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Turki Alalshikh Announces Details of Riyadh Season 2025

Alalshikh revealed that the estimated brand value of Riyadh Season has reached $3.2 billion. (SPA)
Alalshikh revealed that the estimated brand value of Riyadh Season has reached $3.2 billion. (SPA)
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Turki Alalshikh Announces Details of Riyadh Season 2025

Alalshikh revealed that the estimated brand value of Riyadh Season has reached $3.2 billion. (SPA)
Alalshikh revealed that the estimated brand value of Riyadh Season has reached $3.2 billion. (SPA)

Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Turki Alalshikh announced the details of Riyadh Season 2025 on Sunday. The new edition will kick off on Friday with a massive parade showcasing the season's new elements.

This year's season represents a major leap forward in the entertainment industry in the Kingdom, continuing the success of previous editions that have established Riyadh as a global entertainment destination.

He extended his highest gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their great support to the entertainment sector, enabling it to become a key economic driver and a pillar of quality of life within Saudi Vision 2030.

The latest edition of Riyadh Season marked a new stage of growth in the entertainment sector, attracting more than 20 million visitors from over 135 countries, recording over 3,300 international media visits, and achieving more than 110 billion media impressions across global platforms.

Alalshikh revealed that the estimated brand value of Riyadh Season has reached $3.2 billion (SAR12 billion), highlighting the remarkable global growth of its reputation and affirming its position as one of the leading entertainment brands in the Middle East and the world.

This year's edition features 11 major entertainment zones across Riyadh, hosting 15 global championships and 34 exhibitions and festivals, with participation from more than 2,100 companies—95% of which are local—through 4,200 contracts signed with the private sector. This reflects the empowerment of national talent, the strengthening of the private sector's role, and its contribution to the local economy.

Riyadh Season 2025 reinforces the Kingdom's leadership in the entertainment industry by hosting major global events, making Riyadh the entertainment capital of the region, Alalshikh stressed.

This year's edition is set to capture worldwide attention through its large-scale activities and conferences, including the Joy Forum, which will be held on October 16-17 at Boulevard City. The forum will feature some of the most prominent global entertainment figures, including American content creator MrBeast, UFC President Dana White, sports legend Jon Jones, basketball icon Shaquille O'Neal, TV host and investor Daymond John, and Indian actor and director Aamir Khan, among other global entertainment leaders.

The new season introduces unprecedented international partnerships, most notably the collaboration with MrBeast to launch "Beast Land," a 200,000-square-meter zone featuring over 27 rides and experiences, 40 restaurants and stores, and interactive games and prizes, marking a world-first experience in entertainment design.

As part of its global reach, Alalshikh announced that Riyadh Season will host the Royal Rumble, a major WWE event being held for the first time outside North America.

He also revealed that Boulevard World will feature enhanced content this year, including 1,600 shops, 350 restaurants and cafés, 40 rides and experiences, and 24 subzones, three of which are new: Kuwait, South Korea, and Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Boulevard City will offer a rich array of entertainment, including eight sports tournaments such as Power Slap 17, The Ring V, Riyadh Season P1 Padel Championship, Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, Saudi Masters Darts, and Kings Cup MENA. It will also host 19 entertainment experiences, including six new ones such as Minecraft and Poppy Playtime, along with 20 Arabic concerts and 14 new theatrical productions.

He added: "The Flying Over Saudi Arabia experience, which promotes tourism across various regions of the Kingdom, will also debut this season. This project, developed over three years, allows up to 90 people simultaneously to experience an interactive aerial journey across Saudi destinations."

He further noted that Sneaker Con will return to Boulevard City for its second year, following its great success, while Auto Show Riyadh will be held at Kingdom Arena, featuring 50 cars as prizes for attendees.

At Via Riyadh, the successful Ana Arabia exhibition will continue, showcasing a wide range of premium products across multiple pavilions representing several Arab countries.

He also noted that The Groves remains one of the most upscale destinations of the season, bringing together seven fine-dining restaurants and 16 high-end stores, offering visitors an exceptional luxury shopping and dining experience.

He confirmed that Riyadh Season 2025 places particular emphasis on theater, featuring a diverse selection of plays from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Syria. This reflects the diversity of Gulf and Arab culture, aiming to empower creators to present their work in a high-quality, competitive environment.

This year's concerts will be exceptional in scale and artistic depth, with major performances by leading Saudi and Gulf artists accompanied by Saudi musicians, showcasing the Kingdom's vibrant and evolving artistic scene.

On the artistic front, Riyadh Season will continue to host the prestigious Joy Awards 2026, one of the most significant entertainment awards in the region, celebrating excellence in drama, music, and the arts.

Among the season's major returning events are world-renowned tournaments such as the Six Kings Slam tennis championship, the Ring IV boxing event, and the WBC Grand Prix, whose qualifiers were held in Riyadh with participants from more than 40 countries. The season will also feature Snooker 167, the Kings Cup MENA, and the Saudi Masters Darts, along with the Fantastic Flag Football Classic, featuring NFL legend Tom Brady and global stars, scheduled for March 21, 2026, at the Kingdom Arena.

Alalshikh further announced the launch of new zones, including Boulevard Flowers, spanning 215,000 square meters and featuring over 200 million flowers, 200 floral sculptures, and three Boeing 777 aircraft, alongside 40 restaurants and cafés, forming a breathtaking artistic landscape that merges natural beauty with creativity. He also revealed that Anb Arena will host the Jewelry Salon Exhibition, an international showcase of luxury jewelry.

For the first time in its history, Riyadh Season will feature a floating entertainment zone named "Auria Cruise," offering a unique experience on the Red Sea. The cruise features 14 destinations, 29 restaurants and cafés, 10 spa and fitness facilities, and 20 entertainment areas, offering a fully integrated luxury leisure experience.

The season also aims to reach all segments of society through enhanced family-oriented content. Riyadh Zoo has been redeveloped to house over 1,600 animals from 170 species across six themed zones, providing educational and interactive experiences for families and children. Meanwhile, Al-Suwaidi Park will continue to showcase 13 diverse cultures, hosting countries such as Yemen, Sudan, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India through 49 concerts, 84 theater performances, and 100 cultural carnivals.

Alalshikh explained that the sixth edition of Riyadh Season continues to support the national economy by creating extensive job opportunities, exceeding 25,000 direct jobs and 100,000 indirect jobs across various fields, including operations, production, and services.

This reflects the season's commitment to empowering national talents, strengthening local supply chains, supporting Saudi companies, and fostering collaboration with government entities, all of which contribute to sectoral growth and sustainability, and elevating the quality of experiences offered to visitors from inside and outside the Kingdom.

In terms of social responsibility, Alalshikh said Riyadh Season pays special attention to community initiatives. The "Laylat Al-Omr" (Night of a Lifetime) initiative, held in collaboration with community service sponsors last year, achieved a significant humanitarian impact. He added that this year, the initiative will be reviewed and further developed for a future launch, with its details and timing to be announced later, in coordination with sponsors to ensure its enhanced success.

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Entertainment

Paramount Skydance Sues Warner Bros for Details on Netflix Deal

Paramount and Warner Bros logos are seen in this illustration taken December 8, 2025. (Reuters)
Paramount and Warner Bros logos are seen in this illustration taken December 8, 2025. (Reuters)
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Paramount Skydance Sues Warner Bros for Details on Netflix Deal

Paramount and Warner Bros logos are seen in this illustration taken December 8, 2025. (Reuters)
Paramount and Warner Bros logos are seen in this illustration taken December 8, 2025. (Reuters)

Paramount Skydance on Monday sued Warner Bros Discovery for more information on a rival $82.7 billion deal with Netflix, escalating a battle to take control of one of the most storied Hollywood studios.

The David Ellison-led company also said it plans to nominate directors to Warner Bros Discovery's board, in one of its most aggressive steps yet to convince shareholders that its hostile $30-per-share cash bid is superior to the $27.75-per-share cash-and-stock offer from Netflix.

The CBS parent and Netflix have been in a heated battle for Warner Bros, its prized film and television studios, and its extensive content library that ‌includes "Harry Potter" and ‌the DC Comics universe.

In a letter to ‌shareholders, ⁠Paramount also ‌said it would propose an amendment to Warner Bros' bylaws that would require shareholder approval for any separation of the media giant's cable TV business - which is key to the Netflix deal.

Paramount said last week the value of the cable spinoff was virtually worthless and reiterated its amended $108.4 billion bid after another rejection from the Warner Bros board.

The amended offer ⁠had included $40 billion in equity personally guaranteed by Oracle's co-founder Larry Ellison, the father of ‌Paramount CEO David Ellison, and $54 billion in ‍debt.

"WBD has provided increasingly novel ‍reasons for avoiding a transaction with Paramount, but what it has ‍never said, because it cannot, is that the Netflix transaction is financially superior to our actual offer," Paramount wrote in a letter to Warner Bros shareholders.

"Unless the WBD board of directors decides to exercise its right to engage with us under the Netflix merger agreement, this will likely come down to your vote at a shareholder meeting."

Netflix ⁠and Warner Bros did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Shares of Warner Bros were down 1.5% in early trading, while Netflix ticked up 0.8% and Paramount 0.3%.

Paramount's argument - one it is using to sway investors - is that its all-cash offer for the whole of Warner Bros offers more certainty than the deal with Netflix for the studios and streaming assets and will more easily clear regulatory hurdles.

The sour performance of Versant, the Comcast cable spinoff, has also given fresh ammunition to Paramount's campaign to convince Warner Bros shareholders its offer is better.

Paramount's tender ‌offer will expire on January 21, but the company can extend it.

Entertainment

‘Hamnet’ and ‘One Battle After Another’ Take Top Honors at Golden Globes

(L-R) British actors Joe Alwyn, Noah Jupe, Chinese filmmaker Chloe Zhao, Irish actors Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, and British actor Jacobi Jupe pose in the press room with the award for best motion picture - drama for "Hamnet" during the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, USA, 11 January 2026. (EPA)
(L-R) British actors Joe Alwyn, Noah Jupe, Chinese filmmaker Chloe Zhao, Irish actors Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, and British actor Jacobi Jupe pose in the press room with the award for best motion picture - drama for "Hamnet" during the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, USA, 11 January 2026. (EPA)
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‘Hamnet’ and ‘One Battle After Another’ Take Top Honors at Golden Globes

(L-R) British actors Joe Alwyn, Noah Jupe, Chinese filmmaker Chloe Zhao, Irish actors Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, and British actor Jacobi Jupe pose in the press room with the award for best motion picture - drama for "Hamnet" during the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, USA, 11 January 2026. (EPA)
(L-R) British actors Joe Alwyn, Noah Jupe, Chinese filmmaker Chloe Zhao, Irish actors Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, and British actor Jacobi Jupe pose in the press room with the award for best motion picture - drama for "Hamnet" during the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, USA, 11 January 2026. (EPA)

Paul Thomas Anderson’s ragtag revolutionary saga “One Battle After Another” took top honors at Sunday’s 83rd Golden Globes in the comedy category, while Chloé Zhao's Shakespeare drama “Hamnet” pulled off an upset over “Sinners” to win best film, drama.

“One Battle After Another” won best film, comedy, supporting female actor for Teyana Taylor and best director and best screenplay for Anderson. He became just the second filmmaker to sweep director, screenplay and film, as a producer, at the Globes. Only Oliver Stone, for “Born on the Fourth of July,” managed the same feat.

In an awards ceremony that went almost entirely as expected, the night's final award was the most surprising. While “One Battle After Another” has been the clear front-runner this awards season, most have pegged Ryan Coogler's Jim Crow-era vampire thriller as its closest competition.

But “Hamnet,” a speculative drama about William and Agnes Shakespeare based on Maggie O’Farrell's bestseller, won in the dramatic category shortly after its star, Jessie Buckley, won best female actor in a drama.

It was a banner night for Warner Bros., the studio behind “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners.” Warner Bros. Discovery has agreed to be sold to Netflix in an $83 billion deal. Paramount Skydance has appealed to shareholders with its own rival offer.

In his speech after winning best director, Anderson praised Warner co-chief Michael DeLuca. “He said he wanted to run a studio one day and let filmmakers make whatever they want,” said Anderson. “That’s how you get ‘Sinners.’ That’s how you get a ‘Weapons.' That’s how you get ‘One Battle After Another.’”

The final awards brought to, or near, the stage a handful of the most talented filmmakers together in Anderson, Zhao and Coogler — plus Steven Spielberg, a producer of “Hamnet.” Regardless of who won what, it was a heartening moment of solidarity between them, with a shared sense of purpose. Zhao fondly recalled being at Sundance Labs with Coogler when they were each starting out.

“As students, let’s keep our hearts open and let’s keep seeing each other and allowing each other to be seen,” said Zhao, while Coogler smiled from the front row.

“Sinners” won for best score and cinematic and box-office achievement. The win for box office and cinematic achievement, over franchise films like “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” was notable for Coogler's film, a movie that some reports labeled a qualified success on its release.

Yet “Sinners” ultimately grossed $278 million domestically and $368 million worldwide, making it highest grossing original film in 15 years.

“I just want to thank the audience for showing up,” said Coogler. “It’s means the world.”

Coming off years of scandal and subsequent rehabilitation, the Globes and host Nikki Glaser put on a star-studded ceremony that saw wins for the streaming sensation “KPop Demon Hunters” (best animated film, song), a meta triumph for Seth Rogen’s “The Studio” and an inaugural award for podcasting that went to Amy Poehler’s “Good Hang.”

Many of the Oscar favorites won. Timothee Chalamet won his first Golden Globe, for “Marty Supreme,” after four previous nominations. The 30-year-old is poised to win his first Oscar. Fellow nominees like Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney stood to applaud his win.

“My dad instilled in me a spirit of gratitude growing up: Always be grateful for what you have,” said Chalamet. “It’s allowed me to leave this ceremony in the past empty handed, my head held high, grateful just to be here. I’d be lying if I didn’t say those moments didn’t make this moment that much sweeter.”

Glaser comes out swinging

The Globes, held at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, got underway with a pointedly political opening from host Nikki Glaser and an early award for the night’s favorite, “One Battle After Another.” Emceeing the show for the second straight year, Glaser kicked off the show with self-aware satire.

“Yes, the Golden Globes, without a doubt the most important thing happening in the world right now,” she said.

In a winning, rapid-fire opening monologue that landed some punch lines on the usual subjects — the age of Leonardo DiCaprio’s dates, Kevin Hart’s height — Glaser also dove right into some of her most topical material.

For the on-the-block Warner Bros., Glaser started the bidding at $5. Referencing the Epstein files, she suggested best editing should go to the Justice Dept. The “most editing,” however, she suggested deserved to go to Bari Weiss’ new CBS News — a dig at the Paramount Skydance-owned network airing the Globes.

Political tension and industrywide uncertainty were the prevailing moods heading into Sunday’s awards. Hollywood is coming off a disappointing box-office year and now anxiously awaits the fate of one of its most storied studios, Warner Bros.

The Globes, formerly presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, have no overlap or direct correlation with the Academy Awards. After being sold in 2023 to Todd Boehly’s Eldridge Industries and Dick Clark Productions, a part of Penske Media, the Globes are voted on by around 400 people. The Oscars are voted on by more than 10,500 professionals.

But in the fluctuating undulations of awards season, a good speech at the Globes can boost an Oscar campaign. Winners Sunday included Rose Byrne (“If I Had Legs I'd Kick You”) for best female actor in a comedy or musical, and Wagner Moura, the Brazilian star of “The Secret Agent,” for best male actor in a drama. Kleber Mendonça Filho's period political thriller also won best international film.

“I think if trauma can be passed along generations, values can do,” Moura said. “So this to the ones who are sticking with their values in difficult moments.”

Other winners Sunday included the supporting actor front-runner, Stellan Skarsgård who won for the Norwegian family drama “Sentimental Value.” It was the first major Hollywood movie award for the 74-year-old, a respected veteran actor who drew a standing ovation.

“I was not prepared for this because I, of course, thought I was too old,” said Skarsgård.

‘The Studio' and 'Adolesence' win

In the television awards, “The Pitt” took best drama series, while Noah Wyle won, too, brushing past his former “ER”-star Clooney on the way to the stage. Netflix’s “Adolescence” won four awards: best limited series, and acting awards for Erin Doherty, Stephen Graham and 16-year-old Owen Cooper.

Other winners included Rhea Seehorn for “Pluribus” and Jean Smart for “Hacks.”

But the most comically poignant award of the night went to “The Studio,” the best comedy series winner. Seth Rogen’s Hollywood satire memorably included an episode devoted to drama around a night at the Globes. (Sample line: “I remember when the red carpet of the Golden Globes actually stood for something.”)

Rogen also won best male actor in a comedy. “This is so weird,” Rogen said, chuckling. “We just pretended to do this. And now it’s happening.”

Entertainment

Hollywood Stars Gather for an All-Winners Celebration at the American Film Institute Awards

Leonardo DiCaprio takes the stage to accept the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for his role in "The Revenant" at the 22nd Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, California January 30, 2016.(Reuters)
Leonardo DiCaprio takes the stage to accept the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for his role in "The Revenant" at the 22nd Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, California January 30, 2016.(Reuters)
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Hollywood Stars Gather for an All-Winners Celebration at the American Film Institute Awards

Leonardo DiCaprio takes the stage to accept the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for his role in "The Revenant" at the 22nd Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, California January 30, 2016.(Reuters)
Leonardo DiCaprio takes the stage to accept the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for his role in "The Revenant" at the 22nd Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, California January 30, 2016.(Reuters)

If the American Film Institute Awards stands for anything, it's that everyone in the room - from Leonardo DiCaprio and Ryan Coogler to Timothée Chalamet and Ariana Grande - leaves feeling like a winner.

That spirit was on full display Friday as the AFI Awards gathered its 2026 honorees for an invitation-only luncheon in Beverly Hills, where the institute once again celebrated the collaborative nature of film and television by honoring creative teams - in front of and behind the camera.

Inside the ballroom, there were no acceptance speeches in the traditional sense and no suspense over envelopes. Instead, AFI's ceremony unfolded as a series of thoughtfully written tributes: eloquent rationales for each honored film and television program, followed by brief clips designed to place the year's work within a broader cultural and artistic context.

AFI President Bob Gazzale spoke in front of star-filled room, ensuring there were no losers with only shared recognition.

The room reflected that mood. Filmmaker Steven Spielberg was spotted chatting with Coogler, whose wife and "Sinners" producer, Zinzi Coogler, stood beside him. Meanwhile, Michael B. Jordan worked the room, trading hugs and handshakes with fellow honorees and guests including "Bugonia" star Jesse Plemons and "Task" actor Mark Ruffalo. Filmmakers James Cameron and Guillermo del Toro greeted each other.

Nearby, DiCaprio stood side by side with Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos and actors Benicio del Toro and Edward James Olmos. Chase Infiniti looked on from her table, gazing toward her "One Battle After Another" co-stars before the program kicked off.

On the red carpet, with "Death by Lightning" actor Nick Offerman beside him, George Clooney shared laughs with a photographer, adding to the easygoing tone that carried throughout the afternoon. After the event, Infiniti and Jordan reunited for a hug and a brief catch-up, a quiet moment that underscored the camaraderie in the room.

Films honored include "Avatar: Fire and Ash,Bugonia,Frankenstein,Hamnet,Jay Kelly,Marty Supreme,One Battle After Another,Sinners,Train Dreams" and "Wicked: For Good."

Television shows recognized were "Adolescence,Andor,Death by Lightning,The Diplomat,The Lowdown,The Pitt,Severance,The Studio" and "Task."

Closing the ceremony was Carol Burnett, who delivered AFI's annual benediction, celebrating the honorees' achievements while reflecting on her own lifelong love of cinema and television.

"I've never lost the deep respect and love that I have for all the stories we tell through cinema and television and by all of those behind and in front of the camera," Burnett said. "Creative collaboration has always remained at the heart of our work, and AFI brings us all together. The world is a better place for having heard your voices."

The luncheon also featured AFI's signature March of Time video montage, a sweeping look at cinematic and television milestones from decades past, situating this year's honorees within the evolving history of the medium.