Taylor Swift’s Label, UMG, Receives $64B Bid From Bill Ackman

BillAckman‘shedge fund has made a bold move, proposing a $64 billion merger deal withUniversal Music Group (UMG), the world’s largest music label. The merger would unite UMG’s impressive roster of artists, includingTaylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Kendrick Lamar, with Pershing Square’s investment expertise.

Billionaire Bill Ackman bids for Taylor Swift’s label, UMG

Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square Capital Management is making waves with a $64 billion proposal to merge with UMG. The deal values UMG at around $35 per share, a 78% premium to its last closing price, and would see the company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

The proposed merger would involve Pershing Square’s SPARC Holdings uniting with UMG, with its shareholders receiving $10.85 billion in cash and 0.77 shares in the new company for every share held. Michael Ovitz, former Disney president, would join as board chair, and Lucian Grainge would remain UMG’s CEO.

Interestingly, UMG shares jumped 11% on the news of Bill Ackman’s $64 billion takeover proposal, reflecting the market’s enthusiasm for the deal. Additionally, Vivendi and Bolloré also rose 11% and 6.3% respectively, on news of the proposal.

For those unaware, UMG was spun off from Vivendi SE in 2021. It debuted on Euronext Amsterdam with a $53.18 billion valuation.

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As reported on Bloomberg News, UMG’s stock remains below Bill Ackman’s proposed buyout price despite the initial surge, raising doubts about the deal’s feasibility. Getting key shareholders like Vincent Bolloré on board is crucial, as he holds over 18% of the company.

However, analysts aren’t optimistic about the proposal’s chances. Without Bolloré’s support, Ackman’s “proposal looks very much dead from the start,” says Nicolas Marmurek, an analyst at Square Global.

Meanwhile, Bill Ackman claims he has already spoken with Bolloré. He said that the proposal has “intrigued” the media mogul, but it’s unclear if he’ll back it. Ackman also thinks UMG’s stock remains undervalued due to non-music-related issues that the deal could fix.

As of now, UMG and Bolloré have not responded to comment requests. Vivendi, on the other hand, has declined to comment.

Originally reported by Sibanee Gogoi onMandatory.

The postTaylor Swift’s Label, UMG, Receives $64B Bid From Bill Ackmanappeared first onReality Tea.

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April 08, 2026

Taylor Swift’s Label, UMG, Receives $64B Bid From Bill Ackman

BillAckman‘shedge fund has made a bold move, proposing a $64 billion merger deal withUniversal Music Group (UMG), the world’s largest music...

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Oscars announce final 2 ceremony dates on ABC before moving broadcast to YouTube

The Academy has announced ceremony dates for the 99th and 100th Oscars.

Key Points

• Both telecasts mark the final time the Oscars will air on ABC until at least 2033.

• YouTube secured broadcast rights for the Academy Awards, with the streaming platform set to roll out its first event in 2029.
  

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has revealed its final twoOscarsceremony dates set to air on ABC, before theAcademy Awards make a historic movefrom their longtime broadcast network to YouTube beginning in 2029.

Both the 99th and 100th Oscars ceremonies will be broadcast live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with the 99th telecast airing on Sunday, March 14, 2027, followed by the 100th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 5, 2028. Each ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.

The announcement comes months after the Academy confirmed the 100th ceremony would be the last to air on ABC for the foreseeable future, with the Oscars heading to the digital streaming platform starting with the 101st ceremony in 2029.

YouTube will be the Oscars' new home for at least the next four years, with the platform securing the rights to stream the ceremony until 2033.

The move ends a 76-year tradition, with the Oscars airing on network television since the 1953 NBC telecast. ABC signed a multi-year contract to broadcast the Oscars starting in 1976.

In a similar shakeup, theActor Awards(formerly known as the SAG Awards) made the jump from longtime broadcast partners TNT and TBS in 2023, when the show aired on Netflix's YouTube channel before moving again to Netflix's main streaming platforming starting in 2024.

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Other key dates for the 99th Oscars include a Dec. 15 shortlist announcement and a Jan. 21, 2027 nominations announcement for all of the main categories.

Hosted by returning emcee Conan O'Brien, the 2026 Oscars saw major stars like Sean Penn, Michael B. Jordan, Amy Madigan, and Jessie Buckley win acting awards, whileOne Battle After Anotherwon Best Picture over Ryan Coogler's horror hitSinners.

The 2026 ceremony also saw multiple former Rob Reiner collaborators unite on stage to pay tribute to the director and actor, who was found dead alongside his wife, Michele Reiner, in their California home in December.

The filmmaker'sStand by Meactor Corey Feldman, however, later toldEntertainment Weeklythat he was disappointed he wasn't included in the lineup, comparing the moment to a "family reunion I wasn't invited to."

Early likely contenders for the 2027 Oscars includeDenis Villeneuve'sDune: Part Three, Aaron Sorkin'sThe Social Reckoning, Alejandro González Iñárritu'sDigger, and Christopher Nolan'sThe Odyssey, among others.

ABC will broadcast the 99th Oscars on Sunday, March 14, 2027, followed by the 100th Oscars on Sunday, March 5, 2028.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

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April 08, 2026

Oscars announce final 2 ceremony dates on ABC before moving broadcast to YouTube

The Academy has announced ceremony dates for the 99th and 100th Oscars. Key Points Both telecasts mark the final t...

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Mark Consuelos emotionally announces death of his father: 'Greatest person I've ever known,' Kelly Ripa says

Mark Consuelostearfully announced Monday morning the death of his father, Saul Consuelos, who died while he and wifeKelly Ripawere on a hiatus fromLive With Kelly and Mark.

"Two weeks ago today, my father passed away after a long bout with an illness. He passed away peacefully. Such a fascinating man," Consuelos said at the top of Monday's show, before he and Ripa elaborated on his father's life and legacy.

"You were blessed more because you knew him his whole life. I only got to know my father-in-law for 31 years. But they were the best 31 years of my life," Ripa, Consuelos' wife of nearly 30 years with whom he shares three children, added. "I can honestly say I will miss him every day for the rest of my life, as I know you will, as our children will. He was the greatest person I've ever known. He really is so symbolic of everything you are."

Consuelos then told the audience a few things he remembered about his father, including "a lot of lectures" and that he "learned so much" from him at a young age.

"I learned the most by just watching him... by watching the man he was," Consuelos added. "He came here from Mexico in his early teens. He immigrated here from Mexico, he served his country for 30 years. Ended up in special operations command in Tampa. This young kid from Mexico just got his education through the Navy, was always going to school. Brilliant, got his master's while I was a kid and he loved this country so much."

The 55-year-old actor said that his father would be a "prime example of what this country promises people" who come to the United States as immigrants — most of all because "he raised three pretty good kids."

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"Now we've got to take care of mom. We're trying to convince mom to move to New York," Consuelos said, fighting back tears as he proposed to producer Michael Gelman a cooking segment featuring his mother.

"I have to say, I'm so grateful to your dad for everything he did. A lot of times you'd be away working and we'd take the show on the road, and your dad would come on remotes to take care of the kids so I could go to work," Ripa remembered, adding that her three children "took it particularly hard" because "this is their first loss they've ever experienced in their lives," as they still have three surviving grandparents.

Consuelos finished the announcement by telling theLiveaudience that that he "was able to thankfully get down there and say goodbye" to his father, though he had to pause rehearsals for hisupcoming starring role in the Broadway playFallen Angels. "I really feel like that was such a welcome distraction for me. I knew I had to keep on going, especially during that time. It's been great. I had such a good time doing it. I know he's there watching."

When reached byEntertainment Weeklyfor more information, a representative for Consuelos tellsEntertainment Weekly, "Out of respect for Mark’s dad, who was a private person, we’d prefer to just keep coverage to the remarks Mark shared during host chat" onLive.

Live With Kelly & Markairs weekdays in syndication. Check local listings for showtimes in your area.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

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April 08, 2026

Mark Consuelos emotionally announces death of his father: 'Greatest person I've ever known,' Kelly Ripa says

Mark Consuelostearfully announced Monday morning the death of his father, Saul Consuelos, who died while he and wifeKelly Ripawere on a...

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Lil Nas X enters a mental health program intended to lead to dropped charges of attacking police

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge has allowedLil Nas Xto enter a mental health diversion program intended to lead to the dismissal of charges ofattacking Los Angeles police officers.

People-Lil Nas X

Judge Alan Schneider told the“Old Town Road” rapper and singeron Monday that if he sticks to his treatment program and obeys all laws for two years, his four felony counts will be dismissed.

The court found that the incident was the result of his since-diagnosed bipolar disorder and was an aberration from his usual behavior.

The program, formally known as postponement of prosecution probation, also requires that he not possess guns or threaten violence.

Authorities allege that the 26-year-old waswalking nakeddown a street in LA’s San Fernando Valley in August, and charged at police officers who were responding to calls about him. A criminal complaint says three officers were hurt. Photos and video apparently shot before the police confrontation showed him walking in the street in only white briefs and white boots.

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He pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of battery with injury on a police officer along with one count of resisting an executive officer.

A few days later in a videoposted to Instagram, Lil Nas X, who was free on bail, said “these last four days have been terrifying” but reassured fans that he would be fine.

Outside court on Monday he toldRolling Stone, which first reported on the diversion agreement, that he is “thankful. Just very thankful,” and that it “could have been much worse.”

The District Attorney's Office did not respond to a request for comment.

The Atlanta artist is best known for 2018's country and hip-hop merging“Old Town Road,”which spent a record 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won him two Grammys.

Known for his genre-bending, innovatingsounds and style,Lil Nas X's first full studio album, 2021’s “Montero,” went to No. 2 on the Billboard album chart and was nominated for a Grammy for album of the year. Other hits have included “Industry Baby” and “Montero (Call Me by Your Name).”

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April 07, 2026

Lil Nas X enters a mental health program intended to lead to dropped charges of attacking police

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge has allowedLil Nas Xto enter a mental health diversion program intended to lead to the dismissal of charges ...

Read More