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Tag: Germany

  • Disney’s ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ crosses $2 billion global box office mark

    Disney’s ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ crosses $2 billion global box office mark

    MUMBAI: Star Wars: The Force Awakens has crossed the $2 billion mark worldwide on 6 February, which was its 53rd day of release, thus becoming only the third film ever to do so and just the second to do it in original release. 

    Additionally, the movie also crossed the $900 million mark at the North American box office and is the only film in history to reach this milestone.

    “This is a historic moment for Star Wars, for Lucasfilm, and for Disney, and all of us here are extremely gratified to be a part of this journey with fans around the world who have made Star Wars: The Force Awakens such an extraordinary success. The film’s achievements are truly astounding, and it’s our great honor to relaunch this cinematic galaxy not only for all the devoted decades-long fans but for a new generation who will keep the Star Wars legacy alive for many years to come,” said The Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn.

    Through 4 February, Star Wars: The Force Awakens earned an estimated $899.1 million in North America and $1,095.6 million internationally for a global total of $1,994.7 million. Opening internationally 16 December and in the US on 18 December, Star Wars: The Force Awakens posted the all-time biggest global and domestic debuts with $528.9 million and $247.9 million respectively.

    Over the course of its eight-week run, it has set numerous other records, including:
    – Biggest domestic preview gross ($57 million)
    – Biggest opening day domestically ($119.1 million)
    – Biggest domestic second weekend ($149.2 million)
    – Biggest domestic third weekend ($90.2 million)
    – Biggest opening week domestically ($390.8 million)
    – Biggest opening weekend in 18 territories: UK (4-day), Australia, Russia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Austria, Poland (3-day), Denmark (5-day), Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Croatia, Ukraine, Iceland, Serbia, New Zealand
    – Fastest film to $1 billion globally (12 days)
    – Biggest film of all time in the US and the UK

    Directed by J.J. Abrams, written by Lawrence Kasdan & Abrams and Michael Arndt, and produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Abrams and Bryan Burk, Star Wars: The Force Awakens was named one of AFI’s top ten films of 2015 and has received five Academy Award nominations, for film editing, visual effects, sound editing, sound mixing, and for series composer John Williams’ original score.

    The Star Wars Saga continues 15 December, 2017, in Star Wars: Episode VIII, picking up in the wake of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Later this year, Rogue One, a new adventure detailing events prior to Star Wars: A New Hope, will take flight on 16 December, 2016.

  • James Murdoch set to take over as Sky chairman again

    James Murdoch set to take over as Sky chairman again

    MUMBAI: Four years after he resigned as chairman of BSkyB, which is now known as Sky Plc, Fox CEO James Murdoch is all set to take over as chairman of the company yet again.

     

    European broadcaster Sky Plc, which is backed by Rupert Murdoch, has named James to the post after Nicholas Ferguson resigned as chairman of Sky.

     

    James had quit BSkyB after News Corp failed to push through a takeover of the broadcaster.

     

    Fox now owns 39 per cent of Sky, which was formerly held by News Corp.

     

    Ferguson decided to step down as chairman and as a director of the company at the end of April after 12 years on the Board. After joining the Board as a non-executive director in 2004, he was appointed as chairman in 2012 and has led the Board during a period of strong growth for the company, including the transaction to bring together the Sky businesses across Europe.

     

    On the other hand, James has been a director of the company since February 2003 and previously served as CEO from November 2003 to 2007 and as chairman from 2007 to 2012.

     

    Martin Gilbert has been appointed as deputy chairman, with Andrew Sukawaty taking over his former role as Sky’s senior independent director.

     

    Ferguson said, “It’s difficult to find the right time to step down from chairing a great company and working with an outstanding Board and management team. I joined the Board 12 years ago, in 2004, meaning that I have been with Sky for nearly half its life. When I became chairman in 2012, I wrote in the Annual Report that I would stay on long enough to ensure continuity. The then virtually new Board is now seasoned and bedded in. We have completed major international acquisitions in Germany and Italy; they are running to plan and we have first-class management in place. Sky continues to grow impressively, to innovate with wonderful products and to serve its customers to the highest standard. So now is the right time for me to step back. I am sure that the company will continue to prosper under the leadership of Jeremy supported by James and the Board.”

     

    Murdoch said, “I would like to thank Nick for his outstanding contribution to the Board over the last decade and more. I am proud to have been asked by the Board to serve as Chairman of Sky, one of the world’s leading pay TV companies. Jeremy and the team at Sky have done an outstanding job in building a dynamic and successful company. As Chairman, I look forward to working with the Board and management as they continue to deliver a great service for Sky’s customers and create value for all shareholders over the years to come.”

     

    Gilbert added, “I would like to give the warmest thanks to Nick for the major contribution he has made to Sky. He has provided valuable leadership as chairman and played a significant part in the company’s progress over many years. I am very pleased that James has agreed to succeed Nick. Having seen first-hand James’s contribution to and passion for Sky, the Board feels he is uniquely qualified to become chairman. I am also pleased that Andrew Sukawaty, with his meaningful experience in public companies and in our industry, has agreed to serve as Sky’s senior independent director.”

  • James Murdoch set to take over as Sky chairman again

    James Murdoch set to take over as Sky chairman again

    MUMBAI: Four years after he resigned as chairman of BSkyB, which is now known as Sky Plc, Fox CEO James Murdoch is all set to take over as chairman of the company yet again.

     

    European broadcaster Sky Plc, which is backed by Rupert Murdoch, has named James to the post after Nicholas Ferguson resigned as chairman of Sky.

     

    James had quit BSkyB after News Corp failed to push through a takeover of the broadcaster.

     

    Fox now owns 39 per cent of Sky, which was formerly held by News Corp.

     

    Ferguson decided to step down as chairman and as a director of the company at the end of April after 12 years on the Board. After joining the Board as a non-executive director in 2004, he was appointed as chairman in 2012 and has led the Board during a period of strong growth for the company, including the transaction to bring together the Sky businesses across Europe.

     

    On the other hand, James has been a director of the company since February 2003 and previously served as CEO from November 2003 to 2007 and as chairman from 2007 to 2012.

     

    Martin Gilbert has been appointed as deputy chairman, with Andrew Sukawaty taking over his former role as Sky’s senior independent director.

     

    Ferguson said, “It’s difficult to find the right time to step down from chairing a great company and working with an outstanding Board and management team. I joined the Board 12 years ago, in 2004, meaning that I have been with Sky for nearly half its life. When I became chairman in 2012, I wrote in the Annual Report that I would stay on long enough to ensure continuity. The then virtually new Board is now seasoned and bedded in. We have completed major international acquisitions in Germany and Italy; they are running to plan and we have first-class management in place. Sky continues to grow impressively, to innovate with wonderful products and to serve its customers to the highest standard. So now is the right time for me to step back. I am sure that the company will continue to prosper under the leadership of Jeremy supported by James and the Board.”

     

    Murdoch said, “I would like to thank Nick for his outstanding contribution to the Board over the last decade and more. I am proud to have been asked by the Board to serve as Chairman of Sky, one of the world’s leading pay TV companies. Jeremy and the team at Sky have done an outstanding job in building a dynamic and successful company. As Chairman, I look forward to working with the Board and management as they continue to deliver a great service for Sky’s customers and create value for all shareholders over the years to come.”

     

    Gilbert added, “I would like to give the warmest thanks to Nick for the major contribution he has made to Sky. He has provided valuable leadership as chairman and played a significant part in the company’s progress over many years. I am very pleased that James has agreed to succeed Nick. Having seen first-hand James’s contribution to and passion for Sky, the Board feels he is uniquely qualified to become chairman. I am also pleased that Andrew Sukawaty, with his meaningful experience in public companies and in our industry, has agreed to serve as Sky’s senior independent director.”

  • WPP’s Possible to acquire majority stake in German digital agency

    WPP’s Possible to acquire majority stake in German digital agency

    MUMBAI: WPP’s global digital agency Possible Worldwide has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Conrad Caine GmbH, a full service digital agency headquartered in Munich, Germany.

     

    Founded in 1998, Conrad Caine delivers digital strategy, user experience, asset creation, campaigns and CRM to its clients. Conrad Caine employs 140 people at its headquarters in Germany, and other offices in Pelotas, Brazil and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

     

    Conrad Caine’s revenues for the year ended 31 December, 2014 were approximately €8.5 million with gross assets of approximately €3.6 million as at the same date.

     

    This acquisition continues WPP’s strategy of investing in fast growth markets, new media and digital, including data and the application of technology.

     

    WPP’s digital revenues were $6.9 billion in 2014, representing 36 per cent of the Group’s total revenues. WPP has set a target of 40-45 per cent of revenue to be derived from digital in the next five years. WPP companies in Germany generate revenues of approximately $1.3 billion and employ around 7,000 people (including associates). On this basis, Germany is WPP’s fourth largest market after the US, the UK and China.

  • WPP’s Possible to acquire majority stake in German digital agency

    WPP’s Possible to acquire majority stake in German digital agency

    MUMBAI: WPP’s global digital agency Possible Worldwide has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Conrad Caine GmbH, a full service digital agency headquartered in Munich, Germany.

     

    Founded in 1998, Conrad Caine delivers digital strategy, user experience, asset creation, campaigns and CRM to its clients. Conrad Caine employs 140 people at its headquarters in Germany, and other offices in Pelotas, Brazil and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

     

    Conrad Caine’s revenues for the year ended 31 December, 2014 were approximately €8.5 million with gross assets of approximately €3.6 million as at the same date.

     

    This acquisition continues WPP’s strategy of investing in fast growth markets, new media and digital, including data and the application of technology.

     

    WPP’s digital revenues were $6.9 billion in 2014, representing 36 per cent of the Group’s total revenues. WPP has set a target of 40-45 per cent of revenue to be derived from digital in the next five years. WPP companies in Germany generate revenues of approximately $1.3 billion and employ around 7,000 people (including associates). On this basis, Germany is WPP’s fourth largest market after the US, the UK and China.

  • Sky & CBS ink pan-European deal for Showtime programming portfolio

    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.”

  • Sky & CBS ink pan-European deal for Showtime programming portfolio

    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.”

  • Colors Infinity & HOOQ acquire ‘Mad Dogs’ from Sony for India

    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.

  • Colors Infinity & HOOQ acquire ‘Mad Dogs’ from Sony for India

    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.

  • ZEEL plans Germany foray; to launch FTA channel by mid-2016

    ZEEL plans Germany foray; to launch FTA channel by mid-2016

    MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) is planning to foray into Germany with the launch of a free-to-air (FTA) television channel by mid-2016.

     

    The FTA channel will bring high-quality Bollywood films produced by the Indian film industry as well as popular Indian television series to German screens, 24-hours a day.

     

    The new channel’s core target group will be females between the ages of 19 and 59. Plans are to make the channel available on major satellite and cable platforms.

     

    The channel’s business operations in the German-speaking area will be handled by Friederike Behrends.

     

    ZEEL international broadcast business CEO Amit Goenka said, “Our foray into Germany is a major step as part of our international expansion strategy. The objective is to establish a lasting presence and grow in the German television market. With our highest levels of entertainment and new content, we are confident of being able to offer our German viewers an attractive enrichment to the existing range of television offerings.”

     

    Europe at Asia TV Ltd. (Zee TV) CEO Neeraj Dhingra added, “The launch of the channel will signify ZEEL’s entry into one of the world’s most important television markets, in which the Bollywood genre is still barely represented as yet. With 210,000 hours of programming and more than 3,500 film titles, our endeavour is to delight the German audiences with Indian content.”

     

    “We also welcome Friederike to the Zee family. She brings with her a rich experience and in-depth knowledge of media, broadcasting and TV content. Her extensive international and national industry expertise will help us not only to cement our presence in the German market, but take it to greater heights,” Dhingra added.

     

    Behrends said, “Bollywood content offers a much broader spectrum than is known on German television. The aim is to enhance Germany’s entertainment offerings by introducing an entirely new genre. We intend to capture the hearts of German viewers with Bollywood. We are currently engaged in intensive talks with German TV-platform operators with a view to expanding the reach as quickly as possible on a broad scale via all transmission paths.”