Queen Elizabeth is still dealing with her COVID-19 symptoms.
07.02.2022 - 12:43 / deadline.com
British broadcasting heavyweight Michael Grade has predicted another UK channel will pick up Neighbours, which Channel 5 said it will stop funding over the weekend.
The much-loved 37-year-old Australian soap will stop airing in six months if producer Fremantle fails to find another UK co-commissioner. Australia’s Network Ten part funds the show for its 10 Peach channel but will not pay the full amount.
Grade, a former BBC One Controller, ITV Executive Chair and Channel 4 CEO, who has been linked with buying Channel 4 if it were to be privatized, predicted Fremantle will comfortably find a buyer.
“It’s got a readymade audience,” he added, speaking to this morning’s Today program on BBC Radio 4.
“It may not have the audience size that Channel 5 needs to keep the advertisers happy but someone will pick it up. It’s a big brand and will get a lot of publicity.”
Fremantle’s next job is to head out on a promotion spree to pitch the soap.
Channel 5, which picked the Ramsay Street drama up in 2008, has been funding the majority in recent years as viewer size in Australia has shrunk, and the show is an early evening staple for the UK channel.
But having moved into the original drama game several years ago, a tactic that has reaped rewards with hits such as the successful All Creatures Great and Small reboot, ViacomCBS-owned Channel 5 made clear it is concentrating on new scripted shows.
“Neighbours will no longer air on Channel 5 beyond this summer,” said a Channel 5 spokesperson. “We recognise that there will be disappointment about this decision, however our current focus is on increasing our investment in original UK drama, which has strong appeal for our viewers.”
The channel has been reinvigorated under Director of Programmes Ben
Queen Elizabeth is still dealing with her COVID-19 symptoms.
K.J. Yossman Greta Bellamacina (“The Sceptered Isle”) and Amber Anderson (“Peaky Blinders”) have been cast as the dual leads in Jaclyn Bethany’s upcoming feature “Tell That to the Winter Sea.”Bellamacina and Bethany co-wrote the script, which has a dance narrative.Los Angeles based choreographer Sadie Wilking, who trained at the London School of Contemporary Dance, will choreograph the film.“Tell That to the Winter Sea” will explore the intimacy of female friendship with Bellamacina playing bride-to-be Jo while Anderson stars as Scarlet, a former lover and friend.
Queen Elizabeth II is still not up for participating in her royal duties as she battles COVID-19. The 95-year-old British monarch was diagnosed over the weekend, and has since had to cancel several virtual appearances. On Thursday, Buckingham Palace announced that Her Majesty was once again foregoing two virtual audiences to focus on her health. The Palace shared that the audiences have been moved to a later date as she continues to isolate with COVID. «Her Majesty is continuing with light duties,» the Palace shared in a statement, noting that no other engagements are currently scheduled for this week. ET did learn that the queen spoke with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson by telephone on Wednesday evening.
Welcome to Deadline’s International Disruptors, a feature where we shine a spotlight on key executives and companies shaking up the offshore marketplace. This week, we’re talking to Carnival Films executive chairman Gareth Neame, the producer behind the global British hit franchise Downton Abbey. The company, which Neame sold to NBC Universal in 2008, continues to be one of the heavy hitters when it comes to producing high-end dramas that have global reach.
Queen Elizabeth will miss a planned virtual engagement on Tuesday because she is still experiencing mild cold-like symptoms after testing positive for COVID-19, a spokesman for Buckingham Palace said.
Queen Elizabeth II is prioritizing her health while battling COVID-19. The 95-year-old British monarch tested positive for the coronavirus over the weekend, and on Tuesday, Buckingham Palace announced that she would not participate in several pre-planned virtual events «As Her Majesty is still experiencing mild cold like symptoms she has decided not to undertake her planned virtual engagements today, but will continue with light duties,» the Palace said in a statement.
Michael Kors' live nighttime fashion show promoting his 2022 Fall/Winter wardrobe for New York Fashion Week. The 6ft tall star polished off her tuxedo inspired ensemble with a bold red lip and black high heels. The Endless Love star chatted Kors on the red carpet donning a simple pair of black framed glasses.
Tom Holland is finding out which celebs are sitting down or standing up.
Amazon Prime, Banijay & Others Boarded For UK Apprentice Scheme
EXCLUSIVE: Abbey Lee (The Neon Demon, Lovecraft Country) and Christopher Abbott (Black Bear, Catch-22) are attached to lead Fear is the Rider, a chase thriller from BAFTA-nominated director John Michael McDonagh (The Guard, Calvary, The Forgiven) that The Exchange is introducing to international buyers at the 2022 virtual EFM.
Three teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a 17-year-old boy found dead in a Salford park.
Neighbours star Jackie Woodburne fought back tears as she discussed the fate of the Australian soap opera, following reports it could be facing the axe. Jackie, who has played Susanne Kennedy for 27 years, appeared on Australian talkshow The Project on Monday 7 February to share her reaction to the news. Actress Jackie, 66, was emotional as she admitted she had experienced a "rollercoaster" of emotions since the reports the 40 year-long show is set to be no more.
Jack Garratt has criticised Boris Johnson and the UK government on a brand new charity single – hear ‘Eton Mess (A Gaslight Anthem)’ below.Described as “a song out of pure disappointment and frustration,” the new track is Garratt’s first since 2020 album ‘Love, Death & Dancing’, released via Island, and also his first track as a fully independent artist.The new song is available via Bandcamp, with a percentage of proceeds going to the Trussell Trust. Explaining the motives behind the song, he wrote: “The resilience and brilliance shown by the majority of the public over the last two years has been empowering.
There's set to be a bit of a shake-up to a hit baking show as The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer line-up is revealed.
Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterAmazon Studios has officially started production on “Foe,” a sci-fi thriller package it acquired out of the Cannes Film Festival.Led by Saoirse Ronan, Paul Mescal and Aaron Pierre, the story comes from director and co-writer Garth Davis (“Top of the Lake,” the Oscar-nominated “Lion”). Davis and Iain Reid adapt the latter’s best-selling 2018 novel.