Paramount and WBD merger clears in UK, more stories you missed
Paramount and WBD merger clears in UK, more stories you missed
A popular Apple TV series is headed to the big screen, plus all the newest trailer releases, premiere date announcements, and more.
How did the first week of August treat you, readers? If I’m being totally honest, this is one of my least favorite months of the year; it’s hot, sticky, and September — with its cooler weather and the start of football season — is so tantalizingly close. Until then, however, there’s little to do but stay inside and try to beat the heat.
If you need to catch up on a little streaming news from the week while you duck the summer sun, read on. We’ll catch you up on the latest with the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger, a big partnership between Netflix and a marquee video game franchise, and more below.
Which streaming stories did you miss this week
Paramount and WBD merger cleared by UK regulators
The merger of Paramount Skydance with Warner Bros. Discovery may be hitting some roadblocks in the United States, but regulators in the United Kingdom will not step in to block the deal, as announced on Wednesday. The merger had previously been approved by European Union regulators, as well.
Stateside, the deal is having a bit more trouble closing. Paramount and WBD are now unable to close the deal until at least March, unless it can agree to settle separate lawsuits brought by the Writers Guild of America and a group of 12 state attorneys general.
Paramount Plus
Paramount+ is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 40,000+ TV show episodes from BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., and more. Get free access with a Walmart+ subscription.
Paramount+ includes “1883,” “Tulsa King,” “Star Trek: Discovery,” “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and “PAW Patrol.” Subscribers can watch the NFL, college football, The Masters, college basketball, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, Serie A, and NWSL. The service also offers the option to watch your live CBS affiliate. The upgraded ad-free package includes premium movies and shows from Showtime.
‘Widow’s Bay’ coming to AMC theaters
Apple TV’s “Widow's Bay” has become a huge hit for the streamer, scoring 19 Emmy nominations. As reported by Deadline on Wednesday, the horror comedy is ticking off a big first for Apple TV by becoming its first series to be shown in theaters.
Screenings of the first episode of “Widow’s Bay” will be held in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco on Aug. 12. Fans in these cities who are interested in attending can click here for more information. Those who haven’t streamed “Widow’s Bay” yet are missing one of my personal favorite shows of the year.
Apple TV
Apple TV (formerly known as Apple TV+) is a subscription video streaming service for $14.99 per month, offering a growing slate of original series, films, documentaries, and specials. Unlike other platforms that combine licensed titles with originals, Apple TV is built entirely around exclusive programming, making it the home of critically acclaimed hits such as “Ted Lasso,” “Severance,” “The Morning Show,” and “Silo.” Its lineup continues to expand with award-winning dramas, comedies, family-friendly shows, and blockbuster original films like “CODA,” which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Netflix to offer extended ‘Grand Theft Auto VI’ preview
Netflix has tried time and again to make inroads with gamers, launching mobile games on TVs and even pledging at one point to develop its own AAA game. Its latest effort at wooing video game lovers is a partnership with Rockstar Games to offer an extended look at “Grand Theft Auto VI.”
The preview will premiere on Netflix on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 3 p.m. ET. The extended look will offer a close look at what Netflix says is “one of the most anticipated releases in history, offering Netflix subscribers a chance to see more about the game that will define the next era of entertainment.”
Netflix
Netflix is a leading subscription-based video streaming service that offers on-demand access to an extensive library of over 3,000 movies, 2,000+ TV shows, and a growing collection of acclaimed Netflix originals. Renowned for producing groundbreaking content, Netflix has become a cultural powerhouse with hit originals like “Stranger Things,” “Wednesday,” “Squid Game,” “The Crown,” “Tiger King,” “Bridgerton,” “The Witcher,” and “Black Mirror.”
Announcements, premiere dates, and trailers
Netflix’s ‘The Secret of Secrets’ announces cast
Netflix is hard at work on a new adaptation of Dan Brown’s novel “The Secret of Secrets,” the sixth installment in the Robert Langdon series. As announced on Tuesday, Cherry Jones will play Heide Nagel, Corey Stoll will play Everett Finch, Rob Delaney will play Jonas Faukman, and Abbey Lee will play Sasha Vesna. Morgan Spector and Rebecca Hall were previously announced as Robert Langdom and Rebecca Hall, respectively.
‘Madden’ on Prime Video announces debut
The Prime Video original movie “Madden” announced on Thursday that it would be released on Nov. 18. Watch the announcement reveal video below:
Watch the ‘Madden’ date announcement video
Prime Video
Prime Video is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 10,000+ movies, TV shows, and Prime Originals like “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” “Jack Ryan,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “The Boys,” and more. Subscribers can also add third-party services like Max, Showtime, STARZ, and dozens more with Prime Video Channels. Prime Video also offers exclusive live access to NFL Thursday Night Football.
‘Gilmore Girls’ documentary headed to HBO Max
“Gilmore Girls” fans will be thrilled to learn that a behind-the-scenes documentary about the beloved series is headed for HBO Max. As announced on Wednesday, the as-yet-unnamed movie will feature behind-the-scenes footage, key cast and crew interviews, and much more to give fans insight into how the show came to life.
HBO Max
HBO Max is a subscription video streaming service that gives access to the full HBO library and exclusive Max Originals. There are hubs for content from TLC, HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, TCM, Cartoon Network, Travel Channel, ID, and more. Watch hit series like “The Last of Us,” “House of the Dragon,” “Succession,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and more. Within HBO Max, B/R Sports allows users to watch live NBA, MLB, NHL, March Madness, and NASCAR events.
Paramount+ announces ‘Trauma,’ starring Richard Madden
“Citadel” star Richard Madden was announced as the lead of the new Paramount+ dram series “Trauma,” which will enter production in October. As announced on Wednesday, the show will follow Madden’s character — a former Royal Marines medic turned ER doctor — as he fights his way through a hostage situation at a hospital.
Paramount Plus
Paramount+ is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 40,000+ TV show episodes from BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., and more. Get free access with a Walmart+ subscription.
Paramount+ includes “1883,” “Tulsa King,” “Star Trek: Discovery,” “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and “PAW Patrol.” Subscribers can watch the NFL, college football, The Masters, college basketball, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, Serie A, and NWSL. The service also offers the option to watch your live CBS affiliate. The upgraded ad-free package includes premium movies and shows from Showtime.
‘The Five Star Weekend’ renewed for Season 2
Peacock’s summer drama series “The Five Star Weekend,” based on the Elin Hilderbrand bestselling novel, will return for a second season. As announced on Wednesday, the series will continue to follow the story of Hollis Shaw and her friend group. The show’s main cast will return for Season 2, as well.
Peacock
Peacock is a subscription video streaming service from NBCUniversal that includes original shows, blockbuster movies, and classic television series. Peacock is home to “Yellowstone,” “The Office,” and original hits like “Poker Face” and “Bel-Air.” You can also watch live sports and NBC programming, including the NFL, MLB, WWE, the Olympics, the Premier League, NASCAR, the French Open, college football and basketball, and the PGA Tour. Premium Plus subscribers can stream their local NBC feed in all 210 markets.
Viola Davis to star in, produce ‘Ascent’ for Paramount+
EGOT-winner Viola Davis will star in the new thriller series “Ascent” for Paramount+, the streamer revealed on Tuesday. Davis will play Catriona Vail, a corporate fixer who uses her ruthless skills to do everything she can to rescue her daughter. The show was created by John Logan.
Paramount Plus
Paramount+ is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 40,000+ TV show episodes from BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., and more. Get free access with a Walmart+ subscription.
Paramount+ includes “1883,” “Tulsa King,” “Star Trek: Discovery,” “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and “PAW Patrol.” Subscribers can watch the NFL, college football, The Masters, college basketball, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, Serie A, and NWSL. The service also offers the option to watch your live CBS affiliate. The upgraded ad-free package includes premium movies and shows from Showtime.