Studio Signal

The Michael Jackson biopic scores a massive $217 million opening by focusing on music over controversy, while the newly approved Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount merger faces sharp backlash from creatives like HBO's John Oliver.

This episode breaks down the massive box office success of the Michael Jackson biopic and the new trailer for House of the Dragon. We then preview a consequential week of earnings for the media and entertainment space, focusing on what to expect from Spotify and T-Mobile.

This week, we break down the blockbuster merger talks between iHeartMedia and SiriusXM and recap the biggest stories from N.A.B. Show 2026. We cover the industry's pivot to practical AI workflows and the approved acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount.

This episode unpacks the major themes from NAB Show 2026, where the focus has shifted to profitable AI execution and the creator economy's central role. We then analyze Charter Communications' stock plunge after the company reported significant subscriber losses, a brutal sign for the cable sector.

Shareholders approve the Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount mega-merger but reject CEO David Zaslav’s massive golden parachute in a stunning twist. We then cover the N.A.B. show's shift from experimental tech to the practical execution of AI and cloud workflows from companies like Adobe and Sony.

The conversation at the NAB Show shifts from single products to AI-driven ecosystems from companies like Grass Valley and Blackmagic. We also break down Nexstar's $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna and the last-minute antitrust lawsuit from DirecTV that's putting the integration on hold.

We explore the AI-powered production platforms dominating the NAB Show and the high-stakes debate over David Zaslav’s future at Warner Bros. Discovery. Plus, we break down Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser’s ambitious new transmedia franchise, Absurdverse.

Today's M&E intelligence briefing from Kai Rivers. Monday, April 20, 2026.

We break down the weekend in entertainment, from The Super Mario Galaxy Movie's box office dominance and surprise Coachella guests to Disney's teased re-release of Avengers: Endgame. Then, we look ahead to the N.A.B. Show in Las Vegas and the massive buzz around Artificial Intelligence.

We break down the growing regulatory pushback against media consolidation, from the blocked Nexstar-Tegna merger to scrutiny of Live Nation. Plus, we explore why personality-driven content is king as Netflix signs Brian Williams and Hulu acquires several popular video podcasts.

We explore theater owners' post-CinemaCon optimism amid the Paramount-Skydance drama, Hulu's savvy acquisition of video podcasts like 'Handsome', and Disney+'s record-setting K-drama hit 'Perfect Crown'.

Today's M&E intelligence briefing from Kai Rivers. Thursday, April 16, 2026.

Democratic Senators urge courts to scrutinize Live Nation's DOJ settlement amid concerns over antitrust enforcement. We also cover the Producers Guild's new toolkit designed to help make the business case for sustainability on set.

Global ad revenue growth faces a potential $50 billion hit due to the war in Iran, while opposition mounts against the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger, with figures like Damon Lindelof voicing concerns. Separately, Janus Films acquired US rights to Kurosawa Kiyoshi's new film, 'The Samurai and the Prisoner', ahead of its Cannes premiere.

Damon Lindelof warns the proposed Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger could turn the Warner Bros. lot into a ghost town, impacting thousands of jobs. The UK's CMA is now reviewing the deal, while Cinema United expresses confidence in movie theaters.

Today's M&E intelligence briefing from Kai Rivers. Sunday, April 12, 2026.

This week, we break down the chaotic Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger saga, the massive box office success of Universal's 'Super Mario Galaxy Movie', and the Department of Justice's game-changing antitrust investigation into the NFL's media rights.

Today's M&E intelligence briefing from Kai Rivers. Friday, April 10, 2026.

The Department of Justice launches a major antitrust investigation into the NFL's media deals. We also cover Amazon's new film franchise based on the 'Gods of the Game' book series and Pink's upcoming hosting gig at the 2026 Tony Awards.

Paramount's C-suite is in turmoil as President Jeff Shell is ousted amid talks of a Warner Bros. Discovery mega-deal, while Disney questions the future of its billion-dollar 'Avatar' franchise and the acclaimed comedy 'Hacks' wraps its final season.

Today's M&E intelligence briefing from Kai Rivers. Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

David Ellison's Skydance secures $24 billion from Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds for his Warner Bros. Discovery bid, potentially reshaping Hollywood ownership. Also, the Writers Guild reaches a surprise four-year deal with AMPTP, averting another strike, and Super Mario Galaxy dominates the box office.

Universal and Illumination's 'Super Mario Galaxy Movie' shatters box office records with a massive $372.5 million global opening. Plus, star Jack Black joins the Saturday Night Live 5-Timers Club while its U.K. spinoff struggles with a steep ratings decline.

Nintendo celebrates a massive box office weekend for the Super Mario Galaxy Movie as Prime Video cancels its YA series The Runarounds. We also look at Netflix's renewal of Love on the Spectrum and Zach Bryan's weather-related concert cancellation in Tulsa.

A seismic shift in media control is underway as tech titans like Sam Altman target legacy outlets, while '60 Minutes' faces a potential overhaul and the Lord of the Rings franchise prepares to recast its iconic hero, Aragorn. We break down the potential shake-up at the legendary newsmagazine and Andy Serkis's hunt for a new King of Gondor.