MGM has withdrawn from the NYC-area casino license race, leaving three bids from Steve Cohen, Bally's, and Resorts World, with the decision expected by Dec. 1. The withdrawal has sparked accusations of potential manipulation in the licensing process, particularly involving Bally's and its deal with Donald Trump. MGM cited a changed competitive landscape and licensing terms as reasons for its exit.
This article previews TV programming for August 24, 2025, including the finale of 'The Institute' on MGM+, premieres of 'Professor T' Season 4, 'The Marlow Murder Club' Season 2, and 'Unforgotten' Season 6 on PBS, along with other notable shows and documentaries.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy expressed excitement about starting work on the next James Bond film, directed by Denis Villeneuve, after acquiring full creative control of the franchise through its acquisition of MGM. The announcement coincides with Amazon's strong Q2 financial results, including revenue growth and new Prime Video content initiatives, despite challenges in its AWS cloud segment. The new Bond film will be the first since 2021's 'No Time to Die'.
MGM+ has renewed its popular sci-fi horror series 'From' for a fourth season, set to begin production in Nova Scotia in 2025 and premiere in 2026. The series, created by John Griffin and executive produced by Jeff Pinkner and Jack Bender, follows the mystery of a town that traps its inhabitants. 'From' has been a major success for MGM+, becoming the network's most viewed series and earning a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The show features an ensemble cast led by Harold Perrineau.
MGM Resorts denies rumors that Bruno Mars has a $50 million gambling debt with the company, stating that their relationship with the singer is strong and based on mutual respect. The company clarified that Mars has no debt with MGM and that they are excited to continue creating unforgettable experiences for their guests. The rumors were initially reported by NewsNation, citing an insider who claimed that Mars owed a significant amount to the casino giant.
MGM Resorts International has denied the rumor that Bruno Mars owes up to $50 million in gambling debts, stating that the speculation is completely false and that Mars has no debt with MGM. The performer's longstanding partnership with MGM includes a residency at the Park MGM resort and the Pinky Ring lounge at the Bellagio. Mars has previously spoken about his gambling habits, recalling his first casino experience at 19 and emphasizing the importance of understanding that "you gotta lose to win."
Bruno Mars is allegedly facing a $50 million gambling debt with MGM, where he has had a long-term residency for over eight years. While the claims have not been verified by Bruno's representatives, a source alleges that the pop star owes millions to the casino and hotel, which reportedly has a significant financial hold on him. Despite the allegations, Bruno continues to have a lucrative deal with MGM and recently launched a cocktail lounge at another MGM property in Las Vegas.
"In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon" is a celebratory two-part documentary directed by Alex Gibney, chronicling the life and music of Paul Simon. The film delves into Simon's upbringing, his partnership with Art Garfunkel, and his solo career, while also focusing on his current life and struggles. Despite some imbalance in the coverage, the documentary offers a fitting tribute to Simon's musical genius and will leave fans feeling groovy.
Screenwriter R. Lance Hill, also known as David Lee Henry, has filed a lawsuit against Amazon Studios and MGM for copyright infringement over the 1989 film "Road House." Hill claims that the studios ignored his copyright to the screenplay and completed a remake of the film using artificial intelligence to replicate actors' voices, despite his plans to recover the copyright in 2023. Amazon denies using AI and states that the copyright termination presented in Hill’s filing is likely not effective. The legal matter hinges on whether Hill's original script was written "on spec" or under contract with United Artists. Hill's suit seeks to block the distribution of the film, set for a streaming-only release on Amazon's Prime Video on March 21.
Former MGM executive Jonathan Glickman is in talks to become the new CEO of Miramax, potentially replacing former CEO Bill Block. Glickman has a successful track record in the film industry, having overseen the revitalization of the James Bond and Rocky franchises. As part of the deal, Miramax would acquire Glickman's company, Panoramic Media, which has been involved in notable projects such as the Addams Family animated movies and the Netflix series Wednesday. Miramax, known for its extensive film library, is looking to increase its film and TV output under new leadership.
Sandino Moya-Smith, a senior production and development executive at Amazon Studios MGM, has exited the company as part of the recent layoffs. Moya-Smith was involved in the development and physical production of various projects, including Doug Liman’s Road House and the Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa buddy action comedy Wrecking Crew. He had previously worked on projects such as Landscape with Invisible Hand, Pussy Island, and Tomb Raider. The layoffs at Amazon Studios numbered in the several hundred, with many employees reportedly caught off guard by the news.
MGM+ has renewed the sci-fi drama series "Beacon 23" for a second season. The show, starring Stephan James and Lena Headey, was originally developed for Spectrum Originals and has completed filming for both seasons. Season two will see the return of James alongside Natasha Mumba and Ellen Wong. Showrunners Glen Mazzara and Joy Blake promise more action, mysteries, twists, and new characters. The series follows the lives of characters trapped inside a Beacon, serving as a lighthouse for intergalactic travelers. MGM+ also announced other scripted shows in its roster.
MGM casino workers in Detroit may soon return to work as a tentative deal has been reached with the union. The details of the agreement will be released after a ratification vote on Saturday. Workers have been on strike for 42 days, primarily seeking a pay raise for their service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The strike at Hollywood at Greektown and Motor City Casino has already ended with workers voting in favor of new contracts. The MGM workers had previously rejected the same offer, citing dissatisfaction with the pay raise. The workers will vote on the new contract on Saturday.
Recent hacks targeting Caesars Entertainment and MGM casinos were likely carried out by a group of teenagers and young adults who have formed an alliance with a notorious ransomware gang known as Scattered Spider. The group, referred to as Star Fraud, consists of a few dozen hackers who have connected online and are part of a larger association called the Com. These hackers have been active for the past two years, targeting large companies through stolen employee credentials and tricks such as convincing tech support employees to provide new passwords. They have now escalated their attacks by deploying crippling ransomware and partnering with ALPHV, a hacking group affiliated with Russian gangs responsible for the Colonial Pipeline hack. The FBI is actively pursuing these criminals and their affiliates.
The Winter King Season 1 Episode 3 of the MGM+ series will air on Sunday, September 17. In the meantime, on Sunday, September 10, MGM+ will re-air Episode 1 and Episode 2 to keep fans engaged. The upcoming episode will focus on the aftermath of Gungleus's raid on Avalon, with Arthur and his allies rallying against Gungleus and his forces to reclaim Avalon.
