🎯Today's Entertainment Pulse
Updated 1h agoWhat's happening: Live Nation posts record $25 billion revenue in 2025
Live Nation Entertainment reported $25 billion in revenue for 2025, a 9% rise from the prior year. Quarterly earnings hit $6.3 billion, beating analysts' $6.1 billion estimate, while concert sales reached $20.9 billion and sponsorship revenue grew 11% to $1.33 billion.
Also developing:
By the numbers: The Pokémon Company International acquires Excell Brands
News•Feb 20, 2026
Sky News Australia Rebrands as News24
Sky News Australia announced it will rebrand as News24 later this year, reviving a name previously used by ABC. The change coincides with the launch of a state‑of‑the‑art broadcast headquarters in Sydney and a suite of new digital products, including a dedicated website and app. CEO Paul Whittaker emphasized that the rebrand signals a shift toward a global, digital‑first, multiplatform news operation while retaining existing programming and talent. The rollout was marked by a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns.
By Mediaweek (Australia)
News•Feb 20, 2026
GIGIL Turns Manila’s Party District Into Hawkins for Netflix’s Stranger Things 5
GIGIL Philippines transformed Manila’s Poblacion nightlife into a full‑scale Hawkins, recreating five iconic bars to mirror each season of Netflix’s Stranger Things 5. Fans toured the immersive bar crawl, sampling themed drinks and encountering the series’ villain Vecna. The activation drove over...
By Campaign Brief Asia
Social•Feb 20, 2026
Rebecca Kutler Plans Overhaul of MS NOW Dayside Lineup
Scoop: MS NOW chief Rebecca Kutler is set to make changes to the network's dayside lineup, I'm told. Details in status.news: https://link.status.news/3MSNqnG
By Oliver Darcy
Blog•Feb 20, 2026
Spotify, SeatGeek, and the Expanding Extraction MachineWhen Platform Leverage Meets Ticketing Power
Spotify announced a new partnership with ticketing platform SeatGeek, extending its concert‑discovery tools into the live‑ticket market. The move follows Spotify’s claim of helping artists generate over $1 billion in ticket sales and its $11 billion payout to the music industry in...
By Music • Technology • Policy
News•Feb 20, 2026
Nioh 3 Surpasses 1 Million Units Sold; Nioh Series at 10 Million Units
Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja announced that Nioh 3 has sold over 1 million copies worldwide, the fastest achievement in the franchise’s history. The game launched on February 6 for PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam. Combined with previous titles, the Nioh series now...
By RPG Site
News•Feb 20, 2026
James Cameron Sounds Alarm Over Netflix-Warner Bros. Deal, Backs Paramount
Renowned director James Cameron has written to Senator Mike Lee urging Congress to block Netflix’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing it would cripple theatrical exhibition and cause massive job losses. He contends that Netflix’s streaming‑first model conflicts with...
By The Hollywood Reporter (Business)
Blog•Feb 20, 2026
Transforming Corporate Training with Skippz: A Bright Alternative to Kaltura
Skippz positions itself as a modern, cost‑effective alternative to Kaltura for corporate training, offering unlimited video hosting, interactive learning tools, and AI‑driven accessibility. The platform tackles common pain points such as storage caps, static content, complex administration, and global delivery...
By Programming Insider
Blog•Feb 19, 2026
The Live Nation Case
A federal judge refused to dismiss the DOJ’s antitrust suit against Live Nation and granted summary judgment on the core claim that its promotion and booking activities constitute a monopoly, meaning the facts overwhelmingly favor Live Nation. The case now...
By The Lefsetz Letter
News•Feb 19, 2026
Midsummer Studios to Shut Down
Midsummer Studios, founded in May 2024 by veterans of Civilization, XCOM and The Sims, announced it will shut down in February 2026. Co‑founder Jake Solomon expressed pride in building the studio and delivering a single title, Burbank. The game, described as a...
By Gematsu
Social•Feb 19, 2026
WBD Staff Now Prefer Netflix Sale over Paramount Deal
Inside Warner Bros. Discovery, Mood Among Many Staffers Shifts in Favor of Netflix Sale vs. Paramount Takeover https://t.co/cEaoy72PQb via @variety
By Todd Spangler
News•Feb 19, 2026
Signiant Announces Customer Advisory Board
Signiant has established a Customer Advisory Board (CAB) to bring together key media‑industry clients and shape the future of accelerated content flow. The board will serve as a two‑way forum where participants gain early visibility into Signiant’s product strategy while...
By TVTechnology
News•Feb 19, 2026
Live Nation 2025 Revenues Top $25B
Live Nation Entertainment posted a record $25 billion in 2025 revenue, a 9% increase over 2024. Quarterly earnings reached $6.3 billion, surpassing analysts’ $6.1 billion estimate. Concert sales climbed to $20.9 billion, while sponsorship revenue grew 11% to $1.33 billion, and the company reported a...
By Pollstar News
Blog•Feb 19, 2026
NY Mag Deploys Scarcity in Dior-Sponsored Limited Run Book
New York Magazine quietly mailed a limited‑run, Dior‑sponsored book titled “The Parisian Man” to a select group of about 20,000 subscribers in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The digest‑size publication, featuring portraits of 40 French men, is not for sale and was...
By A Media Operator
News•Feb 19, 2026
Comcast Says 4K Feed of Super Bowl Matched Latency of Broadcast
Comcast announced that its RealTime4K feed delivered on Xfinity TV during Super Bowl LX achieved a latency of just 17 seconds, essentially matching the over‑the‑air broadcast latency measured at 19 seconds. Internal testing showed the dedicated Peacock‑branded channel was only...
By The Desk
News•Feb 19, 2026
Sphere Entertainment’s Revenues Topped $1.2bn in 2025, up 8% YoY; Wizard Of Oz Has Generated $290M Since August Launch
Sphere Entertainment posted FY 2025 revenue of $1.22 billion, an 8% year‑over‑year increase, while narrowing its operating loss to $229.6 million. Adjusted operating profit surged 138% to $261.8 million, reflecting the impact of excluding depreciation, amortization and other non‑cash items. Q4 revenue jumped 28%...
By Music Business Worldwide (MBW)
Deals•Feb 19, 2026
The Pokémon Company International to Acquire Excell Brands
The Pokémon Company International announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Excell Brands, expanding its portfolio of licensed merchandise and brand offerings. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
GoNintendo
Deals•Feb 19, 2026
Clear Angle Studios Acquires DI4D's Technology and IP to Boost Performance Capture
Clear Angle Studios announced the acquisition of DI4D's facial imaging technology and intellectual property, integrating its processing tools into Clear Angle's global capture network and the newly launched TopoTrack service. Terms were not disclosed. The deal aims to strengthen performance...
PocketGamer.biz
Deals•Feb 19, 2026
Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in Major Media Deal
Netflix announced a deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, creating a media powerhouse. The announcement prompted director James Cameron to send a scathing letter to a U.S. antitrust lawmaker, warning of potential market concentration. The deal, valued at an undisclosed...
CNBC – US Top News & Analysis
Video•Feb 18, 2026
Doja Cat's Managers Have It Down
The episode spotlights Good Day Management’s unconventional strategy of building a global empire around a single artist—Doja Cat. Founders Gordon Dillard and Josh Kaplan explain why they eschewed the typical multi‑artist roster, opting instead to treat Doja Cat as a multi‑business...
By Ari’s Take
Deals•Feb 18, 2026
Gray Media Completes WBBJ Deal
Gray Media has completed the acquisition of WBBJ, a local television station, expanding its broadcast portfolio. The transaction was announced on February 18, 2026, and the financial terms were not disclosed.
Radio & TV Business Report (RBR+TVBR)
Video•Feb 17, 2026
The DMCA Might Be About to Destroy Fair Use
A Northern District of California judge has refused to toss a DMCA anti‑circumvention claim brought by Denver Metro Audits creator Mr. Cordova against the Frauditor Troll Channel, opening the door to liability for fair‑use videos that are downloaded by bypassing...
By Lawful Masses with Leonard French
Video•Feb 17, 2026
Music Royalties Explanation Part 5 - Streaming & Online Monies with Bobby Borg
The video breaks down how electronic transmissions—downloads, streaming, video and lyric sites—translate into the four core royalty categories: mechanical, performance, synchronization and print. Bobby Borg explains that each digital use triggers the appropriate royalty type, from mechanical fees on downloads...
By Bobby Borg
Deals•Feb 17, 2026
MusicBird Acquires Majid Jordan Publishing Catalog
Switzerland-based music rights company MusicBird announced it has acquired the publishing catalog of Toronto-based R&B duo Majid Jordan, adding over 2,000 songs to its portfolio. The deal includes the duo’s publishers’ and writers’ shares, covering hits such as 'Her' and...
Music Business Worldwide (MBW)
Deals•Feb 17, 2026
Warner Bros Rejects Paramount’s Revised Offer, Grants One Week to Negotiate
Paramount Pictures has submitted a revised acquisition offer for Warner Bros, which the studio has rejected while granting a one‑week window to continue negotiations. The move signals ongoing M&A talks between the two entertainment giants, with deal terms still undisclosed.
BusinessLIVE (South Africa) – RSS hub
Deals•Feb 16, 2026
OOVIE Studios Raises €164k in Pre‑Seed Round From Venture Kick
Swiss startup OOVIE Studios announced it has raised €164,000 (CHF 150,000) from Venture Kick to develop its Music Interactive Movies platform. The funding will accelerate business development and the creation of the OO App, enabling users to generate movies from...
EU-Startups
Deals•Feb 16, 2026
Ocean State Media (Rhode Island PBS) Acquires FM Station WVEI From Audacy
Ocean State Media, the organization behind Rhode Island PBS, announced the acquisition of FM station WVEI from Audacy. The deal will relocate the station to PBS studios and expand its signal to cover the entire state. The acquisition follows the...
MediaPost
Deals•Feb 16, 2026
GigPig Secures Corporate VC Investment From Best Nights VC to Expand Into Ireland
GigPig, the UK live music marketplace, announced it will expand into Ireland after receiving investment from Best Nights VC, the venture arm of Mast‑Jägermeister SE. The funding will support its first international rollout in Dublin and Belfast, though the amount...
Irish Tech News
Video•Feb 15, 2026
We Played Mario Tennis Fever - NVC Clips
The NVC Clips episode centers on the launch of Mario Tennis Fever, a new Mario‑branded sports title reviewed by Logan Plant and Brian Alano. After a brief banter about their schedules, the hosts dive into the game’s core offering: a...
By IGN
Deals•Feb 14, 2026
Holywater Acquires AI-Assisted Production Studio Jeynix
Holywater, a leading Western micro‑drama and vertical‑video player, announced the acquisition of Jeynix, an AI‑assisted production studio known for hyper‑realistic VFX. The deal follows Holywater’s recent $22 million financing round and a 2025 equity investment from FOX Entertainment. Deal value was...
Forbes – Business
Deals•Feb 13, 2026
Cineverse Acquires TV Monetization Platform IndiCue
Cineverse Corp. announced the acquisition of advertising technology firm IndiCue, Inc. for up to $40 million in cash, deferred consideration and performance‑based earnouts. The deal adds IndiCue's CTV monetization platform to Cineverse's Matchpoint suite, expanding its streaming infrastructure and is expected...
TVTechnology
Deals•Feb 13, 2026
Hulu Completes Merger with Fubo Sports Network, Adding Sports Channel to Its Lineup
Hulu and Fubo Sports Network have finalized their merger, bringing the Fubo Sports Network channel into Hulu + Live TV. The deal, announced this week, expands Hulu's sports offering with nearly 500 live events per year. Financial terms were not...
The Streamable
Deals•Feb 13, 2026
EU Commission Clears Universal Music's Acquisition of Downtown
The European Commission has approved Universal Music Group's acquisition of Downtown, removing regulatory hurdles for the deal. The transaction value remains undisclosed.
Handelsblatt (DE)
Deals•Feb 13, 2026
Sports Facilities Companies Acquires RCI Sports Management
Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) announced the acquisition of RCI Sports Management, a Texas‑based facility‑management firm that operates sports complexes across Texas, Kansas and the central U.S. The deal expands SFC’s national platform and deepens its operational capabilities in mid‑market and...
Sportico
Video•Feb 12, 2026
Leading European Film Funders Reveal Their Investment Priorities – The Screen Podcast
The Screen Podcast episode spotlights a new wave of private‑equity financing for Europe’s independent film and television sector, focusing on the launch of the Together Fund and the seasoned IPR VC. Hosted by Wendy Mitchell and Tim Dams, the conversation...
By Screen International
Deals•Feb 12, 2026
Kino Lorber Acquires Distribution Rights to Sundance Film 'Filipiñana'
Kino Lorber announced it has acquired North American distribution rights to Rafael Manuel’s feature debut 'Filipiñana', which premiered at Sundance and won the Special Jury Award for Creative Vision. The acquisition was negotiated by Kino Lorber’s VP of Acquisitions Karoliina...
The Wrap
Video•Feb 11, 2026
Index Exchange’s Andrew Casale: Containerization Brings Buyside Decisions ‘Closer To The Sell Side’
Andrew Casale of Index Exchange explains a shift in programmatic advertising where decisions traditionally made by buyers are now being executed on the sell‑side, thanks to containerization technology. By moving curation, data processing and custom bidding algorithms closer to the impression...
By Next TV
Video•Feb 11, 2026
Ubiquitous Video Expands High-Impact Ad Inventory: VideoElephant’s Brian Cullinane
VideoElephant is a video‑content platform that curates roughly five million assets and ingests 5,000 new videos each day, alongside 300,000 hours of long‑form programming. The company’s core business is to syndicate, distribute, and monetize this library for media owners, publishers,...
By Next TV
Video•Feb 11, 2026
10 Great Movies That Had Awful Test Screenings
The video examines a handful of celebrated films that initially flopped in test screenings, illustrating how studio‑led audience panels can jeopardize projects that later become cultural touchstones. Examples include "Anchorman," which earned a 50/100 score and prompted a last‑minute panda‑birth ending...
By WhatCulture
Video•Feb 10, 2026
Why J. Cole Is Using His Old Indie Playbook Again (Fan Building Strategy) | Lemme Explain
J. Cole’s recent street‑level CD drops from the trunk of his beat‑up Honda Civic illustrate a deliberate return to his indie‑era playbook, turning a simple promotion into a chapter of his personal mythology. By reviving the humble car that fans associate...
By Brandman Network
Video•Feb 9, 2026
Why Audio Is Embracing Video — with News Broadcasting's Dave Wilcox and Russell Pedrick
The Media Leader podcast episode explores why digital audio firms, led by News UK’s Octave, are rapidly adding video, CTV and display to their portfolios. After News UK acquired full ownership of Octave last summer, the marketplace is being repositioned...
By The Media Leader