Canada’s Bell Media Launches FAST Channels Spanning News, Sports, Reality & ‘Corner Gas’

Peter Oosterhuis, a CBS golf analyst and two-time winner of the European Tour money title, died Thursday. He was 75 and no cause was given by the PGA Tour, which announced his passing.

Simon Curtis’ upcoming comedy Encore, about a group of veteran actors whose passion for their profession is reignited through a retirement home production, has gathered a quartet of Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy winning stars for the ensemble cast.

A much-loved beverage brand has changed the recipe of one of their most popular drinks which they say has a “new irresistible taste” - but it seems like fans couldn’t agree less. Fanta has changed the flavour of its ‘zero sugar’ orange option which lovers of the drink have demanded they “change back immediately.”

Paris-based distributor ARP Selection has acquired French rights for Paul Schrader’s Oh, Canada ahead of its world premiere in Competition at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Freely Launches In UK

Naman Ramachandran Freely, the new free streaming service backed by Britain’s public service broadcasters (PSBs) that delivers live TV over broadband, has launched. The initiative is from Everyone TV, the organization which runs free TV in the U.K. and is jointly owned by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Paramount Global’s Channel 5.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Visinema Studios, the family division of leading Indonesian entertainment company Visinema Group, is set to make its debut in live theater with “Keluarga Cemara: The Musical.” “Keluarga Cemara” (aka “Cemara Family”) has previously existed as a classic Indonesian novel about a family facing up to financial hardship, but emerging resilient and optimistic. It has since been adapted as two feature films “Keluarga Cemara” and “Keluarga Cemara 2,” which attracted over two million theatrical admissions, and the recent “Keluarga Cemara: The Series” which played on Disney+ Hotstar Indonesia. The stage show will be presented with cultural institution Galeri Indonesia Kaya and the Teater Musikal Nusantara.

EXCLUSIVE: Vice Media Group has announced a new creative structure for its global production business now dubbed Vice Studios Group, which will oversee five premium production entities: Pulse Films, UnTypical, Vice Studios LatAm, Vice Studios Canada and a news documentary unit. Vice Studios Group will be led by the newly elevated Jamie Hall in London and Danny Gabai in Los Angeles as Co-Presidents. 

Naman Ramachandran Sunrise Films has acquired Luna Carmoon’s “Hoard” for the U.S. and Canada. The film debuted at Venice in 2023, where it won three prizes.

Throughout his lifetime, Simon Newton has had quite the career. From serving in the British Army to being a bodyguard for celebrities including Michael Jackson and Kendall Jenner, his career has gone from strength to strength. Now an actor, Simon has opened up about his time working as a professional bodyguard and how a chance opportunity in 2003 saw his career take a very different turn.

Welcome to ElectionLine’s A View From Abroad series, in which we speak with media figures who don’t live in America but keep a close eye on its politics. Every few weeks, these smart observers will provide a unique perspective on what promises to be a fraught and unpredictable campaign for the White House. This week, our interview is with Richard Madan, the award-winning Washington D.C. correspondent for Canada’s CBC News.

Last year it was strike action in Hollywood, now it’s Canada.

Podcast giant Wondery has hired Spotify‘s Chris Baughen, as it launches the paid-for Wondery+ service in the UK.

Naman Ramachandran U.K.-based sales and distribution outfit Blue Finch Films has boarded worldwide rights, excluding Canada, to 1980s-set wrestling action-horror “Dark Match.” The film is headlined by professional wrestler and rock musician Chris Jericho and written and directed by Lowell Dean (“Wolfcop”). The film will launch later this year with its festival premiere to be announced imminently. Blue Finch will begin sales at the upcoming Cannes Film Market.

EXCLUSIVE: Wattpad/Webtoons has hired Josh Campbell & Matt Stuecken (10 Cloverfield Lane, Horizon Line) to adapt I’m The Grim Reaper from the Webtoon created by Grave Weaver. 

Tesco has launched a host of great deals on a range of BBQ must-haves.

EXCLUSIVE: Emerging Irish comedian Kyla Cobbler has signed with UK agency Host Talent Group.

EXCLUSIVE: Noah Media, producer of Netflix’s 14 Peaks and Sky’s Villeneuve Pironi, has restructured to focus on international docs and laid off a small number of staff.

A popular fragrance of a range loved by Mrs Hinch and Stacey Solomon is returning to B&M this week and there's a new product on the way too.

Black Lives In Music has launched a new survey to tackle bullying and harassment in the music industry, with backing from Nova Twins, V V Brown and more.Founded in 2021, the organisation seeks to address racial inequality in music and create opportunities for Black, Asian and ethnically diverse artists and professionals.BLIM published its ‘Being Black in the Music Industry’ report that year, revealing that 86 per cent of Black musicians said there were barriers to progression in their careers. Additionally, it showed that 63 per cent of Black music creators had experienced direct or indirect racism in the music industry, rising to 71 per cent for racial microaggressions.Today (April 18), BLIM has shared details of its ‘YourSafetyYourSay’ survey on bullying and harassment in the music industry in response to the Parliamentary ‘Misogyny In Music’ inquiry.It is calling on music professionals across the UK to participate in “ground-breaking research” in a bid to “eradicate bullying and harassment” from the industry.“After becoming aware of shocking abuse, BLIM will use the anonymous survey to collect real-world data.