Prince William is going full dad mode.
10.01.2024 - 14:53 / variety.com
K.J. Yossman William Astor, who co-founded kids TV juggernaut Silvergate Media, has stepped down as the company’s chair. Silvergate, which was acquired by Sony Pictures Television in 2019, quietly re-branded as Sony Pictures Television – Kids in 2022.
“I can confirm I am no longer associated with Sony and have resigned as director and chairman,” Astor told Variety. He stepped down at the end of December. Astor originally co-founded the company alongside well-known British television producer Waheed Alli back in 2011.
It is best known for producing children’s animated franchises “Octonauts” — which has inspired films and theme park attractions across the world — and Nickelodeon animation “Peter Rabbit,” based on the classic children’s books by Beatrix Potter. It has also produced shows including “Hilda,” a Netflix animated series based on Luke Pearson’s graphic novels of the same name, and Nickelodeon’s “Sunny Day,” about the adventures of a young hair stylist. Sony paid $195 million for the company five years ago, buying out Silvergate’s management as well as L.A.-based investment outfit Shamrock, who owned 51% of the business.
Following the acquisition, Alli stayed on as CEO and Astor as chair. Alli, who is the co-creator of “Survivor” and a member of the U.K.’s House of Lords, eventually stepped down in the summer of 2022 with longtime Disney Junior exec Joe D’Ambrosia appointed as EVP and general manager to oversee the business. D’Ambrosia, who is based in L.A., reports to chairman of global television studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment corporate development Ravi Ahuja.
.Prince William is going full dad mode.
Alex Ritman Distribution and production banner Signature Entertainment has promoted two of its most senior execs. Elizabeth Williams, previously director of acquisitions and TV, has been upped to chief commercial officer.
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Media and entertainment veteran Kim Williams is to be appointed the next chairperson of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the Australian federal prime minister Anthony Albanese’s office announced on Wednesday. Williams takes over from the departing Ita Buttrose and will have a five-year mandate. He joins at a moment when the ABC is enduring a moment of editorial turbulence.
Anna Marie de la Fuente A bio-series about iconic ranchera singer Chavela Vargas starring “La Reina del Sur” lead Kate del Castillo is in the works. Colombia’s Caracol Televisión and indie Miracol Media are co-producing “Chavela,” which will trace the tumultuous life and career of the legendary singer.
K.J. Yossman Stephen van Rooyen, CEO of Sky U.K. and Ireland, is stepping down after almost 17 years at the company.
Sky UK & Ireland’s CEO and Group CCO, Stephen van Rooyen, will step down at the end of next month.
Robert Downey Jr. has claimed that the runaway success of Oppenheimer has become “a terrible tragedy” for its introverted director Christopher Nolan.Downey made the comments while presenting Nolan with the inaugural Trailblazer Award at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival in Utah, an honour which recognises the director’s contributions to independent filmmaking.“Confidentially, he needs his spirits lifted,” Downey joked.
Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter Robert Downey Jr. trekked to Sundance Film Festival‘s opening night gala to reveal that a “terrible tragedy” has befallen Christopher Nolan. But don’t worry about the filmmaker behind “Oppenheimer.” His hardship is really just a bad case of the blues, and it’s because Nolan — as Downey explained on Thursday while bestowing Nolan with the first-ever Trailblazer Award — “has become recognizable on the street.” According to Downey, the critical and commercial success of “Oppenheimer” causes the British director to recoil, “as though from a hot flame, from this new and unwelcome reality.” Well, Nolan may not be retreating from the spotlight anytime soon.
Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Christian Wikander, the well-respected Swedish executive who joined Banijay nine months ago as global head of scripted, will be stepping down from his role on Feb. 2.
EXCLUSIVE: Jenny Slate is set to star opposite Michelle Williams in Dying for Sex, FX’s limited series from writers Liz Meriwether and Kim Rosenstock, director Leslye Headland and 20th Television, where Meriwether, Rosenstock and Headland are under overall deals.
Addie Morfoot Contributor Ben Fowlie, executive and artistic director of the Points North Institute and founder of Camden Intl. Film Festival, is stepping down from his position after 20 years with the organization. Longtime board member Rick Rector will serve as interim executive director until a search for a permanent replacement is completed.
Ben Fowlie, founder of the Camden International Film Festival, is departing as executive and artistic director of the Points North Institute, the nonprofit that produces the highly-respected documentary festival in coastal Maine.
Shrinking” co-stars have a group text chain, but Ford, their fellow cast member, is not included in the conversation. “Harrison’s definitely not on it. You could say it’s a group chat minus one,” she told The Post ahead of the Emmy Awards, airing on Jan.
Following the shock news of Queen Margrethe of Denmark's, 83, abdication, speculation grew as to whether a decision to step away from the throne would be something King Charles would ever consider. While we do not know what will happen in the years to come, it is important to point out that monarchy in the UK and European monarchies are very different. While crowned heads, like Queen Margrethe, are proclaimed by the Prime Minister, Kings and Queens in the UK take an oath and are consecrated during their Coronation meaning it is a far more religious undertaking and one that is a lifetime commitment to God.The suggestion that King Charles may follow in the Danish Queen's footsteps was refuted by former BBC Royal Correspondent Jennie Bond.
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Joe Drake is exiting the company, and handing over executive duties and title to Motion Picture Group Vice Chair Adam Fogelson.
EXCLUSIVE: Jack Sussman is leaving CBS after 25 years.
EXCLUSIVE: Sony Pictures Television has taken a £39.7M ($50.5M) hit on Silvergate Media, the Peter Rabbit producer it acquired for $195M in 2019.
After a 28-year run at Sony Pictures, the studio’s SEVP & General Counsel Leah Weil is departing the studio.
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.
The Who frontman Roger Daltrey has announced that he will be stepping down as the curator for the Teenager Cancer Trust gigs.The announcement was made today (January 8) via BBC, and comes following the rock veteran acting as the curator for the annual charity gigs for over two decades.The benefit shows have been taking place at the Royal Albert Hall since 2000 – although took a break in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. Since its initiation, it has raised more than £32million in ticket sales and has gone on to support those struggling with cancer.Daltrey will be stepping down from the role after this year’s set of concerts.For the 2024 instalment – due to take place between March 18 and March 24 – Daltrey and The Who will open the series with two gigs on March 18 and 20, and an evening of comedy is scheduled in between.Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds will appear on the Thursday (March 21), featuring support from Blossoms, and performances from The Chemical Brothers and Young Fathers are lined-up on the following two nights.The series will draw to a close with a celebration of the series, titled ‘Ovation’, starring some huge names from across the rock world.