Sweden Showbiz Latest News and Updates

Canal+ has officially upped its stake in Viaplay to 29% after the rubberstamping of the against-the-ropes Scandi outfit’s recapitalization program.

Eurovision Song Contest.Organisers of the contest faced backlash and boycott calls in December after allowing Israel to participate in 2024 competition – which is due to take place in Malmö, Sweden from May 7-11 – despite the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.Since Hamas forces launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people, at least 22,835 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, amounting to one per cent of the territory’s total pre-war population of 2.27million (per CNN).The petition urges a ban over alleged “war crimes” in Gaza, adding that if Israel is not excluded, they want public broadcaster Yle to withdraw Finland’s entry.Yle said it is monitoring the position of the organiser of the contest, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).One of the petition’s authors, Lukas Korpelainen, told newspaper Hufvudstadsbladet (via BBC) that it was not acceptable for Israel to “take part in the Eurovision Song Contest to polish its image”.Others who have signed the petition include Finnish artists Olavi Uusivirta, Paleface and 2011 contestant Axel Ehnström.Signatories have accused Yle of double standards, noting that the broadcaster was among the first to demand a ban on Russia from the 2022 contest after its invasion of Ukraine, saying “we expect the same active defending of values from Yle now as well”.Russia was banned from competing in the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, which was won by Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra.Yle representative Ville Vilén said the situation in Israel and Gaza was “not quite the same”.“As gruesome as it is, it is not a war of inter-state aggression like between Russia and Ukraine,” he told Finnish tabloid Ilta-Sanomat.Yle’s head of communications, Jere Nurminen, told

Ellise Shafer Max‘s first unscripted originals in Spain will include local adaptations of “Naked Attraction,” “Naked and Afraid” and “Peking Express.” Max is set to launch in the country in the spring. “With the launch of Max, we will continue to produce quality scripted projects and we will enhance the unscripted offering by adding premium documentaries and entertainment shows appealing to a wider audience,” said Laura Carafoli, SVP TV networks and digital local production in Italy and Iberia.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has confirmed he has been diagnosed with cancer after announcing he was stepping back from football in 2023 to "focus on my health and family".The 75 year old football manager, who managed England men's team from 2001 until 2006, shared the sad news on Thursday, 11 January in an interview on Sweden's P1 radio station, revealing he has "at best a year to live". "Everyone understands that I have an illness that is not good. Everyone guesses it's cancer and it is.

Marta Balaga Picture Tree International has boarded international sales and debuted the trailer for Miia Tervo’s upcoming comedy “The Missile,” set to world premiere at Göteborg’s just-announced Nordic Competition. Produced by Finland’s Kaisla Viitala at Elokuvayhtio Komeetta and Estonia’s Daniel Kuitunen at Stellar Film, the movie will be distributed in Scandinavia by Aurora Studios. Tervo’s second feature after the award-winning “Aurora” – which opened the Swedish fest back in 2019 – teases a “uniquely crafted mix of political satire, heartfelt comedy and kitchen-sink drama, rooted in Northern brevity and melancholy,” according to its description.

EXCLUSIVE: Queer Eye producer Scout Productions is behind a number of interesting consumer product line including a Lego tie-up with the fab five as well as a Funko Pop range and a Walmart furniture line.

Sweden’s Göteborg Film Festival unveiled its 2024 lineup today, featuring 250 feature films set to screen across ten days, with highlights including Handling the Undead, Norwegian filmmaker Thea Hvistendahl’s feature debut, starring Renate Resinsve and Anders Danielsen Lie. Other buzzy titles include the Finish title The Missile from filmmaker Miia Tervo and Morbius director Daniel Espinosa’s return to Nordic filmmaker with Madame Luna.

Annika Pham Actors Ewan McGregor, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Renate Reinsve, Anders Danielsen Lie, directors Ruben Östlund, Ernst de Geer, Ramata-Toulaye Sy and Cannes Film Festival honcho Thierry Frémaux are some of the stellar guests set to walk the red carpet at the 47th edition of Sweden’s Göteborg Film Festival. This year’s Göteborg Fest unspools from Jan. 26 to Feb.

The Göteborg Film Festival has unveiled the competition titles selected for its 47th edition, which runs from January 26 to February 4. (Scroll down for the full list).

UPDATED, 12:28 PM: A$AP Rocky pleaded not guilty today to charges stemming from an allegation that he pulled a gun on a fellow rapper during a 2021 altercation in Hollywood and then fired at him soon afterward during another confrontation.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 is coming later this year, and several performers are already being announced as official contestants!

John Mayer has spoken out about his desire to get married.The musician made an appearance on podcast Comfort Food, hosted by the late Bob Saget’s wife Kelly Rizzo, where he spoke about his hopes for his love life.“People don’t think I want to be married. I absolutely want to be married,” he said.He continued to call himself “actually fairly well-adjusted,” saying: “I so badly want to get married if only for my wife to just know in her heart, like, ‘John will know what to do.’ I just think that level of being relied on is the hottest thing in the world to me.

Xumo & Euro Nets Cling To ‘Silverback’

Alex Ritman David Tennant is set to host the BAFTA Film Awards for the first time. The actor — best known for playing Doctor Who — will oversee proceedings during the U.K.’s biggest night for film on Feb. 18 at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

Elvis Presley is set to join ABBA in the strange new world of immersive concerts more than 45 years after he passed away.

Ellise Shafer Ewan McGregor is set to receive the Honorary Dragon Award at this year’s Göteborg Film Festival in Sweden. The “Star Wars” and “Trainspotting” star will attend the festival to collect the honor and participate in an Actors Talk. He will also be present at the Nordic premiere of his latest film, Niclas Larsson’s “Mother, Couch,” and a retrospective of his most notable films will be featured at the festival.

Sweden’s Göteborg Film Festival has tapped actor Ewan McGregor to receive its honorary dragon award for career achievement during its 47th edition, running from January 26 to February 4. 

Following last year's smash hit biopic Elvis, starring heartthrob Austin Butler, which won him, amongst others, an Oscar nomination, and Priscilla, about his relationship with Priscilla Beaulieu showing in UK cinemas, the iconic Elvis Presley has never been more front of mind. And now an immersive concert experience coming to London, with an AI king of rock ‘n’ roll performing on stage, is set to bring the late crooner's incredible legacy to life.

Anna Tingley If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. A field of 59 golfers will descend on Plantation Course at Kapalua, Hawaii this Thursday, Jan. 4, kicking off the 2024 PGA Tour season.

Kansas City Chiefs superfan Taylor Swift is resuming her international ‘Eras Tour’ that will send her and special guests Sabrina Carpenter, Paramore and Gracie Abrams all over the world in 2024.This time around, she’ll be hitting Asia, Europe, the U.S. and Canada.And while prices remain characteristically high, a select few concerts have seats going for under $500 before fees on Vivid Seats.Want to find out how much tickets cost for the show nearest — or farthest — from you?We’ve got you covered.Our team found all the best prices on U.S., Canada and international Taylor Swift 2024 ‘Eras Tour’ concerts below.All you have to do is scroll.See you at a show and make sure to save us a friendship bracelet.All prices listed above are subject to fluctuation.A complete calendar including all upcoming tour dates, venues and the best ticket prices for all concerts can be found below.(Note: The New York Post confirmed all above prices at the publication time. All prices are in US dollars, subject to fluctuation and include additional fees at checkout.)Vivid Seats is a verified secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter Jack Black has joined the cast of “Minecraft,” a live-action adaptation of the popular video game. As previously announced, Jason Momoa is starring in the movie alongside “Wednesday’s” Emma Myers and “The Color Purple” actor Danielle Brooks. Production is expected to begin imminently in New Zealand.

Eurovision Song Contest has teased that “The Caribbean is coming” to this year’s competition.Taking to their official Instagram page with 1.3 million followers to announce that the Caribbean – a subregion of North America with over 700 islands – will be taking part in the famous contest for the first time.The post showed a video clip of palm trees and clear beaches. The caption of the post read: “New Year! New News! We’re thrilled to confirm that the Caribbean is coming to the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.

Five crewmembers have been confirmed dead following a devastating plane crash at Japan's Haneda airport.

St Johnstone assistant Andy Kirk is hopeful new loan addition Kerr Smith will receive clearance to be available for Tuesday’s trip to Dundee.

Catching up on some things we missed over the holidays. Following Kelly Reichardt’s criticism of “Barbie” (“They are part of a huge marketing machine, but they are sold as art.

Striker Viktor Gyökeres has no intentions of leaving Sporting Lisbon in the January transfer window amid ongoing speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United.

Wayne and Coleen Rooney's son Kai appears to have gone public with his first romance as he shares a photo of his new girlfriend.The 14 year old, who has followed in the footsteps of his famous footballing dad and plays for Manchester United's youth academy, shared a photo of his new girlfriend to his Instagram Story. Sharing a snap from the teenager's Instagram page, he simply added the text: "i love you [duo of pink hearts.]" And the youngster seems to be on good terms with the rest of the Rooney clan, following Kai's mum Coleen, 37, his brother Klay, 10, and their cousin Jaiden.

As Call the Midwife returns to our screens this Christmas with a special festive edition of the hit period drama, it’s safe to say that viewers at home will once again be treated to a rollercoaster of emotions as the staff at Nonnatus House help a few new little ones into the world. But while romance, drama and perhaps even a little festive magic unfolds on screen, away from the show, the stars will be enjoying the holiday season with some well earned downtime with their families and partners.

The free-ranging reindeer based in the Cairngorms are the only herd in the UK.

This Deadline feature, now in its fourth year, seeks to spotlight the work of some of the buzziest new European writers in the business.

KISS have confirmed that their first shows using avatars will take place in 2027. The band played their final show as humans at Madison Square Garden on December 2, bringing their ‘End Of The Road’ world tour to its conclusion.

Travis Kelce is revisiting The Eras Tour — and this time he’s bringing some company along!

Marc Malkin Senior Editor, Culture and Events After diving in to play Diana Nyad’s best friend and swim coach in the real-life Netflix sports drama, “Nyad,” Jodie Foster is ready for her next cinematic adventure. “I really like doing things where I learn stuff,” Foster tells me. “I don’t know how to play any musical instruments.

Director Ruben Östlund announced in Cannes that he wanted one of the scenes in his upcoming airplane disaster movie The Entertainment System Is Down to prompt the biggest walkout in the history of cinema.

Manchester United will be without Victor Lindelof and four other injured players until the New Year.

CNN) before gunfire opened up on those in attendance soon after.Eyewitnesses at the festival said gunmen left multiple festivalgoers dead while dozens were taken hostage. Videos circulated on social media showing different attendees being taken hostage."Supernova: The Music Festival Massacre," a one-hour documentary chronicling the attack perpetrated by Hamas during a music festival in southern Israel, has been acquired by broadcasters around the world.