☀️ YOUTUBE’s Biz Matures as Ad Rev Slowdown Hits

Mornin! Here’s the Hollywood + Media news to know on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026.

Where a congrats goes out to the MILWAUKEE BREWERS for beating the TAMPA BAY RAYS to win their firstWorld Series last night, taking the series 4-1 . . . just like the KNICKS! Way to keep the trend going.

FOX also wishes you congratulations on wrapping this up in 5 games through gritted teeth . . . although it was pretty apparent this series going 6 games to make it more financially attractive for FOX would be a long shot early on.

So, what a way for the season to go out, before, uh . . . who knows when we’ll see our next MLB game again? (The CBA expires on Dec. 1 at 11:59 p.m., at which point the owners will institute a lockout.)

Still, Opening Day is officially on the books for March 24, 2027 — and it’s nice to see Milwaukee get another moment in the sun after Bridesmaids.

THEN: Kathleen Kennedy will take over for Peter Rice as Head of Ceremonies and Content for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, although Rice will remain involved in an Executive Producer role.

OH BOY: Have fun with this one, internet! See you at the multiplex on Dec. 18. Happy holidays, everybody!

AND: MGM RESORTS and Barry Diller’s PEOPLE INC. have ended all talks about a sale deal. PEOPLE still has a 27% stake in MGM.

• This as PEOPLE INC. announced it’s adding to the Q4 layoff chorus — 156 folks will be out of a job according to Ben Mullin at the NY Times.
• AGAIN: A lotta finance departments are coming to grips with 2026 economic realities as they look ahead to 2027 projections this month.

AH: Gerry Cardinale’s REDBIRD and Guy Oseary’s SOUND VENTURES are launching a $1B fund to invest in companies “at the convergence of technology, media and culture.” So, define that as ya like. Hopefully that isn’t just a fancy way of describing SKYDANCE.

• Ashton Kutcher was also an investor in SOUND VENTURES, but left the entity earlier this year.

YEAH: Q4 at CONDE NAST does not look great, with ad revenue likely missing by 20%. (It was targeting $165M, but it’s now looking like $130M.) Who wants to tell the town car service? 😬

PLUS: Inside the NBA host Ernie Johnson said that this will be his last season on the show, although he’ll still contribute to March Madness.

• Charles Barkley has previously indicated that he will leave when Ernie does . . . but we’ll see where things land.

THANKS!

To the folks at NETFLIX for the invite to check out The Mosquito Bowl special screening in NYC last night.

A gripping, almost unbelievable true story about elite college football players who chose to enlist in WWII, and it also makes you reflect on America today.

It’s also really refreshing to see an action-driven pic use practical effects in 2026! Real explosions, flamethrowers, etc., and not a movie shot on a green screen. It makes a huge difference in immersing you in the story, and it also makes for a great theatrical experience — recommend checking it out this weekend on the big screen if it’s playing near you.

WAKEUP Box Office Prediction

I predict I’ll spend less time writing on Sunday, since no new major wide-release films are coming out this weekend.

AS ALWAYS:

Connect with me on LINKEDIN here if ya like, or email me at seanmcnultynyc@gmail.com anytime.

AND: My apologies for confusing the Dolan names in my head yesterday; James got the $10M boost to the bank account this week from splitting the RANGERS and KNICKS companies. Thanks to the readers who sent notes!

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📉 Earnings Season

YOUTUBE hits new subscriber highs . . . as ad 💰 growth rate slows