Paramount vs YouTube

Netflix Reports Weakest Growth in Years

Netflix reported its weakest quarterly revenue growth in three years, with revenue up 12% year-over-year to $12.9 billion, in line with analyst expectations. Profit rose 44% to $3.66 billion. Co-CEO Ted Sarandos acknowledged growth is slower than hoped, amid reports of declining viewer activity. The company recently cut about 6% of its workforce (~1,000 jobs) and replaced key programming executives. Bela Bajaria and film chief Dan Lin were replaced by Peter Rice. Netflix will release some films, like Greta Gerwig's 'Narnia,' exclusively in cinemas for 45 days before streaming. The company also hinted at expanding its content-sharing deal with French broadcaster TF1 to other partners. Netflix lost a bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery's studio and streaming business to Paramount last year. Shares fell over 5% in after-hours trading.

• Netflix revenue grew 12% year-over-year to $12.9 billion, the weakest growth in three years.
• Net profit increased 44% to $3.66 billion.
• Netflix cut about 6% of its workforce, approximately 1,000 employees.

Legendary Revives Lionsgate Acquisition Talks

Lionsgate Studios shares surged over 15% on reports that Legendary Entertainment revived acquisition talks and submitted a formal takeover offer, lifting the stock above $12 and market cap near $3.6 billion. Legendary, backed by Apollo Global Management, previously explored a bid after Lionsgate's separation from Starz. A deal would give Legendary theatrical distribution and access to Lionsgate's library of 20,000+ titles. No financial terms disclosed; both companies declined to comment. Lionsgate, led by Jon Feltheimer, has long been seen as an acquisition target amid industry consolidation.

• Lionsgate Studios shares rose more than 15% after Legendary Entertainment revived acquisition talks with a formal takeover offer.
• Lionsgate's market capitalization reached nearly $3.6 billion following the stock surge.
• Legendary is jointly owned by Apollo Global Management and its management team; it distributes theatrical releases through Paramount.

JustWatch Launches Free, Rental, and Ad-Free Streaming Service

JustWatch, the popular streaming search guide, has launched its own streaming service called JustWatch TV, entering the streaming business with a multi-tier offering. The service is available in 12 markets, including the US, UK, Germany, and France, and integrates directly into JustWatch's existing website and apps. JustWatch TV features a free ad-supported tier with curated content, a rental store for recent movies, and an ad-free subscription tier (JustWatch TV Plus) at $3.99 per month or $49.99 for a lifetime subscription. At launch, it partners with 30 content providers, including Paramount, New Regency, Fremantle, Cineverse, Leonine Studios, SND, and Altitude. Leveraging its audience data and 50 million users, JustWatch aims to curate independent and harder-to-find films, with user-driven title requests shaping the library, complementing its core streaming guide service.

• JustWatch launched its own streaming service called JustWatch TV, available in 12 markets including the US, UK, Germany, and France.
• JustWatch TV offers three tiers: free ad-supported, rental store, and ad-free subscription (JustWatch TV Plus) at $3.99/month or $49.99 lifetime.
• The service launches with 30 content partners, including Paramount, New Regency, Fremantle, Bleecker Street, and Vortex Media.

AliExpress and YouTube Expand Creator Commerce Partnership

AliExpress and YouTube have announced a global strategic affiliate partnership expansion, introducing the collaboration to Germany, the UK, the US, and Brazil. This follows the initial launch in South Korea in March 2026. Eligible creators can now select AliExpress products within YouTube Studio, tag them in videos, Shorts, and livestreams, and earn commissions on qualified sales. The integration focuses on the AliExpress Brand+ selection of branded goods and supports product discovery across categories like consumer electronics and sports. For AliExpress, this deepens its creator commerce strategy, while YouTube strengthens its shopping affiliate program. Specific commission rates were not disclosed, and participation requires meeting YouTube's partner and shopping program criteria. The move highlights the growing importance of video-based product recommendations in e-commerce.

• AliExpress and YouTube expand their affiliate partnership to Germany, UK, US, and Brazil.
• The expansion follows the initial launch of the partnership in South Korea in March 2026.
• Creators can tag AliExpress products in videos, Shorts, and livestreams via YouTube Studio to earn commissions.

Apple Defends WebKit Crackdown, YouTube Tests AI Answers

This news digest covers three major developments: Apple defends its WebKit crackdown on ad tech identity resolution, signaling more restrictions ahead; YouTube tests AI-generated answers at the top of search results, potentially impacting ad visibility; and Meta removes contract language concerning the scraping of business websites for AI training. These moves signal a continued tightening of data access for advertising and a shift toward AI-driven content discovery.

• Apple defends its WebKit crackdown on ad tech identity resolution.
• YouTube tests AI answers at the top of search results.
• Meta removes contract language about scraping business websites for AI training.

BBC News Channel Launches Live on YouTube in the UK and U.S.

BBC News is now streaming 24/7 live on YouTube in both the U.S. and the UK, building on successful live launches in Australia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Poland. YouTube is the home for high-quality, trusted news: in the first half of 2026 alone, viewers watched over 18 billion hours of news content on the platform.