ITV

Category: English Entertainment

  • De-mon contributes to lower international ad revenue at 21st Century Fox

    BENGALURU: Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox (TFC-Fox) reported five per cent decline in net income attributable to TFC-Fox stockholders (net income) for the quarter ending 31 March 2017 (Q3-17, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding periods of the previous fiscal.  The company’s Q3-17 net income was $799 million as compared to $841 million in Q3-16. As reported by us earlier, (21st Century Fox outlook on Star bullish despite $30 million DeMon Hit), TFC-Fox CFO John Nallen, in conversation with analysts had admitted that Star too ‘got affected’ from last quarter to first quarter of 2017 to the extent of $30 million.

    Demonetisation in India partially contributed to the drop in revenue in Q3-17 going by some statements in TFC-Fox’s earnings release for Q3-17. The company’s press release says: “International advertising revenue decreased 18 percent from lower advertising revenues at Star India due to the absence of the prior year broadcast of the ICC Cricket World Twenty20 matches and the effect of the Indian government demonetization initiatives on the general advertising market. Quarterly OIBDA at the international cable channels increased 44 percent from the prior year quarter primarily reflecting lower sports programming costs at STAR India and higher contributions from Fox Networks Group International (FNGI).”

    Advertising revenue in the current quarter increased 15.5 percent to $2,203 million from $1,907 million. Affiliate Fees in Q3-17 increased 7.5 percent to $3,160 million from $2,939 million in the corresponding year ago quarter. Content revenue in Q3-17 declined 9.2 percent to $2,078 million from $2,288 million in Q3-16. Other revenue increased 30.9 percent to $123 million from $94 million.

    Overall TFC-Fox revenue in the current quarter increased 4.6 percent to $7,564 million as compared to $7,228 million in Q3-16. Total operating income before depreciation and amortisation (OIBDA) for the quarter increased 3 percent to $1,938 million from $1,881 million in the year ago quarter.

    Commenting on the results, TFC-Fox executive chairmen Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch said, “We delivered a quarter marked by operational momentum and strong domestic affiliate fee growth. We continue to demonstrate our ability to capture opportunities to grow distribution of our domestic portfolio of video brands, whether through established MVPD partners or new digital entrants such as Hulu’s recently launched live television service. We made progress in the quarter against our key strategic priorities, exemplified by our creative successes across screens, from theatrical releases Logan and Hidden Figures to new FX debuts of Legion, Feud and Taboo. Our proposed combination with Sky, which was recently approved unconditionally by the European Commission, will advance another of our strategic priorities, driving innovation for customers. We remain confident the proposed transaction will be approved by the end of the calendar year following a thorough review process.”

    Three segments contribute to TFC-Fox numbers: Cable Network Programming (Star India is a part of Cable Network Programming); Television; and Filmed Entertainment.

    Cable Network Programming

    Cable Network Programming quarterly segment OIBDA increased 5 percent to $1.45 billion and revenue increased 2 percent to $4.02 billion.

    Expenses were consistent with the prior year quarter as higher entertainment programming and marketing costs at FX Networks and National Geographic Channels, higher National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) rights costs at FOX Sports 1 (FS1) and higher National Basketball Association (NBA) rights costs at the regional sports networks (RSNs) wereoffset by lower sports rights costs at STAR India due to the absence of the prior year broadcast of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Twenty20 matches.

    Domestic affiliate revenue increased 8 percent reflecting continued contractual rate increases led by Fox News, FS1, the RSNs and FX Networks. Domestic advertising revenue was flat over the prior year period as the impact of higher ratings at Fox News and FS1 was offset by lower revenues at the National Geographic Partners businesses. Domestic OIBDA contributions were equal to the prior year quarter as higher contributions from Fox News were offset by lower contributions from FX Networks and National Geographic Channels.

    International affiliate revenue increased 5 percent driven by local currency growth of 7 percent partially offset by negative currency impacts from the strengthened U.S. dollar. International advertising revenue decreased 18 percent from lower advertising revenues at Star India due to the absence of the prior year broadcast of the ICC Cricket World Twenty20 matches and the effect of the Indian government demonetization initiatives on the general advertising market. Quarterly OIBDA at the international cable channels increased 44 percent from the prior year quarter primarily reflecting lower sports programming costs at STAR India and higher contributions from Fox Networks Group International.

    TELEVISION

    Television reported quarterly segment OIBDA of $190 million, an increase of 52 percent as compared to the prior year quarter driven by 30 percent revenue growth reflecting increased advertising revenue and continued growth of retransmission consent revenues.

    Quarterly advertising revenues grew 39 percent from the corresponding period of the prior year driven by the broadcast of Super Bowl LI and the inclusion of one additional National Football League divisional playoff game, partially offset by the impact from lower general entertainment ratings, led by the absence of American Idol, which concluded its final season in the prior year. The segment results also included higher sports programming costs associated with the broadcast of Super Bowl LI and the additional National Football League divisional playoff game.

    FILMED ENTERTAINMENT

    Filmed Entertainment generated quarterly segment OIBDA of $373 million, a $97 million decrease from the $470 million reported in the same period a year-ago. The OIBDA decrease in the current quarter was driven primarily by lower film studio contributions reflecting difficult comparisons to last year’s strong worldwide theatrical performance of Deadpool and the home entertainment performance of The Martian, partially offset by higher television production contributions from higher subscription video-on demand revenues led by the licensing of The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story and higher network revenue.

    Quarterly segment revenues decreased $65 million to $2.26 billion, primarily reflecting lower worldwide theatrical and home entertainment revenues partially offset by higher television production revenues. Quarterly results also included the successful theatrical performances of both Logan and Hidden Figures, which have grossed approximately $600 million and $230 million in worldwide box office, respectively.

  • Battle between Iron Man & Captain America to ensue on Star on 14 May

    MUMBAI: What happens when buildings are toppled, properties are destroyed and there are countless civilian casualties? What happens when the United Nations demands accountability and the governments of the world start looking at superheroes as weapons of mass destruction?

    Somebody needs to be accountable and somebody needs to save the world. Witness the ultimate Civil War where the superheroes divide and pick sides.

    A superhero showdown like never before, Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War is all set to make its Indian television debut on Star Movies and Star Movies HD on Sunday, 14 May at 1 PM & 9 PM!

    Captain America: Civil War is the third instalment of the Captain America franchise and the 13th movie in the Marvel cinematic universe. It focuses on the growing tension between Steve Rogers/Cap (Chris Evans) and Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.), which ultimately ramps up into an internal “war” between Avengers factions. Directors Anthony & Joe Russo have pulled together a movie that brings as much hard-hitting drama to the table as much as it does on its astounding action.

    The film features a dream ensemble cast comprising of Chris Evans (Captain America), Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Sebastian Stan (The Winter Soldier), Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther), Paul Bettany (Vision), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), Emily VanCamp (Sharon Carter), and Tom Holland among others.

    An exciting weekend with superhero extravaganza with Captain America: Civil War. It became a monumental success among critics and audiences alike and went on to gross over $1.1billion worldwide. The movie went on to create a divide across the globe with many supporting Captain America and many others standing up in favour of Iron Man.

  • Viacom net earnings plummet on restructuring & programming charges

    BENGALURU: Viacom Inc (Viacom) reported a steep decline of 60.1 percent in net earnings for the quarter ended 31 March 2017 (Q2-17, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter – year-on-year (y-o-y). Operating income decreased 43.3 percent y-o-y in the current quarter. The company in its earnings release says that reported operating income reflects restructuring and programming charges of $280 million resulting from the execution of new strategic initiatives, including the prioritization of six flagship brands: BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and Paramount.

    Net earnings attributable to Viacom for Q2-17 were $121 million as compared to $309 million in Q2-16. Operating income for Q2-17 was $332 million as compared to $586 million in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Viacom reported 8.5 percent y-o-y increase in revenue for Q2-17 at $3,256 million as compared to $3,001 million reported for the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Viacom president and CEO Bob Bakish said, “In the second quarter, Viacom delivered continued top-line improvement, with growth in affiliate revenues, international media networks and across every business segment of Paramount Pictures. Additionally, we executed quickly on our strategic plan, making significant organizational changes to better focus and align Viacom’s brand portfolio and ensure strong leadership, including the appointment of Jim
    Gianopulos to chart a new course at Paramount. We are working diligently to cement Viacom as a partner of choice in the industry, presenting new and reinvigorated brand strategies for our advertisers, producing creative and flexible new opportunities with our distributors and recommitting ourselves to be the home for the world’s best talent.”

    “Viacom also took significant steps forward on our plan to strengthen our balance sheet, improve our leverage profile and enhance liquidity. Since the end of our first fiscal quarter, we completed a successful hybrid debt offering, redeemed outstanding debt and executed on the sale of non-core assets, including the pending sale of our stake in EPIX. There is a lot of work still to do, but we are making important changes at Viacom, taking substantial strides towards revitalizing our portfolio of brands and returning the company to consistent top-line growth,” Bakish added.

    The company has two major segments – Media Networks and Filmed Entertainment.

    Media Networks

    Media Networks revenue for the current quarter increased y-o-y by a marginal 0.5 percent despite a 1.2 percent decline in advertising sales. The segment reported revenue of $2,394 million for Q2-17 as compared to $2,381 million in Q2-16. Adjusted operating income declined 7.2 percent to $747 million from $845 million in the year ago quarter.

    Media Networks advertising revenue declined 1.2 percent y-o-y in Q2-17 to $1,109 million from $1,123 million. Worldwide advertising revenues increased 1 percent, excluding a 2-percentage point unfavourable impact from foreign exchange. Domestic advertising revenues decreased 4 percent, driven by higher pricing more than offset by lower impressions. International advertising revenues increased 11 percent. Excluding foreign exchange, which had an 11-percentage point unfavourable impact, international advertising revenues grew 22 percent. The gains in international advertising were driven by the acquisition of Telefe, which had a 17- percentage point favourable impact, and continued growth in Europe says Viacom.

    Affiliate revenue in the current quarter increased 2.4 percent y-o-y to $1,156 million from $1,129 million. Domestic and international affiliate revenues increased 1 percent to $975 million and 10 percent to $181 million, respectively. The growth in domestic revenues principally reflects rate increases, partially offset by a modest decline in subscribers and a decline in revenues from SVOD and other OTT agreements. Excluding foreign exchange, which had a 4-percentage point unfavourable impact, international affiliate revenues increased 14 percent. The increase in international revenues reflected the impact of rate increases, subscriber growth and new channel launches, as well as higher revenues from SVOD and other OTT agreements. International affiliate growth included a 4-percentage point favourable impact from the acquisition of Telefe.

    Ancillary revenue was flat y-o-y t $129 million. Domestic ancillary revenues decreased 8 percent to $70 million while international ancillary revenues increased 11 percent to $59 million.

    Filmed Entertainment

    Filmed Entertainment revenues grew 36.6 percent to $895 million in Q2-17 from $655 million, reflecting gains in theatrical, licensing, home entertainment and ancillary revenues. Domestic revenues increased 25 percent to $458 million in the quarter, while international revenues increased 51 percent to $437 million.

    Filmed Entertainment segment’s adjusted operating loss narrowed to less than half $66 million from an operating loss of $136 million in Q2-16. The company says that the improvement principally reflected the various revenue increases, partially offset by higher operating expenses.

    Theatrical revenues rose 10 percent to $238 million, with revenues from current quarter releases up 73 percent compared to releases from Q2-16. Domestic theatrical revenues decreased 45 percent, while international theatrical revenues grew 98 percent, reflecting the strong international performance of xXx: Return of Xander Cage. Foreign exchange had a 3-percentage point favourable impact on international theatrical revenues.

    Licensing revenues increased 45 percent to $347 million in the quarter, primarily driven by Paramount Television production, as well as higher revenues from licensing arrangements with pay television and SVOD distributors. Domestic licensing revenues grew 85 percent, while international licensing revenues increased 24 percent.

    Home entertainment revenues increased 29 percent to $198 million in the quarter, reflecting the number and mix of current quarter releases. Domestic and international home entertainment revenues increased 23 percent and 49 percent respectively. Foreign exchange had a 5-percentage point unfavourable impact on international home entertainment revenues.

    Ancillary revenues increased 149 percent to $112 million, primarily driven by the sale of a partial copyright interest in certain current year releases related to a film slate financing arrangement. Domestic ancillary revenues increased 158 percent to $93 million while international ancillary revenues increased 111 percent to $19 million.

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  • Romedy NOW claims new experience with ‘SteppinOut’

    MUMBAI: Romedy Now, the channel known to spread love and laughter with its line-up of best rom-coms on TV, has taken the experience to the next level. The channel recently partnered with SteppinOut Movie Nights to launch a special Romedy Now edition – a unique concept that curates open air movie screenings to offer a mesmerizing movie viewing experience. SteppinOut Movie Nights – Romedy Now edition’s 1st screening was hosted by the pool at Novotel.

    With Romedy themed décor, bean bag seating, popcorn tub and a complete bar, the experience was enhanced to the maximum at the pool side screening. An icing on the cake was when the channel gave its viewers a chance to recreate iconic movie posters featuring themselves, in a funky photo booth!

    An interesting part about SteppinOut Nights – Romedy Now edition was that people were given a chance to vote for their favourite movie from a curated list of all-time hits like When Harry met Sally, Pretty Woman, Crazy Stupid Love, 50 First Dates, The Notebook &The Proposal.

    Additionally, to offer an exciting experience online to all the social media fans, Romedy Now launched a campaign ‘Ideal Proposal – to propose and be proposed’. As a part of this campaign, the fans were asked to share their idea of a fairy tale proposal and the most quirky yet romantic ideas were given couple tickets for the amazing SteppinOut movie night.

  • GRB sells scripted & factual progs in A-Pac, Canada & Spain

    MUMBAI: GRB Entertainment has announced sales of a variety of programs over multiple genres to Canada, Asia Pacific, and Spain.

    Game TV in Canada acquired competition series Showdown of the Unbeatables where inventors and entrepreneurs put their unique products and machines – and reputations – to the test.

    GRB’s award-winning in-house production, docu-series Untold Stories of the E.R. continues to make its way around the world. The series features intense real-life stories demonstrating the true dramatic nature of medicine practiced under pressure, where every moment can be a turning point. Discovery Spain took Seasons 7 and 8 while Discovery Asia-Pac acquired Season 5 plus 12 different themed, new Specials.

    SBS Broadcasting Australia acquired two new seasons of the unique, award-winning scripted dramedy Mohawk Girls about four young women trying to find their place in the world and, of course, find love.

    Also in Australia, Seven Network acquired 4 series:

    Lifestyle series Bar Hunters follows a variety of characters searching for the perfect location to open their dream bar. But when friends disagree and budgets get in the way, will they be able to find their dream space?

    West Coast Customs brings audiences stories of amazing car builds and customizations from rendering to reality, transforming cars for Sir Richard Branson, Jonathan Davis of Korn, Rascal Flatts and other celebrities.

    Loose Screws is a zany clip series highlighting backyard geniuses and garage warriors who make wacky inventions at home that are completely insane, seemingly useless, but always hilarious and inspirational.

    Bloopers features a non-stop blitz of painful mistakes, hilarious gaffes, adorable babies, and amazing pets. Host Dean Cain and a cast of thousands jam-pack each episode with the most exciting, entertaining and downright outrageous videos ever.

    African channel ZAP, covering Angola and Mozambique, also acquired Bloopers.

    “GRB is proud to hold such a rich and varied catalogue of programs. From our award-winning scripted dramedy Mohawk Girls to real-life hospital drama in Untold Stories of the E.R. to science and comedy clip shows, we offer a wide range of programs that are always ratings winners around the world,” said GRB SVP – international distribution Michael Lolato.

  • GRB brings Disney docu to UK & Japan, slate of docus to Germany

    MUMBAI: GRB Entertainment has announced the sale of several of its top-selling docs to broadcasters in the UK, Germany, and Japan.

    Channel 5 in the UK and Fujisankei Communications Japan both acquired WALT: The Man Behind the Myth, the official biography of Walt Disney, sanctioned by The Walt Disney Family Foundation. Celebrate Disney’s life and career with exclusive footage and over 50 interviews with celebrities, directors, and animators. Presented by Diane Disney Miller, Walt’s daughter, and narrated by Dick Van Dyke, this film is filled with never-before-seen color home movies shot by Walt himself.

    Docs de Cologne in Germany took four documentaries. Until Proven Innocent: The Hannah Overton Story is an investigative doc about the mysterious death of a four-year-old from Texas named Andrew Burd who died of salt poisoning. His foster mother, Hannah Overton, was charged with capital murder and sent to prison for life. But was this churchgoing young woman a vicious child killer? Or had the tragedy claimed its second victim?

    Babies Behind Bars highlights the lives of female inmates at Washington Corrections Center in a remarkable program allowing them to raise their babies while they serve time. Follow Kristie Ebey, a newly incarcerated mother, as she fights to get into the program and Margaret Taggert who is just leaving the program with her toddler, facing the outside world for the first time as a single mother.

    Confessions of a Superhero follows the lives of three mortal men and one woman who make their living working as superhero characters on the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard. This deeply personal view into the daily routines of these characters reveals their hardships, and triumphs, as they pursue and achieve their own kind of fame.

    A dog has been called man’s best friend for centuries, but with today’s modern technology, animals can stick around much longer than their standard life expectancy. I Cloned My Pet chronicles a group of dedicated pet lovers who lost their loyal canines, but go to extremes to bring them back to life, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to clone their pets, alienating family members, and risking other meaningful relationships along the way.

    “GRB is fortunate to represent a large portfolio of top-notch docs in addition to our factual and scripted series. The Walt Disney doc features some of the most exclusive footage ever recorded on the iconic man — home movies that give a rare look at his private life. Our crime docs are sure to start conversations around the world and Confessions of a Superhero delves into the world of shattered Hollywood dreams,” said GRB SVP – international distribution Michael Lolato.

  • Star World: Banatwalla, Shah, Hota & Prasad to battle it out in ‘Game of Thrones’ debate

    MUMBAI: With season 7 set to launch soon, Game of Thrones fever has gripped the world yet again with fans speculating to see who will win the Iron Throne and who will die trying. Adding to this electrifying atmosphere, the country’s leading English entertainment channel, Star World will be hosting India’s first live Game of Thrones debate on Facebook to answer the ultimate question “Who’s claim to the Throne is the strongest – Jon Snow, Cersei Lannister or Daenerys Targaryen?”.

    Star World and Star World HD will be airing seasons 1-6 starting 24 April, every Monday to Friday at 10pm.

    The nail-biting debate, which will be held on Star World’s official Facebook page on 24 April from 6PM onwards, promises to be a battle of wit and honour amongst diehard fans and India’s leading comedians Azeem Banatwalla, Sahil Shah, Rahul Hota and Mani Prasad. Moderated by Azeem, the debate will have Sahil, Rahul and Mani go head to head to support their favorite contenders claim to the Iron Throne – Jon, Daenerys and Cersei respectively. The trio will bust some theories, prove others and find new ones. Fans will get a chance to join in the action with their comments or reactions to support their favorite characters and some of the best arguments will also be read out live by Azeem. It’s time to revel in the complicated world of Westeros and take sides as the comedians turn the tables on each other in a battle field like no other.

    The debate is aimed at making fans #TakeACloser look into all that has transpired in the previous seasons of Game of Thrones before the new season launches in July. Star World and Star World HD will be airing seasons 1-6 starting 24 April, every Monday to Friday at 10pm.

    The battle lines have been drawn and the three claimants have a long walk ahead! Watch the debate on: https://www.facebook.com/StarWorldIndia/

  • Star World to host first live GoT debate on Facebook

    MUMBAI: With season 7 set to launch soon, Game of Thrones fever has gripped the world yet again with fans speculating to see who will win the Iron Throne and who will die trying. Adding to this electrifying atmosphere, Star World will be hosting India’s first LIVE Game of Thrones debate on Facebook to answer the ultimate question “Who’s claim to the Throne is the strongest – Jon Snow, Cersei Lannister or Daenerys Targaryen?”.

    The nail-biting debate, which will be held on Star World’s official Facebook page on 24 April from 6pm onwards, promises to be a battle of wit and honour amongst diehard fans and India’s leading comedians Azeem Banatwalla, Sahil Shah, Rahul Hota and Mani Prasad. Moderated by Azeem, the debate will have Sahil, Rahul and Mani go head to head to support their favorite contenders claim to the Iron Throne – Jon, Daenerys and Cersei respectively. The trio will bust some theories, prove others and find new ones. Fans will get a chance to join in the action with their comments or reactions to support their favorite characters and some of the best arguments will also be read out live by Azeem. It’s time to revel in the complicated world of Westeros and take sides as the comedians turn the tables on each other in a battle field like no other.

    The debate is aimed at making fans #TakeACloser look into all that has transpired in the previous seasons of Game of Thrones before the new season launches in July. Star World and Star World HD will be airing seasons 1-6 starting 24 April, every Monday to Friday at10pm.

  • Top NY producers to lead Keshet films’ div with ‘Skinny Dip’ & ‘Newburgh Sting’

    MUMBAI: Keshet Studios, the LA-based subsidiary of Keshet International (KI), the global production and distribution powerhouse behind many high-profile, award-winning and critically acclaimed series, has launched Keshet Films, announced KI CEO Alon Shtruzman. The newly formed global feature development and production division will be co-headed by award-winning producers Mandy Tagger-Brockey and Adi Ezroni.

    Reporting to Keshet Studios President of Scripted Peter Traugott in Los Angeles, Tagger-Brockey in New York and Ezroni in Tel Aviv will form a unit producing features budgeted between $10 million and $20 million for the US and international markets.

    Keshet Films’ inaugural development slate includes a feature adaptation of the Carl Hiaasen caper novel, Skinny Dip, and Newburgh Sting, a fictional adaptation of the award-winning HBO documentary.

    “KI is a premium content company that is always on the lookout for the best creative talent, and that is exactly what we have in Mandy and Adi,” said Shtruzman. “They are a perfect fit, bringing to us a distinct point of view, filmmaking savvy, a desire to create meaningful and entertaining content, as well as an outstanding track record of producing excellent films – of all budget sizes with high-quality casts, writers and directors attached.”

    Traugott added, “When we launched Keshet Studios nearly two years ago, Alon and I knew our next primary objective would be to gain a foothold in the feature film business. Mandy and Adi have an incredible network of creative relationships throughout the Hollywood, New York and Israeli film communities. We are very lucky to have them join KI and are excited for them to lead this new venture.”

    The producers join KI from their New York-based Spring Pictures label, where they developed, financed and produced a multitude of award-winning independent films.

    “We are thrilled to set up in house at a quality-driven company like Keshet International, furthering our commitment to supporting great talent and unique storytelling,” Tagger-Brockey and Ezroni commented. “Working closely with Alon and Peter, we intend to bring KI into the film world as an active and disruptive player.”

    Tagger Brockey’s and Ezroni’s arrival at Keshet Films coincides with the April 23 world premiere of Spring Pictures’ Saturday Church, written and directed by two-time WGA Award nominee Damon Cardasis, at the 16th annual Tribeca Film Festival. A rousing celebration of one boy’s search for his identity, Saturday Church marks Tagger Brockey’s and Ezroni’s return to the Tribeca film competition after their entrant last year, Dean, which earned the 2016 Festival’s prestigious Founders Award. Dean, which stars its writer and director Demitri Martin as well as Kevin Kline, Gillian Jacobs and Mary Steenburgen, is due in theaters in June.

    A veteran of the New York film scene, Tagger-Brockey began her career at InDigEnt – director Gary Winick, John Sloss and IFC’s prescient experiment matching top-notch industry creative talent with shoestring budgets and crew profit sharing. While supervising production for the company, she oversaw a wide array of acclaimed films such as the award-winning, Winick-directed Tadpole, along with Richard Linklater’s Tape, Peter Hedges’ Pieces of April, Wim Wender’s Land of Plenty and Steve Buscemi’s Lonesome Jim.

    Ezroni, an award-winning actress who has spent the past decade as a film producer, was a partner at Priority Films prior to teaming with Tagger-Brockey. She received the 2008 Global Hero Award from the US State Department for her work in raising awareness of human trafficking with the films Holly and Redlight. The lead actress of Keshet Broadcasting’s globally renowned TV drama Prisoners of War, the inspiration for the Showtime hit series Homeland, she also stars in HBO Europe’s When Shall We Kiss.

    In 2009, the pair co-founded Spring Pictures, where they produced A Late Quartet, directed by Yaron Zilberman and starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken and Catherine Keener; The English Teacher, directed by Craig Zisk and starring Julianne Moore, Greg Kinnear and Lily Collins; and SXSW Game Changer Award-winner Kelly & Cal, directed by Jen McGowan and starring Juliette Lewis and Jonny Weston. All Nighter, directed by Gavin Wiesen and starring JK Simmons and Emile Hirsch, premiered in March.

  • Jackman starrer ‘Eddie the Eagle’ to premiere on Star Movies Select HD

    MUMBAI: Star Movies Select HD has always been the connoisseur of stellar stories. No wonder it curated a one of its kind festival – ‘True Stories’ that captures that beauty, awe and magic of watching a real life story come alive on screen; of the best true stories about the most iconic individuals, defining sporting events and historic moments of war.

    The promise of delivering unique content, sometimes never seen before in India is in line with the expectations of the discerning audience of Star Movies Select HD. This promise is delivered with marquee content like the premiere of critically renowned movie ‘Eddie the Eagle’, on Saturday, 22 April at 9pm.

    Created by the producers of Kingsman: The Secret Service, Eddie the Eagle is a remarkable real-life story that follows Michael “Eddie” Edwards and his charismatic coach played by Hugh Jackman. Eddie is an unlikely but courageous British ski-jumper who never stopped believing in himself – even as an entire nation was counting him out. Eddie eventually takes on the establishment and wins the hearts of sports fans around the world by making an improbable and historic showing at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.

    Speaking about the movie, Eddie once said, “The press portrayed me as a joke and a clown. So this is nice because it shows people just what it took for me to get to those Olympic Games. For me, just getting there was my gold medal.”

    ‘Eddie the Eagle’ stars Taron Egerton as Eddie, the loveable underdog with a never say die attitude along with Hollywood heart-throb Hugh Jackman, Eddie’s rebellious coach. With the director, Dexter Fletcher’s (of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Band of Brothers fame) superb direction and music director, Matthew Margeson’s spot on Eighties themed score, the film soars high on the chemistry between Edgerton and Jackman and is a must-watch for movie enthusiasts.

    The movie premiered back in January 2016 at the Sundance Film Festival and received a pool of spectacular reviews, with the Daily mail calling it out as the ‘most enjoyable British film of the year’.