Next Take Podcast

This week on The Next Take Podcast, Canada’s own Mikel breaks down three stories making waves across gaming, sports, and streaming. He dives into the rumored sales numbers for Marvel’s Wolverine on PS5, LeBron James’ new deal with Polymarket, and Disney+ bringing ads to all subscription tiers.Rumored Wolverine PS5 Sales: Marvel’s Wolverine may already be off to a strong commercial start. According to estimates from Alinea Analytics, Insomniac Games’ latest PS5 exclusive sold approximately 1.9 million copies in just three days, bringing in an estimated $130 million in revenue. The reported numbers would make Wolverine one of PlayStation’s strongest new releases of 2026. However, Sony and Insomniac have not officially confirmed these sales figures, so for now, the numbers should be treated as third-party estimates rather than official results. (via Source: Alinea Analytics - Alinea Analytics — “Wolverine sells 1.9M, despite the online mauling” )LeBron James is taking his star power into the rapidly growing prediction-market industry. According to Front Office Sports, James’ new endorsement partnership with Polymarket is reportedly worth $15 million per year. The agreement is described as an ongoing partnership involving multiple promotional appearances and content, with James expected to focus primarily on football rather than basketball. He is reportedly an endorser, not an investor in the company. (via Source: Front Office Sports - Front Office Sports — “LeBron James Polymarket Deal Worth $15 Million a Year” )Disney+ is facing questions over what “ad-free” really means after changes to its subscriber terms sparked concerns that advertising could appear across all subscription tiers. While Disney+ still markets its Standard and Premium plans as ad-free for regular on-demand streaming, the service acknowledges that subscribers may still encounter promotional content, sponsorship messaging, and advertisements during certain live programming and special events. So, are Disney+’s ad-free plans really staying ad-free, or are the lines between its subscription tiers beginning to blur? We break down what actually changed, what Disney+ subscribers could see, and what the controversy means for the future of streaming. (via IGN - Disney+ to Allow Ads on All Plans Following Changes Detailed in Updated Subscriber Agreement )Streaming LinksSpotify: https://shorturl.at/dehuEApple: https://shorturl.at/fyMNZYoutube: https://shorturl.at/fuyJQSocial Media:Website: https://solo.to/nexttakepodcastEpisode Produced By: Mikel MilesUploaded By: Mikel Miles

This week on The Next Take Podcast, Canada’s own Mikel brings together special guests Keith, Kosta, and RJ to discuss Spider-Man: Brand New Day topping the domestic box office, women proposing to men, whether hip hop is a young man’s game, and Roc Nation’s reported struggle to secure a performer for the 2027 Super Bowl halftime show.Spider-Man: Brand New Day has officially swung into the record books. Tom Holland’s latest outing as the web-slinger has surpassed Star Wars: The Force Awakens to become the highest-grossing film ever at the North American box office. After opening to a massive $360 million domestically, the Marvel and Sony blockbuster continued drawing audiences throughout the summer, eventually breaking a record that had stood for more than a decade. With nearly $2.5 billion earned worldwide, Brand New Day has turned Spider-Man’s latest adventure into one of the biggest theatrical events in movie history. (Via Source: The Wrap - thewrap.com and Box Office Mojo - Spider-Man Brand New Day Office Sales )For generations, the classic marriage proposal has usually followed one familiar script: the man gets down on one knee and asks the woman to marry him. But as relationships and gender roles continue to evolve, more couples are questioning why proposing has to be the man’s responsibility. (Via Source: The Knot - The Knot — “Here’s Why There’s Nothing Wrong With Women Proposing to Men” )Hip-hop has traditionally been associated with youth—new artists, new sounds and younger generations constantly pushing the culture forward. But more than 50 years after hip-hop's emergence, many of its artists and listeners are growing older together. Veterans continue to release music and perform, while established stars are maintaining major audiences well into their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond. At the same time, younger artists remain essential to introducing new styles and trends. (Via Source: Can't Get Much Higher - Can't Get Much Higher and University California Press - Read the source — University of California Press )the race to headline the 2027 Super Bowl Halftime Show is heating up. With Super Bowl LXI headed to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on February 14, 2027, speculation continues over which music superstar will take one of entertainment’s biggest stages. Justin Bieber and Harry Styles have reportedly landed high on Roc Nation’s wish list, while names including Miley Cyrus and Jay-Z have also been part of the wider conversation. But with no official headliner announced yet, the biggest question remains: Who will headline Super Bowl 2027? (via Source: TMZ - Read the TMZ report )Streaming LinksSpotify: https://shorturl.at/dehuEApple: https://shorturl.at/fyMNZYoutube: https://shorturl.at/fuyJQSocial Media:Website: https://solo.to/nexttakepodcastEpisode Produced By: Mikel MilesUploaded By: Mikel Miles

This week on Next Take Podcast, Canada’s own Mikel and Tanyka examine the growing debate surrounding book bans in the United States. From challenges in schools and libraries to concerns over censorship, education, and freedom of expression, they explore the key issues driving the controversy and the broader questions about who decides what Americans can read.Across the United States, the battle over what books belong in schools and libraries has become a major cultural and political debate.Thousands of books have been challenged, restricted, or removed, with disputes frequently focusing on material involving race, sexuality, gender identity, history, and mature themes. Supporters of removing or restricting certain books argue that parents and local communities should have greater control over what material children can access. Critics argue that widespread removals amount to censorship and can limit students’ access to diverse ideas, histories, and experiences. (Via Source: PEN America - PEN America — Book Bans ) and American Library Association - American Library Association — Censorship by the Numbers )Streaming LinksSpotify: https://shorturl.at/dehuEApple: https://shorturl.at/fyMNZYoutube: https://shorturl.at/fuyJQSocial Media:Website: https://solo.to/nexttakepodcastEpisode Produced By: TanykaUploaded By: Mikel Miles

This week on The Next Take Podcast, Canada’s own Mikel breaks down three major stories shaking up entertainment and sports: Hideo Kojima’s split from PlayStation, the controversy surrounding Sydney Sweeney’s revealing sports betting ad, and the blockbuster basketball news Raptors fans have been waiting for Kawhi Leonard is FINALLY BACK AS A TORONTO RAPTOR!!!After decades of creative history between Hideo Kojima and PlayStation, one of gaming’s most recognizable partnerships is taking an unexpected turn. PlayStation Studios has stepped away from Kojima Productions’ upcoming action-espionage game, Physint, after Kojima says his studio unexpectedly received notice in June that PlayStation intended to cancel the project.Rather than abandon the game, Kojima Productions spent roughly three months searching for a new publishing partner—and found one in Xbox. Microsoft will now publish Physint, expanding its existing relationship with Kojima Productions beyond OD. (via Source - The Verge: The Verge — “Xbox picks up Kojima’s Physint after PlayStation dropped it” ) and Xbox Wire - Xbox Wire announcement and Kojima Productions - Kojima Productions statement )Sydney Sweeney is once again at the center of an advertising controversy—this time over a provocative campaign for sports prediction platform Novig. The ad features Sweeney posing with sports equipment while wearing little to no clothing, promoting the platform’s focus on sports predictions. While the campaign quickly gained attention online, it also drew sharp criticism from female athletes who argue that the marketing unnecessarily sexualizes women in sports. Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus and other athletes have spoken out against the campaign, questioning why sexualized imagery is still being used to market sports when female athletes continue fighting to be recognized for their skill, strength and accomplishments. Supporters of the campaign may see it as provocative marketing designed to generate attention, but critics believe it represents a step backward for the portrayal of women in sports. (Via Source AP News - Associated Press — “Female athletes accuse Sydney Sweeney ad of sexualizing women in sports” )Kawhi Leonard is FINALLY back where he made history! After months of uncertainty surrounding one of the NBA’s biggest blockbuster trades, the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers have moved forward with the deal that brings Leonard back to Toronto. Seven years after helping deliver the Raptors their first NBA championship in 2019, Kawhi is returning to the city where he became a franchise legend. But Toronto paid a massive price to make the reunion happen, sending Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and a significant package of future draft picks to Los Angeles.( Via Source: Sportnet - Sportsnet — “Report: Raptors, Clippers agree to Kawhi Leonard trade” )Streaming LinksSpotify: https://shorturl.at/dehuEApple: https://shorturl.at/fyMNZYoutube: https://shorturl.at/fuyJQSocial Media:Website: https://solo.to/nexttakepodcastEpisode Produced By: Mikel MilesUploaded By: Mikel Miles

This week on Next Take Podcast, Canada’s own Mikel sits down with Kurt, aka Elementmanga5, to discuss his previous project, Element 5, AI in art, future projects, and more!Element5manga is an independent manga creator and artist who uses Instagram to showcase original artwork, characters, and updates surrounding the Element manga project. The account gives followers a look into the creative process behind building an indie manga, from character designs and illustrations to the continued development of its story and world. Elementmanga5 represents the growing community of independent creators using social media to share their work directly with manga and comic fans.Streaming LinksSpotify: https://shorturl.at/dehuEApple: https://shorturl.at/fyMNZYoutube: https://shorturl.at/fuyJQSocial Media:Website: https://solo.to/nexttakepodcastEpisode Produced By: TanykaUploaded By: Mikel Miles

This week on Next Take Podcast, Canada’s own Mikel and Tanyka discuss a flight attendant being thrown from a flight, a 600-year-old Pinot Noir grape discovered in a toilet, and the UN voting to recognize the enslavement of Africans as one of history’s gravest injustices.An Air Canada flight attendant survived an extraordinary ordeal after being thrown from an aircraft during a deadly collision at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. The Air Canada Express jet, arriving from Montreal, struck an airport fire truck while landing. The impact severely damaged the front of the aircraft and killed both pilots. Flight attendant Solange Tremblay, who was seated near the front of the plane, was ejected while still strapped into her crew seat. She survived but suffered serious injuries requiring surgery. Aviation experts have suggested that the flight attendant’s reinforced seat and four-point restraint may have played an important role in her survival. The crash injured dozens of people and remains under investigation. (via Source - CityNews: CityNews Toronto — “Flight attendant thrown from Air Canada plane survives in a ‘total miracle’”)A discovery inside a medieval toilet in France has revealed an unexpected connection to one of today’s most famous wines. Scientists examined a roughly 600-year-old grape seed found at a 15th-century hospital in Valenciennes and discovered that it is genetically identical to the Pinot Noir grapes still grown today.The finding suggests that Pinot Noir has been cultivated in France since at least the 1400s, with generations of growers preserving the variety through techniques such as taking cuttings from existing vines. Researchers say it’s unclear whether the medieval grape was eaten as food or used to make wine, but its DNA provides a fascinating link between modern vineyards and France’s centuries-old winemaking history. (via Source - CBS News: CBS News — “600-year-old grape seed used to make Pinot Noir wine found in toilet of medieval hospital in France” )n a historic vote, the United Nations General Assembly formally recognized the trafficking and racialized chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity. Led by Ghana, the resolution highlights the enormous scale, brutality, duration, and lasting consequences of the transatlantic slave trade. It also strengthens international calls for reparatory justice, including efforts to address the historical and continuing impact of slavery on Africans and people of African descent. Although the resolution is not legally binding, its adoption represents a major symbolic step toward global acknowledgment, accountability, and discussions surrounding reparations for one of history’s darkest periods. (via Source - United Nations: United Nations — General Assembly Resolutions on Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade )Streaming LinksSpotify: https://shorturl.at/dehuEApple: https://shorturl.at/fyMNZYoutube: https://shorturl.at/fuyJQSocial Media:Website: https://solo.to/nexttakepodcastEpisode Produced By: TanykaUploaded By: Mikel Miles

This week on The Next Take Podcast, Canada’s own Tanyka and Ramona take a look back at the Tyler Perry classic, Why Did I Get Married? They discuss the trials and tribulations of marriage dynamics through the lens of the couples featured in the movie.Why Did I Get Married features eight married friends who take their annual reunion vacation in the Colorado mountains. Revelations of infidelity involving one pair shatter the amicable mood, forcing the remaining friends to take a hard look at the strength of their own marriages. The couples grapple with issues of commitment, love, betrayal and forgiveness as they try to move on with their lives. You Can Watch "Why Did I Get Married?" Here: https://www.crave.ca/fr/play/why-did-i-get-married-2135712Streaming LinksSpotify: https://shorturl.at/dehuEApple: https://shorturl.at/fyMNZYoutube: https://shorturl.at/fuyJQSocial Media:Website: https://solo.to/nexttakepodcastEpisode Produced By: TanykaUploaded By: Tanyka

This week on Next Take Podcast, Canada’s own Mikel, Tanyka, and RJ examine the tragic story of Skylar Neese—a case of friendship, betrayal, and murder that shocked a community and captured national attention.In July 2012, 16-year-old Skylar Neese disappeared after secretly leaving her home in Star City, West Virginia, to meet two of her closest friends, Shelia Eddy and Rachel Shoaf. What initially appeared to be a troubling missing-person case eventually revealed an unimaginable betrayal: the two friends Skylar trusted had planned and carried out her murder. For months, Eddy and Shoaf maintained a false account of what happened that night. The case finally broke when Shoaf confessed and implicated Eddy. Shoaf pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received a 30-year prison sentence, while Eddy pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison.Streaming LinksSpotify: https://shorturl.at/dehuEApple: https://shorturl.at/fyMNZYoutube: https://shorturl.at/fuyJQSocial Media:Website: https://solo.to/nexttakepodcastEpisode Produced By: TanykaUploaded By: Mikel Miles

This week on Next Take Podcast, Canada’s own Mikel sits down with Richard Singleton II, owner of Creative Theory World and creator of the hockey manga and animation Rule 56. They discuss the vision behind Creative Theory World, Richard’s creative journey, and what fans can expect from his upcoming hockey animation.Created by Creative Theory World, the project offers a fresh artistic take on hockey culture while showcasing the creativity and storytelling possibilities of independent animation. Whether you're a hockey fan, animation enthusiast, or someone who enjoys character-driven sports stories, Rule 56 aims to deliver an exciting world both on and off the ice.Follow Creative Theory World Website: https://www.creativetheoryworld.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/creative_theory_world/?hl=enStreaming LinksSpotify: https://shorturl.at/dehuEApple: https://shorturl.at/fyMNZYoutube: https://shorturl.at/fuyJQSocial Media:Website: https://solo.to/nexttakepodcastEpisode Produced By: Mikel MilesUploaded By: Mikel Miles