News

Each week, we handpick a selection of stories to give you a snapshot of trends, updates, business moves, and more from around the creator industry. This week, one creator’s foray into digital goods went poorly, while another gave up his pixelated alter ego to try a more realistic approach.

Creator commotion

Red light, green light. French creators like Inoxtag took on the first Squid Game challenge (sans all the killing) to promote the upcoming second season of Netflix’s dystopian hit. But this wasn’t an ordinary game of creepy-Korean-doll-red-light-green-light; it took place in the middle of Paris on the Champs Elysees.

Typical Gamer’s wedding was not so typical. The Fortnite star streamed his wedding as he said “I do” to his partner Samara. Given Tg’s rapid rise in the Fortnite creation scene, I would say that a playable recreation of his wedding is the logical next step.

Former professional football player Jason Kelce recently made some big news just ahead of Monday Night Football. Throughout his career, Kelce has already made a career out of his accomplishments. However, he can now add breaking a world record to his list of achievements.

Jason Kelce Teamed Up With A Famous YouTube Channel

Kelce is known for his time as a Philadelphia Eagles center. He is known for his prominent career, such as his role in leading the Eagles to victory against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl Lii. Kelce announced his retirement back in March of this year.

Kelce and his brother Travis are also known for co-hosting the podcast New Heights. In addition, he also serves as part of ESPN Monday Night Countdown‘s pregame panelists.

Jason Kelce – Youtube

In addition to this, Kelce also just broke a surprising world record. Notably, this occurred on Monday right...

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver playfully zinged Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal for saying the “boring” quality of play in the league is weighing on TV ratings.

“There was so much diversity in Shaqi’s game, I can’t believe he said that,” Silver cracked during an appearance Wednesday at the Paley Center for Media’s International Council Summit.

On a recent episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq, the host said TV ratings this season have declined “because we’re looking at the same thing. Everybody is running the same plays.” Golden State Warriors shooter Steph Curry, he added, “and those guys messed it up. I don’t mind Golden State back in the day shooting threes, but every team isn’t a 3-point shooter. So why [does] everybody have the same strategy? I think it makes the game boring.”

After his jibe about the bruising, low-post style of O’Neal,...

As long as I have been interested in sports, I gravitated towards cricket and football. I occasionally played badminton and table tennis, but not as much as cricket or football. The sports teachers at my school did try to get the kids into stuff like basketball, baseball, and hockey, but they didn’t speak to me. Since I am talking about only basketball today, I’ll admit that even my cinematic knowledge of it was limited to Space Jam. That said, recently, the YouTube algorithm started throwing clips from NBA games in my direction. To be clear, I hadn’t watched anything even remotely related to basketball prior to the appearance of those videos on my timeline. But after a week of binge-watching those shorts, my knowledge about the players had graduated from Steph Curry and LeBron James to Nikola, Luka, Giannis, Harden, and Yuki Kawamura. I knew all about slam dunks,...

At a town hall event on Saturday in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as Elon Musk continued his tour of the state in support of Donald Trump, the topic of immigration came up. That in itself was hardly unusual — Musk, Trump, and the entire Maga movement have been demonizing immigrants throughout the 2024 election cycle. But this time, someone wanted Musk, born in South Africa, to share what he had learned in becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen himself.

A question came from an audience member named Mark, who told the billionaire that it...

TNT Sports is rebooting its golf event series The Match with a twist: It will pit teams of A-list stars and all-star athletes against each other, in primetime, over the course of two nights, in what it is calling The Match: Superstars.

TNT Sports has lined up celebrities including Bill Murray, Mark Wahlberg and Nate Bargatze, as well as NBA legend and Inside the NBA analyst Charles Barkley, all-time NHL great and NHL on TNT analyst Wayne Gretzky, Olympics legend Michael Phelps, former MLB star Ken Griffey Jr. and former NBA star Blake Griffin, who will team up in pairs for match play.

The Match: Superstars will be held Nov. 21 and Nov. 22, and will simulcast on TNT and Max in primetime. Ernie Johnson will host, joined by 2008 Masters Champion Trevor Immelman, two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson and Kathryn Tappen.

The teams will see Murray and Gretzky paired up to face Barkley and Griffey,...

New York Yankees legend and Fox Sports analyst Derek Jeter is trading in his cleats for a clapboard.

The baseball hall of famer has quietly launched a production company, Cap 2 Productions (a reference to his number with the Yankees, and his role as captain of the team), which he hopes will take full advantage of the burgeoning interest in sports-related content from TV channels and streaming services.

“It’s not just some random company that was started because we said, ‘hey, we want to get into production now.’ This is an extension of what has been built over the last 10 years,” Jeter tells The Hollywood Reporter in his first interview to discuss Cap 2.

Jeter frames Cap 2 as an expansion of what he did with The Players’ Tribune, the athlete-focused digital publication that he co-founded with Jaymee Messler in 2014.

“When we started Tpt, you have a vision of what it can become,...

Exclusive: The Black List won’t be releasing its 20th anniversary tally until later this year, but the Franklin Leonard-founded platform is rolling into the Bay Area with a new collaboration and a deep bench of partners.

Focusing on the talent-rich San Francisco and Oakland region, the brand new Bay List will announce 10 inaugural projects next summer. If you are part of the 415, 510 or 628 area codes, among others, you have until April 8, 2025 to submit an eligible project. Find out more info about Leonard and Blindspotting creator/showrunner Rafael Casal‘s brainchild here.

“I’ve been a longtime admirer of the arts community in the Bay generally so it was a no-brainer to jump in when Rafa reached out about being a part of it directly,” Leonard told Deadline on Tuesday. “Little did I appreciate just how big the Bay does things. It’s a real honor to be partnered up...

Hot off the hit film adaptation of her bestselling novel “It Ends With Us,” author Colleen Hoover has set up her next movie project at Universal: an adaptation of her 2022 novel “Reminders of Him” that will be released on Valentine’s Day weekend in 2026.

The novel follows Kenna Rowan, a woman who has just finished a five-year prison sentence for a tragic mistake. She returns to her hometown hoping to make amends and reconnect with her daughter, but nearly everyone in the town shuts her out save for a local bar owner, Ledger Ward.

As time goes on, Kenna and Ledger grow closer together, even though they both risk being ostracized even more if their budding romance is discovered. Despite this, they push forward, as Kenna looks for a way to fix her mistakes.

Hoover will write the screenplay with Lauren Levine, with whom she has co-founded her new...

With NBA season right around the corner, fans of every team are currently able to bask in the possibilities that an upcoming season holds. Every franchise is still in contention for the championship, and nobody knows who the breakout stars who shape the playoff race will be. It has all the makings of an interesting year, as the 2023-2024 season felt like the beginning of a transition for professional basketball. The NBA introduced its first In-Season Tournament, adding a new wrinkle to the sport that seems primed to become a beloved tradition. And while aging stars like LeBron James and Steph Curry dominated at the Summer Olympics, the emergence of new stars like Tyrese Haliburton proved that the sport’s future is bright — and closer than ever.

Fans looking to re-live last year’s biggest storylines before the regular season starts on October 22nd should look no further than “Clutch: The NBA Playoffs,...

ESPN has picked up the eight-part original series “Clutch: The NBA Playoffs,” which chronicles the most recent 2024 NBA Playoffs via the personal and professional stories of players including Zion Williamson, Tyrese Maxey, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton, P.J. Washington and Jaylen Brown. The ESPN Original series premieres Oct. 7 on ESPN2 at 11:30 p.m. Et, and then will be available to stream on ESPN+ an hour later.

“The NBA Playoffs are defined by competition and drama, and with ‘Clutch,’ we’re excited to show fans a new side of an unforgettable post-season,” said Lindsay Rovegno, vice president of production for ESPN Originals. “This series provides a unique perspective on some of the most compelling players in the game, showcasing their drive, resilience, and passion as they chase a championship. It’s about more than basketball – it’s about legacy, and we’re proud to tell these stories in a way we know viewers will love.

One of the world’s most recognizable sports stars is joining the fray to launch his own production company.

Lionel Messi, the footballer who jumped to the Mls Beckham-style in a late-career move to play for Inter Miami, has set up a film and TV banner titled 525 Rosario, a reference to his hometown address in Argentina. It’ll set up shop in both Miami as well as Los Angeles.

The shingle was formed as a joint venture between the Messi family and Smuggler Entertainment, the production company behind the Apple TV+ series Messi’s World Cup: The Rise of a Legend and Messi Meets America. 525 Rosario will get a CEO in Tim Pastore, who also runs Smuggler, produced Messi’s World Cup and holds producing credits on titles like Free Solo and Jane Goodall doc Jane.

The plan is for 525 Rosario to tackle editorial content, presumably more unscripted docs, as well...

NBA stars have been omnipresent this offseason thanks to the incredible Olympics performance of the United States mens’ basketball team and Steph Curry’s sitcom debut in “Mr. Throwback.” But even if NBA fans didn’t have much of a chance to miss their favorite players, it’s hard to imagine anyone will complain about yet another chance to see some of the game’s biggest names in the final month before regular season play begins.

Netflix has unveiled the trailer for “Starting 5” a new 10-episode documentary that follows five of the league’s biggest stars — LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat, Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings, and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics — over the course of the 2023-2024 NBA season.

Per an official synopsis, “The series captures their battles on and off the court as they chase greatness,...

On Thursday September 12 2024, NBC broadcasts Mr. Throwback!

Why Not Me Season 1 Episode 1 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Mr. Throwback,” titled “Why Not Me,” promises to be an exciting journey filled with nostalgia and unexpected challenges. The show focuses on Danny Grossman, a sports memorabilia dealer who is facing tough times in his business. As Danny grapples with his struggles, he finds himself in a difficult situation that requires a creative solution.

In this episode, Danny reaches out to his childhood best friend, NBA superstar Stephen Curry. Their reunion brings back memories of their younger days and the bond they shared. However, things quickly take a turn when Danny’s problems grow larger than expected. The friendship between Danny and Stephen will be tested as they navigate the complexities of fame, friendship, and the challenges that come with it.

Viewers can expect a mix of humor and heartfelt moments as...

On Tuesday September 3 2024, NBC broadcasts Today!

Season 72 Episode 293 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Today” on NBC promises an exciting lineup featuring some well-known personalities. Professional basketball player Steph Curry will be in the spotlight, sharing insights from his remarkable career and what motivates him on and off the court. His presence is sure to bring energy and inspiration, especially for fans of basketball.

Former professional tennis player Roger Federer will also make an appearance. Known for his grace and skill on the tennis court, Federer will discuss his journey in sports and his life after retirement. His experiences and thoughts on the sport are likely to resonate with many viewers, making for an engaging conversation.

Actress Taraji P. Henson is set to join the show as well. With her impressive acting career and powerful roles, Henson will likely share stories from her life in Hollywood. Her perspective on the...

Stephen Colbert has been a busy man, between hosting The Late Show and attending the DNC. He's the most politically minded of the late night hosts, of course, so it was a balanced the comedian had a fun time pulling off.

The upcoming week will see Colbert get back into his Late Show groove, though, and he's booked an impressive roster of guests. Monday, September 2, will see the host converse with Pete Buttigieg, the US Secretary of Transportation, about the upcoming Presidential election.

Politicians and musicians will fill out the week 2024 Spelman College Commencement Ceremony | Paras Griffin/GettyImages

The musical guest will be Chance the Rapper, who recently dropped one of his best songs in years, and is in the process of completing a comeback album.

Tuesday, September 3 will see Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson serve as the main guest, while musical duties will be handled by a trio of talented stars: Kaytranada,...

Both Drake and Kendrick Lamar are at the top of their game in the music industry, with several golden albums under their belt. The duo initially crossed paths as friends, even collaborating with each other. However, soon this camaraderie turned into a full-fledged battle, with the rappers constantly taking jabs at each other through their music.

Drake in a still from Family Matters music video || Credits: YouTube

While Lamar has been bashing the Canadian rapper for several months now, it seems like Drake is ready to address everything with his new songs that he just dropped.

Further, the lyrics of the same are hinting that a bigger musical battle is just around the corner, with Lamar fans critically analyzing each and every word of the newly dropped songs.

Drake Drops 3 New Songs and the Lyrics Have Caused a Frenzy on the Internet

The entire public has taken a back seat...

Warning: Contains spoilers from the first three seasons of Only Murders in the Building

The only thing celebrities love more than reminding normies that they’re our superiors is convincing us that they really know how to laugh at themselves. Larry David was relatively unknown as a show business personality when he created Curb Your Enthusiasm, in which he could continue litigating social niceties as he had as a co-creator of Seinfeld. The new show allowed him to portray “himself,” still technically working in entertainment, but now so wealthy he didn’t have to suffer fools or exert himself too much trying to set up his next project, and could spend most of his time having lunch with other stars playing “themselves.” Matt LeBlanc in Episodes, Pamela Adlon in Better Things and Steph Curry in Mr. Throwback all have taken their turns goofing on themselves in sitcom star vehicles. In...

There are a lot of celebrity rumors and sightings swirling around the Democratic National Convention on Thursday as Kamala Harris prepares to take the stage in a historical occasion in Chicago.

With the likes of Taylor Swift and Beyoncé at the top of the surprise list, at least one high-profile candidate has taken himself out of the race. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said he is not the “surprise guest” who has been rumored to appear this evening.

Just over an hour ago, Romney posted on X: “Contrary to fake news posts, I am not the surprise guest at the DNC tonight. My guess is that it will be Beyoncé or Taylor Swift. So disappointing, I know!”

Contrary to fake news posts, I am not the surprise guest at the DNC tonight. My guess is that it will be Beyoncé or Taylor Swift. So disappointing,...

Golden State Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr spoke at the opening night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, in the same venue where he won three NBA titles witch the Chicago Bulls. Fresh from an excursion to Paris where he coached the U.S. men’s basketball team to their 17th Olympic gold medal, Kerr told the audience gathered in support of Vice President Kamala Harris that he could think of “no better metaphor for what this country is all about” than their Olympic triumph.

“Think about what...

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.

If it seems like Caitlin Clark is everywhere these days, there’s good reason for it: the Indiana Fever point guard was the number one pick in this year’s WNBA Draft and has quickly become one of the most exciting players to watch in the league. Clark merch is selling quickly too, from official jerseys to basketball cards.

Now, Target has dropped a new Caitlin Clark plush toy,...

Exclusive: Sister has upped its stake in podcast studio Campside Media to a majority shareholding.

The Chernobyl producer’s 2023 company accounts, seen by Deadline, revealed that Jane Featherstone and Liz Murdoch’s transatlantic studio “now has a controlling stake” in Campside and “will continue to support the business in its development of audio content and the exploitation of those rights.” Sister previously had a minority shareholding.

Sister took its minority stake in Campside several years back, soon after Campside launched, at which point it landed one of its most high-profile projects, a pod about the Hollywood con queen. Apple TV+ recently launched a docuseries on the same topic.

Campside has since become well regarded for a series of pods exploring a range of issues, including the Chameleon franchise. Most recently, it struck a first-look with Wondery for a multi-project slate and launched its debut original pod, White Devil, the story...

A month after NBC broadcast live Steph Curry’s heroics during the Men’s Basketball Olympics final that helped USA clinch the title, the Golden State Warriors star will be back on the network. NBC will air the first episode of the Peacock original comedy series Mr. Throwback, starring Curry and Adam Pally, on Sept. 12. The pilot will run in the anchor Thursday 9 Pm slot from the network’s “Must See TV” era.

The move is designed to give additional exposure to Mr. Throwback, which premiered Aug. 8 on Peacock alongside the streamer’s Olympics coverage that included Curry & Co.’s quest for Olympic gold.

The half-hour, co-created/executive produced by David Caspe, ranks as a top 5 Peacock original comedy series launch based on its opening weekend viewing out of 19 comedy shows the NBCU streamer has introduced so far. Not surprisingly, 77% of the accounts who watched Mr. Throwback also watched basketball at the Olympics.

Exclusive: The delivery of big-budget projects including The Power and Dan Levy movie Good Grief led Sister to double turnover in 2023 to $264M, although profit remained stubbornly in the red.

Jane Featherstone and Liz Murdoch’s company put record revenue down to “the realization of pipeline projects and recovery from the delays to the production schedule of programmes caused by the Covid-19 pandemic,” according to the transatlantic outfit’s full-year company accounts, seen by Deadline.

In 2023, Sister launches included Prime Video’s long-gestating The Power adaptation, its first movie Good Grief and BBC thriller series Better. It also took stakes in Richard Bacon’s new outfit Yes Yes Media and Steph Curry’s Unanimous Media.

But while turnover shot up as expected, and is now more than $200M above where it was two years ago, Sister is still failing to turn a profit. It is getting closer, however, with a...

Editors note: Running until the final general election results come in, the Deadline ElectionLine podcast spotlights the 2024 campaign and the blurred lines between politics and entertainment in modern America. Hosted by Deadline’s political editor Ted Johnson and executive editor Dominic Patten, the podcast features commentary and interviews with top lawmakers and entertainment figures. At the same time, you can follow all the news in the Biden & Trump rematch and more on the ElectionLine hub on Deadline.

“It goes back to one of the most famous phrases: politics is local,” says Karine Jean-Pierre today on the Deadline ElectionLine podcast. “It is important that we reach and meet people where they are,” the White House Press Secretary adds of the administration’s approach to getting its message and policies to Americans in a fractured and siloed media environment — take a listen above.

“It is important to talk outside the political bubble.