Know What's Happening in Entertainment
Know What's Happening in Entertainment
Super Mario Galaxy film targets $200M+ opening weekend
Nintendo and Illumination are positioning the upcoming "Super Mario Galaxy" movie to open with more than $200 million domestically over the Easter holiday weekend. The strategy leans on the franchise’s multigenerational appeal and a family‑focused release window, with analysts citing the 2015 "Avengers: Age of Ultron" $191 million opening as a benchmark.
Also developing:
By the numbers: K-Love seeks FCC approval to acquire WFCC
At GDC Festival of Gaming 2026, Playable Worlds’ vice‑president Niina Fujioka detailed how their Kickstarter campaign for the MMORPG *Stars Reach* exceeded its goal by over four times. The success stemmed from a story‑focused trailer, a modest funding target, and rapid early backing that boosted platform algorithms. Post‑campaign, the studio maintained momentum through community playtests and a 60,000‑member mailing list. Fujioka warned that crowdfunding’s triumph is only the start; sustained engagement and realistic timelines are essential to deliver the final product.
Future Today’s free, ad‑supported streaming services Fawesome and HappyKids now reach over 75 million U.S. households, delivering more than 2 billion monthly impressions. The platforms together offer a catalog of 350,000 titles, with Fawesome’s average session time up 57 percent and viewers spending...
The YouAppi‑Kochava 2026 CTV Growth Guide reveals that connected‑TV (CTV) ads precede search in 96% of install paths and social in 94%, positioning CTV as the true origin of user intent. Despite capturing 17.9% of U.S. media consumption, brands allocate...
Comcast Advertising used its IAB NewFronts slot to unveil a new "performance TV" product that unifies targeting and attribution across its premium linear and streaming inventory. The solution promises advertisers more precise audience reach and clearer measurement of campaign outcomes....
A former Bally Sports executive has withdrawn his bid to acquire seven local TV stations, ending a brief return to broadcast ownership. The stations, spanning Washington, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Tennessee, were to be sold for $116.5 million to Community News Media...
Heavy‑metal outfit Black Label Society is leveraging a limited‑time digital deluxe edition for its upcoming album *Engines Of Demolition*. The pre‑order bundle, available only until 12 a.m. on March 26, adds two “Unblackened” bonus tracks, mirroring a similar tactic recently used by Lamb of God. Physical...
Flawless, an AI‑assistive filmmaking platform, appointed longtime tech entrepreneur Amit Kapur as co‑CEO alongside co‑founder Scott Mann. Kapur, who previously helped grow MySpace and sold AI startup Gravity for $100 million, joins the board‑member‑turned‑executive to scale the company. Flawless, founded in...
Humann, the beet‑based health brand, has hired Eden Collective as its media agency of record to drive a brand transformation focused on cardiovascular nutrition. Eden will oversee full‑funnel planning, budget allocation and channel‑specific strategy, shifting from an initial TV‑only approach...
Joshua Kim argues that decentralized crowdfunding can sustain NFT artists when market liquidity dries up. A weekly pledge of 1 Ether (≈$1,800) by collector Batsoupyum and curator Lanett Bennett Grant is being matched by major collectors, adding $20,000 and $100,000 in...
Milwaukee broadcaster Civic Media has finalized its purchase of AM station WZTI and two FM translators previously held by Milwaukee Radio Alliance. The company will maintain the classic hits music format while integrating local news coverage on the newly acquired...
A Deloitte survey finds 61% of streaming subscribers would cancel if monthly fees rise by $5, highlighting strong price sensitivity. The study shows 68% of SVOD users now carry an ad‑supported plan, up 46% since 2024, and 73% express frustration...
Comcast Advertising unveiled Outcomes+, an AI‑driven targeting and attribution platform that spans its linear TV, streaming and addressable inventory. The solution leverages deterministic data from over 30 million households—more than 100 million authenticated viewers—and integrates new partnerships with Mastercard, Clarivoy, DISQO, Fandango,...
Ocean Park in Hong Kong has deployed artificial intelligence to continuously monitor its giant panda twins and golden monkeys, enabling precise behavior tracking and personalized enrichment. The AI system replaces manual video sampling, identifying individual animals, body postures, and social...
Southern U.S. theme parks are entering a new expansion phase as major operators pour billions of dollars into new rides, resort hotels and year‑round indoor attractions. The investments, projected to exceed $3 billion over five years, aim to boost off‑season attendance...
1 in 10 content creators report serious mental health struggles tied to their work. That’s double the national average. At the same time, the creator economy is worth hundreds of billions and growing fast. So what’s broken? In this episode of TEQ, I...
Played 3 holes with @goodgood_golf and picked their brains on how they became the fastest-growing golf channel in the world ⛳️ Full video out now https://t.co/DJXv7h8kGj https://t.co/7TQAdLndnV
In February 2017, research organization Fraunhofer‑Gesellschaft sued satellite radio provider SiriusXM for alleged patent infringement. After a nine‑year procedural delay, a Delaware federal judge dismissed the case, ruling that Fraunhofer’s repeated requests for extensions failed to move the litigation forward....
Malcolm Todd's "Chest Pain (I Love)" has been certified Platinum in the United States for selling 1 million copies, proving that his viral TikTok hit has officially crossed over into mainstream success. https://t.co/IEu7xmdYq6
Bonkers Toys, led by licensing chief Lisa Berlin Wright, is turning digital creators into toy franchise powerhouses. The company’s early wins with slither.io and Ryan’s World proved that viral online audiences can be translated into retail‑ready product lines. Wright stresses...
Elon Musk paused X's creator revenue rule change that aimed to focus on regional impressions hours after the company announced it https://t.co/d2YT9fm7Jq
Larrosa’s MusicTraders has launched a dedicated Deals & Acquisitions unit after completing more than $50 million in catalog transactions and managing $25 million of assets. The five‑person team, drawn from TikTok, BMG, Spotify, YouTube and PeerMusic, will focus on Latin America, the...
Most emerging artists are releasing music completely wrong. Here is exactly what they are getting wrong, and why it is costing them everything. https://t.co/1tHGaacLz7
Oxford Road’s ORBIT rankings, based on over $1.6 billion in campaign data, reveal that independent podcasts dominate performance metrics, accounting for 80% of the top‑ranking shows. The analysis identifies four audience lanes—Build, Align, Unwind, and Fandom—each delivering distinct advertiser value. Independent...
Hong Kong‑based Pacific Music Group has signed TaTa Taktumi, the first “part human” AI artist created by Timbaland’s Stage Zero venture. The hybrid act, backed by a Filipino performer, will be managed exclusively in Asia and released worldwide through Pacific’s...
Movistar Plus+ has introduced a free, ad‑supported tier that gives users access to a curated slice of its streaming catalogue without a paid subscription. The offering, delivered via the Movistar Plus+ app, includes original series such as "Berto’s Advice Column"...
Matt Brittin, a former senior European Google executive, has been appointed Director‑General of the BBC. Lacking editorial experience, he is expected to run the corporation in a CEO‑style while delegating editorial authority to a separate Editor‑in‑Chief. The appointment comes as...
Everplay, the parent of Team17, posted flat revenue of £166 million (≈ $208 million) for FY2025 but saw gross profit rise 10% to £76.3 million (≈ $95 million). The increase stemmed from ending low‑margin physical distribution, which lifted gross margins, while new releases generated an 80%...
Ranveer Singh’s ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ opened on March 19 and earned INR 761 crore (about $82 million) worldwide in its four‑day opening weekend, shattering every previous Hindi‑film benchmark. The surge revives confidence in theatrical releases across India and abroad, while sparking debate over the...
Hong Kong’s leading free‑to‑air broadcaster TVB reported a US$7.5 million profit for 2025, reversing a seven‑year loss streak. Revenue slipped 2% to HK$3.19 billion (≈US$408 million) but costs fell 4.9%, while advertising income rose 15% on its terrestrial channels. Growth was driven by...
VideoAmp announced an integration with O‑N‑X, embedding its nationwide audience‑measurement dataset into the automated transaction platform for local broadcast TV. The partnership enables predictive delivery intelligence and more stable guaranteed‑impression transactions across all 210 U.S. markets. O‑N‑X, already licensed in...
Dominic Fike's "3 Nights" has been certified 3x Platinum in the United States for selling 3 million copies, a massive achievement for the debut single that became a global hit reaching the top 10 in multiple countries. https://t.co/HVRvxGctJn
Netflix and McDonald’s are rolling out two adult‑focused Happy Meals on March 31, each themed after rival K‑pop groups from the Oscar‑winning film “KPop Demon Hunters.” The limited‑time meals include exclusive collectible cards that unlock first‑access content, aiming to drive subscriber...
Epic Games is eliminating more than 1,000 positions, with 82 jobs lost at its Bellevue office, and targeting $500 million in cost savings after a sharp drop in Fortnite engagement. CEO Tim Sweeney said the cuts are needed to bring spending...
The Trade Desk is under scrutiny after Publicis flagged hidden DSP fees, prompting a follow‑up audit by Omnicom. Despite the controversy, CTV remains the engine of growth, accounting for roughly 50% of the company’s revenue. The stock has dropped 10%...
MIDiA Research reports that expanded‑rights revenue – merch, physical music and live tickets – surged 21.5% in 2025, outpacing all other music income streams. A survey of 1,000 U.S. fans shows Gen Z demanding more diverse, subtle merchandise such as...
Global Agency announced that the Turkish drama "Vendetta (Kan Çiçekleri)" has been sold to broadcasters in more than 70 countries, expanding its international footprint. The three‑season, 645‑episode series, originally aired on Turkey’s Kanal 7, is now topping prime‑time slots in markets...
YouTube’s managing director for France and South Europe, Justine Ryst, highlighted that the platform paid out more than $100 billion to creators between 2021 and 2025, surpassing Netflix’s $79.5 billion content spend in the same period. She emphasized YouTube’s ad‑supported model, which...
They may have given up an hour on air, but they ain't going anywhere....Morning Joe duo of Scarborough, Brzezinski will stick with MS NOW through 2029 https://t.co/rHjU8VxMB5 via @variety
Spotter, an Amazon‑backed startup, reports that roughly 6,600 U.S. creator‑driven “TV” channels—defined by 22‑minute‑plus episodes, regular schedules and sizable audiences—produced an estimated 26 billion viewing hours in 2025, with over half watched on connected TVs. These creator shows match traditional TV...
U.S. Household Spending on Streaming Video Services Remains Flat at $69 per Month, as 68% Now Take Ad-Supported Tiers https://t.co/7kimYXpfe6
Paramount announced the cancellation of 'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' after the show failed to meet rating expectations, ending the series before a second season. The move underscores growing pressure on legacy IPs to deliver strong numbers on streaming platforms.
Epic Games said it will lay off over 1,000 employees and target $500 million in cost savings after a sharp decline in Fortnite activity. CEO Tim Sweeney warned the cuts are needed to align spending with earnings, marking the company's second...
Nintendo announced a 33% cut to Switch 2 production after the console failed to meet holiday sales targets in the United States. The move highlights pricing pressures, a thin game lineup and lingering tariff costs that could reshape the handheld market.
Microsoft has installed Asha Sharma as the new head of Xbox, replacing longtime leader Phil Spencer. Sharma’s first moves include scrubbing the controversial "This Is An Xbox" campaign and exploring lower‑priced Game Pass tiers and a potential Netflix bundle, signaling...
Disney’s newly appointed chief executive, Josh D’Amaro, is grappling with two high‑profile setbacks in his first week: OpenAI abruptly terminated its Sora video‑AI tool, ending a $1 billion agreement with Disney, and a planned Fortnite collaboration with Epic Games has stalled...
Epic Games is slashing 20% of its global workforce, including 82 positions in its Seattle office, after a prolonged decline in Fortnite engagement. CEO Tim Sweeney said the cuts, combined with $500 million in operational savings, are meant to stabilize the...
OpenAI announced today that it is shutting down Sora, its AI video‑generation product, and terminating a $1 billion partnership with Disney. The move reflects mounting compute expenses and a strategic pivot toward enterprise and developer‑focused AI offerings.
German teleshopping channel Channel21 filed for preliminary insolvency in Hanover, just days after celebrating its 25th anniversary. A court‑appointed administrator will decide whether the broadcaster can continue operating or must be restructured. The filing reflects a broader crisis in the...
Synamedia announced ContentArmor Edge Watermarking, an industry‑first solution that embeds forensic watermarks directly into the compressed video stream at the CDN edge. The technology cuts insertion and extraction times in half, delivering end‑to‑end piracy disruption in under five minutes. By...
Leonine Studios announced that CEO Fred Kogel’s contract has been extended to 2028, cementing his leadership of the German‑based production and distribution group. The move follows Leonine’s rapid rise since its 2019 launch to become the largest independent studio in...
