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By Alicia Powell (Reuters) -Susan Powter, the fitness guru who dominated 1990s television with her "Stop the Insanity!" catchphrase, is making a comeback in a documentary that explores her fall from fame into bankruptcy. The film, which comes after Powter spent years in obscurity following lawsuits that left her bankrupt, seeks to reintroduce the '90s icon to a new generation while highlighting themes of financial ruin, female empowerment and food insecurity. "Absolutely nothing has changed and everything has changed, every single thing in my life has changed, nothing has changed on the surface. But real hope is there, real opportunity to work again. That's all I want to do," said Powter.     Once a household name, Powter's highly successful infomercial generated more than $100 million in sales, and she sold more than 10 million books and videos worldwide, in addition to hosting a nationally syndicated talk show.     However, Powter revealed that poor business deals and lawsuits with her business partners left her bankrupt and living in a roach-infested transient hotel in Las Vegas, where film director Zeberiah Newman discovered her.          After a conversation over ramen noodles, Powter agreed to share her story with both rage and shame, but not fear.     The 67-year-old declared the film wasn't just about her, but a story of societal reflection and human redemption. "We can take Susan Powter to the 99-cent store and hear and watch her struggle to find real food and sort (of) highlight this idea that a lot of people are in food deserts," Newman said.     While Powter is still driving for Uber Eats and living in a small apartment in Las Vegas, she said her refusal to be a victim and her rage are guiding her toward her second act.     The film is currently in theaters in both Los Angeles and New York and available for pre-order on Apple TV. (Reporting by Alicia Powell; Editing by Edmund Klamann)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Dawn Chmielewski and Chris Sanders (Reuters) -Paramount Skydance, Comcast and Netflix are bidding to buy Warner Bros Discovery, Reuters reported on Thursday, but each company's bid faces its own political and regulatory risks. Factors to watch include market share imbalances each bidder could bring, investors and public comments by U.S. President Donald Trump or his administration about each company. The White House could not immediately be reached for comment. Political Risk Paramount Skydance: Paramount may have the inside track because of its White House connections and the significant cash the world's second-richest person, Larry Ellison, can provide Warner Bros Discovery to close the deal. His son, Paramount CEO David Ellison, enjoys Trump's favor, which could help smooth regulatory hurdles. Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Richard Blumenthal worry approval of the deal could be tainted by political favoritism, citing Paramount Global's $16 million donation to Trump's Presidential Library. The payment, made prior to a merger with Skydance that placed Ellison at the media company's helm, settled a lawsuit Trump brought over edits to a "60 Minutes" interview. Still, if the bid includes foreign investors, the size of their potential stake could trigger a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. The merging of Paramount's and Warner Bros' cable television networks could raise concerns about market concentration for the DOJ. Outside the U.S., regulators would also weigh in under foreign direct investment regimes, while European authorities would examine media plurality rules given the combination of CNN and CBS. Comcast: The Philadelphia‑based cable giant faces a different political climate. Trump has repeatedly denigrated the company over its unit NBC's coverage of his second term in office, calling it "Concast," and criticized its Chairman Brian Roberts. That hostility could complicate the DOJ's posture, though any opposition would need to be grounded in law and competition concerns rather than White House preference. The DOJ sought to block AT&T's $85.4 billion acquisition of Time Warner, whose CNN attracted Trump's ire during his first term in the White House. A federal judge ultimately cleared a path for the deal in 2018. Netflix:  The streaming leader has its own potential political struggles. In October 2025, the Pentagon criticized "Boots," a series about a gay Marine, according to the Hollywood Reporter. "We will not compromise our standards to satisfy an ideological agenda, unlike Netflix whose leadership consistently produces and feeds woke garbage to their audience and children," a Defense Department representative said. Even before the bids were in, Republican Senator Roger Marshall and Representative Darrell Issa warned that allowing Netflix to take over the company would hand it the content rights of HBO Max and Warner Bros, which they said could raise prices and decrease choice for consumers. Market dominance, however, is in the eye of the beholder. YouTube accounts for more television viewing in the U.S. than its closest rival, Netflix, according to Nielsen. Competition and Antitrust Risk Given past practice, the Justice Department would likely have antitrust oversight of any deal. Warner Bros Discovery does not hold broadcast TV assets and as a result, Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr would likely not have jurisdiction. Paramount Skydance: A merger with Warner Bros Discovery would unite two major Hollywood studios, two streaming platforms (HBO Max and Paramount+) and two news operations (CNN and CBS). Exhibitors are likely to worry about the number of films reaching theaters, with Comscore estimating the combined entity would control 32% of the U.S. and Canadian box office, based on 2025 revenue. The creative community may also face reduced employment options if there are fewer movies or if, for example, CBS News and CNN were combined. Sports rights concentration — CBS and TNT under one roof — could potentially raise prices for consumers. Comcast: Combining Universal Pictures with Warner Bros Studios would create an even larger theatrical powerhouse, accounting for more than 43% of the North American box office, according to Comscore. That level of market share could alarm regulators and exhibitors, raising questions about diminished opportunities for filmmakers and talent. The DOJ would need to assess whether such consolidation harms competition in theatrical distribution. During Trump's first term, the DOJ approved a similarly sized deal – Walt Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox, which brought together two film studios that at the time represented a combined 38% of the domestic box office, according to Comscore. Netflix: The streaming leader's bid would not affect theatrical releases but would reshape the subscription video market. (Netflix will continue to distribute movies into theaters, a source familiar with the matter said, confirming a Bloomberg report). Adding HBO Max's 128 million subscribers to Netflix’s more than 300 million would create a formidable player. Regulators may ask whether such scale limits consumer choice, though the market definition is contested: YouTube, TikTok and other platforms command significant viewing time. The DOJ would need to decide whether Netflix's dominance constitutes a threat to competition or simply reflects evolving consumer habits. (Reporting by Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles and Chris Sanders in Washington; Editing by Richard Chang)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Dawn Chmielewski and Chris Sanders (Reuters) -Paramount Skydance, Comcast and Netflix are bidding to buy Warner Bros Discovery, Reuters reported on Thursday, but each company's bid faces its own political and regulatory risks. Factors to watch include market share imbalances each bidder could bring, investors and public comments by U.S. President Donald Trump or his administration about each company. The White House could not immediately be reached for comment. Political Risk Paramount Skydance: Paramount may have the inside track because of its White House connections and the significant cash the world's second-richest person, Larry Ellison, can provide Warner Bros Discovery to close the deal. His son, Paramount CEO David Ellison, enjoys Trump's favor, which could help smooth regulatory hurdles. Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Richard Blumenthal worry approval of the deal could be tainted by political favoritism, citing Paramount Global's $16 million donation to Trump's Presidential Library. The payment, made prior to a merger with Skydance that placed Ellison at the media company's helm, settled a lawsuit Trump brought over edits to a "60 Minutes" interview. Still, if the bid includes foreign investors, the size of their potential stake could trigger a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. The merging of Paramount's and Warner Bros' cable television networks could raise concerns about market concentration for the DOJ. Outside the U.S., regulators would also weigh in under foreign direct investment regimes, while European authorities would examine media plurality rules given the combination of CNN and CBS. Comcast: The Philadelphia‑based cable giant faces a different political climate. Trump has repeatedly denigrated the company over its unit NBC's coverage of his second term in office, calling it "Concast," and criticized its Chairman Brian Roberts. That hostility could complicate the DOJ's posture, though any opposition would need to be grounded in law and competition concerns rather than White House preference. The DOJ sought to block AT&T's $85.4 billion acquisition of Time Warner, whose CNN attracted Trump's ire during his first term in the White House. A federal judge ultimately cleared a path for the deal in 2018. Netflix:  The streaming leader has its own potential political struggles. In October 2025, the Pentagon criticized "Boots," a series about a gay Marine, according to the Hollywood Reporter. "We will not compromise our standards to satisfy an ideological agenda, unlike Netflix whose leadership consistently produces and feeds woke garbage to their audience and children," a Defense Department representative said. Even before the bids were in, Republican Senator Roger Marshall and Representative Darrell Issa warned that allowing Netflix to take over the company would hand it the content rights of HBO Max and Warner Bros, which they said could raise prices and decrease choice for consumers. Market dominance, however, is in the eye of the beholder. YouTube accounts for more television viewing in the U.S. than its closest rival, Netflix, according to Nielsen. Competition and Antitrust Risk Given past practice, the Justice Department would likely have antitrust oversight of any deal. Warner Bros Discovery does not hold broadcast TV assets and as a result, Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr would likely not have jurisdiction. Paramount Skydance: A merger with Warner Bros Discovery would unite two major Hollywood studios, two streaming platforms (HBO Max and Paramount+) and two news operations (CNN and CBS). Exhibitors are likely to worry about the number of films reaching theaters, with Comscore estimating the combined entity would control 32% of the U.S. and Canadian box office, based on 2025 revenue. The creative community may also face reduced employment options if there are fewer movies or if, for example, CBS News and CNN were combined. Sports rights concentration — CBS and TNT under one roof — could potentially raise prices for consumers. Comcast: Combining Universal Pictures with Warner Bros Studios would create an even larger theatrical powerhouse, accounting for more than 43% of the North American box office, according to Comscore. That level of market share could alarm regulators and exhibitors, raising questions about diminished opportunities for filmmakers and talent. The DOJ would need to assess whether such consolidation harms competition in theatrical distribution. During Trump's first term, the DOJ approved a similarly sized deal – Walt Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox, which brought together two film studios that at the time represented a combined 38% of the domestic box office, according to Comscore. Netflix: The streaming leader's bid would not affect theatrical releases but would reshape the subscription video market. (Netflix will continue to distribute movies into theaters, a source familiar with the matter said, confirming a Bloomberg report). Adding HBO Max's 128 million subscribers to Netflix’s more than 300 million would create a formidable player. Regulators may ask whether such scale limits consumer choice, though the market definition is contested: YouTube, TikTok and other platforms command significant viewing time. The DOJ would need to decide whether Netflix's dominance constitutes a threat to competition or simply reflects evolving consumer habits. (Reporting by Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles and Chris Sanders in Washington; Editing by Richard Chang)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA (Reuters) -Organisers of the Eurovision Song Contest announced on Friday changes to voting rules to avoid state interference after controversy over Israel's entry this year. The new rules by the European Broadcasting Union discourage governments and third parties from "disproportionately promoting" songs to sway voters – and say they could otherwise face sanctions. At this year's edition, Israel's Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7, 2023, attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas, came second overall. However, some on social media raised concern about the transparency of the voting system – which was echoed by the winner, Austrian entry JJ. Critics said state promotion unfairly boosted Israel's entry and that individuals' multiple voting for the same contestant went against the spirit of the competition, which has been running since 1956. Israel has not commented on those accusations, but often alleges a global smear campaign against it since the Gaza war began after the Hamas attack. The Israeli permanent mission in Geneva did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. Eurovision director Martin Green said the organisation was taking steps to ensure the competition remains a celebration of music and unity. "The Contest should remain a neutral space and must not be instrumentalized," he said in a statement. Under the new rules, an expanded professional jury will be reintroduced at the semi-final stage and will have about 50% of the vote. The other half will remain a public vote. ISRAEL SAYS IT WILL NOT QUIT COMPETITION Audience members will now have a maximum of 10 rather than 20 votes to cast. "Fans will be actively encouraged to share their support across multiple entries,” the EBU stated. Ahead of next May's 70th edition in Austria, EBU members will meet in December to discuss Israeli participation. Five countries – the Netherlands, Slovenia, Iceland, Ireland and Spain – want Israel excluded over the number of Palestinian civilians killed during Israel's offensive in Gaza. Israel denies targeting civilians in Gaza and says it is being unfairly demonised abroad. According to the Euronews outlet, a dozen European members of parliament called for the release of voting data from this year's Eurovision contest citing fears of manipulation, after various national broadcasters had expressed the same worry. Irish broadcaster RTE confirmed at the time that it had requested a breakdown of Eurovision voting numbers. Posts and photos from the Israel X account run by Israel's foreign ministry and dated May 15 – the day that Israel competed in this year's Eurovision semi-final – encouraged people to vote for Raphael, adding that "you can vote up to 20 times." (Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin; Additional reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Rollo Ross and Danielle Broadway LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor traversed new terrain with her song "Still Don't Care," which explores her experiences being cyberbullied on social media.    "Still Don't Care," part of her upcoming "Toy with Me" album, directly addresses the online backlash the "All About That Bass" singer has received about her weight loss. "The verses are all the things I've read about myself and all the things people have said to my face," Trainor told Reuters. "I get to that chorus and I scream, 'No, I still don't care!' And I love it," she said. Trainor said that "Still Don't Care" was inspired by a lot of "crazy" comments on her social media that she felt were out of nowhere. "I've been working on my health and my fitness journey for two years now," she said, noting that she felt the comments were an attempt to regress her to another stage in her life. "They made me cry," the 31-year-old said. "I thought, 'Well, this is silly.'" After over a decade in the entertainment industry, Trainor says she still hasn't developed a thick skin.     "When I read people's comments, I have to remind myself that it's just like a bot online. It's like a robot, or it's just someone who is going through probably way harder things," Trainor said. "Still Don't Care" is out now and Trainor's full album will be released on April 24, 2026, when she will be traveling the U.S. with her children for the "Get It Girl" tour.     The album centers on self-love and introduces songs about Trainor's children and going to marriage counseling with her husband. (Reporting by Rollo Ross and Danielle Broadway; Editing by Tom Hogue)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Rollo Ross and Danielle Broadway LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor traversed new terrain with her song "Still Don't Care," which explores her experiences being cyberbullied on social media.    "Still Don't Care," part of her upcoming "Toy with Me" album, directly addresses the online backlash the "All About That Bass" singer has received about her weight loss. "The verses are all the things I've read about myself and all the things people have said to my face," Trainor told Reuters. "I get to that chorus and I scream, 'No, I still don't care!' And I love it," she said. Trainor said that "Still Don't Care" was inspired by a lot of "crazy" comments on her social media that she felt were out of nowhere. "I've been working on my health and my fitness journey for two years now," she said, noting that she felt the comments were an attempt to regress her to another stage in her life. "They made me cry," the 31-year-old said. "I thought, 'Well, this is silly.'" After over a decade in the entertainment industry, Trainor says she still hasn't developed a thick skin.     "When I read people's comments, I have to remind myself that it's just like a bot online. It's like a robot, or it's just someone who is going through probably way harder things," Trainor said. "Still Don't Care" is out now and Trainor's full album will be released on April 24, 2026, when she will be traveling the U.S. with her children for the "Get It Girl" tour.     The album centers on self-love and introduces songs about Trainor's children and going to marriage counseling with her husband. (Reporting by Rollo Ross and Danielle Broadway; Editing by Tom Hogue)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Dawn Chmielewski and Dawn Kopecki (Reuters) -Warner Bros Discovery has received preliminary buyout bids from rivals Paramount Skydance, Comcast and Netflix, a source familiar with the matter said on Thursday, kicking off a potential sale of the century-old Hollywood studio. The bids set the stage for a significant consolidation in the media industry and will determine the future of prized assets like HBO, the Warner Bros film library and the DC Comics universe. Paramount is expected to bid for all of Warner Bros Discovery, including its cable television networks. Paramount's bid is backed by the studio's controlling shareholder, billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, who is among the world's richest men. The potential combination would enhance Paramount's presence in movie theaters, giving it a 32% share of the North American theatrical market, according to Comscore, and strengthen its streaming service by combining HBO Max with Paramount+. Reuters exclusively reported that Warner Bros Discovery's board rejected a mostly cash offer of nearly $24 a share for the company, valuing it at $60 billion, and publicly announced it would evaluate strategic options for the studio. NBCUniversal's corporate parent, Comcast, is interested in Warner Bros' film and television studios and HBO, whose characters, including Superman and Batman, would strengthen its theatrical and streaming business and its theme parks. The merged studios' share of the North American theatrical market would exceed 43%, according to Comscore. Netflix is also courting Warner Bros' studio and streaming businesses, aiming to gain access to Warner Bros' extensive film library and established entertainment franchises, such as "Harry Potter" and "Lord of the Rings".  Warner Bros Discovery previously announced plans to split into two publicly traded companies, separating its studios and streaming business from its fading cable networks. Warner Bros Discovery did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment. Comcast and Paramount Skydance declined to comment. Netflix could not be reached for comment. The New York Times first reported the development. (Reporting by Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles and Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo, Lisa Shumaker and Stephen Coates)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)