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Big Three Entertainment Unions Back Trump's Film Tax Incentive
Three major entertainment unions support President Trump's call for a federal tax incentive to boost U.S. film and TV production. The incentive aims to bring jobs back to America and compete with foreign subsidies. Unions emphasize the need for domestic production to sustain the industry and i...
Big Three Entertainment Unions Back Trump's Film Tax Incentive | NewsRadio 1370 AM & 92.9 FM WSPD
Three major entertainment unions support President Trump's call for a federal tax incentive to boost U.S. film and TV production. The incentive aims to bring jobs back to America and compete with foreign subsidies. Unions emphasize the need for domestic production to sustain the industry and i...
Big Three Entertainment Unions Back Trump's Film Tax Incentive
Three major entertainment unions support President Trump's call for a federal tax incentive to boost U.S. film and TV production. The incentive aims to bring jobs back to America and compete with foreign subsidies. Unions emphasize the need for domestic production to sustain the industry and i...
Big Three Entertainment Unions Back Trump's Film Tax Incentive
Three major entertainment unions support President Trump's call for a federal tax incentive to boost U.S. film and TV production. The incentive aims to bring jobs back to America and compete with foreign subsidies. Unions emphasize the need for domestic production to sustain the industry and i...
Educators, industry leaders discuss the future of data science, AI careers with Niswonger Foundation
Industry and education leaders gathered for a workshop led by the Niswonger Foundation. The workshop focused on shifting workforce needs in the data science and artificial intelligence fields. Local stakeholders such as Kingsport City School, Eastman Chemical Company and Ballad health attended.
What Box Office Bomb Crushed Obsession on Streaming?
(Welcome to my weekly streaming ratings report, the single best guide to what’s popular in streaming TV and what isn’t. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. If you were forwarded this email, please subscribe to get these insights each week.) Before we get into this week’s issue, let me ask you for some suggestions. At the risk of coining too many names for too many things (hence my dictionary of terms...), I need a name for straight-to-streaming films that are too expensive to justify a straight-to-streaming release, but not big enough to justify a theatrical release. Like some of the films I highlighted in last week’s tally of the biggest film flops of 2026 so far: Hulu’s Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice, Pizza Movie or Never Change! They don’t feel like “made for TV movies” (think Hallmark and Lifetime movies, cheap Netflix romcoms, or Disney Channel Original movies, for example) but they don’t feel big enough for the big screen. They’re not “cinematic” enough, so to speak. As I wrote... “I still need a name for this middle zone of film that’s too expensive to go straight-to-streaming but too small to justify a theatrical release (with all the PR, distribution, marketing and whatnot costs that go along with it), the Goldilocks zone of streaming film death.” Friend of the newsletter Brandon Katz has suggested the “Bermuda Budget Triangle”, “The Platform Gap” and “The Distribution Deadzone”. I love that first one. I’d offer up the much wordier “The Streaming Budget Dead Zone” or “the Goldilocks Zone of streaming film death” but that last one isn’t accurate since, unlike Goldilocks’ porridge, these films are the opposite of “just right”. That’s the problem! Anyway, if you have any suggestions, let me know! On to today’s Streaming Ratings Report. As you can tell by today’s headline, things are going to be spicy! I’m looking at a box office bomb that did really, really well on streaming, somewhat challenging a few different narratives. And another Netflix series declined in its second season. All that, plus Wicked: For Good switching streamers, The Hawk continuing its strong run, _The Bear’_s finale season finally dropping off the charts, the WNBA posting a big viewership number, “shallow libraries”, a sitcom spinoff failing to launch, more big budget IP flopping on Paramount+, all the flops, bombs and misses, and a whole lot more. Let’s dive right in! (Reminder: The streaming ratings report focuses on the U.S. market and compiles data from Nielsen’s weekly top ten viewership ranks, Luminate’s Top Ten Data, JustWatch and Reelgood interest data, Samba TV household viewership, company datecdotes, Netflix hours viewed data, Google Trends, and IMDb to determine the most popular content. While most data points are current, Nielsen’s data covers the weeks of July 20th to July 26th, 2026. You can find a link to my terminology here.) Subscribe Film - The Latest Theatrical Success Story on Streaming In the latest edition of “Flops, Bombs and Misses of the First Half of 2026”, I made a crucial change: I started including theatrical films with the streaming misses. The streamers have collectively—including Netflix, but not to as big of an extent—stopped making a lot of straight-to-streaming films, and the ones they do make aren’t as expensive as in the heyday of the streaming bubble. After the following two films bombed in theaters, you’d guess that they’ll be included in my next collection of flops, bombs and misses six months from now: Masters of the Universe on Prime Video (only $64 million domestic box office) Mortal Kombat II on HBO Max ($79 million domestic) But you’d be wrong! Masters of the Universe, a reboot of the He-Man franchise, a toy from the 1980s, came to streaming on 22-July and did great! This long-gestating project—it’s been at every studio for years, and came close to getting a greenlight at Netflix—then finally came to theaters in June, and showed up on streaming less than two months later. (I don’t love this short theatrical window.) It surprisingly grabbed nearly 20 million hours on its debut: That means, wait for it, Masters of the Universe is currently the eighth biggest film on streaming through two weeks. My rough bar for “hit” is shows or films in the top 15%. Ergo…Masters of the Universe is a legit, streaming hit! (One quick caveat: if it falls out of the top ten next week, it will move to 13th overall, just on the edge of the top 15.) Of course, that’s the data for just 2026. Here’s how it stacks up to Prime Video’s theatrical films: That drop into its second week is typical for Amazon films, but also a worrying sign. I have a feeling interest in this film is front-loaded and we’ll see it drop off after this. As for Mortal Kombat II, in this case, the viewership numbers roughly match the theatrical outing, with only 4.1 million hours in its first week. Here’s how it stacks up to other HBO Max films: The best defense of this number is that, as a relatively violent rated-R film, Mortal Kombat II never had a good chance at breaking out. So now it’s time for a little big of “Entertainment Nuance Guy”: First, yeah, my headline is obviously facetious, since Masters of the Universe besting Obsession says more about horror as a genre than it does that film. Second, I read and listened to quite a few “nobody wanted this IP” takes about Masters of the Universe, and that’s not really true. At least enough people wanted it to power a 20 million+ hour debut! Third, both this film and Mortal Kombat II were considered “average” by viewers, but not great films, with a 6.4 and 6.3 respectively on IMDb. That’s just shy of the level needed to be a word-of-mouth hit. Fourth, in the olden days, strong word of mouth could transform a box office miss into a cable/DVD hit, like Austin Powers or The Shawshank Redemption. We haven’t seen a lot of examples of that on streaming, though. And there are far fewer ways to monetize the post-theatrical life of a film these days. Fifth, Prime Video has shown an ability to push their own titles well, likely because they control the Amazon Fire TV ecosystem. Add it all up, and here’s my nuanced take on Masters of the Universe: it was a box office bomb, but, shockingly, a streaming hit. Unfortunately, while being a theatrical hit saves your film financially, being a streaming hit does not. Both Masters of the Universe and Mortal Kombat II had big budgets and needed to make more money in theaters to justify them. So…Straight-to-Streaming or Theaters? We’ve hit a really fun point in the streaming calendar, since the films that came out in theaters in April, May, and June are now arriving on streaming. So the “Do theatrical releases help streaming performances?” question is gonna get a fresh round of updates nearly every week. No single week will answer the question, but we may get some insights. For example, so far in 2026, it looks like theatrical films are lasting longer on the weekly Nielsen film charts. Here’s a list of films that have made the charts in their fourth or fifth week of release, separated by “for kids” and “general entertainment”: It certainly seems like theatrical films are lasting just a pinch longer on the charts, with Project Hail Mary being the current five-week champion. One Battle After Another did well for HBO Max too, and even The Sheep Detectives made it four weeks. The only exception to this trend? Obsession, which only lasted two weeks on the charts. You might tempted to overreact to this news. Don’t. Obsession is a huge horror hit, but horror just doesn’t do as well on streaming. By the way, here’s the Google Trends for various theatrical and stremaing films: Plus, when it comes to Netflix in four months, Obsession may have another big boost. Quick Notes on Film Note that when I write, “the streamers have pulled back on straight-to-streaming films” that doesn’t mean “abandoned” because Netflix is gonna Netflix. On 24-July, they released 72 Hours, a Kevin Hart comedy. Along with Eddie Murphy, Mark Wahlberg, John Cena and Adam Sandler, Kevin Hart is a streaming film star now. Did this latest one work? Not really. It only garnered two weeks of 13.2 and 12.2 million hours on its debut, well below the 20-million-hour hit threshold. It also was poorly received critically—a 44 on Metacritic—and by customers—a 5.4 on IMDb on 21K IMDb reviews. We’re just getting started with this issue, but the rest is for paid subscribers of the Entertainment Strategy Guy, so if you’d like to find out… The latest Netflix true crime doc to pop on the charts… How The Bear finished its run… Netflix’s latest Western to return to streaming… What Paramount+ animated film flopped… And what sitcom also missed… All the flops, bombs and misses… And a whole lot more… ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support. Coming Soon! I’m behind by a week, so we’ve got two issues coming your way this week, including one in a couple of days or so, then we’ll be all caught up**.** Next issue, inspired by The Super Mario Galaxy Movie coming to Peacock, I’m going to take a look at the workhouse of streaming TV: kids films. Plus The Devil Wears Prada 2 continues theatrical films’ big run on streaming. All that, plus another surprise hit on Hulu, Lioness on CBS, and a whole lot more. Long term, LeBron James is filming his own “Last Dance”-style docu-series, surprising no one. But as I’ve been writing about a lot this summer, this genre is really overrated, so whoever ends up buying it (reportedly ESPN) really shouldn’t pay too much for it.
More Than 170 Jewish Entertainment Figures Sign Letter Defending Mark Ruffalo
More than 170 Jewish artists, writers, religious leaders, and entertainment industry professionals signed an open letter on Tuesday supporting actor Mark Ruffalo, following Paramount’s accusation that...
gamescom 2026’s Steam wishlist winners
gamescom wrapped up last weekend, and it was bloody fantastic. It really felt like the industry had a spring in its step again. The show itself was BUZZING, with 368K attendees (+3% over last year), maxed-out exhibit space, and Opening Night Live pulling over 78M online views (+7.5%). Let’s have a look at the games at the event that brought in the most new Steam wishlists between August 23 and 30. One quick thing before we start, and stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but wishlists are NOT a barometer for launch sales (they’re bookmarks, not baskets is what we always say over here at Alinea). With that aside, wishlists are a nice gauge of hype, so let’s dive in. Witche(r)s and Warlocks take the top two spots The biggest game of the event (by new wishlists, anyways) wasn’t a game at all. It was an expansion. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’s upcoming expansion, Songs of the Past, nabbed 451K Steam wishlists by the end of the weekend. It’s a big example of something we bang on about constantly: proven IP with built-in fandom is the most powerful force in this market. But said IP can also ripple into other external success stories (more on that later!). Anyway, Songs of the Past debuted at Opening Night Live, and it’s the first Witcher 3 expansion in over a decade, landing next year after a full Witcher 3 remaster (free for existing owners!) arrives next month. The Witcher 3 has sold around 66M copies, and I’ll be one of those owners jumping back in to refresh myself on the core game (like there isn’t enough to play!), then play the expansion next year. This is all part of CDPR’s plan. The studio is clearly whetting everyone’s appetite for The Witcher 4 in 2028 via a classic bridge strategy. Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Releasing a free 4K remaster next month – followed by a proper expansion in 2027 – keeps IP top-of-mind across a huge gap between content (games-wise, anyway). It kind of echoes Capcom’s evergreen catalogue strategy. And outsourcing co-development to Fool’s Theory (a studio led by trusted Witcher 3 veterans) keeps CDPR’s internal headcount focused on The Witcher 4. #2 by wishlists between Aug 23 and 30 went to another giant IP: Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons, published by Wizards of the Coast and developed by Invoke Studios (a team of ex-Far Cry, Watch Dogs, and Splinter Cell devs). It’s due to launch in 2027, and it looks brilliant so far. It’s a dark-fantasy open world with third-person spell-slinging. It’s a very Witcher-ish aesthetic. As you might expect, 48% of Warlock’s Steam wishlisters have played Baldur’s Gate 3, and 46% have played The Witcher 3. One to watch. For sure! Mash-ups: Anime GTA (!?) and a city-builder for kids (and adults) Ananta took #3 with 302K new wishlists. It’s an open-world game that looks like GTA and Persona had a baby. It was published by NetEase, developed by Naked Rain, and got a trailer at Opening Night Live. I got hands-on at the show, and it wears its influences openly; there’s literal web-slinging (very Spider-Man) and a LOAD of mini-games (Like a Dragon). It’s free-to-play and out in January. For Ananta, Naked Rain is taking the free-to-play, cosmetics-only route. That’s certainly a choice for a single-player open-world game. Without gacha mechanics driving high ARPU, Ananta is betting purely on top-of-funnel reach and long-term retention. This puts pressure on skin appeal when there’s no multiplayer lobby to flex in (although, co-op is reportedly coming later). Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Then there’s Lego Skylines (273K wishlists between Aug 23 and 30), which does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a cosy Lego twist on the city-builder genre, as shallow or as deep as you fancy (five min quick sesh or ten-hour no-lifer session; latter for me). There’s some family-friendly stuff in there like couch co-op, which is only really viable on console. Iceflake Studios, which Paradox acquired back in 2020 is developing this one. So Paradox is probably looking for a family-friendly onramp to its rad Cities: Skylines games. The overlap there is plain, with 33% of Lego Skylines wishlisters having played Cities: Skylines and 16% Skylines II. There’s no doubt plenty of parents here (and uncles, ahem) planning to indoctrinate the next gen of city-builders. I’ll definitely be playing with my youngest nephew. This one could be big and educational. I’m very curious to see more. Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Mature IP, new and old, rounds out the list As for the rest of the list of gamescom games by new wishlists between Aug 23 and 30: Heroes of Might & Magic III Remake got 189K new wishlists. It remakes the iconic 1999 turn-based-strategy classic in full 3D and 4K. It follows this year’s Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era (~1.8M copies sold, as per our estimates), and around a quarter of the III Remake wishlisters have played Olden Era, including 7% of them this month. Wardogs – a $40 PvP shooter – added another 146K to an already massive pile (nearly 1.6M total). It’s published by Team17 and made by Bulkhead. It plays somewhere between the tactical squad stuff of … Squad and the all-out-chaos battlefield of … Battlefield. It’s up to 100 players, and it’s out in about 10 days. It’s already pre-sold over 500K copies on Steam ($16.6M), boosted by a pre-order-only beta. It sold another 70K copies during gamescom, too. Afterworld managed 121K new wishlists. It’s a Paradox-made post-apocalyptic grand-strategy game, and it was announced at the show. It’s a departure from Paradox’s usual historical stuff, and the studio’s first new setting in over a decade. The Paradox purists are into it, with over half its wishlisters having played Hearts of Iron IV (19% this month) and 41% Crusader Kings III (17% this month). Metro 2039 got 110K during the show, tunnelling its total past 1.3M. Nearly 40% of wishlisters have played 2020’s Metro Exodus, the previous mainline title in the series. The Metro novels are Russian, dev 4A Games is Ukrainian, and it’s set in Moscow, so it’s unsurprising that – after the US (17.3% of wishlisters) – the next two countries are Russia (12.7%) and Ukraine (10.0%). The Blood of the Dawnwalker drew in (the blood of) 108K new wishlisters, now totalling an impressive 1.7M (at a $70 price point, though). It’s an open-world dark-fantasy action-RPG set in 14th-century Europe (with vampires!), made by some former Witcher devs at Rebel Wolves. Again, it shows. Over half of Blood of the Dawnwalker’s wishlisters have played The Witcher 3, and its #2 market is Poland, home of Rebel Wolves. That’s that hometown-hero effect we keep banging on about again! And Blood of the Dawnwalker plays very well, by the way. While it looks like a Witcher clone on the surface, it actually brings a lot to the table mechanics-wise. I love the whole time-as-a-currency spin on RPG gameplay. It gives the game a different, refreshing pace. Essentially, you start Blood of the Dawnwalker with a pool of 480 action points spread across 30 days and 30 nights. As for how the game performs, we’ll be posting some numbers next week, so hit subscribe below to get that in your inbox when it’s ready. Subscribe The Witcher’s legacy ripples Make no mistake: on a high level, this was The Witcher‘s gamescom. The #1 game by wishlisters was a Witcher 3 DLC. Warlock is clearly Witcher-inspired – as is Blood of the Dawnwalker, which was made by ex-Witcher devs. There was a lot of other cool stuff on the floor that we’ll no doubt be covering in subsequent newsletters, though! As always, wishlists went through the roof for sequels, remakes, DLC, and licensed IP. As always, though, these wishlists will likely convert to about 5% to 10% of launch-day buyers, with the probable exception of The Witcher DLC – the exception that proves the rule. Either way, we’ve got a nice, diverse list here – one that is very Witcher-y, Paradox-y, and – if you’re a fan of great games on Steam – a bloody good list. We even got a bunch of new IP to get excited for. Great gamescom! Even if we are still processing that unfathomable number of mini Kölsch beers! One more thing: GTA 6 broke the internet (again) Move aside, Spider-Man and The Odyssey (I love you both, really). But the decade’s defining entertainment zeitgeist is round the corner. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that Rockstar dropped an extended look at GTA 6 last week. It was INSANE, the most impressed I’ve ever been by a showcase like this. You can see the budget seeping through every second of the extended look, and this level of game is unobtainable for any other publisher. Everyone’s going nuts, and rightly so. GTA 6 is out in holiday 2026, and it’ll be the biggest entertainment release ever, full stop. For those without a PS5 or Xbox Series console, a $500-$900 console is a big ask in this economy, but GTA will pull a lot of last-generation-console fence sitters over the current-gen fence either way: The autumn timing puts GTA 6 on (digital) shelves for the holidays, meaning a PS5 or Xbox (let’s be honest, mostly the former) will be on many a Christmas and Hanukkah list. Demand will outweigh the struggling supply, though, and PS5 Pros are already sold out and being sold at a markup via scalpers. Every console that isn’t on a shelf is a sale deferred or lost, and worse, it hands scalpers the margin. GTA has cultural clout that reaches everyone. It’s been a mainstream fixture since 2001’s GTA III and its clout has only grown exponentially since then. There’s a touchpoint for every generation alive. The FOMO-word-of-mouth double punch does the rest. Loading... It’ll reactivate the lockdown cohort, the millions who picked up gaming in 2020-21 and churned. GTA 6 will bring them back. Remember when College Football 25 brought a bunch of US gamers to current-gen consoles? GTA will do that globally. Once they’re back (or upgraded), and all GTA’d out, the fresh current-gen-console folks will check out the rest of the current-gen catalogue they missed. GTA Online, if not free to play, will also lead to a boost for PS+ and Xbox Game Pass, another boost for the ecosystem players. Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Even some of the smug PCMR 60FPS crew won’t be able to resist their FOMO and will bite the bullet on a console to play this one early (then double dip). The consoles cost the same as a decent stick of RAM these days anyway lmao… Don’t get me wrong, though. GTA 6 is no silver bullet for the mature console market, but it does prime the current gen for a couple of strong swan-song years. And it’ll also give the consoles more users from which to maximise ARPU. ‘’We are in the latter half of the lifetime cycle of [the PS5],’’ said Sony President and CEO Hiroki Totoki in a Wall Street Journal interview. ‘’That means we do not need to aggressively sell the console today; rather than that, we are focusing on the current revenue from the current user base.’’ The biggest, best premium games always arrive late in a console cycle, so getting more players aboard now, ahead of that content storm (the new current-gen-only Call of Duty included), is a clear win for the platforms. On the Netflix thing, though: let’s all chill out a bit, like. Half my LinkedIn feed was going bonkers treating the reveal debuting on Netflix like it’s the future of entertainment. It wasn’t. It was a six-hour head start, and Netflix left that detail out of the “first-of-its-kind partnership” press release. The extended look hit Netflix at 3pm ET on 27 August, then went up on YouTube and Rockstar’s site for everyone six hours later. And it was all over social immediately, anyways. This reveal was going to reach an untold number of people whether it debuted on Netflix, YouTube, a Times Square screen, or a group chat. The last trailer did nearly half a billion views in a day with no gatekeeper at all. Netflix just stood next to that audience for six hours, borrowing it. It’s was a tidy deal for Netflix, sure. But every outlet on earth was breaking the thing down frame by frame by the evening anyway. Anyway. I’m hype. And we’ll be covering some GTA numbers on the newsletter soon. So hit subscribe below to get that in your inbox when it’s ready! Subscribe The last word Reply to this email – or reach out here – if you have any feedback for the newsletter – or want to request a game for us to cover. [Alinea Analytics boasts the most accurate PC and console estimates in the business. Game makers use our platform to understand their audience, keep an eye on the competition, monitor sales trends, and spot new opportunities. We equip game studios and financial institutions with accurate data and the confidence to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Want to talk about all things games market data? We’d love to chat!]
Venice Film Festival turns to politics as Hollywood retreats
Hollywood is struggling with an industry crisis and has largely withdrawn from this year's Venice Film Festival, making way for a programme steeped in global politics and social upheaval, the event's director said on Tuesday.
AMC Entertainment Holdings (AMC) Could Be 3% Undervalued Following Leawood Films Launch
AMC Entertainment Holdings (AMC) has launched Leawood Films, a new distribution arm aimed at putting more small and mid-budget movies into theatres worldwide by using AMC’s existing marketing reach and screen footprint. AMC Entertainment Holdings shares last closed at US$2.64, with a 90 day share price return of 27.54% and a year to date share price return of 63.98%. However, the 1 year total shareholder return declined 6.05%, and longer term total shareholder returns over three and five...
Who is Rob Bonta? The AG at the heart of some of the biggest legal battles in business
California’s attorney general is angling for broader changes to the social media industry after a massive settlement with Meta.
President Trump pushes tax incentive for entertainment industry
President Donald Trump is calling on Congress to create a federal tax incentive to bring production back to the U.S. Tracey Leong reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026.
President Trump champions federal tax incentive for entertainment industry
President Donald Trump is urging Congress to create a federal tax incentive aimed at helping the film and television industry. Movie and television productions have been leaving the United States for places that offer more financial incentives. The president said he is hoping to change that. In a post on Truth Social, he said in part, “Hollywood is a Complete…
A.I., water, parking: Nevada mayors talk the cost of doing business
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Three Nevada mayors took the stage facing a sold-out crowd at a Las Vegas casino ballroom. Their performance, a glance at what industry is thriving throughout the valley du…
How the Pentagon Is Getting Into the Venezuelan Oil Business Under Trump
The Defense Department’s Office of Strategic Capital, founded by the Biden administration to give loans to bolster the U.S. defense industry, is helping lead President Trump’s oil deal.
Trump calls for federal tax incentives to revive U.S. film industry
President Trump on Monday urged Congress to approve federal tax incentives aimed at reviving American film and television productions.
Azim Eskandarian joins the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, a
The honor recognizes the College of Engineering dean’s impact on engineering education and the intelligent and autonomous vehicle industry.
NSF launches three new Science and Technology Centers with $90M investment in transformative research
The U.S. National Science Foundation is investing $90 million over five years to support three new NSF Science and Technology Centers (NSF STC). These centers will advance American leadership in science and technology, strengthen the nation’s STEM workforce, and accelerate innovation in fields ranging from artificial intelligence and biotechnology to fusion energy and robotics., , , , The three centers will bring together researchers from universities, national laboratories, industry, and oth...
Trump urges Congress to pass tax incentives for entertainment industry
Aug 31 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said that Congress should pass tax incentives for the entertainment industry to keep production in the country.
Trump urges Congress to pass tax incentives for entertainment industry
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said that Congress should pass tax incentives for the entertainment industry to keep production in the country.
Trump Urges Congress to Pass Tax Incentives for Entertainment Industry
Aug 31 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said that Congress should pass tax incentives for the entertainment industry to keep production in the country. "I am going to suggest that Republicans and Democrats get together, and immediately craft Legislation to save the Movie,
CCIA Files Comments to Japan Fair Trade Commission on its Updated Business Combination Guidelines
Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association submitted comments to the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) in response to its request
12 actors, TV personalities and industry veterans we said goodbye to in August
Hayden Panettiere is among the actors, reality stars and Hollywood figures whose deaths were reported in recent weeks.
Carson College of Business appoints Christopher Cooney to lead the Center for Entrepreneurship
Cooney brings extensive experience mentoring student entrepreneurs and connecting them with industry as he works to expand the center’s partnerships, visibility, and reach.
Arizona Athletics Renews Partnership with Digital Solutions Provider SIDEARM Sports
TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona Athletics and SIDEARM Sports, the industry-leading digital platform provider in college athletics, have announced a multi-year extens...
Is Six Flags Entertainment (FUN) Undervalued Following Its 2027 Ride And Halloween Plans?
Six Flags Entertainment (FUN) has put fresh attention on its stock after outlining a packed slate of 2027 capital projects and Halloween events, along with continued spending at parks like Carowinds and Carolina Harbor. Against this backdrop of new rides and expanded Halloween events, Six Flags Entertainment’s share price has been weak in recent months. The 30 day share price return is down 6.41% and the 90 day share price return is down 21.64%. This has contributed to a 1 year total...
Industry-Specific Survey Shows Boost in Small Business Optimism
The Optimism Index for the construction, manufacturing, retail and services industries rose from April, a survey says.
Global Social Entertainment Market Consolidates Around Three Leaders, with Newborn Town Emerging as a Key Challenger
EQS Newswire / 31/08/2026 / 15:26 UTC+8In 2026, the global social entertainment industry is undergoing a significant reshaping. The growth model is shifting from broad-based user acquisition to deeper regional expansion, and from one-size-fits-all products to differentiated strategies tailored to s…
Kogod, McDonough & Central Florida: 3 Schools Prepping Future Sports Business Leaders
A look into how Kogod, Georgetown, and UCF are preparing students for careers in the growing sports business industry.
Is PENN (PENN) Using Its New Orleans Rebrand To Quietly Redraw Its Capital Allocation Map?
PENN Entertainment recently announced it will invest about US$195 million to relocate its Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat operations to an adjacent landside site and rebrand the property as Hollywood Casino New Orleans, pending regulatory approval, with plans including 140,000 square feet of new development, roughly 875 slot machines, 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, and multiple dining options. This move, which continues PENN’s pattern of shifting riverboat assets ashore...
GTA VI Extended Gameplay Preview Attracted Over 4 Million Live Viewers
It's been known since Rockstar released the first trailer for GTA VI that the upcoming action game would have a massive impact on the gaming industry, and analysts have predicted week-one sales of $4.5 billion when the game launches in November. Following Rockstar's GTA VI showcase at Gamescom,...
How the Beef Industry Captures Climate Science
By pairing scientists with “mentors” from the industry, beef producers distort the field of climate research and foreclose any possibility of limiting their growth.
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry hosting 'Escape the Museum' through October
"Escape the Museum" is back after a sold-out run last year.
In 1990, the northern spotted owl became a symbol of America’s logging wars; 36 years later, scientists say it is already functionally extinct across large swaths of its range
In 1990, a small bird became an unlikely symbol of one of America’s fiercest environmental battles. The northern spotted owl was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, putting the future of vast stretches of old-growth forest in the Pacific Northwest at the centre of a bitter fight between environmentalists and the logging industry.
Flutter Entertainment (FLUT) After The Court Ruling Is It Still A Bargain
A recent Ninth Circuit court ruling that sports bets are not swaps has eased a regulatory hurdle for Flutter Entertainment (NYSE:FLUT), with the stock gaining about 8% as investors reassessed legal risk. The court ruling arrived after a difficult stretch for Flutter Entertainment shareholders, with the year to date share price return down about 53% and the 1 year total shareholder return down roughly 67%. As a result, the recent 1 day share price gain of just over 7% mainly reflects investors...
Drive for nuclear power boosts uranium industry — and tribal health concerns in Southwest
WHITE MESA, Utah — On a hot April day, Malcolm Lehi maneuvered his Jeep Wrangler over a rough dirt road past junipers and sagebrush in search of Entrance Spring on
2026 Cases Impacting The Entertainment Industry
This article provides a brief summary of 2026 cases impacting the entertainment industry.
How Investors Are Reacting To Tencent Music (TME) Partnering With SM Entertainment On New China JV
In August 2026, SM Entertainment announced a new joint venture with Tencent Music Entertainment Group called STE, which will focus on launching a Chinese idol group within two to three years and managing promotions for SM’s Greater China artists. This partnership links Tencent Music’s local market reach with SM’s artist IP, potentially strengthening Tencent Music’s role in China’s evolving fan-centric music ecosystem. Next, we’ll examine how this SM-Tencent Music joint venture, especially...
AI-generated videos are already displacing actors and livestreamers across China's entertainment industry
In China, 95 percent of the 128,000 short dramas released in Q1 2026 were AI-generated. Some actors are being forced to hand over their voice and likeness to AI tools before getting fired, the Financial Times reports. AI-related labor disputes are rising fast.
Intel Sold Its NAND Memory Business for About $9 Billion. Micron Is Now Worth More Than Twice What Intel Is.
The chipmaker exited NAND memory in one of the semiconductor industry's biggest asset sales. Nearly six years later, the market has put a price on what it walked away from.
How Investors May Respond To Flutter Entertainment (FLUT) After Sports Bets Are Ruled Not Swaps
A Ninth Circuit appeals court recently ruled that sports bets are not swaps, easing a potential regulatory burden for sports-betting operators including Flutter Entertainment and its US platform operations. This clarification strengthens the legal foundation for traditional sportsbooks relative to prediction-market platforms, potentially reshaping how different wagering formats are regulated and compete in the US market. We will now examine how this regulatory clarification around sports...
Canadian tariffs and the business impact
The U.S. trade war with Canada is hitting Tampa Bay's manufacturing industry. The 50% increase on aluminum means local companies are having to pay more and those costs have to go somewhere. FOX 13's Briona Arradondo reports.
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry to open original south entrance from 1893 World's Columbian Exposition
As VR Gaming Looks for New Footing, the Out-of-Home XR Entertainment Space is Still Building
The investment and development community are constantly striving to find the next profitable sector in XR, turning to new business opportunities following a turbulent time in the consumer VR gaming space. One area of interest is in out-of-home XR attractions, known widely in the industry as Location-Based Entertainment (LBE) XR. The sector deploys XR as […]
Trump announces creation of U.S. Space Academy
The school will serve the Space Force, the sixth and newest branch of the military President Donald Trump created during his first term, as well as NASA and the growing civilian spaceflight industry.
California Business Lobby Notches Win on Antitrust Law Expansion
Business interests scaled back a California proposal to significantly expand the state’s antitrust laws, just days before the legislative deadline on Monday.
Federal Rescheduling Sets The Stage For Marijuana Business Acquisitions As Pharma And Ag Firms Eye Industry (Op-Ed)
“The practical question isn’t whether this is something to celebrate, it’s whether your business is positioned to be a consolidator, an attractive acquisition target or something different.” By Christopher B. Lynch, Dickinson Wright PLLC There are a lot of rumors and misinformation out there about what the April 23 federal marijuana rescheduling order means. Some […]
Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME), Why Is It Getting Fresh Attention?
Tencent Music Entertainment Group (NYSE:TME) is back in focus after forming STE, a joint venture with South Korea's SM Entertainment, to target the Greater China music market and develop a new Chinese idol group. For Tencent Music Entertainment Group, the share price has fallen 9.03% over the past 30 days and is down 51.51% year to date, while the 1 year total shareholder return has declined 64.32%. However, the 3 year total shareholder return of 33.04% points to longer term momentum that...
Auto review: 2026 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X offers function over flash
There is an arms race underway in the automotive industry. Blackened chrome, LED strips, giant grilles, screens the size of suburban kitchen islands, illuminated logos, animated turn signals, ambient lighting
Ford hires power industry exec as president for new energy storage business
Dave Carroll, former CEO of ENGIE North America, will succeed Ford Motor Co. veteran Lisa Drake, who is retiring.
Willis Names Paul Haas Senior Director of Business Development for Midwest
The latest people news in the industry today.
Cyabra Secures Six-Figure Annual Contract with Leading Interactive Entertainment Company to Protect its Player Community
Agreement with a major publisher in the interactive entertainment industry expands Cyabra's private-sector footprint and reflects growing enterprise demand for evidence-based analysis of coordinated online activity. New York, NY, Aug. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cyabra, Inc. (Nasdaq: CYAB) (“Cyabra” or the “Company”), an artificial intelligence (“AI”)-powered platform that helps governments and enterprises detect coordinated manipulation and protect digital trust, announces a six-figure annual
SAIC appoints 14 experts to new science panel
The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Cluster (SAIC) has appointed 14 experts from academia and industry to a new science panel that will assess research…
Va. officials announce disbursement of $122 million in Rural Health Transformation Fund awards
The money is meant to hire and retain rural healthcare providers, invest in healthcare technologies and strengthen the industry’s workforce in rural areas.
So long to shorts? In Silicon Valley, tech workers are showing less leg
Men in the tech industry are covering up their legs, even as their counterparts in finance are increasingly open to showing them off.
Meet the Megadonors Who Have Poured $1.2 Billion Into the Midterms
The leaderboard of the top 20 donors is dominated by the tech industry and ultrawealthy Republicans.
AMC Entertainment (AMC) Edges Toward Positive Free Cash Flow Is Its Debt Strategy Reframing the Story?
Earlier this week, AMC Entertainment Holdings said it is edging closer to sustained positive free cash flow, estimating it needs an industrywide domestic box office of about US$10.40 billion to reach that goal, helped by record adjusted EBITDA, stronger per-patron profitability, and lower interest costs. An important angle is that AMC’s recent refinancing and debt-repayment efforts are expected to cut annual cash interest expense, meaning the box-office level required to support ongoing...
Luxshare Precision Reports 40.2% Revenue Growth in First Half 2026; Business Mix Supports Margin Expansion
Luxshare Precision Industry Co., Ltd. ("Luxshare Precision" or the "Company") (SZSE: 002475; HKEX: 02475), a global provider of precision intelligent manufacturing solutions, today announced unaudited results for the six months ended June 30, 2026.
UT To Lead NSF Center That Will Study How Robots and People Learn To Live and Work Together
A 5-Year Collaboration Between 6 Universities and Industry Partners Will Place Assistive Robots in Everyday Human Environments.
PENN Entertainment (PENN) Invests $195 Million In New Orleans As Undervalued View Faces A Fresh Test
PENN Entertainment (PENN) is committing about $195 million to shift its Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat operations onto adjacent land, rebranding the complex as Hollywood Casino New Orleans, pending regulatory approval. For context, PENN Entertainment’s share price has pulled back in the short term, with a 30 day share price return of down 15.72% and a 90 day share price return of down 8.18%. The year to date share price return of 20.20% contrasts with a 1 year total shareholder...
New GM for Doyon’s Fairweather
Doyon, Limited named its operations director, Zach Dunlap, to take over as General Manager of its industry support subsidiary Fairweather.
How Innovation Could Reshape Chemistry by 2050
Chemistry and chemical engineering are fundamental to technologies that could revolutionize energy production, quantum computing, and materials and manufacturing over the coming decades. At a recent workshop, participants from academia, industry, and government considered the future of the chemical sciences, exploring scientific challenges that researchers should prioritize, where strategic investments could enable breakthroughs, and how the chemical sciences community can prepare for emerging capabilities.
"All of the industry needs to start to innovate on affordability and efficiency" - Xbox's Asha Sharma wants change and "more choice" for people buying consoles
As console prices skyrocket, Xbox leader Asha Sharma has called for change in the way companies sell them.
Radiology scores over $1B through No Surprises Act’s independent dispute-resolution process
Radiology stakeholders were quick to criticize the Health Affairs report and its conclusions on Aug. 26, with one contending it came straight from the insurance lobbying industry.
St. Louis-based geospatial nonprofit launches AI innovation center with support from major tech firms
The local initiative is backed by some of the biggest companies in the rapidly-growing AI industry.
Hologic’s Business Tax Method Nixed by New Hampshire Justices
Hologic Inc. can’t use a subsidiary’s capital losses to offset another subsidiary’s capital gains for New Hampshire business tax purposes, the state high court ruled Wednesday.
Food industry’s next challenge: Building a future-ready science workforce
The future of the food system may depend on more than scientific breakthroughs and technological innovation. According to a new white paper from the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), the industry must also address a growing workforce challenge: ensuring food professionals have the skills needed to apply those innovations effectively.
Executives from EA and Tencent to speak alongside Netflix, Sony, and Disney at FT Business of Entertainment summit
Leadership summit takes place in West Hollywood in September, with discount for GamesIndustry.biz readers
Executives from EA and Tencent to speak alongside Netflix, Sony, and Disney at FT Business of Entertainment summit
Leadership summit takes place in West Hollywood in September, with discount for GamesIndustry.biz readers
Seoul National University of Science and Technology researchers develop AI framework for optimizing solid oxide electrolysis cells
As countries invest in green hydrogen to decarbonize heavy industry, transportation, and energy systems, researchers are seeking faster ways to accelerate the development of hydrogen technologies. Solid oxide electrolysis cells are among the most efficient systems for producing green hydrogen from steam, but identifying their optimal operating conditions requires thousands of computationally intensive simulations, slowing innovation and increasing development costs.
Chris Janson: Dolly Parton is the 'smartest' person in entertainment
Country music star Chris Janson discusses country music icon Dolly Parton's legacy in the entertainment industry on 'The Will Cain Show.'
Dolly Parton dies at the age of 80: A look at her life through photos
Dolly Parton got her start in the entertainment industry after making her debut at the Grand Ole Opry at the age of 13. Here is a look back at her career in music, film and philanthropy.
The Entertainment Industry's Biggest Names Back Stability AI in Latest Funding Round
/PRNewswire/ -- Stability AI, the leader in purpose-built AI products for professional creatives across music, gaming, and entertainment, today announced a...
The Entertainment Industry's Biggest Names Back Stability AI in Latest Funding Round
/PRNewswire/ -- Stability AI, the leader in purpose-built AI products for professional creatives across music, gaming, and entertainment, today announced a...
Commerce Awards $1M to Fuel Business, Manufacturing Expansion
The grants include $150,000 awards to four businesses and $130,000 awards to three industry cluster organizations
Stability AI latest funding backed by entertainment industry biggest names
We've closed our Series B, bringing total funding to $232M under new leadership. This round welcomes entertainment titans Electronic Arts, Sony Music Group, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and more.
Lewis Line Appoints Jackie Trimble as Director to Lead Growing Entertainment Division
Today, Lewis Line, the Gen-Z-owned public relations firm based in LA, announces the appointment of Jackie Trimble as Director of Entertainment, where she will lead strategy and execution as the firm expands from music into the wider entertainment industry.
Life sciences jobs fall in Mass. for first time in two decades
The commonwealth’s prized life sciences industry shed more than 3,600 jobs in 2025, marking the first year-over-year decline in more than two decades.
Pharmacy industry changes prompt closures of two longtime Yakima Valley businesses
Two pharmacies with longtime roots in the Yakima Valley will close in the next few weeks, part of a trend their owner attributes to third-party prescription management companies and more
Fishy business: who really profits when sardines go viral?
Once a cheap store-cupboard staple, sardines are fast becoming a luxury food item. Last year, #SardineGirlSummer saw influencers promoting the health benefits of sardinemaxxing, while sardinecore became the must-have fashion trend. Now, demand is accelerating just as Morocco’s sardine stock has collapsed, causing shortages on supermarket shelves. The Guardian travels to Matosinhos in Portugal, the cultural home of the sardine industry, to investigate who is profiting from the boom, how it has affected local fishermen, and what sustainability looks like in an era of global heating
Trump and Kennedy's health industry deals haven't been enforced and are at risk of vanishing
Ralph Carr, entertainment industry and AFL figure, sentenced to six years for raping ex-staffer
Melbourne talent manager was convicted of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault over 2023 attack
Data Center Politics Could Help an Unlikely Industry: Bitcoin Miners
Cipher Digital and Hut 8 are among the companies well-positioned to ride out anti-AI fervor, one analyst says.
Business in the ‘Boro conference highlights Jonesboro’s industrial growth
Local chamber and industry leaders from across the state are in Jonesboro for the 10th annual “Business in the ‘Boro” conference, which kicked off its two-day convention Monday.
Whiskey reps urge U.S., Canada to work toward trade resolution
The domestic whiskey industry is urging the U.S. and Canada to resume negotiations after trade talks between the two countries collapsed.
AMC Entertainment Holdings (AMC) Could Be 2% Undervalued Following Governance Changes
Governance changes at AMC Entertainment Holdings AMC Entertainment Holdings (AMC) has put forward several corporate governance changes for a stockholder vote at its September 24, 2026 annual meeting, aiming to adjust how its board and investors share decision making power. See our latest analysis for AMC Entertainment Holdings. Alongside these proposed governance changes, AMC Entertainment Holdings has seen a 67.92% 90 day share price return and a 65.84% year to date share price return, while...
Disney Tightens Spousal Health Benefits as Industry Costs Surge
The entertainment giant joins a growing list of major employers scaling back coverage amid a projected 11 percent rise in 2027 healthcare costs.
Japan eyes tax breaks for non-core business sales in governance reform push, sources say
Japan's government is considering tax breaks on gains from sales of non-core businesses, a move that could accelerate long-delayed corporate restructuring and spur industry consolidation, two people with knowledge of the matter said.
‘Call My Agent’ Is Getting Its First Movie — Can the Beloved French Farce Delight Fans New and Old?
Six years after the series wrapped its fourth (and final?) season, the entertainment industry farce is back with a Netflix feature film all about the harrowing comedy of making (what else?) a feature ...
Global leader in AI and data analytics joins Marquette Business as Executive-in-Residence
Welland brings nearly two decades of industry-leading experience in data analytics, strategy and artificial intelligence initiatives to Marquette Business.
Local Business Group Sues Over NYC Mayor Mamdani’s Plan to Open Government-Owned Grocery Stores
The lawsuit argues that the mayor’s plan would introduce unfair competition to a struggling industry dealing with slim profit margins.
SBA Proposes Sweeping Changes to Small Business Size Standards
Revised Size Standards Methodology The current SBA methodology, last updated in 2024, uses seven analytical factors to calculate size standards based on six-digit North American Industry Classificatio...
Hideo Kojima celebrates 63rd birthday with a pledge to keep making games
2026 marks Kojima’s 40th year in the video game industry…
California's post-production workers push for new industry incentive
California lawmakers are weighing AB 2319, a tax credit aimed at bringing film and TV post-production work — editing, sound, VFX, music — back to the state as jobs move overseas.
Price Transparency, Insulin Top Lawmakers’ Health To-Do Lists
Lawmakers are facing crunch time on healthcare priorities, with very few in-session days left in the year — and for some, their legislative careers.
Pepperdine University and Playfly Sports Announce Ticket Sales Partnership Expansion
MALIBU, Calif./NEW YORK, N.Y. — Pepperdine University Athletics and Playfly Sports, the sports industry's leading revenue maximization company, today announc...
Deauville American Film Festival Reveals Industry Lineup
The Deauville American Film Festival has revealed the lineup for the industry section of its 2026 edition. The Deauville Industry Days sidebar, taking place over two days at the festival being held at...
A deep dive into climate change
Some policymakers continue to question the science of climate change, despite the growing evidence of significant damage to life on land and in the ocean.Katja Matthes, director of the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel in Germany, believes the ongoing attempts to politicise climate science and discredit researchers are hindering international cooperation and public understanding. The ocean provides clear evidence of the extent to which changes are occurring, she says.“We are seeing severe, unprecedented and accelerating changes in the ocean — warming ocean temperatures, acidification and oxygen depletion — that are destabilising the most important system that makes life on this planet possible,” Matthes explains. Visible signs of these changes include the melting of ice sheets in the Arctic and Greenland. Deeper down, the growing frequency of hypoxia — or oxygen-deprived “dead zones”, where marine life can no longer survive — in the Baltic and record-high Mediterranean surface temperatures are indicators of the “dramatic warming” of the ocean, she adds.The ocean, which covers around 70% of the Earth’s surface, acts as a vital carbon sink, absorbing around 30% of the planet’s carbon dioxide (CO2) and 90% of the excess heat. However, the global ocean surface temperature has risen by an average of half a degree Celsius since 1982, according to the EU Copernicus observatory. More significant rises have been recorded in the Mediterranean, Black, Baltic and other shallower seas.Some ocean temperature increases do occur naturally, such as during El Niño events. But sustained rises can trigger extreme weather on land — including droughts, floods and catastrophic storms — while also harming marine ecosystems. Only 10% of marine species have been studied, Matthes notes, “so the consequences might be even more severe than we know.”Fostering European cooperation amid uncertaintyMatthes, who holds a doctorate in meteorology, is a professor of atmospheric physics as well as director of GEOMAR. She serves as one of Kiel’s ambassadors to Science Comes to Town (SCTT), an EU-funded programme that aims to promote science’s role in society and strengthen cross-border collaboration in research, innovation and sustainability. SCTT is hosted by the coastal cities of Kiel, Brest (in France) and Split (in Croatia).The SCTT project also provides a platform for raising awareness and understanding between scientists and the public about major issues, such as climate change. Having worked on both sides of the Atlantic, Matthes is frustrated by recent attempts to erode decades of international climate collaboration and question the credibility of research. Earlier this year, the US administration delivered a major blow to global cooperation by withdrawing from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and other global climate organisations, claiming they were “contrary to the interests of the United States.”In addition, a US Department of Energy (DOE) report cast doubt on the latest IPCC climate assessment, which was published in 2024. As a contributing author to the IPCC study, Matthes says the DOE sought to discredit scientists like herself. “Climate change is not a matter of opinion, it really exists and we are witnessing dramatic changes,” she notes. “It’s not climate change as a whole that is being targeted, but scientists and their research.”Other US actions have also hit home for Matthes, who spent three years at the US National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado. The White House has announced plans to close the facility, a move that was “pretty tough” due to the German scientist’s personal connections with the staff and their reputation for excellence.Changing the narrative on climate changeEurope’s scientific community remains a driving force on climate research and collaboration. As one of the world’s leading marine research institutions, GEOMAR attracts students from more than 50 countries and plays an important role in global observation initiatives that contribute to understanding and protecting the ocean basins. At a European level, GEOMAR works closely with other top marine research facilities, including France’s Ifremer, an SCTT partner in Brest. GEOMAR has also developed innovative and safe strategies for removing unexploded wartime munitions from the seabed, which release toxic substances that pose a danger to humans and the marine environment. Through the Horizon Europe MMinE-SwEEPER project, this knowledge has been transferred to the European level.These initiatives are examples of how local action can have a global impact, Matthes says, and how Europe can strengthen climate research and partnerships. “This is a chance for Europe to step up and work on climate cooperation and agreements,” she notes. “Climate change is an international problem and a real threat, and we need more speed on climate action than we have now.”Matthes believes her fellow scientists need to communicate that climate change is not only a threat, but an opportunity to find solutions. “We need to change our narrative and expand our strategic alliances with those who are willing,” she says, “and luckily there are a lot of willing people and countries.”Science|Business, which connects policymakers, academics and industry through its news reporting, analysis and events, is an SCTT partner.
A deep dive into climate change
Some policymakers continue to question the science of climate change, despite the growing evidence of significant damage to life on land and in the ocean.Katja Matthes, director of the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel in Germany, believes the ongoing attempts to politicise climate science and discredit researchers are hindering international cooperation and public understanding. The ocean provides clear evidence of the extent to which changes are occurring, she says.“We are seeing severe, unprecedented and accelerating changes in the ocean — warming ocean temperatures, acidification and oxygen depletion — that are destabilising the most important system that makes life on this planet possible,” Matthes explains. Visible signs of these changes include the melting of ice sheets in the Arctic and Greenland. Deeper down, the growing frequency of hypoxia — or oxygen-deprived “dead zones”, where marine life can no longer survive — in the Baltic and record-high Mediterranean surface temperatures are indicators of the “dramatic warming” of the ocean, she adds.The ocean, which covers around 70% of the Earth’s surface, acts as a vital carbon sink, absorbing around 30% of the planet’s carbon dioxide (CO2) and 90% of the excess heat. However, the global ocean surface temperature has risen by an average of half a degree Celsius since 1982, according to the EU Copernicus observatory. More significant rises have been recorded in the Mediterranean, Black, Baltic and other shallower seas.Some ocean temperature increases do occur naturally, such as during El Niño events. But sustained rises can trigger extreme weather on land — including droughts, floods and catastrophic storms — while also harming marine ecosystems. Only 10% of marine species have been studied, Matthes notes, “so the consequences might be even more severe than we know.”Fostering European cooperation amid uncertaintyMatthes, who holds a doctorate in meteorology, is a professor of atmospheric physics as well as director of GEOMAR. She serves as one of Kiel’s ambassadors to Science Comes to Town (SCTT), an EU-funded programme that aims to promote science’s role in society and strengthen cross-border collaboration in research, innovation and sustainability. SCTT is hosted by the coastal cities of Kiel, Brest (in France) and Split (in Croatia).The SCTT project also provides a platform for raising awareness and understanding between scientists and the public about major issues, such as climate change. Having worked on both sides of the Atlantic, Matthes is frustrated by recent attempts to erode decades of international climate collaboration and question the credibility of research. Earlier this year, the US administration delivered a major blow to global cooperation by withdrawing from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and other global climate organisations, claiming they were “contrary to the interests of the United States.”In addition, a US Department of Energy (DOE) report cast doubt on the latest IPCC climate assessment, which was published in 2024. As a contributing author to the IPCC study, Matthes says the DOE sought to discredit scientists like herself. “Climate change is not a matter of opinion, it really exists and we are witnessing dramatic changes,” she notes. “It’s not climate change as a whole that is being targeted, but scientists and their research.”Other US actions have also hit home for Matthes, who spent three years at the US National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado. The White House has announced plans to close the facility, a move that was “pretty tough” due to the German scientist’s personal connections with the staff and their reputation for excellence.Changing the narrative on climate changeEurope’s scientific community remains a driving force on climate research and collaboration. As one of the world’s leading marine research institutions, GEOMAR attracts students from more than 50 countries and plays an important role in global observation initiatives that contribute to understanding and protecting the ocean basins. At a European level, GEOMAR works closely with other top marine research facilities, including France’s Ifremer, an SCTT partner in Brest. GEOMAR has also developed innovative and safe strategies for removing unexploded wartime munitions from the seabed, which release toxic substances that pose a danger to humans and the marine environment. Through the Horizon Europe MMinE-SwEEPER project, this knowledge has been transferred to the European level.These initiatives are examples of how local action can have a global impact, Matthes says, and how Europe can strengthen climate research and partnerships. “This is a chance for Europe to step up and work on climate cooperation and agreements,” she notes. “Climate change is an international problem and a real threat, and we need more speed on climate action than we have now.”Matthes believes her fellow scientists need to communicate that climate change is not only a threat, but an opportunity to find solutions. “We need to change our narrative and expand our strategic alliances with those who are willing,” she says, “and luckily there are a lot of willing people and countries.”Science|Business, which connects policymakers, academics and industry through its news reporting, analysis and events, is an SCTT partner.
Bipartisan Energy Politics | Reading and Podcast Picks
Reading and Podcast Picks is a collection of what we’ve been reading and listening to over the last week or so about energy topics. In addition to these R&P Picks, paid subscribers receive access to the full archives, Grid Roundups, and select episodes of the Energy Capital Podcast. Please subscribe today. Texans, legislators debate transmission lines at hearing | Texas Tribune “Republican legislators, Democratic statewide candidates, landowners from rural Texas and environmentalists” alike joined together Wednesday to protest the buildout of 765-kV lines across the state. At the protest and nine-hour hearing that followed, lawmakers heard a variety of recommendations, including from local officials arguing for more local control of data center proposals and more time to reform the process behind approving transmission lines across Texas. Though discussed in separate hearings, landowners and protesters said the issues are connected… Regulators have already been working through a new way to decide how much of the cost of building new transmission lines needs to be paid for by individuals and how much needs to be paid for by companies such as data centers. Experts said they believe the new system will lower the burden on residential consumers relative to the industrial groups. Data-Center Backlash Leads to New Land Rush in Texas Oil Patch | The Wall Street Journal While the data center protests rage, investors converge on the Permian Basin to build data centers powered by cheap natural gas. “A lot of places you see all over the country they’re worried about water, they’re worried about power, they’re worried about transmission, and the Permian has all of those things in spades,” said EagleRock Chief Executive Greg Pipkin Jr. Dallas-Fort Worth Dethrones Virginia as the World’s Top Data Center Market | Dallas Innovates Two reports show growth in North Texas data centers despite political concerns about the industry. Boasting five highly ranked data center markets, Texas is experiencing an explosion of data center activity. Long anchored by the DFW market, “the state is growing at a pace that could soon bring total installed capacity in line with — and potentially beyond — that of Virginia,” the Cushman & Wakefield report said. A new report from commercial real estate services provider JLL takes a slightly different view, anointing Texas the top data center market in North America. Texas eclipsed longtime frontrunner Virginia based on the level of existing and under-construction data center inventory in the state as measured by gigawatt capacity. A gigawatt equals 1 billion watts.