Studio Signal

Jimmy Kimmel publicly blasts CBS over Stephen Colbert’s reported departure, signaling a shift in power between talent and networks. We also break down rapper Stefflon Don’s lucrative deal to sell her music catalog to HarbourView Equity Partners.

Charter’s $34.5 billion acquisition of Cox Communications signals a new era of streaming bundles set to reshape distribution. We also break down the power shift as Apple’s Eddy Cue is named Cannes Lions' Entertainment Person of the Year and HBO extends its deal with the showrunner for House of the Dragon.

HBO locks in its Game of Thrones universe with a multi-year renewal plan for its prequel shows, while Mattel gets a huge sigh of relief as overwhelmingly positive first reactions for the new Masters of the Universe movie roll in.

Sony Pictures Classics weighs in on the potential Skydance acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, while Focus Features and Blumhouse's 'Obsession' becomes a runaway box office hit. Plus, Amazon pushes a major new custom AI feature for Alexa+.

We break down Paul McCartney's legendary Saturday Night Live finale performance and the weekend box office results. The Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' continues its reign for Lionsgate and Universal, while the low-budget horror film 'Obsession' scores a massive, profitable debut.

We unpack the escalating political and regulatory battle over David Ellison’s bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. Plus, a look at the box office, where 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' and Lionsgate’s 'Michael' biopic continue their successful runs.

David Ellison’s bid to merge Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery faces new international hurdles from European regulators. We also break down the strong box office debut for Blumhouse's horror hit 'Obsession' and the revival of Sylvester Stallone's 'Expendables' franchise.

Today's M&E intelligence briefing from Kai Rivers. Thursday, May 14, 2026.

Warner Bros. Discovery's upfronts presentation addressed the potential Paramount merger with a joke about Skydance CEO David Ellison, while also announcing 98 new shows and specials featuring talent like Terry Crews, Ken Jeong, and Ben Affleck to bolster its cable networks.

We explore the political tone at the Cannes Film Festival following Demi Moore's comments on free speech and Lady Gaga's hybrid release strategy for her 'Mayhem Requiem' concert film with Apple Music and AMC. Plus, Legendary TV options sorority guide ‘The Rush Bible’ for a new series produced by Eva Longoria.

This episode breaks down Florence Pugh’s star-powered package for 'The Midnight Library' hitting Cannes and the theatrical jump of YouTube's 'The Amazing Digital Circus'. We also explore the 'Avatar' lawsuit against James Cameron and its bigger implications for AI and digital likeness rights.

We break down the monster box office success of Disney's The Devil Wears Prada 2 and a controversial lawsuit against James Cameron over an Avatar character's likeness that raises major questions about AI. Plus, we look ahead to Disney's critical earnings report and the future of Disney Plus subscriber growth.

We break down the monster box office success of Disney's The Devil Wears Prada 2 and how Sony's booming anime division is offsetting losses from its other studios. Plus, we explore the critical AI and intellectual property questions raised by a lawsuit against James Cameron over a character's digital likeness in 'Avatar'.

This week, we're tracking a box office showdown between Mortal Kombat II and The Devil Wears Prada 2, a bizarre lawsuit against James Cameron over Avatar's AI-generated characters, and Werner Herzog's dramatic exit from the Cannes Film Festival. Plus, Nexstar's CEO signals a major battle with regulators over the company's pending merger with Tegna. This week, we're tracking a box office showdown b...

We break down Sony's complex earnings report, where booming anime demand is balancing major struggles at VFX house Pixomondo and gaming studio Bungie. Plus, we explore how Los Angeles's new Metro D line extension is quietly reshaping the industry's physical infrastructure by connecting landmarks like the Academy Museum and SAG-AFTRA offices.

Nexstar's CEO vows to fight for the challenged Tegna merger in a battle against regulatory overreach. Plus, we break down Warner Bros. Discovery's staggering $2.9 billion loss and the massive merger costs behind the number.

This episode covers a sunny summer box office forecast following the success of The Devil Wears Prada 2, the NFL's massive new $110 billion rights deal and its impact on the TV landscape, and the American Film Market's 2026 strategic shift to a New Global Screen Economy. This episode covers a sunny summer box office forecast following the success of The Devil Wears Prada 2, the NFL's massive new $...

Paramount's streaming business beats expectations after a price hike, fueled by the expanding Yellowstone universe and its new spinoff, Dutton Ranch. Plus, we break down Elon Musk's $1.5 million settlement with the SEC over his acquisition of Twitter.

This episode breaks down the false rumor of GameStop buying eBay and Roblox's major push to attract adult gamers by increasing pay for 18+ content creators. We also look at AGC Studios launching sales for 'Critterz', an AI-produced animated film from the writers of 'Paddington in Peru'.

We break down the box office success of the musical Michael and a buzzy Saturday Night Live featuring Olivia Rodrigo and Aziz Ansari. Plus, we explore Roblox's strategic pivot to attract adult game developers and Zayn Malik’s U.S. tour cancellation.

This week, we break down YouTube's massive $10 billion ad revenue and Roblox's big play for adult gamers that sent its stock tumbling. We also explore the growing political opposition threatening the Paramount and Warner Bros. merger over national security concerns.

A California congressman urges the F.C.C. to block the Paramount and Warner Bros. merger over national security concerns, while Big Tech's staggering $190 billion AI investment signals a massive power shift away from Hollywood.

We break down TheWrap's slow-burn summer box office forecast and Prime Video's big bet on YA book adaptations. Plus, a look at PRS for Music's record-breaking royalty collections and what's next for the James Bond franchise.

We break down why Wall Street is souring on Comcast despite a strong quarter, The Devil Wears Prada sequel’s unconventional summer box office strategy, and how AI company ElevenLabs is partnering with the music industry to turn listeners into creators.

A new music powerhouse is born as BMG and Concord merge, while Comcast's earnings show signs of life in its broadband business. Plus, the Tribeca Festival unveils a star-studded lineup mixing classic film reunions with a Katy Perry concert film premiere.