Metallica are among investors in a $13.7million (£10.8million) funding round for the new artist-to-fan platform Medallion.The heavy metal veterans supported the platform – which allows artists to have a dedicated hub for releases, concerts, merchandise and more – for its Series A round.The round, co-led by Dragonfly and Lightspeed Faction, was secured with the support of Metallica’s Black Squirrel Partners alongside fellow musicians like Guy Lawrence of Disclosure, Jungle, Tiga and more. Various other tech investors included Coinbase Ventures, Infinite Capital and J17.Other music industry investors include Bill Silva Entertainment, Foundations Artist Management, Mt Joy, Method and TAG Music.Medallion, which launched in 2022, enables artists to cultivate a community-focused digital environment that allows for better fan engagement.As we continue to build the best direct-to-fan platform for music artists, we are thrilled to announce our $13.7 million Series A financing, led by @dragonfly_xyz and @lightspeedvp @FactionVC.
BBC Facing $113 Million Funding Gap After Lower Than Expected License Fee Hike
08.12.2023 - 00:47 / variety.com
Naman Ramachandran The annual license fee for the BBC will rise by £10.50 ($13.20) to £169.50 ($213.35), lower than what the corporation expected, causing a funding gap of £90 million ($113 million). As revealed in the BBC’s annual report, the bulk of its income was from the license fee paid for by the public, which accounted for £3.74 billion, £60 million down from last year. The licence fee was been frozen for two years at £159.50.
The license fee rise was linked to September’s rate of inflation, which was lower than preceding months, rather than an average of the past year and is lesser that the 15% anticipated. The fee, which will come into effect from April, 2024, has risen by 6.6%. This is expected to cause a funding gap of £90 million.
The BBC board said: “We note that the government has restored a link to inflation on the licence fee after two years of no increases during a time of high inflation. The BBC is focused on providing great value, as well as programs and services that audiences love. However, this outcome will still require further changes on top of the major savings that we are already delivering.
Our content budgets are now impacted, which in turn will have a significant impact on the wider creative sector across the U.K. We will confirm the consequences of this as we work through our budgets in the coming months.” U.K. culture secretary Lucy Frazer has also announced a a review of the BBC’s funding model.
Frazer had said earlier this week that a 15% license fee hike would be too much. The BBC said in a statement: “The BBC is an important and beneficial intervention in the U.K. media market.
BBC Vigil's Eliza star Romola Garai's life off-screen with famous husband
As BBC police procedural drama Vigil comes to its nail biting conclusion, fans will no doubt be sitting on the edge of their seats as they wait to discover exactly who was behind the hacked drones and what exactly they hoped to achieve by doing so. Since arriving on our screens two weeks ago, the exciting drama has captivated viewers at home for a second time, with the current season having followed hot on the heels of the show’s debut back in 2021, which was set on board a submarine.
After firing Jonathan Majors, flailing Marvel needs a total reboot
conviction Monday on charges of misdemeanor assault and harassment — and his resulting ouster by Marvel Studios — should be a wake-up call to Disney.That message from Captain Obvious? Start over completely. The need for a reboot of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been apparent for years now. Disney’s “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out” firing of Majors, who played the villainous Kang the Conqueror in the painfully stupid “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” was really just the straw that broke the Marvel’s back.
Bad Bunny & Kendall Jenner Reportedly Split After Less Than a Year of Dating
Bad Bunny and Kendall Jenner have split up.
BBC Strictly's Ellie and Vito's blossoming romance - from strong feelings to first photoshoot together
It's no secret that the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom is a hotspot for romance, with dozens of contestants finding love over the years on the BBC One show. Celebrities grow extremely close to their professional dance partners every series, with them spending everyday training together and continuing to bond off the dance floor. This year's series has seen some special friendships form, especially between finalists Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola, who have been at the centre of romance rumours since Strictly kicked off in September due to their undeniable chemistry.
BBC Strictly Come Dancing star 'distraught' after co-star knew time in show 'was up'
Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe is said to have been ‘distraught’ after his exit from the competition just before the final while dance partner Annabel ‘knew it was the end of the line’.
Coronation Street star Lucy Fallon revels Bethany Platt 'changes' amid 'dramatic' return to Weatherfield
Coronation Street star Lucy Fallon has opened up about the changes viewers will see in Bethany Platt when she returns to the cobbles. It was rumoured the actress was reprising her role in the ITV soap over the summer.
Amanda Bynes talks face tattoos on podcast premiere after debuting new look
After a decade of troubles, embattled celebrity Amanda Bynes launched a new podcast on Saturday with friend Paul Sieminski and debuted platinum hair buns. The inaugural episode of “Amanda Bynes & Paul Sieminski: The Podcast,” available on Spotify and YouTube, marks the “She’s the Man” actress’ first on-screen project since her 2010 comedy “Easy A.”“First episode of ‘Amanda Bynes & Paul Sieminski: The Podcast’ done,” Bynes, 37, wrote Saturday on Instagram alongside a photo of herself, Sieminski, and tattoo artist Dahlia Moth, who met the “Hairspray” actress while working at a Spirit Halloween store in Los Angeles.Bynes retired from acting in 2010 as rumors of substance abuse surfaced.
Singapore-Spain Animation Co-Production ‘The Violinist’ Launches at ATF
Naman Ramachandran Singapore‘s Robot Playground Media (RPM) and Valencia-based co-producer TV ON Producciones (TOP) have commenced production on animated feature film “The Violinist,” it was revealed at the Asia TV Forum and Market. The film was unveiled at a presentation attended by the representatives of Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the Spanish Embassy in Singapore.
International Insider: Budget Blow For BBC; Red Sea Wraps Up; ‘Crown’s Off To Them
Good afternoon Insiders, here we go again with a busy old week in TV and film. Max Goldbart penning the newsletter. Read on and sign up here.
BBC Insiders Alarmed Over Funding Deal That Blows $100M Hole In Budget & “Threatens Independence”
EXCLUSIVE: BBC insiders have voiced alarm over a funding deal that has blown a £90M ($113M) hole in the UK broadcaster’s finances and sources say potentially threatens its independence.
Michelle Keegan goes bare-faced in 'happy place' snap after confusing fans with glam appearance
Michelle Keegan showed the two-day difference between her appearance at a star-studded bash and being back in her 'happy place' as she took to social media with a realistic look into her life. The actress pulled out all the stops earlier this week as she headed to the British Fashion Awards 2023.
BBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri apologises for giving the middle finger live on air
BBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri has said sorry for showing her middle finger on live TV. She said she didn't mean to "offend or upset anyone".
BBC Licence Fee Will Not Rise As Much As Previously Promised, Gov’t Confirms, As It Launches Funding Model Review
The BBC‘s licence fee will not rise by as much as previously promised, the UK government has confirmed, condemning the corporation to a difficult year that could see more cuts and less shows commissioned. The government has, meanwhile, launched a review into the BBC’s funding model.
U.K. Culture Minister Unveils New BBC Chair
K.J. Yossman Juniper TV CEO Samir Shah is set to become the new chair of the BBC, the U.K.’s culture secretary Lucy Frazer said today. Shah, who has worked in broadcasting for more than 40 years, will appear before the Culture, Media and Sport committee in the U.K.
New BBC Chair Unveiled With Licence Fee Decision Expected Tomorrow
British TV vet Samir Shah has been unveiled as the new BBC Chair, coming with a major decision on the licence fee imminent.
Singapore’s Mediacorp Debuts in Virtual Production With Chinese Dramas ‘Once Upon a New Year’s Eve,’ ‘Strangers in the Dark’ – ATF
Naman Ramachandran Singapore‘s Mediacorp has begun introducing virtual sets into its scripted content, starting with two Chinese drama series, it was revealed during the ongoing Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF). “Strangers in the Dark” is about an outcast in school, who uses her vivid imagination to help solve various mysteries.
‘Asia’s Next Top Model’ Outfit Refinery Media Launches Fund for Virtual Productions
Naman Ramachandran Singapore’s Refinery Media has launched a global co-production fund that will allocate up to 50% of production budgets for projects exploring the use of virtual production in films, series and unscripted shows. The fund was revealed at Singapore’s Asia TV Forum and Market. “Asia’s Next Top Model,” “SupermodelMe Revolution” and “The Century Egg” are among Refinery’s previous credits.
Singapore Unveils Funding for Coproduction, Virtual Production
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Singapore is launching a new fund to support international coproduction of TV series. It will also expand government investment into virtual production (VP). The two moves were announced on Wednesday by senior minister of state for communications and information Tan Kiat How at the opening ceremony of the Asia Television Forum and Market (ATF).
Singapore Sets $52 Million AI Initiative to Develop Southeast Asian Large Language Models
Naman Ramachandran Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) is teaming with AI Singapore and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research to launch the S$70 million ($52.3 million) National Multimodal LLM Program (NMLP). The initiative, funded by Singapore’s National Research Foundation, will develop the country’s research and engineering capabilities in multi-modal large language (LLM) models. It will help to plug a critical gap because current LLM models are heavily Western originated.