County Gulf Showbiz Latest News and Updates

EXCLUSIVE: Noble Story Co., the Michigan-based development and production company founded by Andrew Teravskis and Adam Gregory, has signed with Zero Gravity Management for representation. Zero Gravity will work with Noble Story Co. to expand its presence in the global marketplace, and assist with talent packaging and sourcing new material for its slate of projects.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentSaudi Arabia is leading the way as streaming platforms continue to gain traction in top Arab markets, where revenues from the SVOD market in 2021 grew a yearly 29% to $453 million.New research from Media Partners Asia reveals that Saudi accounted for more than half of the revenues. However, the pay-TV sector in Gulf Arab states suffered a 10% drop in revenues to $631 million in 2021, compared with 2020.The pay-TV sector in the region is now expected to further contract to $436 million by 2026, according to the report, which looks at streamers, pay TV and free TV across the six oil-rich Gulf Cooperation Council countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.  By contrast, SVOD revenue in the Gulf is projected to grow from its current level of $453 million to reach $667 million by 2026, “driven by improvements in connectivity, elevated levels of pay-TV cord cutting and the launch of new global platforms,” the report said.While Saudi Arabia accounted for more than half of the Gulf’s $453 million SVOD intake, the UAE, despite having a much smaller population, generated $125 million, which is 28% of the region’s 2021 SVOD revenues.Nevertheless, profitability “remains a challenge,” noted Media Partners analyst Aravind Venugopal, since competition will soon be steeped with more streamers set to enter what will soon become a crowded Arab streaming field.

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentLola Arabia, the United Arab Emirates label of Oscar-winning Spanish producer Andrés Vicente Gómez (“Belle Epoque”), has struck a 12-movie co-production deal with Dubai-based Charisma Group.The alliance will take in a range of titles, from $2 million-budgeted contemporary comedies to banner productions budgeted at $40 million, revolving around contemporary and historic stories of West Asia.The partners aim to produce an average of four films a year, said Charisma Group co-president Ayham Al Ziyoud.Development has begun on the whole slate. “Although in principle we plan projects with modest budgets, these will be increased in the following year once we find the rights partners outside the Gulf States,” Gómez said.

Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Manchester United training early following his winter break in Dubai.

Editors note: When we think of Robert De Niro and Italy, it’s easiest to focus on the Sicilian town of Corleone, because of his Oscar-winning turn in The Godfather: Part II. But De Niro wanted to focus on Naples, which director Paolo Sorrentino brought to life in The Hand of God. De Niro was so moved, he wrote a guest column for Deadline on why the film touched him so dearly.

Manori Ravindran International EditorOne of the most controversial movies to emerge from this year’s Sundance Film Festival is a documentary called “Jihad Rehab,” which follows a group of former Guantanamo Bay detainees.Directed by American filmmaker Megan Smaker — a former California firefighter who spent five years in Yemen — the film follows several Yemeni men who were unlawfully detained for 15 years in the U.S.-run detention camp, before being relocated to Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Bin Nayef Centre for Counselling and Care — a so-called “rehabilitation center” for extremists who must graduate the program before they’re allowed to rejoin society.The film tracks Ali, Nadir and Mohammed’s turbulent journey over three years as they try to come to grips with their trauma and navigate an uneasy future in Saudi Arabia, where it’s illegal for them, as Yemenis, to leave. (A Saudi-led coalition of Gulf states infiltrated Yemen’s civil war in 2015, carrying out air raids that have devastated the nation.) While “Jihad Rehab” isn’t the first film in the grisly orbit of Guantanamo, its Sundance premiere has received heavy criticism from human rights advocates and other documentarians, many of them from Arab or Muslim backgrounds, who are concerned that the doc’s subjects are being framed as criminals (despite never standing trial in the U.S.

Prince Andrew was known for being "rude" and having unusual demands for staff according to a new report.

A Saudi-backed takeover of Newcastle is set to get the green light from the Premier League despite warnings from Amnesty International on Thursday that the deal represents "sportswashing" of the Gulf kingdom's human rights record.

Florida aquarium.Clearwater Marine Aquarium staff members released a Himalayan sea salt urn containing Winter's ashes into the Gulf of Mexico from the back of a U.S. Coast Guard response boat.“Being able to return Winter to her natural home was the best feeling in the world,” Kelly Martin, the aquarium’s vice president of animal care, said in a statement.

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- A Florida aquarium has created a legacy for its famed Winter the Dolphin following her recent death, including virtual reality encounters with the prosthetic-tailed star of the Dolphin Tale movies.The Clearwater Marine Aquarium announced Friday that Winter's legacy will include an ongoing memorial, a funding endowment, a special song and a plan to release the animal's cremated ashes in the Gulf of Mexico.Winter died on Nov.

Musical fans in the Gulf states won’t be getting to see the new “West Side Story”.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentMarvel’s “Eternals,” which features the first MCU gay superhero, has been banned in Saudi Arabia and several other Arab countries ahead of its planned Nov. 11 rollout across the Gulf region.Sources have confirmed that despite the film being publicized across the region on the websites of local multiplex chains, such as top local exhibitor Vox Cinemas, “Eternals” won’t be playing in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

The County Sheriff in the local Gulf Coast-area county of Florida where Brian Laundrie‘s remains were found earlier this month is opening up a bit about the investigation into the young man’s death.

The latest batch of police recruits in an Alabama beach town faced an interview board that included law enforcement experts and a civilian who was recognizable by his voice if not by his face: Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman.

Morgan Freeman is getting involved in the Gulf Shores Police Department. The 84-year-old actor sat on an interview board for Alabama police recruits last week.The board also included law enforcement experts.

GULF SHORES, Ala.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentAGC International, the sales arm of Stuart Ford’s AGC Studios, and Image Nation Abu Dhabi, which is the UAE’s top production entity, have unveiled the first trailer for upcoming action film, “Al Kameen” (The Ambush), touted as the largest Arabic-language feature film production ever shot in the Gulf.“The Ambush,” which reconstructs the true story of an attempt to rescue a small group of Emirati soldiers trapped by rebel fighters in a mountainous valley,

First Teaser For UAE-Shot Pierre Morel Action Pic

Peter Debruge Chief Film CriticIn showbiz, they have awards for everything — Oscars, Golden Globes and of course, the Palme d’Or. Adult film actor Mikey Davies, aka “Mikey Saber,” has five AVN Awards, and he creates opportunities to humble-brag about them constantly now that he’s back in Texas City, the tiny Gulf Coast town he and girlfriend Lexi left together shortly after high school.

Video: Phylicia Rashad apologizes for tweet about Bill Cosby (TODAY)Flames bubble up in Gulf of Mexico after pipeline rupturesPhylicia Rashad apologizes for tweet about Bill CosbyBiden administration calls for overhaul of military assault casesUS continues quiet withdrawal from AfghanistanDespite delta variant, Americans resume travel for Fourth of July holidayHurricane Elsa threatens Surfside condo search and rescue effortsHurricane Elsa pounding the Caribbean, may hit Florida nextNurse Heroes

the Beckhams want a lot – and don’t mind creating a bit of controversy to get it.Last week, reports surfaced that David’s latest scheme involves a highly lucrative deal he’s just signed to be the media-friendly face of Qatar – which is known for its anti-homosexuality laws, as well as human rights abuses of migrant workers.

A major winter storm system is bringing lingering snow, frigid temperatures and gusty winds to the Midwest on Thursday. The powerful low-pressure system is lifting into southeast Canada but the cold front associated with it will impact weather in the Eastern U.S.

The guided-missile submarine USS Georgia entered the Persian Gulf on Monday in America’s latest deterrence mission against Iran.   The submarine – which is armed with up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles and a dry deck shelter for Navy SEALs – was escorted by cruisers Port Royal and Philippine Sea.   It’s the first time in eight years the U.S.

A storm system moving into the Southwest will bring both rain and mountain snow to this drought-stricken area.  Winter storm warnings are up for parts of the southern Rockies, where some areas could get more than a foot of snow over the next few days.

Damaging winds and a brief tornado are possible across South Florida and the Keys late Sunday through early Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service. “Disturbance over the Gulf of Mexico is forecast to move across the #FloridaKeys and South Florida later tonight through tomorrow morning, bringing scattered showers and a few thunderstorms,” tweeted the National Weather Service Key West on Sunday.

The best-selling memoir Not Without Hope is set to be adapted into a documentary feature via Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions. Currently titled Four Down, the doc will follow the fishing trip accident that happened 70 miles from shore in the Gulf of Mexico that left Nick Schuyler, alongwith NFL players Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith, and Schuyler’s best friend, Will Bleakley, stranded at sea after the boat capsized.

scripted adaptation of “Not Without Hope” is also being developed with Miles Teller as Schuyler and NFL star Russell Wilson attached as executive producer with his wife, Ciara.George ForemanForget the Thrilla in Manilla, the former Heavyweight Champion of the World made the most of his money selling Lean, Mean Grilling Machines -- raising the bar for celebrity-backed products the world overOscar De La HoyaA retired professional boxer who has won 10 world titles in six different weight

Greek town of Antirio in the Gulf of Corith. Her parents grew concerned when they lost sight of their little girl and alerted the authorities on the port, reports the Mirror.

"Burning cars in Wisconsin after police shoot reportedly unarmed black man""Bill Gates reflects on his most inspirational teacher growing up in bid to get children back in school""Boris Johnson calls on parents to send children to school""Younger people should not feel 'invincible' from coronavirus, warns WHO""Ellen DeGeneres makes fun of Sofía Vergara on her show""Six waterspouts seen over Gulf of Mexico in mesmerising footage""Jenny Harries says schools are currently a safe environment for

David Robb, Erik Pedersen As Hurricane Laura nears landfall as a massive Category 4 storm, some 1.5 million people in the Gulf Coast region are under evacuation orders ahead of what federal officials are describing as an “unsurvivable storm surge.”Today co-anchor and weatherman Al Roker said on MSNBC this morning, “I’ve never seen that phrase coming from the National Hurricane Center.” He added that “entire neighborhoods could be wiped out.”The National Hurricane Center said that Laura is

Two NASA astronauts returned to Earth on Sunday in a dramatic, retro-style splashdown, their capsule parachuting into the Gulf of Mexico to close out an unprecedented test flight by Elon Musk's SpaceX company. It was the first splashdown by U.S.

Leo Barraclough Senior International CorrespondentSales agency Arclight Films has closed multiple key distribution deals for “Tomiris,” the epic action-adventure about the legendary Kazak warrior queen, directed by Akan Satayev (“The Liquidator”).

The Abu Dhabi-led takeover of Manchester City in 2008 changed the landscape of the Premier League forever as the oil billions of the Gulf state gave the club the resources to shop from the top shelf of the transfer market.

Baseball Hall of Famer Roy Halladay passed away at the age of 40 when the plane he was flying crashed in the Gulf of Mexico.

When the Big Machine brass picked “Like I Knew You Would” as a lead single for 20-year-old newcomer Payton Smith, the label set him up for an ideal introduction.The song showcases his impressive guitar skills, his energetic performance approach and his homegrown love of percussion.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have joined the growing list of countries to close cinemas, as many parts of the world continue to shut down amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis. The announcements were made Sunday, with the UAE, the Gulf region's biggest market in terms of box office, and Saudi Arabia, which only opened its first public cinema in 2018 following a near 40-year ban, closing all theaters for a minimum of two weeks.