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ALCS Game 2 Chat and Discussion
Can Cleveland take total control of the series?
Race for 17th Senate District could determine State Senate control
Republican incumbent Howard Marklein is being challenged by Democratic State Assembly Rep. Jenna Jacobson.
CVS agrees to pay $315 million to settle Justice Department case over opioid prescriptions
The settlement resolves a lawsuit brought in 2024 that accused the healthcare giant of providing massive amounts of opioids and other controlled substances “to fuel its own profits at the expense of public health and safety.”
When 1 + 1 = 1: The Miserable Math Behind Many Media Mergers
(Welcome to the “Most Important Story of the Week”, my bi-weekly strategy column analyzing the most important (but often not buzziest) news story of the last two weeks. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. Please subscribe.) The last few issues of this newsletter have circled two topics: September’s streaming viewership and all the Paramount/Skydance/Warner Bros./Discovery merger news. I’m happy to say on the Streaming Ratings Report front, we’ll be all caught up by early next week, then the SRR will come out on a tight weekly schedule. Then, after today, I’ll have slayed my PSWbD dragon. It’s such a big story, it demanded multiple issues. With the announcement of a name (just Skydance) and executive team, though, I think we can almost close the book on this story. In terms of topics, it becomes just another studio to cover. So today, I have one last set of takes on that merger. As I’ve sat with it, reading about who was staying and who was going, a big worry crystallized in my brain, and I gotta get that take out. Plus, I still owe you a host of “ugliness” that didn’t fit in my previous “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” takes. Let’s dive in! Subscribe Most Important Story of the Week - As Paramount Shuffles Deck Chairs, Will They Build or Consolidate? On social media—I try to avoid most social media platforms, but sometimes I end up checking in—the best joke I saw about the announcement of the new name of Skydance was from fellow reporter Claire Atkinson who pointed out… Yeah, I laughed out loud at that one. Later, though, I saw another Twitter response (that later got deleted, so I can’t shout the person out) that did give me pause. The person noted that the Titanic film made the better analogy: a super expensive project everyone in the town doubted that went on to conquer the globe. So yeah: on one hand, the image of the Titanic recalls the actual ship and its infamous end, but that clip is from a movie which proved the doubters wrong. So for all the skepticism of the latest massive media merger, one could wonder which way this one goes. Does it crash like the Titanic or rise to glory like Titanic, the movie? Either way, this deal is “Titanic”, looking at the massive debt required to close the deal, which is not going well when it comes to borrowing costs for Paramount… …or borrowing costs for Oracle. But I’ve started to get worried about another outcome: the sum of this merger will be smaller and weaker and less profitable than its former parts. In other words, one plus one won’t equal three or two, but an even smaller number. Skydance paid to take a traditional studio off the board, but they won’t really capture the upside. Let me explain what I mean, but first, let’s look at the series of news that inspired this thought. Skydance Sets Its Leadership Team As soon as the Paramount-Skydance-Warner Bros.-Discovery merger closed, the new leadership team announced a new name—Skydance, which I’ll use going forward—and a new executive leadership team. You’ve probably read through all the executive shuffling, but if you haven’t, here’s a quick, incomplete summary, in rough order of importance: Mattel’s CEO Ynon Kreiz—who previously ran Maker Studios—joined as co-CEO with David Ellison. HBO/HBO Max’s Casey Bloys will stay and run streaming. Former head of streaming for Paramount-Skydance Cindy Holland—who was also at Netflix—will depart. The former heads of Warner Bros.—Pam Abdy and Mike De Luca—are out. The film studios will be run by Dana Goldstein and Josh Greenstein. George Cheeks of Paramount will run Skydance TV, controlling all the TV production units. In comic book news, the DC films will still be run by Peter Gunn and Peter Safran. Lastly, the head of CNN, Mark Thompson, will stay in place. Let’s quickly opine on the particulars before diving into the broad ramifications. 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… Who I like and dislike in their next gigs… Why I think this consolidation will likely leave Skydance worse off… The math behind which mergers succeed and which don’t… A lot more ugliness in this merger… And a whole lot more... ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support.
8BitDo Launches Ultimate 3C+ Wireless Controller with Thumb Stick Tension Adjustment and Extra Buttons
8BitDo has officially launched the latest version of its Ultimate Wireless controller, the Ultimate 3C+, which is, for an intents and purposes, a more affordable version of the recently revealed special edition Ultimate 3 Wireless controllers. The Ultimate 3C comes in at a pre-order price of...
Norfolk company, LG strike deal for data center chillers
LG Electronics and Norfolk's Air Control Concepts have struck a multiyear deal for data center cooling technology. LG Electronics and Norfolk's Air Control Concepts have struck a multiyear deal for data center cooling technology.
Scientists control where 2D semiconductor crystals begin to grow, addressing key challenge in stacking AI chips
Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors, only a few atomic layers thick, are promising materials for making AI chips faster and more energy efficient by stacking additional semiconductor layers on top of ...
The EU’s Externalized Borders: Third Countries and the Politics of Responsibility - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
The European Union (EU) has long sought to control migration before people reach European territory by externalizing border control, defined as “the totality of co-bordering activities initiated by the EU for securing its external borders from irregular immigrants.” Through practices such as readmission cooperation, safe-third-country rules, return arrangements, and security partnerships with non-EU states, it […]
This week in health care policy: October 5–9, 2026
Drug pricing and 340B PhRMA sues to block GLOBE. On October 7, PhRMA sued to block the most-favored-nation drug-pricing model CMS finalized last week. The suit argues GLOBE is a price control rather than a “test,” exceeds the Innovation Center’s authority, and fails the major questions doctrine. CEI commented on the GLOBE pilot earlier this […]
WATCH LIVE: Trump campaigns for Sen. Dan Sullivan in Alaska
President Donald Trump on Tuesday will devote a big chunk of his dwindling time ahead of crucial midterm elections to head all the way to Alaska — attempting to bolster a Republican incumbent senator in another sign of GOP fears about retaining control of Congress after Election Day on Nov. 3.
Apple's new smart home line-up includes a smart lock, thermostat and video doorbells
The new devices work with HomeView, the company's new smart home hub which can be used to control accessories and interact with apps.
Republicans need evangelicals to turn out in the midterms. Faith leaders are sounding the alarm they may not
Conservative leaders are sounding the alarm that more needs to be done in the final weeks before the midterm elections to educate and mobilize white evangelicals, a critical voting bloc in the president’s coalition. Republicans fear if they stay home, that could hand victories to Democrats in key races across the country with control of Congress at stake.
Stats from Cagliari shows some worrying signs for Juventus
Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw by Cagliari at the weekend, and the match statistics have raised concerns for the Bianconeri and their supporters. Despite controlling much of the game, Juve struggled...
Physicists discover “astonishing” property of light that defies expectations
Scientists have uncovered a surprising hidden ability of light that allows it to develop spinning, twisting behavior as it travels through empty space, without special lenses, mirrors, or materials. Researchers discovered that light’s internal geometry can naturally produce left- and right-handed patterns, challenging long-standing assumptions about how light behaves. By carefully arranging a beam’s structure, scientists can control where and how these spinning patterns emerge, unlocking a new way to manipulate light.
Jeffries calls New Hampshire seat key to House control
Hakeem Jeffries called New Hampshire’s open 1st District seat critical to House control as he campaigned with Democrat Stefany Shaheen. House Speaker Mike Johns...
Many GOP states have imposed voting rules mirroring Trump's midterm proposals
Nearly 40 laws are taking effect for the first time in this year's midterms, mostly in Republican-controlled states. Many of them mirror changes President Donald Trump tried but failed to implement at the national level.
Musk has spent $366 million to help Republicans retain control of Congress
NEW YORK, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Elon Musk has spent roughly $366 million on the 2026 midterm elections so far, $276 million just since July, trying to help Republicans retain control of Congress, even a...
Robot Entertainment Kombat California Shutdown Explained
California shut down Robot Entertainment Kombat's unlicensed robot fights, exposing a deeper gap: China controls the rare earth magnets powering the
Trump to campaign in Ohio, Alaska with Republicans facing tight races
Polls show Republicans at risk as they try to hang on to control of the US Congress for the president's last two years in office.
HOMETOWN HEALTH: ADHD in women often overlooked, experts say
ADHD affects executive functions such as focus, self-control and emotional management.
Democrats distance themselves from trans rights – close midterm races may show whether that pays off
A scholar of LGBTQ+ politics looks at how Democratic campaigns in Texas and Ohio are shifting on trans issues and what that could mean for control of Congress.
Autos Driver Assist Systems
In this image from video, Maureen August, General Motors Research Development senior manager, discusses a driving simulation with a colleague inside a control room at the automaker's Global Technical Center
Autos Driver Assist Systems
In this image from video, a control room display shows data and video from a simulated drive taking place at General Motors' Global Technical Center Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in
Buying a business with an SBA loan is more complicated. Here’s what to know.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has implemented a host of new rules impacting borrowers seeking SBA capital to finance a business acquisition or change in control.
8BitDo Ultimate 2 review: The best Switch 2 controller out there
Everything is within reach on 8BitDo’s Ultimate 2, even for small hands.
Ron Perlman’s Watrfall Hands Audiences Control Of $275,000 Creator Fund
EXCLUSIVE: Watrfall, the Ron Perlman-backed creator platform, is planning to put the power in the hands of audiences. The company, which we first told you about in August last year, has opened submiss...
‘Trump is dragging the party down’: GOP scrambles to stop steep midterm losses
The Republican Party’s midterm campaign has turned into a triage operation just three weeks out from November, as officials race to avert losses in a string of once-safe seats that they increasingly fear could cost them total control of Congress.
Mike Johnson Says He'll Start Louisiana Lawn Business With 'Fervor' If GOP Loses Midterms; Team Calls Speculation 'Hilarious'
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has suggested he could leave politics if Republicans lose control of the House in November’s midterm elections, prompting speculation about his future that his spoke...
Judge orders Trump admin to stop airing challenged government-funded ads immediately
The ads have been criticized as government propaganda and as aimed at influencing the outcome of the midterm election, which will determine control of Congress.
Packers Dominate Bears 31-7 Behind Jordan Love’s Big Day
Green Bay Takes Control Early The Green Bay Packers delivered a dominant performance Sunday, defeating the Chicago Bears 31-7 at Lambeau Field in a major NFC North rivalry matchup. Quarterback Jordan Love threw for 367 yards and two touchdowns, while the Packers’ defense forced five turnovers to help Green Bay secure a convincing victory. The…
Archbishop Brock says Erie needs to have conversation on gun control
It might seem political to talk about gun policy at a time like this. Bishop Dwane Brock doesn't care.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries says Democrats are "on the verge of taking back control" as he visits 2 key House battlegrounds
How Marni von Wilpert went from a frustrated first-term councilmember to a favorite in one of the country’s biggest Congressional races
It wasn't obvious four years ago that Marni von Wilpert would soon be running in a race that could determine Congressional control.
Early voting figures suggest Democratic gains in Ohio’s most Trump-friendly counties
After the first days of early voting in Ohio, a state that could help determine control of the Senate, there are clear signs Democrats are more enthusiastic to vote.
Zack Polanski signals Green party overhaul after row over Zionism vote
Rapid growth means structures need to change and give leaders greater control, Polanski says in Guardian article
Apple smart home control center is called 'HomeView'
Apple's new smart home controller is the HomeView, and while it's not shipping in October, you'll be able to get your hands on it before the end of 2026.
CA controller touts leadership in reelection run
Malia Cohen points to improvements with annual reports.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Recommends Science-Based Thresholds to Target Dangerous Enhanced Kratom Products
Kratom products credit: CDPH DEA takes action based on updated recommendation from HHS October 11, 2026 - WASHINGTON - On Friday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services relesed the following: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided a new recommendation to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that establishes science-based thresholds for 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MGPI), potent opioid compounds associated with products marketed as kratom. The Department of Justice today announced that DEA issued new Notices of Intent reflecting HHS’ updated scientific analysis and recommendations, including a new Notice of Intent for 7-OH and MGPI incorporating HHS’ recommended concentration and ratio thresholds. Following a review of available scientific data and comments, HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Brian Christine, M.D., recommended that DEA use concentration or ratio-based thresholds to determine which products containing 7-OH and MGPI are subject to Schedule I control for purposes of temporary scheduling of these substances under the Controlled Substances Act. The recommendation is designed to target concentrated or chemically altered products while distinguishing them from natural botanical kratom products, which may contain trace amounts of 7-OH and MGPI. “We are drawing a clear line between natural kratom and dangerous, enhanced opioid products,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “We listened to the public, followed the science, and developed a clear recommended threshold for temporary scheduling that targets concentrated 7-OH and MGPI without sweeping natural botanical kratom into Schedule I. The Trump Administration will continue taking decisive action against dangerous products that fuel addiction while making sure our policies are grounded in rigorous science.” Under the recommendation, 7-OH and MGPI would be controlled in Schedule I for purposes of temporary scheduling when either substance alone, or their combined amount when both are present: Exceeds 1 milligram per gram in solid powders, encapsulated material, or other solid forms, or exceeds 1 milligram per milliliter in liquid preparations; or When the mass of mitragynine present divided by the mass of 7-OH, or MGPI, or the combined amount of 7-OH and MGPI if both present, is less than 100. The ratio-based approach reflects the alkaloid composition of natural kratom products and provides a way to identify products intentionally enhanced or concentrated with 7-OH or MGPI. Available scientific data indicate that 7-OH occurs naturally in botanical kratom at relatively low or trace levels, while some evidence reviewed by FDA suggests MGPI may also occur at trace levels in some natural or kratom-derived products. FDA's scientific review found that 7-OH is substantially more potent than morphine in preclinical studies, with available data indicating approximately two to nine times greater potency depending on the study. FDA also identified evidence supporting a meaningful risk of opioid-like physical dependence and withdrawal from MGPI. “Our recommendation gives DEA a scientifically supportable framework to distinguish natural botanical kratom from products that have been concentrated or manipulated to deliver dangerous levels of potent opioid compounds,” said Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Brian Christine, M.D. “This approach allows us to focus on the products that pose the greatest threat to public health.” In July 2025, following an FDA scientific and medical evaluation, HHS recommended that 7-OH above a specified threshold be placed in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. In July 2026, DEA announced its intent to temporarily schedule 7-OH above a specified threshold, and HHS simultaneously sought public comment on the proposed threshold. DEA subsequently temporarily placed MGPI and two synthetic 7-OH derivatives, MGM-15 and MGM-16, in Schedule I. Since then, questions have emerged about how scheduling could affect natural botanical kratom products potentially containing trace amounts of MGPI. The new HHS recommendation responds to those concerns by providing DEA with a more precise threshold based on both the concentration of 7-OH and MGPI and their relationship to mitragynine, the predominant alkaloid in kratom. HHS and FDA will continue working with DEA to protect Americans from dangerous concentrated and synthetic opioid products while ensuring federal policy is grounded in the best available science. Source: HHS
These are the voters who will decide the midterm elections
Move aside, “soccer moms.” Control of Congress might come down to voters like these.
Heat Your Garage During Cold Months With A Wi-Fi Enabled Solution From Home Depot
The HEAT STORM Ceiling Mounted Hardwired 240-Volt Garage Heater comes with Wi-Fi controls that let you customize your heating remotely.
Who do latest polls show winning 2026 midterms? See odds, forecasts
Who is winning the 2026 midterms? The race for control of Congress is heating up. Here's what the latest polls, odds and forecasts show right now.
TST Best Bets: October 10, 2026
Two unbeaten SEC heavyweights meet in Tuscaloosa on Saturday night, as Georgia visits Alabama with both teams looking to take control of the conference race. After splitting their meetings last season, the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide have another chance to make an early statement in the national title chase.Meanwhile, USC heads to Happy Valley for Penn State’s White Out game. The Trojans are looking to build on last week’s comeback win over Washington, while the Nittany Lions need a response after
Particle Engineering Takes Center Stage as Drug Formulation Science Enters Its Translational Era
The Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation has announced a January 2027 special issue on translational advances in pharmaceutical dosage form development, covering particle engineering, solid-state control, QbD, and emerging manufacturing technologies, with submissions due June
Czech PM faces first electoral test
Early results suggest gains for the Czech prime minister's party, but opposition groups are battling to retain control of the upper chamber, which remains a key check on his governing coalition.
Queen Creek businesses requesting state liquor licenses
The Queen Creek Town Council recommended approving several businesses for liquor licenses from the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control. Kilkenny's Irish Pub, 20736 E. Munoz St., is …
Sergio Pérez Blames Bottoming Out for Singapore GP Qualifying Crash
The Mexican driver lost control of his Cadillac on turn 4 after a heavy compression into the asphalt. The impact damaged his front wing and caused the red flag. He finished twentieth but is confident he can improve his race pace.
BYU Beats Iowa State, Sets up Notre Dame Matchup
BYU dominated the stat sheet, but some miscues kept BYU from really controlling the game in a 24-10 home win over Iowa State Friday night in Provo. In a night where BYU needed their QB to carry them, Bear Bachmeier dominated with 329 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, and 109 rushing yards on 9 carries. […]
Fosi Audio Launches DAP Neo Digital Portable Music Player
DAP Neo brings lossless playback, tactile controls and a focused listening experience to the Fosi Moment range, Fosi Audio’s new product line of CD and DAPs.
5 Cool MagSafe Gadgets That Are Not Mounts, Wallets, Or Power Banks
Magnetic accessories can support iPhone or Android, adding camera grips, lights, game controllers, extra storage, and high-end audio.
Louisville Stuns Florida State With 44-20 Comeback Victory
Seminoles Blow Early Lead in Costly ACC Loss The Louisville Cardinals delivered a dominant comeback Friday night, defeating Florida State 44-20 after overcoming an early 14 point deficit at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. What started as a promising performance for the Seminoles quickly turned into another frustrating road loss as Louisville took control and…
Valadao-Villegas Debate and the Fight for Latino Voters in the Central Valley
A Central Valley debate with control of Congress at stake, and a look at whether progressive or moderate Democrats make the stronger pitch to Latino voters.
Johnson vetoes City Council bid to rein in his borrowing power
The mayor rejects an ordinance requiring 30 votes to approve new debt, extending his battle with aldermen over control of city finances.
Netflix’s Summer of Bummer
(Welcome to the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a newsletter on the entertainment industry and business strategy. I write a weekly Streaming Ratings Report and a bi-weekly strategy column, along with occasional deep dives into other topics, like today’s article. Please subscribe.) Today, I’ve got a guest post from longtime friend of the newsletter, Brandon Katz. I’ve been trying to find time all summer to look at Netflix’s straight-to-streaming film slate, but between a pre-planned trip and Nielsen moving up their streaming data timeline, I’ve been swamped. So I reached out to Brandon, one of my favorite fellow analysts, to write about it. And I feel like he captured the tone and data focus of the newsletter perfectly. You can connect with Brandon on LinkedIn and Twitter. Enjoy! Don’t worry, folks. You’re in safe hands with me. To ease any anxieties about an interloper in ESG’s domain, I’ll start by stealing one of his best framing devices: headlines. Box office flops are covered in the same way the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles eye pizza: with cartoonish insatiability. I would know. I’m a former reporter who wrote nearly identical headlines: Yet, intentionally or not, streaming misses get treated with kids gloves, filtered through a rosy lens: In the last six years, U.S. streaming viewership has become nearly as transparent as the box office, but the data often arrives weeks later, in a number of less intuitive metrics, and with nary an official budget to be found. This plays into the Wall Street-whispering narratives major streamers have been cultivating for years. They get a pass in a way that theatrical studios simply don’t. Subscribe Netflix’s Summer Slate Not a single Netflix original film released between May and August this year opened above 20 million U.S. TV hours, per Nielsen. That benchmark usually serves as the EntStrategyGuy’s floor for a streaming hit on Netflix. None of these films enjoyed a hit-cementing single week of 20-plus million hours during their runs. Netflix’s two best films were true crime docs, Maternal Instinct (16.5 million hours) and The Crash (19.7 million), the best overall week for a film this summer. Great for most other streamers, but not necessarily what we’re used to seeing from Netflix. For an overly-dramatic comparison, Happy Gilmore 2 opened last summer to around 47 million hours (celebrity cameos, baby!). Zooming out, the picture looks even worse. In 2026, Netflix’s five biggest scripted summer films posted the lowest average (28.6 million hours) and median (28.8 million hours) eight-week viewership totals of the past four years. Now, it’s unrealistic and unfair to expect Netflix to deliver a _KPop Demon Hunters-_sized hit every year. But it’s also not ideal to see the size of their hits shrinking over the last few summers. Let’s quickly run through some of the notable summer misses. Jennifer Lopez and Brett Goldstein’s perfectly fine romcom, Office Romance, fell off the charts after 20 million hours in its first two weeks. Top films usually last for four-plus weeks. Starry titles ideally don’t decay that fast either. Homegrown star Millie Bobby Brown couldn’t prevent the snappy Enola Holmes franchise from diminishing returns. At 14.3 million U.S. hours, the third film posted roughly half of what the first two films did in their first two weeks. What’s on Netflix calculated that per-day global views were down nearly 60% from the second movie. The Whisper Man did okay with more than 36 million hours over its first four weeks. But I expected a little more juice from a film featuring Robert De Niro, Michelle Monaghan, and Adam Scott. Kevin Hart’s Ladies First collected just 11.2 million hours total across two weeks. That’s a big miss for one of Netflix’s go-to stars. Plopping into the same bucket are Sunny Sandler’s Don’t Say Good Luck (10.3 million in two weeks) and John Cena’s Little Brother (17.5 million). Meanwhile, English-language originals Color Book (June 19), In the Hand of Dante (June 24) and Heartstopper Forever (July 17) never sniffed Nielsen’s Top 10 at all, despite needing only 2 to 5 million hours to land in the top ten most weeks. (By my count, eleven English-language scripted original films released between May and August did chart). It’s only fair to mention that Swapped (1-May) posted nearly 42 million U.S. hours over five weeks (the longest Netflix original run this summer) and is currently their eighth most-watched English-language film ever worldwide. Remarkably Bright Creatures (37 million, 4 weeks) and Voicemails for Isabelle (27 million, 4 weeks) weren’t bombs either. Still, overall, I think it’s fair to say this was a quieter summer season than we’re used to seeing from the market-leader. You might not realize that given the language commonly used in public analysis. The Twist Despite the starkly black-and-white tone of the coverage, here’s the twist: when many box office bombs arrive on streaming, their viewership looks a whole lot like many of Netflix’s supposedly successful summer releases. Hmm, where have we heard that one before? Masters of the Universe topped out at $65 million stateside against a $170 million budget_._ I’ll admit, Skeletor ripping sleeveless curls as a gym bro and bodyslamming Adam’s co-workers was funny. But, much to the chagrin of my bank account, my laughter doesn’t launch franchises. Yet the He-Man reboot opened to 19.6 million hours (from a Wednesday five-day opening instead of just one weekend), on par with Hoppers on Disney+ (19.4 million). It put up nearly 47 million hours over its first six weeks, bigger than all of Netflix’s summer releases. Pretty darn healthy and likely to land among the 25 most-watched movies on streaming this year. Sticking with Amazon, The Sheep Detectives just barely broke even at the box office with $133 million worldwide (and only $66 million domestic). I never expected cloven-hooved, cud-chewing mammals to be able to bring me to tears. Yet that’s exactly how I found myself at the end of this surprisingly affecting movie (#NoShame). It was likely the unexpected quality in a family-friendly film that powered its streaming over-performance. Sheep Detectives delivered a solid run for Prime video netting 26.2 million hours! How about franchise IP? Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu had the lowest opening ($81 million) and lowest-grossing Disney-era live-action Star Wars film ($178 million domestic). One day before release, its Heat score (19.8%)—audiences who list their interest as a 7/7—fell behind blockbusters Wicked (21%), Superman (23%), Fantastic Four: First Steps (23%), Michael (23%), Toy Story 5 (26%) and Avatar: Fire and Ash (27%), according to Greenlight Analytics. The urgent enthusiasm just wasn’t there. On streaming, Mando opened to weeks of 12.1 million, 6.1 million and 2.7 million hours (21 million total) over its first three frames. Not the numbers Lucasfilm was hoping for nor the numbers of a streaming hit. But they’re in the same vicinity as some Netflix summer releases with $345 million at the global box office to offset a smidgen of the pain. Final Thoughts So why oh why does this nuance gap exist? Four key reasons: Data Literacy: A “$100 million opening” just makes sense. After decades of box office reporting, even casual movie fans are well-versed in the benchmarks of hits and home runs. There’s an immediate shorthand. But “16.5 million” hours doesn’t land nearly as cleanly. Despite leaps of progress, the streaming ratings era is still in its infancy compared to theatrical. The EntStrategyGuy and I met thanks to a late 2010s group chat of data nerds hungry to find a shred of certainty in nebulous streaming performance. I’m not surprised to see “No. 1 on Netflix” still getting misconstrued out in the wild. Timing: By Friday morning, we have the box office’s Thursday night previews totaled, allowing us to better project the weekend’s expectations. From there, ticket sales are reported daily. By Sunday, the film’s fate is usually finalized, at least in terms of public perception. In streaming, Nielsen recently improved its delay to…two weeks. The medium isn’t forced to contend with instant gratification as harshly. Financials: Theatrical film budgets are a mere Google away. Profit and loss is calculated in the cold and unforgiving naked light of day for all to see. But finding the vast majority of streaming exclusive movie budgets requires the forensic investigation skills of a Criminal Minds detective. Also, it’s very difficult to calculate how much revenue/value a straight-to-streaming films provides a streamer. This is why there are so few stories about streaming original movies “losing X amount of money”. On top of that, marketing budgets are far greater for theatrical movies than streaming exclusive movies, which leads to earlier and better awareness. This then translates to a wider pool of potential interest. Narrative Control: Netflix is the only major streaming service to publish weekly first-hand viewership data and annual engagement reports. Naturally, some headlines borrow their first-hand framing**.** Other streamers benefit from their comparative lack of transparency. They may occasionally announce vague performance platitudes such as Apple TV’s Mayday becoming its “biggest film debut on the platform to date over its first 18 days,” and that it ranked No. 1 with left-handed viewers in its first weekend. (Fine, I made up that second one). But, for the most part, they keep first-hand viewership shrouded in mystery to avoid bad press. Especially for outlets that demand multiple articles per day from their writers, it’s an easy (and understandable) way for some reporters to hit their daily article quota by just repeating what the streamers have told them. TL:DR version: Streaming-exclusive movies are asked to do different things than theatrical movies, but that doesn’t mean they should escape judgment. Both still need to draw enough eyeballs to justify their cost within the proper performance contexts. The more cleanly we can inject a little nuance into streaming analysis, the better we’ll understand the audience and content trends that drive this industry. And that’s what all of this is really about: knowing what audiences actually want! Brandon Katz is the Director of Insights & Content Strategy at Greenlight Analytics where he focuses on evaluating the ever-fluid media landscape to unearth understanding, opportunity and value. Greenlight Analytics is the entertainment intelligence consulting company redefining how Hollywood finds, understands, and activates audiences. Prior to joining Greenlight Analytics, he served as the senior entertainment industry strategist at Parrot Analytics, and as a full-time entertainment industry reporter covering the Xs and Os of Hollywood, most notably with TheWrap and the Observer.
Teen mental health moving in better direction, according to CDC survey
The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows the numbers moving in a better direction.
Could a “blue wave” reshape Wisconsin politics?
With Election Day approaching, Wisconsin Democrats are eyeing something they have not had in nearly two decades: control of the governor’s office, state
Leak Details iPhone Features for Apple's LG Home Accessories
Smart home accessories that Apple reportedly helped LG develop could offer iPhone proximity controls and a way to begin setup before the devices have power, according to findings shared by the leaker known as "pdfu". The findings concern the upcoming LG-branded accessory range that Bloomberg revealed earlier this week. The lineup reportedly includes a thermostat, temperature sensor, deadbolt lock, wired video doorbell, and several security cameras.
Jayden Woods working to balance energy, discipline in pass rush
Jayden Woods discusses controlling his pass-rush energy, Brad White's increased intensity, Florida's defensive unity and facing South Carolina.
The midterm polls that caught our eye this week
Polls show Trump losing support among his base and voters focused on Senate control and issues.
Nobel Prize 2026: Three Science Discoveries That Sound Straight Out Of Sci-Fi
This year's Nobel science winners were honoured for their research on tiny particles from space, using light to control brain cells, and studying mirror-image molecules.
Opinion | Screens Are Not the Problem
If we make screens the villain, then we let the people who control children’s health care — Congress, insurers and health systems — off the hook for their failures.
Republican congressman tries to outrun a potential blue wave in New York toss-up seat
Rep. Mike Lawler, R-NY, is in a tight race for re-election in a toss-up district that could help determine control of Congress in November.
Everton up for sale? Friedkin Group considering new investment options including the potential sale of controlling stake
The Friedkin Group (TFG) have said they will only entertain interest from parties who they feel are the right stewards to take the club forward; TFG completed their full takeover of Everton in December 2024
Franchising Can Accelerate Growth But Is Your Business Ready?
Franchising offers entrepreneurs a way to expand without taking on debt or equity dilution. But that advantage comes with huge change in the founder’s role and control.
Physician Organizations Oppose Legislation That Gives Health Insurers Unilateral Control Over Out-of-Network Payments
The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and American College of Radiology (ACR) today expressed strong opposition to the Lower Premiums, Faster Payments Act, legislation introduced by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) that would eliminate the independent dispute resolution (IDR) process established under the No Surprises Act (NSA) and replace it with payment rates calculated by health insurance companies.
Justice weighs political future, talks Senate control
RAVENSWOOD – U.S. Sen. Jim Justice has enjoyed being in the Republican majority in the U.S. Senate, but the November midterm election could see control flipped to the Democratic Party
Report Examines Worsening Maternal Morbidity in Texas, How Improving Care Could Cut Medicaid Costs
There’s no doubt that the United States maternal health crisis is severe. The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income nations, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. The situation is even worse when you account for severe maternal morbidity, which is […]
Natura’s $99 smart ring puts AI agents on your finger
Natura’s $99 Interface smart ring lets you summon AI agents with the press of a finger to complete tasks, capture thoughts, and control devices — while doubling as a health tracker.
Democrats, with House majority, would go big on healthcare
House Democrats are promising immediate action on healthcare next year if they flip control of the chamber in the midterm elections. Party leaders say health costs are a foremost priority of their …
Toss-ups, triage and targets: How to read the wide-open 2026 House map
Both parties are spending heavily in roughly 60 House districts — where Trump won by an average of nine points in 2024 — that could be key to deciding control of the chamber, an NPR analysis finds.
The ‘WarGames’ Problem: Computer Science Has Long Understood What it Takes to Keep AI Under Control
AI agents don’t go rogue. That’s something only humans do. Nevertheless, a New York Times article – representative
President Trump announces Roger Clemens will receive Presidential Medal of Freedom, calls for him to enter Hall of Fame
The president said he called MLB commissioner Rob Manfred about Clemens' Hall of Fame candidacy earlier this year. Manfred does not control the Hall of Fame.
City Council grills Ishbia and Amtrak over Bridgeport plans
Helping Amtrak move clears the way for Justin Ishbia to take control of prime South Loop real estate where he hopes to build a new White Sox stadium
The Science Behind the Nobel-Winning Technology That Controls Neurons With Light
Optogenetics revolutionized neuroscience, but its origins come from an entirely brainless organism—an alga.
Opinion | Shaul: Missouri Employers Need More Choices to Control Health Care Costs
For Missouri grocers, the rising cost of health care isn't an abstract policy debate. It's a cost they deal with every month as they work to provide health insurance for their employees and their families.
Rusty Drewing Automotive donates cars to Boone Health to ease surgery anxiety for kids
Rusty Drewing Automotive donated two remote-controlled cars Oct. 7 to Boone Health.
CDC sees low plague risk, monitors Siberia arrivals after worker death, director says
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Erica Schwartz said on Wednesday the risk to the US from an unconfirmed pneumonic plague case in Siberia was extremely low, but the agency was prepared to monitor and screen travelers.
Star Wars Zero Company Studio Tries To Bring Back As Many Furloughed Devs 'As Possible' Following 'Unexpected Business Developments Outside Of Our Control'
Bit Reactor says it will have more to share on the XCOM-like strategy game's future 'soon'
Some furloughed Star Wars Zero Company developers are returning to work, studio says
Bit Reactor, the Maryland based company, behind this summer’s well-received tactical combat game Star Wars Zero Company says that “more” of its team is returning to work after being furloughed ahead of the game’s release. This is the studio’s first statement on the matter since Game File’s August report that “most” of the development team had been furloughed—technically kept as employees, but without pay or benefits—a few weeks prior to launch. Some of those furloughs ended this week. “This week, we started the process of returning more of our team back to work at Bit Reactor, an important step forward in our continued support for Zero Company, “ Bit Reactor CEO Greg Foertsch said in a statement. He continued: “Having to ask team members to step away after we navigated unexpected business developments outside of our control and so close to launch was an incredibly difficult decision, but one that was necessary to help us eventually bring as many people back as possible. “This team means a tremendous amount to me, and I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together. Thank you to our fans for the incredible response to the game and for supporting us along this journey. We look forward to sharing more updates regarding Bit Reactor and Zero Company soon.” Game File reported in August that Bit Reactor had retained a small team to work on updates for Zero Company. One person familiar with the situation told Game File that the returns announced today bring the studio’s pay-rolled headcount to more than half of what it had been ahead of the furloughs. That means a considerable number of people have been brought back, but that a fair number also remain without pay. While companies in the U.S. are often legally required to publicly disclose how many people they’ve laid off, furloughs can often be kept private, for a time. The United States Department of Labor requires companies to publicly report mass furloughs if they meet specific criteria, including any expectation that they will last more than six months. For those game makers who remain furloughed by Bit Reactor, it’s now been about two months. For more about Bit Reactor, the furloughs, the studio’s back-story and the ongoing lawsuit that brought this to light, read my August report. [ ‘Most’ of Star Wars Zero Company studio Bit Reactor was furloughed ahead of launch ](https://www.gamefile.news/p/star-wars-zero-company-bit-reactor-furloughs-lawsuit) Stephen Totilo · Sep 1 Last week was meant to be a moment of triumph for Bit Reactor, the Maryland-based game studio founded in 2021 with ambitions to create a great new tactical combat game. [ Read full story ](https://www.gamefile.news/p/star-wars-zero-company-bit-reactor-furloughs-lawsuit)
Orange County to Take Over Mental Health Campuses, Ends Nonprofit Partnership
It’s unclear what the next steps are for one of the county’s biggest mental health nonprofits after they ceded control of their facilities to the county government.
Pa. is getting at least $516M from a Meta settlement. It could spark a political fight.
The settlement says the attorney general controls the money, but Pennsylvania’s fiscal code says it should go into the General Fund.
The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology Went to a Technique That Lets Scientists Control the Brain With Light
Neuroscientific advances follow a pattern of visualizing the brain, measuring its function and then controlling it. Optogenetics may lead to a new era of medical treatment.
Google’s Pixel Buds update will put them to sleep along with you
Plus new voice controls, and one-tap microphone muting and live translation, for the Buds 2A and Pro 2.
Who Controls the Technology Protecting Your Business?
Cybersecurity sovereignty gives organizations transparency, hybrid control, and resilience over critical systems, writes Claudio Martinelli.
In this vast stretch of northern Minnesota, shifting politics make every vote count
A state Senate rematch and a closely watched House race has a once-reliable DFL stronghold in northeastern Minnesota at the center of the fight for control of the Legislature.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto adds to his already sterling postseason résumé, puts the Dodgers back in control in NLDS Game 3: 'He’s just not afraid'
Takeaways: Trump and abortion rights take center stage in first Maine Senate debate
GOP Sen. Susan Collins and her Democratic challenger, Troy Jackson, sparred over President Donald Trump and abortion rights in their first debate Tuesday night in Maine’s all-important Senate race with control of the chamber at stake.
Tillis says ‘it’s tough’ convincing voters to keep GOP in control of House & Senate
Vietnam's banks tap investors for $7 billion as economy runs red hot
Vietnamese banks are planning nearly $7 billion in share sales as the country's fast-growing economy fuels demand for capital, opening a window for foreign investors to expand in the tightly controlled sector.
Abortion and Trump spotlighted in Maine Senate debate
GOP Sen. Susan Collins and her Democratic challenger, Troy Jackson, sparred over President Donald Trump and abortion rights in their first debate Tuesday night in Maine’s all-important Senate race with control of the chamber at stake.
Florida Department of Health warns of mosquito-borne illnesses in tested Manatee County chickens
DOH- Manatee and the Manatee County Mosquito Control District are coordinating surveillance and prevention efforts by source reduction.
Justin Ishbia’s firm buys retail property near proposed White Sox development site
The purchase is another move by Ishbia to control more of the area surrounding the planned site of a mixed-use megaproject called The Railyards.
All 'Unsupervised Science' FBC testing facility locations in Control Resonant
How to shut down all FBC testing facilities