Head of Spain's RTVE backs ongoing Eurovision boycott over Israel's participation

• California settled a lawsuit against the merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. • Attorney General Rob Bonta previously alleged in July that combining these entertainment giants would lead to higher prices and lower quality content for audiences.

• Ten standalone streaming services were phased out in the second quarter of 2026 as the U.S. video market reorganized. • Market research firm Parks Associates reported these closures as part of a broader industry shift.

• Taylor Swift earned 11 nominations for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards and will receive the first-ever Artist Director award. • The singer is positioned to break multiple records during the event due to the high volume of nominations.

• Atresmedia Cine announced its 2027 film lineup during the San Sebastián festival, featuring titles such as "La Bola Negra," "Karateka," and "La Roja." • The slate includes "Big Game Hunt," a rural thriller directed by Daniel Sánchez Arévalo and starring Antonio de la Torre as a pig herder in Fregenal de la Sierra.

• The head of Spain's public broadcaster announced he will propose that the country boycott the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest due to Israel's participation. • Spain is part of the Big Five, a group of broadcasters that provide the largest financial contributions and receive automatic qualification for the Grand Final.

• Ireland and the Netherlands have announced they will boycott the 2027 Eurovision song contest. • Ireland cited the "appalling and ongoing loss of lives in Gaza" as the reason for its decision.

• Lloyd's Register's Gastech 2026 study found that 200,000m3 LNG carriers can access 88 terminals worldwide, making them a viable option for fleet renewal. • The study determined that the key compatibility factor for these larger vessels is beam, and they can provide owner benefits of roughly US$85.5 million over 30 years.

• The Netherlands has confirmed its return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027 after a previous boycott, with the event set to take place in Burgas. • An independent team of experts will select and support the country's entry, according to a press release from Dutch public broadcasting body NPO.

• The Netherlands will participate in next year's Eurovision Song Contest in Burgas, Bulgaria, according to Nu.nl. • The competition features semi-finals on May 11 and 13, followed by the Grand Final on May 15.

• Spain's audiovisual sector is expanding with production spending projected to reach €5.68 billion by 2025. • This spending represents a 45% increase compared to the figures recorded in 2022 according to an Olsberg SPI study.

• China's President Xi has kicked off a state visit to Washington, receiving a rare planeside welcome from President Trump. • President Trump told CNN "You should not be here" at the UN, in a tense exchange that highlights the current state of US-China relations.