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, July 14, 2026. Where nothing says “sound market principles” like the San Francisco housing market. Yes, it seems folks are now using AI company stock instead of cash in home offers, according to the NY Times — and this is before ANTHROPIC and/or OPENAI go public. According to a sales agent in the region, sales of homes priced at $10M+ have doubled YoY over the past six months, with 44 homes closing at least $1M above asking. But on the upside, it’s always nice when #BigTech can make L.A. and New Jersey feel like more affordable places to live.
 |
| Via Giphy |
GOOD NEWS: Inflation dropped to a mere 3.5% YoY in June, according to the new CPI (or 2.6% excluding non-essentials like food and gas). Place your bets on how the rest of July is gonna play out for that “gas” part in the numbers next month.
- 3.5% is still higher than any month since essentially fall 2023 (which tied one month in 2024).
THEN: Here’s the lineup for the NY Comedy Festival this Nov. 5 through 16, including performances from Marc Maron, Ilana Glazer, Sarah Sherman, Jordan Klepper and many more. PLUS: If Zaz owes you money, today’s the day to drop him a DM, as he sold another $59M of his WBD stock yesterday. No one tell WBD employees about their surprise mid-year bonuses for working hard through all of “the noise” so far this year, mmkay? HA 😂: That’s the sound of every cab driver reading this story about how WAYMOs aren’t exactly equipped to deal with “human behavior” that’s happened in taxis forever — namely, people spilling food, puking or falling sound asleep in the back seat. Gotta love dozing off on your ride and being awakened by firefighters who got a 911 alert from the car. YUP: Another day, another NETFLIX YT creator deal — Alan Chikin Chow is bringing library content from Alan’s Universe to the platform, and new episodes will debut the same day on both NETFLIX and YOUTUBE.
AH: Moguls of the early 2010s, beware — Shane Smith is writing a book, according to Page Six Hollywood. UH: Anyone looking to do a true #Dunesday double feature at the multiplex this December with Dune: Part Three and Avengers: Doomsday definitely needs to clear the schedule — Avengers is coming in at 2 hr 45 min as tickets go on sale this Monday. HUH: This is a #goodread from the WSJ on Pennsylvania rural landowners (who live near power sources) striking it rich from selling their land to AI data center developers. One project paid out $586M to a group of landowners; another could pay out 2x that amount. I’m sure the town neighbors are thrilled. YEAH: Ali G is definitely back, joining the early 2000s nostalgia train. We’ll see about the movie. OLD SCHOOL: Just a shout-out to ABC for airing the 1991 classic What About Bob? as its primetime programming this past Sunday night in 2026. Way to amortize that TOUCHSTONE library. ⛳️👏 REST IN PEACE: Goes out to great big screen talent Sam Neill, who died at the age of 78 this week.
 |
| Via Giphy |
FINALLY: It’s on between the state AGs and PSKY. California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s main objections, as he laid out yesterday, pretty much exactly line up with what I outlined 3 weeks ago. Namely, that cable TV network consolidation and a large share of studio wide-release movies could both raise prices for consumers and affect choice.
- AND: Elaine Low did a great follow-up yesterday, working the phones with antitrust experts to lay out what’s likely ahead.
- PLUS: The motion for a temporary restraining order on the closing of the deal was issued yesterday as well.
- The AGs are citing “no cognizable harm” to PSKY (or WBD) to delay a deal closing since the WARNAMOUNT deal stipulations include an outside closing date of March 4, 2027, and automatic extension to June 4, 2027, if need be to allow for extra regulatory approvals . . . despite the ticking fee kicking in a good 5 months before March 2027.
- We’ll see if a judge considers that fee as “cognizable harm” or not.
- CINEMA UNITED and the WGA voiced their support for the lawsuit, and PSKY put out its own statement, uh, against the move, saying it’s “wrong on both the facts and the law.”
GEE, WHAT TIMING?!: Reports also dropped late yesterday that David Ellison has been having exploratory meetings in D.C. around a federal production tax incentive over the past 6 months, according to Variety. He was also in D.C. last night with PSKY CLO Makan Delrahim for dinner with legislators on the matter, according to Politico.
🎥 The Silver Screen
 |
| Via Giphy |
The Odyssey enters bust of a summer for PLF / IMAX picking hitsThe Odyssey certainly doesn’t need more riding on it this weekend, given the preceding Supergirl / Minions / Moana Bermuda Triangle at the box office . . . but as we’re past the midway point of the summer — the PLF and specifically IMAX business has consistently been pulling the short stick this summer so far.
- Note: this is just looking at the biggest releases (i.e., I’m leaving off anything that made under $30M U.S.).
Don’t stop here
Unlock the full story — and the no-spin reporting Hollywood trusts
|
