Deal Memo Special Edition: CinemaCon 2026 — The Theatrical Reckoning

Deal Memo — May 1, 2026

• Consumers Sue to Stop Paramount-WBD Merger, Invoking 'Save CNN' • Kaufman Astoria Studios Faces Foreclosure as Production Real Estate Corrects • StudioMonowa: CJ ENM, Japan's TBS, and U-Next Build a Korea-Japan Content Joint Venture • Roku Q1 2026: Ad Revenue Hits $612.7M, Up 27% • Apple Services Crosses $30B — Best March Quarter Ever • 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' Tracking $80M+ for Memorial Day • Netflix Adds Vertical Video 'Clips' Feed to Mobile App • Carrie Coon, Ben Platt, Lukas Gage Lead 'I Am Not Your Mother' — Cannes Market Preview

Deal Memo — April 24, 2026

• Ellison Hosts Trump — Merger as Political Access Play • Bob Iger Rejoins Thrive Capital — The Post-Disney Pivot • RTL Seals Sky Deutschland — Europe Runs the U.S. Consolidation Playbook • Michael Breaks International Records with $18.5M First Day • Mortal Kombat II Tracking $40-50M Opening — Gaming IP Keeps Working • Sony Affirm Sets Brazilian Flywheel Remake — Faith-Based Goes International • Heart Eyes 2 — Paramount Books Valentine's Horror for 2028 • Focus Features Sets The Uprising for September 11 — Smart Calendar Chess

Deal Memo Special Edition: CinemaCon 2026 — The Theatrical Reckoning

• The Theatrical Window Compact • The IP Monoculture Problem • The Merger Subtext — What Exhibitors Actually Heard • Amazon MGM's CinemaCon: The Streamer-Owned Studio That Believes Hardest • Neon at CinemaCon: All Originals, Main Stage • Street Fighter: Video Game IP as the Next Franchise Frontier • Snoop Dogg Biopic: Universal, Death Row Pictures, Craig Brewer • Cat in the Hat: WB Bets on Dr. Seuss After Two Decades

Deal Memo — April 21, 2026

• Sean Baker's Twenty-Two Million Dollar 'Indie' Deal • Disney Outsources Japanese Production to The Seven • Netflix's European Action Play with 'Play Dead' • Prime Video Grabs Embassy Rights in Six Territories • Sister Group Takes Majority Stake in After Party Studios • Amazon Poaches Apple's Oliver Jones for UK Scripted • ICS Nordic Expands into Live Comedy

Deal Memo — April 17, 2026

• Duffer Brothers Signal Creator Confidence Shift in Paramount Legacy Video • Ellison Commits Paramount to 45-Day Theatrical Window at CinemaCon • Sarandos Reframes Netflix's Failed Warner Bros Bid as M&A Training • Brendan Fitzgerald Steps Down as Secuoya Studios CEO • Sarandos Says No Palace Intrigue Over Reed Hastings Exit • Netflix Q1 Beats Expectations But Shares Still Drop • Legend of Aang Film Leaks Online