Netflix Orders ‘Stranger Things’ Prequel
Netflix wants back in the Stranger Things business. The massively popular show’s spinoff, which was first reported to be in the works back in 2022, has finally landed at the streamer and is set to premiere in 2028. According to the teaser released on Friday, the prequel takes place in 1955 in Marion, Nevada — a ways away from the series’ original location in Hawkins, Indiana. The prequel, titled Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure, is written once again by the Duffer brothers and longtime Stranger Things writer Kate Trefry. Other Worlds will mark the fourth project set in the Stranger Things universe, following the animated show and the stage production. The original’s first four seasons racked up over 1.2 billion views globally.
Fox Completes $22B Acquisition of Roku
In just five months, Fox Corp. has officially closed its $22 billion acquisition of Roku, the popular streaming platform, positioning the new conglomerate to be a major power player in the industry. Roku founder Anthony Wood will sit on Fox’s board and serve as co-chair of Fox Digital Platforms, the division that will house Roku along with existing properties, Tubi, Fox One, and Red Seat Ventures.
Tesla to Wind Down Production of Cybertruck in 2027
On Friday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that the company will “wind down” production of the Cybertruck at its factory in Austin, Texas, the only location that currently makes the vehicle, in order to focus on increasing Cybercab production. The change comes roughly seven years after Musk unveiled the polarizing electric pickup, and just three years after it became available for purchase. It was not immediately clear if Cybertruck production will be relocated to a different factory or phased out completely, although the latter was hinted at by lead engineer Wes Morrill.
Martine Rose Makes History With New Balenciaga Appointment
After Pierpaolo Piccioli confirmed his departure from Balenciaga on Thursday, the French fashion house announced Friday that Martine Rose, a London-based designer best known for her namesake menswear label, will be his successor. Rose will be the first woman to serve as creative director for the 109-year-old label. According to Business of Fashion, she is also only the second Black woman to take the creative helm of a major European luxury fashion house, following Grace Wales Bonner’s appointment at Hermès in 2025.
Live Nation Reports $10.1B in Q3 Revenue Jump From Last Year
Live Nation posted a record-high $10.1 billion in Q3 earnings on Thursday, representing a 19% increase from 2025. The live music giant’s growth is attributed largely to a 29% increase in attendance by international fans. “In a world of endless screens and AI-generated everything, the one thing that can’t be replicated is being there,” said the company’s CEO Michael Rapino in a statement. “Artists are taking their music to more fans in more places than ever, and fans are showing up in record numbers.”
New York Times in Advanced Talks to Buy Movie Platform Letterboxd for $330M
The New York Times Company is in advanced talks to purchase Letterboxd, a social media platform beloved by cinephiles, the newspaper reported Friday, for $330 million. Other interested parties reportedly included Netflix, Sony, and the former Paramount, but their interest waned as the price rose. It’s not yet clear if the NYT deal includes the stakes of Letterboxd founders Matthew Buchanan and Karl von Randow, CEO and CTO, who each own 20% of the company.
LeBron James Sends Cease-and-Desist to AI Sports Betting App Over Unauthorized Likeness
LeBron James has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Bron AI, an AI-powered sports betting app, after the company used an AI-generated character resembling the NBA star in promotional content without his permission. James’ attorneys argue the ad is particularly problematic given his exclusive endorsement deal with Polymarket and its implication that he is betting on basketball, which would violate NBA rules. The letter demands that Bron AI stop using his likeness and notify users that he has no affiliation with the platform. James’ former Lakers teammate Luka Dončić has also reportedly sent the company a cease-and-desist letter over the ad.
Midterm TV Audience Rose 23% to 31.2 Million, Led by NBC
According to Nielsen data, 31.2 million people tuned in Tuesday to watch primetime election night coverage, representing a 23% increase in total audience size from the last midterm cycle. NBC News drew the largest average audience with 6.7 million primetime viewers, followed by ABC News with 5.2 million, Fox News with 4.23 million, and CNN with 4.15 million. However, the numbers are still down from Donald Trump’s last midterm, when 36.11 million watched.
Future Drops Single With Drake, Travis Scott, and Florida Rapper Loe Shimmy
Future has released his new single “Ya Hit,” bringing together Drake, Travis Scott and rising Florida rapper Loe Shimmy. Produced by ATL Jacob and London Cyr, the song marks Drake and Travis Scott’s first collaboration since 2023’s “Meltdown” and features additional ad-libs from Sexyy Red. The single is his first release since he dropped his tenth solo studio album The Real Me in August. Online, fans speculated whether Future’s surprise release of a song with both Drake and Scott could overshadow album release day for Lil Baby, who shared his fifth recordFresh today.
Jalen Brunson Makes His ‘Law & Order: SVU’ Acting Debut
Knicks captain Jalen Brunson made his debut on the NBC show Thursday night, playing Detective Jay Madison in a pizzeria scene alongside Mariska Hargitay. His father, Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson, also made a cameo as an extra. Brunson had previously expressed his desire to appear on the show, making the cameo a full-circle moment. He and Hargitay developed a friendship through Knicks games at MSG and appeared together in a prerecorded opening for September’s Emmy Awards. The appearance adds to Brunson’s growing résumé beyond basketball, following his Saturday Night Live hosting debut in September.
Natalie Portman and Jenna Ortega-Led Film ‘The Gallerist’ Drops First Trailer
Natalie Portman and Jenna Ortega star in The Gallerist, a dark comedy set against the backdrop of Art Basel Miami, which dropped its first look trailer Thursday. Directed by Cathy Yan, the film follows a financially struggling gallery owner, played by Portman, and her assistant, Ortega, who attempt to pass off an accidental corpse as a provocative work of art, setting off a chaotic scheme involving influencers, collectors and police. The ensemble cast also includes Sterling K. Brown, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Zach Galifianakis, and Charli XCX. The Gallerist hits theaters December 4.
The Weeknd Sets Record for Highest-Grossing Tour by a Male Artist With $1.3 Billion
After 176 shows across 30 countries, The Weeknd closed his After Hours Til Dawn tour in Kuala Lumpur with more than $1.3 billion in ticket sales. The four-year stadium run drew more than 9 million fans and surpassed Elton John’s $939 million-plus Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour for the highest gross by a male artist. Only two tours have grossed more, according to figures reported by Variety. Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour brought in more than $2 billion, while Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres tour topped $1.5 billion.
LOVB’s Los Angeles Orbit Announces Inaugural Season Schedule
Los Angeles Orbit, LOVB’s professional women’s volleyball team, has announced its inaugural 2026-27 schedule, bringing 11 home matches to Intuit Dome beginning in January. The season will feature matchups including Nebraska, San Francisco, Minnesota, Atlanta, Houston and Miami. The upcoming season marks the debut for four LOVB expansion teams, including LA Orbit, which is backed by investments from Alexis Ohanian, Issa Rae, and Savannah James.
Image: Courtesy of Netflix
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