American media company rooted in 2019 Disney acquisition of 21st Century Fox
The Fox pregame show for the World Cup final is marked by fast travel through a ferry, a helicopter, and a police-escorted car ride, with Zlatan Ibrahimović sweating over the flight. The crew faced delays but reached MetLife Stadium in time as viewership broke records.
Google has revamped its search paradigm around artificial intelligence, signaling a move away from the open web that underpins the internet. The company says billions of clicks remain, but critics warn that the ecosystem for publishers and creators is being constricted as AI-driven answers keep users inside a closed environment.
The Independent reports that Pamela Anderson has declined Baywatch reboot offers and says she is pursuing bold, new characters. She cites her past exposure on the beach and a desire to explore varied roles, while acknowledging ongoing talks about a Baywatch return are not confirmed.
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.
A 32-year-old man has been struck by lightning in a field amid severe weather, the latest in a series of lightning-related incidents this year. Officials say Florida, Texas, and several others report the highest numbers, with thousands injured over decades and a steady, though declining, annual death toll.
President Donald Trump has ordered the U.S. geographic names database to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” Google has updated Google Maps to show “Lake America” to U.S. users while Canadian users still see Lake Ontario; Apple has not yet changed its maps and MapQuest has refused, triggering a surge in downloads and political backlash.
Prediction-market platform Kalshi has permanently banned George Santos and fined him $71,356 after its compliance team concluded he traded on contracts tied to his attendance at President Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address and manipulated prices with public statements. The CFTC has already secured a separate $35,000 settlement and a three‑year trading ban.
The Republican National Committee is convening a midterm convention in Dallas with Trump set to speak each night, while NFL games coincide with the event, potentially impacting viewership. Networks like Fox News and C-SPAN plan extensive coverage, underscoring the clash between politics and sports.
Portnoy confirms Barstool will no longer appear on Fox's Big Noon Kickoff after tensions with Ohio State and coach Ryan Day. Fox Sports has terminated or scaled back Barstool's presence as the Big Ten deal pressures traditional programming; Portnoy says Day complained and threatened to pull access. Barstool's FS1 show remains on air.
CNN has warned the Justice Department that it will return to court if the White House continues to exclude its reporters from Air Force One and TV pool duties. A federal judge has already granted a preliminary injunction restoring reporters' White House access after President Trump revoked passes for CNN, MS NOW and Politico; the Justice Department is separately probing whether the TV pool's temporary halt to coverage violated antitrust law.