On today’s episode, Variety’s Todd Spangler offers an update on where things stand for Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger process now that a judge has set a March trial start date for the antitrust case brought by 12 state attorneys general and the Writers Guild of America. “I think he feels like he’s been misunderstood,” Spangler says of Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Variety&rsquo;s Todd Spangler offers an update <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/david-ellison-breaking-point-paramount-wb-merger-trial-1236828418/">on where things stand for Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger process now that a judge has set a March trial start date</a> for the antitrust case brought by 12 state attorneys general and the Writers Guild of America. &ldquo;I think he feels like he&rsquo;s been misunderstood,&rdquo; Spangler says of Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison.

Variety journalists and entertainment leaders deliver business news and analysis tailored for industry insiders.

Daily Variety

It’s Tick-Tock Time for Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger as Judge Sets March Trial Date

On today’s episode, “Dateline” leaders Liz Cole and Paul Ryan discuss the ever-expanding footprint of the NBC News newsmagazine that has become a ubiquitous presence in media and pop culture. “The audience knows what to expect from us. They’re going to get storytelling. They know that very reliably we’re taking them on a journey to justice,” Ryan says.

On today&rsquo;s episode, &ldquo;Dateline&rdquo; leaders Liz Cole and Paul Ryan discuss <a href="https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/lester-holt-dateline-podcast-last-appeal-nbc-news-1236533587/">the ever-expanding footprint of the NBC News newsmagazine </a>that has become a ubiquitous presence in media and pop culture. &ldquo;The audience knows what to expect from us. They&rsquo;re going to get storytelling. They know that very reliably we&rsquo;re taking them on a journey to justice,&rdquo; Ryan says.

How ‘Dateline’ Became a Multiplatform Content Dynamo for NBC News

On today’s episode, highlights from Variety’s annual Showrunners Breakfast include heartfelt remarks from Ryan Murphy on how he was inspired by Norman Lear and “All in the Family" as he received Variety's Norman Lear Creative Conscience Award. And five Emmy-nominated showrunners discuss television then and now as they offer advice to next-generation creatives. The participants are Ashley Nicole Black (“Shrinking”), Debora Cahn (“The Diplomat”), Dan Harmon (“Rick and Morty”), Jeff Luini (“Welcome to Wrexham”) and Jonathan Tropper (“Your Friends and Neighbors”).

On today&rsquo;s episode, highlights from Variety&rsquo;s annual Showrunners Breakfast include heartfelt remarks from Ryan Murphy on how he was inspired by Norman Lear and &ldquo;All in the Family" as he received Variety's Norman Lear Creative Conscience Award. And five Emmy-nominated showrunners discuss television then and now as they offer advice to next-generation creatives. The participants are Ashley Nicole Black (&ldquo;Shrinking&rdquo;), Debora Cahn (&ldquo;The Diplomat&rdquo;), Dan Harmon (&ldquo;Rick and Morty&rdquo;), Jeff Luini (&ldquo;Welcome to Wrexham&rdquo;) and Jonathan Tropper (&ldquo;Your Friends and Neighbors&rdquo;).

Ryan Murphy Talks Norman Lear, Top Showrunners Weigh in on TV’s Future

On today's episode, "The X Files" creator Chris Carter explains to Variety's Michael Schneider how he got a second shot at his 2008 film "The X Files: I Want to Believe" with the director's cut that premiered Aug. 14 on Hulu and Disney+ outside the U.S.

On today's episode, <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/chris-carter-x-files-i-want-to-believe-directors-cut-1236836849/">"The X Files" creator Chris Carter</a> explains to Variety's Michael Schneider how he got a second shot at his 2008 film "The X Files: I Want to Believe" with the director's cut that premiered Aug. 14 on Hulu and Disney+ outside the U.S.

It’s Tick-Tock Time for Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger as Judge Sets March Trial Date

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