<p dir="ltr">This week, Kim talks with SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin about stepping into the job during a tumultuous year for Hollywood. His early tenure has already included <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/fcc-jimmy-kimmel-charlie-kirk-monologue-1236373708/">an FCC clash involving Jimmy Kimmel</a>, the <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ai-actress-tilly-norwood-backlash-xicoia-eline-response-1236387903/">arrival of synthetic &ldquo;performers,&rdquo;</a> and some <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/openai-walks-back-opt-out-sora-video-app-ip-characters-1236393079/">wonky legal maneuvering from OpenAI</a>. Astin discusses the most pressing issues facing the union as bargaining is underway, including wages and working conditions as well as the challenges posed by AI companies scraping copyrighted material.</p> <p><strong id="docs-internal-guid-dd501131-7fff-3784-a234-3b06c5a2fa64"><br></strong>Plus, David Ellison has unveiled plans to <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/david-ellison-talks-warner-bros-deal-comments-1236519395/">merge Paramount+ and HBO Max</a> into a single streaming platform. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dig into the proposal &ndash; which comes with about $80 billion in debt and the strong likelihood of layoffs &ndash;&nbsp; and the familiar promise that &ldquo;synergies&rdquo; in tech, ad sales and platforms will do the heavy lifting. They also examine how the shake-up may affect HBO leadership, the uncertain future of CNN, and how Donald Trump&rsquo;s influence could complicate an already fraught moment for media companies.</p>