Netflix-Warner Bros. merger, Frank Gehry's legacy, birthright citizenship, Emmy shakeup...

Netflix has won the high-stakes bidding war to acquire Warner Bros. in an unprecedented $82-83 billion deal, sending ripples through Hollywood and prompting urgent calls for regulatory scrutiny. Deadline reports that the Hollywood Teamsters union has strongly opposed the merger, warning of further media consolidation, while SAG-AFTRA has refrained from taking an official stance but raised "many serious questions" about the impact on labor and creative freedom. Variety adds that Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has tried to reassure employees by stating that Netflix intends to keep most staff, citing the streaming giant’s relatively lean workforce. This consolidation, if approved, is expected to reshape the competitive landscape and could have significant implications for both content creators and distribution models. Deadline Variety Deadline

According to Deadline, the merger of Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery, which includes HBO/HBO Max, is set to dominate the future Emmy Awards. Historically, the main competition has been between Netflix and HBO, but their combination could create an awards juggernaut, potentially squeezing out smaller players and shifting the balance of power in television recognition. This forecasted dominance is already stirring debate about fairness and diversity in future Emmy races. Deadline

The New York Times reveals that CNN will not be included in the Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, remaining instead in a separate corporate entity. The exclusion has caused speculation among journalists about potential future mergers, especially with the ongoing industry trend toward consolidation and cross-platform news operations. The NY Times

Both The New York Times and Hollywood Reporter confirm that Vanity Fair will not renew the contract of prominent political reporter Olivia Nuzzi, whose relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had recently come under scrutiny. The split highlights ongoing challenges around journalistic independence and personal affiliations in the media industry. The NY Times Hollywood Reporter

Deadline reports that Rideback Rise, the nonprofit accelerator supporting mid-career writers and filmmakers of color, has unveiled its 2026 fellowship recipients. The initiative aims to financially and creatively support the development of market-ready film and television projects by underrepresented voices, reflecting a growing industry emphasis on diversity and narrative change. Deadline

Multiple outlets including The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and Vogue pay tribute to legendary architect Frank Gehry, who has passed away at 96. Gehry, renowned for iconic works like the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, is remembered for his audacious designs and transformative influence on modern architecture. His buildings, often described as joyful and ever-changing, redefined the relationship between art and urban space. The NY Times Vanity Fair Vogue The NY Times

The US Supreme Court has agreed to review former President Donald Trump's controversial order to restrict birthright citizenship, according to France24 and USA Today. Lower courts have previously blocked efforts to reinterpret the 14th Amendment, which grants automatic US citizenship to those born on American soil, regardless of parental status. The decision could have profound and far-reaching consequences for US immigration law and the definition of citizenship. France24 USA Today

A federal judge in Florida has ordered the unsealing of grand jury documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, following recent legislation authorizing such disclosures, reports The New York Times. The move may shed light on previously hidden aspects of the Epstein case and is expected to trigger renewed scrutiny of the late financier’s connections and alleged crimes. The NY Times

Hollywood Reporter, Vanity Fair, and Vogue cover the glamorous Rome premiere of "Brunello: The Gracious Visionary," a documentary on designer Brunello Cucinelli’s journey from humble beginnings to fashion luminary. The event, attended by A-list celebrities and industry leaders, underscores the enduring intersection of fashion, cinema, and Italian cultural influence on global style narratives. Hollywood Reporter Vanity Fair Vogue

Deadline spotlights Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Oscar-qualifying short film Versa, directed by Malcon Pierce, which uses cosmic metaphors and innovative storytelling to explore themes of grief and personal resilience. The film’s experimental narrative signals Disney’s ongoing willingness to push the boundaries of animated storytelling into more profound emotional territory. Deadline