Chat with Jelani Blackman and it’s easy to understand why a person might want to confide in him. Warm and enigmatic, the musician is the kind of guy you feel comfortable opening up to. Just ask comedian Seann Walsh, who apparently stumbled across the south-London artist at a tapas bar on Portobello Road in 2018, immediately after photos emerged of him kissing his married Strictly Come Dancing partner, Katya Jones.
“It was so mad,” the 29-year-old recalls, taking a sip of his pint. “I didn’t really know who he was, but he was crying. We had a long heart-to-heart, just standing outside the restaurant after it all came out...”
The Walsh encounter is, arguably, a rare example of Blackman being in the right place at the right time. Despite his unique voice – a baritone growl so deep it resonates in the pit of your stomach – he has flown under...
“It was so mad,” the 29-year-old recalls, taking a sip of his pint. “I didn’t really know who he was, but he was crying. We had a long heart-to-heart, just standing outside the restaurant after it all came out...”
The Walsh encounter is, arguably, a rare example of Blackman being in the right place at the right time. Despite his unique voice – a baritone growl so deep it resonates in the pit of your stomach – he has flown under...
- 4/23/2023
- by Roisin O'Connor
- The Independent - Music
The South African-set “all stars” edition of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! is almost here.
ITV’s brand new show will see the return of some of the most memorable campmates from previous seasons.
It will begin airing on Monday 24 April.
Instead of the usual Australian outback setting, this show will take place in “the harsher and more unforgiving” environment of South Africa, with the contestants facing challenges “even bigger and tougher” than before.
The first group of stars taking part in the show were announced live on air during Saturday Night Takeaway on Saturday (25 March).
Find the rolling list of contestants and their respective seasons below (to be updated as and when new stars are announced)...
Amir Khan – boxing champion (season 17)
Jordan Banjo – Diversity dancer & DJ (season 16)
Helen Flanagan – Coronation Street star (season 12)
Carol Vorderman – TV presenter (season 16)
Fatima Whitbread – Olympic athlete (season 11)
Paul Burrell...
ITV’s brand new show will see the return of some of the most memorable campmates from previous seasons.
It will begin airing on Monday 24 April.
Instead of the usual Australian outback setting, this show will take place in “the harsher and more unforgiving” environment of South Africa, with the contestants facing challenges “even bigger and tougher” than before.
The first group of stars taking part in the show were announced live on air during Saturday Night Takeaway on Saturday (25 March).
Find the rolling list of contestants and their respective seasons below (to be updated as and when new stars are announced)...
Amir Khan – boxing champion (season 17)
Jordan Banjo – Diversity dancer & DJ (season 16)
Helen Flanagan – Coronation Street star (season 12)
Carol Vorderman – TV presenter (season 16)
Fatima Whitbread – Olympic athlete (season 11)
Paul Burrell...
- 4/19/2023
- by Annabel Nugent
- The Independent - TV
The new trailer for This England has prompted mixed responses from viewers amid claims that the series is “sympathetic” towards Boris Johnson and the Conservative government.
Sky’s forthcoming limited series stars Kenneth Branagh as the outgoing prime minister and will recount his first days in office and the government’s handling of the early stages of the Covid pandemic.
The five-part drama also stars Ophelia Lovibond as Carrie Johnson and Andrew Buchan as Matt Hancock.
On Thursday (18 August), the full trailer was released. The minute-long clip includes previews of scenes showing Johnson going into intensive care after testing positive for Covid, as well as his regular coronavirus addresses to the nation.
Across social media, some have been quick to share their doubts about the television drama.
“Who asked for a Boris Johnson biopic? No, thank you,” asserted one unimpressed viewer, while another asked: “Why does this look sympathetic towards them?...
Sky’s forthcoming limited series stars Kenneth Branagh as the outgoing prime minister and will recount his first days in office and the government’s handling of the early stages of the Covid pandemic.
The five-part drama also stars Ophelia Lovibond as Carrie Johnson and Andrew Buchan as Matt Hancock.
On Thursday (18 August), the full trailer was released. The minute-long clip includes previews of scenes showing Johnson going into intensive care after testing positive for Covid, as well as his regular coronavirus addresses to the nation.
Across social media, some have been quick to share their doubts about the television drama.
“Who asked for a Boris Johnson biopic? No, thank you,” asserted one unimpressed viewer, while another asked: “Why does this look sympathetic towards them?...
- 8/18/2022
- by Nicole Vassell
- The Independent - TV
The UK is set to become the first western country to roll out a Covid-19 vaccine after it was authorized for emergency use by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (Mhra).
Initial doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which has been shown to be 95% effective in trials, will arrive in the UK in the coming days. The country has bought 40m total doses, which will arrive in stages throughout 2020 and 2021, with 800,000 set to be available next week.
At first, people in the most vulnerable category will be prioritized for vaccinations, including older people and those in care homes, plus staff such as NHS workers.
Logistical challenges remain, including the fact the vaccine has to be kept at -70C. At present 50 hospitals are ready to receive the jabs and specialist centres are being built, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.
Hancock credited the Brexit process for allowing the country to...
Initial doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which has been shown to be 95% effective in trials, will arrive in the UK in the coming days. The country has bought 40m total doses, which will arrive in stages throughout 2020 and 2021, with 800,000 set to be available next week.
At first, people in the most vulnerable category will be prioritized for vaccinations, including older people and those in care homes, plus staff such as NHS workers.
Logistical challenges remain, including the fact the vaccine has to be kept at -70C. At present 50 hospitals are ready to receive the jabs and specialist centres are being built, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.
Hancock credited the Brexit process for allowing the country to...
- 12/2/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
England has announced a return to the three-tier system after lockdown lifts Dec. 2. A number of cities, including the capital region of London and Liverpool, fall under Tier 2, which means that cinemas can reopen.
However, other major urban areas with a high concentration of cinemas, including Greater Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol are in Tier 3, the highest alert level, which means movie theaters there will have to remain shuttered.
For Tiers 1 and 2 the government ruling states: “Early closure (11pm) applies to casinos, cinemas, theaters, museums, bowling alleys, amusement arcades, funfairs, theme parks, adventure parks and activities, and bingo halls. Cinemas, theaters and concert halls can stay open beyond 11pm in order to conclude performances that start before 10pm.”
It’s still unclear whether major chains such as Cineworld, Vue and Odeon will reopen. It’s unlikely that Cineworld will reopen any sites in 2020 without a pipeline of new releases, and it...
However, other major urban areas with a high concentration of cinemas, including Greater Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol are in Tier 3, the highest alert level, which means movie theaters there will have to remain shuttered.
For Tiers 1 and 2 the government ruling states: “Early closure (11pm) applies to casinos, cinemas, theaters, museums, bowling alleys, amusement arcades, funfairs, theme parks, adventure parks and activities, and bingo halls. Cinemas, theaters and concert halls can stay open beyond 11pm in order to conclude performances that start before 10pm.”
It’s still unclear whether major chains such as Cineworld, Vue and Odeon will reopen. It’s unlikely that Cineworld will reopen any sites in 2020 without a pipeline of new releases, and it...
- 11/26/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Florence Welch doesn’t find numbers easy. The Florence and the Machine star was diagnosed with both dyslexia and dyscalculia in her youth — two sets of “learning difficulties,” as she often heard them described, inaccurately, during her school years.
As she describes in the foreword to “Creative Differences” — a new handbook on neurodiversity published by Universal and aimed at employers in the creative industries — Welch says that in her first paid job, as a barmaid, she felt a “sting of shame” when her manager exposed her inability to count change.
As she describes in the foreword to “Creative Differences” — a new handbook on neurodiversity published by Universal and aimed at employers in the creative industries — Welch says that in her first paid job, as a barmaid, she felt a “sting of shame” when her manager exposed her inability to count change.
- 1/23/2020
- by Tim Ingham
- Rollingstone.com
Updated with Sky statement: The British government has cleared the way for 21st Century Fox’s possible takeover of European pay-tv operator Sky – hours after rival Comcast topped its bid.
The recently installed Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright, who took over from Matt Hancock earlier this week, has reviewed the process and has found that it is “scrupulously clear, fair and transparent,” paving the way for Rupert Murdoch’s Hollywood studio to follow through with a deal.
He said, “Having taken over as the Secretary of State with responsibility for media public interest cases I have reviewed the process regarding the proposed merger between 21st Century Fox (21Cf) and Sky Plc (Sky). I am content that Dcms and the relevant parties have ensured a scrupulously clear, fair and transparent process and I can now therefore inform the House of the final decisions made by my predecessor as Secretary of State. These...
The recently installed Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright, who took over from Matt Hancock earlier this week, has reviewed the process and has found that it is “scrupulously clear, fair and transparent,” paving the way for Rupert Murdoch’s Hollywood studio to follow through with a deal.
He said, “Having taken over as the Secretary of State with responsibility for media public interest cases I have reviewed the process regarding the proposed merger between 21st Century Fox (21Cf) and Sky Plc (Sky). I am content that Dcms and the relevant parties have ensured a scrupulously clear, fair and transparent process and I can now therefore inform the House of the final decisions made by my predecessor as Secretary of State. These...
- 7/12/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The UK culture secretary Jeremy Wright has rubber-stamped Fox’s bid to take over the 61% of Sky it does not own, almost 18 months after its request was submitted.
The UK culture secretary Jeremy Wright has rubber-stamped Fox’s bid to take over the 61% of Sky it does not own, almost 18 months after its request was submitted.
Wright, who was moved to the culture brief earlier this week, replacing the outgoing Matt Hancock, said he had reviewed the process regarding the merger and is reassured that “Dcms and the relevant parties have ensured a scrupulously clear, fair and transparent process”.
The...
The UK culture secretary Jeremy Wright has rubber-stamped Fox’s bid to take over the 61% of Sky it does not own, almost 18 months after its request was submitted.
Wright, who was moved to the culture brief earlier this week, replacing the outgoing Matt Hancock, said he had reviewed the process regarding the merger and is reassured that “Dcms and the relevant parties have ensured a scrupulously clear, fair and transparent process”.
The...
- 7/12/2018
- by Max Goldbart Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
The British government has finally given the go-ahead to 21st Century Fox’s bid to buy the 61% of Sky it does not already own, clearing the way for an expensive shootout between Fox and Comcast for control of Europe’s biggest pay-tv player.
The media heavyweights have already traded salvos this week. Fox upped its offer for Sky by 30% on Wednesday, ahead of the deal getting the green light in the U.K., which prompted Comcast to counter hours later with a richer $34 billion bid.
Jeremy Wright, who replaced Matt Hancock as Britain’s culture and media secretary earlier this week, announced the clearance of Fox’s bid on Thursday after months of regulatory review. Both bids by Fox and Comcast have now received official sanction to proceed.
Fox offered a range of concessions to get its Sky bid approved, including offloading Sky News to Disney and guaranteeing its funding for 15 years.
The media heavyweights have already traded salvos this week. Fox upped its offer for Sky by 30% on Wednesday, ahead of the deal getting the green light in the U.K., which prompted Comcast to counter hours later with a richer $34 billion bid.
Jeremy Wright, who replaced Matt Hancock as Britain’s culture and media secretary earlier this week, announced the clearance of Fox’s bid on Thursday after months of regulatory review. Both bids by Fox and Comcast have now received official sanction to proceed.
Fox offered a range of concessions to get its Sky bid approved, including offloading Sky News to Disney and guaranteeing its funding for 15 years.
- 7/12/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Comcast has increased its offer for British pay-tv company Sky Plc to $34 billion (£25.9 billion), roughly $2 billion higher than Fox’s most recent offer.
Earlier on Wednesday, Fox raised its own offer for the media giant to $32.5 billion (£24.5 billion). Comcast said that its increased offer has been recommended by the Sky Independent Committee of Directors.
Comcast’s new all-cash offer translates to £14.75 a share, which is roughly five percent higher than Fox’s £14 a share bid.
Also Read: Fox Raises Sky Bid to $32 Billion, Besting Comcast Offer for British Media Giant
“Comcast has long admired Sky and believes it is an outstanding company and a great fit with Comcast,” the company said in its release about the new offer. “Today’s announcement further underscores Comcast’s belief and its commitment to owning Sky.”
The move by Comcast is the latest volley between CEO Brian Roberts and Fox chairman Rupert Murdoch over...
Earlier on Wednesday, Fox raised its own offer for the media giant to $32.5 billion (£24.5 billion). Comcast said that its increased offer has been recommended by the Sky Independent Committee of Directors.
Comcast’s new all-cash offer translates to £14.75 a share, which is roughly five percent higher than Fox’s £14 a share bid.
Also Read: Fox Raises Sky Bid to $32 Billion, Besting Comcast Offer for British Media Giant
“Comcast has long admired Sky and believes it is an outstanding company and a great fit with Comcast,” the company said in its release about the new offer. “Today’s announcement further underscores Comcast’s belief and its commitment to owning Sky.”
The move by Comcast is the latest volley between CEO Brian Roberts and Fox chairman Rupert Murdoch over...
- 7/11/2018
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
The increased bid values the European pay-tv giant at £24.5bn ($32.5 billion)
21st Century Fox has increased its bid for the 61% of Sky it does not already own to £14.00 a share.
The bid values the European pay -TV giant at £24.5bn ($32.5 billion) overall and tops the £12.50 a share offer from rival bidder Comcast.
The increased bid, on which Fox said it has reached agreement with the independent committee of Sky’s board, comes as the UK government is expected to give its final ruling on the deal.
New UK culture secretary Jeremy Wright said this week he will deliver that decision on Thursday (July 12) as planned,...
21st Century Fox has increased its bid for the 61% of Sky it does not already own to £14.00 a share.
The bid values the European pay -TV giant at £24.5bn ($32.5 billion) overall and tops the £12.50 a share offer from rival bidder Comcast.
The increased bid, on which Fox said it has reached agreement with the independent committee of Sky’s board, comes as the UK government is expected to give its final ruling on the deal.
New UK culture secretary Jeremy Wright said this week he will deliver that decision on Thursday (July 12) as planned,...
- 7/11/2018
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
We possibly spoke too soon. The battle between 21st Century Fox and Comcast for ownership of Sky could have hit a bump in the road as a result of Boris Johnson’s resignation as UK Foreign Secretary.
Culture Secretary Matt Hancock, who has overseen the takeover from a political level, has been named Health Secretary in Theresa May’s government. He replaces Jeremy Hunt, who was named Foreign Secretary after Johnson resigned over the Pm’s Brexit strategy earlier today.
Hancock was thought to be on the brink of finally giving Rupert Murdoch’s group the ultimate greenlight to buy the 61% of the European pay-tv firm...
Culture Secretary Matt Hancock, who has overseen the takeover from a political level, has been named Health Secretary in Theresa May’s government. He replaces Jeremy Hunt, who was named Foreign Secretary after Johnson resigned over the Pm’s Brexit strategy earlier today.
Hancock was thought to be on the brink of finally giving Rupert Murdoch’s group the ultimate greenlight to buy the 61% of the European pay-tv firm...
- 7/9/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Offer increased from initial $52bn bid.
The Walt Disney Company has raised its bid for 21st Century Fox’s entertainment assets from its initial $52bn offer to $71.3bn.
The new bid is comprised of $35.7bn in cash and an issue of 343million Disney shares to Fox shareholders, which represents around a 19% stake in the studio.
It values Fox at $38 a share, close to $10 higher than Disney’s initial offer in December. The new bid also eclipses rival Comcast’s $65bn cash offer which was made on June 14.
Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger said that purchasing Fox would “bring significant...
The Walt Disney Company has raised its bid for 21st Century Fox’s entertainment assets from its initial $52bn offer to $71.3bn.
The new bid is comprised of $35.7bn in cash and an issue of 343million Disney shares to Fox shareholders, which represents around a 19% stake in the studio.
It values Fox at $38 a share, close to $10 higher than Disney’s initial offer in December. The new bid also eclipses rival Comcast’s $65bn cash offer which was made on June 14.
Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger said that purchasing Fox would “bring significant...
- 6/20/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Dcms proposals outline minimum spend of £100m a year.
Disney is facing tighter demands over its proposed commitment to Sky News under the UK government’s revised criteria.
In a written ministerial statement, culture secretary Matt Hancock said on Tuesday (June 19) that Disney must increase the funds available to Sky News to a minimum of £100m a year if it is to purchase it to waive through the Fox/Sky deal.
Hancock was relaying an update from Fox that said that Disney must raise its commitment to not selling a Sky News-branded service to 15 years.
This figure initially started out as five years,...
Disney is facing tighter demands over its proposed commitment to Sky News under the UK government’s revised criteria.
In a written ministerial statement, culture secretary Matt Hancock said on Tuesday (June 19) that Disney must increase the funds available to Sky News to a minimum of £100m a year if it is to purchase it to waive through the Fox/Sky deal.
Hancock was relaying an update from Fox that said that Disney must raise its commitment to not selling a Sky News-branded service to 15 years.
This figure initially started out as five years,...
- 6/19/2018
- by Max Goldbart Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Disney has offered British authorities a commitment to operate Sky News for 15 years and to refrain from selling it without the U.K. government’s permission. For its part, Fox has offered new commitments in an attempt to get its $15 billion bid for Sky over the finish line, including a promise to fund Sky News for 15 years, five more than it had previously offered.
Under the proposed plans, Sky News would receive guaranteed funding of £100 million ($132 million) a year.
The British government set out its agreement Tuesday with Disney and 21st Century Fox over Sky, if Fox’s bid to take over Sky succeeds. The agreement focuses on how Sky plans to divest Sky News, and the assurances necessary for the news channel’s long-term viability and editorial independence.
“In my view, these revised undertakings [commitments] meet the criteria that I set out to the House [of Commons] on 5 June and will help...
Under the proposed plans, Sky News would receive guaranteed funding of £100 million ($132 million) a year.
The British government set out its agreement Tuesday with Disney and 21st Century Fox over Sky, if Fox’s bid to take over Sky succeeds. The agreement focuses on how Sky plans to divest Sky News, and the assurances necessary for the news channel’s long-term viability and editorial independence.
“In my view, these revised undertakings [commitments] meet the criteria that I set out to the House [of Commons] on 5 June and will help...
- 6/19/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
The long-running saga of 21st Century Fox’s $15 billion attempt to takeover European pay-tv operator Sky continues after British Culture Secretary Matt Hancock warned Disney would have to increase Sky News’ budget to £100 million ($132 million) to get a deal over the line.
Hancock urged Disney and 21st Century Fox to improve its terms, after the two companies offered a series of undertakings to protect the news broadcaster earlier this year.
He said that Disney would be restricted from selling Sky News for 15 years without the consent of the Secretary of State, would need to be committed to operating the service for 15 years, up from its offer of 10 years, and would need to increase Sky News’ budget to at least £100M per year. Finally, it would require a formal commitment from Disney to preserve the editorial independence of Sky News.
It’s understood that Sky News’ current budget is around £90M per year.
Hancock urged Disney and 21st Century Fox to improve its terms, after the two companies offered a series of undertakings to protect the news broadcaster earlier this year.
He said that Disney would be restricted from selling Sky News for 15 years without the consent of the Secretary of State, would need to be committed to operating the service for 15 years, up from its offer of 10 years, and would need to increase Sky News’ budget to at least £100M per year. Finally, it would require a formal commitment from Disney to preserve the editorial independence of Sky News.
It’s understood that Sky News’ current budget is around £90M per year.
- 6/19/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
U.K. regulators have paved the way for 21st Century Fox to counter Comcast’s bid to buy European satellite TV provider Sky, turning up the heat on the simmering M&A battle between Comcast and Disney over major 21st Century Fox assets.
The jousting among Comcast and Fox during the past few months over Sky has been seen as a warm-up for the larger fight between Comcast and Disney over the bulk of 21st Century Fox’s TV and entertainment assets.
With Tuesday’s regulatory decision in the U.K., Fox now has a clear path to sweetening the $15 billion offer it made in December 2016 to buy out the remaining 61% of Sky that it does not already own. In April, Comcast fielded an all-cash deal for Sky that values the satcaster at about $31 billion. Fox is expected to raise its offer now that it is clear regulators will allow the...
The jousting among Comcast and Fox during the past few months over Sky has been seen as a warm-up for the larger fight between Comcast and Disney over the bulk of 21st Century Fox’s TV and entertainment assets.
With Tuesday’s regulatory decision in the U.K., Fox now has a clear path to sweetening the $15 billion offer it made in December 2016 to buy out the remaining 61% of Sky that it does not already own. In April, Comcast fielded an all-cash deal for Sky that values the satcaster at about $31 billion. Fox is expected to raise its offer now that it is clear regulators will allow the...
- 6/5/2018
- by Cynthia Littleton and Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
21st Century Fox and Sky welcomed the British government’s conditional approval Tuesday of Fox’s bid to take complete control of the European satcaster, but the prospect of a bidding war with Comcast looms, and Fox’s critics pledged to keep up their opposition to the $15-billion deal.
Fox said it has already sent British authorities its plans to offload Sky News to Disney, which is trying to buy Fox’s entertainment assets. Shedding well-regarded Sky News is a condition of the government’s approval of the Sky takeover, British culture secretary Matt Hancock told lawmakers Tuesday. He also said there were not sufficient grounds to block the deal over any alleged lack of commitment by the Murdoch family to British broadcasting standards.
“21st Century Fox welcomes today’s announcement by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport that he has cleared 21Cf’s proposed acquisition...
Fox said it has already sent British authorities its plans to offload Sky News to Disney, which is trying to buy Fox’s entertainment assets. Shedding well-regarded Sky News is a condition of the government’s approval of the Sky takeover, British culture secretary Matt Hancock told lawmakers Tuesday. He also said there were not sufficient grounds to block the deal over any alleged lack of commitment by the Murdoch family to British broadcasting standards.
“21st Century Fox welcomes today’s announcement by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport that he has cleared 21Cf’s proposed acquisition...
- 6/5/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
The U.K. government has approved Fox’s bid for Sky — with one big condition — and is also getting out of the way of Comcast’s own offer for the British media company.
We expected that latter decision would be the case, and Matt Hancock, secretary of state for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, made it official today.
“The proposed merger does not raise public interest concerns, and so I can confirm today that I will not be issuing an intervention notice,” he told Parliament on Comcast-Sky.
Also Read: 2nd Woman Begs Trump to Pardon Her Husband on Fox News
But his predecessor had already issued an intervention notice on Fox-Sky, which was the original merger until Comcast swooped in with a $31 billion offer, so Hancock (pictured above) and the Competition and Markets Authority (Cma) had to look into that one further.
From the CMAs findings, Hancock concluded: “The proposed...
We expected that latter decision would be the case, and Matt Hancock, secretary of state for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, made it official today.
“The proposed merger does not raise public interest concerns, and so I can confirm today that I will not be issuing an intervention notice,” he told Parliament on Comcast-Sky.
Also Read: 2nd Woman Begs Trump to Pardon Her Husband on Fox News
But his predecessor had already issued an intervention notice on Fox-Sky, which was the original merger until Comcast swooped in with a $31 billion offer, so Hancock (pictured above) and the Competition and Markets Authority (Cma) had to look into that one further.
From the CMAs findings, Hancock concluded: “The proposed...
- 6/5/2018
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
The British government gave the green light Tuesday to 21st Century Fox’s bid to take over Sky, on condition that Sky News be offloaded to a third party such as Disney. The government also cleared a rival bid for Sky from Comcast, paving the way for the two U.S. media giants to battle it out for Europe’s biggest pay-tv company.
After months of scrutiny of Fox’s bid by media regulator Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority (Cma), British culture secretary Matt Hancock told Parliament that, if Fox agreed to divest the Sky News channel in an acceptable manner, its $15-billion offer for the chunk of Sky it doesn’t already own could proceed. Otherwise, Hancock said he would block the deal.
“I agree with the Cma that divesting Sky News to Disney, as proposed by Fox, or to an alternative suitable buyer, with an agreement...
After months of scrutiny of Fox’s bid by media regulator Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority (Cma), British culture secretary Matt Hancock told Parliament that, if Fox agreed to divest the Sky News channel in an acceptable manner, its $15-billion offer for the chunk of Sky it doesn’t already own could proceed. Otherwise, Hancock said he would block the deal.
“I agree with the Cma that divesting Sky News to Disney, as proposed by Fox, or to an alternative suitable buyer, with an agreement...
- 6/5/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Media companies have to make hard choices to disassociate themselves from even the most lucrative content like ABC’s “Roseanne” when they become tainted by offensive sentiments, 21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch said Tuesday in an interview on stage at the Code Conference in Palos Verdes, Calif.
“You have to make the right call,” he said. “It’s not just about keeping the audience going. It’s what’s the right thing to do for your company.”
Murdoch touched on the controversy in a Q&A with Recode senior editor Peter Kafka as well as a wide range of issues ranging from Fox’s own future with Disney (or Comcast) to diversity challenges in Hollywood.
Acknowledging that his own father gave up on Twitter after getting flak for some of his tweets, Murdoch commented on the double-edged sword social media can often be.
“I think people tweeting in a public space,...
“You have to make the right call,” he said. “It’s not just about keeping the audience going. It’s what’s the right thing to do for your company.”
Murdoch touched on the controversy in a Q&A with Recode senior editor Peter Kafka as well as a wide range of issues ranging from Fox’s own future with Disney (or Comcast) to diversity challenges in Hollywood.
Acknowledging that his own father gave up on Twitter after getting flak for some of his tweets, Murdoch commented on the double-edged sword social media can often be.
“I think people tweeting in a public space,...
- 5/30/2018
- by Andrew Wallenstein
- Variety Film + TV
A figure of $60bn has previously been mooted by reports in the Us.
Comcast has revealed it is preparing to gatecrash Disney’s bid to buy 21stCentury Fox’s entertainment assets by making a superior offer.
The NBC owner, which has separately tabled a formal bid for Sky, said it is in “advanced stages of preparing” an all-cash bid for the parts of Fox that Rupert Murdoch’s company has already agreed to sell to Disney.
Disney’s bid is an all-share offer and Comcast said its terms would be “at a premium” to those offered by its rival.
Comcast...
Comcast has revealed it is preparing to gatecrash Disney’s bid to buy 21stCentury Fox’s entertainment assets by making a superior offer.
The NBC owner, which has separately tabled a formal bid for Sky, said it is in “advanced stages of preparing” an all-cash bid for the parts of Fox that Rupert Murdoch’s company has already agreed to sell to Disney.
Disney’s bid is an all-share offer and Comcast said its terms would be “at a premium” to those offered by its rival.
Comcast...
- 5/23/2018
- by Chris Curtis Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Looks like we may have a bidding war on our hands. On Wednesday, Comcast confirmed it is “in advanced stages” to prepare a superior “all-cash” offer for most of the assets of 21st Century Fox — in a move to block Disney’s $52.4 billion offer.
Comcast, which already owns NBCUniversal, noted that no final decision had been made about submitting a bid but released the statement in light of recent SEC filings by Disney and Fox seeking shareholder approval for their deal.
Like Disney, Comcast wants to acquire key assets like the Fox film business, TV studio and foreign pay-tv operations, including a stake in Sky — Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, Fox Broadcasting Company and other assets would remain with so-called “New Fox.”
Also Read: UK Government Doesn't Plan to Block Proposed Comcast-Sky Deal
“Any offer for Fox would be all-cash and at a premium to the value of the current all-share offer from Disney,...
Comcast, which already owns NBCUniversal, noted that no final decision had been made about submitting a bid but released the statement in light of recent SEC filings by Disney and Fox seeking shareholder approval for their deal.
Like Disney, Comcast wants to acquire key assets like the Fox film business, TV studio and foreign pay-tv operations, including a stake in Sky — Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, Fox Broadcasting Company and other assets would remain with so-called “New Fox.”
Also Read: UK Government Doesn't Plan to Block Proposed Comcast-Sky Deal
“Any offer for Fox would be all-cash and at a premium to the value of the current all-share offer from Disney,...
- 5/23/2018
- by Thom Geier
- The Wrap
The U.K. government doesn’t believe that Comcast’s proposed $31 billion acquisition of Sky raises the same regulatory concerns as 21st Century Fox’s attempted takeover of the British pay-tv giant.
“The proposed merger does not raise concerns in relation to public interest considerations which would meet the threshold for intervention,” wrote the U.K.’s Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Matt Hancock.
In a statement provided to TheWrap, Comcast said: “We welcome the statement from the Secretary of State. We remain focused on progressing our superior offer for Sky.” Sky and Fox did not respond for comment.
Also Read: Comcast Plans Bid for Fox Assets to Undercut Disney Deal (Report)
This is in stark contrast to 21st Century Fox’s attempt at buying the British broadcaster, which was met with heavy regulatory scrutiny over concerns that Rupert Murdoch’s company have a monopoly on media in the U.
“The proposed merger does not raise concerns in relation to public interest considerations which would meet the threshold for intervention,” wrote the U.K.’s Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Matt Hancock.
In a statement provided to TheWrap, Comcast said: “We welcome the statement from the Secretary of State. We remain focused on progressing our superior offer for Sky.” Sky and Fox did not respond for comment.
Also Read: Comcast Plans Bid for Fox Assets to Undercut Disney Deal (Report)
This is in stark contrast to 21st Century Fox’s attempt at buying the British broadcaster, which was met with heavy regulatory scrutiny over concerns that Rupert Murdoch’s company have a monopoly on media in the U.
- 5/21/2018
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
In a significant development, the UK government has today written to Comcast and Sky to tell them it doesn’t think the former’s $31Bn proposed acquisition of Sky raises public interest concerns.
The UK government did not give such blessing to Fox’s bid for Sky and that attempted acquisition become bogged down in regulatory concerns but is still on-going. The UK’s Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Matt Hancock, today issued the following statement.
“On 7 May 2018, Comcast Corporation formally notified the European Commission of its intention to acquire the entire issued share capital of Sky plc. Under section 58 of the Enterprise Act 2002 (“the Act”), the Secretary of State has the powers to intervene in certain media mergers on public interest grounds.
Having reviewed the relevant evidence available, I can confirm that I have today written to the parties to inform them that I am minded...
The UK government did not give such blessing to Fox’s bid for Sky and that attempted acquisition become bogged down in regulatory concerns but is still on-going. The UK’s Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Matt Hancock, today issued the following statement.
“On 7 May 2018, Comcast Corporation formally notified the European Commission of its intention to acquire the entire issued share capital of Sky plc. Under section 58 of the Enterprise Act 2002 (“the Act”), the Secretary of State has the powers to intervene in certain media mergers on public interest grounds.
Having reviewed the relevant evidence available, I can confirm that I have today written to the parties to inform them that I am minded...
- 5/21/2018
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Britain’s government secretary for media said Monday that Comcast’s bid to buy pay-tv giant Sky does not raise the same kinds of concerns as 21st Century Fox’s proposed takeover and that he is therefore not inclined to order the same level of regulatory review of the Comcast offer that Fox’s bid is still undergoing.
Comcast’s $31 billion takeover bid does not “raise concerns in relation to public-interest considerations which would meet the threshold for intervention,” the U.K.’s culture secretary, Matt Hancock, said, adding that he is “not minded to” probe the proposed deal on public-interest grounds.
Hancock’s statement is a significant boost for Comcast given that Fox’s rival bid for control of Europe’s largest pay-tv business has been mired in regulatory red tape for months. Opponents of the Fox bid contend that ownership of Sky would give Rupert Murdoch and his...
Comcast’s $31 billion takeover bid does not “raise concerns in relation to public-interest considerations which would meet the threshold for intervention,” the U.K.’s culture secretary, Matt Hancock, said, adding that he is “not minded to” probe the proposed deal on public-interest grounds.
Hancock’s statement is a significant boost for Comcast given that Fox’s rival bid for control of Europe’s largest pay-tv business has been mired in regulatory red tape for months. Opponents of the Fox bid contend that ownership of Sky would give Rupert Murdoch and his...
- 5/21/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
21st Century Fox will learn whether it will be allowed to take over European pay-tv operator Sky in the next six weeks after the British government revealed that it has received its final regulatory report.
Culture Secretary Matt Hancock has received the report from the Competition and Markets Authority (Cma) and has until June 13 to make a decision as to whether Rupert Murdoch’s studio is a fit and proper owner of the 61% of the company that it does not already own.
“Today I received the final report from the Cma regarding the findings of their phase two investigation,” Hancock told the House of Commons.
“Now that I have received this report, I must come to my decision and publish the report within 30 working days. My decision will be on whether the merger operates or may be expected to operate against the public interest, taking into account the specified public...
Culture Secretary Matt Hancock has received the report from the Competition and Markets Authority (Cma) and has until June 13 to make a decision as to whether Rupert Murdoch’s studio is a fit and proper owner of the 61% of the company that it does not already own.
“Today I received the final report from the Cma regarding the findings of their phase two investigation,” Hancock told the House of Commons.
“Now that I have received this report, I must come to my decision and publish the report within 30 working days. My decision will be on whether the merger operates or may be expected to operate against the public interest, taking into account the specified public...
- 5/1/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The U.K. competition watchdog has submitted its report on the Fox-Sky takeover bid to the British government. Culture secretary Matt Hancock now has until June 13 to decide whether to green-light the proposed $15 billion deal that would see 21st Century Fox take full control of pan-European satcaster Sky.
Hancock said in a written statement Tuesday that the report from the Competition and Markets Authority had been received by his department. The report’s contents were not disclosed. In January, the authority issued a provisional finding warning that the proposed takeover would result in too much media control in Britain resting in the hands of Rupert Murdoch and his family, but Fox has since offered concessions, or “undertakings,” that it says adequately address those concerns.
“My decision will be on whether the merger operates or may be expected to operate against the public interest, taking into account the specified public interest...
Hancock said in a written statement Tuesday that the report from the Competition and Markets Authority had been received by his department. The report’s contents were not disclosed. In January, the authority issued a provisional finding warning that the proposed takeover would result in too much media control in Britain resting in the hands of Rupert Murdoch and his family, but Fox has since offered concessions, or “undertakings,” that it says adequately address those concerns.
“My decision will be on whether the merger operates or may be expected to operate against the public interest, taking into account the specified public interest...
- 5/1/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
The UK Government today revealed plans to jointly invest $212M (£150M) with industry into the creative sectors, a move hailed by Warner Bros. UK, Ireland and Spain President Josh Berger. With continued investment in the creative industries, the Government is hoping that inward investment in UK film and TV production can double from more than $2.8B (£2B) in 2017 to at least $5.7B (£4B) by 2025. Inward investment is currently driven almost entirely by U.S. studios, networks and mini-majors.
In today’s Industrial Strategy deal, agreed between Government and the Creative Industries Council (Cic) and announced by Digital And Culture Secretary Matt Hancock, the Government highlights the importance of new UK film and TV production facilities for achieving economic growth. The Government references upcoming multi-million dollar expansions at Pinewood and Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, as well as Pacifica Ventures’ recent $140M (£100M) deal for a new East London studio and a...
In today’s Industrial Strategy deal, agreed between Government and the Creative Industries Council (Cic) and announced by Digital And Culture Secretary Matt Hancock, the Government highlights the importance of new UK film and TV production facilities for achieving economic growth. The Government references upcoming multi-million dollar expansions at Pinewood and Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, as well as Pacifica Ventures’ recent $140M (£100M) deal for a new East London studio and a...
- 3/28/2018
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Culture secretary unveils plan to boost creative industries.
Today (March 28), the UK government is unveiling a £150m ‘sector deal’ designed to boost the country’s creative industries.
The deal is a part of the government’s Industrial Strategy, its long-term plan to increase the productivity and earning power of people throughout the UK.
The sector deal for the creative industries follows similar deals announced for the life sciences, automotive, construction and artificial intelligence sectors.
Spending plans
Of the £150m, which is comprised of government and industry investment, a total of £72m will come from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, £39m...
Today (March 28), the UK government is unveiling a £150m ‘sector deal’ designed to boost the country’s creative industries.
The deal is a part of the government’s Industrial Strategy, its long-term plan to increase the productivity and earning power of people throughout the UK.
The sector deal for the creative industries follows similar deals announced for the life sciences, automotive, construction and artificial intelligence sectors.
Spending plans
Of the £150m, which is comprised of government and industry investment, a total of £72m will come from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, £39m...
- 3/28/2018
- by Screen staff
- ScreenDaily
Body finds £39bn deal would be ‘against public interest’.
Source: Sky
The Competitions and Markets Authority (Cma) has blocked the proposed acquisition of Sky by 21st Century Fox on media plurality grounds (reports Broadcast).
In its provisional findings, the independent investigation group said that it was important that no group or individual “should have too much control of our or too much power to affect the political agenda”.
The deal for Fox to buy up the 39% of Sky he does not currently own would mean executive chairman Rupert Murdoch would wield too much power, according to the investigation.
It estimated that the Murdoch Family Trust’s news outlets are watched, read or heard by nearly one-third of the population, significantly more than any other provider, apart from the BBC and ITN.
Cma chair Anne Lambert said: “We have provisionally found that if the Fox/Sky merger went ahead as proposed, it would be against...
Source: Sky
The Competitions and Markets Authority (Cma) has blocked the proposed acquisition of Sky by 21st Century Fox on media plurality grounds (reports Broadcast).
In its provisional findings, the independent investigation group said that it was important that no group or individual “should have too much control of our or too much power to affect the political agenda”.
The deal for Fox to buy up the 39% of Sky he does not currently own would mean executive chairman Rupert Murdoch would wield too much power, according to the investigation.
It estimated that the Murdoch Family Trust’s news outlets are watched, read or heard by nearly one-third of the population, significantly more than any other provider, apart from the BBC and ITN.
Cma chair Anne Lambert said: “We have provisionally found that if the Fox/Sky merger went ahead as proposed, it would be against...
- 1/23/2018
- by Alex Farber Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
The UK government has waded into the BBC gender pay row with new Culture Secretary Matt Hancock calling for the British pubcaster to act on the issue. This comes after the broadcaster was accused of having a "secretive and illegal pay culture" by Carrie Gracie, the BBC's former China Editor, who resigned her position over pay practices. Hancock, on his first day in the job following Karen Bradley's promotion to Northern Ireland Secretary, called for a "root and branch…...
- 1/9/2018
- Deadline TV
Culture minister steps up to replace Karen Bradley.
Matt Hancock has been named culture secretary as part of the latest cabinet reshuffle.
Source: gov.uk
Matt Hancock
Hancock steps up from culture minister to replace Karen Bradley, who has been appointed secretary of state for Northern Ireland after 18 months in the role.
His first responsibilities will include liasing with newly-installed Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon to agree suitable relocation options for the broadcaster over the coming months.
In his first address to the TV industry after joining the Dcms in September 2016, Hancock said he supported the relocation of public service broadcasters outside of London.
“The BBC’s move to Salford has been a triumph,” he told delegates at an Rts London event. “I see that move to the regions as one I would like to see other broadcasters to follow in terms of spreading people, production and investment beyond London”.
The MP for West Suffolk and former...
Matt Hancock has been named culture secretary as part of the latest cabinet reshuffle.
Source: gov.uk
Matt Hancock
Hancock steps up from culture minister to replace Karen Bradley, who has been appointed secretary of state for Northern Ireland after 18 months in the role.
His first responsibilities will include liasing with newly-installed Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon to agree suitable relocation options for the broadcaster over the coming months.
In his first address to the TV industry after joining the Dcms in September 2016, Hancock said he supported the relocation of public service broadcasters outside of London.
“The BBC’s move to Salford has been a triumph,” he told delegates at an Rts London event. “I see that move to the regions as one I would like to see other broadcasters to follow in terms of spreading people, production and investment beyond London”.
The MP for West Suffolk and former...
- 1/9/2018
- by Alex Farber Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
T2: Trainspotting, Lady Macbeth and The Crown benefit from creative sector tax reliefs.
The British film sector received £415m in tax relief last year, up from £339 in 2015, the government has revealed.
A total of 175 films claimed film tax credits with those productions ranging from Wonder Woman to T2: Trainspotting and Lady Macbeth,
Overall the treasury awarded £751m in tax relief to the creative sector. £163m went to high-end TV productions including The Crown and Game Of Thrones, up from £104 last year, with 45 shows making claims. The rest was received by video games, animations and children’s TV shows.
Both film and TV programmes have to pass the cultural test administered by the BFI, or qualify as a co-production to benefit from tax relief. For films, at least 10% of total costs must relate to activities in the UK.
Some other films that were certified as British through the BFI’s cultural test include: Star Wars: The Force Awakens, [link...
The British film sector received £415m in tax relief last year, up from £339 in 2015, the government has revealed.
A total of 175 films claimed film tax credits with those productions ranging from Wonder Woman to T2: Trainspotting and Lady Macbeth,
Overall the treasury awarded £751m in tax relief to the creative sector. £163m went to high-end TV productions including The Crown and Game Of Thrones, up from £104 last year, with 45 shows making claims. The rest was received by video games, animations and children’s TV shows.
Both film and TV programmes have to pass the cultural test administered by the BFI, or qualify as a co-production to benefit from tax relief. For films, at least 10% of total costs must relate to activities in the UK.
Some other films that were certified as British through the BFI’s cultural test include: Star Wars: The Force Awakens, [link...
- 7/21/2017
- by [email protected] (Orlando Parfitt)
- ScreenDaily
Companies to launch Jv Lanzu.
UK animation house Blue Zoo has announced a deal with China UK Animation Company (Cu Animation), which the companies say will unlock £72m of funding for the UK firm across new and existing IP and projects.
The Chinese company is a subsidiary of Zhong Ze Culture Investment Group, and the new partnership will lead to the launch of joint venture Lanzu.
The venture will give non-exclusive funding to at least six new projects over the next five years, the first going into production this year.
Lanzu’s funding from Cu Animation will also lead to co-production funding for Blue Zoo’s existing IP.
“Our partnership with Cu Animation Investment Holdings Ltd comes at a time of incredibly exciting growth for Blue Zoo,” Oli Hyatt, co-founder of Blue Zoo, said.
“Lanzu will enable us to jointly hold and develop our IP whilst generating growth in the Eastern and global markets. In partnering...
UK animation house Blue Zoo has announced a deal with China UK Animation Company (Cu Animation), which the companies say will unlock £72m of funding for the UK firm across new and existing IP and projects.
The Chinese company is a subsidiary of Zhong Ze Culture Investment Group, and the new partnership will lead to the launch of joint venture Lanzu.
The venture will give non-exclusive funding to at least six new projects over the next five years, the first going into production this year.
Lanzu’s funding from Cu Animation will also lead to co-production funding for Blue Zoo’s existing IP.
“Our partnership with Cu Animation Investment Holdings Ltd comes at a time of incredibly exciting growth for Blue Zoo,” Oli Hyatt, co-founder of Blue Zoo, said.
“Lanzu will enable us to jointly hold and develop our IP whilst generating growth in the Eastern and global markets. In partnering...
- 6/20/2017
- ScreenDaily
Minister for Digital & Culture Matt Hancock re-elected.
The UK has woken up to a hung parliament with the Conservatives as the largest party, after the general election produced no overall winner.
With nearly all results in, prime minister Theresa May faces ending up with 12 fewer seats than when she called the election.
The Tories are set to get 319, Labour 261, the Snp 35 and the Lib Dems 12.
The result has created considerable uncertainty over the makeup of a future government and its mandate to pursue the hard Brexit for which May had been campaigning.
Among key issues for the film industry this election were the UK’s divorce from the EU and the Conservatives’ policies on National Insurance Contributions, digital infrastructure rollout and skills investment.
While most major film and TV organisations declined to comment on the result, the UK’s Creative Industries Federation has responded with caution and some optimism.
Brexit
John Kampfner, chief executive...
The UK has woken up to a hung parliament with the Conservatives as the largest party, after the general election produced no overall winner.
With nearly all results in, prime minister Theresa May faces ending up with 12 fewer seats than when she called the election.
The Tories are set to get 319, Labour 261, the Snp 35 and the Lib Dems 12.
The result has created considerable uncertainty over the makeup of a future government and its mandate to pursue the hard Brexit for which May had been campaigning.
Among key issues for the film industry this election were the UK’s divorce from the EU and the Conservatives’ policies on National Insurance Contributions, digital infrastructure rollout and skills investment.
While most major film and TV organisations declined to comment on the result, the UK’s Creative Industries Federation has responded with caution and some optimism.
Brexit
John Kampfner, chief executive...
- 6/9/2017
- by [email protected] (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Minister for Digital & Culture Matt Hancock re-elected.
The UK has woken up to a hung parliament with the Conservatives as the largest party, after the general election produced no overall winner.
With nearly all results in, prime minister Theresa May faces ending up with 12 fewer seats than when she called the election.
The Tories are set to get 319, Labour 261, the Snp 35 and the Lib Dems 12.
The result has created considerable uncertainty over the makeup of a future government and its mandate to pursue the hard Brexit for which May had been campaigning.
Among key issues for the film industry this election were the UK’s divorce from the EU and the Conservatives’ policies on National Insurance Contributions, digital infrastructure rollout and skills investment.
While most UK film and TV organisations declined to comment on the result, the UK’s Creative Industries Federation has responded with caution and some optimism.
Brexit
John Kampfner, chief executive...
The UK has woken up to a hung parliament with the Conservatives as the largest party, after the general election produced no overall winner.
With nearly all results in, prime minister Theresa May faces ending up with 12 fewer seats than when she called the election.
The Tories are set to get 319, Labour 261, the Snp 35 and the Lib Dems 12.
The result has created considerable uncertainty over the makeup of a future government and its mandate to pursue the hard Brexit for which May had been campaigning.
Among key issues for the film industry this election were the UK’s divorce from the EU and the Conservatives’ policies on National Insurance Contributions, digital infrastructure rollout and skills investment.
While most UK film and TV organisations declined to comment on the result, the UK’s Creative Industries Federation has responded with caution and some optimism.
Brexit
John Kampfner, chief executive...
- 6/9/2017
- by [email protected] (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
2016 was a record year for inward investment but spend on domestic films was lowest level in three years.
BFI statistics released today reveal a record-breaking spend on film production in the UK last year.
Spend reached £1.6 bn in 2016 – the highest ever recorded.
That figure was largely supercharged by a record level of Us investment for films shooting in the UK.
In a boon for UK crews and facilities, inward investment for film production reached £1.35bn, an 18% increase on 2015.
Major inward investment films to shoot in the UK last year included Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk and Zack Snyder’s superhero movie Justice League.
The year’s top-three-grossing films at the UK box office - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (£64.3 million), Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them (£54.3 million) and Bridget Jones’s Baby (£48.2 million) - were all made in the UK.
However, the picture was slightly less rosy for indigenous...
BFI statistics released today reveal a record-breaking spend on film production in the UK last year.
Spend reached £1.6 bn in 2016 – the highest ever recorded.
That figure was largely supercharged by a record level of Us investment for films shooting in the UK.
In a boon for UK crews and facilities, inward investment for film production reached £1.35bn, an 18% increase on 2015.
Major inward investment films to shoot in the UK last year included Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk and Zack Snyder’s superhero movie Justice League.
The year’s top-three-grossing films at the UK box office - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (£64.3 million), Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them (£54.3 million) and Bridget Jones’s Baby (£48.2 million) - were all made in the UK.
However, the picture was slightly less rosy for indigenous...
- 1/26/2017
- by [email protected] (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Us inward investment in film and TV fuels record but picture for domestic production is more patchy.
BFI statistics released today reveal a record-breaking spend on film production in the UK last year.
Spend reached £1.6 billion in 2016 – the highest ever recorded.
That figure was largely supercharged by a record level of Us investment in films and TV.
In a boon for UK crews and facilities, inward investment for film production reached £1.35bn, a 18% increase on 2015, while inward investment for high-end TV reached its highest level ever at £478m.
Major inward investment films to shoot in the UK last year included Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk and Zack Snyder’s superhero movie Justice League.
The year’s top-three-grossing films at the UK box office - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (£64.3 million), Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them (£54.3 million) and Bridget Jones’s Baby (£48.2 million) - were all made in the...
BFI statistics released today reveal a record-breaking spend on film production in the UK last year.
Spend reached £1.6 billion in 2016 – the highest ever recorded.
That figure was largely supercharged by a record level of Us investment in films and TV.
In a boon for UK crews and facilities, inward investment for film production reached £1.35bn, a 18% increase on 2015, while inward investment for high-end TV reached its highest level ever at £478m.
Major inward investment films to shoot in the UK last year included Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk and Zack Snyder’s superhero movie Justice League.
The year’s top-three-grossing films at the UK box office - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (£64.3 million), Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them (£54.3 million) and Bridget Jones’s Baby (£48.2 million) - were all made in the...
- 1/26/2017
- by [email protected] (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Lawyer James Cheatley has been appointed government relations and policy manager at Screen Producers Australia.
The move follows the departure of Matthew Hancock, who joined Sbs this month.
Cheatley, who brings with him more than eight years' experience in legal policy and copyright, will work closely with the CEO, council and policy reference groups to further the advocacy agenda of Screen Producers Australia.
He joins Spa from the Australian Copyright Council where he was a senior lawyer and secretary of the Copyright Society of Australia. Prior to this, he worked in the copyright section of the Commonwealth Attorney-General.s Department in Canberra.
Cheatley holds a Bachelor of Laws, First Class Honours in Art History and Curatorship and a postgraduate diploma, each from the Australian National University.
.James joins us with a great deal of experience in policy development in a complicated area of law that is very important to our industry.
The move follows the departure of Matthew Hancock, who joined Sbs this month.
Cheatley, who brings with him more than eight years' experience in legal policy and copyright, will work closely with the CEO, council and policy reference groups to further the advocacy agenda of Screen Producers Australia.
He joins Spa from the Australian Copyright Council where he was a senior lawyer and secretary of the Copyright Society of Australia. Prior to this, he worked in the copyright section of the Commonwealth Attorney-General.s Department in Canberra.
Cheatley holds a Bachelor of Laws, First Class Honours in Art History and Curatorship and a postgraduate diploma, each from the Australian National University.
.James joins us with a great deal of experience in policy development in a complicated area of law that is very important to our industry.
- 10/12/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Minster for digital and culture Matt Hancock has flagged “success, access and synthesis” as the three cornerstone principles of his strategy for the creative industries.
Speaking at a Creative Industries Federation event at London’s BFI Southbank, Hancock urged the creative industries to increase access, arguing that the sector has “a special responsibility to be a force for openness and social mobility in Britain”.
It was the minister’s first speech addressing all of the creative industries since the former paymaster general was appointed to the role in Teresa May’s new cabinet in July.
Hancock pledged to “fight to ensure that the creative and digital industries are at the heart of the government’s industrial strategy”, and backed tax breaks as a success story in growing the sector, crediting the high-end television tax relief in 2013 for “the nascent boom in high quality television dramas”.
Pointing to the launch of Project Diamond as one of his first...
Speaking at a Creative Industries Federation event at London’s BFI Southbank, Hancock urged the creative industries to increase access, arguing that the sector has “a special responsibility to be a force for openness and social mobility in Britain”.
It was the minister’s first speech addressing all of the creative industries since the former paymaster general was appointed to the role in Teresa May’s new cabinet in July.
Hancock pledged to “fight to ensure that the creative and digital industries are at the heart of the government’s industrial strategy”, and backed tax breaks as a success story in growing the sector, crediting the high-end television tax relief in 2013 for “the nascent boom in high quality television dramas”.
Pointing to the launch of Project Diamond as one of his first...
- 9/9/2016
- ScreenDaily
One of the most important jewels of Queen Victoria's historical reign is in danger of being sold to a foreign buyer. The British government has acted to stop the sale of Queen Victoria's $6.5 million coronet, blocking the deal after the tiara's owner applied for an export license. But the ban is only temporary, giving local buyers until December 27 to stop the sale of the stunning piece. Culture minister Matt Hancock, who imposed the ban, said he hoped a U.K. purchaser would step forward to match the $6.5 million asking price. "It is one of the most iconic jewels...
- 8/29/2016
- by Caris Davis, @cd123
- PEOPLE.com
Twenty-two emerging producers to receive up to £2.2m; almost 500 applicants.Scroll Down For Recipients
The BFI has announced the recipients of its 2016-18 Vision Awards, comprising 22 investments in up-and-coming UK producers.
The awards, generally spread over two years, are designed to enable producers to build and develop their companies, slates and creative relationships.
The BFI had intended to give 20 awards but increased that allocation to 22 in response to the number of strong applications it received. Almost 500 companies applied for the awards, which are backed by a total commitment from the BFI of £2.2m of National Lottery funding.
Fifteen of the awards are to women producers or partnerships, while eight of the companies are based outside of London, located in Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield and York.
In a bid to foster sustainability, the third iteration of the Vision Awards will include an allowance to cover a producer’s fees and overheads of up to half...
The BFI has announced the recipients of its 2016-18 Vision Awards, comprising 22 investments in up-and-coming UK producers.
The awards, generally spread over two years, are designed to enable producers to build and develop their companies, slates and creative relationships.
The BFI had intended to give 20 awards but increased that allocation to 22 in response to the number of strong applications it received. Almost 500 companies applied for the awards, which are backed by a total commitment from the BFI of £2.2m of National Lottery funding.
Fifteen of the awards are to women producers or partnerships, while eight of the companies are based outside of London, located in Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield and York.
In a bid to foster sustainability, the third iteration of the Vision Awards will include an allowance to cover a producer’s fees and overheads of up to half...
- 8/24/2016
- by [email protected] (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Newly appointed Dcms minister Matt Hancock will also be tackling cyber security in his role.
Matt Hancock, the UK’s new minister of state for digital and culture, has highlighted the digital economy and broadband as top priorities, while the government is facing calls to clarify its digital strategy.
Hancock, who assumed the position last week as part of a cabinet shuffle by new prime minister Theresa May, will be responsible for digital policy at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Dcms), working across the creative industries.
A key element of Hancock’s remit will be shaping the government’s digital strategy in the wake of Brexit. A report on the government’s digital policy was due to be published late last year but was delayed. Recently, parliament’s Business, Innovation and Skills committee published a report calling for the government to provide more clarity on its digital economic strategy in the wake of last month...
Matt Hancock, the UK’s new minister of state for digital and culture, has highlighted the digital economy and broadband as top priorities, while the government is facing calls to clarify its digital strategy.
Hancock, who assumed the position last week as part of a cabinet shuffle by new prime minister Theresa May, will be responsible for digital policy at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Dcms), working across the creative industries.
A key element of Hancock’s remit will be shaping the government’s digital strategy in the wake of Brexit. A report on the government’s digital policy was due to be published late last year but was delayed. Recently, parliament’s Business, Innovation and Skills committee published a report calling for the government to provide more clarity on its digital economic strategy in the wake of last month...
- 7/22/2016
- ScreenDaily
Newly appointed Dcms minister Matt Hancock will also be tackling cyber security in his role.
Matt Hancock, the UK’s new minister of state for digital and culture, has highlighted the digital economy and broadband as top priorities, while the government is facing calls to clarify its digital strategy.
Hancock, who assumed the position last week as part of a cabinet shuffle by new prime minister Theresa May, will be responsible for digital policy at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Dcms), working across the creative industries.
A key element of Hancock’s remit will be shaping the government’s digital strategy in the wake of Brexit. A report on the government’s digital policy was due to be published late last year but was delayed. Recently, parliament’s Business, Innovation and Skills committee published a report calling for the government to provide more clarity on its digital economic strategy in the wake of last month...
Matt Hancock, the UK’s new minister of state for digital and culture, has highlighted the digital economy and broadband as top priorities, while the government is facing calls to clarify its digital strategy.
Hancock, who assumed the position last week as part of a cabinet shuffle by new prime minister Theresa May, will be responsible for digital policy at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Dcms), working across the creative industries.
A key element of Hancock’s remit will be shaping the government’s digital strategy in the wake of Brexit. A report on the government’s digital policy was due to be published late last year but was delayed. Recently, parliament’s Business, Innovation and Skills committee published a report calling for the government to provide more clarity on its digital economic strategy in the wake of last month...
- 7/22/2016
- ScreenDaily
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