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The Billboard Family Hits of the Week compiles what’s new and worth your family’s time in music, movies, TV, books, games and more. Forget the mind-numbing scrolling and searching “what to watch for family movie night” … again. The best in family entertainment each week is all in one place, in this handy guide. Isn’t it satisfying to […]
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Friday (Feb. 7) that he is firing members of the board of trustees for the Kennedy Center and naming himself chairman.
He also indicated that he would be dictating programming at one of the nation’s premier cultural institutions, specifically declaring that he’d put an end to events featuring performers in drag.
Trump’s announcement came as the new president has bulldozed his way across official Washington during the first weeks of his second term, trying to shutter federal agencies, freeze spending and ending diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the government.
“At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN. I have decided to immediately terminate multiple individuals from the Board of Trustees, including the Chairman, who do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture,” Trump wrote.
“We will soon announce a new Board, with an amazing Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP!”
Unlike former President Joe Biden and other commanders in chief through the decades, Trump did not attend the annual Kennedy Center Honors ceremonies during his first term, held at the performing arts venue in Washington’s Foggy Bottom neighborhood that opened in 1971.
Shortly after Trump’s post, the Kennedy Center website began experiencing technical difficulties. Visitors got a message reading “We are experiencing high traffic” and were redirected to a “waiting room” that listed how many hundreds of people were trying to access the site ahead of them.
Trump suggested in his post that he would be implementing some changes to the center’s performance schedule, noting that last year “the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP.”
According to its website, the center in July hosted a preshow titled “A Drag Salute to Divas” and a November “Drag Brunch.”
In his post, Trump did not clarify which board of trustee members he would be terminating besides the current chairman, philanthropist David Rubenstein. The board often features political powerbrokers and major donors, and is currently made up of members from both sides of the aisle.
Rubenstein was first elected to the post in 2010 and reelected each year since that time. Also, the principal owner of the Baltimore Orioles, Rubenstein was originally appointed to the Kennedy Center board by President George W. Bush and subsequently reappointed by President Barack Obama and Biden.
The current board features Biden’s White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, as well as Mike Donilon, Biden’s longtime ally, and Stephanie Cutter, a former Obama adviser. The treasurer of the center’s board of trustees is television producer Shonda Rhimes, who hosted fundraisers for Biden before he abandoned his reelection bid last summer.
But the current board also features Trump allies, including Pam Bondi, the new president’s recently confirmed attorney general, and Lee Greenwood, whose song “God Bless the USA,” was the unofficial anthem of Trump’s presidential campaign.
During his first term in 2019, Trump announced that he was tapping actor Jon Voight, a longtime supporter, to the board, along with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who he’s picked as U.S. ambassador to Israel this time.
Rick Ross and 50 Cent are at it again. This time the veteran rappers and businessmen have been going back and forth over a picture. Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory, who was recently released to a halfway house and has been visited by various celebrities including 50 Cent, linked up with Rick Ross — which has […]
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With all eyes on New Orleans for the Big Game, with the Kansas City Chiefs batting against the Philadelphia Eagles, Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar is set to headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show on Sunday, Feb. 9.
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Keep reading for a breakdown of ways to watch Super Bowl 2025 Halftime Show live from the Caesars Superdome.
And Kendrick Lamar with special guest SZA are not the only music act performing during Super Bowl LIX. Ledisi opens the Super Bowl with a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” while Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle sing “America the Beautiful.” Ahead of kickoff, Jon Batiste performs the U.S. National Anthem.
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When Does Super Bowl Halftime Show Start?
The Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show broadcasts live, with a start time around 8-8:15 p.m. ET/5-5:15 p.m. PT. The halftime show airs on Fox.
Where to Watch Super Bowl Halftime Show for Free
For cord-cutters, there are a few ways to watch Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show — especially if you want to watch for free. DirecTV Stream has a five-day free trial, while other streaming services — such as Fubo and Hulu + Live TV — also offer a free trial so you can watch Fox for free.
Keep reading for more details on how to watch the Super Bowl Halftime Show with DirecTV Stream and Hulu + Live TV.
How to Watch Super Bowl Halftime Show with DirecTV Stream
A subscription to DirecTV Stream’s “MySports” — which comes with Fox for Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show — gets you access to live TV, local and cable channels, starting at $49.99 per month for the first three months of service and $69.99 per month after that. The service’s new “MySports” package even offers a five-day free trial to watch for free if you sign up now.
You can watch local networks such as NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox, while you can also watch many of the best sports networks, including ESPN, FS1, CNBC, NBA TV, NHL Network, Big Ten Network, TNT Sports, The Golf Channel and many others.
How to Watch Super Bowl Halftime Show with Hulu + Live TV
The Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show with Kendrick Lamar on Fox is available to watch with Hulu + Live TV too. Prices for the cable alternative start at $82.99 per month, while each plan comes with Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+ at no additional cost.
Hulu + Live TV might be best for those who want all of these streaming services together in one bundle. It also features many other networks, including ABC, Hallmark Channel, BET, CMT, Disney Channel, NBC, Fox Sports and more.
How to Watch Super Bowl Halftime Show with Fubo
To watch Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show on Fox, Fubo starts at $59.99 for the first month, $84.99 per month afterwards (the streamer’s current deal) with more than 210 channels — including local and cable — that are streamable on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets and on web browsers.
The service even gets you live access to local broadcast networks including NBC, CBS and ABC, while it also has dozens of cable networks, such as ESPN, Bravo, CMT, ID, TV Land, VH1, TLC, E!, FS1, MTV, FX, Ion, OWN, Paramount Network and much more.
Additionally, the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show livestreams on Tubi.
How to Buy Super Bowl Halftime Show Tickets Online
Want to attend the Super Bowl Halftime Show? There are still last-minute tickets available via Vivid Seats (get $20 off purchases of $200 and over with code BB2024), SeatGeek (your first purchases can get $10 off ticket order $250 and with code BILLBOARD10), StubHub and GameTime (score $20 off ticket orders of $150 and over with code SAVE20). Prices vary depending on the city and seats available.
Moreover, you can save $150 off when you spend $500 with promo code BILLBOARD150, or $300 off when you spend $1,000 with promo code BILLBOARD300 at TicketNetwork.com.
Starting at 8-8:15 p.m. ET/5-5:15 p.m. PT, Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show broadcasts on Fox. It’s also available to livestream on DirecTV Stream for free today.
Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl is a new concert special for the 30th anniversary of the original animated film. Although the live event took place in May 2024, the special is now available to stream online starting on Friday, Feb. 7.
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Read on for the best way to stream The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl online.
How to Watch The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl Online
The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl is exclusively streaming on Disney+ for subscribers only.
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Not a subscriber? Sign up for Disney+ to watch movies and TV shows from the Walt Disney Company, Lucasfilm (Star Wars), Marvel Studios, Pixar Animation, Twentieth Century Studios, National Geographic and more.
In addition, you can bundle the ad-supported plans of Disney+ and Hulu together starting at $10.99 per month. That’s 45% off the subscription price, if you were to sign up individually. Learn more about the Disney Duo here.
The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl
Disney+
Directed by Paul Dugdale for Disney+, The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl is a celebration of The Lion King’s 30th anniversary. It features some of the best and brightest actors from the original animated film, as well as singers from the original Broadway cast, performing side-by-side.
The new concert special stars Lebo M, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, Jason Weaver, Ernie Sabella, Billy Eichner, Heather Headley, Bradley Gibson, Jennifer Hudson, with special guests North West and others.
Meanwhile, Sarah Hicks conducts the orchestra for The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl. Hicks has been a conductor and consultant for Disney Concerts since 2019.
The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl is streamable on Disney+ for subscribers only. In the meantime, watch a trailer for the new concert special below.
Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.
With the 2025 Grammys in the rearview, it’s time to start looking for new hits from queer artists that will nab a few nominations in 2026! Billboard Pride is proud to present the latest edition of Queer Jams of the Week, our roundup of some of the best new music releases from LGBTQ+ artists.
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From Lady Gaga’s spellbinding new pop single to Doechii’s well-earned victory lap, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Lady Gaga, “Abracadabra”
There’s been a lot of talk online about Gaga reheating her nachos lately. But if “Abracadabra” is what reheated nachos taste like today, then pop open the microwave, because we’re seated for this meal. On the second single from her forthcoming album Mayhem, Gaga takes the familiar sounds of The Fame Monster, Born This Way and Artpop, chops them up and casts a spell over them to create an absolute pop killer. From her nonsense-word chorus to the immediately catchy beat breakdown to the haunting bridge, “Abracadabra” is Lady Gaga’s best song in years. Mother Monster, we’re happy to have you back.
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Doechii, “Nosebleeds”
Doechii haters, you might want to skip “Nosebleeds,” because the Grammy Award-winning rapper comes for her detractors’ throats on this fiery, chaotic victory lap. From the jump, Doechii quickly establishes her dominance at the 2025 Grammys and sets up her impeccable flow for a punchy set of verses. Gassing herself up and switching the beat at every given opportunity, the rapper leaves her haters with one impeccable thought: “Everybody wanted to know what Doechii would do if she didn’t win,” she declares, before shrugging and smirking at her audience. “I guess we’ll never know.”
Anitta, “Romeo”
After taking a foray into Brazilian funk last year, Anitta is diving back into reggaeton headfirst with her sultry new cut “Romeo.” The new single follows the singer on “a night of mischief” as she calls it in the Spanish chorus, tempting her soon-to-be lover with a good time. It certainly helps that it’s Anitta’s voice singing these words, as her silky smooth delivery makes bars like “Tonight, you’re going to be mine, I didn’t say maybe” land with the exact kind of swagger she’s looking to portray.
Elton John & Brandi Carlile, “Who Believes in Angels?”
Queer pioneers Elton John and Brandi Carlile have long spoken about their mutual adoration for one another — they’ve even collaborated a few times on tracks like “Simple Things” and “Never Too Late.” So, when it came time for them to link up on their new duet “Who Believes in Angels,” off their forthcoming duets album of the same name, fans knew what they would be getting. This 5 minute, dramatic ballad sees the pair play off one another’s voices well, as they shift their sound from pianos to guitars to synths to everything all together in this symphonic new song.
Olly Alexander, Polari
Since breaking out on his own from his trio Years & Years, Olly Alexander has been doubling down on the ’80s-tinged pop music that helped him become a star. Now, with his latest album Polari, the singer is taking a lifetime of experience and leaving it all on one LP. Taking on different facets of queer culture like cruising (“Cupid’s Bow”), gay slang (“Polari”), mythology (“Whisper in the Waves”) and more, Alexander creates his own escapist universe throughout his stunning solo LP, making it a ride you’ll want to be along for.
Serpentwithfeet, “Wanderer”
Need something a little more tender to listen to this weekend? We suggest “Wanderer,” the gorgeous, love-stricken new single from indie darling Serpentwithfeet. The star’s delicate vocal pairs beautifully with the sparse R&B production as he paints a vivid picture of desire, climbing to a beautiful declaration at the chorus: “My heart the ocean; mostly unexplored/ Won’t over-promise, but I could be yours,” Serpent croons.
Corook, “They!”
Sometimes even the silliest of songs can still be deeply affirming — that’s a fact Corook knows first hand. Their breakout 2023 track “If I Were a Fish” turned into an anthem for queer kids the world over. Now, the singer-songwriter is narrowing her focus to her own community with “They,” a song that takes their own experience being non-binary and explores it through the prism of bubbly, fun pop music. Across three minutes, Corook insists that “it’s no big deal, I’m more me now,” while reminding those listening who might be struggling with their own identity shouldn’t stress too much — someone out there gets it, which is sometimes all you need to hear.
David Archuleta, “Freedom” (George Michael cover)
It’s been 35 years since George Michael released the career-defining anthem “Freedom! ’90” — and now, American Idol alum David Archuleta would like to take a moment to celebrate its legacy. With his interpretation of the track, Archuleta keeps the formula simple — not quite recreating the song note for note, but sticking as closely as possible to Michael’s version as possible. Backed up by a full chorus and placing hismlarger-than-life voice front and center, Archuleta does a service to Michael’s legacy with this moving cover.
Wafia, Promised Land
In a time where our political reality is being defined by a relentless sense of upheaval, alt-pop singer songwriter is Wafia is here with a message for you that her mother shared with her: “Everything is already written.” Promised Land tracks Wafia’s own experiences as an immigrant, funneling the resilence (as on the stunning “House Down”) and hope that she’s crafted over the course of her life into a series of top-tier pop tracks. Let this be your sign to stop sleeping of Wafia — let her lead you to the Promised Land with this excellent LP.
Check out all of our picks below on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist:
Thanks in part to LL Cool J‘s “Mama Said Knock You Out,” Pfizer’s new Super Bowl commercial will leave viewers feeling hyped about the medical company’s ongoing cancer research — but because of the inspiring message at its center, it’ll also likely leave you in tears.
Posted to YouTube Friday (Feb. 7), the minute-long commercial opens with a young cancer patient lying in a hospital bed and watching a boxing match introduced by Michael Buffer’s iconic line, “Let’s get ready to rumble!”
The little boy then stands up, suddenly dressed in boxing shorts and gloves, and lands a knockout punch on a celebratory bell on the wall, signifying the end of treatment. After that, he struts through the hospital hallways to the triumphant beat of LL’s iconic 1991 hit as doctors and nurses applaud.
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The celebration continues on the streets, where crowds of people gather to cheer on the young champion on every step to his final destination: home, where his mom tearfully wraps him in a big hug.
“Hey cancer,” reads onscreen text at one point. “We’re gonna knock you out.”
After showing photos of the little boy’s difficult treatment journey, the ad then displays a call to action with more bits of text. “Pfizer is fighting for eight cancer breakthroughs by 2030,” it reads. “Join the fight at PfizerForAll.com.”
The spot is set to air during the Super Bowl broadcast during a commercial break as the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday (Feb. 9). Of having his song — which reached No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1991 — featured in such an inspiring ad, the “Loungin” rapper told People, “It feels good to have my song used for such an important cause.”
“Strength and resilience are at the heart of hip-hop, and they’re just as crucial in the fight against cancer,” continued LL, whose wife, Simone Smith, has battled bone cancer. “My family knows firsthand — staying on top of your health and getting screened early can save lives.”
Watch Pfizer’s “Knock Out” Super Bowl ad above.
Netflix will no longer release a nine-hour documentary series about Prince after reaching a deal with his estate, according to multiple reports. Instead, a separate documentary is now in development that will include exclusive content from the late star’s archive. “The Prince Estate and Netflix have come to a mutual agreement that will allow the […]
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The Weeknd is heading back on tour.
Following the release of his recent album Hurry Up Tomorrow and a surprise performance at the Grammys, Abel has announced a 26-date North American stadium tour kicking off May 9. Presale tickets are already live and going fast on Ticketmaster with a general release opening up on Feb. 7. Secure tickets on other resale ticket sites, including StubHub, Vivid Seats, Seat Geek and Gametime.
The massive stadium tour will celebrate the finale of his trilogy of albums: After Hours, Dawn FM and Hurry Up Tomorrow. This also may be the final time he goes on tour under his The Weeknd name, as he’s expected to retire the persona. The tour will start May 9 at at State Farm Stadium in Phoenix and wrap up Sept. 3 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Along the way, special guests Playboi Carti and Mike Dean will grace the stage at most dates.
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To accompany the album release and tour announcement, the Canadian R&B singer also dropped the trailer for an upcoming Hurry Up Tomorrow film that’s also releasing in May. The film will star The Weeknd alongside Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan. Directed by Trey Edward Shults, the film follows a musician who’s “plagued by insomnia” and “is pulled into an odyssey with a stranger who begins to unravel the very core of his existence,” according to the official synopsis.
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To grab tickets to The Weeknd’s After Hours Til Dawn tour, check out our guide below.
How to Get Tickets to The Weeknd’s ‘After Hours Til Dawn’ Tour
Pre-sale tickets for the The Weeknd’s After Hours Til Dawn tour already went live on Feb. 5 on Ticketmaster. The general public will have their shot on Feb. 7 through Ticketmaster and other resale sites, including StubHub, Vivid Seats, Seat Geek and Gametime.
StubHub is offering tickets for as low as $76. Each purchase comes with the FanProtect Guarantee, which will keep your purchases protected. You can also use the interactive venue map to choose tickets based on price and seating section.
Another option is Vivid Seats, which has tickets for his tour for as low as $72. You can also save $20 off orders of $200+ when you use the code BB2024 at checkout. Each ticket purchase will be protected through the site’s Buyer Guarantee, which you can learn more about here.
SeatGeek currently has tickets starting at $77 and you can utilize the site’s deal rating scale to determine how good of a deal you’re getting. SeatGeek uses a 1-10 rating system with one being the worst deal and 10 being the best deal you can get. You can also save $10 off your ticket purchases of $250+ (offer valid on first purchases only) when you use the code BILLBOARD10.
For affordable early tickets, Gametime is offering ticket options for as low as $72. Purchases will receive the Gametime Guarantee, which includes event cancellation protection, a low price guarantee and one-time ticket delivery. Bonus offer: get $20 off orders of $150+ when you use the code SAVE20 at checkout.
The devil works hard, but drag superstar Jan Sport and musician/producer Andrew Barret Cox both work harder. In a viral clip posted Tuesday, Sport and Cox shared a video of their live performance of Lady Gaga‘s new single “Abracadabra.” Re-creating the video — which Gaga premiered Sunday during the 2025 Grammy Awards — at New […]