Sony Apollo Paramount Merger Wouldn’t Reduce Theatrical Output, Though TV & Streaming Assets Would Be Shed

Sony Music, the largest music publisher in the world and the home of artists like Beyonce and Adele, has contacted more than 700 firms, including Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI, to determine if they have used its songs to develop artificial intelligence systems.

As fears stack up in the industry over a possible Sony and Paramount merger, subtracting one major motion picture studio from the industry, The Chairman of NBCU Studio Group and Chief Content Officer Donna Langley at a Cannes Kering talk weighed in on what that impact will be.

Sony has signed an NDA with Paramount Global, a move that will give it access to the books and allow deal talks to move ahead, Deadline hears.

J. Kim Murphy A new entry in the “Insidious” franchise has been set for the theaters. The next installment of the Blumhouse Productions horror property, co-produced by Screen Gems, has been added to Sony’s theatrical slate, with the studio dating the film for an Aug.

Omar Apollo is releasing a new record. The beloved Mexican-American artist shared the news of the album, titled “God Said No,” expected to come out later this year. Yesterday, he revealed the album’s cover and the tracklist, with many of his fans believing that one of his songs was written for his friend Pedro Pascal.Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal pack on PDA while filming a new rom-comPedro Pascal is back! Check out new photos of ‘The Last of Us’ season 2MY SOPHOMORE ALBUM “GOD SAID NO” - out June 28th.

Omar Apollo is back with a new album.

Sony announced on Thursday that its new I Know What You Did Last Summer film from director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (Do Revenge) will be released via Columbia Pictures on July 18, 2025.

Rudie Obias editor If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. Although it was released back in Nov. 2023, the Sony PlayStation Portal has been sold out just about everywhere.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Sony Music Group is sending out warnings to what sources say are around 700 AI developers and music streaming services, warning them not to use its content to train AI. These so-called “opt-out” letters, which have been obtained by Variety, state that developers will need explicit permission to use that content and warns that some may already be in violation.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Sony Music Publishing today announced it has acquired the catalog of Tame Impala singer/ songwriter/ producer Kevin Parker, who has also worked extensively with Dua Lipa, Rihanna, SZA, Kendrick Lamar Gorillaz and more. The deal, which expands the company’s 15-year partnership with Parker, encompasses his entire catalog of songs as well as future works. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Mark your calendar for June 20, 2025 as that’s when the next installment in Danny Boyle’s 28 franchise hits theaters, 28 Years Later.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans Editor Sony Pictures Entertainment has completed state-of-the-art upgrades to its mix stages. Among the soundstages that underwent substantial improvements are the Cary Grant, William Holden, Kim Novak, Burt Lancaster, Anthony Quinn and Jimmy Stewart theaters, as well as Dub Stage 17.

Disney CEO Bob Iger said the company will limit its output of Marvel movies to “two good films” a year — three maximum — from about four and also cut the numbers of TV series spinoffs for the franchise.

Sky has brought back its popular Sky Stream deal, meaning you can say goodbye to a mess of wires and satellite dishes.The TV giant is offering a free trial of the Sky Stream device for the first month so you can try it out.The package includes Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix for one month, allowing you to test out the device. After the trial period, it's £31 a month on a rolling contract, with no need to commit to a longer-term deal like other Sky packages.

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor Paramount Global goes back to playing the field this week with two suitors still pursuing the company that has been surrounded by a highly public M&A drama for months. And it’s unlikely to end any time soon. The company reached the end of its 30-day exclusive negotiating window with Skydance Media on May 3 without coming to an agreement.

Partners Sony and Apollo have formally reached out to Paramount‘s special board committee asking to discuss a potential $26 billion offer, Deadline has learned. It comes as Par’s exclusive negotiating window with David Ellison‘s Skydance is set to expire.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor In the latest twist in Paramount Global‘s M&A saga, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Apollo Global Management reportedly have made a bid to take Paramount private with an all-cash buyout offer of $26 billion. Sony and private-equity giant Apollo submitted an offer letter Wednesday to Paramount Global, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. The report comes as Paramount Global board’s special committee established to consider M&A proposals is evaluating the best and final offer from Skydance Media to merge Paramount and Skydance, while keeping Paramount Global public.

EXCLUSIVE: Wednesday and Elvis producer Gail Berman, founder and CEO of The Jackal Group, has signed a three-year overall deal with Sony Pictures Television. Under the pact, which starts today, the industry veteran will develop and produce scripted series for cable and streaming platforms.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Crunchyroll, the Sony-owned anime streaming service, is raising prices for its two top tier packages in select countries — the first pricing hike in five years. The pricing is increasing for Crunchyroll’s Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan subscription tiers in select countries. “The price change reflects the increase in content on Crunchyroll in recent years, expanding its catalog to more than 45,000 episodes via 1,400 series and films,” the company said in a blog post.

Naman Ramachandran Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) has signed a one-year deal that is a mix of exclusive and non-exclusive library titles for the Pakistan market with streamer Begin. Backed by venture accelerator Z2C Limited, Begin is an SVOD platform that serves the Southwest Asian region, with licensed deals in live sports and entertainment.