B.J. Bethel
@bjbethel.bsky.social
Reporter, writer, columnist, guitarist, habitual line-stepper, aspiring tornado wrangler. Bylines: RogerEbert.com, Dayton Daily News, Sydney Morning Herald, Melbourne’s The Age, Washington Post. SEScoops, Rent Free podcast w/Ruben Jay
Reposted by B.J. Bethel
redcircle.com/shows/48d083...
That's right this is the Last SOW for 2025 w/ @bjbethel.bsky.social and we get into a lot of stuff! You wanted all the nitty gritty on netflix, espn, wwe, womens wrestling, the last time is now, tanahashi's final bye bye. Catch it all!
That's right this is the Last SOW for 2025 w/ @bjbethel.bsky.social and we get into a lot of stuff! You wanted all the nitty gritty on netflix, espn, wwe, womens wrestling, the last time is now, tanahashi's final bye bye. Catch it all!
SOW W/ BJ Bethel [Netflix, Cena, Tanahashi]
Listen to The P[w]rescription on RedCircle
redcircle.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:50 PM
redcircle.com/shows/48d083...
That's right this is the Last SOW for 2025 w/ @bjbethel.bsky.social and we get into a lot of stuff! You wanted all the nitty gritty on netflix, espn, wwe, womens wrestling, the last time is now, tanahashi's final bye bye. Catch it all!
That's right this is the Last SOW for 2025 w/ @bjbethel.bsky.social and we get into a lot of stuff! You wanted all the nitty gritty on netflix, espn, wwe, womens wrestling, the last time is now, tanahashi's final bye bye. Catch it all!
Reposted by B.J. Bethel
Trump says the concept of “affordability” is actually a hoax.
Seth Meyers takes #ACloserLook
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vci...
Seth Meyers takes #ACloserLook
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vci...
Trump Flails on Inflation & Calls Affordability a “Hoax" as Poll Numbers Hit New Lows: A Closer Look
YouTube video by Late Night with Seth Meyers
www.youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Trump says the concept of “affordability” is actually a hoax.
Seth Meyers takes #ACloserLook
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vci...
Seth Meyers takes #ACloserLook
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vci...
Reposted by B.J. Bethel
Also they would shutdown HBO & HBO Max in favor of Showtime & Paramount+ among other factors.
Paramount's hostile bid for WBD is under heavy fire, as expected. There's a lot of reasons.
- There are $6 billion in "synergies" aka layoffs as part of this, that's to start.
- the Saudis and other ME funds have $24B in the hostile bid - the Ellisons have $12B (!!!!!!!!)
- There are $6 billion in "synergies" aka layoffs as part of this, that's to start.
- the Saudis and other ME funds have $24B in the hostile bid - the Ellisons have $12B (!!!!!!!!)
December 9, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Also they would shutdown HBO & HBO Max in favor of Showtime & Paramount+ among other factors.
Reposted by B.J. Bethel
What a mess.
-Alex Sherman of CNBC talked to a WBD source who said is the hostile bid goes through, ultimately the Saudis would own the company.
-Jared Kushner's Affinity Fund, the one he bulked up using the WH during the first Trump term, is also part of this as is Apollo Group Management.
-Jared Kushner's Affinity Fund, the one he bulked up using the WH during the first Trump term, is also part of this as is Apollo Group Management.
Paramount's hostile bid for WBD is under heavy fire, as expected. There's a lot of reasons.
- There are $6 billion in "synergies" aka layoffs as part of this, that's to start.
- the Saudis and other ME funds have $24B in the hostile bid - the Ellisons have $12B (!!!!!!!!)
- There are $6 billion in "synergies" aka layoffs as part of this, that's to start.
- the Saudis and other ME funds have $24B in the hostile bid - the Ellisons have $12B (!!!!!!!!)
December 9, 2025 at 2:40 PM
What a mess.
Reposted by B.J. Bethel
So awesome to know that the fears of Paramount or Saudi Arabia have now combined!
Paramount's hostile bid for WBD is under heavy fire, as expected. There's a lot of reasons.
- There are $6 billion in "synergies" aka layoffs as part of this, that's to start.
- the Saudis and other ME funds have $24B in the hostile bid - the Ellisons have $12B (!!!!!!!!)
- There are $6 billion in "synergies" aka layoffs as part of this, that's to start.
- the Saudis and other ME funds have $24B in the hostile bid - the Ellisons have $12B (!!!!!!!!)
December 9, 2025 at 3:37 PM
So awesome to know that the fears of Paramount or Saudi Arabia have now combined!
Senators on both sides see regulatory issues with the hostile bid. Paramount advertising they can do this because they have Trump in their corner isn't going to go over well. Some people still believe this is a nation of laws, just an ignorant strategy to play.
-Alex Sherman of CNBC talked to a WBD source who said is the hostile bid goes through, ultimately the Saudis would own the company.
-Jared Kushner's Affinity Fund, the one he bulked up using the WH during the first Trump term, is also part of this as is Apollo Group Management.
-Jared Kushner's Affinity Fund, the one he bulked up using the WH during the first Trump term, is also part of this as is Apollo Group Management.
Paramount's hostile bid for WBD is under heavy fire, as expected. There's a lot of reasons.
- There are $6 billion in "synergies" aka layoffs as part of this, that's to start.
- the Saudis and other ME funds have $24B in the hostile bid - the Ellisons have $12B (!!!!!!!!)
- There are $6 billion in "synergies" aka layoffs as part of this, that's to start.
- the Saudis and other ME funds have $24B in the hostile bid - the Ellisons have $12B (!!!!!!!!)
December 9, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Senators on both sides see regulatory issues with the hostile bid. Paramount advertising they can do this because they have Trump in their corner isn't going to go over well. Some people still believe this is a nation of laws, just an ignorant strategy to play.
-Alex Sherman of CNBC talked to a WBD source who said is the hostile bid goes through, ultimately the Saudis would own the company.
-Jared Kushner's Affinity Fund, the one he bulked up using the WH during the first Trump term, is also part of this as is Apollo Group Management.
-Jared Kushner's Affinity Fund, the one he bulked up using the WH during the first Trump term, is also part of this as is Apollo Group Management.
Paramount's hostile bid for WBD is under heavy fire, as expected. There's a lot of reasons.
- There are $6 billion in "synergies" aka layoffs as part of this, that's to start.
- the Saudis and other ME funds have $24B in the hostile bid - the Ellisons have $12B (!!!!!!!!)
- There are $6 billion in "synergies" aka layoffs as part of this, that's to start.
- the Saudis and other ME funds have $24B in the hostile bid - the Ellisons have $12B (!!!!!!!!)
December 9, 2025 at 3:06 AM
-Alex Sherman of CNBC talked to a WBD source who said is the hostile bid goes through, ultimately the Saudis would own the company.
-Jared Kushner's Affinity Fund, the one he bulked up using the WH during the first Trump term, is also part of this as is Apollo Group Management.
-Jared Kushner's Affinity Fund, the one he bulked up using the WH during the first Trump term, is also part of this as is Apollo Group Management.
Paramount's hostile bid for WBD is under heavy fire, as expected. There's a lot of reasons.
- There are $6 billion in "synergies" aka layoffs as part of this, that's to start.
- the Saudis and other ME funds have $24B in the hostile bid - the Ellisons have $12B (!!!!!!!!)
- There are $6 billion in "synergies" aka layoffs as part of this, that's to start.
- the Saudis and other ME funds have $24B in the hostile bid - the Ellisons have $12B (!!!!!!!!)
December 9, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Paramount's hostile bid for WBD is under heavy fire, as expected. There's a lot of reasons.
- There are $6 billion in "synergies" aka layoffs as part of this, that's to start.
- the Saudis and other ME funds have $24B in the hostile bid - the Ellisons have $12B (!!!!!!!!)
- There are $6 billion in "synergies" aka layoffs as part of this, that's to start.
- the Saudis and other ME funds have $24B in the hostile bid - the Ellisons have $12B (!!!!!!!!)
For the Warner Bros. watchers. As I e said repeatedly. Keep an eye on the theme parks.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Netflix Has a Huge Opportunity With the DC Studios Superheroes
There’s a treasure trove of characters to monetize.
www.bloomberg.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:06 AM
For the Warner Bros. watchers. As I e said repeatedly. Keep an eye on the theme parks.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Attorneys for Colker and Peak Wellness asked the court to seal 700 pages of Janel Grant's medical records and receipts.
LATEST: Vince McMahon doctor asks court to seal 700 pages of documents in Janel Grant case
www.sescoops.com/article/vinc...
www.sescoops.com/article/vinc...
Vince McMahon’s Doctor Asks Court to Seal 700 pages of Grant Documents
Vince McMahon's doctor requests the court to seal 700 pages of Janel Grant's documents in an ongoing legal battle. Read the latest wrestling news now.
www.sescoops.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Attorneys for Colker and Peak Wellness asked the court to seal 700 pages of Janel Grant's medical records and receipts.
Looks like people need to read the story.
LATEST: Vince McMahon doctor asks court to seal 700 pages of documents in Janel Grant case
www.sescoops.com/article/vinc...
www.sescoops.com/article/vinc...
Vince McMahon’s Doctor Asks Court to Seal 700 pages of Grant Documents
Vince McMahon's doctor requests the court to seal 700 pages of Janel Grant's documents in an ongoing legal battle. Read the latest wrestling news now.
www.sescoops.com
December 8, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Looks like people need to read the story.
Reposted by B.J. Bethel
347 endnotes in my book, citing every source, every document, every legal response,every interview. Some of us sickos do actual journalism, more people should try it!!!
December 5, 2025 at 9:26 PM
347 endnotes in my book, citing every source, every document, every legal response,every interview. Some of us sickos do actual journalism, more people should try it!!!
Reposted by B.J. Bethel
As a woman in media who has for decades done a lot of difficult investigative reporting, sometimes involving famous people, who has been ethical about it the entire fucking time, I want a Pulitzer for not popping off about this in public (prayers up for my long suffering Signal pals & group chats)
Breaking: Vanity Fair and Olivia Nuzzi agreed to part ways after new revelations and allegations about an affair with RFK Jr. and her behavior while reporting on him.
Exclusive | Vanity Fair to Part Ways With Journalist Olivia Nuzzi
Nuzzi’s contract with Vanity Fair expires at year-end, following new allegations and revelations about her conduct while she reported on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
on.wsj.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:00 PM
As a woman in media who has for decades done a lot of difficult investigative reporting, sometimes involving famous people, who has been ethical about it the entire fucking time, I want a Pulitzer for not popping off about this in public (prayers up for my long suffering Signal pals & group chats)
LATEST: Vince McMahon doctor asks court to seal 700 pages of documents in Janel Grant case
www.sescoops.com/article/vinc...
www.sescoops.com/article/vinc...
Vince McMahon’s Doctor Asks Court to Seal 700 pages of Grant Documents
Vince McMahon's doctor requests the court to seal 700 pages of Janel Grant's documents in an ongoing legal battle. Read the latest wrestling news now.
www.sescoops.com
December 6, 2025 at 9:21 PM
LATEST: Vince McMahon doctor asks court to seal 700 pages of documents in Janel Grant case
www.sescoops.com/article/vinc...
www.sescoops.com/article/vinc...
Reposted by B.J. Bethel
Russia failed to break Ukraine’s army on the battlefield, and now it’s trying to do it through a peace plan that would cap Ukraine’s forces at 600,000. The Kyiv Independent’s Yullia Taradiuk explains why the cap matters and what Ukraine’s post-war defense options really look like.
Why Ukraine rejects Russia's 600,000 army cap demand
YouTube video by Kyiv Independent
www.youtube.com
December 6, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Russia failed to break Ukraine’s army on the battlefield, and now it’s trying to do it through a peace plan that would cap Ukraine’s forces at 600,000. The Kyiv Independent’s Yullia Taradiuk explains why the cap matters and what Ukraine’s post-war defense options really look like.
Reposted by B.J. Bethel
this article goes to some hilarious lengths to normalize the fact that Paramount's new executives are assholes
Feelings Don’t Matter: How the Ellison Era Is Transforming Paramount
It’s a brand-new day at the legacy studio, where prestige films are out, testosterone-heavy tentpoles are in and Brett Ratner is back on the call sheet.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:37 PM
this article goes to some hilarious lengths to normalize the fact that Paramount's new executives are assholes
NETFLIX: "Netflix expects to maintain Warner Bros.’ current operations and build on its strengths, including theatrical releases for films."
BREAKING: Netflix announces purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Let the Hunger Games begin.
about.netflix.com/news/netflix...
Let the Hunger Games begin.
about.netflix.com/news/netflix...
Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. Following the Separation of Discovery Global for a Total Enterprise Value of $82.7 Billion (Equity Value of $72.0 Billion) - About Netflix
Combination Will Offer More Choice and Greater Value for Consumers, Create More Opportunities for the Creative Community and Generate Shareholder Value
about.netflix.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:23 PM
NETFLIX: "Netflix expects to maintain Warner Bros.’ current operations and build on its strengths, including theatrical releases for films."
BREAKING: Netflix announces purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Let the Hunger Games begin.
about.netflix.com/news/netflix...
Let the Hunger Games begin.
about.netflix.com/news/netflix...
Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. Following the Separation of Discovery Global for a Total Enterprise Value of $82.7 Billion (Equity Value of $72.0 Billion) - About Netflix
Combination Will Offer More Choice and Greater Value for Consumers, Create More Opportunities for the Creative Community and Generate Shareholder Value
about.netflix.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:09 PM
BREAKING: Netflix announces purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Let the Hunger Games begin.
about.netflix.com/news/netflix...
Let the Hunger Games begin.
about.netflix.com/news/netflix...
One question that needs asked, and it's the only one that matters - why does this merger need to happen?
There isn't a good answer.
There isn't a good answer.
Netflix's Marvel TV series were among some of the best comic book-oriented TV and film ever made. So much so Disney is transplanting those shows to Disney-Plus. But a lot has changed in 10 years.
While Netflix has had success creating good movies and films, they would now be the main caretakers for DC comics and thousands of other cultural mainstays. The emotional connection among customers/fans is resolute and many will have a hard time seeing Netflix has a worthy guardian.
December 5, 2025 at 8:01 AM
One question that needs asked, and it's the only one that matters - why does this merger need to happen?
There isn't a good answer.
There isn't a good answer.
Netflix's Marvel TV series were among some of the best comic book-oriented TV and film ever made. So much so Disney is transplanting those shows to Disney-Plus. But a lot has changed in 10 years.
While Netflix has had success creating good movies and films, they would now be the main caretakers for DC comics and thousands of other cultural mainstays. The emotional connection among customers/fans is resolute and many will have a hard time seeing Netflix has a worthy guardian.
Netflix CEOs were deriding the cinema business recently and were casting aspersions at anyone going to the movies as out-dated. But WBD is key to a major industry - the movie theater. That matters. There's also studios, production, and not to mention the film, TV and art history.
December 5, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Netflix's Marvel TV series were among some of the best comic book-oriented TV and film ever made. So much so Disney is transplanting those shows to Disney-Plus. But a lot has changed in 10 years.
While Netflix has had success creating good movies and films, they would now be the main caretakers for DC comics and thousands of other cultural mainstays. The emotional connection among customers/fans is resolute and many will have a hard time seeing Netflix has a worthy guardian.
Netflix CEOs were deriding the cinema business recently and were casting aspersions at anyone going to the movies as out-dated. But WBD is key to a major industry - the movie theater. That matters. There's also studios, production, and not to mention the film, TV and art history.
December 5, 2025 at 7:56 AM
While Netflix has had success creating good movies and films, they would now be the main caretakers for DC comics and thousands of other cultural mainstays. The emotional connection among customers/fans is resolute and many will have a hard time seeing Netflix has a worthy guardian.
Right now, with Paramount as angry as a rejected prom date and Comcast out there hanging around, the unions, the states, Gavin Newsom, Donald Trump, the courts, the fate of 90 Day Fiancee - the likely outcome won't be settled for a while, if at all. For this to work pieces have to fall into place.
December 5, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Right now, with Paramount as angry as a rejected prom date and Comcast out there hanging around, the unions, the states, Gavin Newsom, Donald Trump, the courts, the fate of 90 Day Fiancee - the likely outcome won't be settled for a while, if at all. For this to work pieces have to fall into place.
There's also international approval needed, and Europe hasn't been happy with American tech companies for a long time - rightfuly so. Too bad American courts don't share their opinion.
December 5, 2025 at 7:50 AM
There's also international approval needed, and Europe hasn't been happy with American tech companies for a long time - rightfuly so. Too bad American courts don't share their opinion.
At the earliest, a WBD merger would be finalized late in 2026. To give an idea, Versant - NBCU's spin-off of its cable channels, is now in the final stages after months. Comcast announced it would be finished with the spin-off in January. WBD's spin-off is scheduled to occur in the Spring.
December 5, 2025 at 7:48 AM
At the earliest, a WBD merger would be finalized late in 2026. To give an idea, Versant - NBCU's spin-off of its cable channels, is now in the final stages after months. Comcast announced it would be finished with the spin-off in January. WBD's spin-off is scheduled to occur in the Spring.
Netflix is in the driver's seat, but there will be lawsuits on top of lawsuits, and for good reason. Many people see this merger, or WBD being sold to anyone, as terribly unnecessary, especially given the number of media mergers the last several years. It will also kill thousands of jobs.
Paramount has its own massive regulatory nightmares on hand. Ellison has said he wants to take HBO Max and fold it into Paramount Plus. The company will have to convince why the investment funds for three Middle Eastern dictatorships should own big chunks of a massive media conglomerate.
December 5, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Netflix is in the driver's seat, but there will be lawsuits on top of lawsuits, and for good reason. Many people see this merger, or WBD being sold to anyone, as terribly unnecessary, especially given the number of media mergers the last several years. It will also kill thousands of jobs.