Google and YouTube sell billions in advertising every month. But now they’re partnering with SiriusXM to handle a specific bucket of inventory: audio ads that run against YouTube content like podcasts, talk shows and music. SiriusXM struck a deal with Google making SiriusXM Media, the group that represents SiriusXM, Pandora and the company’s network of […]

President Donald Trump praised Tim Cook, who’s stepping down as Apple’s CEO later this year, as “an incredible guy!!!” who had “an AMAZING career.” Trump also said the tech exec once called him during his first term in office to ask for help on an unspecified matter — and Trump said his reaction was that […]

L.A.-based start-up Fixated has acquired creator media company Studio71, combining their respective talent representation, production, distribution, monetization capabilities and more under one roof. According to Fixated, the deal marks a major step in its strategy in its strategy to become a one-stop shop for “the next generation of creator-led media businesses.” Together, Fixated and Studio71 […]

Tim Cook is set to exit as Apple’s CEO after 15 years. John Ternus, senior VP of hardware engineering, will become Apple’s next chief executive officer, the company announced. Cook will become executive chairman of Apple’s board of directors and Ternus will become its next CEO effective Sept. 1, 2026. The transition, which was approved […]

Satire site the Onion says that it has — after 17 months legal wrangling — successfully landed a deal allowing it take over Infowars, the right-wing conspiracy-fueled site run by Alex Jones. Ben Collins, CEO of the Onion, confirmed to Variety details of the company’s new plan to assume control of Infowars under a deal […]

Kash Patel, the director of the FBI, filed a lawsuit against the Atlantic over a story alleging that he “has alarmed colleagues with episodes of excessive drinking and unexplained absences.” Patel’s suit seeks $250 million in damages. In a statement Monday, the Atlantic said: “We stand by our reporting on Kash Patel, and we will […]

Catherine O’Hara didn’t just have notes for the writers of “Schitt’s Creek” — she would rewrite entire scenes “from top to tail,” according to Dan Levy. O’Hara died on Jan. 30 in her Los Angeles home after a brief illness. She was 71. On Monday’s episode of podcast “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend,” Levy recalled […]

QVC Group — the company that owns and operates QVC and HSN, the shopping channels that have been mainstays of cable TV for decades — has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection of its U.S. businesses in the face of a crushing mountain of of debt. The company filed paperwork for a restructuring support agreement […]

Netflix shares were down 10% in premarket trading Friday after the streaming giant reported a slight beat in first-quarter 2026 revenue but forecast lighter-than-expected Q2 sales and operating income. For Q2, Netflix forecast revenue growth of 13% and operating margin of 32.6% (compared with 34.1% in the year-ago quarter); it said operating income will be […]

Brian Williams, who’s been off the TV airwaves for the last five years, is going into business with Netflix. The former NBC News and MSNBC anchor will host “We’re Back! With Brian Williams,” a weekly interview show with pop-culture figures and other newsmakers. Netflix said it will debut later in 2026. “With scientists predicting that […]

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth meant to invoke holy scripture in discussing the rescue mission of an American fighter pilot stranded in Iran — but he actually quoted Quentin Tarantino. In a prayer delivered by Hegseth during a Pentagon worship service on Wednesday, he read a fake Bible verse from Tarantino’s 1994 “Pulp Fiction.” It was […]

IMG announced several senior-level executive changes as the sports marketing agency looks to establish a more centralized leadership structure. Chris Guinness, IMG’s EVP, global head of commercial for rights, has decided to leave the company after more than 30 years in senior commercial roles. Guinness will step down from the role in July 2026, consulting […]