Variety

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The business of entertainment.

Netflix is officially buying Warner Bros. Discovery and HBO Max in an $82.7 billion deal. The announcement came after a weeks-long bidding war that pitted the streaming giant against David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance and Comcast.

Netflix to Buy Warner Bros. and HBO Max in $82.7 Billion Deal

It's official: Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery announced an agreement under which Netflix will acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO.

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"Wicked: For Good" has earned $30.8 million in previews, marking the biggest preview haul of the year. The sequel is on track for a $150M–$180M opening weekend. It would need to top the $162.7M debut of "A Minecraft Movie" to become 2025’s biggest box-office opening. variety.com/2025/film/bo...

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Blake Lively says she’s suffered $161 million in damages from an alleged smear campaign tied to the release of “It Ends With Us.” - $56.2M in lost acting, producing, and endorsement income - $49M from her beauty brand Blake Brown - $22M from Betty Buzz/Betty Booze variety.com/2025/film/ne...

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This week’s cover story: Inside David Ellison’s Dramatic First 100 Days at Paramount: Courting Tom Cruise Blockbusters, Forging Ties With Trump and Daring Anyone Else to Buy Warner Bros. Discovery wp.me/pc8uak-1lGw7u

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Arcade Fire’s Win Butler and Régine Chassagne are separating after 22 years as both creative and life partners. The pair announced their split on Instagram, adding that they “look forward to seeing you on tour,” even though the band has no scheduled concert dates. variety.com/2025/music/n...

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Netflix is “actively exploring” some type of acquisition bid for Warner Bros. Discovery and has retained investment bank Moelis & Co. to put together a prospective offer. Moelis was the financial adviser to David Ellison’s Skydance Media in its takeover of Paramount Global.

Netflix ‘Actively Exploring’ Warner Bros. Discovery Bid, Hires Bank to Put Together M&A Offer (Report)

Netflix is "actively exploring" an acquisition bid for Warner Bros. Discovery and has retained investment bank Moelis & Co. to put together a prospective offer, Reuters reported.

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Apple TV has released the official trailer for #Pluribus, the new sci-fi drama from “Breaking Bad” creator Vince Gilligan. The series will debut with a two-episode premiere on Nov. 7. Read the full trailer breakdown here:

‘Pluribus’ Trailer: ‘Breaking Bad’ Creator’s New Sci-Fi Series Sends Rhea Seehorn on a Mission to Save Humanity From Happiness

Rhea Seehorn is tasked with saving humanity in the trailer for 'Breaking Bad' creator Vince Gilligan's new sci-fi show on Apple, 'Pluribus.'

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Bryan Cranston thanks OpenAI for updating Sora 2 to add new protections to protect actors’ voices and likenesses. “I was deeply concerned not just for myself, but for all performers whose work and identity can be misused in this way.” variety.com/2025/film/ne...

Bryan Cranston, SAG-AFTRA and Agents Applaud Fixes to Open AI’s Sora 2 After Outcry

Bryan Cranston joined with SAG-AFTRA, CAA and UTA in thanking OpenAI for adding guardrails to Sora 2 that protect actors' voice and likenesses.

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Apple and Formula 1 have struck a five-year deal making Apple TV the exclusive U.S. home for all F1 races starting in 2026. The agreement follows the success of "F1 The Movie," which raked in $629 million worldwide at the box office this year. variety.com/2025/tv/news...

Apple and Formula 1 Ink Five-Year Exclusive U.S. Streaming Deal Worth About $750 Million

Apple and Formula 1 announced a five-year agreement under which all F1 races will be available exclusively on Apple TV in the U.S. beginning in 2026.

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Warner Bros. Discovery speaks out against an Israeli film boycott and says it "violates our policies": “Our policies prohibit discrimination of any kind, including discrimination based on race, religion, national origin or ancestry." variety.com/2025/film/gl...

Warner Bros. Discovery Speaks Out Against Israeli Film Boycott: ‘Our Policies Prohibit Discrimination of Any Kind’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Warner Bros. Discovery says it believes a boycott of Israeli film institutions would "violate" its policies.

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In July 2024, I went to the set of #StrangerThings for two days and observed the Duffer brothers direct Millie Bobby Brown in the fourth episode of the fifth & final season. This year, @kateaurthur.bsky.social and I spent half a day total with the Duffers talking about the show and their future. 1/x

Saying Goodbye to ‘Stranger Things’: The Duffer Brothers Tell All on Season 5 Secrets, the Tearful Finale and Leaving Netflix for Paramount (EXCLUSIVE)

Matt and Ross Duffer grace the cover of Variety and discuss ending "Stranger Things," the future of the franchise and leaving Netflix for Paramount.

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Disney’s sci-fi sequel “Tron: Ares” opened to a disappointing $33.5 million this weekend, falling short of projections of $45 million to $50 million. For comparison, 2010’s “Tron: Legacy” debuted to $44 million (not adjusted for inflation). variety.com/2025/film/bo...

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Before Bari Weiss was tapped as CBS News' new editor-in-chief, her agents pushed to get her on "The View" after Meghan McCain’s exit in 2021. Sources say Weiss' centrist-right contrarian politics ultimately didn't test well with audiences. Read more here: variety.com/2025/biz/new...

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