AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 11:27 a.m. EDT

What a combined Paramount-Warner would mean

NEW YORK (AP) — HBO Max, “Harry Potter,” “Top Gun,” CBS and CNN may all be placed the control of the upstart Paramount Skydance soon. That’s because shareholders of Warner Bros. Discovery approved an $81 billion sale of the company on Thursday. The deal, including debt, is valued at nearly $111 billion. While the megamerger faces ongoing regulatory review, it could vastly reshape Hollywood and the wider media landscape. It would further consolidate power in an industry already run by just a handful of major players. Paramount itself was acquired by Skydance just last year. Here’s what a Paramount-Warner combo could look like for streaming, movies, news and more.

Michael Tilson Thomas, renowned conductor and composer, dies at 81

Renowned American conductor and composer Michael Tilson Thomas has died at 81. His spokesperson Connie Shuman says Tilson Thomas died Wednesday night. He led orchestras in Buffalo, Miami, London and San Francisco. Tilson Thomas had surgery for a brain tumor in 2021 and in February 2025 announced the tumor had returned. He conducted his final concert with the San Francisco Symphony in April 2025. Tilson Thomas received 39 Grammy nominations, winning 12, and received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2019. His husband, Joshua Robison, died in February. Tilson Thomas was known for his deep understanding of music and his impactful compositions.

Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny top Spotify's first all-time most streamed artists list

NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift has topped Spotify’s first ever list of the most streamed artists of all time. The list was published Thursday morning. Swift is followed by Bad Bunny. Drake is third. Then there are The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, Eminem and Kanye West, in that order. Spotify did not provide insight into its data collection methodology when asked about it by The Associated Press. In addition to naming the most streamed artists globally, Spotify compiled the most streamed albums, songs, podcasts and audiobooks to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The streaming giant was founded in April 2006.

Singer D4vd's lawyers look to make evidence against him public in killing of 14-year-old girl

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lawyers for singer D4vd are pushing to have prosecutors quickly and publicly present the evidence they have against him in the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.  The 21-year-old whose legal name is David Burke returns to court for a hearing Thursday just three days after he was charged and pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. In a rare move, he is exercising his right in California to have a judge decide whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial within 10 court days of his arraignment. The body of Rivas Hernandez was found dismembered in a Tesla in the Hollywood Hills in September.

'The Devil Wears Prada 2' puts a spotlight on Italy's fashion capital

MILAN (AP) — Prada may play a title role in “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” premiering in Milan on Thursday, but fashion and the city itself are also in the spotlight. The film, featuring Meryl Streep, was partly shot during Milan's fashion week. A Dolce & Gabbana show served as a backdrop for a scene. Milan’s culture counselor, Tommaso Sacchi, says the film benefits the city. Fans are flocking to a pop-up at Milan’s main department store, taking selfies at a replica of Miranda Priestly’s desk. The Prada brand, founded nearby, has become a fashion juggernaut under Miuccia Prada.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art's new central building is a 'machine of discovery'

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles County Museum of Art has completed renovations two decades in the making with a new home for its permanent collection that opens to the public May 4. The new building is all on a single floor that sits above the grounds and spans Wilshire Boulevard. The $720 million structure designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor is intended to allow visitors to wander into things they didn't necessarily intend to see. Museum director Michael Govan calls it a “machine of discovery.” The building's galleries are loosely grouped by oceans of the world, with all the free flow of goods and culture that implies.

Inside the Kennedy Center as it prepares for a 2-year renovation

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Kennedy Center is poised to undergo major renovations, with President Donald Trump calling it “tired, broken, and dilapidated.” Artists like Jane Fonda and Billy Porter see it as a protest site symbolizing the administration's influence on cultural institutions. The new executive director, Matt Floca, led journalists through the building on Wednesday, highlighting water damage and outdated equipment. Repairs are expected to take two years, with Congress providing $257 million for the project. Trump is heavily involved in the plans. The renovations aim to address structural issues while maintaining the venue's iconic elements.

Slovenia TV says it won't air Eurovision song contest after pulling out

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV Slovenia won’t air the Eurovision Song Contest this year after the small European country previously pulled out of the event over Israel’s participation. This year’s main competition with 35 competing countries is scheduled to be held in Vienna in May. Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain are boycotting due to discord over whether Israel should be excluded from the popular contest. Organizers of the song competition decided in December to allow Israel to compete, which prompted the walkout of Slovenia and other countries. Slovenia has been a vocal critic of Israel over its conduct of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.