ByteDance Files $14 Million Suit Against Tencent for Monopolistic Behavior

Rebecca Davis editorChina made history this weekend with record sales of nearly $775 million (RMB50 billion) within the first three days of the Chinese New Year holiday, led by an incredible $424 million (RMB2.74 billion) debut from “Detective Chinatown 3.”This marked the first time the country’s national box office has ever broken RMB1 billion ($155 million) a day for three consecutive days, a feat achieved despite caps on max theater capacity at 75% in most of the country and 50% in areas

Also Read: China and Japan Delivered Half of 2020's Top 10 Box Office Hits for First Time EverWhile “Detective Chinatown 3” is not likely to challenge “Endgame”‘s all-time global record of $2.79 billion, it is well on pace to pass the Marvel blockbuster’s Chinese total of $679 million.

Rebecca Davis editorThe world’s largest film market is living up to its title with world-record-setting sales.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief“Detective Chinatown 3” lived up to its billing as the box office favorite over the Chinese New Year holiday period, with first day grosses passing $150 million by 4pm local time.Data from ticketing agency Maoyan showed the franchise comedy adventure film as clocking up RMB975 million of revenues, and claiming over 60% of the nationwide box office total.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefAn executive at Chinese tech giant Tencent has been arrested on suspicion of sharing personal data from the WeChat social media app with an official.The executive was named as Zhang Feng, who has in the past been referred to as a company VP.Tencent confirmed the information and said that Zhang’s detention relates to a case of “personal corruption.” The company said that Zhang’s case was not related to its Weixin app or its WeChat international iteration.It

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterSony Pictures and Chinese production company Tencent have landed rights to “Finding Gobi,” a touching memoir about a stray dog who befriends a runner, and plan to adapt it as a feature film.20th Century Fox originally optioned the book in 2017, but the project was abandoned when Disney acquired Fox’s film assets two years later.“Finding Gobi” was written by Dion Leonard, a seasoned ultra-marathon runner who crossed paths with an abandoned dog while competing

The U.K.’s media regulator has stripped Chinese state-backed television channel CGTN of its broadcast license, a move that is certain to escalate state-level tensions with Beijing. British communications watchdog, Ofcom, said it revoked the license after an investigation into the Chinese channel raised questions about its editorial independence and links to the Chinese communist party.

straight to your inbox every day for freeOdion Ighalo has joined Saudi Arabian club Al Shabab following the end of his Manchester United loan spell. The forward spent a year on loan at United from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, extending his stay at Old Trafford after proving a useful back-up striker last season.

UK media regulator Ofcom has revoked the broadcasting license of Chinese state-backed network CGTN after it was unable to show that it operates independently of the Chinese Communist Party.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefChart positions for the top five films remained largely unchanged over the weekend in China, as the Middle Kingdom’s box office returned to a familiar early-year torpor.Data from Artisan Gateway shows that aggregate revenues amounted to $32.8 million over the Friday to Sunday period, down from $37.5 million the previous weekend.

direct to your inboxThe fight against coronavirus has dominated the last year in practically every nation across the globe.Only a handful of remote island destinations appear to be free from the threat of Covid-19, which has taken the lives of more than 2 million people since the virus emerged in Wuhan, China, in 2019.While some countries have been praised for their approach to the coronavirus pandemic, others, including the UK, face criticism as they struggle to contain second and third waves

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorApple tapped director Lulu Wang to showcase the cinematic features of the tech company’s latest iPhone.Wang, who wrote and directed 2019 feature film “The Farewell,” directed a new short for Apple in celebration of Chinese New Year, “Nian,” which puts a fresh twist on a well-known Chinese folktale.

Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle EditorJohn Magaro doesn’t have a lot to say in Kelly Reichardt’s “First Cow.”He stars as Otis “Cookie” Figowitz, the cook to a group of fur catchers in 1820s Oregon, who is befriended by King-Lu, a Chinese immigrant (Orion Lee) on the run for killing a Russian man.His performance, which earned the 37-year-old actor a Gotham Award nomination, is made even quieter because he’s covered by unruly facial hair, a hat and layers of dirt-covered

Make a Wish died on 23 January. The cause of her death has not yet been disclosed.