ENTERTAINMENT

• Prime Video has released its top 10 most-watched shows for the week of June 24-30, highlighting three specific series recommended for binge-watching. • The curated list features a new romantic drama series adapted from a bestselling novel, which is currently dominating the platform's rankings. • These recommendations serve as a weekly guide to help subscribers navigate the streaming library by identifying the most popular trending content.

• Several high-profile series, including 'Cape Fear,' 'The Vampire Lestat,' and Season 5 of 'The Bear,' are ineligible for the 2026 Emmy Awards. • The exclusion is based on eligibility windows, meaning these specific seasons or titles will not be considered for nominations during that cycle. • There is significant anticipation for 'The Vampire Lestat' to gain awards momentum now that it is streaming on Netflix, potentially increasing its visibility to voters.

• Music industry mogul Clive Davis has passed away at the age of 94. • In a separate tragedy, the artist known as Tree died along with five others in a two-helicopter collision. • Tree, a California native recognized for his viral internet presence and unique style, was in the midst of a world tour at the time of the accident.

• Several major film and television premieres are scheduled for release throughout July, including the return of highly anticipated series. • FX's award-winning drama *The Bear* concludes its run with the release of all eight episodes of its fifth and final season. • Michelle Buteau returns for the third and final season of *Survival of the Thickest*, focusing on themes of romance and self-discovery.

• UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (TFT) has launched a five-year artist-in-residence collaboration with Emmy winner and entrepreneur Keke Palmer. • The partnership aims to integrate Palmer's extensive experience as a multi-hyphenate star into the academic community to mentor and inspire students. • This initiative matters as it bridges the gap between professional industry success and formal arts education, providing students with direct access to a modern entertainment leader.

• India's music industry is experiencing overall revenue growth, yet film producers are facing significant difficulties in selling movie soundtracks. • Music labels have adopted a more cautious approach, prioritizing soundtracks with long-term "durability" and high replay value on streaming platforms. • This shift reflects a change in consumption patterns where streaming longevity is now more valuable than the traditional one-time sale of a film's music.

• Influence Media has won the bid to acquire the music assets of Anthem Entertainment for a reported price slightly exceeding $650 million. • The acquisition includes high-value portfolios and "cultural jewels," most notably the catalog of the legendary Canadian rock band Rush. • The deal faces potential delays as sources suggest the Canadian Heritage department may be more bureaucratic and arduous to navigate than the EU.

• Zee Entertainment achieved a record 20% network share, its highest in nearly eight years, driven by a surge in sports viewership. • The company's Unite8 Sports portfolio attracted over 300 million viewers across television, digital, and social platforms during the FIFA World Cup 2026. • Separately, Nitin Gadkari advocated for direct flights from Nagpur to Dubai and Singapore to stimulate regional economic growth.

• The 28th Shanghai International Film Festival launched its Belt and Road Film Week on June 17, emphasizing cinema as a tool for mutual understanding. • A new "full-chain industry day" has been introduced to transition cultural exchanges into tangible business deals and professional collaborations. • This expansion aims to bridge the gap between artistic screening and commercial viability for filmmakers across the Belt and Road regions.

• South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has referred 15 individuals to the police for allegedly engaging in illegal ticket scalping. • The suspects are accused of reselling large quantities of tickets for K-pop concerts and professional sports events at significantly inflated prices. • This crackdown addresses the growing issue of predatory pricing and unfair access to high-demand entertainment and sporting events.

• Women are emerging as a primary growth driver for Asia's live music industry, significantly influencing both attendance and spending across the concert ecosystem. • A study by The Collective, the advisory arm of THE·TEAM, found that 91% of women surveyed in China, Thailand, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong are willing to increase their spending on live music. • This spending growth is contingent on brands providing experiences that are more seamless, immersive, and rewarding for female attendees.

• The Golden Globes is launching the "Golden Globes Silk Road Tribute Gala," a new event dedicated to honoring excellence in film and television from Central Asia and the Caucasus. • The gala is scheduled to take place in Uzbekistan on October 23 and 24. • According to president Helen Hoehne, the initiative aims to reinforce the organization's commitment to recognizing outstanding achievements across diverse global cultural landscapes.

• The indie film ‘The Drama’, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, is scheduled to premiere on HBO Max on July 31. • The movie follows the complex relationship dynamics of a couple as they navigate the stress and twists of wedding preparations. • This streaming debut follows an initial premium video-on-demand (PVOD) release, marking the film's transition to a broader digital audience.

• The Shanghai International Film & TV Market, held alongside the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival and 31st Shanghai TV Festival, saw record global participation. • The Chinese Series Overseas Promotion Pavilion focused on the licensing and distribution of short-form content to platforms in Europe, India, and Southeast Asia. • A global trends workshop on June 21 featured producers from Malaysia, India, and the UK to discuss the rising demand for Chinese micro-dramas.

• Three major entertainment bodies—the United Producers Association (UPA), Actors Collective Pakistan (ACT), and the Directors Guild Pakistan (DGP)—are opposing a proposal in the Finance Bill 2026–27 to scrap taxes on foreign content. • Industry leaders and celebrities warn that removing this tax would create unfair competition, potentially triggering mass unemployment within the local showbiz sector. • The opposition argues that the move could undo a decade of progress made in rehabilitating and growing the local drama industry.

• The Japan Creator Support Fund held a progress report meeting highlighting the international success of Japan's next generation of artists, musicians, filmmakers, and game developers. • The initiative has fostered collaborations and co-productions across 23 countries and regions, including the United States, United Kingdom, South Korea, China, and Thailand. • These efforts have resulted in tangible global outcomes such as awards, nominations, and expanded opportunities for overseas performances and international events.

• Asia secured one Silver Lion and three Bronze Lions across the Cannes Entertainment tracks, including categories for Gaming, Music, and Sport. • Notable Bronze winners include LePub Singapore for Tiger Beer’s ‘Curfew Hostels,’ Luck Tokyo for Mazda’s ‘Goodbye RX-7,’ and Whatever Tokyo for Kao Corporation’s ‘Silent Cleaning.’ • The awards highlight creativity that transforms branded content into culture, with only 20 Lions (3 Gold, 6 Silver, 10 Bronze) awarded from 656 total entries.

• The 2026 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BiFan) is launching in South Korea to celebrate 30 years of Asian genre cinema. • The event features a diverse global program of horror, action, science fiction, and fantasy films, maintaining its status as Asia's largest celebration of these genres. • The festival will open with the local premiere of *Blades of the Guardians*, a blockbuster wuxia epic directed by Hong Kong cinema legend Yuen Woo-ping.