Paramount Global and Charter Communications announced that they reached a new multiyear distribution deal covering Paramount’s full portfolio of linear cable TV networks, CBS owned stations — and will for the first time include Paramount+ and BET+ streaming services.
The two companies’ previous carriage pact expired April 30. The parties temporarily extended that while they hashed out a new agreement, thereby avoiding a blackout of Paramount’s networks on Charter, currently the U.S.’s largest pay-tv provider.
Financial terms weren’t disclosed. The deal will keep CBS and cable channels including BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon and Paramount Network — home to hit series “Yellowstone” — on Charter’s Spectrum TV service. The renewal also covers the premium linear TV service Paramount+ With Showtime (which confusingly has the same name as the direct-to-consumer streamer).
As part of the deal, the ad-supported versions of Paramount’s Paramount+ Essential and BET+ Essential will be...
The two companies’ previous carriage pact expired April 30. The parties temporarily extended that while they hashed out a new agreement, thereby avoiding a blackout of Paramount’s networks on Charter, currently the U.S.’s largest pay-tv provider.
Financial terms weren’t disclosed. The deal will keep CBS and cable channels including BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon and Paramount Network — home to hit series “Yellowstone” — on Charter’s Spectrum TV service. The renewal also covers the premium linear TV service Paramount+ With Showtime (which confusingly has the same name as the direct-to-consumer streamer).
As part of the deal, the ad-supported versions of Paramount’s Paramount+ Essential and BET+ Essential will be...
- 5/23/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Disney’s latest quarterly earnings report and conference call with management had much for Wall Street to like, including progress toward streaming profits and an increased full-year earnings forecast, but it wasn’t enough to keep its shares from dropping around 10 percent on Tuesday.
As of 12:15 p.m. E.T., Disney’s stock was down 10.4 percent at $104.32, making it one of the stock’s worst days over the past year.
While many analysts sounded upbeat notes on several fronts, especially Disney’s moving closer to streaming profitability, the Hollywood conglomerate reported mixed fiscal second-quarter earnings and some near-term challenges, including at theme parks. Newish Disney CFO Hugh Johnston, for example, warned on the earnings call that despite “healthy demand” at parks, “we are seeing some evidence of a global moderation from peak post-covid travel.”
All in all, it wasn’t enough to boost bullishness to new heights. And with...
As of 12:15 p.m. E.T., Disney’s stock was down 10.4 percent at $104.32, making it one of the stock’s worst days over the past year.
While many analysts sounded upbeat notes on several fronts, especially Disney’s moving closer to streaming profitability, the Hollywood conglomerate reported mixed fiscal second-quarter earnings and some near-term challenges, including at theme parks. Newish Disney CFO Hugh Johnston, for example, warned on the earnings call that despite “healthy demand” at parks, “we are seeing some evidence of a global moderation from peak post-covid travel.”
All in all, it wasn’t enough to boost bullishness to new heights. And with...
- 5/7/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As a buyer group led by David Ellison’s Skydance Media aims to iron out a potential deal to take over Paramount Global, many eyes on Wall Street are also watching carriage talks between the entertainment conglomerate and cable giant Charter Communications. On April 30, that deal expires.
Last year, Charter played hardball with Disney in a negotiating showdown that led to a brief blackout last fall before the companies struck a broad carriage deal covering traditional pay TV networks and streaming services, which finance experts called a blueprint for future sector agreements and a potential “tipping point” in the relationship between content and distribution giants.
Depending if, when, how, and what Charter and Paramount agree on in a new pact could affect the value of Paramount and therefore its takeover price target and its strategic positioning for the future. It’s no surprise then that industry observers have their eyes...
Last year, Charter played hardball with Disney in a negotiating showdown that led to a brief blackout last fall before the companies struck a broad carriage deal covering traditional pay TV networks and streaming services, which finance experts called a blueprint for future sector agreements and a potential “tipping point” in the relationship between content and distribution giants.
Depending if, when, how, and what Charter and Paramount agree on in a new pact could affect the value of Paramount and therefore its takeover price target and its strategic positioning for the future. It’s no surprise then that industry observers have their eyes...
- 4/29/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Five years after John Malone retired from the board of directors at Charter Communications, he is exiting his post as the company’s director emeritus, Deadline has confirmed.
The veteran exec and Liberty Media chairman, who has served on Charter’s board since 2008, cited the same Clayton Act concerns that led Steven A. Miron and Steven O. Newhouse to resign from the Warner Bros Discovery board early this month.
“I stepped away from my director emeritus role at Charter due to the uncertainty around Clayton Act inquiries,” Malone said in a statement, per Cablefax. “I remain heavily invested in Charter via Liberty Broadband — which maintains its three board seats — and am confident in Charter’s leadership team and strategy for the business.”
Related: Formula 1 Owner Liberty Media Buys MotoGP, Expanding Sports Portfolio; Deal Values Motorcycle Racing Circuit At $4.5 Billion
His move comes weeks after the Justice Department informed Miron...
The veteran exec and Liberty Media chairman, who has served on Charter’s board since 2008, cited the same Clayton Act concerns that led Steven A. Miron and Steven O. Newhouse to resign from the Warner Bros Discovery board early this month.
“I stepped away from my director emeritus role at Charter due to the uncertainty around Clayton Act inquiries,” Malone said in a statement, per Cablefax. “I remain heavily invested in Charter via Liberty Broadband — which maintains its three board seats — and am confident in Charter’s leadership team and strategy for the business.”
Related: Formula 1 Owner Liberty Media Buys MotoGP, Expanding Sports Portfolio; Deal Values Motorcycle Racing Circuit At $4.5 Billion
His move comes weeks after the Justice Department informed Miron...
- 4/19/2024
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was appalled — appalled! — to learn in 2008 that Sarah Palin, then-gop nominee John McCain’s running mate, once had ties to the Alaskan Independence Party.
In a HuffPost op-ed titled “Alaskan Independence Party: The Last Refuge of a Scoundrel,” Kennedy excoriated Palin for continuing to “‘pal around’ with a man — her husband, actually — who only recently terminated his seven-year membership” with Aip. (Recently was a bit of a stretch: Todd Palin ended his affiliation with the party six years before Kennedy’s editorial was published.)
In the piece,...
In a HuffPost op-ed titled “Alaskan Independence Party: The Last Refuge of a Scoundrel,” Kennedy excoriated Palin for continuing to “‘pal around’ with a man — her husband, actually — who only recently terminated his seven-year membership” with Aip. (Recently was a bit of a stretch: Todd Palin ended his affiliation with the party six years before Kennedy’s editorial was published.)
In the piece,...
- 4/11/2024
- by Tessa Stuart
- Rollingstone.com
AudioUK, the trade association for podcast, radio and audiobook producers, has launched a new four-point manifesto, detailing policies to grow the UK’s audio production sector.
The manifesto, entitled ‘The Sound of Success’, calls for political parties to support audio production in the way that successive governments have already given a boost to other content production sectors, for example high-end and children’s TV, animation, video games and film:
An Audio Production Tax Relief, would, according to the calculations of Communications Chambers, deliver a net gain to Hm Treasury through attracting international investment into UK-made podcasts from brands, broadcasters and platforms. Audio-specific funds will grow the sector both internationally and domestically. A Global Audio IP Fund would mirror the success of the Global IP Fund, to which the current government has just re-emphasised its support, in developing international podcast formats and IP. Audio IP has already been used to develop spinoffs including TV,...
The manifesto, entitled ‘The Sound of Success’, calls for political parties to support audio production in the way that successive governments have already given a boost to other content production sectors, for example high-end and children’s TV, animation, video games and film:
An Audio Production Tax Relief, would, according to the calculations of Communications Chambers, deliver a net gain to Hm Treasury through attracting international investment into UK-made podcasts from brands, broadcasters and platforms. Audio-specific funds will grow the sector both internationally and domestically. A Global Audio IP Fund would mirror the success of the Global IP Fund, to which the current government has just re-emphasised its support, in developing international podcast formats and IP. Audio IP has already been used to develop spinoffs including TV,...
- 2/5/2024
- Podnews.net
The U.K. government is giving more power to the BBC and media regulator Ofcom to handle complaints as part of its mid-term review into the corporation’s functioning.
The Royal Charter is the constitutional basis for the BBC. The current Charter began on Jan. 1 and ends on Dec. 31 2027. The U.K. government’s mid-term review of the Charter, which began in May, 2022, focused on governance and regulatory arrangements.
The review states that audiences will be given greater certainty that their complaints about BBC TV, radio and on demand content – including concerns about bias – are dealt with fairly, through greater scrutiny of its complaints process, which is to be made more independent from program makers. A new legally binding responsibility on the BBC board will require it to actively oversee the BBC’s complaints process to assure audiences that their concerns are being fairly considered.
In addition, Ofcom oversight will be...
The Royal Charter is the constitutional basis for the BBC. The current Charter began on Jan. 1 and ends on Dec. 31 2027. The U.K. government’s mid-term review of the Charter, which began in May, 2022, focused on governance and regulatory arrangements.
The review states that audiences will be given greater certainty that their complaints about BBC TV, radio and on demand content – including concerns about bias – are dealt with fairly, through greater scrutiny of its complaints process, which is to be made more independent from program makers. A new legally binding responsibility on the BBC board will require it to actively oversee the BBC’s complaints process to assure audiences that their concerns are being fairly considered.
In addition, Ofcom oversight will be...
- 1/22/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Disney first agreed to allow Spectrum TV customers access to Disney+ at no additional cost in September.
It was a risky gambit by Charter Communications to look Disney in the eye and tell them it would not air their channels at the demanded price unless it got free access to Disney+ for its customers included in the deal. But Disney ultimately blinked in the stare down that ensured, and on Thursday Charter announced that its Spectrum TV Select customers could officially begin signing up for their new Disney+ accounts.
Spectrum TV Select users can now sign up for Disney+ Basic as part of their cable plan. Disney and Charter agreed to a new carriage deal in September that granted Spectrum TV Select subscribers Disney+ access in exchange for higher fees to carry Disney-owned channels. The deal could lead to a wider integration of streaming plans with cable providers. Sign Up Now $7.99+ / month disneyplus.
It was a risky gambit by Charter Communications to look Disney in the eye and tell them it would not air their channels at the demanded price unless it got free access to Disney+ for its customers included in the deal. But Disney ultimately blinked in the stare down that ensured, and on Thursday Charter announced that its Spectrum TV Select customers could officially begin signing up for their new Disney+ accounts.
Spectrum TV Select users can now sign up for Disney+ Basic as part of their cable plan. Disney and Charter agreed to a new carriage deal in September that granted Spectrum TV Select subscribers Disney+ access in exchange for higher fees to carry Disney-owned channels. The deal could lead to a wider integration of streaming plans with cable providers. Sign Up Now $7.99+ / month disneyplus.
- 1/4/2024
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Nexstar’s third-quarter earnings reflected the soft TV advertising market, with political ad revenue down 85 percent from last year, and so-called “core” advertising revenue down 2.3 percent.
Similarly, The CW keeps losing money for the broadcast TV giant, though its losses continue to narrow quarter by quarter. The CW lost $60 million in Q3, down from $78 million last quarter.
Overall in Q3, Nextsar had revenue of $1.1 billion (down 10.8 percent from a year ago), and net income of $8 million, down more than 97 percent from a year ago, reflecting the robust political ad market in Q3 of last year.
In a comment, Nexstar CEO Perry Sook said that reduced losses at The CW, ad spending for the 2024 presidential election, and an “improving economic environment” should turbocharge the company’s earnings over the coming months.
He also argued that the Disney-Charter deal and changing media environment could work to Nexstar’s benefit.
“Broadcast stations...
Similarly, The CW keeps losing money for the broadcast TV giant, though its losses continue to narrow quarter by quarter. The CW lost $60 million in Q3, down from $78 million last quarter.
Overall in Q3, Nextsar had revenue of $1.1 billion (down 10.8 percent from a year ago), and net income of $8 million, down more than 97 percent from a year ago, reflecting the robust political ad market in Q3 of last year.
In a comment, Nexstar CEO Perry Sook said that reduced losses at The CW, ad spending for the 2024 presidential election, and an “improving economic environment” should turbocharge the company’s earnings over the coming months.
He also argued that the Disney-Charter deal and changing media environment could work to Nexstar’s benefit.
“Broadcast stations...
- 11/8/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Nexstar reported its third-quarter 2023 earnings Wednesday, revealing TV ad revenue was down overall 23% for the July-September quarter. Meanwhile, the CW network made quarter-over-quarter progress on its path to profitability by narrowing its losses to $60 million.
For the CW, which was formally acquired by Nexstar in October 2022 from Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery, a year-over-year comparison can’t be drawn based on the lack of financial results disclosed publicly by its former parent companies. But it’s long been known the old CW was not profitable, and this $60 million is an improvement over the $78 million loss the network posted in Q2 and the $83 million loss in Q1.
Nexstar’s core ad sales were $391 million in Q3, a decrease of 2.3% from the comparable year-ago quarter. Political ad sales fell 85.3% to $19 million from $129 million last year, when midterm elections spiked that categories revenue.
Total TV ad sales were $410 million, down 23% year-over-year from $529 million.
For the CW, which was formally acquired by Nexstar in October 2022 from Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery, a year-over-year comparison can’t be drawn based on the lack of financial results disclosed publicly by its former parent companies. But it’s long been known the old CW was not profitable, and this $60 million is an improvement over the $78 million loss the network posted in Q2 and the $83 million loss in Q1.
Nexstar’s core ad sales were $391 million in Q3, a decrease of 2.3% from the comparable year-ago quarter. Political ad sales fell 85.3% to $19 million from $129 million last year, when midterm elections spiked that categories revenue.
Total TV ad sales were $410 million, down 23% year-over-year from $529 million.
- 11/8/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Paramount CEO Bob Bakish has long touted “hard bundles,” the hybrid carriage agreements found in Europe and other international markets that weave streaming into conventional pay-tv packages.
The new Disney-Charter pact, reached in September after a 10-day blackout of ESPN, ABC stations and multiple other Disney networks, could provide a domestic template for Paramount, according to Bakish.
Recent dealmaking raises questions about “whether the hard bundling of streaming and pay-tv will become the norm in the U.S., and what that could mean for companies like ours,” Bakish told Wall Street analysts on the company’s third quarter earnings call. “The reality is, operators have different priorities. But we’ve shown that we can adapt our partnerships to adapt common objectives.”
In its international hard-bundling, Bakish said, Paramount has experienced “dramatically lower” costs to acquire customers along with lower rates of churn. Imported to the U.S., they could be “additive,...
The new Disney-Charter pact, reached in September after a 10-day blackout of ESPN, ABC stations and multiple other Disney networks, could provide a domestic template for Paramount, according to Bakish.
Recent dealmaking raises questions about “whether the hard bundling of streaming and pay-tv will become the norm in the U.S., and what that could mean for companies like ours,” Bakish told Wall Street analysts on the company’s third quarter earnings call. “The reality is, operators have different priorities. But we’ve shown that we can adapt our partnerships to adapt common objectives.”
In its international hard-bundling, Bakish said, Paramount has experienced “dramatically lower” costs to acquire customers along with lower rates of churn. Imported to the U.S., they could be “additive,...
- 11/2/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Comcast chief executive officer Brian Roberts is “very glad” that Disney and Charter Communications resolved their carriage dispute and “happy for both companies that they figured something out good for consumers.” But as it relates to potential carriage disputes for Comcast, he acknowledged that the deal is “not one size fits all” for the rest of the industry.
“Each situation is slightly different,” Roberts said when asked during the company’s third quarter earnings call if the NBCUniversal parent is headed in the same direction with its own carriage negotiations. “What I think is important for us is finding a way to help our customers have a great network, aggregate that content and have access to the great content and I think we’re really well positioned to do that and we’re looking forward to executing upon that.”
Comcast Cable CEO Dave Watson touted the company’s “unique position...
“Each situation is slightly different,” Roberts said when asked during the company’s third quarter earnings call if the NBCUniversal parent is headed in the same direction with its own carriage negotiations. “What I think is important for us is finding a way to help our customers have a great network, aggregate that content and have access to the great content and I think we’re really well positioned to do that and we’re looking forward to executing upon that.”
Comcast Cable CEO Dave Watson touted the company’s “unique position...
- 10/26/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
The following is a statement from The Elders, a group of independent global leaders working for peace, justice and human rights, founded by Nelson Mandela and chaired by Mary Robinson:
“The Elders condemn the horrendous terror attacks launched by Hamas on 7 October 2023, the killing of innocent civilians, the holding of hostages and the continued indiscriminate missile attacks on Israel. These are mass atrocities for which the perpetrators must be brought to justice, preferably in a court of law.
“We also condemn the Israeli government’s unacceptable collective punishment of the population of Gaza through siege, the scale of the military assault and its death toll, and the forcible transfer of civilians within the territory, as well as the continuing land and home incursions and demolitions in the West Bank and settler violence against Palestinian communities. These are not legitimate acts of self-defence: they are clear violations of international humanitarian law,...
“The Elders condemn the horrendous terror attacks launched by Hamas on 7 October 2023, the killing of innocent civilians, the holding of hostages and the continued indiscriminate missile attacks on Israel. These are mass atrocities for which the perpetrators must be brought to justice, preferably in a court of law.
“We also condemn the Israeli government’s unacceptable collective punishment of the population of Gaza through siege, the scale of the military assault and its death toll, and the forcible transfer of civilians within the territory, as well as the continuing land and home incursions and demolitions in the West Bank and settler violence against Palestinian communities. These are not legitimate acts of self-defence: they are clear violations of international humanitarian law,...
- 10/26/2023
- Look to the Stars
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel is floating a proposal that would require rebates to multichannel subscribers in the event of a blackout or broadcast stations.
Her proposal comes after the recent high-profile standoff between The Walt Disney Co. and Charter Communications, which left ABC-owned stations, ESPN and other cable networks dark for about a week and a half on Spectrum cable systems.
If adopted by the five-member commission, the proposal would then go to public comment period before a final vote. It would “require cable and satellite providers to issue rebates to subscribers in the event of a blackout doe to a failure to reach a retransmission consent agreement with broadcast” station group owners.
Rosenworcel also outlined a proposal that would require cable and satellite companies to notify the FCC via an online public portal when there is a “blackout of 24 hours or more of broadcast programming due to a failure...
Her proposal comes after the recent high-profile standoff between The Walt Disney Co. and Charter Communications, which left ABC-owned stations, ESPN and other cable networks dark for about a week and a half on Spectrum cable systems.
If adopted by the five-member commission, the proposal would then go to public comment period before a final vote. It would “require cable and satellite providers to issue rebates to subscribers in the event of a blackout doe to a failure to reach a retransmission consent agreement with broadcast” station group owners.
Rosenworcel also outlined a proposal that would require cable and satellite companies to notify the FCC via an online public portal when there is a “blackout of 24 hours or more of broadcast programming due to a failure...
- 10/11/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Mary Ellen Coe was installed as YouTube’s Chief Business Officer last fall, just as the activity level at the company was beginning to surge even by the breakneck standards of a startup-turned-digital-behemoth.
Since she landed in her new role after a 10-year run at Google and a prior chapter at McKinsey, many major headlines have blared. The company secured NFL Sunday Ticket in a $14 billion, seven-year rights deal that kicked off this month. YouTube TV, now a top-5 U.S. pay-tv operator, got an unexpected boost from Disney’s battle with Charter over carriage on Spectrum TV. YouTube Shorts passed 50 billion daily views less than two years after its global launch. And on the corporate front, a leadership shuffle saw Susan Wojcicki hand the CEO baton to Neal Mohan and Robert Kyncl depart after 12 years and become CEO of Warner Music Group.
During a recent visit to YouTube’s...
Since she landed in her new role after a 10-year run at Google and a prior chapter at McKinsey, many major headlines have blared. The company secured NFL Sunday Ticket in a $14 billion, seven-year rights deal that kicked off this month. YouTube TV, now a top-5 U.S. pay-tv operator, got an unexpected boost from Disney’s battle with Charter over carriage on Spectrum TV. YouTube Shorts passed 50 billion daily views less than two years after its global launch. And on the corporate front, a leadership shuffle saw Susan Wojcicki hand the CEO baton to Neal Mohan and Robert Kyncl depart after 12 years and become CEO of Warner Music Group.
During a recent visit to YouTube’s...
- 9/28/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
The Hollywood strikes, the Disney-Charter carriage dispute and deal, a possible sale of production giant All3Media (The Traitors, Fleabag, 1917), and even his move from the U.S. to the U.K. – those were among the topics that Liberty Global CEO Mike Fries discussed at an industry conference on Wednesday.
In a keynote session at the Royal Television Society (Rts) Cambridge Convention, he was asked about the potential sale of All3Media, which Liberty Global jointly owns with Warner Bros. Discovery. The companies recently launched a process to explore a sale. Calling All3Media “an incredible business” with “a billion in revenue and pretty much doubled that since we’ve been investors,” Fries also lauded the firm for winning awards, concluding it has “just done an incredible job.”
So why explore a sale? “The industry is changing,” the Liberty Global boss said. “And studios are searching for scale, especially pureplay studios,...
In a keynote session at the Royal Television Society (Rts) Cambridge Convention, he was asked about the potential sale of All3Media, which Liberty Global jointly owns with Warner Bros. Discovery. The companies recently launched a process to explore a sale. Calling All3Media “an incredible business” with “a billion in revenue and pretty much doubled that since we’ve been investors,” Fries also lauded the firm for winning awards, concluding it has “just done an incredible job.”
So why explore a sale? “The industry is changing,” the Liberty Global boss said. “And studios are searching for scale, especially pureplay studios,...
- 9/20/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The arrival of “Loki’s” second season could be exactly what Disney+ needs to grab and then hold onto the attention of any new subscribers gained in their latest deal with Charter Communications.
According to Ranker Insights, the Marvel series is a “gateway show” for Disney+. Our data says that fans of “Loki” are more likely to also enjoy the streamer’s other popular titles than any other series in the catalog.
That’s useful information after the standoff between Disney and cable provider Spectrum came to an end in September, with the two companies carving out a carriage deal that restored the access of nearly 15 million Spectrum customers to Disney-owned channels. But the deal won’t just bring these customers the linear channels they’re used to — like ESPN, FX, and local ABC stations. It will also bundle the basic ad tier of Disney+ into the cable packages of these millions of customers.
According to Ranker Insights, the Marvel series is a “gateway show” for Disney+. Our data says that fans of “Loki” are more likely to also enjoy the streamer’s other popular titles than any other series in the catalog.
That’s useful information after the standoff between Disney and cable provider Spectrum came to an end in September, with the two companies carving out a carriage deal that restored the access of nearly 15 million Spectrum customers to Disney-owned channels. But the deal won’t just bring these customers the linear channels they’re used to — like ESPN, FX, and local ABC stations. It will also bundle the basic ad tier of Disney+ into the cable packages of these millions of customers.
- 9/20/2023
- by Ryan Mach
- The Wrap
There is a new way for fans of Archer who have Spectrum cable but not Hulu to watch the Fxx animated series’ 14th and final season. The Emmy-winning comedy has expanded the availability of its current 14th season by making episodes available post-premiere on VOD systems for the FX and Fxx linear channels.
The issue arose after the new agreement between Disney and Spectrum parent Charter, which came together after 10 days of interrupted carriage, included the drop of eight Disney ad-supported cable networks, including Fxx and Fxm, from Spectrum platforms. As Deadline reported last week, FX brass were looking for solutions on Archer, which was seriously impacted as its final season had just premiered when the Disney networks went dark on Spectrum systems on Aug. 31.
Spectrum is the No.2 cable operator in the U.S. with 14.7 million customers, with Fxx and the other discontinued networks losing close to 20% of their reach,...
The issue arose after the new agreement between Disney and Spectrum parent Charter, which came together after 10 days of interrupted carriage, included the drop of eight Disney ad-supported cable networks, including Fxx and Fxm, from Spectrum platforms. As Deadline reported last week, FX brass were looking for solutions on Archer, which was seriously impacted as its final season had just premiered when the Disney networks went dark on Spectrum systems on Aug. 31.
Spectrum is the No.2 cable operator in the U.S. with 14.7 million customers, with Fxx and the other discontinued networks losing close to 20% of their reach,...
- 9/19/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated with formal agreement. A week after Charter and Disney made peace on the distribution front, DirecTV and Nexstar have set a multi-year carriage renewal, ending a dispute that started in early July.
The agreement was announced this morning in a brief joint press release, with the companies saying they “greatly appreciate the patience of their subscribers and viewers during this negotiation.” Signals from 176 Nexstar stations as well as cable network NewsNation had been restored on Sunday as the final deal was being completed.
Terms were not disclosed.
Previous: Ending a two-and-a-half month impasse, DirecTV and leading station owner Nexstar Media Group have agreed to restore the signals of dozens of stations as the companies work to finalize a carriage renewal.
About 176 ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and CW affiliates as well as cable network NewsNation went dark July 2 due to a fight over distribution terms. The rift was followed by...
The agreement was announced this morning in a brief joint press release, with the companies saying they “greatly appreciate the patience of their subscribers and viewers during this negotiation.” Signals from 176 Nexstar stations as well as cable network NewsNation had been restored on Sunday as the final deal was being completed.
Terms were not disclosed.
Previous: Ending a two-and-a-half month impasse, DirecTV and leading station owner Nexstar Media Group have agreed to restore the signals of dozens of stations as the companies work to finalize a carriage renewal.
About 176 ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and CW affiliates as well as cable network NewsNation went dark July 2 due to a fight over distribution terms. The rift was followed by...
- 9/18/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Charter and Disney’s heated carriage dispute reached a resolution just in time for Monday Night Football.
It could have gotten ugly if fans missed the Buffalo Bills taking on the New York Jets on ABC and ESPN, with Charter CEO Chris Winfrey saying he was prepared to move on if Disney wouldn’t play ball. But this is merely the first quarter in an increasingly rough game that will play out in the months and years to come, as media companies and their cable and satellite contributors grapple with the slow unwinding of a once-lucrative business.
The deal the companies struck would help “stabilize the linear video ecosystem and provide a glide path that gets us to the new direct to consumer environment,” Charter chief financial officer Jessica Fischer told an investor conference hosted by Bank of America Wednesday.
“I think it’s a win for everyone,” Fischer added.
It could have gotten ugly if fans missed the Buffalo Bills taking on the New York Jets on ABC and ESPN, with Charter CEO Chris Winfrey saying he was prepared to move on if Disney wouldn’t play ball. But this is merely the first quarter in an increasingly rough game that will play out in the months and years to come, as media companies and their cable and satellite contributors grapple with the slow unwinding of a once-lucrative business.
The deal the companies struck would help “stabilize the linear video ecosystem and provide a glide path that gets us to the new direct to consumer environment,” Charter chief financial officer Jessica Fischer told an investor conference hosted by Bank of America Wednesday.
“I think it’s a win for everyone,” Fischer added.
- 9/15/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Welcome to the 230th episode of TV’s Top 5, The Hollywood Reporter’s TV podcast.
Every week, hosts Lesley Goldberg (West Coast TV editor) and Daniel Fienberg (chief TV critic) break down the latest TV news with context from the business and critical sides, welcome showrunners, executives and other guests, and provide a critical guide of what to watch (or skip, as the case may be).
This week, we’re joined by THR media and business reporter Alex Weprin for a deep dive into the future of cable television. Here’s how this week’s show breaks down:
1. Mailbag
What shows are on our “list of shame”? Should Apple be promoting itself as a content hub for all streamers? Will ad-free plans vanish? Thoughts on those and more as we field questions from listeners.
2. Talk shows return
The Drew Barrymore Show, The View, The Talk, Sherri, Live, Tamron Hall and...
Every week, hosts Lesley Goldberg (West Coast TV editor) and Daniel Fienberg (chief TV critic) break down the latest TV news with context from the business and critical sides, welcome showrunners, executives and other guests, and provide a critical guide of what to watch (or skip, as the case may be).
This week, we’re joined by THR media and business reporter Alex Weprin for a deep dive into the future of cable television. Here’s how this week’s show breaks down:
1. Mailbag
What shows are on our “list of shame”? Should Apple be promoting itself as a content hub for all streamers? Will ad-free plans vanish? Thoughts on those and more as we field questions from listeners.
2. Talk shows return
The Drew Barrymore Show, The View, The Talk, Sherri, Live, Tamron Hall and...
- 9/15/2023
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Emmy-winning The Sopranos alum Drea de Matteo says that one of the reasons she opened an OnlyFans account in late August is because acting opportunities had dried up, due to her stance on workplace Covid vaccine mandates.
“Things have changed in the last three years…,” de Matteo detailed in an interview with Fox News Digital. “I didn’t know [that] all of a sudden … during a time I’m supposed to be relaxing a little bit, that I would have to switch careers and figure new things out because my own industry thinks I’m, you know, a savage.”
More from...
“Things have changed in the last three years…,” de Matteo detailed in an interview with Fox News Digital. “I didn’t know [that] all of a sudden … during a time I’m supposed to be relaxing a little bit, that I would have to switch careers and figure new things out because my own industry thinks I’m, you know, a savage.”
More from...
- 9/15/2023
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
In the first public comments by a Charter executive since a carriage renewal with Disney, CFO Jessica Fischer said the deal “met all of our objectives” and a preceding blackout resulted in only moderate TV subscriber losses.
The closely watched Disney-Spectrum carriage dispute was resolved Monday as the companies reached a precedent-setting multi-year pact. Eight of the 19 cable networks that had gone dark (along with eight ABC stations), among them Fxx and Freeform, remained off Spectrum TV under the new agreement. Charter secured the long-sought ability to integrate Disney streaming services in its TV packages.
Speaking at the BofA Securities Media, Communications & Entertainment Conference, Fischer said TV subscriber losses due to the outage, which came at the start of football season, were “much less than what we anticipated.” The hit to the company’s broadband subscriber base, meanwhile, “has been very, very small,” she added. “We’ve come out the...
The closely watched Disney-Spectrum carriage dispute was resolved Monday as the companies reached a precedent-setting multi-year pact. Eight of the 19 cable networks that had gone dark (along with eight ABC stations), among them Fxx and Freeform, remained off Spectrum TV under the new agreement. Charter secured the long-sought ability to integrate Disney streaming services in its TV packages.
Speaking at the BofA Securities Media, Communications & Entertainment Conference, Fischer said TV subscriber losses due to the outage, which came at the start of football season, were “much less than what we anticipated.” The hit to the company’s broadband subscriber base, meanwhile, “has been very, very small,” she added. “We’ve come out the...
- 9/13/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney CEO Bob Iger’s bombshell July comments that the linear TV business “may not be core” to the company brought a lot of anxiety for those working at any of the Disney’s linear networks.
There was more reason for concern this morning when Disney and Charter announced a new agreement after 10 days of carriage disruption on the Spectrum cable systems. As part of the deal, eight Disney networks, including Fxx, Fxm, Freeform, Disney Junior, Disney Xd and Nat Geo Wild, are being dropped — probably the biggest such exclusion of established cable nets in a carriage negotiation — with Disney getting wide distribution for its ad-supported Disney+ Basic service on Spectrum as well as improved terms for the ESPN suite of networks.
The news raises further questions about the viability of the eight networks, which are losing almost 20% of their distribution overnight amid industry-wide shift from linear to streaming. In an internal memo,...
There was more reason for concern this morning when Disney and Charter announced a new agreement after 10 days of carriage disruption on the Spectrum cable systems. As part of the deal, eight Disney networks, including Fxx, Fxm, Freeform, Disney Junior, Disney Xd and Nat Geo Wild, are being dropped — probably the biggest such exclusion of established cable nets in a carriage negotiation — with Disney getting wide distribution for its ad-supported Disney+ Basic service on Spectrum as well as improved terms for the ESPN suite of networks.
The news raises further questions about the viability of the eight networks, which are losing almost 20% of their distribution overnight amid industry-wide shift from linear to streaming. In an internal memo,...
- 9/12/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Charter Communications and The Walt Disney Company — with just hours left until the Monday Night Football season kickoff on ESPN and ABC — have resolved the 10-day-long dispute that left 15 million Spectrum cable subscribers without ESPN, FX and other Disney-owned channels.
As part of the multi-year agreement, a “more curated” package of Disney networks and stations will be immediately restored to Spectrum’s video customers, says a Walt Disney Company press release.
More from TVLineBill Maher's Real Time Will Return Without Its Writers; WGA Says It Will Be Picketing the ShowMadonna Cheers Pepsi for 'Finally' Rereleasing Cancelled 'Like a Prayer' Commercial,...
As part of the multi-year agreement, a “more curated” package of Disney networks and stations will be immediately restored to Spectrum’s video customers, says a Walt Disney Company press release.
More from TVLineBill Maher's Real Time Will Return Without Its Writers; WGA Says It Will Be Picketing the ShowMadonna Cheers Pepsi for 'Finally' Rereleasing Cancelled 'Like a Prayer' Commercial,...
- 9/11/2023
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
Disney and Charter Communications have reached a deal to restore access to popular channels including ABC and ESPN to the cable provider’s subscribers, ending a week-long dispute. The deal was made just hours prior to “Monday Night Football,” which airs on Disney-owned ESPN.
Disney channels were pulled from Charter stations over Labor Day weekend, as the two companies were unable to agree on a new deal. Millions of Charter’s Spectrum customers were prohibited from accessing Disney content, including channels like National Geographic and FX.
Disney announced the deal on Monday in a press release, calling it a “transformative, multiyear distribution agreement that maximizes value for consumers and supports the linear TV experience as the industry continues to evolve.” Disney noted that the “majority” of their networks will be immediately restored for Spectrum customers.
In a joint statement, Disney CEO Bob Iger and Charter Communications CEO Chris Winfrey said,...
Disney channels were pulled from Charter stations over Labor Day weekend, as the two companies were unable to agree on a new deal. Millions of Charter’s Spectrum customers were prohibited from accessing Disney content, including channels like National Geographic and FX.
Disney announced the deal on Monday in a press release, calling it a “transformative, multiyear distribution agreement that maximizes value for consumers and supports the linear TV experience as the industry continues to evolve.” Disney noted that the “majority” of their networks will be immediately restored for Spectrum customers.
In a joint statement, Disney CEO Bob Iger and Charter Communications CEO Chris Winfrey said,...
- 9/11/2023
- by Natalie Korach
- The Wrap
Russian tennis pro Daniil Medvedev is as frustrated as Charter Communications’ millions of cable TV customers that he can’t watch ESPN’s U.S. Open coverage because of the operator’s carriage fight with Disney.
Medvedev, one of the sport’s top-ranked players, revealed that he had resorted to piracy to watch the U.S. Open — and keep tabs on rivals like Novak Djokovic — during his stay in New York.
“I guess in a lot of hotels, they have [Charter’s] Spectrum, so I cannot watch it on TV anymore,” Medvedev said a press conference at the tournament Monday night (h/t Tennis Letter).
He continued, “I don’t know if it’s legal or illegal, but I have to find a way because I cannot watch it on TV — so I got internet and probably this, how you call it, pirate websites or something, so I watched tennis there. I have no other choice.
Medvedev, one of the sport’s top-ranked players, revealed that he had resorted to piracy to watch the U.S. Open — and keep tabs on rivals like Novak Djokovic — during his stay in New York.
“I guess in a lot of hotels, they have [Charter’s] Spectrum, so I cannot watch it on TV anymore,” Medvedev said a press conference at the tournament Monday night (h/t Tennis Letter).
He continued, “I don’t know if it’s legal or illegal, but I have to find a way because I cannot watch it on TV — so I got internet and probably this, how you call it, pirate websites or something, so I watched tennis there. I have no other choice.
- 9/6/2023
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Comcast and Disney last week signed a modification to their agreement to bring forward the timing of their sale talks for Comcast’s stake in Hulu to Sept. 30, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said.
Currently, Comcast owns one-third of Hulu and had set a pact with Disney (which owns the other two-thirds) to begin talks to sell its stake to the Mouse House in January 2024.
Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology investor conference Wednesday, Roberts said all the synergies around Hulu could be worth $30 billion, before you even ascribe value to Hulu itself. The previous minimum $27.5 billion valuation for Hulu was a “hypothetical” set when Disney “had control of the company,” per Roberts, with the company “way more valuable” today than it was when that number was set five years ago.
Roberts said proceeds from Comcast’s sale of its Hulu stake would be returned to shareholders.
“We’ve seen analyst reports that a buyer,...
Currently, Comcast owns one-third of Hulu and had set a pact with Disney (which owns the other two-thirds) to begin talks to sell its stake to the Mouse House in January 2024.
Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology investor conference Wednesday, Roberts said all the synergies around Hulu could be worth $30 billion, before you even ascribe value to Hulu itself. The previous minimum $27.5 billion valuation for Hulu was a “hypothetical” set when Disney “had control of the company,” per Roberts, with the company “way more valuable” today than it was when that number was set five years ago.
Roberts said proceeds from Comcast’s sale of its Hulu stake would be returned to shareholders.
“We’ve seen analyst reports that a buyer,...
- 9/6/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Wells Fargo analyst Steven Cahall cut his stock price target on the Walt Disney Co. by more than $30 on Tuesday but stuck to his “overweight” rating, predicting that investor focus would over time shift from near-term challenges to longer-term upside.
His commentary comes at a time when analysts have been intensely debating the outlook for Disney amid various challenges, from cord-cutting and streaming losses to advertising market clouds, and questions about the company’s future business mix.
“To us, Disney is the most interesting stock in media: an IP powerhouse down on its luck, at a Covid price and historically low multiple,” he wrote. Presenting deep dives into the investor bull and bear cases, he averaged the two scenarios for a new stock price target of $110, down from $146 previously.
Summarizing bears’ arguments, Cahall mentioned the conglomerate’s recent lack of big content successes. “Disney is not a hit factory of late,...
His commentary comes at a time when analysts have been intensely debating the outlook for Disney amid various challenges, from cord-cutting and streaming losses to advertising market clouds, and questions about the company’s future business mix.
“To us, Disney is the most interesting stock in media: an IP powerhouse down on its luck, at a Covid price and historically low multiple,” he wrote. Presenting deep dives into the investor bull and bear cases, he averaged the two scenarios for a new stock price target of $110, down from $146 previously.
Summarizing bears’ arguments, Cahall mentioned the conglomerate’s recent lack of big content successes. “Disney is not a hit factory of late,...
- 9/5/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Updated with Monday statement. Disney put a finer point on its Sunday message to Spectrum customers, urging them specifically to switch to Hulu + Live TV or even rival streaming TV bundles like YouTube TV.
“This Labor Day weekend has been a frustrating one for millions of Spectrum cable subscribers,” the company said in a blog post, alluding to sports telecasts on ESPN and other Disney channels’ programming that has been Awol since last Thursday. A carriage dispute has left 18 Disney networks along with eight ABC stations dark on Charter’s Spectrum TV service, which has almost 15 million subscribers.
“Disney deeply values its relationship with its viewers and is hopeful Charter is ready to have more conversations that will restore access to its content to Spectrum customers as quickly as possible,” the blog post added. “However, if you are one of these frustrated customers, it can be infuriating to not be...
“This Labor Day weekend has been a frustrating one for millions of Spectrum cable subscribers,” the company said in a blog post, alluding to sports telecasts on ESPN and other Disney channels’ programming that has been Awol since last Thursday. A carriage dispute has left 18 Disney networks along with eight ABC stations dark on Charter’s Spectrum TV service, which has almost 15 million subscribers.
“Disney deeply values its relationship with its viewers and is hopeful Charter is ready to have more conversations that will restore access to its content to Spectrum customers as quickly as possible,” the blog post added. “However, if you are one of these frustrated customers, it can be infuriating to not be...
- 9/5/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Heart of Stone presents a whirlwind of action and suspense but the film stumbles when it comes to its handling of gender roles, resulting in a script that leans heavily on clichés. Heart of Stone is the latest in a long line of exclusive Netflix releases which sees the streaming giant reunite with writer Greg Rucka who penned the well-regarded hit The Old Guard as well as Gal Gadot and Matthias Schweighofer both of whom had solid success with Netflix projects ranging from Red Notice to Army of Thieves. This movie seemingly has all the elements in place for a strong foundation for high-concept spy action fun, but in execution, Heart of Stone also has the life and energy of a stone.
Rachel Stone (Gal Gadot) is an It specialist for MI6 who unbeknownst to her colleagues is a spy planted by an international peacekeeping organization the Charter, a non-governmental...
Rachel Stone (Gal Gadot) is an It specialist for MI6 who unbeknownst to her colleagues is a spy planted by an international peacekeeping organization the Charter, a non-governmental...
- 8/15/2023
- by Prem
- Talking Films
The spy-action genre of movies is already filled with a ridiculously high number of entries; therefore, for newer releases to even have a chance at staying relevant, an out-of-the-box element is required. The recently released Netflix spy caper Heart Of Stone strictly follows the copybook method of building and resolving intrigue and, as a result, refrains from venturing into riskier territory. Revolving around a secret espionage agency and an overpowered AI tool that could be the key to world domination, the movie treads a very familiar track throughout. With that being said, narrative structure-wise, the easily discernible similarities allow viewers to point out a number of movies and series it has taken inspiration from, a lot of which we think you might enjoy if you liked Heart Of Stone.
Mission: Impossible (1996)
Right from the nature of its espionage agency to several key plot points, Heart Of Stone has derived heavily...
Mission: Impossible (1996)
Right from the nature of its espionage agency to several key plot points, Heart Of Stone has derived heavily...
- 8/12/2023
- by Siddhartha Das
- Film Fugitives
Take a look at more footage from the new live-action 'spy thriller' feature, “Heart of Stone”, directed by Tom Harper, starring Gal Gadot as a CIA agent, with Jamie Dornan and Sophie Okonedo, streaming August 11, 2023 on Netflix:
"...'Rachel Stone' (Gadot) is an unassuming computer tech who’s actually an undercover agent for the 'Charter'...
"...a global spy network that’s kept secret even from other spy networks.
"Using high-tech artificial intelligence that keeps them a step ahead of their enemies, the Charter is seemingly unstoppable.
"But when Stone infiltrates an 'MI6' team that’s being taunted by a mysterious ace hacker...
"...she’ll need all of her skills to navigate the deadly world of espionage that’s about to confront her.
"Stone is as cool and canny as they come, but even she needs a little help from her friends..."
Click the images to enlarge.
"...'Rachel Stone' (Gadot) is an unassuming computer tech who’s actually an undercover agent for the 'Charter'...
"...a global spy network that’s kept secret even from other spy networks.
"Using high-tech artificial intelligence that keeps them a step ahead of their enemies, the Charter is seemingly unstoppable.
"But when Stone infiltrates an 'MI6' team that’s being taunted by a mysterious ace hacker...
"...she’ll need all of her skills to navigate the deadly world of espionage that’s about to confront her.
"Stone is as cool and canny as they come, but even she needs a little help from her friends..."
Click the images to enlarge.
- 8/11/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
‘Heart Of Stone’ Plot, Cast, & Character Guide: Everything You Need To Know Before Watching The Film
Netflix is home to a great range of espionage thrillers and action films, featuring renowned stars and gripping storylines full of heart-pounding moments and unexpected twists. Some popular examples of these Netflix thrillers are The Spy, a miniseries starring Sacha Baron Cohen as an undercover Mossad agent, and Extraction, a film featuring Chris Hemsworth as a black ops mercenary caught in a dangerous rescue mission. While in theaters, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One made waves at the Box Office, Netflix is about to make its own impact with Tom Harper’s Heart of Stone, with a diverse and stellar international cast. This film has garnered excitement from spy action enthusiasts and piqued the interest of Indian audiences, thanks to the inclusion of Alia Bhatt in her debut US film role.
Alia Bhatt’s recent years have been marked by successes, including the blockbuster Brahmastra, her role in the Oscar-nominated film Rrr,...
Alia Bhatt’s recent years have been marked by successes, including the blockbuster Brahmastra, her role in the Oscar-nominated film Rrr,...
- 8/11/2023
- by Poulami Nanda
- Film Fugitives
If there’s one thing to know about MI6 agent Rachel Stone (Gal Gadot), it’s that she’s meant to stay in the van. In Tom Harper’s new action thriller “Heart of Stone,” there are spies in the field and spies who drive, but some spies are just supposed to sit behind a computer screen reading fast-scrolling lines of code and hacking into mainframes. It’s possible this seems a little implausible, knowing what we know about star Gal Gadot’s star persona, and that’s because it is: Rachel Stone of MI6 is not who she says she is.
Stone really belongs to another spy organization — the Charter — designed to correct the wrongs of government-affiliated spy organizations by doing the same work only under the guidance of an AI tool known as the “Heart.” When Stone is out in the field she’s given pathways of most probable success,...
Stone really belongs to another spy organization — the Charter — designed to correct the wrongs of government-affiliated spy organizations by doing the same work only under the guidance of an AI tool known as the “Heart.” When Stone is out in the field she’s given pathways of most probable success,...
- 8/11/2023
- by Fran Hoepfner
- The Wrap
Netflix tries muscling in on the Mission: Impossible game with the adrenaline-charged spy thriller Heart of Stone, built as a vehicle for Gal Gadot (one of the producers) to swap superheroics for a more earthbound combo of brains, tech savvy, instinct and formidable fight skills. While it’s a few notches up from the Wonder Woman star’s last action romp for the streamer, Red Notice, it feels only marginally less manufactured from the spare parts of other movies. But it gets the job done and is sure to pull solid numbers. It doesn’t hurt that Gadot has appealing chemistry with co-star Jamie Dornan.
The timing seems mildly unfortunate given that the most recent M:i installment, Dead Reckoning, hit theaters only a month ago and also revolves around a risibly named AI mega-brain, “The Entity,” which nefarious forces are angling to control.
In Heart of Stone, that all-powerful cyber tool is called “The Heart,...
The timing seems mildly unfortunate given that the most recent M:i installment, Dead Reckoning, hit theaters only a month ago and also revolves around a risibly named AI mega-brain, “The Entity,” which nefarious forces are angling to control.
In Heart of Stone, that all-powerful cyber tool is called “The Heart,...
- 8/11/2023
- by David Rooney
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
We have a special Heart of Stone treat for you! Well, not just one treat, it’s 4! We have brand new posters for the highly anticipated Netflix action spy thriller Heart of Stone.
Fans were first thrilled when the film, which stars Alia Bhatt, Gal Gadot and Jamie Dornan in leading roles, was first announced. Then at the special Netflix Tudum event, the excitement to watch this action adventure spiked even higher when the trailer dropped.
Icymi
Heart of Stone is the tale of Rachel Stone (Gal Gadot) who appears to be an inexperienced tech, on an elite MI6 unit headed up by lead agent Parker (Jamie Dornan). What her MI6 team doesn’t know is that Stone actually works for the Charter — a covert peacekeeping organization, secret even from other spies, which uses cutting-edge technology to neutralize global threats. Rachel has been trained to be the consummate professional: a...
Fans were first thrilled when the film, which stars Alia Bhatt, Gal Gadot and Jamie Dornan in leading roles, was first announced. Then at the special Netflix Tudum event, the excitement to watch this action adventure spiked even higher when the trailer dropped.
Icymi
Heart of Stone is the tale of Rachel Stone (Gal Gadot) who appears to be an inexperienced tech, on an elite MI6 unit headed up by lead agent Parker (Jamie Dornan). What her MI6 team doesn’t know is that Stone actually works for the Charter — a covert peacekeeping organization, secret even from other spies, which uses cutting-edge technology to neutralize global threats. Rachel has been trained to be the consummate professional: a...
- 7/26/2023
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
When you watch a series for so long, there usually comes a point where things grow stale and get predictable.
Mayans M.C. was never one of those shows.
Launching years after the conclusion of Sons of Anarchy meant there were certain expectations, and the series successfully carved out its own identity to deliver one of the most brutal shows on TV.
It all ended with Mayans M.C. Season 5 Episode 10, which I'm surprised to say was a near-perfect series finale.
It's hard not to have certain expectations when watching a series/franchise end, but "Slow to Bleed Fair Son" covered all the bases to bring this story to a close.
E.Z.'s journey across five seasons has been one of the best-developed arcs on the small screen, with Jd Pardo embodying this man who found himself making decision after decision to benefit other people.
Ultimately, though, the truth about E.
Mayans M.C. was never one of those shows.
Launching years after the conclusion of Sons of Anarchy meant there were certain expectations, and the series successfully carved out its own identity to deliver one of the most brutal shows on TV.
It all ended with Mayans M.C. Season 5 Episode 10, which I'm surprised to say was a near-perfect series finale.
It's hard not to have certain expectations when watching a series/franchise end, but "Slow to Bleed Fair Son" covered all the bases to bring this story to a close.
E.Z.'s journey across five seasons has been one of the best-developed arcs on the small screen, with Jd Pardo embodying this man who found himself making decision after decision to benefit other people.
Ultimately, though, the truth about E.
- 7/20/2023
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Netflix has unveiled the captivating character poster of Alia Bhatt playing Keya Dhawan in Netflix’s unmissable action film of this summer ‘Heart of Stone’. The film is an electrifying spy action thriller that promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
At the centre of this high-stakes espionage is Alia Bhatt, portraying the enigmatic hacker ‘Keya Dhawan’ who controls all the odds. The film will be available in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu only on Netflix on 11th August.
Rachel Stone (Gal Gadot) appears to be an inexperienced tech, on an elite MI6 unit headed up by lead agent Parker (Jamie Dornan). What her MI6 team doesn’t know is that Stone actually works for the Charter – a covert peacekeeping organization, secret even from other spies, which uses cutting-edge technology to neutralize global threats.
Meet ‘Keya Dhawan’ in ‘Heart of Stone’
Rachel has been trained to be...
At the centre of this high-stakes espionage is Alia Bhatt, portraying the enigmatic hacker ‘Keya Dhawan’ who controls all the odds. The film will be available in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu only on Netflix on 11th August.
Rachel Stone (Gal Gadot) appears to be an inexperienced tech, on an elite MI6 unit headed up by lead agent Parker (Jamie Dornan). What her MI6 team doesn’t know is that Stone actually works for the Charter – a covert peacekeeping organization, secret even from other spies, which uses cutting-edge technology to neutralize global threats.
Meet ‘Keya Dhawan’ in ‘Heart of Stone’
Rachel has been trained to be...
- 7/18/2023
- by Editorial Desk
- GlamSham
Netflix has unveiled the character poster of Gal Gadot for its highly anticipated film ‘Heart of Stone’ an exhilarating spy action thriller poised to enthral our audiences. With its captivating visuals featuring Gal Gadot, the anticipation for the film reaches new heights. Gal Gadot fearlessly defies the odds, delivering a powerhouse performance in ‘Heart of Stone’. Mark your calendars as this film, available in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, exclusively premieres on Netflix on 11th August, promising an unforgettable cinematic experience.
Rachel Stone (Gal Gadot) appears to be an inexperienced tech, on an elite MI6 unit headed up by lead agent Parker (Jamie Dornan). What her MI6 team doesn’t know is that Stone actually works for the Charter – a covert peacekeeping organization, secret even from other spies, which uses cutting-edge technology to neutralize global threats.
Gal Gadot’s ‘Heart of Stone’ character poster released
Rachel has been trained to...
Rachel Stone (Gal Gadot) appears to be an inexperienced tech, on an elite MI6 unit headed up by lead agent Parker (Jamie Dornan). What her MI6 team doesn’t know is that Stone actually works for the Charter – a covert peacekeeping organization, secret even from other spies, which uses cutting-edge technology to neutralize global threats.
Gal Gadot’s ‘Heart of Stone’ character poster released
Rachel has been trained to...
- 7/18/2023
- by Editorial Desk
- GlamSham
Alia Bhatt is going dark in the highly anticipated Netflix film Heart of Stone. Also featuring Gal Gadot and Jamie Dornan, this epic and raw action adventure is set to start streaming on August 11th!
In the full-on spy thriller, Alia’s character Keya Dhawan is a very mysterious character who steals The Heart and wants to create chaos. According to Netflix, The Heart is the world’s most powerful AI, able to keep track of anyone’s entire online history and then use that data to predict what they might do in the future. The Heart can advise on responses to potential global threats and even deliver odds on the success of neutralizing them.
“The Heart is what’s called a general AI — an AI that can do anything you want it to do, and it becomes a master of that immediately,” VFX supervisor Mark Breakspear told Netflix. “No...
In the full-on spy thriller, Alia’s character Keya Dhawan is a very mysterious character who steals The Heart and wants to create chaos. According to Netflix, The Heart is the world’s most powerful AI, able to keep track of anyone’s entire online history and then use that data to predict what they might do in the future. The Heart can advise on responses to potential global threats and even deliver odds on the success of neutralizing them.
“The Heart is what’s called a general AI — an AI that can do anything you want it to do, and it becomes a master of that immediately,” VFX supervisor Mark Breakspear told Netflix. “No...
- 7/3/2023
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
Radiocentre is extending its remit as part of a new action plan aimed at making the UK a world leader in radio and audio in the digital age. The industry body’s plan, published today and called ‘Commercial Radio: Stronger than Ever’, will see Radiocentre promote all forms of audio owned and operated by commercial radio broadcasters, including podcasts and on-demand streaming services.
The publication of the plan coincides with the 50th anniversary of the launch of UK commercial radio and a refresh of Radiocentre’s brand overseen by Creative Agency Fold 7. The plan outlines a roadmap for UK radio and audio to retain its position as a strong and successful force for good in the years to come.
Matt Payton, Radiocentre’s Chief Executive, says:
“Whichever way you look at it, commercial radio in the UK is stronger than ever. Audiences are at record levels and advertising income...
The publication of the plan coincides with the 50th anniversary of the launch of UK commercial radio and a refresh of Radiocentre’s brand overseen by Creative Agency Fold 7. The plan outlines a roadmap for UK radio and audio to retain its position as a strong and successful force for good in the years to come.
Matt Payton, Radiocentre’s Chief Executive, says:
“Whichever way you look at it, commercial radio in the UK is stronger than ever. Audiences are at record levels and advertising income...
- 6/21/2023
- Podnews.net
At the Tudum Global Fan Event in Brazil, the official trailer for the action-packed film “Heart of Stone” debuted.
A star-studded cast including Gal Gadot, Jamie Dornan and Alia Bhatt took the Tudum stage to the tune of “Quiet,” an original song by artist Noga Erez, specially crafted for the movie.
Read More: Gal Gadot Was Almost Cast In ‘Barbie’, Margot Robbie Says, ‘She Is Barbie Energy’
‘Heart of Stone’ — Photo: Netflix
Directed by Tom Harper and written by Greg Rucka and Allison Schroeder, “Heart of Stone” brings together a powerhouse team of producers, including David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, Bonnie Curtis, Julie Lynn, Gal Gadot, and Jaron Varsano.
Gadot takes on the lead role of Rachel Stone, an undercover tech operative on a covert MI6 unit led by agent Parker (Jamie Dornan).
‘Heart of Stone’ — Photo: Netflix
According to the film’s synopsis, little do her MI6 teammates...
A star-studded cast including Gal Gadot, Jamie Dornan and Alia Bhatt took the Tudum stage to the tune of “Quiet,” an original song by artist Noga Erez, specially crafted for the movie.
Read More: Gal Gadot Was Almost Cast In ‘Barbie’, Margot Robbie Says, ‘She Is Barbie Energy’
‘Heart of Stone’ — Photo: Netflix
Directed by Tom Harper and written by Greg Rucka and Allison Schroeder, “Heart of Stone” brings together a powerhouse team of producers, including David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, Bonnie Curtis, Julie Lynn, Gal Gadot, and Jaron Varsano.
Gadot takes on the lead role of Rachel Stone, an undercover tech operative on a covert MI6 unit led by agent Parker (Jamie Dornan).
‘Heart of Stone’ — Photo: Netflix
According to the film’s synopsis, little do her MI6 teammates...
- 6/19/2023
- by Emerson Pearson
- ET Canada
Los Angeles, June 18 (Ians) It’s all about power-packed performances and high-octane action in the upcoming film ‘Heart Of Stone’ starring Gal Gadot, Alia Bhatt and Jamie Dornan.
Gal Gadot is going from superhero to super spy in the action-packed first trailer for the international espionage thriller ‘Heart of Stone’, reports Variety.
Gadot was joined by co-stars Jamie Dornan and Alia Bhatt at Netflix’s Tudum fan festival in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where the trio debuted the film’s first trailer. The footage features heart-stopping stunts, like Gadot’s Rachel Stone, an intelligence operative for a shadowy global peacekeeping agency, skydiving from a death-defying height.
Stone’s steely demeanour and adrenaline-junkie habits are explained as her boss (Sophie Okonedo) warns: “You know what you signed up for. No friends, no relationships. What we do is too important. When governments fail, the only thing left is the Charter.”
Stone and Dornan...
Gal Gadot is going from superhero to super spy in the action-packed first trailer for the international espionage thriller ‘Heart of Stone’, reports Variety.
Gadot was joined by co-stars Jamie Dornan and Alia Bhatt at Netflix’s Tudum fan festival in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where the trio debuted the film’s first trailer. The footage features heart-stopping stunts, like Gadot’s Rachel Stone, an intelligence operative for a shadowy global peacekeeping agency, skydiving from a death-defying height.
Stone’s steely demeanour and adrenaline-junkie habits are explained as her boss (Sophie Okonedo) warns: “You know what you signed up for. No friends, no relationships. What we do is too important. When governments fail, the only thing left is the Charter.”
Stone and Dornan...
- 6/18/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Gal Gadot’s Rachel Stone has given up almost everything to serve the Charter, a covert peacekeeping organization, and when it loses its most valued asset, Stone sets off on an action-packed mission to recover it in the new trailer for Heart of Stone.
Gadot and her costars Jamie Dornan, and Alia Bhatt were on-hand to premiere the trailer during Netflix’s Tudum fan event in Brazil on Saturday. In the clip, Stone is reminded of the sacrifices necessary to stay true to the charter’s mission. “You know what you signed up for.
Gadot and her costars Jamie Dornan, and Alia Bhatt were on-hand to premiere the trailer during Netflix’s Tudum fan event in Brazil on Saturday. In the clip, Stone is reminded of the sacrifices necessary to stay true to the charter’s mission. “You know what you signed up for.
- 6/18/2023
- by Althea Legaspi
- Rollingstone.com
‘Heart of Stone’ Trailer: Gal Gadot, Jamie Dornan and Alia Bhatt Star in Action-Packed Netflix Movie
Gal Gadot is going from superhero to super spy in the action-packed first trailer for the international espionage thriller “Heart of Stone.”
Gadot was joined by co-stars Jamie Dornan and Alia Bhatt at Netflix’s Tudum fan festival in São Paulo, Brazil, where the trio debuted the film’s first trailer. The footage features heart-stopping stunts, like Gadot’s Rachel Stone — an intelligence operative for a shadowy global peacekeeping agency — skydiving from a death-defying height.
Stone’s steely demeanor and adrenaline-junkie habits are explained as her boss (Sophie Okonedo) warns, “You know what you signed up for. No friends, no relationships… What we do is too important. When governments fail, the only thing left is the Charter.”
Stone and Dornan’s Parker are among the organization’s highly-trained agents, who have no political leanings or national allegiances and are described as “working together to keep peace in a turbulent world.
Gadot was joined by co-stars Jamie Dornan and Alia Bhatt at Netflix’s Tudum fan festival in São Paulo, Brazil, where the trio debuted the film’s first trailer. The footage features heart-stopping stunts, like Gadot’s Rachel Stone — an intelligence operative for a shadowy global peacekeeping agency — skydiving from a death-defying height.
Stone’s steely demeanor and adrenaline-junkie habits are explained as her boss (Sophie Okonedo) warns, “You know what you signed up for. No friends, no relationships… What we do is too important. When governments fail, the only thing left is the Charter.”
Stone and Dornan’s Parker are among the organization’s highly-trained agents, who have no political leanings or national allegiances and are described as “working together to keep peace in a turbulent world.
- 6/17/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix unveiled the highly-anticipated Key-Art of ‘Heart of Stone’, an electrifying spy action thriller film that is set to captivate audiences worldwide. The striking visuals offer a tantalizing glimpse of Gal Gadot, leaving fans eagerly awaiting for the release of the trailer tomorrow. The film will be available in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu only on Netflix on 11th August.
Rachel Stone (Gal Gadot) appears to be an inexperienced tech, on an elite MI6 unit headed up by lead agent Parker (Jamie Dornan). What her MI6 team doesn’t know is that Stone actually works for the Charter – a covert peacekeeping organization, secret even from other spies, which uses cutting-edge technology to neutralize global threats.
Rachel has been trained to be the consummate professional: a phenomenal field agent who sticks to the mission, follows the numbers, and trusts no one. When a routine mission is derailed by mysterious hacker Keya...
Rachel Stone (Gal Gadot) appears to be an inexperienced tech, on an elite MI6 unit headed up by lead agent Parker (Jamie Dornan). What her MI6 team doesn’t know is that Stone actually works for the Charter – a covert peacekeeping organization, secret even from other spies, which uses cutting-edge technology to neutralize global threats.
Rachel has been trained to be the consummate professional: a phenomenal field agent who sticks to the mission, follows the numbers, and trusts no one. When a routine mission is derailed by mysterious hacker Keya...
- 6/17/2023
- by Editorial Desk
- GlamSham
The Prime Minister “ought to” give up their involvement with the hiring of the BBC Chairman in the future following the Richard Sharp scandal, according to former Director General Tony Hall.
Hall urged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to “say something interesting” about the government’s involvement with the process, which, in Sharp’s case, led to a chain of events surrounding the Boris Johnson loan scandal that has forced the former Goldman Sachs banker and Conservative Party donor to resign.
Hall, who was BBC Dg between 2013 and 2020, told the Voice of the Listener & Viewer (Vlv) Conference that the Prime Minister of the day “ought to” give up their involvement in the Chair appointment, which is currently decided by a government committee.
“When you say the Prime Minister appoints the Chairman people tend to respond with a wry grin and question whether that is really independent,” he said.
Hall forecasted that...
Hall urged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to “say something interesting” about the government’s involvement with the process, which, in Sharp’s case, led to a chain of events surrounding the Boris Johnson loan scandal that has forced the former Goldman Sachs banker and Conservative Party donor to resign.
Hall, who was BBC Dg between 2013 and 2020, told the Voice of the Listener & Viewer (Vlv) Conference that the Prime Minister of the day “ought to” give up their involvement in the Chair appointment, which is currently decided by a government committee.
“When you say the Prime Minister appoints the Chairman people tend to respond with a wry grin and question whether that is really independent,” he said.
Hall forecasted that...
- 5/11/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Independent report concludes Sharp breached public appointment governance rules.
BBC chair Richard Sharp has resigned after an independent report into his appointment that found he “failed to disclose potential perceived conflicts of interest”.
The Adam Heppinstall Kc-led investigation concluded that Sharp had mishandled communications around his involvement in securing an £800,000 loan to former prime minister Boris Johnson.
The report said that “the [interview] panel may have concluded that no conflict arose, but [Sharp] did not put them in a position where they were able to form that judgement. It is that disabling of a key part of the system which constitutes...
BBC chair Richard Sharp has resigned after an independent report into his appointment that found he “failed to disclose potential perceived conflicts of interest”.
The Adam Heppinstall Kc-led investigation concluded that Sharp had mishandled communications around his involvement in securing an £800,000 loan to former prime minister Boris Johnson.
The report said that “the [interview] panel may have concluded that no conflict arose, but [Sharp] did not put them in a position where they were able to form that judgement. It is that disabling of a key part of the system which constitutes...
- 4/28/2023
- by John Elmes Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
New Delhi, April 22 (Ians) After facing a backlash, Elon Musk-run Twitter has finally removed “government-funded media” labels on all accounts belonging to traditional publications and digital news outlets. Twitter has also deleted its web page explaining the “government-funded media” labels, report The Verge.
The micro-blogging platform earlier placed the ‘publicly-funded’ label to the BBC account and applied the ‘government-funded’ label to US-based NPR.
Twitter later placed more ‘government-funded media’ labels on the accounts of global news outlets like Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC Australia), Australia’s Special Broadcasting Service (Sbs), New Zealand’s public broadcaster Rnz, Sweden’s Sr Ekot and Svt, and Catalonia’s TV3.cat.
ABC News said in a tweet that it is a publicly funded broadcaster, “governed by the ABC Charter which is enshrined in legislation”.
“For more than 90 years, the ABC has always been and remains an independent media organisation, free from political and commercial interests,...
The micro-blogging platform earlier placed the ‘publicly-funded’ label to the BBC account and applied the ‘government-funded’ label to US-based NPR.
Twitter later placed more ‘government-funded media’ labels on the accounts of global news outlets like Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC Australia), Australia’s Special Broadcasting Service (Sbs), New Zealand’s public broadcaster Rnz, Sweden’s Sr Ekot and Svt, and Catalonia’s TV3.cat.
ABC News said in a tweet that it is a publicly funded broadcaster, “governed by the ABC Charter which is enshrined in legislation”.
“For more than 90 years, the ABC has always been and remains an independent media organisation, free from political and commercial interests,...
- 4/22/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
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