Dan Loeb’s Third Point Calls for Disney to Divest ESPN, Take Control of Hulu

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief The titles of Fukada Koji’s films almost drip with bitter irony. “Sayonara” seemed to be a farewell to human actors. Instead of being harmonious, Cannes Un Certain Regard jury prize-winner “Harmonium” was pitch black and steeped in quiet violence. Fukada’s latest, Venice Film Festival competition title carries the moniker “Love Life.” But its subject matter is loneliness. The story starts out on familiar lines, involving a married couple where suddenly the ex-husband of the wife appears, potentially setting up the melodrama of a triangular relationship. But in Fukada’s hands things are colder and more painful. The newcomer is burdensome, deaf and homeless. His arrival triggers, not love, but fragmentation, individualism and loneliness.

Manori Ravindran International Editor High-profile espionage cases in the post-war period often invoke the grisly fate of the Rosenbergs, the first U.S. citizens to be convicted and executed by electric chair for sharing atomic secrets with the Soviet Union in peace time. But in the new documentary “A Compassionate Spy,” filmmaker Steve James tells the incredible story of Manhattan Project scientist Ted Hall, who shared classified nuclear secrets with Russia — and got away with it. The Participant and Kartemquin Films-produced documentary, which has its world premiere in Venice on Sept. 2, is one of a number of films at this year’s festival that tackle the topic of nuclear disaster: Projects from Noah Baumbach’s feature adaptation of Don DeLillo’s “White Noise” through to Oliver Stone’s on-the-nose documentary “Nuclear” all contemplate some aspect of our nuclear past and future.

Regina Hall is a beloved actress who has starred in some of the best comedies of the last two decades, from Scary Movie to Girl's Trip and the upcoming Honk for Jesus Save your Soul. But Regina has always kept her personal life under wraps, and especially her love life.DISCOVER: 12 Black women-owned brands on Amazon that you need to know aboutThe 51-year-old revealed in 2017 that she believes relationships are "sacred" and that she wouldn't want to "invite the public" until she was "in a space where you are really certain and knowing".WATCH: Regina Hall in Honk for Jesus Save your Soul."Until you see and know what that part of your life is, inviting the public in [is off limits], but I understand people’s curiosity because I ask God ‘who is it going to be’ as much as they do," she told Essence."I’m like, God! But I also do that with other people.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor Seni Tienabeso was elevated to executive director of ABC News Live, spotlighting a growing emphasis on streaming news content at the Disney-backed news organization. Seni first joined ABC News in 2007, and worked over a decade a a field producer and reporter before becoming a senior producer at “World News Tonight.” At ABC News Live, Tienabeso helped launch “ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis,” one of the industry’s earliest regular streaming programs. In his new role, hei will oversee day-to-day editorial direction for the channel and focus on developing its original live programming, live events, and specials. ABC News Live executive producers will now report to Seni, who will lead the search for a new executive producer of “ABC News Live Prime.”

of the Game of Thrones prequel, , Prime Video rolls out its much anticipated fantasy drama, Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, this week. No comparisons here, other than it’s another with epic storytelling and a huge budget to bring it to life. But if period fantasy dramas aren’t your thing—or even if they are—there are plenty of other new shows worthy of your attention. Hallmark’s Mahogany card brand is coming to Hallmark’s Movies & Mysteries channel with original made-for-TV movies.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorThinking about a job in broadcast news? The two top spots have long been co-anchoring one of the nation’s big morning programs or leading the evening newscasts. These days, there appears to be room for a third.Each weekday at 1 p.m. on ABC, Amy Robach.

Sterling K. Brown and Regina Hall in their new comedy, Both stars walked the red carpet at the premiere of their new film at Regal LA Live in Los Angeles on Monday, and they spoke with ET's Will Marfuggi about the comedy, and some of the unexpected moments that arise while embodying their characters.In the film, Brown stars as the boisterous pastor of a megachurch and Hall stars as his wife, who is trying to rebuild their congregation following a scandal.

TV presenter Laura Whitmore was corrected after she attempted to mock Tasha Ghouri on Saturday Kitchen. Love Island host Laura made a jokey jibe at Islander Tasha when she appeared as a guest on the BBC cookery show.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorBobby Flay plans to introduce a new recipe for cooking completions.Food Networjk will launch “Bobby’s Triple Threat,” a six-episode primetime series that has one hopeful chef compete against a trio of culinary titans picked by Flay himself. The show debuts Tuesday, September 27 at 9 p.m.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorPeyton Manning wants to go to the mat in his ongoing bid to create a sports-content empire.The football legend, who gained notice last year when he and his brother Eli launched an accompanying “ManningCast” for ESPN’s “Monday Night Football,” is backing a similar concept for ESPN’s UFC pay-per-view streams. Fans who opt to watch Saturday night’s welterweight bout between Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards via ESPN+ will also have access to a second stream featuring Rob Gronkowski and his brothers Chris, Dan, Glenn and Gordie Jr. along with father Gordon, who will host what is being called “ UFC 278 with The Gronks.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorGames featuring top college-sports draws like Ohio State and Penn State, and, in 2024, USC and U.C.L.A., will appear on properties owned by Fox, NBCU and Paramount Global under a new and lucrative deal struck with the Big Ten conference, underscoring the continuing importance of live sports to the economics of live TV.The new seven-year deal, which starts in the 2023-2024 season, calls for the three media companies to pay the college conference in excess of $1 billion a year, according to reports. The Big Ten’s previous deals were with Fox and ESPN.The pact will guarantees the conference TV real estate every weekend of college football season, with games slated to appear on“Big Noon Saturday” at noon; CBS’ 3:30 p.m.

Is it too late now to say sorry? Big Brother season 24 star Daniel Durston is testing that theory while speaking out after his recent eviction, and he revealed remorse for some of his behavior in the house.

In a letter to Disney CEO Bob Chapek, activist investor Daniel Loeb urged the exec to spin off ESPN and integrate Hulu into Disney+, among other changes.

CNBC reports. The news comes after the outlet obtained a letter to investors announcing Loeb and Third Point’s new position. Following the news, Disney’ share price has risen 1.3%.

Love Island’s Coco Lodge has shut down false rumours that she had to undergo facial reconstruction after a fire. Speaking on Tik Tokker Grace Barry’s podcast Saving Grace, Coco, 27, spoke about the rumours of her supposed accident which spread like wildfire on Twitter.

The streaming wars are all about strategy and pricing power and were a major emphasis of The Walt Disney Company’s third-quarter earnings report Wednesday. Disney+’s long-awaited ad-supported streaming tier will launch Dec. 8 at $7.99 per month, the same price that Disney+ customers are already paying.