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Netflix partners with the British Library. September 22, 2026 Netflix and the British Library have launched a national partnership to help more people discover the books behind some of the world's most popular films and series. While the National Literacy Trust's 2025 Annual Literacy Survey found that children's enjoyment of reading had fallen to its lowest recorded level, it also showed that books linked to favourite films and TV series can encourage reluctant readers. The same is true for adults, with Nielsen BookData finding that 12 per cent of adult fiction bought by occasional readers was discovered through, or chosen because of, a film or TV adaptation. Alongside dedicated funding from Netflix to support the British Library's literary conservation and archives, this new partnership will see collections of books that have been adapted into Netflix films and series donated to 100 public libraries in the British Library's Living Knowledge Network across the UK. Each participating library will receive a curated collection of books that have inspired Netflix films and series. The collection will help readers discover the stories behind popular titles including Frankenstein, Pride and Prejudice, Heartstopper, One Day (pictured), The Thursday Murder Club and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In addition to the donated collections, Netflix and the British Library will host a programme of events also streamed to libraries across the country, giving audiences the opportunity to hear more about how books are brought to the screen. Research shows that screen adaptations can also drive readers back to the original books. Following the release of Netflix's One Day, sales of David Nicholls' novel rose by 4,452 per cent - from 3,216 copies in the 26 weeks before release to 143,193 in the 26 weeks after. Anne Mensah, Vice President of Content, UK at Netflix, commented: "Every great adaptation starts with a great story. We are proud to bring these stories to audiences all over the world, but we also know the experience does not have to end when the credits roll. Books and screen adaptations can introduce audiences to different worlds, ideas and voices. Through our partnership with the British Library, we hope to help more people discover the books behind the shows and films they love, while supporting the public libraries that make reading accessible to communities across the country." Helen Schulte, Head of Culture Programmes, at the British Library, said: "We are delighted to be partnering with Netflix. With this partnership we're helping to bring Netflix's exciting literary adaptations to new audiences across the UK via our Living Knowledge Network of public libraries. We're so grateful to Netflix for partnering with the Library and providing much needed philanthropic support for conservation, helping to preserve the treasures we care for as the UK's national library." Education Secretary, Lucy Powell, added: "Reading opens the door to new worlds, sparks imagination and creates memories that stay with us for a lifetime. This exciting partnership will help more children and families discover the stories behind the shows they love, and inspire them to pick up a book themselves. That's why, as part of the National Year of Reading, we're encouraging everyone to Go All In and make time to read in the way that works for them, whether that's a comic, a blog or the novel behind a much-loved screen adaptation. We're putting reading back on the agenda for families by building the foundations of literacy from day one and creating a library in every primary school, because everyone, whatever their age or background, should have the opportunity to experience the magic of reading for pleasure." Netflix's upcoming book adaptations also includes Greta Gerwig's Narnia, which will premiere in cinemas before landing on the streaming service.

Paramount one step closer to $110bn Warner Bros merger after settlement with 12 states. Monday, 21 September 2026 21:41 00:00 | 00:00 Paramount has reached a settlement with California and other states that sued over the media giant's $110bn (£82.2bn) with Warner Bros Discovery. The agreement clears a major hurdle to the proposed deal - announced earlier this year after Paramount beat out a bid from Netflix. It includes independent editorial boards for the CNN and CBS networks - as the merger would bring the rival news outlet under the same ownership - and a $30m (£22.4m) penalty per film falling short of the 30-movies-a-year release target that Paramount has promised. The settlement also states that Paramount must spend at least $300m on US film production compared to 2025. It's unclear whether that means cuts to foreign film production. While Trump administration regulators cleared the deal for Paramount to absorb Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), a coalition of 12 state attorneys general sued in July to block the merger. 'A stronger Hollywood' says Paramount head Led by California's attorney general, the lawyers argued that the merger - mainly aimed at creating a bigger rival to the likes of Netflix - would substantially weaken competition in the US market, driving up prices for consumers and costing jobs. A settlement with the states will help Paramount avoid a $7m-a-day (£4.4m) "ticking fee" it owes WBD shareholders for each day the deal does not close past 30 September. California Attorney General Rob Bonta called the settlement "a strong antitrust outcome", adding: "More production, more choice, and guardrails that keep this industry competitive. "I don't think these two companies should merge, but that's not something that we are focused on with our resolution here." Concerns were raised that the deal would give US president Donald Trump more influence over CNN due to the possibility of Paramount head David Ellison and his father Larry, a longtime Trump associate, reorienting the network. After the deal, Mr Ellison thanked the states and California Governor Gavin Newsom for his support and said: "Our goal has always been to build a stronger Hollywood." It comes after CNN, MS NOW and Politico said they have notified Donald Trump's administration that they are filing a lawsuit over being denied White House access over the weekend. Paramount snatched deal from Netflix WBD's board first announced it was open to selling or partly selling the company in October 2025 after a summer of hushed speculation. Back in June that year, WBD announced its plan to split into two companies: one for its TV, film studios, and HBO Max streaming services, and one for the Discovery element of the business, primarily comprising legacy TV channels that air cartoons, news, and sports. More: Why was Warner Bros for sale? After Netflix announced it had agreed a $72bn (£54bn) deal for WBD's film and TV studios on 5 December, Paramount launched a hostile bid - meaning straight to shareholders - with a $108.4bn (£81bn) bid several days later. Paramount claimed to have tried several times to bid for WBD through its board, but said it launched the hostile bid after hearing of Netflix's offer because the board had "never engaged meaningfully". Eventually, WBD accepted Paramount's offer of $110.9bn in February after Netflix withdrew. US union concerned despite settlement Another lawsuit against the merger - filed by the Writers Guild of America (WGA), also in California - was settled on Monday. The union's east and west sectors filed a joint antitrust suit in July, arguing the joint entity "would have both the incentive and the ability to lower costs by suppressing writers' wages and reducing output". "Writers will be paid less and have fewer employment opportunities", the WGA added. While the union agreed to settle its claim, it said the deal will damage the industry, and that the earlier deal with the states forced it to "contend with the reality of forging ahead alone, with no backing from government. UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy also said in June she was "minded" to intervene in the merger over public interest concerns, but later said she would not so, due to the legally binding commitments provided to her by Paramount. Sky News has contacted the UK's film and media union - BECTU - for comment on the settlement.

'The Watcher' season two is being written, Ian Brennan confirms. Ian Brennan has confirmed that Netflix's long-delayed second season of 'The Watcher' is now being written. 'The Watcher' season two is being written, co-creator Ian Brennan has confirmed, giving Netflix's unresolved 2022 mystery thriller its clearest update in four years. Asked by The Hollywood Reporter whether the second season was next on his slate, Brennan replied: "Yes. I was just writing that." The series was initially planned as a miniseries, but Netflix renewed it for another run in 2022. Its future had otherwise remained notably quiet. Brennan did not reveal where the new episodes will take the story. Asked what he could tease, he said: "Nothing. I'm being told absolutely nothing. It's gonna be good, though." He could not offer a release timeframe either, adding: "I don't know yet. Watch this space!" The comments establish that writing is under way, but not a production start date, casting line-up, plot or release window. Created by Brennan and Ryan Murphy, 'The Watcher' follows Nora and Dean Brannock, played by Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannavale, whose move to a suburban house brings threatening letters from an anonymous stalker calling themselves the Watcher. The first season left the identity and motives of its letter-writer unresolved. Watts had said she had not heard any updates on the show's future in a 2024 Entertainment Weekly interview. Brennan's remarks now indicate that the renewal is still progressing, though there is no confirmation that Watts and Cannavale will return, or whether the new season will directly continue the Brannocks' story. For now, Netflix has confirmed no further practical details, but Brennan is back at work on 'The Watcher'. Watch's before doors sessions. Intimate, stripped-back live sessions filmed moments before the doors open. Raw sound, real rooms, no second takes. Subscribe on YouTube so you never miss a new one. LIKE THAT? READ THESE LIKE THAT? READ THESE