Core Insights - The ongoing bidding war for Warner Brothers Discovery is significant for both consumers and the Hollywood industry, with implications for content creators [1] - The merger of major buyers in Hollywood, such as Warner Brothers Discovery, could negatively impact creative output and opportunities for content creators [2][3] - The challenges facing Hollywood include declining box office revenues, reduced attention from younger audiences, and the decrease in pay TV subscriptions [4] Company Dynamics - The bidding process for Warner Brothers Discovery is competitive, with Paramount likely to make a higher bid, indicating that the situation is still evolving [6][7] - Paramount's need for Warner Brothers Discovery is more urgent compared to Netflix, which views the acquisition as a beneficial addition rather than a necessity [8]

Joining us now first on CNBC, Candle Media co-founder and co-CEO Kevin Mayer. Also former Disney chief strategy officer as well as the former CEO of Tik Tok. Kevin, it's great to have you here.Welcome. >> Always good to be here. Thank you for having me.>> So would you have done this deal with with Open AI if you were leading Disney. >> Well, I think there's an inevitability to Hollywood having to intersect with this technology for sure. I don't know the details other than that which was reported about about ...

The Walt Disney Company and OpenAI announced a deal Thursday that will make Disney characters available through the ChatGPT maker's image and video generation tools, and see Disney invest $1 billion in OpenAI. https://t.co/wb3WmTaeqI ...

Core Viewpoint - The TV series "Anti-Human Atrocities" will premiere on December 13, 2025, as part of the National Radio and Television Administration's special funding project, aiming to reveal the brutal human experiments conducted by the Japanese Army's Unit 731 and criticize the systemic evils of Japanese militarism [1] Group 1 - The series employs a dual narrative structure to deeply analyze and expose the heinous crimes of Japanese militarism, focusing on the organizational system, historical essence, and ideological roots behind these atrocities [1] - The director, Mou Xincen, emphasizes the innovative cinematic language used to express the complex narrative and historical context [1] - The director of the Unit 731 Crime Evidence Exhibition Hall, Jin Chengmin, states that the overall narrative framework of the series aligns closely with real history, highlighting its significant role in historical dissemination and education [1] Group 2 - A representative from the State Administration of Radio and Television indicates that the series reveals the heinous crimes committed by the Japanese during the invasion of China and critiques the anti-human essence of Japanese militarism [1] - The series aims to awaken all peace-loving people in China and around the world to unite in cherishing and safeguarding peace, while firmly opposing any attempts to reverse historical progress [1]

Market Overview - The trading day ended with mixed results, with the S&P 500 gaining about 15 points, reaching a record high, up approximately 0.2% [7] - The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at a record high, up more than 600 points or 1.3%, while the Russell 2000 also reached a fresh record high, up 1.2% [8] Company Performance - Broadcom is highlighted as a key company that could influence trading direction in the following day [4] - Oracle shares fell nearly 11%, marking its worst single-day performance since January, attributed to increased spending on data centers and equipment, raising capital expenditures to about $12 billion from $8.5 billion in the previous quarter [16][17] - Eli Lilly's stock rose about 3.8% due to positive results from a next-generation obesity treatment, which helped patients lose nearly 25% of their body weight [14] - Disney's shares increased by approximately 2.5% after announcing a $1 billion investment in OpenAI, indicating a strategic move to engage with AI technology [15][16] Sector Performance - In the S&P 500, eight out of eleven sectors finished in the green, with materials being the top performer, up 2.2%, and financials following closely with a 1.8% increase [10][11] - Communication services was the worst-performing sector, down 1% [11] Individual Stock Highlights - Mosaic, a fertilizer company, saw a significant increase of 6.2% due to geopolitical tensions affecting supply chains for key crop nutrients [12][13] - Robinhood's stock declined by 9% following a report of decreased trading volumes in November, despite being up over 230% year-to-date [18] - Rivian shares fell by 6% after unveiling its own AI chip aimed at enhancing autonomous driving capabilities [19] Management Changes - Lululemon announced that CEO Calvin McDonald will step down effective January 31, 2026, with no successor currently named, raising concerns among investors [21][26]

Group 1: Broadcom's Performance - Broadcom shares surged after reporting better-than-expected fourth-quarter results, with a revenue growth of approximately 28%, surpassing the anticipated 24% [2][5] - The company expects AI semiconductor revenue to double year-over-year to $8.2 billion, indicating strong momentum in this segment [4][6] - Broadcom's adjusted EBITDA margin was reported at 68%, exceeding the forecast of 67%, showcasing robust operational efficiency [6] Group 2: AI Semiconductor Market - The AI semiconductor revenue grew by 74% in the October quarter, with expectations for continued growth over the next four to six quarters [7][10] - Broadcom is positioned as a leader in custom silicon development, particularly with Alphabet's TPUs, which could see a fivefold increase in business over the next five to six years [8][9] - The company is expected to gain significant market share in the broader compute market, especially compared to competitors like Nvidia [10] Group 3: Media Industry Developments - Disney announced a $1 billion investment in OpenAI, allowing users to generate content using its popular franchises, raising questions about the future of content creation [36][38] - The partnership reflects a shift in how advertisers may approach creative strategies, with a trend towards more engaging and interactive advertisements [40] - The ongoing competition among media companies, including Netflix and Paramount, indicates a dynamic landscape where content creation and distribution are evolving rapidly [42][44] Group 4: Market Trends - The Dow and S&P 500 reached new all-time highs, with the S&P 500 equal-weighted index also breaking records, indicating broad market strength [22][23] - The tech sector faced pressure, particularly with Oracle's stock decline, highlighting the volatility within the technology market [19][22] - The performance of metals, particularly silver and copper, has shown significant increases, suggesting a potential upward trend in commodity markets [33][34]

Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance is considering increasing its takeover offer for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) from $30 to as much as $33 per share to counter Netflix's merger agreement [1][2]. Offer Details - The potential raised offer would total nearly $86 billion, which would cover the $2.8 billion breakup fee WBD would incur if it terminates the Netflix merger [2]. - The Ellisons are prepared to add at least $2 more per share as a "sweetener" to attract WBD shareholders [3]. Strategic Timing - Paramount Skydance plans to wait until December 22 for WBD's board to respond to its initial $30-a-share offer, which it argues is superior to Netflix's $30.75 cash-and-stock bid [4]. Competitive Landscape - Netflix is reportedly considering a counter-bid for WBD in response to any moves made by Paramount Skydance [5]. - David Zaslav, CEO of WBD, indicated that an offer of $35 per share could lead to a favorable response from WBD's board [8]. Legal and Regulatory Considerations - The Ellisons argue that their cash offer presents less antitrust risk compared to Netflix's proposal, which involves significant streaming overlap [11]. - Political connections are also at play, with Larry Ellison's ties to President Trump potentially influencing regulatory approval [10][12]. Spin-off Implications - Netflix's plan to spin off WBD's cable assets could result in a new company managed by current WBD executives, which may not provide shareholders with the expected value [15].

This is a big step in IP licensing in the world of generative A. I. Yeah, there's been a lot of anxiety about how I will affect the entertainment industry and Disney's support.Its investment in open A. I. is a huge development.I mean, this is something that we didn't really expect. There's been a lot of, you know, tension and controversy with AI in film. Dave Lee of Bloomberg Opinion.I get what open air I get out of this. A library of creature characters, 200 of them. What does Disney actually get out of it ...

Core Insights - Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. is launching a West Coast version of the New York Post, named The California Post, in early 2026, marking a significant moment in Murdoch's long career [2] - David Ellison, CEO of Paramount Skydance, is positioning himself as a major media consolidator with a $108 billion bid for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), reflecting a modern approach to media empire building similar to Murdoch's [3][5] Group 1: David Ellison's Media Strategy - Ellison's aggressive deal-making includes a recent $8.4 billion merger of Paramount and Skydance, and he has made significant moves in Hollywood, such as acquiring creators from Netflix and securing UFC broadcasting rights [4][5] - The competition between Paramount and Netflix for control of WBD represents a significant consolidation effort in Hollywood, echoing Murdoch's historical media strategies [5] - If successful, Ellison's acquisition of WBD would give him control over major media properties, including CNN, HBO, and DC, potentially reshaping the media landscape [6][15] Group 2: Implications for CNN and News Media - Ellison has indicated plans for "sweeping" changes to CNN if he gains control, suggesting a shift in editorial direction that could align with a more centrist approach to news [6][7] - His vision for a scaled news service aims to appeal to a broad audience, reminiscent of Fox News' strategy to engage viewers it believes are underserved [7] - The potential influence of Ellison's ownership over WBD could mirror Murdoch's impact on American journalism, as both seek to consolidate media power [15][16] Group 3: Deal Dynamics and Future Outlook - Ellison's pursuit of WBD has involved multiple proposals, culminating in a $30 per share cash offer, demonstrating his commitment to the acquisition despite challenges [11][12] - The upcoming deadline for WBD to inform shareholders about its recommendation on Paramount's offer is set for December 22, which could significantly alter the competitive landscape in Hollywood and beyond [17]

🔥 NEW: Disney is investing $1 billion in OpenAI and signing a three-year deal that lets users create Sora and ChatGPT Image content featuring more than 200 Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars characters starting next year. https://t.co/02KjXkfVI8 ...