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Tag: AMC

  • AMC Networks to develop a series on ‘Good Night, and Good Luck’

    AMC Networks to develop a series on ‘Good Night, and Good Luck’

    Mumbai: US cable company AMC Networks has opened a writers’ room to develop a TV show based on the Oscar-nominated movie Good Night, and Good Luck.

    Oscar winner George Clooney, Grant Heslov, and their Smokehouse Pictures banner brought the project to AMC along with participants and 2929 productions. Heslov will direct the first episode of the series.

    “AMC is known for intriguing, deeply rooted characters that leap off the screen and into the cultural zeitgeist. Sy Steingartner fits right in with AMC’s icons, and we are excited to develop the character and series,” said AMC Networks president of entertainment and AMC Studios Dan McDermott. “We’re huge fans of Jonathan’s expert storytelling gifts, George and Grant’s producing prowess, Grant’s directing skills, and the vigorous talents of Mark, Todd, and Jeff, and we’re elated to work with all of them in this new endeavour.”

    Jonathan Glatzer will be the showrunner and executive producer. Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner of 2,929 are executive producers, along with participant Jeff Skoll. Miura Kite of Participant will also executive produce, along with Haley Jones of 2929. Rebecca Arzoian of Smokehouse will be co-executive producer.

    “As a massive fan of the movie, I didn’t want to copy it or just do a facsimile of it. So, we’ve expanded the world to show how the division and hysteria of the times seeped into every aspect of daily life. I suppose it’s more of an origin story of where we are today,” Glatzer said.

    “We are exceedingly proud of the Oscar-nominated Good Night, and Good Luck film, and its themes remain frighteningly relevant today, as new threats to democracy arise and trust in the press continues to erode. We are proud to work with AMC, Smokehouse, and 2929 to expand on the world of the film in this thrilling new series,” said Participant CEO David Linde.

    “Good Night and Good Luck,” and the pressures that the Murrow newsroom faces are more relevant now than ever. We are thrilled to reteam with our partners George Clooney, Grant Heslov and Participant to bring Jonathan Glatzer’s vision of Murrow to new audiences. AMC’s long history of character-driven storytelling make this the ideal collaboration for the new series adaptation,” said 2929 Entertainment CEO Todd Wagner.

  • Amazon Prime & AMC Networks to launch AMC+ and Acorn TV on Prime Video Channels in India

    Amazon Prime & AMC Networks to launch AMC+ and Acorn TV on Prime Video Channels in India

    Mumbai: Amazon Prime Video & AMC Networks on Friday announced the launch of AMC+ and Acorn TV on Prime Video Channels in India. 

    AMC+ is a premium subscription program that provides prime members access to a variety of ad-free, exclusive series and movies from the US and around the world, as well as high-quality scripted dramas, fan favourites, and franchises. Acorn TV, which offers dramas and mysteries from Britain and other countries without advertisements, will also be fully accessible to Prime customers as part of their AMC+ membership. For the convenience of prime members, premier original programming will be available with subtitles in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.

    To lock in a one-year membership to AMC+ for Rs 349 via Prime Video Channels, Prime members can now take advantage of a special 50 per cent limited-period promotional offer. With this, consumers can watch content from both AMC+ and Acorn TV on primevideo.com, the Prime Video app on iOS and Android smartphones, smart TVs, connected STBs, and Fire TV sticks. 

    After the initial discount, the subscription will cost Rs 699 per year. For an introductory annual cost of INR 249, Prime customers may also purchase an add-on subscription to Acorn TV alone. Customers who want to solely subscribe to Acorn TV after the introductory offer can do so for Rs 499 per year.

    AMC+ features exclusive new original series (all commercial-free) with new programming premiering each month, including The Walking Dead: Origins (premiering today); western noir Dark Winds (premiering 7 July) executive produced by Emmy-winner George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones) and Oscar-winner Robert Redford; sci-fi thriller Moonhaven (premiering 4 August) starring Dominic Monaghan (Lost) and Joe Manganiello (True Blood); the acclaimed epic western That Dirty Black Bag starring Dominic Cooper (Preacher); gritty crime drama 61st Street starring Emmy-winner Courtney B. Vance (The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story); and high-octane vampire thriller Firebite, among many others.

    Audiences in India will also enjoy a host of new series from AMC Networks’ biggest franchises, including highly anticipated new dramas from The Walking Dead Universe. Tales of the Walking Dead is a new anthology series with an all-star cast premiering later this summer. Isle of the Dead will follow the popular Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) characters from The Walking Dead into a post-apocalyptic Manhattan, coming exclusively to AMC+ in 2023. AMC+ will also launch a new franchise based on Anne Rice’s best-selling novels from ‘The Vampire Chronicles Series’ and ‘The Lives of the Mayfair Witches Series’. Premiering later this year, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire is an epic story of love, blood and the perils of immortality. Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches will follow and focuses on an intuitive young neurosurgeon who discovers that she is the unlikely heir to a family of witches.

    “As the destination for the latest, acclaimed and popular international content, at Amazon Prime Video, we believe in super-serving our customers with choice, access and convenience. Since launch last year, prime video channels has expanded the choice of English and international content available to customers further by giving them access to a wide range of exclusive, high-quality programming from multiple streaming services, while offering them the convenience of enjoying their favourite shows and movies at a single destination, with all their favourite prime video features,” said Amazon Prime Video India head of Prime Video Channels & Sports Chaitanya Divan. “We are delighted to partner with AMC Networks and offer our viewers an even wider selection of popular and blockbuster English content. Prime members have loved our extensive selection of premium international content, available as add-on subscriptions, and we are committed to satisfying their diverse entertainment needs.”  

    AMC+ general manager Courtney Thomasma commented, “AMC+ offers viewers thousands of hours of celebrated and award-winning series, including our critically-acclaimed dramas from The Son to 61st Street as well as the next generation of fan-driven franchises including The Walking Dead Universe and Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire. With our upcoming slate of AMC+ Originals like Dark Winds and Moonhaven along with access to Acorn TV’s beloved international mysteries and dramas, AMC+ combines thought-provoking stories and iconic characters in one subscription. We are excited to partner with Prime Video Channels to bring our slate of original programming to audiences in India and look forward to delivering many exclusive premieres in the months ahead.”

    AMC+ also offers full access to AMC Networks’ targeted streaming service Acorn TV at no additional cost. Acorn TV offers ad-free dramas and mysteries from Britain and beyond, including exclusive productions such as Emmy-nominated Queens of Mystery, My Life is Murder starring Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess), London Kills, Under the Vines, Keeping Faith and The Madame Blanc Mysteries, fan favourites such as Line of Duty and Doc Martin, and acclaimed series Jack Irish starring Emmy-winner Guy Pearce, The Straits starring Emmy-winner Brian Cox (Succession) and The Good Karma Hospital, among others. Acorn TV’s newest exclusive series, Love Me, stars Hugo Weaving (V for Vendetta) and premieres 27 June.

  • AMC Networks launches streaming service AMC+ in India

    AMC Networks launches streaming service AMC+ in India

    Mumbai: Global media and entertainment company AMC Networks on Tuesday announced the launch of its streaming service AMC+ in India. The service will be available on Apple TV channels and via Apple TV app at Rs 199 per month.

    AMC Networks is known for its hit series “Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul,” “The Walking Dead,” “Mad Men” and more. The programming on the service will be subtitled in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, said the statement.

    AMC+ will feature original exclusive series such as “Firebite” featuring Yael Stone and Rob Collins, animation comedy “Ultra City Smiths” featuring Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard, John C Reilly, and Debra Winger. There are also series in the pipeline including “That Dirty Black Bag” starring Dominic Cooper and “61st Street” starring Emmy winner Courtney B Vance. AMC+ will also premiere the eight-time Australian Academy award-winning film “Nitram” from director Justin Kurzel on 30 March.  

    Later this year, AMC+ will introduce new content from ‘The Walking Dead Universe’ and premium original dramas from top US producers including a new franchise based on Anne Rice’s best-selling novels.  

    AMC+ also offers access to AMC Network’s targeted streaming service Acorn TV at no additional cost. Acorn TV offers ad-free shows from Britain including exclusive original productions such as Queens of Mystery, Under the Vines and The Madame Blanc Mysteries, fan favourites such as Line of Duty and Doc Martin, and acclaimed series 19-2 and East West 101, among others.

    “AMC+ offers viewers a premium line-up of celebrated and award- winning series including our signature dramas, wildly original comedies, and compelling true crime series, along with a curated collection of new and independent films,” said AMC+ general manager Courtney Thomasma. “With our pipeline of highly anticipated new series from the U.S. and the beloved international mysteries and dramas from Acorn TV, the AMC+ bundle brings epic, thrilling stories and iconic characters together with one subscription. We are excited to offer our slate of original programming directly to audiences in India for the first time through Apple TV channels.”

  • ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ leaps to box office success amid Omicron concerns

    ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ leaps to box office success amid Omicron concerns

    Los Angeles: No one could be surprised that ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ would be one of this year’s box office biggest heroes but it’s spinning its way to becoming the best December domestic opening with $253 million, the best ever for Sony and the third best-ever among all films beating 2015’s ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ domestic opening of $247.9 million.

    The film, released exclusively in theatres, is attracting enthusiastic moviegoers with record-breaking support in the US. This is big news for theaters whose continued existence seems under constant threat due to the sustained Covid-19 pandemic.

    American Multi-Cinema (AMC) announced Friday that roughly 1.1 million moviegoers attended the opening night of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ in the US, making it the highest-grossing opening night for a December title in AMC’s history. Cinemark called the film’s debut its “best opening night of all time.” And Regal said the film became its second-highest Thursday box office title in its history and shattered records for IMAX, 4DX, ScreenX, and RPX formats.

    Worldwide, the film, starring Tom Holland as Marvel’s friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, is crushing box office records — with this weekend’s global $587.2 million tally, it ranks as the third-biggest worldwide debut in history behind “Avengers: Endgame” (a historic $1.2 billion) and “Avengers: Infinity War” ($640 million). Notably, the top two films opened in China, which is currently the world’s biggest movie-going market, while ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ has yet to secure a release date there.

    In India, the movie continues to keep the Indian box office buzzing. In just three days, the film has managed to cross the Rs 100 crore mark beating other Bollywood films. The much-awaited superhero action film was released on 16 December across 3,264 screens in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu versions.

    “This weekend’s historic ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ results, from all over the world and in the face of many challenges, reaffirm the unmatched cultural impact that exclusive theatrical films can have when they are made and marketed with vision and resolve,” said Sony’s Motion Picture Group chairman and CEO Tom Rothman as reported in Variety. “All of us at Sony Pictures, are deeply grateful to the fabulous talent, both in front of and behind the camera, that produced such a landmark film. Thanks to their brilliant work, this Christmas everyone can enjoy the big screen gift of 2021’s mightiest Super Hero — your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.”

    Credit should also be given to Marvel itself for amping up the prestige of this sequel and fueling fans’ anticipation for months. Directed by Jon Watts, the third chapter in Holland’s trilogy takes place after Peter Parker’s identity is revealed to the world, upending the lives of his girlfriend MJ (Zendaya), his best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon), and his aunt May (Marisa Tomei).

    Critics have embraced ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’, describing the film as a “satisfying meta-adventure.” Audiences have been equally receptive; the movie secured an “A+” CinemaScore and a 99 per cent Rotten Tomatoes average.

    ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ delivered a particularly strong turnout in western Europe, led by the United Kingdom. In the UK, ticket sales reached $41.4 million during its extended five-day opening to notch the fourth-biggest debut ever in that market. The film opened in France with $17.8 million, Italy with $13 million, Germany with $11.4 million, and Spain with $10.4 million. In eastern Europe, Russia led with $17.4 million, followed by Ukraine ($2.4 million) and Turkey ($1.4 million).

    Latin American countries webbed up $79.5 million in total, with Mexico’s five-day tally hitting $32.4 million, the country’s highest of all time. Argentina also recorded its best box office debut with $6.8 million, as did Ecuador with $3.7 million.

    In Asia, the movie notched the largest tally in South Korea ($23.7 million), followed by Hong Kong ($6.3 million). Other notable markets include Saudi Arabia ($5.2 million), Israel ($2.7 million), and New Zealand ($2.3 million).

  • Campaign for investor awareness ‘Sahi Hai’

    MUMBAI: Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), the trade association of Asset Management Companies (AMCs) of all Mutual Funds in India today launched a comprehensive media and communication campaign, as a part of the mutual fund industry’s investor awareness outreach program, that is aimed to position Mutual Funds as a preferred investment option for potential investors.

    In order to create better awareness about mutual funds as a distinct asset class, SEBI has mandated mutual funds to set apart a small portion of their net assets i.e., 2 bps for investor education, out of which half the amount is now being pooled with AMFI for better utilisation of the funds at the industry level. With these funds, AMFI has launched a new media campaign with an aim to increase the number of mutual fund investors multi-fold.

    The campaign is being launched with the message – “Mutual Funds Sahi Hai” – through different media such as TV, Digital, radio, print, cinema and outdoor hoardings with simple, but very clear messaging through interesting advertisements in different languages. With everyday situations as the backdrop, the campaign impresses on the mind of the prospective investors that mutual funds are the right option for them – Mutual Funds Sahi Hai – as the tag line of the campaign says.

    The campaign was launched by SEBI member G. Mahalingam, who said, “It is for the first time in the history of financial services, that all industry participants have come together to promote the category.”
    AMFI chairman A Balasubramian said, “There is a need to encourage households to shift from physical savings to financial avenues, especially mutual funds.”

    J. Walter Thompson (JWT) was entrusted with the creative work for the campaign. JWT managing partner Rajesh Gangwani said, “We see this as a big platform idea which is multi-layered, multimedia and multi-narrative and can run over a long time frame.”

    JWT Mumbai VP & ECD Hanoz Mogrelia said, “Sahi hai may seem like a very simple idea. But, to execute this idea, we had decided to stay in the space of warm, real conversations between friends. We shot eight commercials over a fortnight using absolute ‘non-models’, we shot at real locations, using live sound recording.”

  • The Biggest Wave Makers in the Broadcast industry descend on this year’s CASBAA convention

    The Biggest Wave Makers in the Broadcast industry descend on this year’s CASBAA convention

    MUMBAI: In a year of undeniable sea-change within the broadcast industry, the debate at this year’s CASBAA Convention at its new venue at Hong Kong’s Intercontinental Hotel promises to be hotter than ever. With the theme ‘Making Waves’, the convention has secured an impressive line up of speakers comprising of key industry players from all over the world. From global media giants such as AOL and Virgin Media to regional players such as China Media Capital, this year’s convention will waste no time in getting to the heart of the most pertinent issues facing the cable and satellite industry today.

     

    With over-the-top– or OTT – inall its forms and formats being one of the biggest stories on the broadcast industry landscape this year, the topic will take pride of place at this year’s convention. Over the course of the convention, a wide range of issues related to OTT such as content, revenue-drivers, technologies, audience behaviors and regulation will be on the agenda.

     

    “Whilst we cannot deny the role that linear TV will continue to play a role in the region, we must face the reality that OTT is here to stay and adapt accordingly,” said Christopher Slaughter, CEO, CASBAA. “The simple truth is that companies that fail to evolve will be left behind. By taking a look at some of the best practices in the industry, both in our neck of the woods and further afield, it is our belief that the CASBAA Convention will help our members find ways to navigate – and even conquer – these unchartered seas.”

     

    Following an official welcome from Carrie Lam, Chief Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR Government, AOL’s Digital Prophet, David Shing will kick-start proceedings with an overview of the ever-evolving landscape, focusing on how OTT is now permeating every aspect of the content industry. Giving a UK perspective, Tom Mockridge of Virgin Media will discuss how the broadcast and digital landscapes have become increasingly intertwined and how Virgin has become a leader in this space.

     

    With news hot off the press of his new venture with Warner Bros., Li Ruigang of China Media Capital will be giving the China keynote speech. He will discuss how his investment strategy has helped establish him as one of the major players in the region bridging both the Chinese and international media landscape. Greg Beitchman from CNN and Mark Howard from Forbes will look at driving revenue streams in what is becoming an increasingly digital landscape, while content providers AlonShtruzman from Keshet Media and Mike Hyun-dong Suh from CJ E&M will look at key trends in the content market across Asia. Covering off the latest developments in how technology is being used in the broadcast arena will be David Downey from Invidiand Sam Rogoway from Victorious.  Gwynne Shotwell from SpaceX will be boldly going where no CASBAA speaker has gone before to look at how space technology will not only revolutionize the media industry but life as we know it.

     

    This year, CASBAA will also hold an additional conference on the Monday prior to the convention at the Sheraton Hong Kong to discuss the topic ‘Making Online Advertising Click’. With a view to looking at best practices in the online advertising space, Detective Chief Superintendent, David Clark from the City of London Police Force will discuss what policies have worked for them in the UK, while Dr. Paul Watters will release some updated research on the nefarious places respectable brands can appear online. A host of other speakers from the media to welfare sectors will also take part in this session.

     

    Sponsors for the CASBAA Convention 2015include: ABS, Accedo, Akamai, AMC, APT Satellite, AsiaSat, Brightcove, Conax, France 24, Ideal Group, InvestHK, Irdeto, ITV Choice, Kantar Media,Letv, MEASAT, MediaExcel, nowTV, PwC, RTL CBS Asia, Scripps Networks Interactive, SES, Time Warner, True Visions, Turner and TV5Monde.

  • Comic books series Preacher being developed by AMC

    Comic books series Preacher being developed by AMC

    MUMBAI: Preacher, the hugely popular comic book series from the ’90s is finally being adapted into a television series. According to Deadline, American Movie Classics (AMC) and Sony Pictures Television have closed a deal to develop Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon’s controversial comic book series Preacher into a drama series. 

     

    AMC’s official statement states, Preacher follows Reverend Jesse Custer, a tough Texas preacher who has lost his faith, has learned that God has left Heaven and abandoned His responsibilities. He finds himself the only person capable of tracking God down, demanding answers, and making Him answer for His dereliction of duty.

     

    Accompanying Jesse on his journey is his former girlfriend and a friendly vampire who seems to prefer a pint in the pub to the blood of the innocent. On his tail is one of the most iconic bad guys in print – an immortal, unstoppable killing machine named the Saint of Killers – a western lone gunman archetype whose sole purpose is to hunt and kill Jesse.

     

    The project will be written/executive produced by This Is the End writers/directors Seth Rogen (Knocked Up) and Evan Goldberg (This Is The End), with Sam Catlin (Breaking Bad) serving as executive producer/showrunner and Original Films’ Neal Moritz (The Fast & The Furious) and Vivian Cannon (The Big C) also executive producing. 

  • AMC Networks to acquire Chellomedia from Liberty Global

    AMC Networks to acquire Chellomedia from Liberty Global

    MUMBAI: Cable television networks’ AMC Networks has reached a definitive agreement to substantially acquire all of Chellomedia, the international content division of Liberty Global for €750 million (approximately $1.035 billion). The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2014.

     

    The acquisition would bring AMC Networks a wide number of television channels on board that are distributed to more than 390 million households in 138 countries. The channels span a range of genres, including movie and entertainment networks, providing significant long-range opportunities for AMC Networks to distribute its popular original programming from AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv across an expansive global footprint.

     

    “Chellomedia has developed a remarkable portfolio of popular channels that reach millions of people around the world. As AMC Networks has expanded internationally, we have had a great desire to do something we consider fundamentally strategic, which is to take our content and put it on channels we own. This acquisition allows us to secure a large, global platform on which to distribute our increasingly successful original programming through a collection of strong, well-established and well-managed assets worldwide,” said AMC Networks president and CEO Josh Sapan. “Together, we can grow these assets and make them even more popular and valuable around the world.”

     

    Chellomedia president Niall Curran said, “AMC Networks are content professionals with an excellent creative and business track record. They are highly enthusiastic about the business we have built at Chellomedia and are ambitious to develop it further, making AMC Networks a great owner and partner for Chello’s next phase of growth.”

     

    In addition to the AMC channel, AMC Networks also owns IFC and IFC Films, WE and the Sundance Channel.

     

    The agreement includes the acquisition of Chellomedia’s operating businesses including: Chello Central Europe, Chello Latin America, Chello Multicanal, Chello Zone, the ad sales unit Atmedia and the broadcast solutions unit Chello DMC.

     

    Chellomedia’s has many channels in various genres such as movies, entertainment, sports, children, lifestyle and documentary.
    Guggenheim Securities, LLC served as lead financial advisor to AMC Networks as well as providing capital structure and financing advice. Bank of America Merrill Lynch has provided a commitment for debt financing for the transaction and also served as financial advisor to AMC Networks. Legal advisors were Clifford Chance.

  • Apple TV gets Disney Channels app, Microsofts Xbox offers Time Warner Cable

    Apple TV gets Disney Channels app, Microsofts Xbox offers Time Warner Cable

    MUMBAI: Apple and Microsoft have added new channels to their streaming video devices that boost their available content. It’s a step forward for both gadgets but doesn’t break the a la carte wall just yet. Apple TV was upgraded to include apps for Disney channels – pay TV subscription required – Vevo and the Weather Channel, while Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console added a subscription-contingent Time Warner Cable app. The latter offers access to 300 TV channels including CNN, AMC and Comedy Central.
        

    Blair Westlake, corporate VP of Microsoft’s media and entertainment group, told the Wall Street Journal’s Digits blog that his company had considered licensing channels directly from media companies to create a service similar to the kinds of online cable TV products planned by Intel and Sony. “We looked at it and said if we can deliver an app or apps like the one we are lighting up today” with Time Warner Cable, that’s “really what people expect.”

  • Paramount bundling World War Z and Star Trek Into Darkness as double feature

    Paramount bundling World War Z and Star Trek Into Darkness as double feature

    MUMBAI: The studio plans to squeeze more life out of its undead hit and space sequel. Paramount and a clutch of exhibitors are going back to the future for a week with an old-fashioned double feature of summer tentpoles World War Z and Star Trek Into Darkness starting Friday.

     

    The twin bill screens in 3D or 2D through 5 September in select AMC, Regal, Carmike, Marcus and other theaters for the price of a single ticket. It’s the second stunt playdates for Brad Pitt’s zombie flick – third if you count a late-add IMAX run – following its $50 “Mega Ticket” deal that included an advance screening, a home video copy of the film, 3D glasses, a poster and popcorn. With more than $526 million worldwide, WWZ is Pitt’s highest-grossing film ever. J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek Into Darkness has banked $458.7 million worldwide and spawned another sequel.