“Unexpected,” a documentary short about Black women living with HIV in the South, will premiere on Hulu on Dec. 1, which is also World AIDS Day.
Produced by “Abbott Elementary” Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph and directed by Zeberiah Newman, “Unexpected” follows activists Ciarra Ci Ci Covin and Masonia Traylor as they create an underground network to help and support women with HIV in the rural South.
The Oscar-qualifying film, which premiered at the 2023 Essence Film Festival, won an Award of Excellence at both The Accolade Global Film Competition and The Impact Docs Awards, and was a Silver Winner at the Telly Awards. It has also screened at the Scad Savannah Film Festival, DC Black Film Festival, Black Women Film Network, Detroit Black Film Festival, The Women’s Film Festival and Cleveland Film Festival.
Ralph’s nonprofit, The Diva Foundation, acquired the film.
At the same time, this year’s “Divas Simply Singing!
Produced by “Abbott Elementary” Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph and directed by Zeberiah Newman, “Unexpected” follows activists Ciarra Ci Ci Covin and Masonia Traylor as they create an underground network to help and support women with HIV in the rural South.
The Oscar-qualifying film, which premiered at the 2023 Essence Film Festival, won an Award of Excellence at both The Accolade Global Film Competition and The Impact Docs Awards, and was a Silver Winner at the Telly Awards. It has also screened at the Scad Savannah Film Festival, DC Black Film Festival, Black Women Film Network, Detroit Black Film Festival, The Women’s Film Festival and Cleveland Film Festival.
Ralph’s nonprofit, The Diva Foundation, acquired the film.
At the same time, this year’s “Divas Simply Singing!
- 11/30/2023
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
An Exclusive Interview About Fox Nation, Celebrities, Controversial Hit Shows, and the Impact of the Tentpole Events Like the Patriot Awards
Launched in 2018 to showcase and honor individuals who do extraordinary things, the Patriot Awards have become a centerpiece of Fox Nation’s programming. It’s a night that shines the spotlight not on Hollywood stars but on everyday heroes who embody the values cherished by service’s viewers. But as the five-year anniversary brought the show to Nashville, I found myself attending for other reasons.
See, behind the scenes, there’s a visionary at work, Jason Klarman, who has played a pivotal role in Fox Nation’s evolution. With a career spanning decades, and a knack for innovation, Klarman now holds the reins as the president of Fox Nation, Fox News Media’s lifestyle streaming service. His journey, marked by transformative initiatives, strategic celebrity partnerships, and an intimate understanding of audience desires,...
Launched in 2018 to showcase and honor individuals who do extraordinary things, the Patriot Awards have become a centerpiece of Fox Nation’s programming. It’s a night that shines the spotlight not on Hollywood stars but on everyday heroes who embody the values cherished by service’s viewers. But as the five-year anniversary brought the show to Nashville, I found myself attending for other reasons.
See, behind the scenes, there’s a visionary at work, Jason Klarman, who has played a pivotal role in Fox Nation’s evolution. With a career spanning decades, and a knack for innovation, Klarman now holds the reins as the president of Fox Nation, Fox News Media’s lifestyle streaming service. His journey, marked by transformative initiatives, strategic celebrity partnerships, and an intimate understanding of audience desires,...
- 11/30/2023
- by Mike Nelson
- The Streamable
Leading independent digital platform Mamamia hosted its Upfronts showcase in Sydney last week to 250 senior marketers at Doltone House.
Creators Mia Freedman, Holly Wainwright and Clare Stephens opened by sharing the stark findings of Mamamia’s new longitudinal study ‘The State of Australian Women’: two thirds of women, across generations, are shouldering the burden of managing the household’s budget through inflationary times. As wallets tighten, it is women who are calling the shots.
And it’s an ocean of purchasing power (see chart below): from beauty to home entertainment to auto, it’s only when you get to home renovation that shared decision-making becomes more common than women making all or most decisions.
The study also found that Health & Fitness and Travel & Holidays were the areas where women’s intentions to spend more in the year ahead outnumbered intentions to cut back. Holly Wainwright, Executive Editor, said:...
Creators Mia Freedman, Holly Wainwright and Clare Stephens opened by sharing the stark findings of Mamamia’s new longitudinal study ‘The State of Australian Women’: two thirds of women, across generations, are shouldering the burden of managing the household’s budget through inflationary times. As wallets tighten, it is women who are calling the shots.
And it’s an ocean of purchasing power (see chart below): from beauty to home entertainment to auto, it’s only when you get to home renovation that shared decision-making becomes more common than women making all or most decisions.
The study also found that Health & Fitness and Travel & Holidays were the areas where women’s intentions to spend more in the year ahead outnumbered intentions to cut back. Holly Wainwright, Executive Editor, said:...
- 9/11/2023
- Podnews.net
Auddia Inc. (Nasdaq:auud) (Nasdaq:auudw) ("Auddia" or the "Company"), developer of a proprietary AI platform for audio and innovative technologies for podcasts that is reinventing how consumers engage with audio, announced today that it has achieved the key milestone of fully integrating podcasts, exclusive content in the form of Music Casts, exclusive playlists under the faidrRadio brand, and a new user interface across both iOS and Android. Referred to as faidr 3.0, this milestone positions the Company to accelerate direct-to-consumer advertising to grow the user base and report on full funnel metrics for faidr 3.0 for the first time upon filing the third quarter 10Q.
Michael Lawless, CEO, stated, “The entire Auddia team has been aimed at building faidr 3.0 across both the iOS and Android platforms all year. This focus has led to a significant expansion of Music Cast exclusive content and a much-improved user interface that we expect will greatly increase the...
Michael Lawless, CEO, stated, “The entire Auddia team has been aimed at building faidr 3.0 across both the iOS and Android platforms all year. This focus has led to a significant expansion of Music Cast exclusive content and a much-improved user interface that we expect will greatly increase the...
- 9/11/2023
- Podnews.net
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland says fate of US work stoppage lies in hands of Hollywood companies.
Representatives from SAG-AFTRA and Canadian actors union Acrta were joined by Patricia Arquette in a protest outside the Toronto headquarters of Amazon and Apple on Saturday morning.
Arquette, who is in Toronto to promote her feature directorial debut Gonzo Girl, which she was cleared to promote through a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement a week before TIFF kicked off, addressed the crowd in support of the work stoppage alongside the union’s executive national director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.
The SAG-AFTRA executive said the fate of the...
Representatives from SAG-AFTRA and Canadian actors union Acrta were joined by Patricia Arquette in a protest outside the Toronto headquarters of Amazon and Apple on Saturday morning.
Arquette, who is in Toronto to promote her feature directorial debut Gonzo Girl, which she was cleared to promote through a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement a week before TIFF kicked off, addressed the crowd in support of the work stoppage alongside the union’s executive national director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.
The SAG-AFTRA executive said the fate of the...
- 9/9/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Quentin Tarantino’s 10th and what he has teased as his final movie will shoot in Los Angeles and has qualified to receive $20 million in tax credits for filming in the state of California, the California Film Commission announced Friday.
Several times a year, the California Film Commission announces a crop of studio and independent films that can qualify to receive state tax credits as an incentive for filming within California. This quarter, Tarantino’s project — which he submitted to the Commission simply as “#10” — is among the three big-budget studio projects and 13 indies that meet the criteria for shooting within state lines and will generate enough jobs and “qualified spending.” The 16 projects qualify for a combined $77.8 million in tax credits.
“I love shooting in California. I started directing movies here and it is only fitting that I shoot my final motion picture in the cinema capital of the world,” Tarantino said in a statement.
Several times a year, the California Film Commission announces a crop of studio and independent films that can qualify to receive state tax credits as an incentive for filming within California. This quarter, Tarantino’s project — which he submitted to the Commission simply as “#10” — is among the three big-budget studio projects and 13 indies that meet the criteria for shooting within state lines and will generate enough jobs and “qualified spending.” The 16 projects qualify for a combined $77.8 million in tax credits.
“I love shooting in California. I started directing movies here and it is only fitting that I shoot my final motion picture in the cinema capital of the world,” Tarantino said in a statement.
- 9/8/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Federation Studios Taps TF1 Head Of Drama
Former TF1 Head of Drama Anne Viau has joined Paris-based film and TV company Federation Studios, as she launches her own production company, Quelle Aventure!. Her fledgling banner joins another 20 labels, also including Bonne Pioche, Cottonwood Media, Fabula Pictures and Picture Perfect Federation, a joint venture between Patrick Wachsberger and Federation Studio co-heads Pascal Breton and Lionel Uzan. Viau was Head Of Drama at TF1 from 2018 until this month, overseeing series such as The Bonfire of Destiny or Women at War, Hpi, Balthazar, One of Us, Tomorrow is Ours and Ici Tout Commence. Viau said Quelle Aventure! marked a new chapter in her professional life. “This venture also allows me to return to my first love, which is writing and which is central to my new role as a producer, alongside attracting key talent and sourcing great stories,” she said. The partnership will...
Former TF1 Head of Drama Anne Viau has joined Paris-based film and TV company Federation Studios, as she launches her own production company, Quelle Aventure!. Her fledgling banner joins another 20 labels, also including Bonne Pioche, Cottonwood Media, Fabula Pictures and Picture Perfect Federation, a joint venture between Patrick Wachsberger and Federation Studio co-heads Pascal Breton and Lionel Uzan. Viau was Head Of Drama at TF1 from 2018 until this month, overseeing series such as The Bonfire of Destiny or Women at War, Hpi, Balthazar, One of Us, Tomorrow is Ours and Ici Tout Commence. Viau said Quelle Aventure! marked a new chapter in her professional life. “This venture also allows me to return to my first love, which is writing and which is central to my new role as a producer, alongside attracting key talent and sourcing great stories,” she said. The partnership will...
- 9/8/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow and Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Fox News opinion host Mark Levin is getting a bigger perch on the network’s weekend schedule.
Fox News said it plans to expand his program, “Life, Liberty & Levin” so that it will air at 8 p.m. eastern on both Saturday and Sunday. The new airing on Saturday evenings will take effect on September 16th and additional weekend programming changes will be announced at a later date.
“Since joining the network in 2017, Mark has provided our audience with thought-provoking analysis on America’s core values and their impact on current events,” said Meade Cooper, executive vice president of primetime programming at Fox News, in a statement. “We are looking forward to expanding his popular show to two nights a week.”
Fox News said “Life, Liberty & Levin” is the highest-rated primetime program in cable news on Sundays, averaging 1.4 million viewers and 104,000 in the 25-54 demographic, the audience most coveted by advertisers.
Fox News said it plans to expand his program, “Life, Liberty & Levin” so that it will air at 8 p.m. eastern on both Saturday and Sunday. The new airing on Saturday evenings will take effect on September 16th and additional weekend programming changes will be announced at a later date.
“Since joining the network in 2017, Mark has provided our audience with thought-provoking analysis on America’s core values and their impact on current events,” said Meade Cooper, executive vice president of primetime programming at Fox News, in a statement. “We are looking forward to expanding his popular show to two nights a week.”
Fox News said “Life, Liberty & Levin” is the highest-rated primetime program in cable news on Sundays, averaging 1.4 million viewers and 104,000 in the 25-54 demographic, the audience most coveted by advertisers.
- 9/7/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
The Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA will rally on Thursday at Amazon Studio in Culver City to highlight their push a bill that would provide unemployment insurance to striking workers in California. Striking writers and actors in New York and New Jersey are already eligible to receive unemployment benefits after 14 days on the picket line, but not in California.
Senate Bill 799, if it makes it through the Legislature and is signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, would change that. It passed through the Assembly Insurance Committee last week and the Legislature has until September 14 to send it to the governor’s desk for signature.
WGA West President Meredith Stiehm and SAG-AFTRA Secretary-Treasurer Joely Fisher, who spoke before the Insurance Committee last week in Sacramento in support of the bill, will be among the speakers at tomorrow’s picket and rally, which will get underway at 11 am.
“Writers have had to rely on strike loans from our union,...
Senate Bill 799, if it makes it through the Legislature and is signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, would change that. It passed through the Assembly Insurance Committee last week and the Legislature has until September 14 to send it to the governor’s desk for signature.
WGA West President Meredith Stiehm and SAG-AFTRA Secretary-Treasurer Joely Fisher, who spoke before the Insurance Committee last week in Sacramento in support of the bill, will be among the speakers at tomorrow’s picket and rally, which will get underway at 11 am.
“Writers have had to rely on strike loans from our union,...
- 9/7/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Negotiations between the Writers Guild of America and the major studios remained in limbo on Monday, after a week of public sparring failed to result in forward movement.
The sides have not formally met since Aug. 18, when the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers rejected the WGA’s Aug. 15 counter offer. Four CEOs did meet with a handful of WGA leaders on Aug. 22 to urge them to accept the studios’ counter, which was made on Aug. 11.
But since then, there has been no move to get back to the negotiating table. As it stands, both sides seem to feel that the other owes them a response.
The AMPTP publicly released its counter on Aug. 22, in a move intended to demonstrate its readiness to make concessions and to put pressure on WGA leadership. The WGA objected to that tactic, saying it was intended to “jam” negotiators.
The union described the...
The sides have not formally met since Aug. 18, when the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers rejected the WGA’s Aug. 15 counter offer. Four CEOs did meet with a handful of WGA leaders on Aug. 22 to urge them to accept the studios’ counter, which was made on Aug. 11.
But since then, there has been no move to get back to the negotiating table. As it stands, both sides seem to feel that the other owes them a response.
The AMPTP publicly released its counter on Aug. 22, in a move intended to demonstrate its readiness to make concessions and to put pressure on WGA leadership. The WGA objected to that tactic, saying it was intended to “jam” negotiators.
The union described the...
- 8/28/2023
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Here is a wrap-up of all the news you need to know from Monday, August 28, 2023.
NBC has dropped the official trailer for its upcoming procedural drama, The Irrational, starring The Flash's Jesse L. Martin.
The series follows world-renowned professor of behavioral science Alec Mercer (Martin) as he lends his unique expertise to an array of high-stakes cases involving governments, law enforcement, and corporations.
His insight and unconventional approach to understanding human behavior led him and the team on a series of intense, unexpected journeys to solve illogical puzzles and perplexing mysteries.
The Irrational is based on best-selling author Dan Ariely's book, Predictably Irrational.
Maahra Hill, Travina Springer, Molly Kunz, and Arash DeMaxi also star.
The promo features plenty of crime-solving goodness that we're sure will land well with the NBC audience.
Many procedurals are off the air due to the WGA and SAG AFTRA strikes, fans will be...
NBC has dropped the official trailer for its upcoming procedural drama, The Irrational, starring The Flash's Jesse L. Martin.
The series follows world-renowned professor of behavioral science Alec Mercer (Martin) as he lends his unique expertise to an array of high-stakes cases involving governments, law enforcement, and corporations.
His insight and unconventional approach to understanding human behavior led him and the team on a series of intense, unexpected journeys to solve illogical puzzles and perplexing mysteries.
The Irrational is based on best-selling author Dan Ariely's book, Predictably Irrational.
Maahra Hill, Travina Springer, Molly Kunz, and Arash DeMaxi also star.
The promo features plenty of crime-solving goodness that we're sure will land well with the NBC audience.
Many procedurals are off the air due to the WGA and SAG AFTRA strikes, fans will be...
- 8/28/2023
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Doc charts origins, rise and fall of Isis through personal stories.
Canada has named Zaynê Akyol’s Rojek as its submission in the Oscar international feature film category.
Produced by Audrey-Ann Dupuis-Pierre, Sylvain Corbeil, and Akyol of Métafilms, the documentary premiered at Visions du Réel Film Festival in Switzerland in 2022 and attempts to trace the origins, rise and fall of Isis through the stories of incarcerated members around the world.
The documentary is told in a mix of Arabic, English, French, and Kurdish and opened in Canadian theatres in January.
Hailing “what may have been Canada’s most competitive year ever” Julie Roy,...
Canada has named Zaynê Akyol’s Rojek as its submission in the Oscar international feature film category.
Produced by Audrey-Ann Dupuis-Pierre, Sylvain Corbeil, and Akyol of Métafilms, the documentary premiered at Visions du Réel Film Festival in Switzerland in 2022 and attempts to trace the origins, rise and fall of Isis through the stories of incarcerated members around the world.
The documentary is told in a mix of Arabic, English, French, and Kurdish and opened in Canadian theatres in January.
Hailing “what may have been Canada’s most competitive year ever” Julie Roy,...
- 8/24/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
2023 Hamptons International Film Festival Announces Alex Gibney Doc Centerpiece, Todd Haynes Tribute
The 2023 Hamptons International Film Festival has officially unveiled its Centerpiece screening and special events lineup.
Alex Gibney’s “In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon” will be this year’s Centerpiece presentation, screening October 6. Prolific documentarian Gibney previously helmed Theranos doc “The Inventor” and “Restless Dreams” will be making its New York premiere at the East End festival.
Gibney spent three years on “In Restless Dreams” following musician Simon’s creation of new album “Seven Psalms.”
“In early 2021 amid the pandemic, Paul invited me to film him while he was making his most recent album, ‘Seven Psalms.’ Paul was losing his hearing in one ear, and it was a devastating time,” Gibney said in a press statement (via Deadline). “His tribulations in making that album about faith and mortality are the emotional heart of this story. Creating a visual dreamscape to meet Paul’s life as an artist has been painstaking,...
Alex Gibney’s “In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon” will be this year’s Centerpiece presentation, screening October 6. Prolific documentarian Gibney previously helmed Theranos doc “The Inventor” and “Restless Dreams” will be making its New York premiere at the East End festival.
Gibney spent three years on “In Restless Dreams” following musician Simon’s creation of new album “Seven Psalms.”
“In early 2021 amid the pandemic, Paul invited me to film him while he was making his most recent album, ‘Seven Psalms.’ Paul was losing his hearing in one ear, and it was a devastating time,” Gibney said in a press statement (via Deadline). “His tribulations in making that album about faith and mortality are the emotional heart of this story. Creating a visual dreamscape to meet Paul’s life as an artist has been painstaking,...
- 8/23/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Production
An estimated £617.4 million ($781.8 million) was spent on the production of film, TV and other audiovisual content in Scotland in 2021, compared to £398.6 million in 2019, up 55%, a new report has revealed. Commissioned by Screen Scotland and produced by Saffery Champness and Nordicity, the independent report titled The Economic Value of the Screen Sector in Scotland in 2021 found that significant growth was found in all areas of production, particularly inward investment film and High-End TV (Hetv) production. Inward investment film and Hetv production spend increased by 110%, from £165.3 million in 2019 to £347.4 million in 2021. This included content made by Scotland-based producers, producers based outside of Scotland filming in Scotland and public service broadcasters commissioned content.
The growth is in large part due to sector development work undertaken since Screen Scotland’s formation in 2018, including skills development work and the opening of new or expanded studio facilities, the report found. Prime Video’s “The Rig,...
An estimated £617.4 million ($781.8 million) was spent on the production of film, TV and other audiovisual content in Scotland in 2021, compared to £398.6 million in 2019, up 55%, a new report has revealed. Commissioned by Screen Scotland and produced by Saffery Champness and Nordicity, the independent report titled The Economic Value of the Screen Sector in Scotland in 2021 found that significant growth was found in all areas of production, particularly inward investment film and High-End TV (Hetv) production. Inward investment film and Hetv production spend increased by 110%, from £165.3 million in 2019 to £347.4 million in 2021. This included content made by Scotland-based producers, producers based outside of Scotland filming in Scotland and public service broadcasters commissioned content.
The growth is in large part due to sector development work undertaken since Screen Scotland’s formation in 2018, including skills development work and the opening of new or expanded studio facilities, the report found. Prime Video’s “The Rig,...
- 8/23/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Katz Media Group, the nation’s largest media sales company, announced today the continued growth of its digital sales division to meet its ever-expanding position in the marketplace. Katz Digital Audio, America’s leading offering for streaming audio and podcasting, has named Dominick Milano as Senior Vice President, Sales Director and Programmatic Audio Lead, effective immediately. He will report to Scott Porretti, President of Katz Digital Audio.
Katz Digital Audio is a true audio anywhere platform, providing advertisers access to more than 5,000 audio streams and 275,000 podcasts, reaching 230 million monthly consumers. Katz’s digital team is comprised of trusted media specialists dedicated to the digital audio space, working extensively with thousands of advertisers and the agency community to create premium, data-driven campaigns with proven results.
“For over 130 years, Katz has been a leader in the advertising arena with its pulse on the ever-changing market serving as a trusted partner to an...
Katz Digital Audio is a true audio anywhere platform, providing advertisers access to more than 5,000 audio streams and 275,000 podcasts, reaching 230 million monthly consumers. Katz’s digital team is comprised of trusted media specialists dedicated to the digital audio space, working extensively with thousands of advertisers and the agency community to create premium, data-driven campaigns with proven results.
“For over 130 years, Katz has been a leader in the advertising arena with its pulse on the ever-changing market serving as a trusted partner to an...
- 8/22/2023
- Podnews.net
Updated with latest expected attendees: SAG-AFTRA’s Los Angeles Local and the Writers Guild of America will hold a “National Day of Solidarity” rally Tuesday outside Disney Studios.
“SAG-AFTRA and WGA will join forces with the AFL-CIO and its affiliates from across the nation and across industries for a National Day of Solidarity,” SAG-AFTRA said in a statement. “In this ‘Summer of Strikes,’ working Americans everywhere are fighting for fair contracts, better compensation, safe working conditions and protections from encroaching technology. Together, we are showing corporate America that when we fight, we win!”
SAG-AFTRA has been on strike since July 14, and the Writers Guild since May 2. The rally will start Tuesday at 10 am Pt.
Among those scheduled to speak at the rally include SAG-AFTRA Secretary-Treasurer Joely Fisher, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, and Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Yvonne Wheeler.
Others scheduled to attend...
“SAG-AFTRA and WGA will join forces with the AFL-CIO and its affiliates from across the nation and across industries for a National Day of Solidarity,” SAG-AFTRA said in a statement. “In this ‘Summer of Strikes,’ working Americans everywhere are fighting for fair contracts, better compensation, safe working conditions and protections from encroaching technology. Together, we are showing corporate America that when we fight, we win!”
SAG-AFTRA has been on strike since July 14, and the Writers Guild since May 2. The rally will start Tuesday at 10 am Pt.
Among those scheduled to speak at the rally include SAG-AFTRA Secretary-Treasurer Joely Fisher, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, and Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Yvonne Wheeler.
Others scheduled to attend...
- 8/22/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
When Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum moderate Wednesday night’s Republican primary debate, they won’t be running for office. But they will be at the forefront of a very important popularity contest.
The Fox News duo will kick off a coverage cycle that every TV-news executive hopes will reverse some of the recent trends of the medium, which has contended, like many other TV formats, with downturns in viewership and advertising dollars. The debate, says Baier, ought to be lively, and he and MacCallum — typically the faces of Fox News in all matters pertaining to elections — will have to be on their guard.
“I think the bottom line is that some candidates on this stage want to walk away with a moment that gets played over and over again,” he says.
The people who run Fox News — and its rivals — can only hope. TV-news outlets snare some of their biggest audiences during election coverage.
The Fox News duo will kick off a coverage cycle that every TV-news executive hopes will reverse some of the recent trends of the medium, which has contended, like many other TV formats, with downturns in viewership and advertising dollars. The debate, says Baier, ought to be lively, and he and MacCallum — typically the faces of Fox News in all matters pertaining to elections — will have to be on their guard.
“I think the bottom line is that some candidates on this stage want to walk away with a moment that gets played over and over again,” he says.
The people who run Fox News — and its rivals — can only hope. TV-news outlets snare some of their biggest audiences during election coverage.
- 8/21/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
With the 2023 Truth Seekers Summit presented by Showtime taking place a day after former President Donald Trump was indicted for a third time, this time in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election, MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow set the tone of the event after receiving the Variety and Rolling Stone Truth Seekers Award, “The crisis we have right now in this work that we do is not a crisis about the truth,” she said in a sitdown with Variety’s Co-Editor-In-Chief Ramin Setoodeh. “The truth is the truth; the truth just exists.
- 8/4/2023
- by Sean Malcolm
- Rollingstone.com
The European Commission has given the greenlight for French conglom Vivendi’s acquisition of the Lagardère Group.
The acquisition will make the Paris-based group one of the biggest media and entertainment groups in Europe, on a par with Germany giant Bertelsmann.
Key Lagardère assets include the Hachette publishing group, prestigious weekly magazine Paris Match, the radio station Europe 1 and newspaper kiosk chain Relay.
The approval is contingent on the conglom honoring commitments to sell 100% of its share capital in French publishing house Editis as well as the full sale of celebrity magazine Gala, which currently published under the umbrella of Vivendi’s Prisma Group.
In its press release, Vivendi recalled it had entered into a put option agreement for Editis with Czech mogul Daniel Kretinsky’s International Media Invest on April 23 2023, and noted there was strong interest in Gala too.
Vivendi said it was confident that it would be...
The acquisition will make the Paris-based group one of the biggest media and entertainment groups in Europe, on a par with Germany giant Bertelsmann.
Key Lagardère assets include the Hachette publishing group, prestigious weekly magazine Paris Match, the radio station Europe 1 and newspaper kiosk chain Relay.
The approval is contingent on the conglom honoring commitments to sell 100% of its share capital in French publishing house Editis as well as the full sale of celebrity magazine Gala, which currently published under the umbrella of Vivendi’s Prisma Group.
In its press release, Vivendi recalled it had entered into a put option agreement for Editis with Czech mogul Daniel Kretinsky’s International Media Invest on April 23 2023, and noted there was strong interest in Gala too.
Vivendi said it was confident that it would be...
- 6/11/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
AMC Networks is scaling back on its programming and marketing spends starting this year, according to executive vice president and chief financial officer Patrick O’Connell. The exec took the stage Wednesday at the Gabelli Funds 15th Annual Media and Entertainment Symposium to address what the financial future of the company entails.
“So I think over the last couple of years — AMC, to a lesser degree, but the industry broadly — overspent on programming, overspent on marketing as well,” O’Connell said.
According to O’Connell, before the Covid-19 pandemic, AMC Network’s cash content spend averaged between $950 million and $1 billion. That increased to “about $1.35 billion” last year.
“We’ve made a commitment to take that back down to pre-pandemic levels. It’ll be closer to $1.1 billion this year, and we’ll likely float down even further closer to the $1 billion dollar range going forward,” O’Connell said. “We think that’s the...
“So I think over the last couple of years — AMC, to a lesser degree, but the industry broadly — overspent on programming, overspent on marketing as well,” O’Connell said.
According to O’Connell, before the Covid-19 pandemic, AMC Network’s cash content spend averaged between $950 million and $1 billion. That increased to “about $1.35 billion” last year.
“We’ve made a commitment to take that back down to pre-pandemic levels. It’ll be closer to $1.1 billion this year, and we’ll likely float down even further closer to the $1 billion dollar range going forward,” O’Connell said. “We think that’s the...
- 6/8/2023
- by Kayla Cobb
- The Wrap
The group of executives who are leading CNN on an interim basis made their first comments to staffers on Thursday, vowing to make “this period as smooth as possible.”
The memo was sent out a day after Chris Licht exited as chairman and CEO, following a tumultuous, 13-month tenure. Three executives, Amy Entelis, executive vice president of talent and content development; Eric Sherling, EVP of U.S. programming; and Virginia Moseley, EVP of editorial, are serving as the acting leadership team in the interim. They are joined by David Leavy, a top lieutenant to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, who was previously announced as CNN’s COO.
“Now it’s the time for us as the leadership of CNN to meet the moment, as you have done time and time again,” the four executives wrote in the memo. “As we jump in to lead the organization on an interim basis,...
The memo was sent out a day after Chris Licht exited as chairman and CEO, following a tumultuous, 13-month tenure. Three executives, Amy Entelis, executive vice president of talent and content development; Eric Sherling, EVP of U.S. programming; and Virginia Moseley, EVP of editorial, are serving as the acting leadership team in the interim. They are joined by David Leavy, a top lieutenant to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, who was previously announced as CNN’s COO.
“Now it’s the time for us as the leadership of CNN to meet the moment, as you have done time and time again,” the four executives wrote in the memo. “As we jump in to lead the organization on an interim basis,...
- 6/8/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
The revolving door of CNN leaders continues. As of Wednesday, Chris Licht was officially out as the CEO and chairman of the news network and four executive vice presidents are overseeing CNN in the interim: Amy Entelis, Virginia Moseley, Eric Sherling and David Leavy. But according to insiders who spoke with TheWrap, Entelis has emerged as the top candidate for the chief executive job.
Licht’s time as CEO was short and controversial. He lasted a little more than a year after taking the job from Jeff Zucker, who held it for nearly a decade before being ousted due to his relationship with executive Allison Gollust. Handpicked by Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav, Licht was responsible for the heavily criticized Donald Trump town hall and was at the center of a scathing profile in The Atlantic.
As CNN searches for its next network leader, four CNN heads will be...
Licht’s time as CEO was short and controversial. He lasted a little more than a year after taking the job from Jeff Zucker, who held it for nearly a decade before being ousted due to his relationship with executive Allison Gollust. Handpicked by Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav, Licht was responsible for the heavily criticized Donald Trump town hall and was at the center of a scathing profile in The Atlantic.
As CNN searches for its next network leader, four CNN heads will be...
- 6/8/2023
- by Kayla Cobb
- The Wrap
The abrupt yet not-all-too-surprising exit of Chris Licht from CNN is a bit of a relief for staffers who thought he was the wrong person for the job, but whoever succeeds him at the cable news network will face many of the same headwinds.
Declining ratings and profits are the immediate challenges, but the longer-term project will be to carve out CNN’s place in an era of cord-cutting and streaming.
Speculation over who would succeed Licht after the news broke of his exit Wednesday quickly focused on Amy Entelis, CNN’s executive vice president for talent and content development, as a potential permanent CEO. Entelis was among the executives named among interim leaders of the network, as she was last year after Jeff Zucker’s abrupt resignation.
The buzz over who may be the next CEO may not be as important as just what Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav wants.
Declining ratings and profits are the immediate challenges, but the longer-term project will be to carve out CNN’s place in an era of cord-cutting and streaming.
Speculation over who would succeed Licht after the news broke of his exit Wednesday quickly focused on Amy Entelis, CNN’s executive vice president for talent and content development, as a potential permanent CEO. Entelis was among the executives named among interim leaders of the network, as she was last year after Jeff Zucker’s abrupt resignation.
The buzz over who may be the next CEO may not be as important as just what Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav wants.
- 6/7/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Leading audio production company Sonic Union and top podcast distributor Prx, an award-winning public media organization, today announced a new strategic partnership. Prx Productions––Prx’s team specializing in high-quality audio production and storytelling––and Sonic Union will jointly provide podcast creation and production services to brands seeking to create original podcasts.
Sonic Union serves as a nationwide creative services and audio production house, for collaborations with ad agencies, Fortune 500 companies, museums, and entertainment clients. Prx Productions has created original podcasts in partnership with significant consumer brands, creatives, and mission-focused entities alike, including Ben & Jerry’s, Patagonia, Simon & Schuster, the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission, America Abroad Media, and more. To date, Prx and Sonic Union have partnered on podcasts including “Out Travel the System,” a travel podcast from Expedia, and an acclaimed teen advice podcast, “We Got You.”
In addition to expertise in podcast development, Prx operates Dovetail,...
Sonic Union serves as a nationwide creative services and audio production house, for collaborations with ad agencies, Fortune 500 companies, museums, and entertainment clients. Prx Productions has created original podcasts in partnership with significant consumer brands, creatives, and mission-focused entities alike, including Ben & Jerry’s, Patagonia, Simon & Schuster, the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission, America Abroad Media, and more. To date, Prx and Sonic Union have partnered on podcasts including “Out Travel the System,” a travel podcast from Expedia, and an acclaimed teen advice podcast, “We Got You.”
In addition to expertise in podcast development, Prx operates Dovetail,...
- 6/7/2023
- Podnews.net
New Delhi, June 7 (Ians) Frontline workforce management SaaS platform BetterPlace on Wednesday announced a collaboration with Microsoft to transform employee experience for frontline workers across Asia-Pacific (Apac).
With this collaboration, both companies will leverage the power of AI to develop industry-first solutions tailored for the frontline workforce, estimated to be approximately 340 million across Asia-Pacific.
“Our collaboration will immediately impact over 30 million frontline workers across Apac, India, and the Gcc, ultimately reducing attrition, increasing compliance, and pioneering groundbreaking solutions for frontline worker productivity,” Pravin Agarwala, Group CEO & Co-founder BetterPlace, said in a statement.
Moreover, the association will integrate the advanced Hcm capabilities of BetterPlace with Microsoft’s enterprise Cloud and AI platform, helping enterprises to effectively acquire, employ and upskill their frontline workforce.
The integration of BetterPlace’s advanced analytics platform with Microsoft 365 and the Power Bi platform will empower enterprises worldwide with deeper employee insights and improved lifecycle management.
With this collaboration, both companies will leverage the power of AI to develop industry-first solutions tailored for the frontline workforce, estimated to be approximately 340 million across Asia-Pacific.
“Our collaboration will immediately impact over 30 million frontline workers across Apac, India, and the Gcc, ultimately reducing attrition, increasing compliance, and pioneering groundbreaking solutions for frontline worker productivity,” Pravin Agarwala, Group CEO & Co-founder BetterPlace, said in a statement.
Moreover, the association will integrate the advanced Hcm capabilities of BetterPlace with Microsoft’s enterprise Cloud and AI platform, helping enterprises to effectively acquire, employ and upskill their frontline workforce.
The integration of BetterPlace’s advanced analytics platform with Microsoft 365 and the Power Bi platform will empower enterprises worldwide with deeper employee insights and improved lifecycle management.
- 6/7/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 7 winner Violet Chachki will honored with the Cultural Icon Award at Tom of Finland Foundation’s 30th annual Tom’s Bar fundraiser. Dita Von Teese will present the award.
“Mean Girls” movie musical and “Looking” star Daniel Franzese emcees.
The all-day festivities take place June 18 at The Avalon & Bardot Hollywood in Los Angeles. The theme for this year’s bash is “All roads lead to Tom.” “Tom’s Bar is a place where all corners of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies converge for a big party under one roof,” ToFF creative director Richard Villani said in a statement. “Leathermen, pups, kinksters and fetishists of all stripes are welcome to dance and party all day long.”
The 2022 honoree was musician Orville Peck. See more Pride event news below.
Outfest Announces Opening and Closing Night Films
The opening night film for this year’s Outfest will be...
“Mean Girls” movie musical and “Looking” star Daniel Franzese emcees.
The all-day festivities take place June 18 at The Avalon & Bardot Hollywood in Los Angeles. The theme for this year’s bash is “All roads lead to Tom.” “Tom’s Bar is a place where all corners of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies converge for a big party under one roof,” ToFF creative director Richard Villani said in a statement. “Leathermen, pups, kinksters and fetishists of all stripes are welcome to dance and party all day long.”
The 2022 honoree was musician Orville Peck. See more Pride event news below.
Outfest Announces Opening and Closing Night Films
The opening night film for this year’s Outfest will be...
- 6/6/2023
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
The Writers Guild of America East has ratified a new union contract with CBS News Streaming.
The new agreement includes board pay increases of 3% in each of the contract’s three years with the first increase retroactive to March 10, an increase to all salary minimums, a $500 ratification bonus for all employees, and further benefit improvements for the 58 members of the CBS News Streaming bargaining unit.
CBS News Streaming must respond to vacation requests within specific deadlines, provide a 30-day notice period before management may change the hybrid work model and improve extra pay and comp time for individuals working between 11 and 13 hours and over 13 hours. The agreement will also grant up to $100 per day in commuter reimbursements for work ending on or after 10 p.m. or starting on or before 6 a.m. and an increase in flex days from 2 per year to 3 per year starting on Jan. 1, 2025.
In addition, the...
The new agreement includes board pay increases of 3% in each of the contract’s three years with the first increase retroactive to March 10, an increase to all salary minimums, a $500 ratification bonus for all employees, and further benefit improvements for the 58 members of the CBS News Streaming bargaining unit.
CBS News Streaming must respond to vacation requests within specific deadlines, provide a 30-day notice period before management may change the hybrid work model and improve extra pay and comp time for individuals working between 11 and 13 hours and over 13 hours. The agreement will also grant up to $100 per day in commuter reimbursements for work ending on or after 10 p.m. or starting on or before 6 a.m. and an increase in flex days from 2 per year to 3 per year starting on Jan. 1, 2025.
In addition, the...
- 6/6/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
WGA East members at CBS News Streaming have renewed their union contract, which includes an annual pay increase of 3% for each of the next three years.
The pact, which will see the first pay bump for WGA’s CBS News Streaming staffers retroactive to March 10, also covers an increase to all salary minimums, a $500 ratification bonus for all employees, and “further benefit improvements” for the 58 members of the CBS News Streaming bargaining unit, per WGA East.
This second union contract for CBS News Streaming (the first signed in 2020) has been renewed amid the Writers Guild of America’s ongoing strike, which began following the union’s inability to reach a new agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) May 1.
“We are pleased to have reached a deal with CBS that recognizes the value that Guild members bring to CBS News Streaming by providing fair pay increases,...
The pact, which will see the first pay bump for WGA’s CBS News Streaming staffers retroactive to March 10, also covers an increase to all salary minimums, a $500 ratification bonus for all employees, and “further benefit improvements” for the 58 members of the CBS News Streaming bargaining unit, per WGA East.
This second union contract for CBS News Streaming (the first signed in 2020) has been renewed amid the Writers Guild of America’s ongoing strike, which began following the union’s inability to reach a new agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) May 1.
“We are pleased to have reached a deal with CBS that recognizes the value that Guild members bring to CBS News Streaming by providing fair pay increases,...
- 6/6/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
San Francisco, June 5 (Ians) Linda Yaccarino took over as the new Twitter CEO on Monday, freeing Elon Musk to focus on Tesla and SpaceX, as Twitter’s US ad sales plunged 59 per cent in April and the month of May did not look bright either.
Yaccarino, former Chairman of Global Advertising and Partnerships at NBC Universal, updated her bio as Twitter CEO on LinkedIn, before welcoming Joe Benarroch at the micro-blogging platform, who worked with her as executive vice president at NBC Universal.
“Welcome to the flock, Benarroch, from one bird to the next. Let’s get to work @Twitter,” she posted.
Benarroch said in an internal memo, seen by the Wall Street Journal, that “I start a different professional adventure at Twitter, taking on a role focusing on business operations”.
“I am looking forward to bringing my experience to Twitter, and to working with the entire team to build Twitter 2.0 together,...
Yaccarino, former Chairman of Global Advertising and Partnerships at NBC Universal, updated her bio as Twitter CEO on LinkedIn, before welcoming Joe Benarroch at the micro-blogging platform, who worked with her as executive vice president at NBC Universal.
“Welcome to the flock, Benarroch, from one bird to the next. Let’s get to work @Twitter,” she posted.
Benarroch said in an internal memo, seen by the Wall Street Journal, that “I start a different professional adventure at Twitter, taking on a role focusing on business operations”.
“I am looking forward to bringing my experience to Twitter, and to working with the entire team to build Twitter 2.0 together,...
- 6/5/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Chicago – Yippie! It’s back, in the neighborhood of its roots. YippieFest 2023 will be August 4th-6th in the Lakeview/Buena Park venue of Pride Arts, 4139 North Broadway in Chicago. The space is less than a half mile from the former Mary-Arrchie Theatre, whose “Abbie Hoffman Festival” was the template for the three-day performance celebration. YippieFest currently has slots for theater acts, including one-act plays, monologue, sketch, improv, vaudeville and other stage performance arts. Artists get free admission to the rest of the festival, so click YiPPIE Fest 2023 to sign up.
YippieFest began in 2017 as an event that continued the stage tradition of the former Abbie Hoffman Died for Our Sins Festival (1989-2016). The Fest Executive Director, since its inception, is Frank Carr. The comedy group he co-founded, Famous In The Future, has performed in every Abbie Hoffman fest and so far every YippieFest. They will appear, as will all...
YippieFest began in 2017 as an event that continued the stage tradition of the former Abbie Hoffman Died for Our Sins Festival (1989-2016). The Fest Executive Director, since its inception, is Frank Carr. The comedy group he co-founded, Famous In The Future, has performed in every Abbie Hoffman fest and so far every YippieFest. They will appear, as will all...
- 6/3/2023
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
The Writers Guild strike goes on, but there’s peace on one labor front in the entertainment industry.
The Communication Workers of America Local 9003 and the International Documentary Association announced in a joint statement today that they have reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement covering Documentary Workers United, a group of non-management employees at the IDA.
According to the parties involved, “We are aiming to ratify our 2-year contract in the next 45 days.” The Cwa, IDA and Dwu added, “This is an important moment for the documentary field. We hope that others follow suit in recognizing, investing in, and supporting documentary workers.”
Terms of the proposed labor agreement call for:
An average of a 20-30% wage increase, with a baseline minimum of $30/hr A guaranteed annual rate increase Differential pay for additional labor A comprehensive reproductive health policy
Negotiations on the contract began in October 2022.
“We feel this is a great first contract,...
The Communication Workers of America Local 9003 and the International Documentary Association announced in a joint statement today that they have reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement covering Documentary Workers United, a group of non-management employees at the IDA.
According to the parties involved, “We are aiming to ratify our 2-year contract in the next 45 days.” The Cwa, IDA and Dwu added, “This is an important moment for the documentary field. We hope that others follow suit in recognizing, investing in, and supporting documentary workers.”
Terms of the proposed labor agreement call for:
An average of a 20-30% wage increase, with a baseline minimum of $30/hr A guaranteed annual rate increase Differential pay for additional labor A comprehensive reproductive health policy
Negotiations on the contract began in October 2022.
“We feel this is a great first contract,...
- 6/2/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix shareholders have voted against the company’s $166 million executive pay packages in a rare dissent after the WGA urged shareholders to reject the pay packages, according to media reports.
The vote, which included the pay packages for co-ceo Ted Sarandos, former co-ceo Reed Hastings and Greg Peters, who was elevated from COO to co-ceo earlier this year, is nonbinding and serves a purely advisory function. Still, rejections for the “Say on Pay” proposals are rare, with only 1.5% of companies who asked shareholders to weigh in on executive compensation packages having rejected the pay proposals this year.
The rejection comes just days after WGA West president Meredith Stiehm sent an open letter to Netflix and Comcast shareholders calling on them to reject the pay packages in the impending vote as the guild stretched into their fifth week of striking.
“Netflix’s content pipeline has been blocked, with dozens of projects...
The vote, which included the pay packages for co-ceo Ted Sarandos, former co-ceo Reed Hastings and Greg Peters, who was elevated from COO to co-ceo earlier this year, is nonbinding and serves a purely advisory function. Still, rejections for the “Say on Pay” proposals are rare, with only 1.5% of companies who asked shareholders to weigh in on executive compensation packages having rejected the pay proposals this year.
The rejection comes just days after WGA West president Meredith Stiehm sent an open letter to Netflix and Comcast shareholders calling on them to reject the pay packages in the impending vote as the guild stretched into their fifth week of striking.
“Netflix’s content pipeline has been blocked, with dozens of projects...
- 6/1/2023
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
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Rihanna’s legendary maternity wardrobe is a gift that does not. stop. giving.
The singer who recently graced the internet with previously unreleased releasing maternity photos with her first baby, RZA — a photos series she calls “Rub on ya titties” — continues to model how both beautiful and fun pregnancy can be.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by badgalriri (@badgalriri)
Now pregnant with her second child,...
Rihanna’s legendary maternity wardrobe is a gift that does not. stop. giving.
The singer who recently graced the internet with previously unreleased releasing maternity photos with her first baby, RZA — a photos series she calls “Rub on ya titties” — continues to model how both beautiful and fun pregnancy can be.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by badgalriri (@badgalriri)
Now pregnant with her second child,...
- 6/1/2023
- by Jessica Seib
- Rollingstone.com
The 2023 Tribeca Festival has officially unveiled its star-studded jury.
This year’s festival takes place June 7-18 and includes a range of feature narrative, documentary, and animated films. The jury for films in competition consists of Oscar winner Brendan Fraser, Academy Award nominee Stephanie Hsu, Zoey Deutch, Noah Centineo, Dianna Agron, Zazie Beetz, Chloë Grace Moretz, Katie Siegel, Nina Dobrev, Piper Perabo, Andrew Ahn, Mark Duplass, Stephen Kay, and Clea DuVall, plus Chance the Rapper and Jeremy O. Harris.
The jury will select storytellers and artists from 15 different competition categories, as well as present the Nora Ephron Award.
“We are thrilled to announce the jury for the 2023 Tribeca Festival,” Nancy Lefkowitz, Tribeca Festival’s executive vice president of artist relations and special events, said. “The diversity of perspectives and experiences across all verticals are representative of the myriad voices reflected in this year’s program.”
All award winners will be...
This year’s festival takes place June 7-18 and includes a range of feature narrative, documentary, and animated films. The jury for films in competition consists of Oscar winner Brendan Fraser, Academy Award nominee Stephanie Hsu, Zoey Deutch, Noah Centineo, Dianna Agron, Zazie Beetz, Chloë Grace Moretz, Katie Siegel, Nina Dobrev, Piper Perabo, Andrew Ahn, Mark Duplass, Stephen Kay, and Clea DuVall, plus Chance the Rapper and Jeremy O. Harris.
The jury will select storytellers and artists from 15 different competition categories, as well as present the Nora Ephron Award.
“We are thrilled to announce the jury for the 2023 Tribeca Festival,” Nancy Lefkowitz, Tribeca Festival’s executive vice president of artist relations and special events, said. “The diversity of perspectives and experiences across all verticals are representative of the myriad voices reflected in this year’s program.”
All award winners will be...
- 6/1/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Prime Video Australia is remaking The Office as a female-led comedy starring stand-up Felicity Ward in the role Ricky Gervais first made famous.
Gervais’ David Brent will become Hannah Howard in the series, with Ward putting her own spin on bad team management at packaging company Flinley Craddick. When she gets news from Head Office that they will be shutting down her branch and making everyone work from home, she goes into survival mode, making promises she can’t keep in order to keep her ‘work family’ together.
Ward is best known as a stand-up and for ABC series Spicks and Specks and The Ronnie Johns Half Hour. She also appeared in Wakefield and The Inbetweeners.
Additional cast includes Edith Poor (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Power of the Dog), Steen Raskopoulos (The Duchess, Feel Good), Shari Sebbens (The Sapphires, Thor: Love and Thunder), Josh Thomson...
Gervais’ David Brent will become Hannah Howard in the series, with Ward putting her own spin on bad team management at packaging company Flinley Craddick. When she gets news from Head Office that they will be shutting down her branch and making everyone work from home, she goes into survival mode, making promises she can’t keep in order to keep her ‘work family’ together.
Ward is best known as a stand-up and for ABC series Spicks and Specks and The Ronnie Johns Half Hour. She also appeared in Wakefield and The Inbetweeners.
Additional cast includes Edith Poor (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Power of the Dog), Steen Raskopoulos (The Duchess, Feel Good), Shari Sebbens (The Sapphires, Thor: Love and Thunder), Josh Thomson...
- 5/31/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Jesse Collins Entertainment President Dionne Harmon announced today that John Wehage has joined the company as Executive Vice President, Head of Production of the full-service Emmy-winning production company. Karen Grant-Selma will lead the company’s in-house legal team as Executive Vice President, Head of Business & Legal Affairs. Both will report to Harmon.
Wehage will oversee the physical production of all of the company’s specials, scripted and unscripted television content. With a career spanning over two decades, he has had various leadership positions across a variety of formats spanning hundreds of hours of programming including stage, live, competition, docu-follow, gameshow, digital, documentary and adventure programming. Most recently with Scout Productions, he contributed to the success of acclaimed shows such as Legendary (HBO Max), The Hype (HBO Max), Merpeople (Netflix), The Secrets of Hillsong (FX), The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning (Peacock) and the Emmy Award winning Queer Eye (Netflix).
Prior to Scout,...
Wehage will oversee the physical production of all of the company’s specials, scripted and unscripted television content. With a career spanning over two decades, he has had various leadership positions across a variety of formats spanning hundreds of hours of programming including stage, live, competition, docu-follow, gameshow, digital, documentary and adventure programming. Most recently with Scout Productions, he contributed to the success of acclaimed shows such as Legendary (HBO Max), The Hype (HBO Max), Merpeople (Netflix), The Secrets of Hillsong (FX), The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning (Peacock) and the Emmy Award winning Queer Eye (Netflix).
Prior to Scout,...
- 5/30/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Like all good Star Wars stories, it began with a vital transmission. Except, this one wasn’t from Princess Leia, nor was it delivered in the memory unit of an R2 droid.
It was, simply, a phone call to the offices of Aardman Animations – beamed from Skywalker Ranch, home of the legendary Lucasfilm, to the Bristol-based HQ of Britain’s most beloved animation studio, back in March 2021. It was, says Aardman’s Executive Creative Director Sarah Cox, “a mysterious call”. And like Leia’s message, it came with a mission: for the quintessentially British stop-motion studio behind Wallace & Gromit to create its very own short for animated anthology _Star Wars: Visions, with an open remit for what that might entail. The possibilities were vast. But for the studio that once delivered a definitive answer on whether the moon is made of cheese Cox had one big question: “Can we be funny?...
It was, simply, a phone call to the offices of Aardman Animations – beamed from Skywalker Ranch, home of the legendary Lucasfilm, to the Bristol-based HQ of Britain’s most beloved animation studio, back in March 2021. It was, says Aardman’s Executive Creative Director Sarah Cox, “a mysterious call”. And like Leia’s message, it came with a mission: for the quintessentially British stop-motion studio behind Wallace & Gromit to create its very own short for animated anthology _Star Wars: Visions, with an open remit for what that might entail. The possibilities were vast. But for the studio that once delivered a definitive answer on whether the moon is made of cheese Cox had one big question: “Can we be funny?...
- 5/5/2023
- by Ben Travis
- Empire - Movies
Black Theatre Coalition co-founders T. Oliver Reid, Warren Adams, and Reginald “Reggie” Van Lee, along with Executive Director Olivia Jones and Program Director Tom Andre Bardwell, announced today a new partnership with AMC Networks.
Black Theatre Coalition continues to provide opportunities for Black professionals by placing them in various roles across American Theatre. In year two, Btc will illuminate the talents of those interested in Film and TV with a Production and Casting Fellowship with AMC Networks.
“There is so much opportunity and intersectionality between television, theater and film,” said Naila McKenzie, VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at AMC Networks. “We are thrilled to be Black Theater Coalition’s first partner in TV and film, and for the opportunity to work together to equip the next generation of Black storytellers with transferable skills and invaluable relationships in casting and production.”
Btc has selected a Casting Fellow to work with...
Black Theatre Coalition continues to provide opportunities for Black professionals by placing them in various roles across American Theatre. In year two, Btc will illuminate the talents of those interested in Film and TV with a Production and Casting Fellowship with AMC Networks.
“There is so much opportunity and intersectionality between television, theater and film,” said Naila McKenzie, VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at AMC Networks. “We are thrilled to be Black Theater Coalition’s first partner in TV and film, and for the opportunity to work together to equip the next generation of Black storytellers with transferable skills and invaluable relationships in casting and production.”
Btc has selected a Casting Fellow to work with...
- 3/27/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
As major media, entertainment and technology companies downsize in search of better profit margins, a recurring theme has been advertising. In recent months, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has called the ad market “very weak,” NBCUniversal chief Jeff Shell deemed it “shallow,” while Paramount topper Bob Bakish described it “cyclically tough.”
But the difficult advertising environment obscures a silver lining: Despite the tough macro environment, the sports advertising business is still booming. Look no further than Fox’s broadcast of the Super Bowl last month, where 30 second ads sold for north of $7 million, and with the network anticipating a record ad haul.
Or the NCAA March Madness men’s basketball tournament, which Bloomberg Intelligence estimates will bring in $1.2 billion in ad revenue for broadcast partners Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount this year, up 8 percent from a year ago.
In a world where the strongest media companies are seeing their...
But the difficult advertising environment obscures a silver lining: Despite the tough macro environment, the sports advertising business is still booming. Look no further than Fox’s broadcast of the Super Bowl last month, where 30 second ads sold for north of $7 million, and with the network anticipating a record ad haul.
Or the NCAA March Madness men’s basketball tournament, which Bloomberg Intelligence estimates will bring in $1.2 billion in ad revenue for broadcast partners Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount this year, up 8 percent from a year ago.
In a world where the strongest media companies are seeing their...
- 3/27/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Gina Prince-Bythewood will receive the Pinnacle of Excellence Award at the Black Business Association’s 2023 Salute to Black Women business conference.
Prince-Bythewood will be recognized not only for her award-winning directing, writing and producing but also for her decades-long career and philanthropic efforts, one of which includes funding a scholarship for Black students in UCLA’s film program.
The Woman King filmmaker is one of eight honorees set to receive an award at the organization’s 20th annual event celebrating Black women on March 25 in recognition of National Women’s History Month. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.”
Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass, California congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, retired NBC4 reporter Beverly White, retired radio personality Pat Prescott, California Black Media executive director Regina Brown Wilson and authors Cynthia E. Exum and Devyn Bakewell will be honored alongside Prince-Bythewood.
The daytime celebration will include a red carpet,...
Prince-Bythewood will be recognized not only for her award-winning directing, writing and producing but also for her decades-long career and philanthropic efforts, one of which includes funding a scholarship for Black students in UCLA’s film program.
The Woman King filmmaker is one of eight honorees set to receive an award at the organization’s 20th annual event celebrating Black women on March 25 in recognition of National Women’s History Month. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.”
Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass, California congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, retired NBC4 reporter Beverly White, retired radio personality Pat Prescott, California Black Media executive director Regina Brown Wilson and authors Cynthia E. Exum and Devyn Bakewell will be honored alongside Prince-Bythewood.
The daytime celebration will include a red carpet,...
- 3/25/2023
- by Christy Piña
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Nairobi, March 25 (Ians) The eradication of tuberculosis (TB) in high-burden African countries could be realised by 2030 once governments prioritise robust financing to cater for enhanced surveillance, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care for patients infected with the disease, campaigners said during the World TB Day.
Lucica Ditiu, executive director of Stop TB Partnership, an international health lobby group, said on Friday that there is an urgency to tackle funding bottlenecks that have derailed Africa’s quest to eliminate the highly infectious lung disease, Xinhua news agency reported.
“To end TB in Africa, funding is crucial and so are the political goodwill and adoption of new technologies and innovations to assist in detecting cases and putting them on treatment,” Ditiu said at a virtual forum convened by Stop TB Partnership.
According to the World Health Organisation, Africa is home to 17 out of 30 high-burden TB countries globally.
Ditiu added that innovative financing should...
Lucica Ditiu, executive director of Stop TB Partnership, an international health lobby group, said on Friday that there is an urgency to tackle funding bottlenecks that have derailed Africa’s quest to eliminate the highly infectious lung disease, Xinhua news agency reported.
“To end TB in Africa, funding is crucial and so are the political goodwill and adoption of new technologies and innovations to assist in detecting cases and putting them on treatment,” Ditiu said at a virtual forum convened by Stop TB Partnership.
According to the World Health Organisation, Africa is home to 17 out of 30 high-burden TB countries globally.
Ditiu added that innovative financing should...
- 3/24/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown will have her first novel published by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins, this fall, the publishing house announced today.
Titled Nineteen Steps, the novel is described by the publisher as an “epic story of love, loss, and secrets” that tells the story of 18-year-old Nellie Morris, who lives with her family in Bethnal Green during the Second World War. After Nellie’s chance encounter with an American airman stationed nearby, a terrible incident occurs during an air raid with catastrophic consequences.
Nineteen Steps will be published on September 12.
“Inspired by my Nanny Ruth, this book is very personal and close to my heart,” Brown said in a statement. “I grew up listening to stories about her time living through the war. I’m honored to keep her story alive.”
Brown’s grandmother survived the Bethnal Green Tube Disaster, an incident responsible for the...
Titled Nineteen Steps, the novel is described by the publisher as an “epic story of love, loss, and secrets” that tells the story of 18-year-old Nellie Morris, who lives with her family in Bethnal Green during the Second World War. After Nellie’s chance encounter with an American airman stationed nearby, a terrible incident occurs during an air raid with catastrophic consequences.
Nineteen Steps will be published on September 12.
“Inspired by my Nanny Ruth, this book is very personal and close to my heart,” Brown said in a statement. “I grew up listening to stories about her time living through the war. I’m honored to keep her story alive.”
Brown’s grandmother survived the Bethnal Green Tube Disaster, an incident responsible for the...
- 3/24/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Fox News Media, known best for shows led by Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham, is placing new emphasis on programming that relies more heavily on Kevin Costner, weather emergencies and Greg Gutfeld.
In a meeting with advertisers slated to be held Tuesday, executives at the Fox Corp.-backed operation, will spotlight a growing array of lifestyle content, while continuing to nod to the political programming that draws some of its networks’ biggest audiences. Among the Fox News Media executives scheduled to be on hand were Suzanne Scott, the CEO, and Jay Wallace, president and executive editor.
“If you take a look at our overall audience across all of Fox News Media, 40% comes from lifestyle – sports, weather, entertainment offerings,” says Jeff Collins, executive vice president of advertsing sales for Fox News Media. “We just want to reiterate to our clients the depth and breadth of this type of content...
In a meeting with advertisers slated to be held Tuesday, executives at the Fox Corp.-backed operation, will spotlight a growing array of lifestyle content, while continuing to nod to the political programming that draws some of its networks’ biggest audiences. Among the Fox News Media executives scheduled to be on hand were Suzanne Scott, the CEO, and Jay Wallace, president and executive editor.
“If you take a look at our overall audience across all of Fox News Media, 40% comes from lifestyle – sports, weather, entertainment offerings,” says Jeff Collins, executive vice president of advertsing sales for Fox News Media. “We just want to reiterate to our clients the depth and breadth of this type of content...
- 3/21/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
‘Call The Midwife’ Renewed For Seasons 14 & 15 By BBC
Hit drama Call The Midwife will remain on the BBC for at least another three years following its latest double series order. Ratings for the Sunday night hit have continued to be strong throughout its lengthy run and an eight-part 14th and 15th have now been commissioned along with Christmas specials. Following a group of midwifes in mid-20th century London, Call the Midwife from Heidi Thomas and Neal Street has consistently been one of the BBC’s top-rated dramas over a decade-long period. It airs on PBS in the U.S. BBC Drama Director Lindsay Salt praised the returner’s “enduring popularity thanks to extraordinary creative talent and hard work.” Series 12 will wrap in two Sunday’s time and production on series 13 commences in the Spring.
Banijay & Laliga Form Laliga Studios
Laliga Studios has launched in Spain – a sport content company...
Hit drama Call The Midwife will remain on the BBC for at least another three years following its latest double series order. Ratings for the Sunday night hit have continued to be strong throughout its lengthy run and an eight-part 14th and 15th have now been commissioned along with Christmas specials. Following a group of midwifes in mid-20th century London, Call the Midwife from Heidi Thomas and Neal Street has consistently been one of the BBC’s top-rated dramas over a decade-long period. It airs on PBS in the U.S. BBC Drama Director Lindsay Salt praised the returner’s “enduring popularity thanks to extraordinary creative talent and hard work.” Series 12 will wrap in two Sunday’s time and production on series 13 commences in the Spring.
Banijay & Laliga Form Laliga Studios
Laliga Studios has launched in Spain – a sport content company...
- 2/13/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
George Cheeks, president and CEO of CBS and CFO of news and sports for Paramount+, is set to keynote the upcoming Banff World Media Festival.
Cheeks will speak on June 12 as part of the Summit Series for the festival’s 44th edition. “George Cheeks has been an innovative business and creative force in the television industry for over 30 years,” Kevin Beggs, chair of the board of directors for Banff, while also head of the Lionsgate Television Group, said in a statement on Thursday.
In 2020, Cheeks left NBCUniversal after seven years with that studio to join CBS and more recently, has taken on new duties at Paramount Global as that studio diversifies into streaming. He also has oversight of other Paramount Global assets like BET, Paramount Television Studios and the company’s free-to-air networks in the U.K., Australia, Argentina and Chile.
Cheeks joined NBC in 2012 after serving as executive vp...
Cheeks will speak on June 12 as part of the Summit Series for the festival’s 44th edition. “George Cheeks has been an innovative business and creative force in the television industry for over 30 years,” Kevin Beggs, chair of the board of directors for Banff, while also head of the Lionsgate Television Group, said in a statement on Thursday.
In 2020, Cheeks left NBCUniversal after seven years with that studio to join CBS and more recently, has taken on new duties at Paramount Global as that studio diversifies into streaming. He also has oversight of other Paramount Global assets like BET, Paramount Television Studios and the company’s free-to-air networks in the U.K., Australia, Argentina and Chile.
Cheeks joined NBC in 2012 after serving as executive vp...
- 2/9/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Paramount Global executive George Cheek is set to keynote Canada’s Banff World Media Festival in June.
The president and CEO of CBS and chief content officer for news and sports at Paramount+ will take part in the festival’s Summit Series, a premium keynote speaker lineup. Cheeks will speak on June 12.
The 44th edition of the fest will take place from June 11 to 14 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta.
“George Cheeks has been an innovative business and creative force in the television industry for over thirty years,” said Kevin Beggs, chair of the board of directors for Banff and chair and chief creative officer of the Lionsgate Television Group. “We at the Banff World Media Festival are honored to have George give our keynote and share his views on the evolving industry.”
Added Banff executive director Jenn Kuzmyk: “In this liminal era of the entertainment industry,...
The president and CEO of CBS and chief content officer for news and sports at Paramount+ will take part in the festival’s Summit Series, a premium keynote speaker lineup. Cheeks will speak on June 12.
The 44th edition of the fest will take place from June 11 to 14 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta.
“George Cheeks has been an innovative business and creative force in the television industry for over thirty years,” said Kevin Beggs, chair of the board of directors for Banff and chair and chief creative officer of the Lionsgate Television Group. “We at the Banff World Media Festival are honored to have George give our keynote and share his views on the evolving industry.”
Added Banff executive director Jenn Kuzmyk: “In this liminal era of the entertainment industry,...
- 2/9/2023
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Maggie Moore(s), the film which marks the reunions of Mad Men duo Jon Hamm and John Slattery and 30 Rock couple Hamm and Tina Fey, has sold to Screen Media for North America.
Slattery directs Hamm and Fey in the true-crime-inspired thriller written by Paul Bernbaum. Pic also stars Nick Mohammed (Ted Lasso), Micah Stock (Kindred), Mary Holland (Happiest Season) and Happy Anderson (Mindhunter).
Screen Media is planning a theatrical release in June, followed by a digital release later that month.
In Maggie Moore(s), when two women with the same name are murdered days apart, small-town police chief Jordan Sanders (Hamm) finds himself wading through an unlikely collection of cheating husbands, lonely hearts, nosy neighbors and contract killers in an effort to put the pieces of the case, and his life, together.
The deal was negotiated by Seth Needle, executive vice president of global acquisitions and co-productions, on behalf of Screen Media,...
Slattery directs Hamm and Fey in the true-crime-inspired thriller written by Paul Bernbaum. Pic also stars Nick Mohammed (Ted Lasso), Micah Stock (Kindred), Mary Holland (Happiest Season) and Happy Anderson (Mindhunter).
Screen Media is planning a theatrical release in June, followed by a digital release later that month.
In Maggie Moore(s), when two women with the same name are murdered days apart, small-town police chief Jordan Sanders (Hamm) finds himself wading through an unlikely collection of cheating husbands, lonely hearts, nosy neighbors and contract killers in an effort to put the pieces of the case, and his life, together.
The deal was negotiated by Seth Needle, executive vice president of global acquisitions and co-productions, on behalf of Screen Media,...
- 2/9/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Under veteran Executive Director Roger Durling, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival has thrived by surfing the awards season wave and programming a ton of onstage interviews with Oscar contenders.
This year’s edition marks a return to a fully live, in-person film festival. The festival will showcase 52 world premieres and 78 U.S. premieres from 43 countries, along with free community education and outreach programs.
Every year, screenwriters, directors, and producers promote their films on panels, and the likes of Kristen Stewart, Will Smith, Brad Pitt, Bong Joon Ho, Adam Driver, Renée Zellweger, Laura Dern, Viola Davis, Lupita Nyong’o, Saoirse Ronan, Bruce Dern, Jeff Bridges, Melissa McCarthy, Isabelle Huppert, Viggo Mortensen, Rami Malek, Glenn Close, Ben Affleck, Christopher Nolan, Sam Elliott, and many more submit to in-depth tributes.
The panels, tributes, and special screenings lure local cinephiles and Academy members eager to hear Oscar contenders talk about their creative process. All...
This year’s edition marks a return to a fully live, in-person film festival. The festival will showcase 52 world premieres and 78 U.S. premieres from 43 countries, along with free community education and outreach programs.
Every year, screenwriters, directors, and producers promote their films on panels, and the likes of Kristen Stewart, Will Smith, Brad Pitt, Bong Joon Ho, Adam Driver, Renée Zellweger, Laura Dern, Viola Davis, Lupita Nyong’o, Saoirse Ronan, Bruce Dern, Jeff Bridges, Melissa McCarthy, Isabelle Huppert, Viggo Mortensen, Rami Malek, Glenn Close, Ben Affleck, Christopher Nolan, Sam Elliott, and many more submit to in-depth tributes.
The panels, tributes, and special screenings lure local cinephiles and Academy members eager to hear Oscar contenders talk about their creative process. All...
- 2/8/2023
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Ginny & Georgia star Antonia Gentry and The White Lotus‘ Haley Lu Richardson have been named ambassadors for the 29th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.
SAG Awards ambassadors are “actors who exemplify the utmost values of the profession and are positive role models for the next generation of performers,” according to organizers. “These individuals actively use their platform to advocate for humanitarian and public service endeavors.”
As part of their duties, Gentry and Richardson will present on the Feb. 26 awards show and give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the ceremony. They also will participate in various SAG Awards preshow events, including the SAG Awards ambassador dinner, which will take place Feb. 16 at Gwen Butcher Shop & Restaurant in Hollywood by SAG Awards executive chef Curtis Stone.
Gentry stars as Ginny on Netflix’s hit series Ginny & Georgia, which earned her an MTV Movie & TV Award nomination for best breakthrough performance.
SAG Awards ambassadors are “actors who exemplify the utmost values of the profession and are positive role models for the next generation of performers,” according to organizers. “These individuals actively use their platform to advocate for humanitarian and public service endeavors.”
As part of their duties, Gentry and Richardson will present on the Feb. 26 awards show and give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the ceremony. They also will participate in various SAG Awards preshow events, including the SAG Awards ambassador dinner, which will take place Feb. 16 at Gwen Butcher Shop & Restaurant in Hollywood by SAG Awards executive chef Curtis Stone.
Gentry stars as Ginny on Netflix’s hit series Ginny & Georgia, which earned her an MTV Movie & TV Award nomination for best breakthrough performance.
- 2/8/2023
- by Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Writers Guild of America East is putting some additional pressure on MSNBC to expedite contract negotiations.
More than 400 members of the union — including star members Tina Fey, Lilly Wachowski and David Simon — are calling on the cable news brand to agree “to a fair contract that includes the pay and protections [MSNBC union members] deserve” in a petition released on Wednesday. The WGA East’s bargaining unit at MSNBC, a group of more than 300 writers, producers, fact-checkers and others, has been negotiating with MSNBC and NBCUniversal management for over a year on their first contract since the union’s certification via a National Labor Relations Board election in August 2021.
“We support our fellow Guild-represented writers and producers at MSNBC who have been fighting for over a year to win a reasonable first contract,” the petition states. “They are fully dedicated to the important work they do for NBCU and they deserve to...
More than 400 members of the union — including star members Tina Fey, Lilly Wachowski and David Simon — are calling on the cable news brand to agree “to a fair contract that includes the pay and protections [MSNBC union members] deserve” in a petition released on Wednesday. The WGA East’s bargaining unit at MSNBC, a group of more than 300 writers, producers, fact-checkers and others, has been negotiating with MSNBC and NBCUniversal management for over a year on their first contract since the union’s certification via a National Labor Relations Board election in August 2021.
“We support our fellow Guild-represented writers and producers at MSNBC who have been fighting for over a year to win a reasonable first contract,” the petition states. “They are fully dedicated to the important work they do for NBCU and they deserve to...
- 2/8/2023
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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