Streaming Residuals Drop for First Time as Secondary Market Sputters, Per WGA Report

• Ariana Grande has announced she will "step back from visibility" following the conclusion of her Eternal Sunshine tour to distance herself from ongoing public scrutiny. • As part of this hiatus, the three-time Grammy winner is dropping out of the musical production "Sunday in the Park With George."

• The national selection shows for the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia, taking place in November, will be streamed on YouTube. • Selection events are scheduled throughout September for South Korea (Sept 4), Nepal (Sept 19), Laos (Sept 23-24), Thailand (Sept 27), and Bangladesh (Sept 30).

• Emerging markets are seeing mixed economic signals, with China reporting a surge in industrial profits and Mexico benefiting from AI growth, while Saudi Arabia's economy has shrunk. • Growth forecasts have been revised upward for several Asian nations, specifically South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, driven largely by their roles in the AI sector.

• Streaming platforms are reducing spending on original web series as viewership shifts toward sports, blockbuster films, and traditional TV shows. • To achieve profitability, platforms are pivoting their growth strategies toward leaner, regional original content rather than high-budget productions.

• The 2027 Met Gala theme has been announced as “John Galliano: Horizons,” an exhibition dedicated to the work of the renowned fashion designer. • The choice is controversial because Galliano's career was severely impacted in 2011 following a series of racist and antisemitic incidents.

• Streaming platforms including Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video are releasing a new slate of content for August 2026. • Key highlights for the month include the premiere of 'Outer Banks' season 5 and the release of 'Lanterns'.

• Streaming platforms including Netflix, HBO Max, and Pluto TV are updating their content catalogues for August 2026. • The upcoming additions feature a wide array of titles, including "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw," "Good Will Hunting," and the "Kung Fu Panda" trilogy.

• ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ has surpassed the previous box office record held by ‘Avengers: Endgame’. • In a separate cultural analysis, the AP explores the history and evolution of patriotic music in the United States.

• Southeast Asian filmmakers are seeing a surge in global interest and success driven by the widespread adoption of streaming platforms. • Local creators, such as those in Indonesia, are producing targeted content like dramas centered on infidelity to capture regional audiences.

• Actress Bhumi Pednekar faced significant online backlash after criticizing student protests and remarks directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that such behavior is not part of Indian culture. • A former teacher of the actress publicly condemned her comments on August 4, 2026, describing Pednekar's stance as "disrespectful" and "almost disdainful."

• Apple TV is releasing the fourth season of the popular series "Ted Lasso" this week. • Paramount+ will debut a new concert film featuring Billie Eilish, which was co-directed by James Cameron.