Paramount clashes with California AG over merger leaks as Disney offers executive buyouts

Moki

2 min read·2026/08/25

Moki

0:00

--:--

Today's media landscape is defined by regulatory friction and structural pivots. As Paramount's merger talks hit a snag in California, Disney is trimming its senior leadership, and major streamers are finding the ceiling for subscription price hikes.

Image / Deadline

California AG halts Paramount talks over alleged leaks

California Attorney General Rob Bonta canceled a meeting with Paramount executives, accusing the company of "playing games" and leaking confidential settlement details regarding its Warner Bros. Discovery merger. Paramount denied the claims, but the clash highlights the intense regulatory scrutiny facing David Ellison's acquisition ambitions.

Read the full story

Image / Deadline

Disney offers early retirement to senior executives

In its latest effort to curb costs, Disney is offering voluntary early retirement packages to executives at the director level and above. The move follows multiple rounds of layoffs and reflects CEO Bob Iger's ongoing strategy to streamline the company's management structure amid challenges in streaming profitability and traditional TV decline.

Read the full story

Image / The Hollywood Reporter

WildBrain acquires AI startup for safe kid-character interactions

WildBrain, the owner of Teletubbies, has acquired generative AI startup Personality AI for up to $70 million. The deal aims to create safe, interactive experiences for children with famous animated characters across toys and apps, turning AI into a tool for IP engagement rather than just content generation.

Read the full story

Image / Deadline

Streamers moderate price hikes as consumers hit "financial limits"

Major streaming services including Netflix and Disney+ are slowing down their rate of price increases, according to research from Ampere Analysis. With many households reaching their financial capacity for digital subscriptions, media giants are shifting focus toward ad-supported tiers to maintain subscriber growth and diversify revenue.

Read the full story

Image / Deadline

BBC moves to dismiss Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit

The BBC has filed a new motion to dismiss Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit over a documentary about January 6. The network is challenging the jurisdiction of the claim, arguing that the film was primarily aired in the UK and disputing the notion that US viewership via VPN constitutes a valid basis for damages.

Read the full story