AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 5:12 p.m. EST

What Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. means for the movies

Netflix’s deal to acquire Warner Bros. is shaking up the entertainment industry. Warner Bros., one of Hollywood’s oldest studios, is part of the “big five” and plays a key role in theatrical releases. The studio currently has three of the top five earning films domestically. There are many questions about how Netflix’s ownership might change things, including antitrust scrutiny and the future of theatrical releases. Netflix says it plans to support theater releases but may shorten exclusive windows. The impact on movie theaters and filmmakers is uncertain, with concerns about the global exhibition business and reactions from top directors.

Darlene Love reflects on her enduring holiday classic, 'Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)'

Darlene Love can't escape her holiday classic, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” She hears it everywhere, from the post office to the grocery store. Released in 1963, the song is as iconic as Bing Crosby's “White Christmas.” Love performed it for years on David Letterman's show and continues to sing it on other platforms. Her career began when Phil Spector signed her in 1962. Love fondly recalls their sessions, despite a complicated relationship with Spector. She also shares a long friendship with Cher, who sang backing vocals on “Christmas.” Love believes the song endures because its lyrics resonate universally.

George Clooney reflects on fame, failure and a life in movies with 'Jay Kelly'

George Clooney plays a movie star with regrets in “Jay Kelly.” The film, streaming Friday on Netflix, is fiction, co-written and directed by Noah Baumbach, who assembled a starry cast including Adam Sandler, Laura Dern and Billy Crudup to tell a story about Hollywood, fame and parenthood. Clooney and the others were all eager to sign on before they'd even read the script. The making of the film had everyone reflecting on their own lives in the business and the personalities involved. Sandler shadowed his agent to prepare to play Jay Kelly's manager, and Dern did the same with her publicist.

The best movies of 2025, ranked by AP film writers

The bean counters might say otherwise, but 2025 was a good year for movies. That's the conclusion of The Associated Press' film writers, Lindsey Bahr and Jake Coyle, who have ranked their top films of the year. Both place Paul Thomas Anderson's “One Battle After Another” at the top of their lists. And both also include “Marty Supreme,” “It Was Just an Accident” and “Sinners.” Bahr's includes “If I Had Legs I'd Kick You,” “Sentimental Value” and “The Naked Gun.” Coyle's list includes “No Other Choice,” the third “Knives Out” movie, “Blue Moon” and the documentary “Afternoons of Solitude.”

Notable early reaction to Netflix's deal to acquire Warner Bros.

NEW YORK (AP) — Netflix's $72 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros. studio has sparked reactions from the worlds of entertainment, politics and business. Michael O’Leary, CEO of Cinema United, warns that Netflix's model could harm theaters and communities. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren calls the deal an “anti-monopoly nightmare,” fearing higher prices and fewer choices. Former WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar believes it will reduce competition. And the Producers Guild of America said Friday that a key test for Netflix to pass is whether the deal “promotes opportunities for workers and artists, empowers consumers with choices, and upholds freedom of speech.”

Mexico freezes Miss Universe co-owner's bank accounts during organized crime investigation

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s anti-money laundering office has frozen the bank accounts of Raúl Rocha Cantú, a Mexican co-owner of Miss Universe, amid an investigation into drugs, fuel and arms trafficking. An official confirmed the action on Friday. Rocha Cantú has been under investigation since November 2024 for alleged organized crime activities. Last month, a federal judge issued 13 arrest warrants related to the case. This adds to controversies for Miss Universe, including a fraud case involving Thai co-owner Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip. The Miss Universe organization has not commented on the allegations against Rocha Cantú.

Netflix to acquire Warner Bros. studio and streaming business for $72 billion

NEW YORK (AP) — Netflix has struck a deal to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, the Hollywood giant behind “Harry Potter” and HBO Max. The $72 billion deal announced Friday would bring together two of the biggest players in television and film and potentially reshape the entertainment industry. If approved by regulators, the merger would put two of the world’s biggest streaming services under the same ownership — and join Warner’s television and motion picture division, including DC Studios, with Netflix’s vast library and its production arm, which has released popular titles such as “Stranger Things” and “Squid Game.”

Another line of attack: White House sets up a hall of shame for news outlets

NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump's White House has established a hall of shame for journalists it finds guilty of media bias as it looks for new avenues of attack against legacy news outlets. The Republican president has been criticizing “fake news” since his first term. Some of Trump's attacks have turned personal in the past month. Yet despite it all, the news outlet Axios pointed out this week that mainstream news sources are as dominant as ever in setting the agenda for Washington and — somewhat ironically — capturing the president's attention. The Washington Post says it will "continue to report rigorously and accurately in service to all of America.”

At least 4 countries pull out of 2026 Eurovision contest as Israel’s participation sows discord

GENEVA (AP) — At least four countries have announced they are pulling out of next year’s Eurovision Song Contest. This decision follows the organizers' choice to allow Israel to compete, despite concerns over its conduct in the Israel-Hamas war. Dutch, Spanish, Irish and Slovenian broadcasters announced plans to sit out the context in Vienna next May. It came after the European Broadcasting Union, which runs Eurovision, voted to adopt tougher voting rules after allegations of Israel manipulating votes. The contest has faced challenges due to the war in Gaza, with some countries threatening to boycott if Israel participates.