---
title: This Week's Handful of Must-See Headlines
description: "So much news, so little time. Take five with our #FridayFive. Don't miss the top headlines from April 6-10."
---

[Cast & Crew Blog ](https://blog.castandcrew.com)

# [This Week's Handful of Must-See Headlines](https://blog.castandcrew.com/weekof_april6)

 Written by [Cast&Crew](https://blog.castandcrew.com/author/castcrew) | 04/10/2026

**  
**

Don’t forget to check out the podcast version of our weekly Friday Five blog. Listen in your car, at your desk, and anywhere you take your podcasts. To subscribe, visit our profiles on [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/6TvakuDuNjmpJqNTqsmKHc) and [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/friday-five/id1815976028). 

Unions

**WGA Tentative Deal Offers Record Health Contribution**   
The WGA announced a tentative deal with studios, including a record $321 million contribution to its health plan from the AMPTP. The four-year contract, the longest in guild history, also boosts streaming residuals, includes annual rate increases, and keeps AI discussions ongoing. Members will vote on ratification from April 16 to 24.

 

Film Festival

**Cannes 2026 Focuses on Global Auteurs**   
Cannes 2026 will spotlight international auteurs, featuring directors like Farhadi, Almodóvar, Kore-eda, and Hamaguchi in competition. Hollywood studio films will have a notably minimal presence this year.

 

Box Office

**‘Super Mario Galaxy’ Breaks Global Box Office Records**   
Universal’s *Super Mario Galaxy* movie launched to an estimated $372.5 million worldwide over Easter weekend. That includes $190.1 million domestically and $182.4 million overseas, making it the biggest debut since *Avatar: Fire and Ash *and the fifth-largest animated opening ever.

 

Industry

**Paramount Secures Financing Ahead of Warner Bros. Discovery Merger**   
Paramount has finalized the syndication of its bridge facility and locked in permanent financing from 18 lenders to back its planned merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. This follows last week’s $24 billion in equity investments from Middle East investors, with the deal expected to close in the third quarter.

 

Digital

**Independent Animation Thrives on YouTube**   
A new YouTube report shows independent digital animation is booming. Young viewers are increasingly choosing creator-led series over studio productions, with 60% saying they enjoy independent work as much or more than major studio content.

 

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[View full post](https://blog.castandcrew.com/weekof_april6)

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