170 Jewish artists have signed a letter supporting Ruffalo. The merger remains under antitrust scrutiny and on hold as debate intensifies.
Lego has reported a 21% rise in revenue for the first half of 2026, reaching 41.9 billion Danish kroner, with profits up and a broad product line expanding among adults and kids. The company is investing in sustainability, renewable energy, and packaging changes while expanding in the U.S. with new facilities.
The summer box office has risen to about $4.6–4.76 billion in domestic ticket sales, driven by both high-profile releases and new, low-budget hits. While inflation-adjusted figures show a more modest rebound, the industry is signaling resilience as filmmakers and audiences rebound from pandemic disruptions. Fall releases are expected to sustain momentum amid ongoing industry changes.
Transcripts show JPMorgan's Staley disclosed sensitive JPMorgan details to Epstein; lawmakers question if the former Barclays chief exploited access. Staley defends his actions, saying he believed he could share information when appropriate. The panel highlights ongoing scrutiny into Epstein’s elite network.
A trio of pieces from Business Insider UK and the New York Post highlight how AI tutors and diverse classroom perspectives are shaping education. A California family pivots to a YouTube-led venture, while a father credits AI for assisting children's study; a California parent pushes for broader representation in AP materials amid concerns over state assessments.
To be determined
Glastonbury organisers have announced next year’s line-up progress, with three headliners confirmed and Madonna ruled out. Rumours point to Taylor Swift, Harry Styles and Oasis as contenders for 2027, with bookies’ odds reflecting growing certainty around major acts while other names circulate.
Loggerhead turtles Crush, Eden and Tiree have been released into warmer Atlantic waters after rehabilitation in the UK. Crush, rescued off Jersey, has been flown to the Azores alongside two others in a coordinated recovery effort that underscores UK sea-life centres’ conservation work.
A new Oasis documentary charts their 2025 reunion tour, showing Liam and Noel Gallagher reconciling and delivering a stadium-scale return. Directors Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern capture rehearsals, the Cardiff comeback, and fan ecstasy, while exploring why the music endures across generations.
Conservationists report encouraging signs of seahorse and other marine life returning at Studland Bay, Dorset, but shifting weather patterns threaten seagrass and habitat recovery. The Studland Bay Marine Partnership and eco moorings aim to protect the seabed as divers monitor populations under strict licensing. Volunteers describe sightings as optimistic, though long-term trends remain uncertain.
A series of fashion week moments spotlight Italian craftsmanship and global stars. Gigi Hadid opens Vogue World in Milan; Burberry hosts a London show with a focus on wearability; Fendi, Dior and other houses feature cinema-inspired campaigns and couture looks.
AXA has unveiled a growth strategy that embeds data and AI across its value chain, aiming for 7-9% annual growth in underlying earnings per share and 500-700 euro in annual AI-derived benefits by 2029. The plan includes AI-assisted underwriting, automated claims, and personalised offers, set against broader industry caution over rapid AI expansion.
Jimmy Kimmel has said he will post his interview with Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico to YouTube rather than air it on ABC, accusing the Federal Communications Commission under President Donald Trump of threatening his show and local ABC affiliates. ABC and parent company Disney have sued the FCC over early licence reviews and new equal-time guidance.
Reboots and sequels dominate the weekend box office, led by Practical Magic 2 and other familiar titles, as audiences seek nostalgia and familiar franchises amid a media landscape shifting toward retro IP and streaming age anxieties.
Worthing Hospital’s maternity service has been downgraded from good to requires improvement by the Care Quality Commission after an April 2026 inspection found concerns over safe care, medicines management and obstetric capacity. The hospital remains under review as an independent inquiry examines broader complaints from families.
Paramount has settled its antitrust lawsuit over its $31 per-share deal to merge with Warner Bros. Discovery. The settlement requires Paramount to distribute dozens of films annually and maintain editorial independence for CBS News and CNN. The agreement removes a major obstacle to closing the transaction, which investors expect to complete soon, though questions about job cuts and integration remain.