Wonya Lucas Named New Hallmark Channel President and CEO

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaAzazel Jacobs’s “French Exit,” the story of a New York socialite who jettisons her old life for a new one in Paris, has been selected as the closing night feature of the 58th New York Film Festival.The film, which stars Oscar-nominees Michelle Pfeiffer and Lucas Hedges, will make its world premiere at the festival, which is expected to be a mixture of physical and virtual events due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne are joining son Jack Osbourne for an eight-episode supernatural series,, on the Travel Channel.

Jake Kanter International TV EditorBBC appoints new Scotland chief BBC Scotland has named program maker, commissioner and award-winning broadcaster Steve Carson (pictured) as its new director, replacing Donalda MacKinnon, who steps down later this year. Carson is currently head of multi-platform commissioning for BBC Scotland and will be elevated to look after 1,100 staff.

Kerry Katona has followed in the footsteps of her BFF Katie Price and launched her own YouTube channel – and first up is a house tour.The former Atomic Kitten singer took her new followers inside her home, which she is renting until she finds somewhere to buy next year, after downsizing from her Cheshire mansion back in March.

tougher lockdown restrictions. On Thursday night it was announced that Greater Manchester and parts of east Lancashire and West Yorkshire have been banned from meeting each other inside their homes or in gardens following a spike in coronavirus cases.

Jake Kanter International TV EditorBBC Studios has announced that CFO Tom Fussell will act up as CEO following Tim Davie’s promotion to director general of the BBC.Davie will move across to the top job on September 1, at which point Fussell will take on his responsibilities at the Doctor Who and Top Gear producer until a successor is found.BBC Studios has begun recruiting for the CEO role and expects to make an appointment in the autumn.

Dade Hayes Finance EditorConfirming longtime speculation, Seattle has officially named its new NHL hockey team the Kraken.The name, logo and uniforms were revealed Thursday (watch a clip above, including a sizzle reel), ahead of the team’s debut in the 2021-22 season.The announcement cemented one of the most offbeat names for a team in all of professional sports.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterCrown Media Family Networks, the parent company of cable channels Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and Hallmark Drama, has named Wonya Lucas as its new president and CEO.Most recently the president and CEO of Public Broadcasting Atlanta, overseeing its NPR and PBS outlets, Lucas’ attention will now be focused on growing Crown Media’s television presence.

Dino-Ray Ramos Associate Editor/ReporterIDW Publishing has named Jerry Bennington as President, replacing Chris Ryall who recently exited the company to pursue new busness ventures.

Out Magazine, Hallmark Channel announced it is in "active negotiations" to include LGBTQ characters and storylines into its holiday movies this year.

NBC News, George Zaralidis, vice president of network program publicity at Hallmark’s parent company, Crown Media Family Networks, said Hallmark Channel was “committed to creating a Hallmark experience where everyone feels welcome.”Zaralidis said the company was in “active negotiations” and would announce further details when they’re available, but said Hallmark Channel’s holiday lineup “will include LGBTQ storylines, characters and actors.”“Diversity and inclusion is a top priority for us and

Sir has revealed that the title of his forthcoming studio album is ‘Kisses On The Bottom’.

Variety Staff Follow Us on TwitterSiriusXM has named Nicole Hughey vice president of diversity & inclusion, joining the company on Thursday (July 16).

Dave McNary Film ReporterThe International Documentary Association has named industry veteran Brenda Robinson as president of its board of directors, the first African American to hold the post.Robinson, who joined IDA’s board in 2018, succeeds Kevin Iwashina, whose board term ends in December.

After ABC and BBC Studios revealed that they would be making some major changes for Season 29 of Dancing With the Stars and announced Tyra Banks as the show’s new host and executive producer, the supermodel says that she is excited to take the dancing competition to the next level. On Wednesday, Banks told Good Morning America she is looking forward to being on live TV because you never know what is going to happen.

Jake Kanter International TV EditorBanijay France CEO François de Brugada is to assume control of Endemol Shine’s French operations following the two groups’ merger earlier this month, prompting the departure of Endemol Shine France president Nicolas Coppermann.Brugada has worked at Banijay since its inception in 2008 and has been the company’s French CEO since 2015.

Ted Johnson Donald Trump is shaking up his 2020 re-election campaign, promoting Bill Stepien to campaign manager while Brad Parscale will become a senior adviser.“I am pleased to announce that Bill Stepien has been promoted to the role of Trump Campaign Manager,” Trump wrote on Facebook.

Hallmark Channel, while the remaining 17 will debut on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.Hallmark's annual Christmas programming announcement kicks off the 100-day countdown to the start of its holiday slate, which officially begins Friday, Oct.