Technically, the Netflix / Warner Bros. news is almost a week old, but what a week it has been! And so, after some follow-up on smart shades and CES, Nilay and David talk through all that’s at stake in the fight between Paramount and Netflix — and whether it’s even possible for someone to win this deal. After that, Charlie Harding, co-host of Switched on Pop and honorary Vergecast intern, explains how AI is taking over the country music scene in Nashville. He also makes us a song, and it’s a jam. Lastly, the hosts talk about font news (with a special guest), Brendan Carr, smart rings, garage wars, and more.

Further reading:
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.theverge.com/bulletin/839889/the-verge-subscription-turns-one">The Verge subscription turns one </a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/838781/netflix-warner-bros-discover-bids-buyout">Netflix is buying Warner Bros. for $83 billion </a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/839813/paramount-skydance-warner-bros-discovery-hostile-takeover-bid">Paramount launches a hostile $108 billion bid to snatch Warner from Netflix </a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/839910/david-ellison-pitches-paramounts-hostile-bid-for-wbd-as-pro-consumer">David Ellison pitches Paramount’s $108 billion hostile bid for WBD as “pro consumer.” </a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/media/paramount-netflix-warner-bros-battle-ellisons-a86fe15c">Behind Paramount’s Relentless Campaign to Woo Warner Discovery and President Trump</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.thewrap.com/new-paramount-film-tv-streaming-plans/#:~:text=On%20AI,of%20financial%20discipline%20to%20bear">New Paramount Speaks: Theatrical Films, Streaming Investment and Tech Upgrades Are Top Priorities</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/839749/netflix-ceo-visit-white-house-warner-bros">Netflix CEO made a visit to the White House before buying Warner Bros. </a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/839767/trump-isnt-sold-on-the-netflix-warner-bros-deal">Trump isn’t sold on the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/839380/netflixs-leadership-thinks-the-warner-bros-deal-wont-be-like-other-big-media-mergers">Netflix’s leadership thinks the Warner Bros. deal won’t be like other big media mergers.</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/839480/netflix-warner-bros-acquisition-hbo-theatrical-releases-layoffs">Welcome to the big leagues, Netflix </a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.theverge.com/streaming/841581/warner-bros-netflix-paramount-skydance-ellison-hostile-bid">There are no good outcomes for the Warner Bros. sale</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/842348/disney-openai-sora-chatgpt-images">OpenAI’s billion-dollar Disney deal puts Mickey Mouse and Marvel in Sora</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/829964/country-music-ai">Get ready for an AI country music explosion</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://x.com/BrendanCarrFCC/status/1996945925822939407">Brendan Carr is a Dummy</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/839294/chamberlain-myq-garage-door-opener-update-blocks-aftermarket-controllers">Chamberlain’s new technology blocks aftermarket controllers from working with its garage door openers</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.theverge.com/gadgets/840352/pebble-index-smart-ring-launch-price">The Pebble Index 01 is a smart ring with a built-in microphone</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/841664/calibri-is-too-woke-for-the-state-department">Calibri is too woke for the State Department | The Verge</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://daringfireball.net/misc/2025/12/state-department-return-to-tradition.text">Gruber got a copy of the thing</a></li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.theverge.com/subscribe">Subscribe to The Verge</a> for unlimited access to <a href="http://theverge.com/">theverge.com</a>, subscriber-exclusive newsletters, and our <a href="https://www.theverge.com/bulletin/795051/verge-podcast-ad-free-set-up-how-to">ad-free podcast feed</a>.We love hearing from you! Email your questions and thoughts to <a href="mailto:vergecast@theverge.com">vergecast@theverge.com</a> or call us at 866-VERGE11. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

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