As another M&a opportunity is potentially headed to the scrap heap, Paramount may be left to go it alone.
There’s very little about Paramount Global’s recent ownership question that has gone the way that company officials would want. The special committee designated to consider merger and acquisition opportunities is now working through its second major offer for the company, a $26 billion bid by Sony and its private equity firm partner Apollo Global Management. But a new report from CNBC is casting doubt on whether Sony really wants to follow through with its attempt to purchase Paramount Global, and it appears increasingly likely that the company won’t be sold at all.
Key Details: CNBC’s David Faber reports that Sony is “rethinking” its bid for Paramount Global. Due diligence has not begun, so while deal talks could still heat up, the two sides are not progressing as they would have hoped.
There’s very little about Paramount Global’s recent ownership question that has gone the way that company officials would want. The special committee designated to consider merger and acquisition opportunities is now working through its second major offer for the company, a $26 billion bid by Sony and its private equity firm partner Apollo Global Management. But a new report from CNBC is casting doubt on whether Sony really wants to follow through with its attempt to purchase Paramount Global, and it appears increasingly likely that the company won’t be sold at all.
Key Details: CNBC’s David Faber reports that Sony is “rethinking” its bid for Paramount Global. Due diligence has not begun, so while deal talks could still heat up, the two sides are not progressing as they would have hoped.
- 5/15/2024
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Shares of Paramount Global slid Tuesday following a CNBC report that Sony was “rethinking” its bid to acquire Paramount in conjunction with private-equity firm Apollo Global Management.
Earlier this month, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Apollo sent a nonbinding offer to Paramount Global’s board offering to take Paramount private for $26 billion in cash, a price tag that would include the assumption of debt. Paramount Global’s stock dropped more than 5% after CNBC’s David Faber reported Tuesday that “the likelihood of a bid [by Sony and Apollo] at least for the full company seems to be fading a bit.”
“There has not been an NDA signed by Sony [with Paramount Global] at this point, a nondisclosure agreement that you would typically sign so you can begin real due diligence,” Faber said on CNBC’s “Power Lunch.”
Sony Group’s stock price dropped last week and “that may have given them some pause, not to mention, of course…...
Earlier this month, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Apollo sent a nonbinding offer to Paramount Global’s board offering to take Paramount private for $26 billion in cash, a price tag that would include the assumption of debt. Paramount Global’s stock dropped more than 5% after CNBC’s David Faber reported Tuesday that “the likelihood of a bid [by Sony and Apollo] at least for the full company seems to be fading a bit.”
“There has not been an NDA signed by Sony [with Paramount Global] at this point, a nondisclosure agreement that you would typically sign so you can begin real due diligence,” Faber said on CNBC’s “Power Lunch.”
Sony Group’s stock price dropped last week and “that may have given them some pause, not to mention, of course…...
- 5/14/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
(Photo by Matthew Keys for The Desk)
Nearly two years ago, former Tci Cable CEO and Liberty Global Chairman John Malone offered a rare interview to financial news channel CNBC. Like many media and entertainment executives, Malone had streaming on the mind — the industry was emerging from a time when media companies were spending big on content production and marketing to build up their direct-to-consumer services, but few firms were seeing any substantial and sustainable returns.
With his usual calm cadence, Malone laid out the problem: Consumers like streaming, but companies were working too hard to placate everyone, everywhere all at once. Companies were losing millions of dollars offering their subscription services at low cost. Subscribers could churn out of a service with a simple click, and trying to win them back was an expensive proposition. TV and film fans weren’t signing up in droves to watch original programs...
Nearly two years ago, former Tci Cable CEO and Liberty Global Chairman John Malone offered a rare interview to financial news channel CNBC. Like many media and entertainment executives, Malone had streaming on the mind — the industry was emerging from a time when media companies were spending big on content production and marketing to build up their direct-to-consumer services, but few firms were seeing any substantial and sustainable returns.
With his usual calm cadence, Malone laid out the problem: Consumers like streaming, but companies were working too hard to placate everyone, everywhere all at once. Companies were losing millions of dollars offering their subscription services at low cost. Subscribers could churn out of a service with a simple click, and trying to win them back was an expensive proposition. TV and film fans weren’t signing up in droves to watch original programs...
- 5/9/2024
- by Matthew Keys
- The Desk
Speaking with CNBC this week, Disney chair Bob Iger said that his company, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery have confidence they’ll beat Fubo’s lawsuit.
It’s nearly two months to the day since Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery announced that a seismic shift in the world of sports broadcasting was coming. The three companies are planning to combine all of their live sports rights onto a new streaming platform that has a targeted launch date of fall 2024, but imposing hurdles like a Department of Justice antitrust review and a lawsuit from Fubo stand in its way. Despite those potential roadblocks, the tone struck by Disney CEO Bob Iger this week can best be described as unconcerned, as the executive seems to believe that the three companies do not have much to fear in terms of getting their new platform to market.
Speaking with CNBC this week, Iger...
It’s nearly two months to the day since Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery announced that a seismic shift in the world of sports broadcasting was coming. The three companies are planning to combine all of their live sports rights onto a new streaming platform that has a targeted launch date of fall 2024, but imposing hurdles like a Department of Justice antitrust review and a lawsuit from Fubo stand in its way. Despite those potential roadblocks, the tone struck by Disney CEO Bob Iger this week can best be described as unconcerned, as the executive seems to believe that the three companies do not have much to fear in terms of getting their new platform to market.
Speaking with CNBC this week, Iger...
- 4/5/2024
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
With the Nelson Peltz proxy fight in the rearview mirror, Disney CEO Bob Iger says that he is now free to focus on moving the company forward, with succession being a top priority.
In a wide-ranging interview with CNBC on Thursday morning, Iger said that in meeting with shareholders over the past few months, succession was a key issue, and he sought to reassure the Street that he was focused on the problem.
“The board engaged in a succession process the moment I came back, and they’re taking it very, very seriously. I don’t think it has changed because of the activism battle at all,” Iger told CNBC’s David Faber. “They established this as their number one priority from the moment I came back, they formed a committee right away, they’ve been meeting regularly, they’re going to meet even more regularly going forward because I...
In a wide-ranging interview with CNBC on Thursday morning, Iger said that in meeting with shareholders over the past few months, succession was a key issue, and he sought to reassure the Street that he was focused on the problem.
“The board engaged in a succession process the moment I came back, and they’re taking it very, very seriously. I don’t think it has changed because of the activism battle at all,” Iger told CNBC’s David Faber. “They established this as their number one priority from the moment I came back, they formed a committee right away, they’ve been meeting regularly, they’re going to meet even more regularly going forward because I...
- 4/4/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Bob Iger just put the shush-finger up (he probably wanted to do the middle one) to Elon Musk and anyone else who says Disney’s content is more about social-justice issues these days than entertainment.
On Thursday, Iger sat with CNBC reporter David Faber at Disney HQ. The Disney chief was primarily there to celebrate his proxy-fight victory over Nelson Peltz, Ike Perlmutter, and other activist investors, but the topics went wide over the 30-minute conversation.
After the requisite stuff about the Disney board (status quo is good!), its Iger succession plan (no updates!), Disney+ and Hulu together (“doing extremely well”), their coming password-sharing crackdown, and a whole bunch on sports (no name or price point still on coming joint venture), Faber went “woke.” Well, he asked about the high-profile public figures, specifically Twitter/X owner Musk, who use the term as a pejorative when discussing Disney — how does Iger handle it?...
On Thursday, Iger sat with CNBC reporter David Faber at Disney HQ. The Disney chief was primarily there to celebrate his proxy-fight victory over Nelson Peltz, Ike Perlmutter, and other activist investors, but the topics went wide over the 30-minute conversation.
After the requisite stuff about the Disney board (status quo is good!), its Iger succession plan (no updates!), Disney+ and Hulu together (“doing extremely well”), their coming password-sharing crackdown, and a whole bunch on sports (no name or price point still on coming joint venture), Faber went “woke.” Well, he asked about the high-profile public figures, specifically Twitter/X owner Musk, who use the term as a pejorative when discussing Disney — how does Iger handle it?...
- 4/4/2024
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Banijay is ramping up efforts to find new properties for its array of scripted labels, appointing experienced industry exec Hannah Griffiths as its first ever Head of Adaptations.
Griffiths is already up and running at Banijay. She has had a long career in publishing and TV and prior to taking her new role was at All3Media, where she was Head of Literary Acquisitions.
Her brief at production and distribution giant Banijay is to support the company’s scripted labels, working with rights holders to source IP across books, podcasts, and other media.
Based in the firm’s London office and reporting to Banijay UK CEO and Executive Chairman, Patrick Holland, Griffiths will work with the company’s roster of UK labels, which includes Kudos, Mam Tor, Tiger Aspect and recent acquisition The Forge. Her IP advice will also be available to producers across Banijay’s international footprint.
“With our...
Griffiths is already up and running at Banijay. She has had a long career in publishing and TV and prior to taking her new role was at All3Media, where she was Head of Literary Acquisitions.
Her brief at production and distribution giant Banijay is to support the company’s scripted labels, working with rights holders to source IP across books, podcasts, and other media.
Based in the firm’s London office and reporting to Banijay UK CEO and Executive Chairman, Patrick Holland, Griffiths will work with the company’s roster of UK labels, which includes Kudos, Mam Tor, Tiger Aspect and recent acquisition The Forge. Her IP advice will also be available to producers across Banijay’s international footprint.
“With our...
- 1/16/2024
- by Stewart Clarke
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s been almost six months since the series finale of Succession, and Jesse Armstrong has been enjoying the rest.
“There was some sadness about the show ending,” says the British creator and showrunner of HBO’s multiple Emmy-winning drama, which followed the misadventures of the deliriously dysfunctional Roy family, owners of media and entertainment conglomerate Waystar Royco. “[But] doing the show was such a rush of pleasure and anxieties and hard work, of pondering the next season and worrying that you’re going to screw it up [that] is is very, very nice to have time to read again. And to travel.”
Since Succession finished, Armstrong has been on a bit of a victory lap, attending international television festivals and book tours (Faber and Faber published a series of authorized Succession script books) while pondering what to do next.
He’s had an incredible run so far.
Even before Succession, which has won 13 Emmys,...
“There was some sadness about the show ending,” says the British creator and showrunner of HBO’s multiple Emmy-winning drama, which followed the misadventures of the deliriously dysfunctional Roy family, owners of media and entertainment conglomerate Waystar Royco. “[But] doing the show was such a rush of pleasure and anxieties and hard work, of pondering the next season and worrying that you’re going to screw it up [that] is is very, very nice to have time to read again. And to travel.”
Since Succession finished, Armstrong has been on a bit of a victory lap, attending international television festivals and book tours (Faber and Faber published a series of authorized Succession script books) while pondering what to do next.
He’s had an incredible run so far.
Even before Succession, which has won 13 Emmys,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Acquisitions
Banijay U.K. have acquired “Becoming Elizabeth” producer The Forge. The terms of the agreement include a first look deal for Banijay Rights.
The Forge was founded by managing director George Faber and the senior creative team is comprised of Faber, EP and head of business affair Mark Pybus, EP Beth Willis and EP George Ormond. Upcoming series from the production company are “The Buccaneers” for Apple TV+ and Peter Kominsky’s drama about the Grenfell fire for BBC One.
The studio is the eleventh scripted label to be acquired by Banjay U.K., joining companies including Tiger Aspect and Kudos.
“I have been a massive admirer of The Forge since its inception,” said Patrick Holland, CEO of Banijay U.K. “George Faber, Mark Pybus, Beth Willis and George Ormond have together grown one of the most ambitious and exciting drama slates in the U.K. We are so...
Banijay U.K. have acquired “Becoming Elizabeth” producer The Forge. The terms of the agreement include a first look deal for Banijay Rights.
The Forge was founded by managing director George Faber and the senior creative team is comprised of Faber, EP and head of business affair Mark Pybus, EP Beth Willis and EP George Ormond. Upcoming series from the production company are “The Buccaneers” for Apple TV+ and Peter Kominsky’s drama about the Grenfell fire for BBC One.
The studio is the eleventh scripted label to be acquired by Banjay U.K., joining companies including Tiger Aspect and Kudos.
“I have been a massive admirer of The Forge since its inception,” said Patrick Holland, CEO of Banijay U.K. “George Faber, Mark Pybus, Beth Willis and George Ormond have together grown one of the most ambitious and exciting drama slates in the U.K. We are so...
- 11/2/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Banijay has added to its UK scripted roster with the acquisiton of Help and The Buccaneers producer The Forge.
The Big Brother maker’s UK arm has taken a majority stake in The Forge, its first since Chloe producer Mam Tor almost exactly a year ago. The deal includes a first-look agreement with distributor Banijay Rights. The Forge previously had a similar deal in place with All3Media International but it ran down several years ago.
The Forge was founded by former BBC commissioner George Faber a decade ago and counts vet UK drama execs such as Beth Willis, Mark Pybus and George Ormond amongst its senior creative team.
The company has collaborated with the likes of Jack Thorne, Ben Wheatley and Peter Moffat, with past credits including Thorne’s Channel 4 BAFTA-winner Help, Starz’ Becoming Elizabeth and BBC drama Collateral starring Carey Mulligan. It has big streamer shows coming up...
The Big Brother maker’s UK arm has taken a majority stake in The Forge, its first since Chloe producer Mam Tor almost exactly a year ago. The deal includes a first-look agreement with distributor Banijay Rights. The Forge previously had a similar deal in place with All3Media International but it ran down several years ago.
The Forge was founded by former BBC commissioner George Faber a decade ago and counts vet UK drama execs such as Beth Willis, Mark Pybus and George Ormond amongst its senior creative team.
The company has collaborated with the likes of Jack Thorne, Ben Wheatley and Peter Moffat, with past credits including Thorne’s Channel 4 BAFTA-winner Help, Starz’ Becoming Elizabeth and BBC drama Collateral starring Carey Mulligan. It has big streamer shows coming up...
- 11/2/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Independent production giant Banijay’s U.K. arm unveiled the acquisition of scripted producer The Forge, the company behind such dramas as Marriage, starring Sean Bean, Help, starring Jodie Comer and Stephen Graham, and Becoming Elizabeth.
Banijay lauded the company’s “well-established reputation for high-quality, ambitious and award-winning TV drama.” Financial details weren’t disclosed.
The Forge’s other successes have included the likes of National Treasure (Channel 4), The Miniaturist (BBC), Kiri (Channel 4) and Collateral (BBC).
Banijay also highlighted that The Forge currently has multiple, high-profile titles for linear and streaming platforms in production. They include eight-part series The Buccaneers for Apple TV+, due to launch globally Nov. 8, whose plot description says it revolves around “the daughters of America’s new rich — beautiful and untameable, despite the best efforts of England’s finest governesses, they are on their way to London to snare themselves an aristocrat, low in funds...
Banijay lauded the company’s “well-established reputation for high-quality, ambitious and award-winning TV drama.” Financial details weren’t disclosed.
The Forge’s other successes have included the likes of National Treasure (Channel 4), The Miniaturist (BBC), Kiri (Channel 4) and Collateral (BBC).
Banijay also highlighted that The Forge currently has multiple, high-profile titles for linear and streaming platforms in production. They include eight-part series The Buccaneers for Apple TV+, due to launch globally Nov. 8, whose plot description says it revolves around “the daughters of America’s new rich — beautiful and untameable, despite the best efforts of England’s finest governesses, they are on their way to London to snare themselves an aristocrat, low in funds...
- 11/2/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Writers and actors in Hollywood may be ready to head back to work. That’s according to CNBC reporter David Faber, who states that representatives of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) sat down with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) on Wednesday and they are “near agreement” on a deal.
Another meeting is scheduled for Thursday, according to a joint statement released by the WGA and AMPTP. Sources close to the talks told Faber that they’re optimistic Thursday’s session will lead to a deal, but if it doesn’t the strike that first began in May could continue through the end of 2023.
That strike has brought some of Hollywood’s biggest productions, like the final season of Netflix’s original series “Stranger Things” to a screeching halt. Streaming has a big role in the motivations behind the writers’ strike; one item writers have been...
Another meeting is scheduled for Thursday, according to a joint statement released by the WGA and AMPTP. Sources close to the talks told Faber that they’re optimistic Thursday’s session will lead to a deal, but if it doesn’t the strike that first began in May could continue through the end of 2023.
That strike has brought some of Hollywood’s biggest productions, like the final season of Netflix’s original series “Stranger Things” to a screeching halt. Streaming has a big role in the motivations behind the writers’ strike; one item writers have been...
- 9/21/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
If Bob Iger’s tenure as the CEO of Disney between 2005-2020 was defined by one thing, it would be the deals.
In 2006, he acquired a computer animation company founded by Steve Jobs called Pixar for $7.4 billion; in 2009 he acquired the down-on-its-luck comic book publisher Marvel for $4 billion; in 2012 he spearheaded the acquisition of George Lucas’ Lucasfilm for $4 billion; in 2017 he acquired a majority stake in BamTech for $1.6 billion, a streaming video provider that built the backbone of what became Disney+ and Hulu; and in 2019 he acquired the entertainment assets of Fox in a staggering $71 billion deal.
Thanks to a blockbuster interview on Thursday, it seems clear that Iger’s second run as CEO will be defined by his dealmaking as well. This time, however, he’s mostly a seller, not a buyer.
Speaking to CNBC’s David Faber on a makeshift TV set on the side of the road in Sun Valley,...
In 2006, he acquired a computer animation company founded by Steve Jobs called Pixar for $7.4 billion; in 2009 he acquired the down-on-its-luck comic book publisher Marvel for $4 billion; in 2012 he spearheaded the acquisition of George Lucas’ Lucasfilm for $4 billion; in 2017 he acquired a majority stake in BamTech for $1.6 billion, a streaming video provider that built the backbone of what became Disney+ and Hulu; and in 2019 he acquired the entertainment assets of Fox in a staggering $71 billion deal.
Thanks to a blockbuster interview on Thursday, it seems clear that Iger’s second run as CEO will be defined by his dealmaking as well. This time, however, he’s mostly a seller, not a buyer.
Speaking to CNBC’s David Faber on a makeshift TV set on the side of the road in Sun Valley,...
- 7/13/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Disney CEO Bob Iger said Marvel Entertainment, whose acquisition in 2009 was a signature deal of Iger’s first stint atop the company, was unfairly “taxed” during the company’s frenzy to supply Disney+ with fresh content.
In a lengthy sit-down with CNBC’s David Faber (watch a clip above), Iger addressed Marvel as well as topics like the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes; a looming revamp of the company’s linear TV assets; and the ongoing feud with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Along with Pixar and Lucasfilm, the CEO said, Marvel had been asked to do too much by former CEO Bob Chapek, Iger’s hand-picked successor who was ousted last fall.
“In our zeal to basically grow our content significantly and serve our streaming offerings, we ended up taxing our people, in terms of their time and their focus, way beyond where they had been,” he said. “Marvel is a great example of that.
In a lengthy sit-down with CNBC’s David Faber (watch a clip above), Iger addressed Marvel as well as topics like the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes; a looming revamp of the company’s linear TV assets; and the ongoing feud with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Along with Pixar and Lucasfilm, the CEO said, Marvel had been asked to do too much by former CEO Bob Chapek, Iger’s hand-picked successor who was ousted last fall.
“In our zeal to basically grow our content significantly and serve our streaming offerings, we ended up taxing our people, in terms of their time and their focus, way beyond where they had been,” he said. “Marvel is a great example of that.
- 7/13/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated with video: As Ron DeSantis has made attacks on The Walt Disney Co. a feature of his presidential campaign, CEO Bob Iger responded to one of the Florida governor’s accusations made on the campaign trail: That the company was in favor of the “sexualization of our children.”
“We are a pre-eminent entertainer in the world, and we are proud of our track record there. The notion that Disney is in any way sexualizing our children quite frankly is preposterous and inaccurate,” Iger told CNBC’s David Faber in an interview from Sun Valley, ID.
DeSantis has focused his attacks on Disney’s opposition to a parental rights bill — dubbed “don’t say gay” by detractors — that has led to a stand off and a federal court lawsuit. He’s also accused Disney of being a “woke corporation” and, per The New York Times, said that the company has...
“We are a pre-eminent entertainer in the world, and we are proud of our track record there. The notion that Disney is in any way sexualizing our children quite frankly is preposterous and inaccurate,” Iger told CNBC’s David Faber in an interview from Sun Valley, ID.
DeSantis has focused his attacks on Disney’s opposition to a parental rights bill — dubbed “don’t say gay” by detractors — that has led to a stand off and a federal court lawsuit. He’s also accused Disney of being a “woke corporation” and, per The New York Times, said that the company has...
- 7/13/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney CEO Bob Iger said the linear TV business “may not be core” to the company, and efforts are under way to explore a number of strategic options for them.
He also criticized SAG-AFTRA and the WGA for demands that are not “realistic” in their respective labor fights with the AMPTP, adding that the resulting strikes could do serious damage across the economy.
Speaking to CNBC’s David Faber in a wide-ranging conversation in Sun Valley, ID, where Iger is attending Allen & Co.’s annual conference, Iger conceded his second stint as CEO has been more challenging than he expected. The 35-minute interview (watch a portion of it above) came a day after the news that Disney’s board unanimously voted to extend Iger’s contract to serve as CEO for another two years, through the end of 2026.
Iger said the labor situation is “very disturbing to me.” Coming after the ravages of Covid,...
He also criticized SAG-AFTRA and the WGA for demands that are not “realistic” in their respective labor fights with the AMPTP, adding that the resulting strikes could do serious damage across the economy.
Speaking to CNBC’s David Faber in a wide-ranging conversation in Sun Valley, ID, where Iger is attending Allen & Co.’s annual conference, Iger conceded his second stint as CEO has been more challenging than he expected. The 35-minute interview (watch a portion of it above) came a day after the news that Disney’s board unanimously voted to extend Iger’s contract to serve as CEO for another two years, through the end of 2026.
Iger said the labor situation is “very disturbing to me.” Coming after the ravages of Covid,...
- 7/13/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
During an appearance on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Thursday morning, Disney CEO Bob Iger said that the writers and actors unions going on strike in Hollywood are not being “realistic” with their expectations.
Speaking to CNBC’s David Faber from the Sun Valley Conference in Idaho, Iger commented on the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike and imminent decision for SAG-AFTRA to join them.
“It’s very disturbing to me. We’ve talked about disruptive forces on this business and all the challenges we’re facing, the recovery from Covid which is ongoing, it’s not completely back. This is the worst time in the world to add to that disruption,” Iger said. “I understand any labor organization’s desire to work on behalf of its members to get the most compensation and be compensated fairly based on the value that they deliver. We managed, as an industry, to...
Speaking to CNBC’s David Faber from the Sun Valley Conference in Idaho, Iger commented on the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike and imminent decision for SAG-AFTRA to join them.
“It’s very disturbing to me. We’ve talked about disruptive forces on this business and all the challenges we’re facing, the recovery from Covid which is ongoing, it’s not completely back. This is the worst time in the world to add to that disruption,” Iger said. “I understand any labor organization’s desire to work on behalf of its members to get the most compensation and be compensated fairly based on the value that they deliver. We managed, as an industry, to...
- 7/13/2023
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Paradigm on Friday announced its signing of Umbrelic Entertainment, the L.A. and Detroit-based film finance and production company founded and operated by Thomas Zambeck and Brian Katz. Umbrelic will be repped within Paradigm’s Content Group department by Nick LoPiccolo and Babacar Diene.
Since its 2018 founding, Umbrelic Entertainment has built a pipeline of non-coastal, non-traditional financial capital by demystifying the film industry for new investors and pairing them with commercial projects, producing or financing over a dozen films. Recent releases include the Chris Sivertson-directed horror thriller Monstrous, starring Christina Ricci, and the crime thriller American Murderer, starring Tom Pelphrey and Ryan Phillippe.
Forthcoming releases from Umbrelic include the sci-fi thriller Share with Bradley Whitford and Alice Braga, the action thriller Hellfire toplined by Stephen Lang and Harvey Keitel, and director Adam Sigal’s dark comedy Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose, starring Simon Pegg, Minnie Driver and Christopher Lloyd.
Since its 2018 founding, Umbrelic Entertainment has built a pipeline of non-coastal, non-traditional financial capital by demystifying the film industry for new investors and pairing them with commercial projects, producing or financing over a dozen films. Recent releases include the Chris Sivertson-directed horror thriller Monstrous, starring Christina Ricci, and the crime thriller American Murderer, starring Tom Pelphrey and Ryan Phillippe.
Forthcoming releases from Umbrelic include the sci-fi thriller Share with Bradley Whitford and Alice Braga, the action thriller Hellfire toplined by Stephen Lang and Harvey Keitel, and director Adam Sigal’s dark comedy Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose, starring Simon Pegg, Minnie Driver and Christopher Lloyd.
- 6/16/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
“The Ultimate Fighter” returns to ESPN on Tuesday, May 30 at 10 p.m. Et with some serious firepower leading the teams. Season 31 of the mixed martial arts competition show will feature a pair of squads led by two of the biggest names in the sport, former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor and No. 5 ranked lightweight contender Michael Chandler. Not only will these two face off on “The Ultimate Fighter,” but they also have a fight planned for the near future as well, so you know this will be a season you don’t want to miss. You can watch ESPN with a subscription to Sling TV. You can also watch with Directv Stream, Hulu Live TV, Fubo, or YouTube TV.
How to Watch 'Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler' Premiere When: Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 10:00 Pm Edt TV: ESPN Stream: Watch with a subscription to Sling TV.
How to Watch 'Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler' Premiere When: Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 10:00 Pm Edt TV: ESPN Stream: Watch with a subscription to Sling TV.
- 5/30/2023
- by Matt Tamanini
- The Streamable
Speaking to CNBC’s David Faber on Tuesday, Elon Musk refused to walk back comments he made recently about billionaire investor George Soros that critics, including the Anti-Defamation League, have noted are full of antisemitic tropes.
Musk, as usual, relied on his familiar claim that he is a defender of “free speech,” and stood by the remarks. He also denied any antisemitic intent, describing himself as “like a pro-semite.” Ironically, earlier in the conversation Musk repeatedly denied that the neo-Nazi who committed the mass shooting in Allen, Tx on May 6 was a white supremacist.
But first, Soros. On Monday Musk, apparently angry that Soros’ investment firm recently dumped every share of Tesla it owned, compared Soros to the Marvel Comics character Magneto. Journalist Brian Krassenstein replied to Musk, pointing out that like Magneto, Soros is a holocaust survivor who is “attacked nonstop for his good intentions which some Americans think...
Musk, as usual, relied on his familiar claim that he is a defender of “free speech,” and stood by the remarks. He also denied any antisemitic intent, describing himself as “like a pro-semite.” Ironically, earlier in the conversation Musk repeatedly denied that the neo-Nazi who committed the mass shooting in Allen, Tx on May 6 was a white supremacist.
But first, Soros. On Monday Musk, apparently angry that Soros’ investment firm recently dumped every share of Tesla it owned, compared Soros to the Marvel Comics character Magneto. Journalist Brian Krassenstein replied to Musk, pointing out that like Magneto, Soros is a holocaust survivor who is “attacked nonstop for his good intentions which some Americans think...
- 5/17/2023
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
Elon Musk sat down with CNBC’s David Faber for an interview where he declared he doesn’t give a shit if his tweets damage his companies.
Musk has spent the last several weeks tweeting and boosting unfounded conspiracy theories about mass shootings, George Soros, and migrants. But in his mind, he is like Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride, telling his enemies that they can “offer me money, offer me power,” but I “don’t care.”
Faber confronted Musk about the kinds of tweets that are sending advertisers fleeing from his platform,...
Musk has spent the last several weeks tweeting and boosting unfounded conspiracy theories about mass shootings, George Soros, and migrants. But in his mind, he is like Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride, telling his enemies that they can “offer me money, offer me power,” but I “don’t care.”
Faber confronted Musk about the kinds of tweets that are sending advertisers fleeing from his platform,...
- 5/17/2023
- by Nikki McCann Ramirez
- Rollingstone.com
Elon Musk defended his propensity to step into divisive debate and even in advancing conspiracy theories, telling CNBC, “I’ll say what I want to say, and if the consequences of that is losing money, I’ll say it.”
The network’s David Faber sat down with Musk and asked the Twitter owner and Tesla CEO about a specific tweet about billionaire George Soros, in which he wrote, “Soros reminds me of Magneto.” He wrote that Soros “wants to erode the very fabric of civilization. Soros hates humanity.”
Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, wrote that Musk was feeding into antisemitic tropes by comparing Soros to a Jewish supervillain. Soros is a frequent target on the right.
“That’s my opinion,” Musk told Faber.
The CNBC host then pressed him. “Why share it when people who buy Teslas may not agree with you? Advertisers on Twitter may not agree with you?...
The network’s David Faber sat down with Musk and asked the Twitter owner and Tesla CEO about a specific tweet about billionaire George Soros, in which he wrote, “Soros reminds me of Magneto.” He wrote that Soros “wants to erode the very fabric of civilization. Soros hates humanity.”
Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, wrote that Musk was feeding into antisemitic tropes by comparing Soros to a Jewish supervillain. Soros is a frequent target on the right.
“That’s my opinion,” Musk told Faber.
The CNBC host then pressed him. “Why share it when people who buy Teslas may not agree with you? Advertisers on Twitter may not agree with you?...
- 5/16/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Ron Faber, a theater, television and film actor who appeared in “The Exorcist,” died on March 26 of lung cancer. He was 90.
Faber’s career as an actor landed him roles in films including “The Exorcist,” “Tree of Guernica” and “The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover,” in addition to appearances on TV episodes of “Law and Order,” “Kojak” and “The Edge of Night.”
In 1973’s “The Exorcist,” Faber played the role of Chuck, an assistant director who reveals to Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) that Burke Dennings (Jack MacGowran) has died. He was also part of Broadway productions including “First Monday in October” with Henry Fonda and “Medea” with Irene Papas.
Faber was born on Feb. 16, 1993 in Milwaukee, Wis., where he grew up with a passion for jazz music and the Disney film “Fantasia.” After being accepted into Marquette University and pursuing a business degree, Faber swiftly landed his first entertainment...
Faber’s career as an actor landed him roles in films including “The Exorcist,” “Tree of Guernica” and “The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover,” in addition to appearances on TV episodes of “Law and Order,” “Kojak” and “The Edge of Night.”
In 1973’s “The Exorcist,” Faber played the role of Chuck, an assistant director who reveals to Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) that Burke Dennings (Jack MacGowran) has died. He was also part of Broadway productions including “First Monday in October” with Henry Fonda and “Medea” with Irene Papas.
Faber was born on Feb. 16, 1993 in Milwaukee, Wis., where he grew up with a passion for jazz music and the Disney film “Fantasia.” After being accepted into Marquette University and pursuing a business degree, Faber swiftly landed his first entertainment...
- 4/24/2023
- by McKinley Franklin
- Variety Film + TV
John Landis' 1978 comedy "Animal House" would change the game for many; not only was the college campus laugh-fest a launchpad for several of its stars — including the already famous "SNL" star John Belushi, who would soon get a call from Steven Spielberg about an upcoming comedy project — but it also heralded a new age of irreverent comedy, one that celebrated contemporary filmmakers didn't quite see at the time.
In Mick de Semlyen's book "Wild and Crazy Guys," producer Ivan Reitman reasoned:
"Before 'Animal House' they were all watching Bob Hope and Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis ... and then this was the first film really made by kids who were postwar and in their early twenties, with a different way of expressing what's funny."
That expression would see the story's central troupe of "fat, drunk, and stupid" college students launching food fights, thumbing their noses at authority, frightening a...
In Mick de Semlyen's book "Wild and Crazy Guys," producer Ivan Reitman reasoned:
"Before 'Animal House' they were all watching Bob Hope and Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis ... and then this was the first film really made by kids who were postwar and in their early twenties, with a different way of expressing what's funny."
That expression would see the story's central troupe of "fat, drunk, and stupid" college students launching food fights, thumbing their noses at authority, frightening a...
- 1/17/2023
- by Anya Stanley
- Slash Film
Tim Norman, ‘Welcome To Sweet Pies’ Star, Found Guilty Of Murder-For-Hire Of Nephew Andre Montgomery
Welcome to Sweet Pies star Tim Norman has been found guilty of murder-for-hire, mail fraud and wire fraud by a jury.
Andre Montgomery, Norman’s 21-year-old nephew, was gunned down on March 14, 2016, in what the court concluded was a plot by the victim’s uncle to cash in on Montgomery’s life insurance policy.
The verdict took the jury three days and 17 hours to reach. Evidence against Norman included testimony from an exotic dancer he had allegedly hired to lure Montgomery, Terica Elis, and the shooter, Travell Anthony Hill.
Both Elis and Hill pled guilty to their role in the plot.
More damning, though, was the testimonies of Montgomery’s mother, Michelle Griggs, and FBI agent Chris Faber.
Griggs told the court that Norman had originally said that he wanted to mentor her son, “teach him how to be a man.”
She testified that Norman asked her for Montgomery’s birth certificate,...
Andre Montgomery, Norman’s 21-year-old nephew, was gunned down on March 14, 2016, in what the court concluded was a plot by the victim’s uncle to cash in on Montgomery’s life insurance policy.
The verdict took the jury three days and 17 hours to reach. Evidence against Norman included testimony from an exotic dancer he had allegedly hired to lure Montgomery, Terica Elis, and the shooter, Travell Anthony Hill.
Both Elis and Hill pled guilty to their role in the plot.
More damning, though, was the testimonies of Montgomery’s mother, Michelle Griggs, and FBI agent Chris Faber.
Griggs told the court that Norman had originally said that he wanted to mentor her son, “teach him how to be a man.”
She testified that Norman asked her for Montgomery’s birth certificate,...
- 9/25/2022
- by Max Kerwick
- Uinterview
Pandora Media shares spiked more than 13% before settling back to an increase of more than 8% this morning after CNBC’s David Faber disclosed that the struggling streaming music company has changed course and is now open to a sale.
Faber stressed that this is still early in the process, with nothing formal to report. The company has a market value of about $3 billion.
The decision could provide an opening for Liberty Media’s SiriusXM. In July, the satellite radio company informally offered to pay about $3.4 billion, or $15 a share, for Pandora — which the board rejected.
Macquarie Capital’s Amy Yong noted last month that Pandora’s announcement at the time that it’s looking for a new CFO “could open the door to change while recent choppy fundamentals could pressure shareholders to unlock strategic value.”
Pandora’s stock price has dropped 13.2% over the last 12 months as investors tired of the...
Faber stressed that this is still early in the process, with nothing formal to report. The company has a market value of about $3 billion.
The decision could provide an opening for Liberty Media’s SiriusXM. In July, the satellite radio company informally offered to pay about $3.4 billion, or $15 a share, for Pandora — which the board rejected.
Macquarie Capital’s Amy Yong noted last month that Pandora’s announcement at the time that it’s looking for a new CFO “could open the door to change while recent choppy fundamentals could pressure shareholders to unlock strategic value.”
Pandora’s stock price has dropped 13.2% over the last 12 months as investors tired of the...
- 12/2/2016
- by David Lieberman
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.