Young audiences are reshaping how media is consumed. A fresh study of 1,500 North-American viewers aged 13 to 39 reveals that the majority still prefers a traditional television set, complete with subtitles, over a phone or tablet screen. The same group reports a rising sense of irritation, citing the sheer number of separate streaming platforms needed to follow their favourite shows. At the same time, interest in anime and visual-podcast formats is soaring, while TikTok and YouTube continue to dictate what people watch next.
Conducted in early August 2026, the survey shows that 68% of respondents watch series on a TV screen, and 73% enable subtitles regardless of language. The data also highlights distinct preferences among sub-demographics: people of colour, LGBTQ+ viewers and college students tend to prioritize on-screen representation and subtitle accuracy differently. The report warns that streaming fatigue could push younger viewers toward bundled services or back to linear TV if the market does not simplify access.
South Korean prosecutors demand a 15-year prison term for Kakao’s founder
In a dramatic turn for the Korean tech sector, prosecutors have asked an appeals court to impose a 15-year incarceration on Kim Beom-su, the founder of Kakao Corp., for allegedly manipulating the share price of SM Entertainment. The request was filed during the final hearing of Kim’s appeal on 23 September 2026 and mirrors the penalty originally sought at his 2025 trial, which had resulted in an acquittal.
Authorities also seek a fine of KRW 510 million (approximately US$377,000) for Kim, and comparable penalties for other executives, including former chief investment officer Bae Jae-hyun (12-year term, same fine) and former Kakao Entertainment chief Kim Sung-so (nine years). Under South Korea’s “dual punishment” rule, the companies Kakao Corp. and Kakao Entertainment face KRW 500 million fines each. Prosecutors argue that the defendants purchased roughly KRW 240 billion worth of SM shares across 553 transactions in February 2023 to keep the price above the KRW 120,000 threshold set by rival HYBE’s tender offer.
The appeal hinges on whether the court accepts prosecutors’ claim that the purchases were intended to mislead investors and block HYBE’s bid. A conviction could force Kakao to reduce its 27% stake in KakaoBank, since Korean law bars entities convicted of financial crimes from owning more than 10% of a banking institution. The Seoul High Court is slated to issue its decision on 20 November 2026.
Week’s headline-making entertainment moments
Across the global stage, several high-profile stories captured public attention. Tom Cruise described his role in the new film Digger as “totally outrageous,” emphasizing the character’s unapologetic bravado at the London premiere. Meanwhile, DreamWorks announced the upcoming animated adventure Forgotten Island which will feature R&B Grammy-winner H.E.R. as a voice talent; she recalled childhood tales of the Filipino “Manananggal” that inspired the film’s mythic tone.
In corporate news, Paramount Skydance secured an $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery after settling lawsuits with U.S. states and a writers’ union, clearing the path for one of Hollywood’s largest consolidations. The deal also includes a promise to form an editorial-independence board for CNN and CBS News, though experts warn the arrangement may lack real teeth. On the music front, Taylor Swift revealed an expanded edition of her twelfth album, titled The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore adding four new songs to the record that already dominated the Billboard Hot 100.
Streaming platforms are not immune to scrutiny either. Disney plans to raise subscription fees for its ad-free Disney+ tier and for Hulu, reflecting industry-wide pressure to offset soaring content costs. In Britain, documentary filmmaker Jarvis Cocker narrated a new film exploring Pulp’s early days, drawing on diary entries from the 1970s. Controversy also surfaced in the literary world: Haitian-Canadian author Thelyson Orelien’s prize-winning novel faced accusations of AI-generated text, which the writer and his publishers staunchly denied.
Legal reckonings continued to dominate headlines. Former Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein received a 15-year sentence for a 2006 sexual assault, concluding a protracted legal saga that began with a 2020 conviction reversal. Ex-BBC Radio DJ Tim Westwood was charged with two additional sexual offences dating back to 1991 and 2004. Finally, after a year-long boycott, the Netherlands announced its return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, ending the previous protest over Israel’s participation.
