Regression – Syndication AP

What to Stream: Charlie Puth, Daniel Day-Lewis, Robyn, James Marsden and a 'Hannah Montana' special

A “Hannah Montana” anniversary special starring Miley Cyrus and fresh music from Robyn and Charlie Puth album are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time for the week of March 23 as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: the Oscar-winning Norwegian family drama “Sentimental Value,” James Marsden as a hit man in the action movie “Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice” and the San Francisco Giants host the New York Yankees on Netflix’s first MLB broadcast.

FCC approves merger of local television owners Nexstar and Tegna as two lawsuits seek to block it

The Federal Communications Commission has approved the merger of the Nexstar Media Group and its rival Tegna, creating a company that will control more than 250 television stations across the country, most of them local affiliates of ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. The decision came the same day attorneys general in eight states, including California, New York and Illinois, and DirecTV announced lawsuits seeking to block the transaction. The lawsuits argued the deal would raise prices for consumers and stifle local journalism at a time that marketplace is already suffering. The deal required the FCC to relax restrictions on how many local stations one company could own.

ABC's 'Bachelorette' cancellation adds to franchise's long history of controversy

ABC has canceled a finished season of “The Bachelorette.” It highlights the franchise’s long history of cultural controversy. On Wednesday, the network pulled the season starring Taylor Frankie Paul after an old video surfaced that appears to show a violent altercation with her former partner while her young daughter was present. The move to cancel the season stand out since it usually handles scandals while it airs. For years, critics have targeted the franchise over mostly white leads and limited diversity. One of the franchise’s most high-profile controversies came in 2021 when longtime host Chris Harrison stepped down after defending a contestant as criticism grew over photos showing her at an antebellum plantation-themed event and wearing a Native American costume.

World Baseball Classic television audience doubles for 2026 tournament

Venezuela’s 3-2 win over the United States in the World Baseball Classic championship game was seen by 10,784,000 viewers on Fox and Fox Deportes, nearly double the 5.4 million who watched Japan defeat the Americans in the 2023 final on FS1, Fox Deportes and the network’s streaming service. Tuesday night’s game drew 10,228,000 viewers on Fox. That was more than double the 4.48 million on FS1 for Japan’s 3-2 victory in 2023. The WBC averaged 1,294,000 for its games on Fox, FS1 and FS2, double the 506,000 for the 2023 tournament.

Mike Will Made-It returns with star-studded 'R3SET.' It's his first solo album in nearly a decade

Hip-hop super producer Mike Will Made-It returns with the star-studded ‘R3SET,’ his first solo album in nearly a decade. The producer of Kendrick Lamar’s “Humble” and co-producer of Beyoncé’s “Formation” began an unintended hiatus after his music hard drives were stolen. He pursued business endeavors, like building an 80,000- square-foot compound used as a creative event space in Atlanta and rebuilding his musical vault. The result is the 15-track “R3SET,” featuring contributions from megastar J. Cole and YoungBoy Never Broke Again, arguably the hottest street rapper in music. Mike Will pairs heavyweights like 2 Chainz, Ludacris, T.I. and CeeLo Green with new acts like Monaleo and Teezo Touchdown. The album releases Friday.

Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino, defending his company, takes star role at antitrust trial

Live Nation Entertainment's longtime chief executive has testified at a New York antitrust trial, defending the dominant position his company has taken in the concert industry over the last two decades. Michael Rapino became a star witness Thursday at a trial resulting from the lawsuit the U.S. Justice Department brought against Live Nation and its ticketing subsidiary, Ticketmaster, two years ago. The federal government settled the case last week, winning concessions from Live Nation that are meant to increase competition and ideally lower ticket prices for concertgoers. Six states have joined the federal government in settling. But 33 states and the District of Columbia are continuing the court fight.

Longtime Mets broadcaster Howie Rose says he's retiring after this season

Longtime New York Mets broadcaster Howie Rose has announced he is planning to retire at the end of the season after spending four decades with the organization. The 72-year-old Rose began his Mets broadcasting career in 1987 and has served as the team’s lead play-by-play radio voice since 2006. Rose says he plans to work all the Mets’ home games as well as their three road matchups with the New York Yankees this year. He will work all home and away games during the postseason.

In 'Project Hail Mary,' Phil Lord and Chris Miller finally get their space odyssey

In their two decades making movies together, Phil Lord and Chris Miller have shown a particular talent in making inanimate objects come alive. They did this especially in 2014’s “The Lego Movie,” but little in their idiosyncratic filmography hasn’t involved some degree of playful reinvention. But “Project Hail Mary” may be their biggest challenge yet in breathing life into an improbable concept. The film adapted from Andy Weir’s bestseller stars Ryan Gosling as an astronaut sent far into space on a mission to save Earth that brings him into contact with a faceless, rock-based alien. It opens in theaters Thursday.

Rapper Afroman wins lawsuit against police over mocking their 2022 raid in viral music videos

The Grammy-nominated rapper Afroman has won a defamation lawsuit filed by seven Ohio sheriff’s deputies who sued him over music videos that used home security footage to mock them over a 2022 raid of his home. The verdict Wednesday evening follows several hours of deliberations. The Adams County deputies say they were publicly harassed over the videos. They show rifle-wielding deputies busting down his door, searching his shoes and eyeing a cake on the kitchen table, inspiring the song, “Lemon Pound Cake.” The 51-year-old Afroman, born Joseph Foreman, says the verdict is a win for free speech rights. No charges were filed in the drug and kidnapping investigation.

Kevin Spacey settles out of court with 3 men over alleged sexual assaults

Three men who allege that actor Kevin Spacey sexually assaulted them have settled their civil claims in London. The men claimed that Spacey abused them at various times between 2000 and 2013. Spacey denies the allegations. The case was due to go to trial later this year, but judge Christina Lambert paused the proceedings after both sides agreed to settlement terms. The terms have not been disclosed. Spacey, who was artistic director of London's Old Vic Theatre for a decade, faced a criminal trial in London in 2023 on nine alleged sexual offenses. He was acquitted on all counts by a jury.

BTS will stage a long-awaited comeback concert at a Seoul landmark

BTS will stage its long-awaited comeback concert on Saturday night at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square. The square is one of South Korea’s most famous landmarks, representing its royal heritage as well as its political and cultural life. Some 20,000 fans are expected to pack the square. The K-pop juggernaut’s seven members, all South Koreans, will perform songs from their first album in nearly four years. “ARIRANG” takes its title from the most beloved folk tune on the Korean Peninsula. Experts say BTS' concert, which will be livestreamed on Netflix globally, will reaffirm BTS' Korean identify and enhance the influence of K-pop.

Tina Turner's name, image, likeness and most music catalog rights acquired by Pophouse

Pophouse Entertainment Group has acquired Tina Turner's name, image and likeness rights as well as the majority of her music catalog rights from music company BMG. The Swedish company announced the acquisition Thursday. Pophouse would not disclose any details of the deal, but said to expect plans within six months. The “What’s Love Got to Do With It” singer died in 2023. The news of Pophouse's acquisition follows their purchase of rock band Kiss' catalog, brand name and IP in 2024. In the same year Cyndi Lauper entered a partnership with the company, including the sale of the majority share of her music.

Movie Review: A really, really bad wedding night gets worse in ‘Ready or Not 2’

If you thought Samara Weaving had a really bad wedding night in the first “Ready or Not” movie, check out the encore. Weaving's Grace, a new bride, spends another hellish night in “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come,” the next level of the murderous game of hide-and-seek she's forced to play. In her review, Associated Press critic Jocelyn Noveck writes that while the first movie had a lighter feel that made it easier to digest the gore, the sequel feels heavier, and overly long. Weaving is appealing and versatile, while Shawn Hatosy of “The Pitt” plays an especially odious family member. Rated R, the movie opens in theaters Friday.

Cable news network MS NOW shuffles schedule, moving Stephanie Ruhle and Alicia Menendez to daytime

The cable news network MS NOW is shuffling its schedule, mostly in the daytime hours. The former MSNBC will give Stephanie Ruhle and Alicia Menendez two hour stints as anchors, starting in June. Ruhle makes the most dramatic shift, from 11 p.m. Eastern to 9 a.m. Menendez moves off “The Weeknight” ensemble show, to be replaced by Luke Russert. “Morning Joe” is shaving an hour off its daily schedule so it ends at 9 a.m., in what the network said was the anchors' choice. Ali Velshi will take over Ruhle's late-night shift when the changes take effect in June.

Marc Jacobs let Sofia Coppola film with ‘no off limits’ — and didn’t hate himself after

Sofia Coppola has made a documentary about her friend Marc Jacobs that shows how Jacobs creates fashion, up close and unscripted. On Friday “Marc by Sofia” opens in theaters. The film follows Jacobs and his team as they build a Spring 2024 ready-to-wear collection. Coppola shot it in a loose, lo-fi style sometimes alone with a handheld camera. The movie also weaves in Jacobs’s favorite film clips and key career moments. Jacobs says the process feels easy and natural. Coppola was conscious of not making it too much about her.

An AI-rendered Val Kilmer will posthumously appear in a new film

A year after the actor’s death, a generative AI version of Val Kilmer will co-star in an independent film. It's one of the boldest uses yet of artificial intelligence in moviemaking. First Line Films announced Wednesday that Kilmer has posthumously joined the cast of a film titled “As Deep as the Grave.” The producers said that before his death, Kilmer had signed on to perform in the movie but was unable to do due to his health. Kilmer’s estate gave permission for his digital replication, and is being compensated for it. Kilmer died last April from pneumonia at the age of 65.

Zendaya's new ring fuels notion that she and Tom Holland are married

Zendaya fuels marriage rumors about Tom Holland with a new ring, but the star isn’t confirming it and says she’s intentional about keeping her personal life private. On Tuesday, she spoke to The Associated Press at the premiere of her film, “The Drama.” She says there's a balance to be had between hiding and "protecting things that are special to yourself. She arrived wearing what looks like a wedding band beside a larger ring. That larger ring already sparked engagement buzz at January’s Golden Globes. Her representatives have declined to say if she is married. Her stylist Law Roach has teased reporters that the wedding already happened.

Oscar ratings fall 9% in Conan O’Brien’s second year hosting

The Oscars draw fewer TV viewers this year, even as the show stays a major live event. On Tuesday, Disney says 17.9 million people watched Sunday's ceremony which was broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu. That is a 9% drop from last year’s 19.7 million. The show featured a faceoff between two Warner Bros. films, “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners.” “One Battle After Another” won best picture and director. Disney says the Oscars still rank as the top primetime entertainment telecast this season. Social impressions rise over 42%, with 129 million video views.

Judge orders restoration of Voice of America, putting hundreds of journalists back to work

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore the government-run Voice of America to full operations, putting hundreds of journalists who have been on administrative leave for a year back to work. U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth's order came a week after he ruled that Kari Lake, President Donald Trump's choice to effectively lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media, did not have the authority to effectively dismantle the congressionally authorized Voice of America. Following an executive order by Trump a year ago, Lake had put 1,047 of 1,147 employees on administrative leave. The administration had contended it was a bloated agency and wanted government-run news organizations to better reflect its point of view

Sedona Yoga Festival 2026: Global Experts Unite, Apr 23-27

Producers expand global programming for world-renowned yoga event in Sedona's Red RocksSEDONA, Ariz., March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LightBox Media announces the return of the Sedona Yoga Festival, an immersive five-day event designed for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding…