Hollywood
The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds and Snakes advance bookings open from 15 November
Mumbai: Get ready to enter the arena ‘in advance’ – that’s right, Lionsgate and PVR Pictures have opened advance bookings for The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds and Snakes for fans across the country who wish to watch the film ahead of the official release. Fans can book their tickets from 15 November – we say, don’t miss the first day, first show on 17 November. It’s time to unleash your inner victor and step into the arena.. may the odds be ever in your favour.
This fifth film is a prequel to the rest of the films and marks the longest film in The Hunger Games franchise. It follows a young Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth), the last hope for the once-proud Snow family, whose failing lineage has spelled a fall from grace in a postwar Capitol. Reluctantly accepting the assignment to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler) for the 10th Annual Hunger Games, he finds the odds stacked against him. An opportunity to turn the tides with Lucy’s captivating charm forces him to battle his instincts for both good and evil. As Snow sets out on a race against time to survive, find out whether he will ultimately become a songbird…or a snake.
Recent social media reactions to the film have earned impressive reactions worldwide, predicting the film to have a grand opening weekend.
Hollywood
Paramount seeks FCC nod for foreign-backed $110 billion WBD deal
Gulf funds back merger as foreign stake nears 50 per cent, control stays with Ellison
NEW YORK: Paramount Global has approached the Federal Communications Commission seeking approval for foreign investments tied to its proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, marking another key step in one of the biggest media deals in recent years.
According to regulatory filings made public this week, the investment backing the deal includes major Gulf sovereign funds such as the Public Investment Fund, the Qatar Investment Authority and L’imad Holding Company. Together, foreign investors are expected to hold just under 50 per cent of Paramount’s equity once the transaction is complete.
Despite the sizeable international backing, Paramount has made it clear that voting control will remain with the family of chief executive David Ellison, ensuring the company stays firmly under US control as required by broadcasting rules.
A company spokesperson described the FCC filing as routine for transactions involving foreign capital and stressed that it does not impact the closing of the deal. Under US law, any significant foreign ownership in broadcast licence holders must undergo regulatory review.
The merger itself has already cleared a major hurdle, with Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders approving the deal on 23 April. The transaction values the company at $31 per share, a 147 per cent premium to its earlier trading price, reflecting strong strategic intent behind the tie-up.
If completed, the combined entity will bring together a vast portfolio including Warner Bros. film studios, HBO Max, and networks such as CNN, TNT and Discovery Channel. The deal is currently expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
However, scrutiny is intensifying. The US Department of Justice has issued subpoenas seeking details on the merger’s potential impact on cinema competition, streaming services and content licensing. Reviews are also anticipated in international markets, including the United Kingdom.
There is also a financial safety net built into the agreement. If regulators ultimately block the deal, Paramount would face a $7 billion break-up fee. Additionally, the company has taken on $2.8 billion in obligations previously owed by Warner Bros. Discovery to Netflix following an earlier terminated arrangement.
Paramount maintains that easing foreign ownership barriers will unlock fresh capital and strengthen its ability to compete in a rapidly evolving media landscape. For now, the spotlight remains on regulators, whose decision will determine whether this global media consolidation moves from script to screen.
