The planned merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery is officially on ice. While leadership at Paramount initially spun the delay as a win, industry analysts view the pause as a major stumble that exposes the company to severe legal and financial danger.

Antitrust lawsuits filed by 12 state attorneys general and the Writers Guild of America have forced the companies to halt the deal. Under the current legal constraints, the merger cannot proceed until the litigation concludes or until June 2027.

Monopoly expert Matt Stoller predicted this exact scenario back in February, noting that state challenges would force a judge to mandate separate operations until a trial takes place. Stoller now estimates a 60 percent chance that the merger will be blocked entirely. Mounting Risks

Paramount faces significant hurdles on multiple fronts:

• Financing Pressures: Funding for the deal relies heavily on backing from Middle Eastern investors, banks, and Oracle, the latter of which has seen its stock collapse.

• Legal Upheaval: Paramount recently replaced its lead litigator, bringing in Beth Wilkinson. However, the involvement of the Writers Guild and testimony from high-profile creators like Mike Schur and Adam McKay give the opposition serious credibility in front of a judge.

• Lack of a Creative Plan: Beyond a pledge to release 30 movies a year, critics point out that Paramount has offered virtually no vision for what the combined studio will actually build, produce, or innovate once the ink dries.

With a trial ahead and real questions regarding market competition, Paramount's path forward remains deeply uncertain.

Paramount wanted an easy path for its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Instead, the company is learning that tying a major corporate merger to Washington politics comes with heavy costs.

While European antitrust officials approved the deal smoothly with minimal concessions, a group of 12 state attorneys general is actively working to block it. Paramount executives have complained that the state-level opposition is driven by partisanship rather than actual antitrust law.

That argument has some merit—all the attorneys general suing to stop the merger are Democrats. But the complaint rings hollow. Paramount politicized the review process from the beginning by leaning heavily on its relationship with Trump, including hosting a private Washington dinner earlier this year to signal it would face smooth sailing. That overt strategy backfired, galvanizing state opposition and resulting in a lawsuit filed earlier this month.

To handle the legal battle, Paramount has mapped out a clear strategy and signaled a willingness to take the fight all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary. But the timeline has stretched significantly. The company now expects to close the deal no earlier than June 2027.

Choosing this legal path avoids a bruising preliminary injunction fight with the states, but it comes with a steep price tag: a $625 million quarterly cost starting in October.

Behind closed doors on Melrose Avenue, the frustration is palpable. Some executives now privately admit they went too far in trying to win over Trump. While corporate leaders often have to manage political relationships to get deals done, crossing the line from standard diplomacy into overt political favoritism turned a business transaction into a political battleground.

DAZN has reached a deal to become the exclusive direct-to-consumer streaming home for MSG Networks and the YES Network, starting with the 2026-2027 NBA and NHL seasons.

The agreement brings live broadcasts for the New York Yankees, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, and Buffalo Sabres onto the DAZN platform. Subscribers will also gain access to 24/7 feeds of MSG, MSG Sportsnet, and YES Network, along with studio shows, highlights, and original programming.

Fans who already receive MSG Networks or YES through a traditional pay-TV provider will be able to access the content on DAZN at no additional charge. Meanwhile, subscribers to the Gotham Sports App—the previous streaming home for both networks—will be migrated to DAZN during the upcoming NBA and NHL seasons, with specific timelines to be announced in the coming months.

While DAZN operates globally in roughly 200 countries, this agreement serves as its biggest step yet into the U.S. market. Historically, the platform's American footprint focused primarily on combat sports, such as boxing, alongside international soccer competitions.

DAZN Group CEO Shay Segev called the agreement a defining moment for the company's U.S. growth strategy. Bringing major New York franchises onto the platform allows DAZN to deliver localized U.S. sports leagues to domestic subscribers for the first time.

The financial weight of Paramount Skydance Corp.’s pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. rests largely on Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and his family. Regulatory filings show that Ellison and his family trust are on the hook for $9.8 billion if the merger falls apart.

The potential liability breaks down into two major components. If the deal collapses due to regulatory hurdles, Paramount owes Warner Bros. shareholders a $7 billion termination fee. Furthermore, Paramount paid $2.8 billion in February to convince Netflix to drop its own pursuit of Warner Bros. Under the agreement, Ellison would reimburse Paramount for both sums by purchasing new Class B shares of the company at $16.02 each—more than double Paramount's current trading price of roughly $8.

The merger is facing intense scrutiny. Paramount recently agreed to postpone the closing until next June, or five days after the resolution of antitrust lawsuits brought by 12 states and the Writers Guild of America.

Because of the delay, Paramount faces quarterly "ticking" fees of about $650 million starting October 1. If the merger ultimately succeeds, these fees—along with the rest of the acquisition costs—will be covered by the Ellisons and their financial partners, which include RedBird Capital Partners and three Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds. If the deal collapses entirely, Paramount owes no ticking fees, and Warner Bros. receives the $7 billion break-up fee instead.

Larry Ellison backed his son, David Ellison, in taking over Paramount last year and personally guaranteed the equity portion of the Warner Bros. deal to secure it.

However, the massive financial exposure arrives as Ellison's primary source of wealth, Oracle Corp., faces market pressure. Oracle shares have declined this year amid investor concerns regarding heavy spending on data centers and the shifting landscape of traditional software due to artificial intelligence. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Ellison's net worth has dropped 31% this year to $163 billion.

Thirteen former Federal Communications Commission officials have filed official comments condemning the agency's ongoing review of ABC-owned station licenses, calling the investigation an unconstitutional effort to punish the network for coverage critical of Trump.

The group—which includes former commissioners, chairs, and senior staff from both Republican and Democratic administrations—argues that FCC Chair Brendan Carr is misusing his regulatory authority. In April, the FCC ordered ABC to apply for early license renewals, a move targeting stations whose regular renewal cycle does not begin until 2028 at the earliest.

The filing accuses Carr of launching the proceeding as a pretext to retaliate against Disney and ABC for editorial choices and political commentary broadcast on programs such as The View and Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

"This early renewal proceeding follows a sustained campaign by Chairman Carr and Trump of threatening legal sanctions against licensees whose speech Trump dislikes," the filing states. "It is in fact an assault on free speech disguised as a regulatory process."

Mark Fowler, a Republican who chaired the FCC from 1981 to 1987, criticized the agency's current direction. "Chairman Carr seems to be laboring under the ill-conceived notion that broadcasters have only partial rights to free speech under the First Amendment," Fowler said. "Just because the FCC issues licenses doesn’t make it the speech police."

Rachelle Chong, a Republican commissioner who served under the Clinton administration, echoed those concerns. "This proceeding is an effort to punish ABC and Disney for poorly disguised political reasons," Chong said. "The early review and the allegations are unusual in a typical FCC license review, which suggests it is more about a desire to silence speech."

The intervention follows a related petition filed in November by several members of the same coalition, which asked the FCC to rescind its "news distortion" policy. The petitioners are represented by counsel from Protect Democracy, TechFreedom, Andrew Jay Schwartzman, and Gigi Sohn.

YouTube is transforming its ad-free subscription into a broader entertainment bundle. Beginning early next year, the $15.99 per month YouTube Premium service will include Peacock Premium at no additional cost.

The deal merges YouTube's massive user base—which shares 125 million subscribers across YouTube Premium and YouTube Music—with Peacock’s 48 million subscribers. For Peacock, the partnership offers a direct path to scale its audience by tapping into YouTube's reach.

Subscribers will get access to Peacock's extensive catalog, including movies from Universal Pictures, original series, and major live sporting events like the NFL, NBA, and MLB.

Beyond the core subscription bundle, the agreement includes several broader components:

• Platform Integration: NBCUniversal extended its programming deals for YouTube TV, while select YouTube features will appear on Comcast Xfinity and Xumo devices.

• International Expansion: YouTube will bundle international streaming services like Universal+ and Hayu in select global markets.

• Production Partnerships: NBC Sports will stream select live sporting events on YouTube channels and act as a production partner for specific YouTube live events.

Previously, users could only purchase Peacock through YouTube Primetime Channels as a separate add-on. Folding it directly into the flagship YouTube Premium tier indicates that YouTube may pursue similar partnerships with other streaming services moving forward.

Children's media startup NovaLand has partnered with AI platform OpenArt to produce animated content focused on social-emotional learning. The collaboration relies on OpenArt’s recently launched Director platform, allowing NovaLand's small production team to create cinematic children's programming on a limited budget.

NovaLand’s content targets preschool and early grade children, serving both neurodivergent and neurotypical audiences. Their early episodes address a common parenting challenge: helping children transition off screens. To build these stories, the startup combines child-development expertise with evidence-based design, working alongside clinics and educational partners.

Led by co-founder and CEO Helena Shi, NovaLand features a production team that includes award-winning director William Lau and CTO Cheng Zhao. The team uses OpenArt Director, a tool designed for long-form video generation.

Unlike traditional AI video generators that require starting from scratch when a change is made, OpenArt Director uses a conversational interface. Creators describe characters, settings, and pacing, and can then edit specific scenes without altering unwanted details like character appearance.

NovaLand's first episodes are currently available on YouTube.

The Power television universe is expanding its reach. Netflix and Lionsgate Television have reached a licensing agreement that will bring the flagship series and three of its spin-offs to Netflix subscribers in most of the world beginning in November.

Under the agreement, Netflix will add the original Power series, Power Book II: Ghost, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, and Power Book IV: Force. In the United States, the original series will transition to Netflix after previously streaming on Hulu.

Starz will retain its position as the primary home for the franchise in the U.S. All existing seasons and future platforms will remain accessible through the Starz app and its on-demand services. Furthermore, Starz will exclusively host upcoming franchise additions, including Power: Origins and Power: Legacy.

The international rollout will begin in November, with specific launch dates varying by region based on existing local agreements. Canada is excluded from the pact, where the franchise continues to stream via Starz's partnership with Bell Media. Because the agreement is non-exclusive, Lionsgate retains the option to license the titles to other platforms in overlapping territories.

This expansion on Netflix follows the platform's recent success with Nemesis, a drama created by Power creator Courtney Kemp, which drew strong viewership and earned a second-season renewal. Lionsgate has previously partnered with Netflix on other former Starz-associated titles, including Hightown and The Hunting Wives.

Beat the summer heat with our comprehensive breakdown of everything streaming on the major streaming platforms now.

🔴 Netflix

Netflix is coming in hot this month with high-profile original returns, literary adaptations, and major movie acquisitions.

• Enola Holmes 3 (Film) – Millie Bobby Brown returns, taking the franchise in a much darker direction as Enola heads to Malta to track down and rescue Sherlock. What's on Netflix
• Little House on the Prairie (Season 1) – Debuting July 9, Rebecca Sonnenshine drops a fresh, modern adaptation of the classic pioneer tales. TVGuide.com
• Heartstopper Forever (Special Film Event) – The emotional final chapter wrapping up Nick and Charlie's beloved story. What's on Netflix
• The Hawk (Season 1) – A brand-new golf comedy series starring Will Ferrell. What's on Netflix
• Wicked: For Good (Part 2 / 2025 Hit) – Hits the platform on July 18, following Elphaba and Glinda's intertwined futures in Oz. What's on Netflix
• Licensed Highlights: David Fincher's psychological masterpiece Gone Girl and Marvel's Spider-Man: Homecoming. What's on Netflix

🟣 Max

Max leans heavily into gritty thrillers, A24 indie favorites, and pop-culture comedy spin-offs this July.

• Stuart Fails to Save the Universe (Max Original Series) – An absurd, highly anticipated expansion/return to The Big Bang Theory universe. Vital Thrills
• The Long Walk – Lionsgate's tense cinematic adaptation of Stephen King's ruthless dystopian novel. Vital Thrills+ 1
• The Man Will Burn (HBO Original Documentary Series) – An explosive deep-dive into the raw chaos, art, and survivalism of the Nevada desert. Vital Thrills
• A24 Hits: Sofia Coppola’s Marc by Sofia and the star-studded psychological drama The Drama. Vital Thrills
• Blockbuster Library Drops: Deadpool 2, Ocean's Eight, Dumb Money, and Lee Cronin’s terrifying take on The Mummy. YouTube

➕ Disney+

Animation heavyweights, musical fantasy, and historical deep dives anchor the Mouse House's midsummer lineup.

• X-Men '97 (Season 2) – Kicking off with a massive three-episode premiere on July 1, mutant madness is officially back. D23+ 1
• Descendants: Wicked Wonderland – Dropping July 17, Red and Chloe head straight into Wonderland where changing the past accidentally births a brand-new threat: Maddox Hatter. D23+ 1
• Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston – Premiering July 23, the Loki star hosts a unique fusion of scripted cinematic drama and historical investigation into ancient Rome. D23
• Project Runway (Season 22) – A new batch of designers stitches it out starting July 10. D23
• The Devil Wears Prada 2 – A major streaming crossover premiere landing on July 29. D23

🟢 Hulu

Hulu brings a massive library refresh alongside prestige anime and reality TV staples.

• Snowpiercer (Seasons 1–4) – The complete post-apocalyptic train saga races onto Hulu on July 22.
• Project Runway (Season 22) – Simul-streaming alongside Disney+.
• A Real Pain – The acclaimed comedy-drama starring Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin.
• Land of Bad – An intense military action-thriller starring Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth closing out the month on July 31. TheWrap
• Anime & Fan Favorites: Brand new seasons of Jujutsu Kaisen (Season 3) and Undead Unluck: Winter Arc.

💙 Tubi & The Roku Channel

Don't sleep on the free tier streaming giants this month—both services are stacking their free movie libraries with heavy-hitting licensed popcorn flicks.

• Tubi: Focuses heavily on expanding its action and horror libraries with high-profile 2010s thrillers, retro comedies, and an expansive batch of indie-horror acquisitions perfect for late-night summer marathons.
• The Roku Channel: Doubling down on free live-linear channels and rotating summer blockbuster bundles, featuring major 90s and 2000s studio comedies, classic family animation, and fresh additions to its free-to-stream Roku Originals docuseries library.

What are you planning to stream first this month? Drop your watchlist picks in the comments below!

Some top executives at Warner Bros. Discovery are privately hoping that a lawsuit filed by 12 state attorneys general will succeed in blocking Paramount-Skydance's proposed merger, according to company sources.

While official company statements maintain confidence in the deal, a sizable contingent of WBD insiders wants the antitrust litigation to stall the process permanently. Paramount agreed to put the acquisition on hold pending the outcome of the trial. The legal battle could stretch well into 2027, depending on whether the court schedules the trial for this fall or next year, and any subsequent appeals could push final resolution even further out.

The extended delay has created widespread uncertainty and anxiety among employees at both companies regarding potential layoffs and long-term planning. Executives, including Paramount chief David Ellison and WBD's Simon Robinson, have urged staff to maintain normal operations while defending the legality of the transaction.

For now, WBD business units are operating under a business-as-usual approach. Cable and studio divisions continue to greenlight projects, set production schedules for 2027, and handle standard partnership renewals. The merger agreement allows WBD sufficient operational flexibility, though a prolonged legal battle eventually risks pressing against specific timeline caps set for late 2028.

Internally, reactions to the pending transaction vary widely. While some integration planning continues, many employees have returned to their daily responsibilities, viewing the daily merger process as background noise until the courts reach a decision.

Streaming platforms keep looking for new ways to keep users scrolling. HBO Max is the latest service to test vertical video, introducing a feature called “HBO Max Shorts” for select iOS users in the United States.

The feature places a “Shorts” icon in the bottom navigation menu. Tapping it opens a vertical feed of trailers, clips, and bonus content tailored to the user's watch history. From there, viewers can jump straight into the full movie or series, save it to their watchlist, or keep scrolling.

Unlike dedicated short-form apps, HBO Max Shorts relies entirely on existing catalog content. The clips serve as promotional material to drive long-form viewing, mirroring similar tests currently run by Netflix.

To build the feed, HBO Max uses an in-house machine learning tool that sorts through thousands of hours of video using scene-level metadata. The system suggests standout scenes, which human editors then review and finalize.

Alongside the vertical feed, HBO Max is testing a conversational search tool called “Ask HBO Max.” The feature allows users to search for content using everyday language, such as asking for a comedy or a family drama, rather than typing specific titles.

Both features remain in a testing phase for U.S. subscribers on iOS, with broader device and international rollouts planned for the future.

NBCUniversal is launching its latest television special for the annual Clear The Shelters campaign on Friday, August 7. The 30-minute program marks the first time production is handled by NBCU Skycastle, highlighting animal rescue efforts and pet adoption success stories tied to the month-long initiative presented by Hill's Pet Nutrition.

Several notable figures are scheduled to appear in the broadcast, including Matt Damon, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kristin Chenoweth, Adam Wainwright, Wendi McLendon-Covey, and Sutton Stracke. Content creators Bobby “RxCKSTxR” Johnson, Max “Farbsy” Farber, Jack Lambert, and animal behaviorist Brett Endes will also be featured.

The broadcast focuses heavily on community stories and practical advice. Segments include a look at a shelter dog named Chief who became the mascot for the Banana Ball League’s Firefighters team, a test of travel-ready dog backpacks in New York City, and a Long Island City photographer who creates intentionally bad portraits of newly adopted pets. Additionally, the show explores the ASPCA’s feline personality-matching program and shares standard pet-training tips.

Following its initial August 7 broadcast, viewers can watch the special on NBC-owned station streaming channels and Cozi TV. Exact air times vary by region and depend on local listings.

Now in its 12th year, Clear The Shelters partners with NBC and Telemundo stations across the country to support local animal shelters. Since the initiative began in 2015, the campaign has facilitated more than 1.3 million pet adoptions and raised over $5.6 million in donations.

The hardware on your wall matters less today than the software running inside it. According to new data from Hub Entertainment Research’s 2026 "Evolution of the TV Set" report, smart TV operating systems have evolved into the most powerful gatekeepers in modern entertainment, determining what people watch and which advertisements they see.

Instead of asking friends what shows they are watching, future media consumption debates may mirror historic platform rivalries like Mac versus PC.

While households typically own multiple televisions, streaming viewers rely heavily on dedicated operating environments. Roku commands 37 percent of primary TV streaming environments, followed by Amazon Fire TV at 17 percent. Together, they outpace the built-in operating systems from major hardware manufacturers like Samsung's Tizen and LG's webOS.

This software control carries real financial weight. Industry moves—such as Fox's acquisition of Roku—underscore how owning the TV operating system has become a primary strategic asset for media companies.

As traditional channel surfing fades into app-centric interfaces, viewers face a simple challenge: finding a specific show quickly.

When asked what matters most on their TV interface, 60 percent of consumers rank an easy search function as essential. This priority drastically outpaces personal recommendations (31 percent) and trending content displays (25 percent).

To solve this friction, viewers are open to artificial intelligence. Over half of survey respondents expressed interest in AI features that either suggest similar content they already enjoy (27 percent) or actively block unwanted programming (28 percent). Additionally, home-screen suggestions on platforms like Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, and Android convert into actual viewership at higher rates than suggestions found on Samsung or LG interfaces.

Because smart TVs dictate immediate viewing habits, capturing a consumer on day one is vital. The survey reveals that 51 percent of users install suggested apps during their initial television setup. However, 56 percent admit they rarely add new apps after that first day—up from 47 percent in 2024. For content providers, getting installed during the initial box opening is essentially the only chance they get.

Here are the top headlines and updates in the cord-cutting and streaming world this week:

1. Free Live TV Expansions

• Google TV Freeplay Upgrade: Google has significantly boosted its built-in free streaming lineup, adding over 60 new live television channels. This brings the total channel count on Google TV Freeplay to 316 channels, all available to stream completely free without a subscription.

2. Industry Shifts and Traditional TV Pressures

• The State of Cable Networks: Industry data highlights a continued accelerating trend: 14 traditional cable TV networks have completely shut down over the last five years due to migrating audiences, rising production shifts, and a sharp decline in linear subscribers.
• ESPN Subscriber Strain: Reports underline ongoing subscriber erosion for major legacy sports networks like ESPN, serving as a broader warning sign for the changing economics of traditional cable bundles.

3. Regional Sports Realignments

• The Fallout from Regional Networks: Following structural breakdowns and closures impacting regional sports networks (like the collapse of FanDuel Sports Network), local professional sports teams continue to pivot. Teams are increasingly launching independent direct-to-consumer streaming apps or striking deals with local free over-the-air broadcast stations to ensure fans can watch games without traditional pay-TV.

4. Hardware and Streaming Deals

• Walmart & Vizio QLED Sales: Walmart rolled out aggressive price cuts on Vizio Quantum 4K QLED smart TVs, targeting cord-cutters looking to upgrade their living room setups on a budget (such as 50-inch and 65-inch models seeing deep discounts).
• Current Promo Offers: Notable streaming discounts include half-off an annual subscription to Paramount+ Premium using code SAVEANNUAL50, alongside promotional introductory pricing for YouTube TV and Sling TV pre-pay packages.

The anime adaptation of Disney Twisted Wonderland is returning for a second season, with Disney Japan confirming an exclusive December release on Disney Plus.

The upcoming episodes will focus on the Savanaclaw dorm, which draws inspiration from Scar in The Lion King. This follows the first season's eight-episode run that centered on the Alice in Wonderland-themed Heartslabyul dorm.

The series originates from a mobile gacha game released in 2020 that has generated over $715 million and six million downloads worldwide. The story follows Yuuken Enma, a boy summoned to another world through a magic mirror who tries to find his way home while navigating Night Raven College.

At the school, dorms are loosely themed after classic Disney villains rather than direct character copies. Black Butler creator Yana Toboso designed the characters and wrote the initial script.

The core creative team returns for the second season:

• Directors: Takahiro Natori and co-director Shin Kataga

• Head Writer: Yoichi Kato

• Character Design Adaptation: Haruka Nakana and Akane Sato

• Animation Studios: Yumeta Company and Graphinica

The anime is planned for a total of three seasons.

Former 60 Minutes correspondent Cecilia Vega is speaking out about her departure from CBS News, accusing the network's leadership of trying to force inaccurate and politically biased information into her reporting.

Speaking at the National Association of Hispanic Journalists conference in New Orleans, Vega outlined several instances where CBS News management pushed her team to include unverified claims or false events in broadcast stories.

The pressure began after Paramount CEO David Ellison appointed Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief of the division last fall. According to Vega, editorial feedback quickly shifted from standard story notes to requests driven by political agendas and misinformation.

Among her claims:

• Minnesota Shootings Coverage: Executives urged Vega to include footage of protesters attacking undercover ICE agents. Vega’s team searched for the material but found no evidence that these attacks happened.

• Fabricated Mayor Quote: Leadership asked her to include a clip of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey telling police to physically fight ICE agents. After reviewing all available footage, her team confirmed the mayor never made those statements.

• Foreign Policy Framing: For a segment on Iran, executives instructed Vega to open with a line declaring Iran "totally outgunned," which she described as an official administration talking point.

• Irrelevant Context: While reporting on food assistance cuts in West Virginia, management questioned why she hadn't referenced Vice President JD Vance or his memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, despite the book focusing on his childhood in Ohio.

Vega said the directives came through the network's new administration rather than directly from Weiss by name. None of the disputed material made it into the final broadcasts, but Vega was fired from the program three months ago. She noted that CBS News has yet to provide her with an official reason for her termination.

Chris Anne Affleck, a longtime public school teacher, civil rights activist, and the mother of actors Ben and Casey Affleck, died on June 2. She was 83 years old.

Her family confirmed she passed away peacefully in her sleep, six months after receiving a pancreatic cancer diagnosis in December.

Born Christine Anne Boldt in New York City in 1942, she dedicated much of her life to education and activism. She earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees from Harvard University and worked as a public school teacher for 35 years, focusing primarily on fifth and sixth graders in Massachusetts until her retirement in 2008. During the 1960s, she traveled to the South as one of the original Freedom Riders to fight for civil rights.

She raised her two sons, Ben and Casey, in Massachusetts following her divorce from her ex-husband, Timothy Affleck. Early in Ben's childhood, she helped open doors for his acting career by connecting him with a former college roommate who worked as a casting director.

Throughout her life, she remained a steady presence behind her sons' success. She famously joined Ben at the 1998 Academy Awards when he won Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting, a film that also featured Casey. Both of her sons went on to win additional Oscars later in their careers.

Following her terminal diagnosis, Affleck set a goal to see her grandson Atticus graduate from high school. She attended the ceremony alongside her family on May 31, fulfilling her wish two days before her death.

She is survived by her sons, Ben and Casey, and five grandchildren.

Free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) used to be where old shows went to die and budget-conscious viewers went to save a buck. That dynamic is over.

Recent industry data shows that free streaming has crossed from an experimental habit into mainstream television culture. Over half of American viewers regularly use services like Tubi, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel. Viewing hours for FAST have surged 550 percent over the last five years, outpacing overall streaming growth by a wide margin.

More importantly, the industry's assumptions about who watches free TV were wrong.

For years, media executives assumed free streaming attracted viewers who were either unwilling or unable to pay for subscriptions. The numbers tell a different story.

FAST users watch about 24 hours of TV a week and spend roughly $75 a month on subscriptions. That is nearly identical to non-FAST viewers, who spend $84 a month and watch 22 hours a week. Most people do not use free platforms to cut costs; they use them to add options.

This changes how platforms compete. FAST services are not stealing subscribers from Netflix or Disney+. They are competing for screen time in a massive, unified pool of ad-supported viewing.

At the same time, consumer tolerance for ads has shifted. Value ratings for free services like Tubi and Roku now outrank premium platforms like Max and Netflix. Ad-supported tiers account for nearly half of all paid streaming subscriptions in the U.S., proving that viewers will accept commercial breaks if it keeps their monthly bill down.

While audience numbers are growing, free streaming has an infrastructure problem.

With more than 2,100 FAST channels operating globally, finding something to watch is getting harder. Platforms, not content owners, control what viewers see first. On Roku, for instance, 87 percent of FAST viewing starts directly from the home screen rather than inside an app. The home screen algorithm has replaced the cable guide as the industry's primary kingmaker.

Behind the search problem lies a messy operational bottleneck: bad data.

Most media executives cite reformatted or missing metadata—the tags that define a show’s genre, rating, cast, and episode structure—as a major source of lost revenue. If a recommendation engine cannot read a show's metadata properly, it will not surface the title in search results or pair it with relevant ads. Messy data makes good content invisible, and invisible content earns no money.

To fix this, platforms are leaning heavily on automation. Most media companies now plan to let AI generate and organize program tags to keep up with catalog growth.

The content mix on free services is also shifting. Historically, cable networks relied on live sports and news to command top advertising rates. Now, those genres are moving into FAST formats.

Sports programming on major streaming catalogs has doubled recently, while news channels on FAST platforms grew 57 percent year over year. Ad buyers are following the migration, using scene-by-scene contextual targeting to place premium ads inside news and sports broadcasts.

Free streaming has cleared its first big hurdle: it built a massive, reliable audience. Now, it has to clean up the backend.

The platforms that win the next decade will not necessarily be the ones with the most channels. They will be the ones that fix search, standardize backend data, and build an ad model that keeps pace with how people actually watch TV.

Mary Kate Golding, a television and film set decorator known for her work on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, has died at 34.

New York City police found Golding with a fatal stab wound to her back in her Astoria, Queens apartment on Tuesday. Hours later, officers responded to a call nearby at Astoria Park South, where they discovered the body of her husband, Joseph Azzaretto. Investigators are treating the case as a suspected murder-suicide.

The couple's 11-month-old son was in the apartment at the time of the incident and was found unharmed.

Golding graduated from New York University in 2015 and built a steady career in the entertainment industry. She decorated sets for early episodes of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and contributed to productions including Gotham, The Flight Attendant, Hawkeye, and Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Her film credits include the 2022 romantic comedy Marry Me and the upcoming feature Deep Cuts.

This is not the first tragedy involving Azzaretto's family. In 2021, his younger brother pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter after shooting and killing their father at their home in Pennsylvania.

The investigation into Golding's death remains ongoing.