Entertainment

Latest Entertainment News

📅January 9, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Major entertainment news centers on industry-shaping mergers, awards races, high-profile divorces, BTS’s comeback, and new blockbuster film and series announcements.
1

Warner Bros. Discovery rejects Paramount’s higher takeover bid, backs Netflix deal

Warner Bros. Discovery’s board has again urged shareholders to reject a revised, higher bid from Paramount-Skydance, calling it an excessively risky leveraged buyout that would leave the combined company with roughly **$87 billion in debt**.Source 8Source 11 Instead, the board is continuing to back Netflix’s **$82.7 billion** cash-and-stock offer for its studio and streaming assets, which it portrays as a cleaner, safer transaction more likely to close.Source 6Source 10 Any eventual deal is expected to face intense global antitrust scrutiny given the potential to reshape Hollywood’s competitive landscape.Source 6Source 8

2

Taylor Swift leads 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards nominations

Taylor Swift tops the **2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards** with **nine nominations**, the most of any artist, underscoring her sustained dominance in streaming and radio play.Source 1 Bad Bunny and several other stars follow close behind, setting up a highly competitive ceremony that reflects current global listening trends.Source 1 The nominations further cement Swift’s status as one of the defining pop figures of the decade.Source 1

3

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban finalize divorce after 19 years

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are **officially divorced** and legally single after nearly **19 years of marriage**, according to court records cited by the Associated Press.Source 1 The split ends one of entertainment’s most prominent celebrity unions, though details of the settlement and custody arrangements have not been widely disclosed.Source 1 Their separation comes amid busy professional schedules for both the Oscar-winning actor and the country music star.Source 1

4

Disney’s live-action ‘Tangled’ casts Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim

Disney has greenlit a **live-action adaptation of ‘Tangled’**, casting **Teagan Croft** as Rapunzel and **Milo Manheim** as Flynn Rider.Source 1 The project continues Disney’s strategy of reimagining its animated hits for new generations, following the live-action success of films like “Aladdin” and “The Little Mermaid.”Source 1 Production details and a release date have yet to be announced, but the casting signals the studio’s confidence in younger talent to lead major franchises.Source 1

5

BTS announces March comeback after nearly four-year group hiatus

Global K‑pop phenomenon **BTS** has announced a **March comeback**, marking the end of an almost **four-year hiatus** from full-group releases.Source 1 The group plans to “light up 2026 like dynamite,” signaling new music and activities that are expected to spark a fresh wave of global fan engagement and commercial impact.Source 1 Their return is likely to influence charts, touring plans, and K‑pop’s global visibility throughout the year.Source 1

6

Sydney Sweeney’s thriller ‘The Housemaid’ fast-tracked for sequel after box-office success

Sydney Sweeney’s thriller **“The Housemaid”** is getting a **sequel** just two and a half weeks after its release, following strong box-office performance.Source 1 The rapid greenlight indicates robust audience demand and positions Sweeney as a bankable lead in genre cinema.Source 1 Plot and casting details for the follow-up have not yet been revealed, but the franchise potential is now clear for the studio.Source 1

7

Lisette Oropesa draws raves at the Met Opera with ‘I Puritani’

Soprano **Lisette Oropesa** has earned rave reviews at the **Metropolitan Opera** for her performance in Bellini’s **“I Puritani,”** impressing general manager Peter Gelb with both talent and intellect.Source 1 Critics highlight her vocal agility and emotional precision, reinforcing her status as one of today’s leading bel canto interpreters.Source 1 The reception underscores ongoing audience appetite for star-driven, high-caliber opera productions.Source 1

8

Gus Van Sant’s ‘Dead Man’s Wire’ revisits a 1970s hostage crisis

Gus Van Sant’s new film **“Dead Man’s Wire”** dramatizes a real-life 1970s hostage crisis, echoing the energy and anger of classic films like “Dog Day Afternoon.”Source 1 Reviews note that the movie plays somewhat loose with historical facts but praise its tension and “righteous rage,” suggesting strong critical appeal for awards-season audiences.Source 1 The film adds to Van Sant’s reputation for blending stylized storytelling with social commentary.Source 1

9

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson headline upcoming film ‘The Drama’

The first poster for Kristoffer Borgli’s romantic comedy **“The Drama”** has been unveiled, featuring **Zendaya** and **Robert Pattinson** and shared by Zendaya on social media.Source 9 Early buzz centers on the unexpected pairing of the two high-profile stars and Borgli’s offbeat sensibility after projects like “Dream Scenario.”Source 9 While plot details remain limited, the film is already positioned as a major upcoming release for both the festival circuit and mainstream audiences.Source 9

10

Sports Illustrated Super Bowl party books The Chainsmokers and Ludacris

Sports Illustrated has announced its **Super Bowl weekend** entertainment lineup, led by **The Chainsmokers**, **Ludacris**, **DJ Irie**, and **Xandra**.Source 7 The event is part of the broader wave of music and celebrity-driven experiences that now surround the championship game, turning Super Bowl weekend into a multi-day entertainment showcase.Source 7 The star-heavy bill underscores the ongoing crossover between sports branding and pop music culture.Source 7

11

January streaming highlights on Disney+ and HBO Max include ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’

New **January releases** on **Disney+ and HBO Max** include HBO Originals such as **“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”** and season four of **“Industry.”**Source 13 HBO Max is also streaming the film **“One Battle,”** among other additions aimed at sustaining subscriber engagement.Source 13 The slate reflects platforms’ continued emphasis on premium serialized drama to anchor their 2026 lineups.Source 13