☀️ A24 Sets Another Wedding Movie, NETFLIX’s Next YT Series Deal

Mornin! This is Sean McNulty (connect with me on LINKEDIN here if ya like or email me atseanmcnultynyc@gmail.com), and here’s the Hollywood + Media news to know on Friday, May 1, 2026.

Where ya gotta love the odd flexes given by Zuck these days at META.

Earlier this week, Zuck was noting on the Q1 earnings call how he wouldn’t give many AI products out there to his mother to use (🤷‍♂️) — and now, in audio obtained by The Information in a company-wide META meeting, he complimented the intelligence of META employees . . . by sharing how META AI’s monitoring all of their work only makes META AI a better product because they’re so smart to begin with.

Essentially, thanks to you nerds — I’ll be able to put you out of a job even faster here! What efficiency! Or, the 2026 compliment equivalent of this 👇. Enjoy the May layoffs, everyone.

AND: AMAZON PV is holding an Obsessed Fest on June 27 in L.A., featuring the talent from its YA series and film slate.

ALSO: FCC henchman honcho Brendan Carr noted that COMCAST/NBC could be next for a local TV affiliate station license review . . . that’ll very likely ultimately go nowhere. No word on where his investigation into FOX’s owned stations stands.

• He also said that this had nothing to do with Kimmel’s Melania/Trump comments last week, and managed not to wink even once! 😉
• Kimmel once again faced this head-on last night, with a pretty great montage of Trump #cancelculture speech clips, yet again revealing what a sad, sad charade Carr’s quest is.

THE PEOPLE’S COURT: Here are your latest developments in the 2 biggest pending deals facing the media industry:

• WARNAMOUNT: PAR subs filed an anti-trust lawsuit in CA alleging the deal will reduce competition in streaming, news and theatrical distribution.
  • A 24% share of theatrical was specifically cited as a result of uniting WB and PAR studios.
  • PSKY called the deal “without merit” (link to the complaint here).
• NEXSTEGNA: Yes, I’m workshopping a Bennifer name for this NEXSTAR/TEGNA DEAL, so it’s either that or TEGSTAR, which is catchier . . . although NEXSTAR is the bigger company. But I digress:
  • 5 states (MA, VT, IN, KS, PA) have joined CA in its lawsuit against the deal, covering both sides of the political aisle.
  • A CA judge has already issued a preliminary injunction against TEGSTAR that would create incredible consolidation in the local TV station and local news business.

THEN: KAUFMAN ASTORIA Studios in Queens, NY has gotten a foreclosure complaint from DEUTSCHE BANK, due to HACKMAN CAPITAL being delinquent on loan payments to DB.

• The initial loan was for $340M in 2021. There is currently $359M owed on the loan. I actually had no idea you could buy a production lot on layaway, but the things you learn in this job.

AH: The final 2 hosts of SNL U.K.’s final season will be Hannah Waddingham and Ncuti Gatwa.

PLUS: AMAZON PV set a deal with DUKE to exclusively stream 3 neutral-site men’s 🏀 games a year in a “multi-year” deal (length not disclosed), with next season being:

• Wed., Nov. 25: DUKE vs. UCONN in Vegas
• Mon., Dec. 21: DUKE vs. MICHIGAN at MSG
• Sat., Feb 20: DUKE vs. GONZAGA in Detroit

KUDOS: To Steph Curry, who raised $1.7M from auctioning off the 70 pairs of sneakers he wore in NBA games this season. I hear the money is somehow going toward stock buybacks. 🤔 (ok, yes, it’s going to his Eat. Learn. Play. foundation).

YEAH: Nothing like getting a ringing endorsement from your dad about your new potential job — this was Trump on FOX NEWS yesterday about Don Jr. possibly hosting a new version of The Apprentice at AMAZON PV: “He’d be probably good. He’s got a little charisma going.” Ah, thanks, pop! 🤗

2025 Exec Payday Season Continues

New Pod