China’s BYD Surpasses Tesla as World Leader in Electric Car Sales
Tesla lost its position as the world’s top electric vehicle seller after U.S. tax credits were eliminated, contributing to a 16% sales drop in late 2025 and a 9% decline for the full year. For the first time, Tesla sold fewer EVs than China’s BYD, while other automakers grew. The company has shifted focus away from mass car sales toward self-driving technology and humanoid robots, which currently generate little revenue. Despite still leading the U.S. EV market, Tesla’s decline signals a broader slowdown in American EV adoption.
BTS Confirms New Album Coming in March
BTS will release a new album on March 20, their first in nearly four years, following a hiatus that began after their 2022 album Proof. During the break, members completed mandatory military service and focused on solo projects. The news was confirmed by BigHit after being reported in Korean media, with fans also receiving handwritten letters revealing the date. A world tour announcement is expected soon.
‘Stranger Things’ Series Finale Earns More Than $25 Million in Movie Theaters
The Stranger Things finale generated over $25 million, possibly up to $30 million, for movie theaters during New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. AMC alone earned about $15 million from 753,000 attendees, outperforming the holiday concession cash of major films like Avatar: Fire and Ash. The finale played in more than 620 locations and sold over 1.1 million seats, surpassing prior Netflix theatrical events. Unlike traditional box office revenue, all concession profits went directly to theaters, making it a major win for exhibitors.
Dior Releases First Coed Campaign for Jonathan Anderson Collection Launch
Dior unveiled Friday its first-ever coed advertising campaign to mark the debut collections by Jonathan Anderson, the brand’s first creative director overseeing both women’s and men’s lines. Shot by David Sims, the campaign features the likes of Greta Lee, Kylian Mbappé, and Louis Garrel, alongside models and rising talents. This new visual direction, which is a shift shift away from Dior’s recent polished aesthetic, mirrors Anderson’s influence and will extend to store displays and pop-ups worldwide.
NBA Has Best Christmas Audience Since 2018
The NBA recorded its highest Christmas Day TV viewership in 15 years, with over 47 million U.S. viewers tuning into at least part of the five-game slate, a 45% jump from last year. The games averaged 5.5 million viewers, up 4% year over year, with several matchups setting timeslot records. Cleveland-New York was the most-watched noon Christmas game ever, while other games posted their best numbers in years. The NBA also led all brands across social media Christmas Day, generating 1.6 billion views, up 23% from 2024.
Domestic Movie Ticket Sales End 2025 With $8.9 Billion
U.S. and Canadian cinemas sold around $8.87 billion in tickets in 2025, a 1.5% increase from 2024 but below the $9 billion analysts had projected. Attendance remains below pre-pandemic levels, with higher ticket prices and premium formats like IMAX helping boost revenue despite fewer moviegoers. Meanwhile, Avatar: Fire and Ash led the New Year’s Eve box office and has earned over $250 million domestically in two weeks. The film is performing even better internationally and is expected to surpass $1 billion worldwide any day now.
Troy Aikman to Advise Dolphins in GM Search
The Miami Dolphins are calling on Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy Aikman to assist in their search for a new general manager. Aikman boasts extensive league connections and while is not a candidate, is expected to help gather information and sit in on interviews. Miami fired GM Chris Grier in October after nine-plus seasons without a playoff win. This marks the Dolphins’ first full GM search since 2014.
Saks CEO to Step Down
Saks Global Enterprises CEO Marc Metrick is stepping down as the luxury retailer explores restructuring options, including a possible Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Executive Chairman Richard Baker will take over as both CEO and chairman. The leadership change comes amid ongoing financial struggles, despite recent investor funding tied to Saks’ acquisition of Neiman Marcus. The company has missed a major interest payment and is negotiating with creditors while considering asset sales, emergency financing, or bankruptcy.
Jill Scott Announces First Album in Over a Decade
Jill Scott is returning to music with her sixth album, To Whom This May Concern, set for release on Feb. 13 via the Orchard, marking her first album in over a decade. The project features collaborations with artists like Ab-Soul, J.I.D., Tierra Whack and Too Short, along with production from DJ Premier and several other notable producers. Scott has also released the project’s lead single, “Beautiful People.” Her last album, Woman (2015), debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
Betty Boop and ‘Blondie’ to Enter the Public Domain in 2026
As of Jan. 1, many classic works have officially entered the U.S. public domain, including cartoons like Betty Boop, books such as The Maltese Falcon and early Nancy Drew novels, and films like All Quiet on the Western Front. This happens because U.S. copyrights expire after 95 years for most works and 100 years for sound recordings, allowing free reuse and reinterpretation. Several pre-Hays Code films and major literary titles from 1930 are now unrestricted. Iconic songs including “Georgia on My Mind” and multiple George and Ira Gershwin compositions are also newly public domain.
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