Reuters Entertainment News Summary

The fee was paid by Paramount Skydance under the companies' $110 billion merger deal, but was recorded by Warner Bros as an obligation under the agreement. Disney earnings beat estimates as new CEO outlines growth strategy Walt Disney's new Chief Executive Josh D'Amaro laid out his strategy for the entertainment company Wednesday, saying it would remain committed to creative excellence, strengthen its streaming business, capitalize on the power of live sports and continue to invest ⁠in its theme ​parks and cruise lines.

Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.

FCC commissioner seeks rigorous review of foreign investment in Warner Bros deal

The sole Democrat on the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday ​called for a rigorous review of the foreign ownership interests in a proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger.

Last month, Paramount ​Skydance asked the FCC to greenlight foreign investments backing its acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery. ‌FCC ​Commissioner Anna Gomez said there are "serious, unresolved questions about how this foreign investment may jeopardize national security, and this commission has a legal obligation to answer them."

Emmy-winning series 'The Bear' to end after Season 5

Season 5 of the Emmy-winning series “The Bear” will be its final season, FX announced on Wednesday, with the final installment set to premiere on June 25. Created by Christopher Storer, the series debuted ‌in 2022 and follows a fine-dining chef who returns home to Chicago to run his family’s struggling sandwich shop.

Exclusive-India's Zee sues Nykaa over alleged copyright misuse of songs on Instagram reels

India's Zee Entertainment has sued fashion-to-beauty retailer Nykaa for allegedly using its copyrighted songs in Instagram reels to promote its products, seeking $210,000 in damages, previously unreported court documents show. In an April 3 lawsuit filed in the Delhi High Court, Zee argued it has a licensing agreement with Meta Platforms that allows individuals to use its music in Instagram posts for non-commercial use, but said Nykaa ‌had used several of Zee's copyrighted songs in reels to promote products to millions of followers.

Factbox-Major nominees for Broadway's 2026 Tony Awards

Here are the nominations in major categories for the 2026 Tony Awards: Best Play

Warner Bros Discovery posts higher streaming revenue as ‌HBO Max expands abroad

Warner Bros Discovery's streaming unit posted better-than-expected quarterly revenue growth on Wednesday, as HBO Max's expansion overseas boosted subscriber growth and engagement. The company's first-quarter net loss widened to $2.92 billion, including a $2.8 billion termination fee paid to Netflix. The fee was paid by Paramount Skydance under the companies' $110 billion merger deal, but was recorded by Warner Bros as an obligation under the agreement.

Disney earnings beat estimates as new CEO outlines growth strategy

Walt Disney's new Chief Executive Josh D'Amaro laid out his strategy for the entertainment company Wednesday, saying it would remain committed to creative excellence, strengthen its streaming business, capitalize on the power of live sports and continue to invest ⁠in its theme ​parks and cruise lines. "Our focus remains consistent -- improve the consumer experience, deepen engagement, ⁠and continue building a healthy and more durable growth business," D'Amaro said during the company's first-quarter earnings call, his first at the helm of Disney.

Rolling Stones celebrate coming launch of 25th studio album

The three surviving members of the Rolling Stones attended a red-carpet event in Brooklyn on Tuesday to celebrate the launch of ⁠the band's 25th studio album, "Foreign Tongues," a follow-up to their Grammy-winning 2023 release. The 14-track collection will make its debut on July 10 as Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood mark the 64th anniversary of the blues and R&B-rooted English rock band that became one of the world's most successful, influential ​and enduring pop music acts.

India's Zee sues Reliance-Disney over alleged music copyright breach

India's Zee Entertainment has sued the Reliance-Disney joint venture, the country's biggest entertainment company, alleging it used Zee's copyrighted music after licence agreements expired, court documents show. Zee is ⁠seeking $3 million in damages, alleging unauthorised use and exploitation of works from its music division on the Reliance-Disney streaming platform and some of its TV channels, according to previously unreported court papers seen by Reuters.

Vienna police brace for protests at Eurovision Song Contest final

Vienna police expect protests against Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest to include "blockades and disruption ⁠attempts", ​they said on Tuesday, calling the competition in the Austrian capital one of the biggest security events they have faced. A celebration of pop music and high camp, the contest is taking place in particularly tense circumstances this year as five national broadcasters including Spanish heavyweight RTVE and Ireland's RTE, are boycotting over Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza, launched in retaliation for the October 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas.

'The Lost Boys,’ ‘Schmigadoon!’ lead Tony nominations

New musicals “The Lost Boys” and “Schmigadoon!” topped this year’s Tony Award nominations with 12 ⁠each, with a new production of “Ragtime” close behind with 11, as Broadway’s latest season drew notice for ambitious new work, high-profile revivals and packed houses. Both new productions scored across major categories, including best musical, acting and design, signaling broad support from nominators, while “Ragtime” reaffirmed its ⁠enduring resonance with recognition for its sweeping score and a slate of ⁠standout performances.

Ted Turner, outspoken founder of CNN, dies at 87

Ted Turner, the brash sportsman and entrepreneur whose ambition and instincts led to a media empire that included groundbreaking news network CNN, has died, CNN reported on Wednesday citing a press release from Turner Enterprises. He was 87. No cause of death was given.

Live Nation posts upbeat quarterly revenue on steady demand for concerts

Live Nation Entertainment beat ‌analysts' estimates for first-quarter revenue on Tuesday, underscoring ‌steady demand for concerts and live events even as the Ticketmaster parent faces mounting regulatory and legal scrutiny. It posted quarterly revenue of $3.8 billion, ​above analysts' estimates of $3.57 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.