Author: Madiha Ahmed

Andrew Matthews/PA Wire Spotify saw monthly active users jump 29% to 299 million last quarter with boosts in paid and premium subscribers but earnings were squeezed by costs associated with the streaming music giant’s stock price gains. Premium subscribers rose 27% from a year earlier. Paid subscribers, 138 million, beat Wall Street estimates for the three … Continue reading Spotify Q2 Montly Active Users Jump 29% To 299 Million, Podcast Engagement Grows; But Losses Widen, Stock Slips Continue Reading →

IATSE IATSE international president Matt Loeb today called on the Senate to scrap the Republican-backed HEALS Act and instead pass the House Democrats’ HEROES Act. The Dems’ bill would extend the $600 weekly federal unemployment benefit through the end of the year for those left out of work by the pandemic, while the GOP bill would slash those … Continue reading IATSE President Matt Loeb Calls On Senate To Scrap HEALS Act And Adopt HEROES Act Continue Reading →

New York City’s advertising-dense Times Square, shown in pre-pandemic times in December 2019.Daniel Kalker/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images InterPublic Group CEO Michael Roth said the company will occupy less office space because of COVID-19. “The footprint of the agency business is going to change,” he said during an earnings call with Wall Street analysts Wednesday. “Period.” Already, the parent … Continue reading Is Don Draper Out Of The Office For Good? InterPublic CEO Michael Roth Calls Reduced Footprint “Permanent Change” Continue Reading →

Mandalay Sports Media LLC Independent studio Gunpowder & Sky has acquired worldwide rights to UFC 1: Origins of the Octagon, a documentary that traces the roots of the pro MMA league to its tumultuous first event in 1993. The Ultimate Fighting Championship film will get a fall release. “We’re thrilled to be working with Gunpowder & Sky on bringing … Continue reading Gunpowder & Sky Nabs Worldwide Rights To Ultimate Fighting Championship Documentary Continue Reading →

GreeceFlickr The Greek government has ratified the proposed increase of the country’s cash rebate for film and TV production from 35% to 40%, making it one of the most competitive in the world. The increase was first suggested in June and now comes immediately into effect as the country returns to production following the coronavirus … Continue reading Greece Ups Production Cash Rebate To 40% As Shoots Get Back Underway Continue Reading →

Universal Tuesday’s milestone windows agreement between No. 1 exhibitor AMC and Universal Pictures is a near-term positive for the theatrical film business but a potential headache for exhibitors down the road. That’s the general takeaway from several Wall Street analysts who sized up the deal, which allows Universal releases to head to premium video on demand after just 17 days of … Continue reading AMC-Universal Deal Is A Tonic For Theatrical Business, Wall Street Analysts Say, But Ratchets Up Risk For Exhibitors Continue Reading →

  Saeed Adyani/Netflix Nearly three years after landing Sarah Paulson-starrer Ratched, Netflix announced that Ryan Murphy’s asylum drama series, inspired by the diabolical Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, will premiere September 18. The streamer also released some first-look images — they and the key art are below. Netflix Ratched, from Murphy and Ian Brennan and executive produced … Continue reading ‘Ratched’: Netflix Unveils Premiere Date, First-Look Images For Ryan Murphy’s Asylum Drama Series Continue Reading →

From left: Riz Ahmed, Octavia Spencer and Michael PearceReps; AP Images EXCLUSIVE: Riz Ahmed and Octavia Spencer have been cast in Invasion, a sci-fi thriller pic from BAFTA-winning UK filmmaker Michael Pearce (Beast). I can also reveal that Amazon Studios has taken worldwide rights to the project and will produce alongside American Animals outfit Raw and UK funder Film4, which backed development. The script is written by Pearce with … Continue reading Riz Ahmed, Octavia Spencer & Amazon Board Sci-Fi Thriller ‘Invasion’ From Raw, Film4, Rising UK Director Michael Pearce Continue Reading →

AP Images The Phantom of the Opera might not have left the London theater scene for good after all, assures composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. Responding to a newspaper column written by Phantom producer Cameron Mackintosh stating that both the London and UK touring productions are “permanently shut down” due to the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Webber tweeted early this morning, … Continue reading London’s ‘Phantom Of The Opera’ Will Sing Again, Pledges Andrew Lloyd Webber Continue Reading →

Issa Rae, Jordan Peele, UniversalAP Images/Universal EXCLUSIVE: Here’s a hot one. Universal Pictures, Insecure star and creator Issa Rae and Oscar winner Jordan Peele (Get Out) are teaming on Sinkhole, a thought-provoking genre movie that engages with questions of female perfection and identity. In a low-seven-figure deal, Universal beat out more than 10 studio bidders and multiple talent and filmmaker packages for screen rights to … Continue reading Issa Rae, Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw & Universal Team For Female Identity Genre Movie ‘Sinkhole’ After Studio Wins Story Rights In Seven-Figure Deal Continue Reading →