• The Biden administration told ByteDance Ltd., the Chinese owners of TikTok, to sell its stakes in the popular video-sharing app or the social media platform will face a possible U.S. ban, according to people familiar with the matter. The demand, which was reportedly made recently by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., marks a sharp shift in the stance of the Biden administration, which has been criticized by some Republicans for not addressing the perceived security threat of the Chinese government’s potential access to U.S. users’ data, though a TikTok spokeswoman said a sale “would not impose any new restrictions on data flows or access.” (The Wall Street Journal)
• Paramount Global launched an e-commerce platform, Paramountshop.com, to sell merchandise based on its popular films and TV shows on MTV, BET, Comedy Central and Showtime, including “Top Gun,” “Mean Girls” and “Yellowstone.” The online store went live on Wednesday with more than 7,000 items, including T-shirts, drinkware and office supplies. (The Hollywood Reporter)
• Parker Finn, the writer and director behind the horror hit “Smile,” signed a multiyear, first-look deal with Paramount Pictures. Under the pact, Finn will reportedly write, produce and direct horror projects, including a sequel to “Smile,” which made $216 million globally since its September release. (The Hollywood Reporter)
  

The Voters Republicans Miss by Sticking to Fox News

Morning Consult

Sean “Diddy” Combs Says “It’s Time For BET To Be Black-Owned Again” As Paramount Explores Stake Sale

Dade Hayes and Patrick Hipes, Deadline

Sean “Diddy” Combs on Wednesday bolstered recent media reports that he is kicking the tires of BET Networks, which is in the early stages of being shopped by parent Paramount Global.

Madison Square Garden Entertainment’s Board Reaches $85M Deal to Settle Shareholder Suit

Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter

The suit accused the Dolan family of engineering the deal to further their own interests at the expense of stockholders and fund the $1.9 billion MSG Sphere project in Las Vegas. There was no admission of wrongdoing.

How Tennessee’s Drag Ban Is Already Causing ‘Confusion and Fear’ For Live Events & Queer Artists

Stephen Daw, Billboard

Experts weigh in on the immediate effects Tennessee’s new law could have on live events, queer performers and the LGBTQ community writ large.

Guillermo del Toro Eyes Andrew Garfield, Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth for ‘Frankenstein’ Movie at Netflix

Ethan Shanfeld, Variety

Just days after winning the Oscar for best animated feature for his dark take on “Pinocchio,” Guillermo del Toro is already looking to cast his next film.

‘Monk’ Returns As Peacock Orders Reunion Movie Starring Tony Shalhoub & Original Series Cast

Denise Petski and Nellie Andreeva, Deadline

A “Monk” follow-up movie will be coming to Peacock.

James Gunn to Direct ‘Superman: Legacy’

Aaron Couch, The Wall Street Journal

The DC Studios co-head is helming from his own script, with the film looking to cast a new Clark Kent.

Zachary Levi Talks DC Future After ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’

Aaron Couch and Sydney Odman, The Hollywood Reporter

As James Gunn and Peter Safran reshape the DC Universe, the actor has hopes of continuing on: “I hope it’s not my last.”

Dish customers kept in the dark as ransomware fallout continues

Carly Page, TechCrunch

Dish customers are still looking for answers two weeks after the U.S. satellite television giant was hit by a ransomware attack.

Sling TV launches new features for sports fans, including picture-in-picture mode and an iOS widget

Lauren Forristal, TechCrunch

Sling TV announced the launch of three features yesterday that many March Madness fans will likely enjoy, including a new “Side View” feature that allows web users to watch games in a small screen overlay on top of whatever it is their doing, whether it be live tweeting the action or, perhaps, working on a project for their job.

Adnan Syed Doc Director Amy Berg Signs First-Look Deal With Fremantle

Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter

Fremantle has signed an exclusive first-look deal with Amy Berg, director of the 2019 docuseries “The Case Against Adnan Syed” on HBO.

‘Days of Our Lives’ Renewed Through Season 60 at Peacock

Andy Swift, TVLine

Peacock is adding more sand to Days of Our Lives‘ hourglass, granting the soap a two-season renewal, TVLine has learned.

‘Willow’ Canceled After One Season On Disney+

Nellie Andreeva, Deadline

There will be no second season of Willow, Disney+’s live-action original series based on the 1988 fantasy film directed by Ron Howard.

John Mulaney’s New Standup Special ‘Baby J’ to Debut on Netflix in April

Rebecca Rubin, Variety

John Mulaney’s newest standup special, titled “John Mulaney: Baby J,” will premiere April 25 on Netflix.

Pete Davidson Series ‘Bupkis’ Gets Release Date on Peacock

Sharon Knoelle, The Wrap

Joe Pesci and Edie Falco star as the actor’s grandfather and mother.

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson to Reunite for Apple TV+ Comedy Series

Loree Seitz, The Wrap

“David West Read” is set to create and executive produce the 10-episode show.

Whoopi Goldberg Apologizes For Use Of Derogatory Word Derived From Pejorative Term For Romani People

Greg Evans, Deadline

Whoopi Goldberg has apologized for her use Wednesday on “The View” of an offensive term derived from an outdated and derogatory term for the Romani people.

‘Quantum Leap’ star Caitlin Bassett jumps from Army to TV

Mark Kennedy, The Associated Press

Caitlin Bassett plays a woman who jumps through time and space on NBC’s “Quantum Leap,” a fitting job for an actor who has lived many lives already.

The Last of ‘Ted Lasso’? Jason Sudeikis and Co-Stars on What We Should ‘Believe’ About a Season 4 or Spin-Offs

Michael Schneider et al., Variety

Here’s how important “Ted Lasso” is to Apple: CEO Tim Cook was among the hundreds gathered in Westwood last week for the show’s Season 3 premiere.

Ryan Reynolds’ Mint Mobile to Be Acquired by T-Mobile for Up to $1.35 Billion

Todd Spangler, Variety

Actor-entrepreneur reportedly owns about 25% of prepaid wireless brand Mint.

TikTok launches docuseries on small businesses that found success on the platform

Daysia Tolentino, NBC News

The first two creators to be featured are soapmaker Jessie Whittington and early literacy educator Spencer Russell.

Kevin Hart signs new deal with SiriusXM, rebranded show airs

Jonathan Landrum Jr., The Associated Press

Kevin Hart will keep his comedic candor going with SiriusXM. But this time he’ll bring along more recognizable figures from outside the comedy realm.

Microsoft is bringing Minecraft to Chromebooks

Alex Heath, The Verge

An early access version of Minecraft: Bedrock Edition is coming to ChromeOS.

BuzzFeed Encourages Reporters to Write More Stories in Attempt to Turn Profit

Alexandra Bruell, The Wall Street Journal

‘What we can control is how many stories we publish each day,’ BuzzFeed News editor-in-chief tells newsroom.

The Cure’s Robert Smith Says Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan System Is ‘Far From Perfect’ as N. American Shows Go on Sale

Gil Kaufman, Billboard

Robert Smith is explaining the serious measures The Cure is taking to avoid outrageous ticket prices for their upcoming North American tour.

R&B Singer Bobby Caldwell Dies at 71

Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork

The crooner behind classics like “What You Won’t Do for Love” and “My Flame” was sampled by the likes of J Dilla and the Notorious B.I.G.