Mornin! This is Sean McNulty (connect with me on LINKEDIN here if ya like or email me at seanmcnultynyc@gmail.com), and here’s the Hollywood + Media news to know on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Where I’m starting a little something new here at The Wakeup for the rest of the summer. Well, old but new.
As Ankler Agenda previewed in its podcast feed last night — I’m putting my summer movie season Monday box office analysis conversations that I used to do live on Substack (and now do on YOUTUBE) into a Wakeup podcast feed. (#Funfact — The Wakeup actually started as a daily podcast).
So, folks who live #ThatPodcastLife can easily subscribe to the feed to get episodes there each Monday as soon as they’re ready — although you can still watch them on The Ankler YT page as well if you prefer video on YT.
AND: I’ll also be adding some timely “micro pod” convos with industry folks as warranted, diving into big news developments on the day they happen — perfect for the evening drive / subway ride home (ok, they’re not really “micro” but they’re gonna be like 20 minutes-ish and I’m hoping to get some of that sweet microdrama runoff 💰).
I did my first one yesterday with Peter Kafka of the Channels pod and Business Insider, sharing insights into the FOX/ROKU deal.
Just search “The Wakeup” wherever you listen to podcasts (SPOTIFY is here and APPLE is here) to subscribe and get them as soon as they’re up. Here is yesterday’s episode:
It’s definitely a work in progress (pardon the old logo, among other things) so it’ll evolve as I go along, and please send any feedback (especially the “constructive” kind, seriously) — LINKEDIN here or email me at seanmcnultynyc@gmail.com.
OH: Staff investigators at the DOJ were not made aware in advance of the DOJ’s decision to close its investigation into the WARNAMOUNT deal on Friday, and also had not made a final recommendation on the case, according to the WSJ. They were also leaning toward recommending a lawsuit challenging the deal.
- Obviously, the investigators also did not participate in the unusual statement the DOJ put out with its investigation’s closure on Friday, but I’m sure it’s all on the up and up.
PLUS: PEACOCK debuted its first mobile-only BRAVO microdrama, Campus Confidential: Miami.
THEN: NBCU will do a Love Island USA screening event at 28 movie theaters on Monday, June 22 at 9 p.m. Tix available on VERSANT’s FANDANGO app.
YEAH: Bit of a surprise from the music world, with Jelly Roll and his wife Bunnie XO announcing their divorce after 10 years of marriage.
YUP: DISNEY is now using ADOBE AI to concept out new theme park and hotel concepts using DISNEY IP in its Imagineering division, according to Axios.
AH: Another growing use for AI video generation — a genre that likely is always looking to save a few production dollars when concocting new outlandish ways to slam opponents, local political advertising (and no, the AI use is not disclosed, nor is that required).
YAH: The U.K. is banning social media for users under 16, with a targeted start date in Spring 2027.
- Just a reminder link for this NYT look at how Australia’s is going so far as a guide to what may be ahead, although the U.K.’s restrictions will be more stringent.
AND: Congrats to the CAROLINA HURRICANES, who won their first Stanley Cup in 20 years — and prevented the VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS from winning their 2nd Stanley Cup this decade in the process.
ELSEWHERE ON SUNDAY: The UFC fighter who “fake vomited” on himself at his weigh-in is the same guy who called Michelle Obama a man in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan in the octagon Sunday night at the White House. Good times.
- UFC CEO Dana White said, “Everyone knows my position on free speech, but I hate that kind of nonsense,” while the White House said “he had a great win” when asked about the matter and little else.
- This after an MMA announcer posted and later deleted texts on X purportedly from Eric Trump pressing him if he knew if any of the fights were rigged, or if any fighters were injured — ya know, things that may affect things like, oh, a wager on any fights. Eric later posted that this was completely fake.
- Jon Stewart also had some thoughts last night on the event.
YAH: NETFLIX and IHEART want even more podcasts together . . . adding 3 more to their lineup (NETFLIX has video exclusively, IHEART gets the audio rights/distro):
- Suite 305 with Lele Pons, The Martha Stewart Podcast and Sibling Revelry with Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson will roll out later in the year.
🎥 THE MEDIA BIZ
FOX takes ROKU — What this new company’s revenues and linear TV dependency look like
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