American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate
60 Minutes has undergone leadership upheaval, with Bari Weiss at the helm of CBS News since last year. Staff departures and conflicts over editorial direction have intensified, while new hires and resident journalists reshape the program as it confronts internal tensions and broader merger dynamics.
Trump has attended the White House Correspondents’ Dinner after a postponement due to a gun attack outside the Washington Hilton. He uses the stage to critique the media, tout his resilience, and tease opponents, while noting heightened security and a smaller guest list.
President Trump has attended the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria, praised some journalists, mocked others and repeatedly attacked news organisations and named reporters. The event has followed the April shooting that forced the original dinner to be abandoned and featured tighter security and awards for reporters, including a Wall Street Journal team.
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.
The FCC has ordered early license reviews for eight ABC stations, prompting ABC to accuse the agency of retaliating for politically unpopular content and urging broadcasters to uphold public-interest obligations. Former commissioners, civil‑liberties groups and advocacy organisations have filed opposing arguments; conservative groups warn the move could set a dangerous precedent for future administrations.
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.
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’s AGs have filed a high-stakes antitrust challenge to the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. The coalition argues the deal would harm consumers and reduce competition. The case has paused the merger, with potential remedies on the table as regulators scrutinize the deal’s impact on production and distribution.
The UK has cleared Paramount’s proposed takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, subject to legally binding commitments to preserve Channel 5’s independence and the UK’s editorial boundaries. The CMA and DCMS say the deal will not lessen competition and will protect UK content; a US antitrust challenge remains pending.
Bloomberg reports Warner Bros. shares have risen in recent sessions, narrowing the gap to Paramount’s $31 offer to about $3 after a rebound from a July spread that peaked above $5 amid state antitrust actions.
Paramount has signalled willingness to engage with California and other states over the Warner Bros. Discovery merger. The company is preparing for possible relocation if settlement talks fail, while regulators press to block the deal on antitrust grounds. A March trial remains in focus, with ticking fees looming as the company seeks a path forward.
The James Bond casting search has intensified, with frontrunners narrowing and new bets shifting as producers pace the process amid a flurry of interviews and public speculation.
Walmart has announced it is directing tariff refunds toward price cuts and improved customer experiences. US comparable sales have slowed, though the company reports a continued lift from rollbacks and investments in groceries and essentials. Analysts warn profits may face headwinds from fuel costs and automation spending amid uneven consumer demand.
Paramount’s planned spin-off 6666 has been scrapped, with creator Taylor Sheridan clarifying he would not fictionalise the active Four Sixes Ranch in Texas. The Yellowstone universe remains intact, with existing series continuing and new prequels and sequels in development across platforms.
U.S. states have filed suit to block Paramount’s $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, asserting it would control about one-third of major movie titles and cable programming. The case has prompted talks of structural remedies, though theaters and other stakeholders seek protections before any approval. A trial is set for March, with ongoing talks in the background.
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.
President Donald Trump has said NBCMeet the Press host Kristen Welker will be reported to the Federal Communications Commission for what he called a "purposeful inaccuracy" after she said his endorsements have had "mixed results" this primary season. He named FCC chair Brendan Carr and urged the commission to act; broadcasters and rights groups are litigating alleged FCC pressure.
The Royal Mint has unveiled two 50p coin designs, some in colour, to celebrate 60 years of Star Trek. The designs feature the Vulcan salute with the motto Live long and prosper and a second coin with four spacecraft spanning different eras. Mint and Paramount executives say the coins honour the franchise’s dedicated collector community; they go on sale September 3 with prices from 19.95 pounds.
South Park has announced a name change to South America for its 29th season, in a move that mirrors President Trump’s recent renaming attempts for lakes, gulf and even a state. The show’s creators say the rename is inspired by Apple and Google and thanks Paramount Skydance, as the merger and regulatory backdrop grow.
The creators of South Park have announced that the show will officially be known as SOUTH AMERICA for its 29th season, a move inspired by Apple and Google renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America. The announcement comes as Donald Trump has pushed for names changes in U.S. maps and fronts a broader political clash with Canada and tech platforms.
Oracle founder Larry Ellison has canceled a plan to sell up to 50 million Oracle shares, a move disclosed in regulatory filings. The reversal follows a plan announced in June to sell stock under a 10b5-1 trading plan, which is now scrapped. Oracle’s push into AI infrastructure has coincided with rising debt and reduced cash flow, contributing to a stock decline this year.
CBS News’ flagship program is navigating upheaval after major leadership shake-ups and staff departures. A memo to staff charts a renewed focus on original reporting, with veterans returning amid internal tensions over the show’s direction.
Paramount Skydance faces antitrust litigation blocking its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. A California-led legal challenge threatens to push Paramount’s headquarters and thousands of jobs out of California, triggering a potential $10.6–$21.2 billion hit to state output and hundreds of millions in tax losses. The LAEDC warns the move could reshape Hollywood’s economic center.
CBS News has begun a leadership overhaul at 60 Minutes, with Bari Weiss implementing a new editorial direction after a year of internal turmoil. Early reporting shows staffing changes and questions about how the program will adapt to a changing newsroom.
Bloomberg reports a settlement could come this weekend or Monday, with Warner Bros. shares rising 8.6%. Paramount asserts no transfer of control, the Ellison family retains majority voting interests.
Twelve state attorneys general have reached a settlement with Paramount Skydance that has cleared the way for its merger with Warner Bros. The deal has required independent editorial boards for CNN and CBS, a commitment to release at least 30 theatrical films a year and a $30m penalty if that output target is missed. Critics and media advocates have condemned the concessions.
The Guardian reports Clarkson urges a single Britflix to survive streaming era; Reuters notes Channel 4 and the BBC are weighing collaboration amid funding pressures and audience fragmentation. Both pieces frame pressure on UK public-service media as competition from global platforms grows.
Prediction markets expect a strong September jobs figure, with around six-figure gains possible and a 60% chance of more than 90,000 payrolls. August’s rebound supports a higher bar, while the Fed weighs inflation in its policy path. Official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics will set the verdict Friday at 8:30 a.m. ET.
David Ellison has closed the roughly $110 billion merger that combines Paramount and Warner Bros. into a single company rebranded Skydance. The deal has folded HBO Max and Paramount+ together under one owner, brought CBS and CNN into the same corporate roof, and left the new firm carrying heavy debt while promising film release minimums and editorial safeguards.
Skydance has closed its landmark merger, uniting Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery to form a media powerhouse. The deal brings HBO Max, Paramount+, CNN, CBS News, and iconic film titles under one umbrella, with Ellison and Kreiz leading the new group. The integration plan and pricing strategy remain uncertain as the company outlines its faster path to scale.
The government has extended the autopay-driven interest reduction through June 2028, expanding relief for borrowers on the Save plan and others returning to repayment. Auto pay enrolment by Dec. 31 is required for the 1% reduction; for those already enrolled, the discount remains in place. Default and forbearance-related risks persist as millions face repayment.
Skydance has completed its $111 billion merger, uniting Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Discovery under one umbrella and creating a media giant that also includes CNN, CBS News, HBO Max and Paramount+. The deal promises a future of unified streaming, cost savings, and potential job impacts across film and news divisions.
Netflix has announced a major round of job cuts, affecting its product, tech, legal and human-resources teams. The company says it remains on track to meet its full-year forecast, with around 16,000 employees at year-end and renewed emphasis on high-impact areas amid a competitive streaming landscape.
Netflix has announced significant job cuts and a leadership shake-up as it reports quarterly results. The company is downsizing roughly 1,000 roles across product, tech, HR and legal, while Bela Bajaria departs as chief content officer and Peter Rice steps in. The moves come as Netflix faces slowed growth, intensifying competition, and questions about its long-term strategy, including its push into games and podcasts.
The documentary on Elon Musk has seen shifting release plans as studios negotiate distribution. TikTok has suspended an associated account over political content, while HBO’s airing remains in question as Universal reassesses international rights.
Skydance has secured equity injections as Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merge under its banner. Elon Musk’s roughly $1 billion investment deepens ties with Larry Ellison’s family as the new media empire targets at least $6 billion in annual cost savings amid a heavy debt load.