Kyrie demands trade

With demand surging for sports-themed films and TV series, Authentic Brands Group and David Glasser’s 101 Studios have launched Sports Illustrated Studios, an exclusive home for film and TV adaptations of the magazine’s work. Plans call for several scripted or unscripted feature films and TV series per year, as well as podcasts. Their basis will be the magazine’s “unique looks at the culture and characters that transcend the game,” in the words of the official announcement. In charge of all production, distribution and marketing for Sports Illustrated Studios will be 101 Studios, which Glasser started after leaving his longtime post at the Weinstein Company. First out of the gate will be Covers , an episodic look at SI ’s top cover stories of all time, culled from a roster of thousands involving a host of sports figures, teams, celebrities and political figures. “Sports Illustrated has covered every major story in sports since the 1950s and, before the … [Read more...] about Sports Illustrated Studios Launches As Joint Film/TV Venture By Authentic Brands And 101 Studios

An attorney for bankrupt movie theater chain Cineworld said today it has “several” interested parties eyeing its business in “rest of world” — meaning Israel and Europe outside the UK — but nothing pending for the entire company, or, it seems for Regal in the U.S. Final bids are due April 10, said Joshua Sussberg of Kirland Ellis. Two strategic suitors potentially were interested in the full company, but the offers were too lowball to consider moving forward with. Meanwhile, he said, a comprehensive restructuring plan is close to being ready as Regal, its lenders and unsecured creditors are “dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.” Sussberg said he hoped a plan might be filed as soon as Wednesday. A rep for the lenders agreed the sides are close, but he noted that these “are important i’s to dot and t’s to cross.” Cineworld filed for bankruptcy last fall in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Texas. Judge Marvin Isgur said today he’s sticking with an April … [Read more...] about Regal Parent Cineworld Expects Bids For Theaters Outside U.S./UK, Says Plan To Exit Chapter 11 Nearly Ready

The UK government has published its long-awaited draft Media Bill to bring the U.S. streamers under its regulatory framework and help public broadcasters “embrace the digital age.” The bill marks the next step in long-planned legislation that, once passed, could see the likes of Netflix , Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video fined up to £250,000 ($308,000) or restricted in the UK entirely if they break rules around harmful material that have applied to the public broadcasters for decades. The White Paper that laid out plans for the bill in April 2022 had initially floated the idea that these streamers either be fined the £250,000 maximum or 5% of their local revenues, whichever was higher, but the latter option has been removed from today’s draft bill. Once passed, media regulator Ofcom will be given “more robust powers to investigate and take action to enforce standards if they consider it appropriate,” added the UK’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). … [Read more...] about UK Government Publishes Long-Awaited Media Bill To Help Bring Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video Under Regulatory Framework

EXCLUSIVE : Marcus Ryder , a figurehead for the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity, has renewed his call for an industry-wide anti-racism body following the British Film Institute’s admission that it mishandled a discrimination complaint . Ryder revealed that high-level industry talks took place earlier this year over establishing an independent arbiter for racism complaints. Ofcom, the UK media regulator, chaired a meeting about the proposal in January, inviting major UK broadcasters and entertainment trade unions, including Bectu. Ryder said the talks had been constructive and there was little objection to the principle of a complaints body, but no formal proposals are currently under consideration. Ofcom said a range of views were shared, but it was not within its remit to impose an anti-racism body on the industry. Instead, Ofcom said it will continue to encourage dialogue on the issue. The talks came before a Film and TV Charity survey of 2,000 screen … [Read more...] about BFI Systemic Racism Admission Sparks Renewed Calls For Independent Complaints Body

Former Amazon Studios Europe boss Georgia Brown is to chair the BFI ’s Skills Task Force, which has been assembled to address major skills shortages in the UK film and TV sector over the next five years. The Task Force has buy-in from streamers including Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV + and Disney, U.S. studios including NBCUniversal and Sony, UK broadcasters and other bodies. Born from last year’s BFI Skills Review, the Task Force’s first focus will be on physical production skills in film, high-end TV, scripted comedy and cheaper drama, along with unscripted and children’s. Members of the plus-20-strong body will come up with an action plan and contribute to a series of meetings, identifying areas where the industry can work with the government to improve the current situation. Three focused workstreams have been established: industry training and investment; improving access to the Apprenticeship Levy; and pathways to industry from further and higher education. … [Read more...] about Former Amazon Studios Europe Boss Georgia Brown To Oversee BFI Skills Task Force

Getty Big celebrities are pitching in to help victims of the Nashville elementary school shooting ... by donating thousands of dollars. GoFundMes have been set up for the families of the six people killed and others wounded in Monday's shooting ... including one for the Kinney family, whose 9-year-old son, William , was one of the three children murdered by 28-year-old Audrey Hale . Gallery Launch Gallery Getty The Kinney family received a $2K donation from former Bears QB Jay Cutler , who lives in Nashville. Donations have been pouring in to benefit the Kinney family ... the fundraiser is already well past its $50K goal. Former 'Bachelorette' star Kaitlyn Bristowe donated $1K to a campaign that goes to all six families as well as those wounded. Jena Sims , actress and wife of star golfer Brooks Koepka , also put $1K into the fund. John Carter Cash , son of singer Johnny Cash , donated $2K. A … [Read more...] about Celebrities Donating Thousands of Dollars To Nashville School Shooting Victims