The Powers That Be: Daily

Hollywood’s Future ’26 War Stories

11 snips
Jan 10, 2026
Matt Belloni, a former Hollywood reporter and now at Puck, shares insights on the bidding war between Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix. He explores the implications of Disney's deal with Sora 2 amid rising A.I. concerns. Belloni names industry heroes for their innovative strategies and critiques Sam Altman as a villain for OpenAI's copyright issues. He predicts A.I. will be a hot topic in future negotiations and discusses the contrasting landscape of premium versus algorithm-driven content, along with YouTube's changing relationship with the Oscars.
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ANECDOTE

Split Sentiment On David Ellison

  • Some in Hollywood cheer David Ellison as a potential savior committed to theatrical releases and restoring studio vigor.
  • Others fear his plan would consolidate studios, cut output, and shrink opportunities for creators.
ADVICE

Prepare For Shorter Theatrical Windows

  • Expect Netflix to evolve theatrical windows toward shorter, consumer-first windows after an acquisition.
  • Theater owners will resist two-week windows, so studios and exhibitors must negotiate practical compromises.
INSIGHT

News Ownership Creates Disproportionate Scrutiny

  • Ellison's reputation was dented by noise around CBS News and concerns about political influence.
  • Those optics matter to Hollywood even when news is a small portion of the combined business.
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