Streamers such as Netflix, Prime Video and Paramount+ are “perplexed” by government threats to the UK’s Public Service Broadcasters (PSB), according to Sherwood scribe James Graham . Graham, one of Britain’s foremost TV and theater writers, flagged the example of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who broke through the theater system to create the BBC ’s Fleabag before being snapped up by Amazon in a ‘Golden Handcuffs’ deal. He was reflecting on the BBC’s funding struggles due to the government’s freezing of the licence fee for two years, along with threats to Channel 4’s position as a public broadcaster, although this was recently reversed. “We’ve got the best of both worlds [in the UK],” said Graham, in conversation with Banijay UK Chair Patrick Holland at today’s Freeview Outside the Box 2023 event. “Streamers benefit from PSB development. The likes of Amazon would be utterly perplexed by the threat to that pipeline.” Graham said his hit BBC One drama Sherwood set … [Read more...] about ‘Sherwood’ Writer James Graham: Streamers Are “Perplexed” By UK Government Threat To BBC & Channel 4
Bbc proms how to buy tickets
Beyond Rights CEO David Smyth Is Leaving After Banijay Takeover
Beyond Rights CEO David Smyth is leaving the UK-based distributor following its parent’s sale to Banijay . Industry veteran Smyth joined Beyond International’s sales arm in December 2021, selling shows such as Mythbusters around the world. Banijay swooped to buy Beyond International in October last year and completed the circa-$30M deal early this month. Banijay has its own sales arm, Banijay Rights. A Banijay Rights spokesman confirmed his exit. “David Smyth, CEO, Beyond Rights, will be leaving the business, with his last day being January 31,” he said. “He joined Beyond Rights in December 2021 and made a significant contribution to the company through his strong and effective leadership. We’d like to thank him for his hard work and commitment to the business and wish him all the best with his future endeavours. “The move comes as Banijay embarks on integrating Beyond International Limited into its existing group.” Upon taking full control of Beyond, Banijay … [Read more...] about Beyond Rights CEO David Smyth Is Leaving After Banijay Takeover
Peacock Clears 20M Subscribers, Helping Comcast Nip Wall Street Q4 Estimates
Streaming service Peacock closed 2022 with more than 20 million paid subscribers, helping Comcast slip past Wall Street estimates during a challenging fourth quarter in the media business. Total revenue came in at $30.55 billion in the period, less than 1% ahead of the prior-year quarter but just above analysts’ consensus. Earnings per share of 70 cents fell short of estimates, but exceeded them on a non-GAAP basis. Along with Peacock, a strong return for theme parks helped NBCUniversal post solid numbers on the top line, with revenue up 6% to $9.9 billion. Advertising revenue increased 4%, which the company credited to Spanish-language coverage of the World Cup by Telemundo and rising Peacock ad revenue. The profit story was less encouraging, with adjusted EBITDA falling 36% to $817 Theatrical revenue at the film studio soared 47% over the prior year, with Ticket to Paradise , Puss , Violent Night and Halloween Ends closing the year on a high note. … [Read more...] about Peacock Clears 20M Subscribers, Helping Comcast Nip Wall Street Q4 Estimates
Godard Is Gone: A Remembrance Of The Stubborn & Iconoclastic Film Director
Stubborn and iconoclastic as always, Jean-Luc Godard has passed to another realm –and by his own choice–at age 91. Ever impudent and exasperating, forever pushing boundaries but remaining elusive, and an artist in every fiber of his being, Godard always did exactly what he wanted to do; for a few years many followed him ardently, and for lots of us in the 1960s he led the way into a vastly exciting and personal form of cinema. Thereafter he went entirely his own way, losing most of his audience but remaining at the forefront of exploring what cinema is, could be, and, sometimes, what it absolutely shouldn’t be. The official obituaries and tributes will certainly convey Godard’s importance and influence through the 1960s, the way he helped liberate cinema from its literary and orderly appearance to something far more energized, unexpected, jarring and often exhilarating. Although Godard consumed and brilliantly wrote about the existing cinema as a young critic, he … [Read more...] about Godard Is Gone: A Remembrance Of The Stubborn & Iconoclastic Film Director
Bella Ramsey Says ‘The Last Of Us’ Season 2 Is “Likely”
Bella Ramsey stars in HBO ’s The Last of Us and the Game of Thrones alum is teasing that a second season is highly “likely.” “If people keep watching, I think [a second series] is pretty likely. It’s down to the guys at HBO,” Ramsey told BBC in an interview. “There’s nothing confirmed yet so we’ll have to wait and see.” The Last of Us is based on a PlayStation video game and in its debut season on the premium cable network it scored the second-largest premiere after House of the Dragon since Boardwalk Empire’s launch in 2010. Ramsey stars as Ellie and is joined by Pedro Pascal, Gabriel Luna, Anna Torv, Nico Parker, Murray Bartlett and Nick Offerman as well as Melanie Lynskey, Storm Reid, Merle Dandridge, Jeffrey Pierce, Lamar Johnson, Keivonn Woodard, Graham Greene, Elaine Miles, Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker. The Last of Us takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel (Pascal), a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle … [Read more...] about Bella Ramsey Says ‘The Last Of Us’ Season 2 Is “Likely”
Get This 4K Drone Set for $129.99
TMZ may collect a share of sales or other compensation from links on this page. Oh, to be a kid again! If you're looking to bring out your inner child and get outside more , a drone is the perfect toy for " kidults" to play with. This 2-for-1 drone bundle gives you two high tech drones that give you a bird's-eye view to explore the world with. And during the Kidults Campaign, TMZ readers can score this for $129.99 for a limited time. This buy one, get one free deal on drones lets you see the world from new heights and angles, as it includes two drones with dual cameras . The Alpha Z PRO comes in sleek black with an ultra HD dual camera, while the Flying Fox has a clean silver finish with a 4K wide angle dual camera. Both share similarities like WiFi connectivity, altitude hold mode for a stable hovering fly to secure stunning shots, real time FPV to view images on the app on your phone or tablet , a one key automatic return enabling both drones to find … [Read more...] about Get This 4K Drone Set for $129.99
‘I May Destroy You’s Paapa Essiedu Joins Melissa McCarthy In Peacock’s Richard Curtis-Penned Christmas Pic
EXCLUSIVE : Paapa Essiedu ( I May Destroy You ) is set to star opposite Melissa McCarthy in the untitled New York Christmas movie from Universal and Working Title that we were first to report on. The film heading to Peacock is written by Love Actually ‘s Richard Curtis, with Love Life creator Sam Boyd on board to direct. It’s billed as a fairy-tale comedy about a workaholic man who enlists the help of a magical genie to help win his family back before Christmas. Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner will produce for Working Title, with Riva Marker for Linden Productions. Universal’s Senior EVP of Production Development Erik Baiers and Director of Development Christine Sun will oversee the pic for the studio, with Alexandra Loewy overseeing for Working Title. Best known for his Emmy- and BAFTA-nominated supporting turn opposite Michaela Coel in the hit miniseries I May Destroy You from HBO and BBC One, Essiedu boasts additional small-screen credits including The … [Read more...] about ‘I May Destroy You’s Paapa Essiedu Joins Melissa McCarthy In Peacock’s Richard Curtis-Penned Christmas Pic