TV Academy Sets August 2026 Date for the Return of the Televerse Festival, Which Moves to a Full Weekend

Dea Lawrence has taken over as the new publisher and co-president of Variety, succeeding Michelle Sobrino Stearns. She will share the co-president role with Ramin Setoodeh. Lawrence has outlined her vision for the future of Variety as it approaches its next 120 years, aiming to solidify its position as Hollywood's magazine of record.

The latest installment of the 'Paranormal Activity' franchise has shifted away from its traditional found-footage style, opting for live scares instead. Despite the franchise's previous success in creating fear through suggestion and home surveillance, this new approach has not resonated with audiences, leading to a negative reception. The series, once known for its innovative use of technology to depict ghostly encounters, now struggles to maintain its relevance.

Chris Willman, the senior music writer and chief music critic for Variety, received the Country Music Association's Media Achievement Award on Tuesday. The award was presented to him by nominees and performers Shaboozey and Stephen Wilson Jr. during the CMA Awards ceremony in Nashville.

Chinese streaming giant iQiYi reported an 8% decline in revenue and increased losses for the third quarter of 2025. Total revenues fell to RMB6.68 billion ($938.7 million) for the quarter ending September 30. Despite the financial downturn, executives highlighted the platform's leadership in the drama market and its expanding international operations.

At the New York Comedy Festival, comedian Jeff Ross, along with festival founder Caroline Hirsch, talent executive Louis Faranda, and 'Emily in Paris' producer Lilly Burns, participated in a Business of Comedy Panel. The panel, moderated by Variety TV reporter Ethan Shanfeld, addressed significant challenges in the comedy industry, including the decline of traditional comedy formats and the evolving landscape of entertainment. Ross hinted at the popularity of Netflix roasts, noting the high interest from various individuals wanting to participate.

The 2026 Emmy Awards will take place on Monday, September 14, airing live on NBC and streaming on Peacock. The announcement was made by NBC and the Television Academy, confirming that the 78th Emmy Awards will be broadcast from the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live, starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. This event continues the tradition of celebrating excellence in television, showcasing outstanding achievements in the industry.

NBCUniversal and the Television Academy have announced the date for the 2026 Emmy Awards, which will take place on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. This announcement comes earlier than usual, with the ceremony being moved to a Monday to accommodate NBC's Sunday Night Football schedule. The specific details regarding the Emmy calendar for the following year have not yet been released.

Roblox will implement facial recognition age verification for all users seeking access to chat features starting in December. This initiative aims to enhance safety by introducing age-based chat restrictions, limiting interactions between minors and adults. The verification process will be available as a voluntary feature from next week, with mandatory compliance beginning in the first week of December. This move reflects Roblox's commitment to creating a safer online environment for its users.