News•Mar 5, 2026
Ben Affleck Quietly Founded a Filmmaker-Focused AI Tech Company. Netflix Just Bought It.
Netflix has agreed to acquire InterPositive, an AI‑powered filmmaking technology firm founded by Ben Affleck. The deal brings the startup’s proprietary tools that assist directors with visual logic, editorial consistency, and production challenges into Netflix’s tech portfolio, and places Affleck on board as a senior adviser. InterPositive’s model, trained on a closed soundstage dataset, enables filmmakers to upload dailies and fine‑tune AI for specific projects. The acquisition marks Netflix’s first major external AI purchase since Ready Player Me.
By The Hollywood Reporter (Business)
Deals•Mar 5, 2026
Netflix Acquires Filmmaker-Focused AI Startup InterPositive
Netflix announced the acquisition of InterPositive, an AI‑powered filmmaking technology company founded by actor Ben Affleck. The deal brings InterPositive’s proprietary AI tools for visual logic and editorial consistency under Netflix’s technology umbrella, with Affleck joining Netflix as a senior...
The Hollywood Reporter (Business)
News•Mar 3, 2026
As Broadcast Slowly Dies, Niche-Casting Is on the Rise
Broadcast morning shows have lost roughly half their audience over the past fifteen years, prompting a shift toward livestreaming. Creators like Malcolm Harris, Warner Bailey, and TBPN are launching niche‑focused shows for logistics, Hollywood, and tech professionals on platforms such...
By The Hollywood Reporter (Business)
News•Mar 3, 2026
Luxury Movie Theater Chain iPic Files for Bankruptcy
Luxury cinema chain iPic Theaters has entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, reporting a $20 million loss on $112.5 million revenue and assets between $10 million and $50 million. The filing follows a steep decline in ticket sales, heightened competition from streaming services, and lingering effects...
By The Hollywood Reporter (Business)
News•Mar 3, 2026
It’s a Megadeal: Banijay, All3Media to Merge, Creating New Indie Production Giant
Banijay and All3Media announced an $8 billion merger that will combine two of the world’s largest independent TV producers into a single entity. The deal gives each side a 50 percent stake, with Banijay’s Marco Bassetti becoming CEO and Jeff Zucker chairing...
By The Hollywood Reporter (Business)
News•Feb 28, 2026
The $100 Million Case Over Kevin Spacey’s Imploded ‘House of Cards’ Season Finally Hits Court
Media Rights Capital (MRC) is suing insurer Fireman’s Fund for up to $100 million after the sixth season of *House of Cards* collapsed following Kevin Spacey’s departure. Spacey agreed to cooperate as a state’s witness, reducing his arbitration award to $1 million...
By The Hollywood Reporter (Business)
News•Feb 27, 2026
Movie Theaters to Keep Lobbying Against Warner Bros. Deal, Now Targeting Paramount
Cinema United, the leading exhibitors’ trade group, is ramping up its lobbying campaign against the proposed Paramount‑Warner Bros. merger after Netflix abandoned its $82.7 billion bid. David Ellison’s Skydance‑backed bid to acquire Warner Bros. now hinges on a combined deal that...
By The Hollywood Reporter (Business)
News•Feb 27, 2026
David Ellison Wins. It Doesn’t Yet Make Him a Winner.
David Ellison secured a $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros., beating Netflix’s $82 billion bid. The deal, financed by a consortium that includes Saudi and Qatari sovereign funds, gives him control of a studio with a $71 billion market cap and a portfolio...
By The Hollywood Reporter (Business)
News•Feb 25, 2026
Paramount Says Warner Bros. Discovery Would Be “Accelerant” To Its Goals as It Reports Earnings
Paramount Skydance reported fourth‑quarter revenue of $8.14 billion, a 2% increase year‑over‑year, but posted a $339 million operating loss. Direct‑to‑consumer revenue rose 10% while Paramount+ grew 17% to $1.8 billion and 78.9 million subscribers. CEO David Ellison framed a potential merger with Warner Bros. Discovery as...
By The Hollywood Reporter (Business)
News•Feb 20, 2026
Media Deals Value Surges to $250 Billion Last Year, Driven by Netflix-Warner Bros., Premium Content
Media M&A value surged to nearly $250 billion in 2025, more than double the prior year, even as deal count fell 10.1 %. The jump was anchored by two mega‑transactions: Netflix’s $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery and a $55 billion take‑private of Electronic Arts....
By The Hollywood Reporter (Business)
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)
News•Feb 18, 2026
Councilmember’s Push to Improve L.A. Filming Conditions Passes Latest Hurdle: “We Can’t Lose Any More Time”
Councilmember Adrin Nazarian secured committee approval for nine filming‑friendly proposals, including faster soundstage certification, a free permit for micro‑shoots, reduced parking fees, and an independent audit of permitting. Amendments trimmed police and fire regulations and removed special‑condition hurdles in neighborhoods like...
By The Hollywood Reporter (Business)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Jake Weiner Exiting Good Fear to Launch Production, Management Firm Harvest Hill Entertainment (Exclusive)
Longtime producer Jake Weiner has left Good Fear after a 25‑year partnership with Chris Bender to launch his own management and production company, Harvest Hill Entertainment. The new boutique firm starts with a roster that includes Oscar‑nominated writer Allison Schroeder,...
By The Hollywood Reporter (Business)
News•Feb 13, 2026
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner Says He Regrets Miramax Acquisition Due to Weinstein’s Behavior
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner told Graham Bensinger that he regrets the 1993 Miramax acquisition after witnessing co‑founder Harvey Weinstein’s abusive behavior. Disney bought Miramax for $70 million and later sold it in 2010 for $660 million, recouping a large profit but...
By The Hollywood Reporter (Business)
News•Feb 12, 2026
Roku Sees Higher Revenue, Positive Net Income For 2025 As Platform Makes Gains
Roku reported a strong fourth‑quarter 2025, posting $1.5 billion in revenue—a 16% year‑over‑year increase—and its first positive net income of $80.5 million. Platform revenue surged 18% to $1.2 billion, driven by higher video‑ad sales and a record share of streaming minutes. The company...
By The Hollywood Reporter (Business)