Category: English Entertainment

BBC controller seasons & special projects Janice Hadlow quits

MUMBAI: BBC controller seasons & special projects Janice Hadlow has put in her paper at the company.

BBC Television acting director Mark Linsey said, “I would like to thank Janice for her work in developing Civilisations and for her wider contribution to the BBC. Janice has worked for the BBC in a range of roles, including controller of BBC Four – where she grew the channel’s reach, share and reputation – and BBC Two – where she oversaw a resurgence in specialist factual, comedy and drama. She leaves with our best wishes.”

Hadlow added, “I have had a wonderful career at the BBC, where I have been lucky enough to work with very talented people on a host of exciting programmes. I was pleased to be able to see my final project, Civilisations, through a period of development to the point where it is about to begin filming. It is always hard to say goodbye, but this feels the right moment for me to take my leave. I wish it, and all the colleagues with whom I have so enjoyed working, the very best of luck for the future.”

With Hadlow’s departure, the post of controller seasons and special projects will be closed.

January 23, 2016
BBC controller seasons & special projects Janice Hadlow quits

MUMBAI: BBC controller seasons & special projects Janice Hadlow has put in her paper at the company.

BBC Television acting director Mark Linsey said, “I would like to thank Janice for her work in developing Civilisations and for her wider contribution to the BBC. Janice has worked for the BBC in a range of roles, including controller of BBC Four – where she grew the channel’s reach, share and reputation – and BBC Two – where she oversaw a resurgence in specialist factual, comedy and drama. She leaves with our best wishes.”

Hadlow added, “I have had a wonderful career at the BBC, where I have been lucky enough to work with very talented people on a host of exciting programmes. I was pleased to be able to see my final project, Civilisations, through a period of development to the point where it is about to begin filming. It is always hard to say goodbye, but this feels the right moment for me to take my leave. I wish it, and all the colleagues with whom I have so enjoyed working, the very best of luck for the future.”

With Hadlow’s departure, the post of controller seasons and special projects will be closed.

January 23, 2016
Viacom’s Sumner Redstone to undergo psychiatric exam in competency suit

MUMBAI: The woes of the 92-year old chairman of Viacom – Sumner Redstone’s only seem to be increasing with his ailing health.

After a shareholder slapped the company with a legal suit over Redstone’s high pay recently, a California judge has now ruled that Redstone will be examined by a psychiatrist hired by Redstone’s former girlfriend Manuela Herzer.

Herzer had challenged Redstone’s “mental capacity” in a lawsuit against her removal as his healthcare agent in October last year.

According to a report in the LA Times, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David J. Cowan ruled that Dr. Stephen Read, a psychiatrist selected by Herzer and her attorneys, will be allowed to conduct an hour-long examination of Redstone.

Judge Cowan allowed Redstone’s speech pathologist and nurse to be present during the examination. He also said that the examination could not be videotaped.

“We are gratified that Judge Cowan struck an equitable balance that assures our client has a fair opportunity to prove that her beloved Sumner was not competent when the attorneys had him remove her as his health caregiver,” the LA Times quoted Herzer’s attorney Pierce O’Donnell as saying.

However, Judge Cowan denied a request from Herzer and her lawyers that Redstone provide sworn testimony in a deposition.

Redstone’s attorney Gabrielle Vidal was quoted in media reports as saying, “We are gratified that the Court continues to reject Ms. Herzer’s increasingly desperate and disingenuous attempts to depose Mr. Redstone.”

Post Herzer, Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman was made in charge of making healthcare decisions for Redstone.

January 23, 2016
Viacom’s Sumner Redstone to undergo psychiatric exam in competency suit

MUMBAI: The woes of the 92-year old chairman of Viacom – Sumner Redstone’s only seem to be increasing with his ailing health.

After a shareholder slapped the company with a legal suit over Redstone’s high pay recently, a California judge has now ruled that Redstone will be examined by a psychiatrist hired by Redstone’s former girlfriend Manuela Herzer.

Herzer had challenged Redstone’s “mental capacity” in a lawsuit against her removal as his healthcare agent in October last year.

According to a report in the LA Times, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David J. Cowan ruled that Dr. Stephen Read, a psychiatrist selected by Herzer and her attorneys, will be allowed to conduct an hour-long examination of Redstone.

Judge Cowan allowed Redstone’s speech pathologist and nurse to be present during the examination. He also said that the examination could not be videotaped.

“We are gratified that Judge Cowan struck an equitable balance that assures our client has a fair opportunity to prove that her beloved Sumner was not competent when the attorneys had him remove her as his health caregiver,” the LA Times quoted Herzer’s attorney Pierce O’Donnell as saying.

However, Judge Cowan denied a request from Herzer and her lawyers that Redstone provide sworn testimony in a deposition.

Redstone’s attorney Gabrielle Vidal was quoted in media reports as saying, “We are gratified that the Court continues to reject Ms. Herzer’s increasingly desperate and disingenuous attempts to depose Mr. Redstone.”

Post Herzer, Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman was made in charge of making healthcare decisions for Redstone.

January 23, 2016
Sky & CBS ink pan-European deal for Showtime programming portfolio

MUMBAI: Sky and CBS Corporation have inked a long-term licensing agreement for Sky Atlantic to be the exclusive home to Showtime’s growing portfolio of programming across all its territories in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy. Previously, Sky has licensed select Showtime content from CBS on a programme by programme basis.

The deal will span all new and future series including Billions, which premiered in the US with the best series debut performance ever for a Showtime original series. Other new series include the return of Twin Peaks and new seasons of hits such as Ray Donovan and The Affair. The agreement also means customers will have on-demand access to an acclaimed catalogue of premium Showtime programming including Californication, Dexter, Nurse Jackie, The Borgias and Brotherhood.

Additionally, customers can watch these shows where they want using mobile TV service – Sky Go. Customers who use Sky’s streaming platforms, NOW TV and Sky Online also have access to this must-see channel live and on demand.

The deal is the latest multi-territory agreement secured by Sky as it extends its market-leading offering across entertainment, sports, arts and movies. Alongside an expanding portfolio of the best shows from the US and around the world, Sky is also growing its investment in original production, which includes a successful partnership with Showtime to co-produce the gothic horror series, Penny Dreadful.

For CBS Corporation, this is the largest and most expansive international deal to date for Showtime and the first time its content portfolio has been licensed to a single media company across multiple European territories. It also marks a significant next step in the company’s global expansion strategy to distribute Showtime’s prestigious brand and broad programming slate as a bundled offering.

Last year, CBS and Bell Media announced a similar exclusive agreement for Showtime in Canada.

Alongside scripted content, Sky will have an exclusive option to take all new Showtime distributed unscripted shows such as documentaries, late night and reality shows. Premiere dates for the programming may vary by country and current rights agreements with other platforms will remain unchanged.

Sky managing director – content Gary Davey said, “This is one of the most important content deals Sky has ever agreed, cementing Sky’s position as the market-leader in Europe for world-class drama. We are enormously proud that Sky will be the exclusive home to new Showtime programmes for many years to come, building on a relationship that has grown over time including producing three successful seasons of Penny Dreadful together. The agreement means our customers can enjoy an incredible slate of upcoming new dramas like Billions, Twin Peaks and also explore hundreds of hours of amazing series such as Dexter, Californication, The Affair and House of Lies on demand from the back catalogue of one of the world’s most exciting pay TV networks.”

CBS Global Distribution Group president and CEO Armando Nu?ez added, “This is the most significant international deal in the history of Showtime, and further signals the value and prestige of its content brand in the global marketplace. Showtime CEO David Nevins and his team have built an incredible roster of award-winning, critically acclaimed programming. This deal shows how robust and profitable Showtime has become as a stand-alone product and revenue stream. We look forward to working with our outstanding partners at Sky to present Showtime to its customers across Europe and on a wide range of their platforms.”

January 22, 2016
Sky & CBS ink pan-European deal for Showtime programming portfolio

MUMBAI: Sky and CBS Corporation have inked a long-term licensing agreement for Sky Atlantic to be the exclusive home to Showtime’s growing portfolio of programming across all its territories in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy. Previously, Sky has licensed select Showtime content from CBS on a programme by programme basis.

The deal will span all new and future series including Billions, which premiered in the US with the best series debut performance ever for a Showtime original series. Other new series include the return of Twin Peaks and new seasons of hits such as Ray Donovan and The Affair. The agreement also means customers will have on-demand access to an acclaimed catalogue of premium Showtime programming including Californication, Dexter, Nurse Jackie, The Borgias and Brotherhood.

Additionally, customers can watch these shows where they want using mobile TV service – Sky Go. Customers who use Sky’s streaming platforms, NOW TV and Sky Online also have access to this must-see channel live and on demand.

The deal is the latest multi-territory agreement secured by Sky as it extends its market-leading offering across entertainment, sports, arts and movies. Alongside an expanding portfolio of the best shows from the US and around the world, Sky is also growing its investment in original production, which includes a successful partnership with Showtime to co-produce the gothic horror series, Penny Dreadful.

For CBS Corporation, this is the largest and most expansive international deal to date for Showtime and the first time its content portfolio has been licensed to a single media company across multiple European territories. It also marks a significant next step in the company’s global expansion strategy to distribute Showtime’s prestigious brand and broad programming slate as a bundled offering.

Last year, CBS and Bell Media announced a similar exclusive agreement for Showtime in Canada.

Alongside scripted content, Sky will have an exclusive option to take all new Showtime distributed unscripted shows such as documentaries, late night and reality shows. Premiere dates for the programming may vary by country and current rights agreements with other platforms will remain unchanged.

Sky managing director – content Gary Davey said, “This is one of the most important content deals Sky has ever agreed, cementing Sky’s position as the market-leader in Europe for world-class drama. We are enormously proud that Sky will be the exclusive home to new Showtime programmes for many years to come, building on a relationship that has grown over time including producing three successful seasons of Penny Dreadful together. The agreement means our customers can enjoy an incredible slate of upcoming new dramas like Billions, Twin Peaks and also explore hundreds of hours of amazing series such as Dexter, Californication, The Affair and House of Lies on demand from the back catalogue of one of the world’s most exciting pay TV networks.”

CBS Global Distribution Group president and CEO Armando Nu?ez added, “This is the most significant international deal in the history of Showtime, and further signals the value and prestige of its content brand in the global marketplace. Showtime CEO David Nevins and his team have built an incredible roster of award-winning, critically acclaimed programming. This deal shows how robust and profitable Showtime has become as a stand-alone product and revenue stream. We look forward to working with our outstanding partners at Sky to present Showtime to its customers across Europe and on a wide range of their platforms.”

January 22, 2016
Colors Infinity & HOOQ acquire ‘Mad Dogs’ from Sony for India

MUMBAI: Viacom18’s English entertainment channel Colors Infinity has picked up the rights of Sony Pictures Television’s (SPT) US adaptation of the British black comedy and psychological drama Mad Dogs.

Additionally, the pan-regional SVOD platform HOOQ, which launched in India last year, has also picked up the rights for the series. Apart from India, HOOQ will air the series in the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.

SPT has sold Mad Dogs to over 140 countries around the world ahead of the series debut on Amazon in the US, UK and Germany.

“Mad Dogs has been a huge hit in the UK and there is clearly an equally high appetite for the US series. Mad Dogs is a high end drama with real global appeal and brings together exceptional talent both on and off screen. Sony Pictures Television has long been producing ambitious, acclaimed and award-winning dramas which sit perfectly on traditional linear channels and new platforms – as demonstrated by the range of partners we have around the world,” said Sony Pictures Television president, international distribution Keith LeGoy.

Across Europe, Movistar+ picked up the series in Spain and MTG acquired the show for Viaplay in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Other territories include Finland (Nelonen), Belgium (Telenet), Turkey (D-Smart) as well as AXN in Central Eastern Europe.

OSN picked up the series for the Middle East, Mnet will show it across Africa, and Sky bought the drama in New Zealand.

Based on the format created by Cris Cole for Left Bank Pictures and British Sky Broadcasting Limited, Mad Dogs is produced by Left Bank Pictures, MiddKid Productions and Amazon Studios in association with Sony Pictures Television.

Mad Dogs tells the story of a group of 40 something underachievers who gather in Belize to celebrate the retirement of one of their friends. A series of dramatic events unfold, exposing dark secrets, a web of lies, deception and murder.

The series stars Ben Chaplin, Michael Imperioli, Romany Malco, Steve Zahn and Billy Zane.

January 22, 2016
Colors Infinity & HOOQ acquire ‘Mad Dogs’ from Sony for India

MUMBAI: Viacom18’s English entertainment channel Colors Infinity has picked up the rights of Sony Pictures Television’s (SPT) US adaptation of the British black comedy and psychological drama Mad Dogs.

Additionally, the pan-regional SVOD platform HOOQ, which launched in India last year, has also picked up the rights for the series. Apart from India, HOOQ will air the series in the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.

SPT has sold Mad Dogs to over 140 countries around the world ahead of the series debut on Amazon in the US, UK and Germany.

“Mad Dogs has been a huge hit in the UK and there is clearly an equally high appetite for the US series. Mad Dogs is a high end drama with real global appeal and brings together exceptional talent both on and off screen. Sony Pictures Television has long been producing ambitious, acclaimed and award-winning dramas which sit perfectly on traditional linear channels and new platforms – as demonstrated by the range of partners we have around the world,” said Sony Pictures Television president, international distribution Keith LeGoy.

Across Europe, Movistar+ picked up the series in Spain and MTG acquired the show for Viaplay in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Other territories include Finland (Nelonen), Belgium (Telenet), Turkey (D-Smart) as well as AXN in Central Eastern Europe.

OSN picked up the series for the Middle East, Mnet will show it across Africa, and Sky bought the drama in New Zealand.

Based on the format created by Cris Cole for Left Bank Pictures and British Sky Broadcasting Limited, Mad Dogs is produced by Left Bank Pictures, MiddKid Productions and Amazon Studios in association with Sony Pictures Television.

Mad Dogs tells the story of a group of 40 something underachievers who gather in Belize to celebrate the retirement of one of their friends. A series of dramatic events unfold, exposing dark secrets, a web of lies, deception and murder.

The series stars Ben Chaplin, Michael Imperioli, Romany Malco, Steve Zahn and Billy Zane.

January 22, 2016
Viacom’s Sumner Redstone & Philippe Dauman see compensation cuts in 2015

MUMBAI: Viacom Inc executive chairman Sumner Redstone received an almost 85 per cent cut in his pay for the 2015 fiscal in the light of his ailing health.

Redstone, who is 92 years old, was paid $2 million in salary in Viacom’s 2015 fiscal year, according to a company filing Wednesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In comparison, he was paid $13 million in salary, bonuses and other perks in 2014.

As was reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, a shareholder has filed a lawsuit in which it was alleged that Redstone was incapable of continuing to run the company.

On the other hand, Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman also saw a cut in his pay. In 2015, he received compensation of approximately $36.9 million, which was 17 per cent lower from his 2014 compensation of $44.3 million. On the other hand, Dauman drew a $4 million salary last year. His bonus dropped 30 per cent to $14 million as compared to $20 million in 2014.

In a statement to explain the drop in compensation, Viacom said, “Mr. Redstone’s salary was unchanged in fiscal 2015. He became ineligible to receive a bonus beginning in fiscal 2015, and has not been eligible to receive an annual equity award since fiscal 2012.”

However, the company did not give any specific reasons for the cut in pay and compensation.

While Redstone is Viacom’s controlling shareholder, he holds about 80 per cent voting shares of Viacom and CBS Corp through his family investment vehicle – National Amusements.

According to the lawsuit filed in Delaware by Viacom shareholder E.F. Greenberg, Redstone received $169 million in executive compensation for his role at Viacom from 2012 to 2014. In addition, he also receives compensation for his role as CBS executive chairman.

January 21, 2016
Viacom’s Sumner Redstone & Philippe Dauman see compensation cuts in 2015

MUMBAI: Viacom Inc executive chairman Sumner Redstone received an almost 85 per cent cut in his pay for the 2015 fiscal in the light of his ailing health.

Redstone, who is 92 years old, was paid $2 million in salary in Viacom’s 2015 fiscal year, according to a company filing Wednesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In comparison, he was paid $13 million in salary, bonuses and other perks in 2014.

As was reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, a shareholder has filed a lawsuit in which it was alleged that Redstone was incapable of continuing to run the company.

On the other hand, Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman also saw a cut in his pay. In 2015, he received compensation of approximately $36.9 million, which was 17 per cent lower from his 2014 compensation of $44.3 million. On the other hand, Dauman drew a $4 million salary last year. His bonus dropped 30 per cent to $14 million as compared to $20 million in 2014.

In a statement to explain the drop in compensation, Viacom said, “Mr. Redstone’s salary was unchanged in fiscal 2015. He became ineligible to receive a bonus beginning in fiscal 2015, and has not been eligible to receive an annual equity award since fiscal 2012.”

However, the company did not give any specific reasons for the cut in pay and compensation.

While Redstone is Viacom’s controlling shareholder, he holds about 80 per cent voting shares of Viacom and CBS Corp through his family investment vehicle – National Amusements.

According to the lawsuit filed in Delaware by Viacom shareholder E.F. Greenberg, Redstone received $169 million in executive compensation for his role at Viacom from 2012 to 2014. In addition, he also receives compensation for his role as CBS executive chairman.

January 21, 2016