New Mandated Reporter Requirements for the Entertainment Industry in California
Effective Jan 1 2026, California AB 653 (CAMERA) expands mandated‑reporter duties to talent agents, managers and coaches who work with minors. These individuals must report suspected child abuse under CANRA, with failure constituting a misdemeanor. Employers in the entertainment sector must treat this as a compliance issue, updating onboarding, acknowledgments, and internal reporting processes. Non‑compliance can trigger criminal liability, financial penalties, and reputational harm.
Two Prosecutors Trailer: Sergei Loznitsa Captures a Quest for Justice
Sergei Loznitsa’s historical drama *Two Prosecutors* premiered at Cannes last year and is set for a U.S. theatrical launch on March 20 through Janus Films. The film follows a young Soviet prosecutor in 1937 who uncovers NKVD abuses during the...
Ralph M. Oakley To Receive NAB Chuck Sherman Television Leadership Award
The National Association of Broadcasters announced that veteran broadcaster Ralph M. Oakley will receive the Chuck Sherman Television Leadership Award at the NAB State Leadership Conference on March 3. Oakley’s career spans more than four decades, including a tenure as...
Bleachers Reveal New Album, Drop Song “You and Forever”
American indie‑pop act Bleachers announced their fifth studio album, Everyone for Ten Minutes, slated for release on May 22 through Dirty Hit. The campaign kicked off with the lead single “You and Forever,” accompanied by an Alex Lockett‑directed video featuring Margaret...
Haivision Named Official Video Encoder Of Minor League Baseball
Haivision announced its Makito X4 encoder will serve as the Official Video Encoder for Minor League Baseball, covering a network of 120 teams and more than 8,000 games each season. The partnership introduces a standardized, ultra‑low latency contribution layer that...
LiveU Spotlights Three Broadcast Priorities At NAB Show
LiveU unveiled an expanded IP‑video ecosystem at the 2026 NAB Show, highlighting the new LU900Q field unit with eSIM, 5G optimization and 4:2:2 dual‑camera support. The rollout also includes LiveU Nexus, a universal IP gateway, and LiveU Schedule, a SaaS...
Sherri Shepherd Promises More Joy Despite Cancellation — and Says She'll Keep an Eye on Kym Whitley
Talk‑show host Sherri Shepherd announced the cancellation of her daytime series "Sherri" after four seasons, though production will run through the fall. She thanked fans, praised her crew, and promised to keep spreading joy in new formats. Shepherd playfully warned...
Vizrt Launches Sports Production Bundles To Empower U.S. Students To Produce Like The Pros
Vizrt has introduced four Campus Stadium Production Bundles that equip U.S. high schools and colleges with broadcast‑grade sports production tools, including the TriCaster switcher, replay engines, and graphics templates. The all‑in‑one packages are paired with Viz University’s on‑demand training, enabling...
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie Review: An Ambitious Comedic Triumph
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie transforms the cult web series into a daring theatrical comedy, blending mock‑documentary antics with high‑octane stunts. The film balances insider jokes for longtime fans with broader humor that welcomes newcomers, delivering a narrative...
Boycotts Aren’t Always an Option for Artists “Beholden” To Corporations that “Prioritise Profit over Ethics”, Alexis Krauss Explains
Alexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells explains why many mid‑tier artists find it impossible to boycott major platforms like Spotify and Live Nation despite ethical concerns. She cites the financial reliance on Spotify streams and the necessity of Live Nation‑handled tours...
Britney Spears Sells Catalog
The episode discusses Britney Spears' reported sale of her music catalog to independent publisher Primary Wave, noting the lack of confirmed details and price. It places this deal in the context of recent high‑profile catalog sales by artists like Queen,...
Hiss Golden Messenger Announces New Album I’m People, U.S. Tour
Hiss Golden Messenger frontman M.C. Taylor announced his new album I’m People, set for release on May 1, 2026 via Chrysalis, and a supporting U.S. fall tour. The lead single “In the Middle of It” draws on desert‑highway imagery and Art Bell’s...
Omaha Trailer: John Magaro Takes a Heartbreaking Road Trip
Cole Webley's feature debut "Omaha" is set for an April 24 theatrical release through Greenwich Entertainment. The drama follows a father, played by John Magaro, who impulsively whisks his two children on a 2008 road trip across the American West,...
Ekko Astral Announce Sophomore Album, Share New Song
DC punk duo Ekko Astral announced their sophomore LP *The Beltway Is Burning*, slated for release on April 22 via Topshelf Records. The album’s lead single, “Lil Xan Goes to Washington,” satirizes political lobbying and addiction policy. Recorded after the...
Rose of Nevada Trailer: Callum Turner and George MacKay Travel Through Time for Mark Jenkin
Mark Jenkin’s next film, *Rose of Nevada*, returns to his signature tactile style, shooting on a Bolex H16 16mm camera that produces deliberate scratches and red‑light leaks. The story follows George MacKay’s Nick and Callum Turner’s Liam as they board a ghost...
When Sports Piracy Goes Industrial: Building a Coordinated Defense
Industrial‑scale sports piracy now generates billions in lost revenue, with 24% of live‑sports views in 2024 coming from illegal streams. Rights holders such as LaLiga, the NFL and the Premier League face a 142% surge in piracy incidents, prompting a...
Kevin Morby Announces Album and Tour, Shares Video for New Song “Javelin”
Kevin Morby announced his forthcoming album Little Wide Open, slated for release on May 15, 2026 via Dead Oceans. The record is produced by Aaron Dessner of The National and includes guest performances from Justin Vernon, Katie Gavin, Amelia Meath, and Lucinda Williams. A video for the lead...
The Week's Bestselling Books, Feb. 15
The New York Times’ weekly bestseller roundup for the week of Feb. 15 highlights a diverse slate of titles across hardcover and paperback formats. Literary fiction such as Virginia Evans’ *The Correspondent* and George Saunders’ *Vigil* lead the hardcover fiction list,...
"This Is the Best Case Scenario": Microsoft Withdraw DMCA Takedown Notice on Voxel Sandbox Allumeria
Microsoft withdrew a DMCA takedown notice it had filed against the voxel sandbox Allumeria, which was accused of using Minecraft gameplay and assets. Valve initially removed Allumeria’s Steam page in response, but restored it after Microsoft’s claim was withdrawn. The...
A Sofia Kourtesis DJ Kicks Is on the Way
Colombian producer Sofia Kourtesis will release a new DJ Kicks mix on March 27 through K7, opening the set with her first original track “Los Poemas No Siempre Riman.” The 21‑track compilation blends four of her own songs with exclusive contributions from...
What Oscar History Predicts for This Year's Best Picture Nominees
The Envelope analyses this year’s Best Picture slate by matching each nominee to historic Oscar winners, drawing parallels in genre, theme, and narrative structure. Guillermo del Toro’s "Frankenstein" echoes the fantastical romance of 2018’s "The Shape of Water," while Ryan Coogler’s...
6 Essential Desert Reads
The article curates six essential books that capture the Southwest’s desert spirit, ranging from Mary Austin’s 1903 lyrical essays to Forrest Gander’s 2024 poetic meditation. Classics like Edward Abbey’s *Desert Solitaire* introduced the region’s fragile beauty to a national audience,...
Sky to Offer ‘World-First’ Major Streamers Bundle
Sky announced a world‑first bundle that combines Netflix, Disney+, Hayu and HBO Max under a single Sky TV subscription. The partnership adds Disney+ immediately, HBO Max becomes available on 26 March, and Hayu’s reality‑TV lineup joins in July. All services are delivered through...
LiveU Spotlights Three Broadcast Priorities at NAB Show 2026
At NAB Show 2026, LiveU introduced its most extensive IP‑video ecosystem, centered on the new LU900Q field unit with native LiveU IQ connectivity. The company also displayed LiveU Nexus, a universal gateway that normalises IP feeds, and LiveU Studio, a...
Imagine Communications Supports IP Migration at Rai
Italian public broadcaster Rai has awarded Imagine Communications a three‑year frame contract to deploy its Selenio Network Processor (SNP) as the core of its migration from SDI to IP across master and production control rooms. The SNP will act as...
The Growth of AI Influencers and How They Are Being Leveraged to Drive Reels and TikTok Sales
AI-generated influencers such as Lil Miquela, Lu do Magalu, and Noonoouri have transitioned from tech curiosities to major commercial assets, with agencies mass‑producing virtual personas and brands allocating sizable budgets. Ogilvy forecasts that AI virtual influencers will command 30% of...
Piss in the Wind
Joji’s new album “Piss in the Wind,” his first release after parting ways with 88 Rising, attempts to modernize his alt‑R&B sound with a mix of weepy piano ballads and aggressive trap‑infused tracks. The record shines when noisy, darkwave‑styled production...
Do You Still Love Me?
British singer Ella Mai releases her third studio album, Do You Still Love Me?, showcasing a polished blend of mid‑tempo R&B, soul, and rap influences. The record leans on nostalgic ’90s‑era hooks while embracing contemporary, atmospheric production from longtime collaborator Mustard....
Britney Spears Sells the Rights to Her Music Catalog
Britney Spears has agreed to sell the publishing rights to her hit catalog to music‑publishing firm Primary Wave for an estimated $200 million. The deal adds Spears’ early‑2000s pop anthems to a roster that already includes Bob Marley, Stevie Nicks and...
Cardi B and Stefon Diggs Spark Breakup Rumors After Patriots' Super Bowl Loss
Rapper Cardi B and New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who welcomed a son in November 2025, are reportedly no longer together. The breakup speculation intensified after the couple stopped following each other on Instagram and the Patriots’ 29‑13...
New FT Strategies & Knight Foundation Playbook: What Makes Local News Sustainable?
FT Strategies and the Knight Foundation released "The Local News Playbook," a research‑driven guide for building sustainable local news operations. The report rejects one‑size‑fits‑all solutions, instead mapping value creation across the ecosystem. It highlights community connection, owned relationships, and uniquely...
SiriusXM Rebounds in Q4 Subscribers
SiriusXM’s Q4 earnings showed flat revenue year‑over‑year but a notable subscriber rebound, with 110,000 new self‑pay users offsetting a full‑year loss of 301,000. Monthly churn among self‑pay customers improved, falling to 15% from 16% YoY, leaving the company with a...
Weigel Broadcasting Names Elizabeth Tumulty SVP Of Affiliate Relations
Weigel Broadcasting announced Elizabeth Tumulty as senior vice president of affiliate relations, succeeding Maura McDonough Cope, who is retiring after a 42‑year television career. Tumulty brings more than two decades of experience, most recently overseeing affiliate operations at CBS and...
Trailer and Exclusive Poster for Gabe Klinger’s Berlin Debut Isabel Uncork a Midlife Crisis
Gabe Klinger’s feature debut *Isabel* will world‑premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 16, 2026, after a new trailer and exclusive poster were released. The film follows a São Paulo sommelière who dreams of leaving her demanding fine‑dining job...
ASUS ROG Partners With BLAST for BLAST Premier
International esports tournament operator BLAST has renewed its partnership with ASUS Republic of Gamers for the 2026 season of its Counter‑Strike 2 series. Under the agreement, ASUS ROG will provide official monitors, PCs, laptops, keyboards and mice for six BLAST Premier...
Hagerty Channel Debuts On Prime Video
Hagerty Inc. has launched a free, ad‑supported streaming (FAST) channel on Amazon Prime Video, delivering 24/7 automotive programming. The channel features hundreds of hours of original content, with new episodes added weekly, including titles such as Icons, Revelations, and Barn...
Essay: Ricky Martin's Super Bowl Performance Was an Act of Justice for the 1990s
Ricky Martin’s surprise appearance during the Super Bowl LX halftime show turned a 30‑second musical interlude into a bold statement on Puerto Rico’s colonial legacy. Backed by the sound of a cuatro, he performed “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii,” linking the island’s history to contemporary gentrification pressures....
Baby Keem Details New Album Ca$ino, Announces 2026 Tour
Hip‑hop artist Baby Keem announced his sophomore album *Ca$ino*, slated for release on February 20 through pgLang, Eerie Times and Columbia Records. The record includes high‑profile features from cousin Kendrick Lamar and Too $hort, and the trailer showcases family footage and a preview of...
Zeiss Introduces Aatma Prime Lenses
Zeiss has launched the Aatma Prime series, a collection of nine T1.5 full‑frame cinema lenses spanning 18 mm to 135 mm. The lenses marry classic Zeiss optical character—soft skin tones, low contrast, and distinctive bokeh—with modern data‑rich design and workflow compatibility. Aatma...
Travel to Near-Future Brazil in U.S. Trailer for Gabriel Mascaro’s The Blue Trail
Gabriel Mascaro’s *The Blue Trail*, winner of the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at Berlin, will debut in the United States on April 3 via Dekanalog. The trailer showcases a near‑future Brazil where the state forces seniors into isolated colonies, prompting...
Yes Trailer: Nadav Lapid Targets Israeli Nationalism in Searing Satire
Nadav Lapid’s fifth feature, *Yes*, debuted in Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, delivering a razor‑sharp satire of Israeli nationalism in the wake of the October 7 attacks. The film follows a jazz musician and his dancer wife who agree to say “yes” to...
PMVG Launches ‘TechBundle’ To Cut Costs, Modernize Public Media Operations
Public Media Venture Group (PMVG) introduced TechBundle, a modular suite that combines master control, transmission monitoring, traffic, and streaming services for local public media stations. By negotiating system‑wide pricing, the bundle offers enterprise‑grade tools at lower costs than separate contracts,...
Wednesday Leave Wasserman Over CEO’s Ties to Jeffrey Epstein
Wednesday, an indie‑rock band, announced it is leaving talent agency Wasserman after the U.S. Justice Department released emails linking CEO Casey Wasserman to Ghislaine Maxwell, a close associate of Jeffrey Epstein. The disclosure sparked a wave of public condemnations, with...
WMSA Announces New Efforts With FCC To Secure Wireless Mic Spectrum
The Wireless Microphone Spectrum Alliance (WMSA) released a report warning that the 470‑608 MHz band, vital for professional wireless microphones, is increasingly crowded after the 2017 incentive auction and loss of the 600 MHz band. The alliance is lobbying the FCC, Congress,...
Savvy Games Group Signs Memorandum of Understanding With NMBRS
Savvy Games Group announced a Memorandum of Understanding with Stockholm‑based visual‑effects studio NMBRS at the D.I.C.E. conference, aiming to boost esports and game development in Saudi Arabia. NMBRS will establish a Riyadh presence, bringing VFX expertise from titles such as...
Lip Critic Announce New Album and Tour, Share Video for New Song
New York hardcore outfit Lip Critic announced their third album, Theft World, slated for release on May 1 through Partisan Records. The record, inspired by frontman Bret Kaser’s identity‑theft ordeal, weaves the thief’s imagined narratives into twelve tracks, including the...
Muna Announce First Album in Four Years, Share Song
Muna announced their fourth studio album, *Dancing on the Wall*, set for release on May 8, 2026 via Saddest Factory/Secretly Group. The indie‑pop trio debuted the lead single and its anthemic video, describing the track as their favorite and a blend of...
Charli XCX’s Vacation Goes Awry in First Trailer for Pete Ohs’ Erupcja
Charli XCX headlines Pete Ohs’ upcoming film Erupcja, with the first trailer debuting ahead of its April 17 theatrical release. The indie romantic‑comedy, which premiered at TIFF last fall, follows a volcanic eruption that strands the protagonist in Warsaw and...
A Superhero at Your Side: Saga.xyz’s Strategy for Building AI Bridges Without Replacing Human Creation
Saga.xyz, originally a blockchain scaling protocol, is pivoting to AI by creating licensed AI agents that embody well‑known film, TV and video‑game characters. The company plans to launch agents for major IP through licensing deals, initially targeting video‑game versions of...
Devo Add Yet More Tours to Their 2026 Slate
Devo has expanded its 2026 touring schedule, adding a West Coast “Mutate, Don’t Stagnate” leg in April and a series of June dates across the Eastern United States and Canada. The new shows precede the band’s remaining Cosmic De‑Evolution Tour...