Endeavor Content Taps AMC Networks Vet Kasee Calabrese As CFO

KQ Entertainment, the label of K-pop boyband ATEEZ, has filed a lawsuit against a South Korean YouTuber it alleges has shared and profited off “very malicious” content about the group.On August 17, the South Korean label took to ATEEZ’s official fancafé page to announce that it has taken legal action against an unnamed YouTube channel it alleges published a “malicious video” against the boyband, “on charges of violating the law on promoting the use of information and communication networks, insulting, obstructing business, and breaking copyright laws”, as translated by Koreaboo.“In addition, the YouTuber in question created a video spreading rumours as if they were true and was able to make a profit through it, which we judged to be very malicious,” wrote the label in their statement. “In particular, for deceiving fans supporting ATEEZ, we have decided to take strong legal action.”KQ Entertainment concluded its statement by urging those who have made “unfounded claims and malicious posts” against the company’s in-house artists to “delete their posts”, and those who have related evidence or documentation to submit it via email.“There will be no lenience or cooperation as we pursue both civil and criminal liability in these cases in the future.

AsianCrush and the Kocowa venture among major Korean broadcasters are generating viewership and creating a big secondary market for scripted series known as K-dramas — a movement that will only accelerate South Korea’s maturation into a major player in media and entertainment. For evidence, look no further than the 14 groundbreaking Emmy nominations racked up last month by Netflix’s “Squid Game.” “We’ve seen this growth in interest of Asian entertainment over the last 10 years and really picking up more recently in the last three to five years,” says Sam Wu, CEO of Rakuten Viki, the streaming arm of the Japanese retail conglomerate.

After a banger of a set-up that played out over the first 3-4 episodes of AMC’s clever “Kevin Can F**k Himself,” one could almost see the air coming out of the high-concept balloon. The second half of the first season doesn’t feel nearly as confident, as if one could sense the uncertainty in the writer’s room as to what exactly to do with their concept.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentDoha-based beIN Media Group and its flagship beIN Sports channel — which is the official broadcaster of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 across the Middle East and North Africa — have forged an exclusive partnership with Twitter to share tailored content throughout the upcoming soccer tournament.The planet’s biggest soccer event, which will take place in Qatar from Nov. 20 to Dec.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaShudder has inked a deal with The Boulet Brothers to expand their Dragula franchise with a new season, a new spinoff series and an additional special set to debut on Shudder over the next twelve months. The pact comes on the heels of “The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula’s” fourth season, which became one of Shudder’s most watched series of 2021.

BreAnna Bell Susan Plagemann has joined Endeavor as president of WME Fashion, where she will oversee the company’s portfolio of fashion-related representation labels including Art + Commerce, IMG Models, IMG Fashion Events and Properties and the Wall Group.Plagemann, who was most recently with Condé Nast as chief business officer for the Style Division, starts her role at the end of the month. She’s tasked with working across Endeavor’s fashion, sports and entertainment businesses to develop new business and content opportunities using WME and Endeavor’s considerable pipelines to talent.

Los Angeles Mission – an organisation Kanye West teamed up with to deliver 1,000 meals to rough sleepers last November – has opened up about plans to collaborate more with the rapper, denying rumours that the LA Mission is “frustrated” over West’s lack of incentive.The news comes via TMZ, who reported yesterday (August 13) that, according to anonymous sources close to the LA Mission, the organisation had been struggling to get in contact with West following their short collaborative stint last year.Last November, West met with Vaughn to outline four ways he could help tackle homelessness in LA. These included further efforts to provide homeless people with food by partnering with various local charities; using his own companies to provide education, jobs and housing to those in need; utilising his platform and Sunday Service series to highlight the issue, as well as uplift the homeless community; and teaming up with other groups to advocate for homeless people.Yesterday, West took to Instagram with an obscure post that declared he “look[s] to the homeless” (as well as “the children”) as “the biggest inspiration for all design”.TMZ initially reported that “sources” linked to the LA Mission claimed West “hasn’t followed through on his vow to help”, and that “little if anything has been done since” last November.

Endeavor’s IMG has acquired a majority stake in Barrett-Jackson, a collector car auction and live events group, for just over $261 million in a cash and stock deal.

Cynthia Littleton Business EditorEndeavor delivered strong second quarter earnings on Thursday with wind at the back of its sports, live events and talent representation operations.The company that is home to UFC, WME and IMG saw year-over year revenue gains at its key units for the quarter as sports and entertainment activity continues to adjust to the post-pandemic new normal. Strong demand especially for sports and events pushed Endeavor to post net income of $42.2 million on revenue of $1.3 billion, which was up about 18% from the year-ago mark.The upswing prompted Endeavor to slightly adjust its full-year forecast for adjusted earnings before interest taxes, depreciation and amortization to a range of $1.13 billion to $1.17 billion, which is up from the estimate of $1.1 billion to $1.15 billion offered in May with Q1 results.

Endeavor Group said revenue rose 18% to $1.3 billion last quarter led by higher media rights fees and live event, partnership, consumer product and licensing revenues at UFC as well as the return of live events.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeAMC Networks has renewed the Emmy-nominated short-form series “Cooper’s Bar” for a second season, while Acorn TV — AMC Networks’ streamer devoted to British and international fare — has given a Season 2 renewal to “Harry Wild,” starring and executive produced by Jane Seymour.Both pickups were announced Wednesday during AMC Networks’ portion of the Television Critics Assn. press tour.

AMC Networks’ streaming platform Sundance Now is expanding its 2023 slate with orders for two new series, dark comedy Totally Completely Fine and fantasy mystery series Sanctuary, based on V.V. James novel. They join the recently announced upcoming series Clean Sweep, The Lovers, SisterS, Black Snow, and Far North, all for premiere in 2023.

Welcome to Deadline’s International Disruptors, a feature where we’ll shine a spotlight on key executives and companies outside of the U.S. who are shaking up the offshore marketplace. This week, we’re speaking with Korean super-agent Soyoung Lee, who represents some of the nation’s biggest stars and talked to us about her experiences of the Korean content boom.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefA+E Networks is giving a multinational launch Wednesday to “If You Wish Upon Me,” a Korean drama series that was produced by its A+E Studios unit.The show is a transformational story of an impoverished man with a troubled past and a twisted attitude who accidentally joins Team Genie, a group which carries out the last wishes of patients in hospice care. He starts caring for people other than himself for the first time and learns how to open his heart and live harmoniously.

her last campaign proved to be a smash hit. The 55-year-old’s viral ad features her dressed to the nines as she waltzes through an empty movie theater, gazing at the camera and reminding audiences of the wonder of going to the movies.

AMC Networks announced Friday that sitting Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer Christina Spade will be stepping up as its new CEO, effective Sept. 9.

AMC Networks Inc. reached 10.8 million subscribers, the company reported Friday in its second-quarter earnings report. The company increased its subscriber base by 1.3 million from Q1, a 46% year-over-year increase driven partly by the AMC+ premium streaming bundle launch in Spain.

AMC Networks said streaming subscribers jumped 46% to 10.8 million in the June quarter, up from 7.4 million, driven in part by the AMC+ premium streaming bundle launch in Spain. The company said it’s on track to achieve long-term subscriber goal of 20 million to 25 million streaming subscribers by 2025.

AMC Networks has appointed COO and CFO Christina Spade as its new CEO, succeeding Matt Blank, who has held the role in an interim capacity since last September.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorChristina Spade, a veteran media executive who was previously chief financial officer of the former ViacomCBS, has been named the new chief executive of AMC Networks, tasked with leading the small but influential media company through a tricky time in the media business.She replaces Matt Blank, a Showtime veteran who had been serving as the company’s interim CEO, and will assumer her new responsibilities on Sept. 9.“I’m delighted that Chris is taking over as our new CEO,” said James Dolan, AMC Networks’ chairman, in a statement.