D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event Lineup Announced

• Social media influencers are increasingly accepting undisclosed payments to promote songs, creating an artificial sense of virality that can push tracks up the pop charts. • This practice mirrors historical "pay-to-play" mechanisms, such as 19th-century sheet music promotions and 20th-century record labels paying radio DJs to play specific songs.

• Disney's film *Moana* is released under the title *Vaiana* in several European markets, including Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia. • The name change was implemented primarily because "Moana" was already a registered trademark in many of these specific territories.

• Thailand has emerged as the leader in Southeast Asia for short-drama in-app purchase revenue and ranks as the region's third-largest market for downloads, according to Sensor Tower. • TikTok Thailand is leveraging this trend by providing local content producers with distribution channels to reach new audiences through mini-dramas.

• Streaming giants Netflix, Disney, and YouTube are reportedly preparing to challenge Fox for the future U.S. broadcasting rights to the FIFA World Cup. • The competition comes as the 2026 tournament will be hosted in North America, though subsequent events in 2030 (Morocco, Portugal, Spain) and 2034 (Saudi Arabia) will feature less favorable time zones.

• Netflix is expanding its content strategy by integrating live programming alongside its traditional on-demand library to better compete with live TV services. • The platform is focusing on marquee live events, including boxing matches with Jake Paul, MMA bouts, celebrity sports tournaments, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

• The K-drama "Agent Kim Reactivated" has reached the No. 1 spot on Netflix's Top 10 Non-English Shows chart, followed by "Teach You a Lesson." • After its June 26 release, "Agent Kim Reactivated" debuted at No. 3 and quickly climbed to the top, ranking in the Top 10 across 79 countries.

• On July 9, iQIYI, a leading Chinese online entertainment platform, released its Global Trending Content report for the first half of 2026. • The platform recorded a significant 130% growth in engagement, driven by a diverse array of Asian productions from Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

• Viral claims suggesting the European Union is introducing an "internet passport" to censor or control general internet access have been debunked as misleading. • The misinformation stems from a misrepresentation of a planned age-verification app developed by the European Commission.

• Rakuten TV has launched 20 free ad-supported streaming channels (FAST) provided by Sony Pictures Entertainment across several European markets. • The new lineup, consisting of single-program and scripted-genre feeds, debuted this week in the U.K., Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, and the Nordics.

• Rakuten TV has expanded its FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV) platform by adding 20 new free streaming channels through a major deal with Sony Pictures. • Viewers across Europe can now access a wide range of hit series, including popular titles such as Seinfeld, Breaking Bad, and The Nanny.

• Major streaming releases for July include the conclusion of the "Heartstopper" series and a new album from artist Steve Lacy. • Other recommended titles selected by Associated Press journalists include "Lucky," starring Anya Taylor-Joy, and "The Hawk," featuring Will Ferrell as a retired golfer.