In the early moments of the annual game to lure advertisers to the Super Bowl, ViacomCBS is first and long. Signing 60 to 70 automakers, snack manufacturers and tech marketers to sponsor the biggest TV event of the year is never an easy task. But doing so will be tougher for the newly-merged media conglomerate,
Through its Design For All collaboration series, Target gifted customers two decades worth of designer collaborations featuring the likes of Missoni, Rodarte, Proenza Schouler, and and ranging from kids’ clothes to home goods. Now Target is introducing a new designer collaboration series built entirely around the most important wardrobe staple—the dress. The Designer Dress Collection,
Downtown Music Holdings announced today that it has acquired South Africa-based Sheer Music Publishing, the largest independent music publisher in Africa. Building on a long-standing relationship between Sheer and Downtown’s eponymous music publishing division, this acquisition formally expands the company’s geographic footprint to the African continent, while also providing the African music industry greater access to artist and label services available
ViacomCBS president-CEO Bob Bakish told investors on Monday that the company feels no urgency to pursue any major acquisitions at present. During ViacomCBS’ 40-minute annual meeting of shareholders, Bakish also said the TV giant is starting to see “green shoots” in the scatter advertising marketplace. And he talked up the growth in usage of the
Universal Music Enterprises (UMe), the global catalog and special markets division at Universal Music Group, has appointed Katina Bynum to the newly created position of Executive Vice President of East Coast Labels, Urban. In this role, Bynum will work closely with UMe’s senior management team and the senior leadership at Republic, Island and Def Jam
Oscar-winning director Taika Waititi is heading up a retelling of Roald Dahl’s classic “James and the Giant Peach” with an all-star cast to help in the fight against COVID-19. Waititi, whose credits include “Thor: Ragnarok,” “The Mandalorian” and “Jojo Rabbit,” hosts a complete reading of the entire book in 10 installments, featuring guests including Ryan
Martin Freeman and Daisy Haggard are coming back for more screaming, wailing and swearing at their fictional children. FX has renewed the comedy “Breeders,” in which the two British actors star, for a second season. The announcement was made by the cabler’s president of original programming Nick Grad. Season 1 of “Breeders,” which is produced
Iberseries, one of the Spanish-speaking world’s first international TV festivals, has launched an online version of what would have been some of the key events at its originally planned on-site first edition in Granada, Southern Spain, due to have run in late May. Set in the run-up and dates of that event, which was dashed
U.K. industry org The Film and TV Charity has launched a free online resource for workers in film, TV and cinema who are seeking mental health support amid the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. Launching Monday, at the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, the online community resource has been developed by Big White Wall
“The Umbrella Academy” season 2 release date has been set for Netflix this summer, with the cast of the comic-based superhero franchise appearing in a quarantine videoconference teaser to pitch the show’s upcoming return. The dysfunctional-family superheroes will return with a new set of adventures on July 31, 2020, on Netflix worldwide. The live-action series is
The Television Academy Foundation’s College Television Awards are going virtual. In the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the annual event will take place via a remote webcast, rather than an in-person event, for the first time in its history. The livestream of the awards will take place on Saturday, May 30, at 5 p.m.
Walter Presents, the streaming service for non-English language drama, has launched in New Zealand after striking a distribution deal with state broadcaster TVNZ. A dedicated Walter Presents section on the TVNZ OnDemand homepage will make more than 250 hours of international scripted programming exclusively available to viewers over the next six months, free of charge
Amsterdam’s IBC Show has been canceled for 2020 due to coronavirus restrictions on travel and social distancing. In a statement released Monday morning, IBC CEO Michael Crimp said that as governments unveil recovery plans, “it has become clear that a return to (a new) normal is unlikely to be achieved by September.” “It has also
Many of the most scarring breakups we suffer in life are not with lovers, but with friends: people we once trusted with our most closely guarded truths, reduced over the years to strangers, or more wrenchingly still, to polite occasional acquaintances. Yet we rarely refer to these breakups as such. We talk about “drifting apart”
In Variety‘s feature story this week on Jason Isbell, a lot of territory was covered: where he fits in genre-wise, his willingness to be an emblem for rock’s recovery movement, the blowback he sometimes gets for being politically outspoken, and the songwriting sensibilities that were further crystallized still in his masterful new album, “Reunions.” And
Former “The Bachelorette” star Hannah Brown has apologized for her use of the N-word on social media. Brown took to Instagram Stories on Sunday with a post in which she wrote, “I owe you all a major apology. There is no excuse, and I will not justify what I said. I have read your messages
ESPN’s 10-part docuseries “The Last Dance,” which is coming to an end Sunday, chronicles Michael Jordan’s final championship season with the Chicago Bulls and the drama that ensued. But where are the players, controversial figures and friends of “His Airness” now? Find out below:
Since its premiere four weeks ago, ESPN’s “The Last Dance” has captured the attention of basketball fans across the nation as they seek content during a time when professional sports have ground to a halt. The 10-part documentary following NBA legend Michael Jordan and six-time champions the Chicago Bulls will air its final two parts
After shutting down in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, Elvis Presley’s Graceland will reopen on Thursday. “Graceland has been working diligently to reconfigure all of our operations, including tours, retail and restaurants, to ensure the health and safety of our guests and associates for our re-opening. Our COVID-19 plan and protocols meet or exceed
“Matrix” co-creator Lilly Wachowski wasn’t happy that Elon Musk and Ivanka Trump were quoting her movie. On Sunday morning, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO posted a cryptic tweet, saying “Take the red pill” with an emoji of a red rose. Take the red pill 🌹 — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 17, 2020 As most movie
With North American moviegoing slowly coming back to life, IFC’s horror movie “The Wretched” is leading the weekend with $85,000 at 21 drive-in movie theaters. “The Wretched,” written and directed by Brett Pierce and Drew T. Pierce, follows a young boy who discovers an evil witch in the nearby woods. The cast include John-Paul Howard,
Logan Williams, a young actor who appeared on CW’s “The Flash,” died on April 2 at 16 years old, and his mother has revealed that his death was caused by a fentanyl overdose. In an interview with the New York Post, Marlyse Williams announced that preliminary toxicology results showed that Logan overdosed on the opioid.
Saturday night’s Verzuz battle between Ludacris and Nelly had all the hallmarks of the Instagram Live collaborations, which have drawn hundreds of thousands of viewers during COVID-19 lockdown. There were hits and deep cuts from the two veteran rappers (both of whom recently celebrated the 20 th anniversaries of their debut albums), boasts and roasts, technical
At least one professional sports organization is ready to bring back its fans. Professional Bull Riders, which is owned by UFC parent Endeavor, will allow fans – albeit not a packed house – to attend a July event in South Dakota. PBR becomes the first sports organization to welcome fans back into the arena since
Fred Willard was a gifted comedian whose unique style and improv roots made him a formidable performer. That’s how his longtime friend and frequent collaborator Martin Mull remembered Willard, who died May 15 at the age of 86. “He was absolutely, unconditionally original,” Mull told Variety. “He worked so spontaneously. He had such a closet that
Despite all the canceled in-person graduation ceremonies, a star-studded lineup of speakers, including Barack Obama, LeBron James and Malala Yousafzai, were determined to celebrate the class of 2020. Lakers star James kicked off the virtual “Graduate Together” ceremony, presented by XQ Institute, EIF and the LeBron James Family Foundation, commending the senior class for their
It’s always terrible to lose a filmmaker, but it’s especially tragic when the creator in question is just starting to hit her stride. When I say that about director Lynn Shelton, it’s not meant to diminish the work she’d done — nine features, ranging from “Humpday” to “Laggies,” and more than 40 TV episodes, including
Phyllis George, one of the first leading female sports broadcasters, died on Friday due to complications from a blood disorder. She was 70. George’s career in front of the camera began in 1974 as the co-host of “Candid Camera” on CBS. That same year, she then joined the “NFL Today” team alongside veteran sports braodcasters
Exclusive Martin Shkreli will have to finish out the rest of his sentence behind bars — despite wanting out over coronavirus concerns — ’cause he’s a picture of health, and letting him out would make zero sense … so says a judge. The incarcerated pharma bro just had his petition for a compassionate release due
Former President Barack Obama made a brief appearance during the “Show Me Your Walk HBCU Edition” virtual graduation ceremony, criticizing the country’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic and the death of Ahmaud Arbery. Though Obama doesn’t mention President Trump by name, he alludes to him and the “folks in charge.” “More than anything, this pandemic