Real-Time AI Video Startup Reactor, Founded by Ex-Apple Engineers, Raises $59 Million From Jeffrey Katzenberg’s WndrCo and Others (EXCLUSIVE)
Reactor, a San Francisco AI startup founded by former Apple Vision Pro engineers, closed a $59 million Series A round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners with participation from Jeffrey Katzenberg’s WndrCo and other investors. The company claims its platform can generate video frames in real time, cutting latency from minutes to near‑instantaneous delivery, and offers a developer‑friendly SDK and API. Katzenberg will join as a board observer, praising the technology’s potential across film, TV, animation and interactive media. The funding will be used to expand GPU capacity, international sales and marketing efforts.
Byron Allen Closes BuzzFeed Acquisition, Says Company Is Now ‘Officially Chasing YouTube’
Byron Allen closed a $120 million deal to acquire a 51% stake in BuzzFeed, becoming its chairman and CEO. The acquisition was funded with $20 million cash and a $100 million promissory note, and it placed former CEO Jonah Peretti as president of...
Esports World Cup to Move From Saudi Arabia to France in 2026 (Gaming News Roundup)
The Esports World Cup will relocate to Paris for its 2026 edition, marking the first time the tournament leaves Saudi Arabia. The event runs from July 6 to August 23 and will feature 24 games across 25 tournaments. More than 2,000 players...
European Commission EVP Henna Virkkunen on Film Funding Overhaul and Paramount-WBD Merger: It ‘Might Have to Be Reviewed Under Several...
European Commission EVP Henna Virkkunen defended the EU’s new AgoraEU programme at Cannes, explaining it will integrate the existing Creative Europe cultural and media strands while adding a dedicated MEDIA+ component for news media. Film makers and producers voiced concerns...
Smosh Hires MTV Vet Cory Midgarden as YouTube Sketch Comedy Channel’s First-Ever Chief Content Officer (EXCLUSIVE)
Smosh, the long‑standing YouTube sketch‑comedy network, appointed former MTV executive Cory Midgarden as its inaugural Chief Content Officer. Midgarden will steer content strategy, talent casting, brand marketing and partnership development across Smosh’s YouTube channels, original series, live shows and emerging...
Byron Allen Is Buying BuzzFeed, Will Become CEO
Media entrepreneur Byron Allen is acquiring a majority stake in BuzzFeed for $120 million, giving him roughly 52% ownership and the role of chairman and CEO. Founder Jonah Peretti will step down as CEO and assume a new position as president...
Inside NBCUniversal’s Upfront: Vin Diesel Surprise, Tina Fey Sets Up NBC’s 100th Birthday Bash and More at ‘Most Glamorous Midmorning...
NBCUniversal kicked off its 2026 Peacock upfront with a high‑gloss production at Radio City Music Hall, unveiling a slate that blends new scripted series, franchise extensions and linear revivals. Highlights included Vin Diesel announcing a Fast & Furious TV series for Peacock and...
Trump Media, Parent of Truth Social, Reports Q1 Sales of $871,000 and $405.9 Million Net Loss
Trump Media and Technology Group (DJT) reported Q1 2026 net sales of $871,200, a 6% YoY increase, but posted a $405.9 million net loss and a $387.8 million adjusted EBITDA loss. The company generated $17.9 million of operating cash flow and closed the...
Sony, PlayStation Chiefs Detail AI Vision Amid Tariffs, Memory Crunch: ‘Human Creativity Must Remain at the Center’
Sony Group and PlayStation CEOs outlined an AI strategy that keeps human creativity central. Sony Pictures has poured over $50 million into AI tools for production planning, content protection and 3D conversion, while PlayStation’s AI-driven systems have generated more than $700 million...
PBS Teams With Indie Film Producer ITVS for Independent Lens Creator Lab, Inaugural Lineup Revealed (EXCLUSIVE)
PBS and independent film co‑producer ITVS have unveiled the inaugural Independent Lens Creator Lab, a six‑month accelerator that offers up to $36,000 in production funding per participant. The program will guide six creators as they produce up to 12 vertical‑format...
Microsoft to Stop Developing Copilot for Xbox Console, ‘Winding Down’ on Mobile (Gaming News Roundup)
Microsoft announced it will cease development of the Xbox console Copilot and begin winding down the AI service on mobile devices. The decision was disclosed by new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, who said the features no longer align with the...
‘Saros’ Star Rahul Kohli and Developer on How New PlayStation Game Connects to ‘Returnal,’ Gameplay Tips and Why Arjun’s Dialogue...
Sony released "Saros," a new PS5‑exclusive AAA title that builds on the bullet‑hell expertise of Housemarque and serves as a spiritual successor to 2021's "Returnal." The game stars actor Rahul Kohli as Arjun Devraj, and after initial recordings he re‑recorded almost every...
‘Flat Earth’ TV Series in the Works at Vice Studios From Debut Novelist Anika Jade Levy (EXCLUSIVE)
Vice Studios is developing a TV series adaptation of Anika Jade Levy’s debut novel “Flat Earth,” with Levy serving as co‑creator. The novel, published by Catapult Books in the U.S. and Little, Brown in the U.K. in November 2025, earned critical praise...
Take-Two Interactive’s Strauss Zelnick on ‘GTA 6’ Jitters, Zynga’s Turnaround and Investing in Original Properties
Take‑Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick admitted nervousness ahead of the November launch of Grand Theft Auto 6, the company’s most anticipated title since 2013. He highlighted the recent turnaround at Zynga, which has become a hit‑making engine after a costly $12.7 billion...
Kate McKinnon and Sister Emily Lynne Reunite for Sequel to ‘Heads Will Roll’ Fantasy Spoof at Audible
Kate McKinnon and her sister Emily Lynne are returning to Audible with "Heads Will Roll: Heir Apparent," a ten‑episode sequel that premieres on June 25, 2026. The fantasy spoof follows Queen Mortuana’s frantic quest to produce an heir before her...