American premium TV network and service, flagship of Warner Bros. Discovery's Home Box Office unit.
The Mad King, a Game of Thrones prequel staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford, has opened to mixed reviews. The three-and-a-half-hour spectacle features dragons, puppetry and a large cast, while critics debate its fidelity to George R.R. Martin’s books and its ability to satisfy both hardcore fans and newcomers.
Paramount has signalled a potential relocation of its operations from California in response to an ongoing antitrust lawsuit led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta over the Warner Bros. Discovery merger. Ellison has told executives a move could begin as early as Oct. 1 if settlement talks fail. U.S. courts have scheduled a March 2 trial date in Oakland, with ticking fees looming if the deal stalls.
AP News reports that HBO's The A List collects 15 stories from Asian and Pacific diasporas, featuring figures from Connie Chung to Tammy Duckworth. The documentary prioritizes intimate, unscripted interviews about identity and belonging within an expansive AAPI landscape.
Fox Corp. has agreed to acquire Roku for about $22 billion in a cash-and-stock deal valuing Roku at $160 per share. The boards of both companies have approved the transaction; the combined company will pair Fox's live news and sports and Tubi with Roku's OS, devices and The Roku Channel, and is expected to close in the first half of 2027.
The Guardian and other outlets report that Vice-President JD Vance has claimed the US holds all the cards in its Iran negotiations, saying outcomes will favor the US either way. Centcom confirms further strikes on Iranian targets in response to continued aggression against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. A federal appeals court has rejected the EPA’s bid to roll back soot pollution rules. The coverage spans reactions in politics, diplomacy, and domestic policy.
The hearings in the Murdaugh case have focused on evidence exchange deadlines, witness access, and venue for the retrial. Prosecution argues standard security protocols; defense seeks civilian clothing and private DNA testing options. A next trial date and ongoing pretrial motions are in focus.
Culture secretary has said she is minded to intervene in the Paramount-WBD merger on public-interest grounds, triggering regulatory scrutiny by Ofcom and the CMA. A final decision has not been taken; Paramount and WBD face a response deadline, with potential timelines extending into Q3 2026.
A retrospective look at how Independence Day became a watershed blockbuster, shaping careers and the Hollywood landscape, with focus on Roland Emmerich, Dean Devlin, and the film’s lasting impact on sci-fi franchises.
Trump marks the 250th anniversary with a Capitol rally and a national mall event, touting achievements while warning of a communist threat. The event faced heat and a weather evacuation, with global leaders sending messages of support and criticism of the administration’s approach to the celebration.
England defeats DR Congo 2-1, with Harry Kane scoring twice to secure a place in the Round of 16. DR Congo are eliminated after finishing bottom of Group F. The Congolese coach Desabre reveals his father’s death after the match. The result preserves England’s unbeaten run and advances them to face Mexico in the next round.
A week of streaming releases and new music debuts is highlighted by cross-platform titles, including a Netflix relaunch of a classic, a Peacock original, and new albums from Adam Lambert and Finn Wolfhard. AP reviews frame several releases, while HBO Max debuts The Long Walk ahead of a Stephen King adaptation.
The United States is pursuing a coordinated approach to Iran-related talks as Vice President JD Vance and Senator Marco Rubio push rival tracks on Middle East diplomacy. The White House is weighing frameworks to end the Iran war while negotiations over Lebanon and Israel shape the final agreement.
The Emmy nominations are announced with The Pitt leading in acting categories, Hacks attaining strong comedy nominations, and Widow’s Bay and Pluribus among Apple TV的新 entrants. Several long-running shows miss main drama categories; Stranger Things and Euphoria are notably absent from top drama slots. Nominations include both established hits and new Apple TV titles.
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%.
Album and live review roundup shows veteran icons collaborating with younger artists across genres, highlighting a shift toward genre-blurring rock and electronic influences. Guardians The Guardian notes Loathe's radical departure in A Stranger to You; Scotsman highlights Foreigh Tongues with star guest appearances; Independent spotlights Wolf Alice, Moby, Lorde and CMAT at Madrid festival. Reviews suggest a wave of veteran swagger meeting new electronic and indie sensibilities.
Mahmoud Khalil has filed a federal lawsuit in New York alleging a conspiracy between senior Trump administration officials and pro‑Israel groups to jail and silence pro‑Palestinian activists. The suit cites the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 and targets figures in the White House, Heritage Foundation, Canary Mission, and Betar USA. Khalil, a former Columbia student, is challenging deportation while continuing broader court battles.
The CBS News program 60 Minutes is undergoing a major personnel shakeup. Nick Bilton has announced five new hires, including Ross Douthat and Norah O’Donnell, along with Sebastian Junger, Gianna Toboni and Trevor Phillips, to join as correspondents or contributors. The changes follow previous layoffs and leadership shifts under Bari Weiss’s editorship.
Comedian Maher has defended his White House dinner with Donald Trump and remarks about Trump’s behavior, saying the focus on personality misses what he sees as real policy concerns. He has criticized the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and signaled uncertainty about 2028 voting, while the Kennedy Center’s award decision sparks controversy.
HBO host Bill Maher has sparked renewed debate about the Kennedy Center row surrounding Donald Trump, after commenting on the Center’s status and the political climate. He has criticized Trump’s influence and defended the Center’s programming, while Democrats and Republicans clash over cancelations and art’s role in politics.
Jake Johnson stars as Dusty Boyd, a former teen tennis prodigy who reluctantly embraces pickleball to recover from a wrist injury. The film blends sport, humor and a hint of romance, with cameos from Andy Roddick and John McEnroe as themselves. Apple TV+ releases this lighthearted comedy featuring Johnson, Steenburgen and Stiller.
Comic-Con 2026 has kicked off in San Diego with big-name panels, exclusive collectibles and a lineup spanning Marvel, DC, Apple TV+ and more. The four-day event began with Preview Night and promises heavy in-person reaction, Hall H premieres and a flood of cosplay, games and film reveals that could shape upcoming releases.
The European Commission has cleared Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery’s merger after Paramount agrees to terminate a distribution joint venture with Universal in Europe and to refrain from joint distribution deals with Universal or Disney for 10 years. The approval comes with a 13-month unwind window for the Universal arrangement. US regulators remain weighing the merger, with a court pause and potential injunction ongoing.
Paramount+ is rolling out a free, ad-supported tier and testing micro dramas as part of a broader product revamp. The moves are designed to attract new users, boost engagement, and drive future subscriptions, while streaming peers remain constrained by antitrust scrutiny over Paramount’s potential WBD acquisition.
A batch of updates from San Diego Comic-Con covers Neuromancer on Apple TV+ with Callum Turner, along with Blade Runner 2099 and Rings of Power S3 on Prime Video and a Carrie miniseries on various streamers. Trailers and casting have been revealed; release dates are set for early-2027 and late-2026.
Vincent Pastore, famed for his role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on The Sopranos, has died at age 80. Reports say he was found at his Bronx home; his former colleagues praise his loyalty and charity. Pastore also appeared in Goodfellas, Awakenings, Law & Order, and other projects across four decades.
Paramount’s proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery has been paused amid a flurry of antitrust challenges from U.S. states and industry groups. CEO David Ellison has publicly defended the deal, arguing independence for CNN and CBS News, and detailing commitments to keep production flowing if the deal proceeds.
California Attorneys General have filed a high-stakes antitrust challenge to the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, arguing it would harm consumers and reduce competition. The coalition seeks to block the deal, which would combine HBO Max, Paramount+, HBO, CBS, CNN and thousands of titles under one umbrella. The case has paused the merger, with a ticking fee looming if not closed by Oct. 1. Regulators in the EU have granted conditional approval, while Paramount says the deal will boost production and distribution efficiency.
The Independent reports that Kin will return for a third season after previous production upheaval, with Emmett J Scanlan confirming Day One, Season Three. BBC and Irish partners are involved; RTÉ had previously touted strong audience figures and critical acclaim.