The lineup for the Super Bowl 2026 pregame show has been officially announced, featuring a mix of celebrated artists. On February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Charlie Puth will perform the national anthem, while Brandi Carlile will deliver a rendition of “America the Beautiful.” Additionally, Coco Jones will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” This year’s event promises an exciting lead-up to the NFL championship matchup, which will include a halftime show headlined by Bad Bunny.
The NFL confirmed these details on Sunday, noting that the pregame performances will be broadcast across NBC, Telemundo, and Peacock. In a notable first, this year’s halftime show will also feature a multilingual signing program that incorporates Puerto Rican Sign Language, highlighting the event’s commitment to inclusivity.
Record-Breaking Box Office for ‘Zootopia 2’
In entertainment news, “Zootopia 2” has achieved remarkable success at the box office, setting records during its opening weekend. The Disney sequel generated $96 million in North America over the Thanksgiving weekend and brought in a total of $556 million globally since its launch. This figure marks the highest international opening ever for an animated film. The film features familiar characters like the bunny cop voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin and the clever fox voiced by Jason Bateman.
Meanwhile, “Wicked: For Good” also performed impressively, earning $62.8 million domestically over the same weekend. Together, these sequels have given theaters a much-needed boost during a year that has posed significant challenges for the industry.
AI in the Music Industry Raises Ethical Questions
Amid technological advancements, a recent development in the music industry has sparked significant discussion about ethics and attribution. The AI-generated country song “Walk My Walk,” credited to a fictional artist named Breaking Rust, has topped Billboard’s country digital song sales chart. The song emulates the vocal style of Grammy-nominated artist Blanco Brown, who was unaware of its creation until friends notified him. Brown’s reaction underscores the complications that arise from generative AI’s ability to mimic real artists. He has since released his own version of the song, emphasizing the unique artistry that real musicians contribute.
As the holiday season approaches, viewers can look forward to a variety of festive television offerings. On December 1, Derek Hough will host “The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular” on ABC, featuring performances by artists such as Nicole Scherzinger and Gwen Stefani. Additionally, Reba McEntire will host NBC’s “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” on December 3, showcasing the iconic tree lighting ceremony.
In gaming news, the Associated Press has identified Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as a standout title for 2025, praised for its storytelling, graphics, and voice acting. This comes during a year dominated by discussions about artificial intelligence, emphasizing the enduring creativity of human developers.
In a darker trend, a recent survey reveals that many teenagers harbor a negative perception of the news media. This sentiment reflects broader societal attitudes, particularly influenced by political figures who disparage the media.
Lastly, the art world witnessed a significant event with the auction of a long-lost painting by Peter Paul Rubens, depicting the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Sold for $2.7 million in Versailles, France, the painting had been authenticated by the Rubens committee in Antwerp, marking a remarkable turn in its history.
The legacy of celebrated playwright Tom Stoppard also resonated this week, as he passed away at the age of 88. Known for his Oscar-winning screenplay for “Shakespeare In Love,” Stoppard left an indelible mark on the theatre world with a body of work characterized by wit and profound engagement with the English language. His passing is a significant loss felt across the artistic community.
