SXSW will host its inaugural London edition in June 2025, festival brass said on Wednesday.
The event will take place over one week across multiple spaces in Shoreditch in East London, and will feature keynotes, music showcases, tech, gaming, and screen, placing an emphasis on creative talent from around Europe.
The announcement comes after the festival expanded to Sydney last year and the initiative was welcomed on Wednesday by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and culture secretary Lucy Frazer.
Khan called the initiative “a historic opportunity for London to once again bring the world’s most exciting talent together as part...
The event will take place over one week across multiple spaces in Shoreditch in East London, and will feature keynotes, music showcases, tech, gaming, and screen, placing an emphasis on creative talent from around Europe.
The announcement comes after the festival expanded to Sydney last year and the initiative was welcomed on Wednesday by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and culture secretary Lucy Frazer.
Khan called the initiative “a historic opportunity for London to once again bring the world’s most exciting talent together as part...
- 5/9/2024
- ScreenDaily
The South by Southwest festival, held annually in Austin, Texas, will launch a European edition in London in June 2025.
SXSW London will feature the mix of keynotes conversations, film and TV events, music showcases and showcases for innovations in digital and gaming that have defined SXSW since the festival began in 1987. The London festival will emphasize visual arts, design and fashion with exhibitions and immersive experiences that will be held in the Shoreditch area of east London. SXSW is owned by Variety parent company Pmc.
“As a life-long fan of SXSW, I truly believe that it’s more than an event — it’s a movement, a platform where the world’s greatest minds, musicians and motivators come to share their passion and their vision of the future,” said Randel Bryan, managing director of SXSW London. “SXSW London will build on Austin’s incredible legacy, presenting an event that underpins why...
SXSW London will feature the mix of keynotes conversations, film and TV events, music showcases and showcases for innovations in digital and gaming that have defined SXSW since the festival began in 1987. The London festival will emphasize visual arts, design and fashion with exhibitions and immersive experiences that will be held in the Shoreditch area of east London. SXSW is owned by Variety parent company Pmc.
“As a life-long fan of SXSW, I truly believe that it’s more than an event — it’s a movement, a platform where the world’s greatest minds, musicians and motivators come to share their passion and their vision of the future,” said Randel Bryan, managing director of SXSW London. “SXSW London will build on Austin’s incredible legacy, presenting an event that underpins why...
- 5/8/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety Film + TV
Welcome to this week’s review of Nxt, right here on Nerdly. We’ve got week two of the Spring Breakin’ special(s), so let’s get straight into it and see what went down in this episode…
Match #1: Nxt North American Championship – Oba Femi def. Ivar The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Oba Femi threw down in a matchup between two of the biggest and baddest Superstars when he tangled with Ivar, but in the end it was the champion that walked out still North American Champion. The Viking Raider looked dominant early on, using his unique athleticism for his 360lb frame to stagger the champion and even crashing him through the barricade at ringside and hitting a moonsault to the outside. Femi proved his championship mettle by withstanding a Doomsault by sticking his right foot on the rope, forcing the break. Ivar went for another Doomsault...
Match #1: Nxt North American Championship – Oba Femi def. Ivar The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Oba Femi threw down in a matchup between two of the biggest and baddest Superstars when he tangled with Ivar, but in the end it was the champion that walked out still North American Champion. The Viking Raider looked dominant early on, using his unique athleticism for his 360lb frame to stagger the champion and even crashing him through the barricade at ringside and hitting a moonsault to the outside. Femi proved his championship mettle by withstanding a Doomsault by sticking his right foot on the rope, forcing the break. Ivar went for another Doomsault...
- 5/2/2024
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Welcome to this week’s review of Nxt, right here on Nerdly. Let’s get straight into it and see what went down in this episode…
Match #1: Kiana James & Izzi Dame def. Fallon Henley & Kelani Jordan The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Fallon Henley and Kelani Jordan paired up once again to take on the conniving Kiana James and Izzi Dame in tag team action after the four Superstars clashed at Stand & Deliver. Henley and Jordan rode that momentum from Saturday afternoon early on, but the size and strength of Dame flipped the script and allowed herself and Kiana to gain full control. Jordan ended up finding herself in the cross hairs of Dame, but Henley saved her from a big boot, however it allowed James to hit 401K to score the victory for her team.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5 Match #2: Je’Von Evans def. Scrypts The following is courtesy of wwe.
Match #1: Kiana James & Izzi Dame def. Fallon Henley & Kelani Jordan The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Fallon Henley and Kelani Jordan paired up once again to take on the conniving Kiana James and Izzi Dame in tag team action after the four Superstars clashed at Stand & Deliver. Henley and Jordan rode that momentum from Saturday afternoon early on, but the size and strength of Dame flipped the script and allowed herself and Kiana to gain full control. Jordan ended up finding herself in the cross hairs of Dame, but Henley saved her from a big boot, however it allowed James to hit 401K to score the victory for her team.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5 Match #2: Je’Von Evans def. Scrypts The following is courtesy of wwe.
- 4/11/2024
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Welcome to this review of Nxt: Stand and Deliver, right here on Nerdly. Let’s get straight into the review and see what happened this week on Nxt pay-per-view (Ple) which takes place as part of the WWE’s massive Wrestlemania weekend…
Match #1: Joe Gacy def. Shawn Spears The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Making his first Nxt Ple appearance in more than seven years, Shawn Spears battled Joe Gacy on the Countdown to Nxt Stand & Deliver. Before Gacy could make it to the ring, Ridge Holland, who had provided analysis on the Countdown show, cracked Gacy in the back with a steel chair. Spears used Holland’s attack to his advantage, continuing to attack Gacy’s damaged back with repeated back suplexes on top of the ring apron. Gacy somehow kept fighting, hitting a wicked uranage that nearly spelled the end for Spears. After an intense back-and-forth battle,...
Match #1: Joe Gacy def. Shawn Spears The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Making his first Nxt Ple appearance in more than seven years, Shawn Spears battled Joe Gacy on the Countdown to Nxt Stand & Deliver. Before Gacy could make it to the ring, Ridge Holland, who had provided analysis on the Countdown show, cracked Gacy in the back with a steel chair. Spears used Holland’s attack to his advantage, continuing to attack Gacy’s damaged back with repeated back suplexes on top of the ring apron. Gacy somehow kept fighting, hitting a wicked uranage that nearly spelled the end for Spears. After an intense back-and-forth battle,...
- 4/9/2024
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Welcome to this week’s review of Nxt, right here on Nerdly. Let’s get straight into it and see what went down in this episode…
Match #1: Nathan Frazer & Axiom def. The Lwo and Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Nathan Frazer and Axiom are officially headed to Stand & Deliver after the dynamic duo defeated The Lwo and Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson in a Triple Threat Tag Team Match to become the No. 1 Contenders to the Nxt Tag Team Titles. The speed of Frazer and Axiom was matched by Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro, but the brute strength of Gallows and Anderson clashed with their speedy and athletic opponents. Chaos ensued when all six Superstars found themselves in the ring, and a Magic Killer to Wilde opened the door for Frazer to hit a scintillating 450 Splash to punch his team’s ticket to Stand & Deliver.
Match #1: Nathan Frazer & Axiom def. The Lwo and Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Nathan Frazer and Axiom are officially headed to Stand & Deliver after the dynamic duo defeated The Lwo and Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson in a Triple Threat Tag Team Match to become the No. 1 Contenders to the Nxt Tag Team Titles. The speed of Frazer and Axiom was matched by Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro, but the brute strength of Gallows and Anderson clashed with their speedy and athletic opponents. Chaos ensued when all six Superstars found themselves in the ring, and a Magic Killer to Wilde opened the door for Frazer to hit a scintillating 450 Splash to punch his team’s ticket to Stand & Deliver.
- 4/4/2024
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Former ITV and Channel 5 bosses will examine the future funding model of the BBC.
The UK government has just set out the panel that will advise on the future of the license fee, which could be culled in 2027 after more than 100 years. The panel will assess the sustainability of the current model and examine alternative options for funding the national broadcaster, while exploring new ways for the broadcaster to increase commercial income and how it could transition to any potential new funding model.
Panelists include Sir Peter Bazalgatte, a storied former chair of ITV, and David Elstein, the former CEO of Channel 5.
Others include Amber de Botton, who worked at Sky News and then was ITV’s Head of UK News, and Lorna Tilbian, the Executive Chairman of investment and wealth management firm Dowgate Capital. Full list is below.
The panels will be chaired by Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer,...
The UK government has just set out the panel that will advise on the future of the license fee, which could be culled in 2027 after more than 100 years. The panel will assess the sustainability of the current model and examine alternative options for funding the national broadcaster, while exploring new ways for the broadcaster to increase commercial income and how it could transition to any potential new funding model.
Panelists include Sir Peter Bazalgatte, a storied former chair of ITV, and David Elstein, the former CEO of Channel 5.
Others include Amber de Botton, who worked at Sky News and then was ITV’s Head of UK News, and Lorna Tilbian, the Executive Chairman of investment and wealth management firm Dowgate Capital. Full list is below.
The panels will be chaired by Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer,...
- 3/21/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Welcome to this week’s review of Nxt, right here on Nerdly. Let’s get straight into it and see what went down in this episode…
Match #1: Roxanne Perez def. Tatum Paxley The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Roxanne Perez is one step closer to Stand & Deliver as she defeated Tatum Paxley, challenged Lyra Valkyria, and attacked the champion once again. Before the match could even begin, Paxley attacked Perez as the two brawled at the ringside area. Paxley put up a fight, but a Pop Rox into a crossface from Perez sealed the victory. After the match, a sling-wearing Valkyria confronted The Prodigy only for Perez to lock her in a crossface as well.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5 Match #2: Nathan Frazer & Axiom def. No Quarter Catch Crew The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Myles Borne and Charlie competed for No Quarter Catch Crew under the Catch Clause,...
Match #1: Roxanne Perez def. Tatum Paxley The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Roxanne Perez is one step closer to Stand & Deliver as she defeated Tatum Paxley, challenged Lyra Valkyria, and attacked the champion once again. Before the match could even begin, Paxley attacked Perez as the two brawled at the ringside area. Paxley put up a fight, but a Pop Rox into a crossface from Perez sealed the victory. After the match, a sling-wearing Valkyria confronted The Prodigy only for Perez to lock her in a crossface as well.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5 Match #2: Nathan Frazer & Axiom def. No Quarter Catch Crew The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Myles Borne and Charlie competed for No Quarter Catch Crew under the Catch Clause,...
- 3/21/2024
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here taking you through what has been a whirlwind of a week in international TV and film. Do not stop here — please do read on. And sign up here.
Indie Movie “Game-Changer”
£1B worth of sweeteners: It was a potentially “game-changing” week for a floundering British indie film sector with the unveiling of a 40% tax relief on movies with budgets less than £15M ($19M) — a relief that trade body Pact says it has been calling for in some form or another since 2017 and which answers the prayers of Culture, Media & Sport Committee boss Caroline Dinenage. Jeremy Hunt’s budget was perhaps the most listened-to and most celebrated for a decade by the creative industries after the UK Chancellor unveiled the relief with fanfare alongside 40% business rates relief for big studios and improved VFX relief. All in all, Hunt and the UK treasury said that the...
Indie Movie “Game-Changer”
£1B worth of sweeteners: It was a potentially “game-changing” week for a floundering British indie film sector with the unveiling of a 40% tax relief on movies with budgets less than £15M ($19M) — a relief that trade body Pact says it has been calling for in some form or another since 2017 and which answers the prayers of Culture, Media & Sport Committee boss Caroline Dinenage. Jeremy Hunt’s budget was perhaps the most listened-to and most celebrated for a decade by the creative industries after the UK Chancellor unveiled the relief with fanfare alongside 40% business rates relief for big studios and improved VFX relief. All in all, Hunt and the UK treasury said that the...
- 3/8/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: UK Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has said the 40% indie film tax relief will bring balance to a movie sector that has swung too far towards big-budget fare in recent years.
The Conservatives unveiled the relief yesterday on films below £15M ($19M) budget, which was celebrated as a “game-changer” by figures ranging from Christopher Nolan to Ridley Scott to Gurinder Chadha.
Frazer said the latest set of tax reliefs brought in by the government, which it predicts will be worth £1B in additional relief over the next five years, are the “continuation” of a decade’s worth of work and will level the playing field between big-budget U.S. movies like Barbie that filmed in the UK and smaller indie fare.
“We’re supporting big productions and big international films on British soil but we need to do both and help indie films as well,” she said, as she sat...
The Conservatives unveiled the relief yesterday on films below £15M ($19M) budget, which was celebrated as a “game-changer” by figures ranging from Christopher Nolan to Ridley Scott to Gurinder Chadha.
Frazer said the latest set of tax reliefs brought in by the government, which it predicts will be worth £1B in additional relief over the next five years, are the “continuation” of a decade’s worth of work and will level the playing field between big-budget U.S. movies like Barbie that filmed in the UK and smaller indie fare.
“We’re supporting big productions and big international films on British soil but we need to do both and help indie films as well,” she said, as she sat...
- 3/8/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
UK creative industries union Bectu has called for the government to summon an urgent industry summit to address a “crisis” among film and TV freelancers.
The creative industry union’s head Philippa Childs wrote an open letter to the government’s culture secretary Lucy Frazer, asking for a summit “bringing together broadcasters, industry stakeholders and government, to discuss the crisis and possible solutions”.
Childs continued: “The future of our much loved and globally revered film and TV industry, and one of the UK’s economic heavyweights, depends on urgent and joined up action. The workforce, who underpin the sector’s success,...
The creative industry union’s head Philippa Childs wrote an open letter to the government’s culture secretary Lucy Frazer, asking for a summit “bringing together broadcasters, industry stakeholders and government, to discuss the crisis and possible solutions”.
Childs continued: “The future of our much loved and globally revered film and TV industry, and one of the UK’s economic heavyweights, depends on urgent and joined up action. The workforce, who underpin the sector’s success,...
- 2/27/2024
- ScreenDaily
“Urgent and joined up action” has been demanded from the UK government by broadcasting union Bectu, which has called for an industry-wide summit and criticized the culture secretary for saying the creative industries are “booming.”
Philippa Childs has written a letter to Lucy Frazer this morning saying the “current picture for the UK screen industries is deeply concerning.”
She called for the summit with haste, which she said should bring together “broadcasters, industry stakeholders and government to discuss the crisis and possible solutions.”
“The future of our much loved and globally revered film and TV industry, and one of the UK’s economic heavyweights, depends on urgent and joined up action,” said Childs. “The workforce, who underpin the sector’s success, must have a seat at the table.”
She was writing on behalf of the thousands of UK freelancers. A Bectu survey last week found that 68% of UK film and TV freelancers are not working,...
Philippa Childs has written a letter to Lucy Frazer this morning saying the “current picture for the UK screen industries is deeply concerning.”
She called for the summit with haste, which she said should bring together “broadcasters, industry stakeholders and government to discuss the crisis and possible solutions.”
“The future of our much loved and globally revered film and TV industry, and one of the UK’s economic heavyweights, depends on urgent and joined up action,” said Childs. “The workforce, who underpin the sector’s success, must have a seat at the table.”
She was writing on behalf of the thousands of UK freelancers. A Bectu survey last week found that 68% of UK film and TV freelancers are not working,...
- 2/27/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Wayne Lapierre, former CEO of the National Rifle Association (NRA), was found liable by a jury for corruption on Friday.
Lapierre, 74, was the CEO of the NRA for 30 years until his resignation at the end of January 2024.
In February, Lapierre faced a corruption trial for the mismanagement and misspending of the NRA’s funds. New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) brought the case against Lapierre and other NRA executives.
Lapierre was found guilty of using NRA funds on personal luxuries. The jury found that he must repay the NRA $5.4 million. Lapierre has already repaid $1 million of that amount.
Lapierre used NRA funds for luxury clothing boutiques in Beverly Hills and travel expenses to the Bahamas and Europe. Funds also went to a personal stylist for Lapierre’s wife, Susan Lapierre.
As a nonprofit organization, the jury also found the NRA responsible for violating their duties and failing to manage their finances.
Lapierre, 74, was the CEO of the NRA for 30 years until his resignation at the end of January 2024.
In February, Lapierre faced a corruption trial for the mismanagement and misspending of the NRA’s funds. New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) brought the case against Lapierre and other NRA executives.
Lapierre was found guilty of using NRA funds on personal luxuries. The jury found that he must repay the NRA $5.4 million. Lapierre has already repaid $1 million of that amount.
Lapierre used NRA funds for luxury clothing boutiques in Beverly Hills and travel expenses to the Bahamas and Europe. Funds also went to a personal stylist for Lapierre’s wife, Susan Lapierre.
As a nonprofit organization, the jury also found the NRA responsible for violating their duties and failing to manage their finances.
- 2/26/2024
- by Ann Hoang
- Uinterview
Welcome to this week’s review of Nxt, right here on Nerdly. Let’s get straight into it and see what went down in this episode…
Match #1: Oba Femi def. Lexis King The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Oba Femi claims to be blessed by destiny and after another dominant performance, this time against Lexis King, there could be no stopping the Nigerian Superstar. Femi used his incredible blend of explosiveness and strength to keep King off-balance for nearly the whole match, but it was King’s past that came back to haunt him. Mr. Stone walked down the ramp and yelled at King, causing the challenger to leave the ring and shove him, but that left him wide open for more clubbing blows and ultimately a pop-up powerbomb.
My Score: 2 out of 5 Match #2: Roxanne Perez def. Wren Sinclair The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The...
Match #1: Oba Femi def. Lexis King The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Oba Femi claims to be blessed by destiny and after another dominant performance, this time against Lexis King, there could be no stopping the Nigerian Superstar. Femi used his incredible blend of explosiveness and strength to keep King off-balance for nearly the whole match, but it was King’s past that came back to haunt him. Mr. Stone walked down the ramp and yelled at King, causing the challenger to leave the ring and shove him, but that left him wide open for more clubbing blows and ultimately a pop-up powerbomb.
My Score: 2 out of 5 Match #2: Roxanne Perez def. Wren Sinclair The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The...
- 2/22/2024
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Welcome to this week’s review of Nxt, right here on Nerdly. Let’s get straight into it and see what went down in this episode…
Match #1: Axiom & Nathan Frazer def. Edris Enofé & Malik Blade The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Even though the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic has concluded, Axiom and Nathan Frazer are still teaming together and picked up a big win over Edris Enofé and Malik Blade. The action was fast and furious as all four Superstars showed off their incredible athleticism, punctuated by a Spanish Fly/Phoenix Splash combo from Axiom and Frazer. After Blade wiped out on the outside, Enofé was left all alone in the ring where Frazer hit another Phoenix Splash followed by a Golden Ratio from Axiom to give them the win.
My Score: 4 out of 5 Match #2: Lexis King def. Riley Osborne The following is courtesy of wwe.
Match #1: Axiom & Nathan Frazer def. Edris Enofé & Malik Blade The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Even though the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic has concluded, Axiom and Nathan Frazer are still teaming together and picked up a big win over Edris Enofé and Malik Blade. The action was fast and furious as all four Superstars showed off their incredible athleticism, punctuated by a Spanish Fly/Phoenix Splash combo from Axiom and Frazer. After Blade wiped out on the outside, Enofé was left all alone in the ring where Frazer hit another Phoenix Splash followed by a Golden Ratio from Axiom to give them the win.
My Score: 4 out of 5 Match #2: Lexis King def. Riley Osborne The following is courtesy of wwe.
- 2/8/2024
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Welcome to this week’s review of Nxt, right here on Nerdly. Let’s get straight into it and see what went down in this episode…
Match #1: Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic – Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin def. Axiom and Nathan Frazer The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin punched their ticket to Nxt Vengeance Day with a resounding victory over Axiom and Nathan Frazer in the Semifinals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. The speed of Axiom and Frazer was on full display early, but the “Wolf Dogs” as Breakker likes to call themselves weathered the storm and used their power to gain the advantage. After an incredible back and forth between both teams, Corbin hit Axiom with an End of Days with Breakker following that up with a bone-shattering Spear on Frazer, securing their victory.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5 Match #2: Lash Legend def.
Match #1: Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic – Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin def. Axiom and Nathan Frazer The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin punched their ticket to Nxt Vengeance Day with a resounding victory over Axiom and Nathan Frazer in the Semifinals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. The speed of Axiom and Frazer was on full display early, but the “Wolf Dogs” as Breakker likes to call themselves weathered the storm and used their power to gain the advantage. After an incredible back and forth between both teams, Corbin hit Axiom with an End of Days with Breakker following that up with a bone-shattering Spear on Frazer, securing their victory.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5 Match #2: Lash Legend def.
- 1/25/2024
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
If you spent Monday morning watching or listening to the news in the UK, you would be forgiven for thinking that the BBC was getting it badly wrong on impartiality.
Lucy Frazer, Britain’s Culture Secretary, was interviewed by almost every major news show in the country, ostensibly to speak about some uncontroversial reforms the government is making to the BBC’s regulatory arrangements.
As she was paraded in front of a variety of presenters, Frazer was repeatedly pressed on whether the BBC was biased. She answered yes, on behalf of both the government and the BBC’s millions of viewers and listeners
“There is a perception amongst the public that the BBC is biased,” Frazer told Sky News. She went further in an interview with Gb News: “Audiences are feeling like the BBC is not performing that role in relation to impartiality and they are getting less impartial...
Lucy Frazer, Britain’s Culture Secretary, was interviewed by almost every major news show in the country, ostensibly to speak about some uncontroversial reforms the government is making to the BBC’s regulatory arrangements.
As she was paraded in front of a variety of presenters, Frazer was repeatedly pressed on whether the BBC was biased. She answered yes, on behalf of both the government and the BBC’s millions of viewers and listeners
“There is a perception amongst the public that the BBC is biased,” Frazer told Sky News. She went further in an interview with Gb News: “Audiences are feeling like the BBC is not performing that role in relation to impartiality and they are getting less impartial...
- 1/23/2024
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
The U.K. government is giving more power to the BBC and media regulator Ofcom to handle complaints as part of its mid-term review into the corporation’s functioning.
The Royal Charter is the constitutional basis for the BBC. The current Charter began on Jan. 1 and ends on Dec. 31 2027. The U.K. government’s mid-term review of the Charter, which began in May, 2022, focused on governance and regulatory arrangements.
The review states that audiences will be given greater certainty that their complaints about BBC TV, radio and on demand content – including concerns about bias – are dealt with fairly, through greater scrutiny of its complaints process, which is to be made more independent from program makers. A new legally binding responsibility on the BBC board will require it to actively oversee the BBC’s complaints process to assure audiences that their concerns are being fairly considered.
In addition, Ofcom oversight will be...
The Royal Charter is the constitutional basis for the BBC. The current Charter began on Jan. 1 and ends on Dec. 31 2027. The U.K. government’s mid-term review of the Charter, which began in May, 2022, focused on governance and regulatory arrangements.
The review states that audiences will be given greater certainty that their complaints about BBC TV, radio and on demand content – including concerns about bias – are dealt with fairly, through greater scrutiny of its complaints process, which is to be made more independent from program makers. A new legally binding responsibility on the BBC board will require it to actively oversee the BBC’s complaints process to assure audiences that their concerns are being fairly considered.
In addition, Ofcom oversight will be...
- 1/22/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Welcome to this week’s review of Nxt, right here on Nerdly. Let’s get straight into it and see what went down in this episode…
Match #1: Blair Davenport def. Nikkita Lyons The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Despite months of anticipation and pent-up frustration, Nikkita Lyons couldn’t exact payback on the Superstar that injured her, Blair Davenport. The two rivals brawled before the match even began, and the action continued once the bell rang as both Superstars pummeled each other. Lyons was determined, but Davenport kept attacking her previously injured knee, with a chop block and a vicious knee strike securing her victory.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5 Match #2: Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic – Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin def. Gallus The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The team of Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin is off to a good start as they knocked off Gallus...
Match #1: Blair Davenport def. Nikkita Lyons The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Despite months of anticipation and pent-up frustration, Nikkita Lyons couldn’t exact payback on the Superstar that injured her, Blair Davenport. The two rivals brawled before the match even began, and the action continued once the bell rang as both Superstars pummeled each other. Lyons was determined, but Davenport kept attacking her previously injured knee, with a chop block and a vicious knee strike securing her victory.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5 Match #2: Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic – Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin def. Gallus The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The team of Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin is off to a good start as they knocked off Gallus...
- 1/11/2024
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
The Apple TV+ exec will take over from Vue CEO Tim Richards.
Jay Hunt, AppleTV+ European creative director, has been confirmed as the next chair of the British Film Institute (BFI).
She will take over from Vue CEO Tim Richards for a four year-term on February 16.
The BFI chair is appointed by the UK government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Dcms) and ratified by culture secretary Lucy Frazer.
Australia-born Hunt will be the first female chair since Joan Bakewell, who was in post from 1999-2002, and the first chair to come from a streaming platform.
“The BFI plays...
Jay Hunt, AppleTV+ European creative director, has been confirmed as the next chair of the British Film Institute (BFI).
She will take over from Vue CEO Tim Richards for a four year-term on February 16.
The BFI chair is appointed by the UK government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Dcms) and ratified by culture secretary Lucy Frazer.
Australia-born Hunt will be the first female chair since Joan Bakewell, who was in post from 1999-2002, and the first chair to come from a streaming platform.
“The BFI plays...
- 1/10/2024
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
On Monday, the National Rifle Association and its former CEO, Wayne Lapierre, went on trial for corruption in a Manhattan courtroom.
The civil case takes place three days after Lapierre’s surprise resignation as the gun rights group’s chief executive.
New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) sued the NRA and Lapierre in August 2020. She claimed that the group transferred millions of dollars so that they could fund luxury perks for top officials, such as travel expenses for Lapierre to several resorts. These include private jets and trips to the Bahamas for Lapierre.
James accused NRA officials of not acquiring board approval for conflicts of interest and insider transactions, as well as agreeing to no-show contracts for associates and retaliating against whistleblowers who suspected financial wrongdoing.
According to James, the organization’s actions violated laws in New York governing nonprofits.
In December, a state appeals court allowed the case...
The civil case takes place three days after Lapierre’s surprise resignation as the gun rights group’s chief executive.
New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) sued the NRA and Lapierre in August 2020. She claimed that the group transferred millions of dollars so that they could fund luxury perks for top officials, such as travel expenses for Lapierre to several resorts. These include private jets and trips to the Bahamas for Lapierre.
James accused NRA officials of not acquiring board approval for conflicts of interest and insider transactions, as well as agreeing to no-show contracts for associates and retaliating against whistleblowers who suspected financial wrongdoing.
According to James, the organization’s actions violated laws in New York governing nonprofits.
In December, a state appeals court allowed the case...
- 1/9/2024
- by Alessio Atria
- Uinterview
Welcome to this week’s review of Nxt, right here on Nerdly. Let’s get straight into it and see what went down in this episode…
Match #1: Otm def. Chase U The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Andre Chase will have to find a new way to fix Chase U’s money problems as he failed to win Scrypts’ money after losing to Otm. With Otm’s big win, Bronco Nima and Lucien Price will get a future Tag Team Title Match against Tony D’Angelo and Stacks.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5 Match #2: Heritage Cup Match – Noam Dar def. Josh Briggs (Dq) The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Josh Briggs wanted to prove that he could win without Brooks Jensen and Fallon Henley in his corner, but it proved to be an unwise decision as Nxt Heritage Cup Champion Noam Dar and The Meta-Four frustrated...
Match #1: Otm def. Chase U The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Andre Chase will have to find a new way to fix Chase U’s money problems as he failed to win Scrypts’ money after losing to Otm. With Otm’s big win, Bronco Nima and Lucien Price will get a future Tag Team Title Match against Tony D’Angelo and Stacks.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5 Match #2: Heritage Cup Match – Noam Dar def. Josh Briggs (Dq) The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Josh Briggs wanted to prove that he could win without Brooks Jensen and Fallon Henley in his corner, but it proved to be an unwise decision as Nxt Heritage Cup Champion Noam Dar and The Meta-Four frustrated...
- 12/28/2023
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Welcome to this review of Nxt: Deadline, the latest pay-per-view/premium live event from the WWE’s third brand and a show that features the culmination of the “Iron Survivor Challenge” tournament that has taken place over the past few weeks. Let’s see what went down on the show!
Match #1: Axiom def. Nathan Frazer The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
A hard-fought battle between two of Nxt’s best highflyers went the way of Axiom as he bested Nathan Frazer in a fast-paced match-up.The speed of both Superstars was on full display as was their athleticism, as Axiom’s moonsault to the outside was soon one-upped by Frazer countering a top-rope maneuver by hitting a twisting neckbreaker. One hesitation by Frazer opened the door for Axiom, who hit a scintillating Spanish Fly and followed that up with a perfect Golden Ratio to win the friendly matchup.
Match #1: Axiom def. Nathan Frazer The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
A hard-fought battle between two of Nxt’s best highflyers went the way of Axiom as he bested Nathan Frazer in a fast-paced match-up.The speed of both Superstars was on full display as was their athleticism, as Axiom’s moonsault to the outside was soon one-upped by Frazer countering a top-rope maneuver by hitting a twisting neckbreaker. One hesitation by Frazer opened the door for Axiom, who hit a scintillating Spanish Fly and followed that up with a perfect Golden Ratio to win the friendly matchup.
- 12/12/2023
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Good afternoon Insiders, here we go again with a busy old week in TV and film. Max Goldbart penning the newsletter. Read on and sign up here.
Bad Times For The BBC
Déjà vu: When you’ve been doing this for a little while, nothing gives off more of a sense of déjà vu than BBC budget woes. It always starts the same way. A downtrodden UK Prime Minister desperately seeks a distraction hook and latches on to the nation’s favorite (ish) broadcaster, in this case saying over the weekend that the public cannot afford the previously-agreed inflationary rise to the licence fee next year that would have seen the fee shoot up by nearly £15 ($18.90). Several days and one new chair appointment later, and the sentiment was confirmed by Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, who said the fee will instead rise by just more than £10, as the government shifted the goalposts.
Bad Times For The BBC
Déjà vu: When you’ve been doing this for a little while, nothing gives off more of a sense of déjà vu than BBC budget woes. It always starts the same way. A downtrodden UK Prime Minister desperately seeks a distraction hook and latches on to the nation’s favorite (ish) broadcaster, in this case saying over the weekend that the public cannot afford the previously-agreed inflationary rise to the licence fee next year that would have seen the fee shoot up by nearly £15 ($18.90). Several days and one new chair appointment later, and the sentiment was confirmed by Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, who said the fee will instead rise by just more than £10, as the government shifted the goalposts.
- 12/8/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The annual license fee for the BBC will rise by £10.50 ($13.20) to £169.50 ($213.35), lower than what the corporation expected, causing a funding gap of £90 million ($113 million).
As revealed in the BBC’s annual report, the bulk of its income was from the license fee paid for by the public, which accounted for £3.74 billion, £60 million down from last year. The licence fee was frozen for two years at £159.50. The license fee rise was linked to September’s rate of inflation, which was lower than preceding months, rather than an average of the past year and is lesser that the 15% anticipated. The fee, which will come into effect from April, 2024, has risen by 6.6%. This is expected to cause a funding gap of £90 million.
The BBC board said: “We note that the government has restored a link to inflation on the licence fee after two years of no increases during a time of high inflation.
As revealed in the BBC’s annual report, the bulk of its income was from the license fee paid for by the public, which accounted for £3.74 billion, £60 million down from last year. The licence fee was frozen for two years at £159.50. The license fee rise was linked to September’s rate of inflation, which was lower than preceding months, rather than an average of the past year and is lesser that the 15% anticipated. The fee, which will come into effect from April, 2024, has risen by 6.6%. This is expected to cause a funding gap of £90 million.
The BBC board said: “We note that the government has restored a link to inflation on the licence fee after two years of no increases during a time of high inflation.
- 12/8/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: BBC insiders have voiced alarm over a funding deal that has blown a £90M ($113M) hole in the UK broadcaster’s finances and sources say potentially threatens its independence.
The British government announced on Thursday that it would increase the BBC’s income in line with inflation, but ministers have ripped up the agreed way of measuring this price hike and the timetable for future funding settlements. A senior BBC insider said it was an “unhealthy way to do business.”
Culture secretary Lucy Frazer said the license fee, a levy that all UK households must pay to access BBC services, will increase by 6.7% from April 2024. This was the spot rate of inflation in September this year. Traditionally the government has pegged licence fee increases to an annual average of inflation, which would have been 9% in 2024 had this calculation been kept in place.
It means the £159 fee, which has been frozen for two years,...
The British government announced on Thursday that it would increase the BBC’s income in line with inflation, but ministers have ripped up the agreed way of measuring this price hike and the timetable for future funding settlements. A senior BBC insider said it was an “unhealthy way to do business.”
Culture secretary Lucy Frazer said the license fee, a levy that all UK households must pay to access BBC services, will increase by 6.7% from April 2024. This was the spot rate of inflation in September this year. Traditionally the government has pegged licence fee increases to an annual average of inflation, which would have been 9% in 2024 had this calculation been kept in place.
It means the £159 fee, which has been frozen for two years,...
- 12/7/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Your TV licence will go up by a tenner in 2024, which is less than the feared £14.50 increase, but still not great.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has launched a review into how the BBC is funded. The cost of living crisis has been hitting Britons rather hard of late, and an increase in the TV licence isn’t exactly welcome news.
A TV licence now costs you £159 a year – or £53.50 if you own a black and white TV. This will remain unchanged until April 2024, but will then go up by a tenner and you’ll be paying £169.50 – or £57 if you like your programmes in black and white. The fee will remain the same for the next three years.
“This is a fair deal that provides value for money for the licence fee payer while also ensuring that the BBC can continue to produce world leading content,” Frazer said in a statement.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has launched a review into how the BBC is funded. The cost of living crisis has been hitting Britons rather hard of late, and an increase in the TV licence isn’t exactly welcome news.
A TV licence now costs you £159 a year – or £53.50 if you own a black and white TV. This will remain unchanged until April 2024, but will then go up by a tenner and you’ll be paying £169.50 – or £57 if you like your programmes in black and white. The fee will remain the same for the next three years.
“This is a fair deal that provides value for money for the licence fee payer while also ensuring that the BBC can continue to produce world leading content,” Frazer said in a statement.
- 12/7/2023
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories
The BBC’s license fee will not rise by as much as previously promised, the UK government has confirmed, condemning the corporation to a difficult year that could see more cuts and less shows commissioned. The government has, meanwhile, launched a review into the BBC’s funding model.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer announced in parliament in the past few minutes that the annual fee will rise by around £10.50 ($12.50) to £169.50, below the previous £14.50 increase that was tied to a higher rate of inflation. The license fee has been frozen for the past two years, leading to difficult decisions for the BBC, and the government had initially said it would return to rising with Cpi inflation from 2024. The license fee will rise in April 2024 by 6.7%, the figure of inflation from September 2023 that is the same measure linked with state pensions and benefits.
The news was expected after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said...
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer announced in parliament in the past few minutes that the annual fee will rise by around £10.50 ($12.50) to £169.50, below the previous £14.50 increase that was tied to a higher rate of inflation. The license fee has been frozen for the past two years, leading to difficult decisions for the BBC, and the government had initially said it would return to rising with Cpi inflation from 2024. The license fee will rise in April 2024 by 6.7%, the figure of inflation from September 2023 that is the same measure linked with state pensions and benefits.
The news was expected after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said...
- 12/7/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Juniper TV CEO Samir Shah is set to become the new chair of the BBC, the U.K.’s culture secretary Lucy Frazer said today.
Shah, who has worked in broadcasting for more than 40 years, will appear before the Culture, Media and Sport committee in the U.K. for what’s known as “pre-appointment scrutiny” before officially taking up the role, which is worth £160,000 a year.
The BBC is one of the U.K.’s public service broadcasters and is also publicly owned, effectively held in trust by the government for the U.K. public. Convention dictates that the candidate for chair is “recommended” to King Charles II and the Lord President of the Council (currently Penny Mordaunt) by the secretary of state for culture (currently Lucy Frazer) and the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, following a hearing with the Cms committee and subsequent report.
“With a career spanning more than...
Shah, who has worked in broadcasting for more than 40 years, will appear before the Culture, Media and Sport committee in the U.K. for what’s known as “pre-appointment scrutiny” before officially taking up the role, which is worth £160,000 a year.
The BBC is one of the U.K.’s public service broadcasters and is also publicly owned, effectively held in trust by the government for the U.K. public. Convention dictates that the candidate for chair is “recommended” to King Charles II and the Lord President of the Council (currently Penny Mordaunt) by the secretary of state for culture (currently Lucy Frazer) and the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, following a hearing with the Cms committee and subsequent report.
“With a career spanning more than...
- 12/6/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
The 71-year-old, who owns Juniper TV, will appear before MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee for pre-appointment scrutiny.
The Department for Culture, Media & Sport has confirmed that TV exec Samir Shah is the culture secretary’s preferred candidate to replace Richard Sharp as BBC chair.
The 71-year-old, who owns Juniper TV, will appear before MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee for pre-appointment scrutiny. No date for the session has been set yet.
Shah’s new role will be worth £160,000 per year for three to four days per week, working to uphold the BBC...
The Department for Culture, Media & Sport has confirmed that TV exec Samir Shah is the culture secretary’s preferred candidate to replace Richard Sharp as BBC chair.
The 71-year-old, who owns Juniper TV, will appear before MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee for pre-appointment scrutiny. No date for the session has been set yet.
Shah’s new role will be worth £160,000 per year for three to four days per week, working to uphold the BBC...
- 12/6/2023
- by Ellie Kahn Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: The biggest players in UK children’s TV are being asked to attend a summit early next year to try and resolve grave funding issues amidst existential questions over the genre’s future.
The Children’s Media Foundation (Cmf) has been preparing the summit for months including via a series of consultative meetings with all the major broadcasters, producer groups and lobbyists from August to October. The likes of Netflix and YouTube, which have been hugely influential in shaping the modern children’s TV sector, will also be invited to attend. Organizers are concerned about the outsized impact these global behemoths are having on the local children’s TV sector.
Local children’s TV in the UK is in hot water, according to Cmf boss and summit organizer Greg Childs, due to stiff competition, the difficulties in attracting young audiences to broadcast TV, a sharp rise in production costs...
The Children’s Media Foundation (Cmf) has been preparing the summit for months including via a series of consultative meetings with all the major broadcasters, producer groups and lobbyists from August to October. The likes of Netflix and YouTube, which have been hugely influential in shaping the modern children’s TV sector, will also be invited to attend. Organizers are concerned about the outsized impact these global behemoths are having on the local children’s TV sector.
Local children’s TV in the UK is in hot water, according to Cmf boss and summit organizer Greg Childs, due to stiff competition, the difficulties in attracting young audiences to broadcast TV, a sharp rise in production costs...
- 12/6/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The BBC is staring down the barrel of another real terms funding cut after the UK government signaled its intention to peg the license fee below inflation.
Culture secretary Lucy Frazer told BBC Radio 4’s Today show that the government would announce the new level of the license fee “very soon.”
Under a deal struck with the BBC in 2022, the broadcaster’s funding was frozen for two years, but ministers agreed it could rise with inflation from April 2024.
This would guarantee the BBC a funding increase of around 9%, pushing the annual household fee up £15 to £173.30 ($219.53) — the biggest single increase for nearly 40 years.
Asked if the government will halt the 9% increase, Frazer told Today: “I think that is a lot of money and that is one of the things that we are considering.”
The culture secretary said she disagreed with the suggestion that the government was ripping up the deal...
Culture secretary Lucy Frazer told BBC Radio 4’s Today show that the government would announce the new level of the license fee “very soon.”
Under a deal struck with the BBC in 2022, the broadcaster’s funding was frozen for two years, but ministers agreed it could rise with inflation from April 2024.
This would guarantee the BBC a funding increase of around 9%, pushing the annual household fee up £15 to £173.30 ($219.53) — the biggest single increase for nearly 40 years.
Asked if the government will halt the 9% increase, Frazer told Today: “I think that is a lot of money and that is one of the things that we are considering.”
The culture secretary said she disagreed with the suggestion that the government was ripping up the deal...
- 12/4/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Welcome to this week’s review of Nxt, right here on Nerdly. Let’s get straight into it and see what went down in this episode…
Match #1: Nxt Tag Team Championship – Tony D’Angelo & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo def. Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo gave it their best try, but Tony D’Angelo & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo came out on top and retained the Nxt Tag Team Titles. The challengers jumped the champions before the match even began, but one Bada Bing Bada Boom was enough for The Family to go home happy.
My Score: 3 out of 5 Match #2: Iron Survivor Qualifying Match – Kelani Jordan def. Kiana James The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The upstart rookie Kelani Jordan qualified for the Iron Survivor Challenge at Nxt Deadline thanks to some help from a revenge-driven Roxanne Perez. James looked poised to win the match,...
Match #1: Nxt Tag Team Championship – Tony D’Angelo & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo def. Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo gave it their best try, but Tony D’Angelo & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo came out on top and retained the Nxt Tag Team Titles. The challengers jumped the champions before the match even began, but one Bada Bing Bada Boom was enough for The Family to go home happy.
My Score: 3 out of 5 Match #2: Iron Survivor Qualifying Match – Kelani Jordan def. Kiana James The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The upstart rookie Kelani Jordan qualified for the Iron Survivor Challenge at Nxt Deadline thanks to some help from a revenge-driven Roxanne Perez. James looked poised to win the match,...
- 11/30/2023
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Exclusive: The UK government has been accused of interfering with the BBC’s independence after piling pressure on the broadcaster to grip the Huw Edwards scandal in July.
Within hours of The Sun newspaper publishing allegations that Edwards paid a teenager for sexual images, a high-ranking official all but ordered the BBC to investigate, according to emails obtained by Deadline under a Freedom of Information Act request.
The BBC is editorially and operationally independent of the government and people familiar with the corporation’s governance said it is the job of the board, not ministers, to police issues such as the Edwards firestorm.
This did not stop Robert Specterman-Green, the director of media for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (Dcms), from messaging BBC chief of staff Phil Harrold on Saturday, July 8, to set out the government’s expectations.
“While recognising this is a matter for the BBC to manage,...
Within hours of The Sun newspaper publishing allegations that Edwards paid a teenager for sexual images, a high-ranking official all but ordered the BBC to investigate, according to emails obtained by Deadline under a Freedom of Information Act request.
The BBC is editorially and operationally independent of the government and people familiar with the corporation’s governance said it is the job of the board, not ministers, to police issues such as the Edwards firestorm.
This did not stop Robert Specterman-Green, the director of media for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (Dcms), from messaging BBC chief of staff Phil Harrold on Saturday, July 8, to set out the government’s expectations.
“While recognising this is a matter for the BBC to manage,...
- 11/21/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Update: The BBC is not backing down after coming under political pressure to refer to Hamas as a terror group. It has rejected a call from the government to review its editorial guidelines.
A BBC spokesperson said: “We always take our use of language very seriously. Anyone watching or listening to our coverage will hear the word ‘terrorist’ used many times – we attribute it to those who are using it, for example, the UK government. This is an approach that has been used for decades, and is in line with that of other broadcasters. The BBC is an editorially independent broadcaster whose job is to explain precisely what is happening ‘on the ground’ so our audiences can make their own judgement.”
Previous: The BBC has been told by the British government to review its opposition to calling Hamas a terrorist organization amid the Israel-Gaza crisis.
The BBC refers to Hamas...
A BBC spokesperson said: “We always take our use of language very seriously. Anyone watching or listening to our coverage will hear the word ‘terrorist’ used many times – we attribute it to those who are using it, for example, the UK government. This is an approach that has been used for decades, and is in line with that of other broadcasters. The BBC is an editorially independent broadcaster whose job is to explain precisely what is happening ‘on the ground’ so our audiences can make their own judgement.”
Previous: The BBC has been told by the British government to review its opposition to calling Hamas a terrorist organization amid the Israel-Gaza crisis.
The BBC refers to Hamas...
- 10/10/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Britain will launch a new, independent standards body to help fight bullying and harassment in the creative industries that will be ready starting next year, Lucy Frazer, U.K. secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, announced Friday.
The body, the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (Ciisa), is intended as an authority where concerns over behavior can be raised and investigated confidentially. Frazer said it will be up and running and ready to take cases from next year.
The Ciisa will bring together stakeholders from the U.K.’s film, television, music and theater sectors. Several well-known British creatives, including actors Keira Knightley, Stephen Graham, Sule Remi, Ruth Wilson, Varada Sethu and Naomie Harris, singer Rebecca Ferguson, Chariots of Fire director David Puttnam and Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, joined Frazer in support of the new independent authority.
“I can’t tell you how many times in the last...
The body, the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (Ciisa), is intended as an authority where concerns over behavior can be raised and investigated confidentially. Frazer said it will be up and running and ready to take cases from next year.
The Ciisa will bring together stakeholders from the U.K.’s film, television, music and theater sectors. Several well-known British creatives, including actors Keira Knightley, Stephen Graham, Sule Remi, Ruth Wilson, Varada Sethu and Naomie Harris, singer Rebecca Ferguson, Chariots of Fire director David Puttnam and Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, joined Frazer in support of the new independent authority.
“I can’t tell you how many times in the last...
- 9/29/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
We’ve got the keys to the weekend, Insider fans. Jesse Whittock here guiding you through the international film and TV stories you need to read to top off the working week.
Russell Brand Fallout
Serious allegations: Jake and Max headed to the Rts Cambridge Convention this week, a bi-annual confab bringing together the great-and-the-good of the British TV industry to ruminate and speculate over the future of the sector. But, as is so often the case, events got in the way. In the days leading up, Russell Brand was accused by four women of allegations ranging from rape to sexual assault via a bombshell joint investigation that has been nearly five years in the making from The Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4. The entertainment world was rocked and the BBC, Channel 4 and Big Brother producer Banijay all reacted by launching investigations into historic allegations, while Brand, a one-time man-of-the-moment,...
Russell Brand Fallout
Serious allegations: Jake and Max headed to the Rts Cambridge Convention this week, a bi-annual confab bringing together the great-and-the-good of the British TV industry to ruminate and speculate over the future of the sector. But, as is so often the case, events got in the way. In the days leading up, Russell Brand was accused by four women of allegations ranging from rape to sexual assault via a bombshell joint investigation that has been nearly five years in the making from The Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4. The entertainment world was rocked and the BBC, Channel 4 and Big Brother producer Banijay all reacted by launching investigations into historic allegations, while Brand, a one-time man-of-the-moment,...
- 9/22/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Welcome to this week’s review of Nxt, right here on Nerdly. Let’s get straight into it and see what went down in this episode…
Match #1: Nxt Global Heritage Invitational – Butch def. Tyler Bate The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Group A belongs to Butch as the Brawling Brute overcomes his rival, Tyler Bate, to advance to the Nxt Global Heritage Invitational Finals. The bout devolved into a slugfest with both competitors giving it all they had which included Butch hitting a Tyler Driver 97 and Bate hitting a Bitter End, but neither Superstar could put the other away. With just over 10 seconds remaining in the match, Butch countered Bate and hit the Better End to win Group A and secure his place in next week’s finals.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5 Match #2: Nxt Global Heritage Invitational – Duke Hudson def. Joe Coffey The following is courtesy of wwe.
Match #1: Nxt Global Heritage Invitational – Butch def. Tyler Bate The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Group A belongs to Butch as the Brawling Brute overcomes his rival, Tyler Bate, to advance to the Nxt Global Heritage Invitational Finals. The bout devolved into a slugfest with both competitors giving it all they had which included Butch hitting a Tyler Driver 97 and Bate hitting a Bitter End, but neither Superstar could put the other away. With just over 10 seconds remaining in the match, Butch countered Bate and hit the Better End to win Group A and secure his place in next week’s finals.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5 Match #2: Nxt Global Heritage Invitational – Duke Hudson def. Joe Coffey The following is courtesy of wwe.
- 9/21/2023
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has addressed the Russell Brand allegations for the first time, urging the UK TV industry not to become “synonymous with the scandals of #MeToo.”
Speaking at the Rts Cambridge Convention, Frazer wouldn’t go into detail on the allegations that emerged over the weekend but delivered a calling card to the wider industry to provide “places where people feel safe, where working cultures are responsible and accountable and don’t allow abuses of power.”
“I would urge all of you as leaders in your industry to look hard at your culture and processes in your own organizations and lead change if change is needed,” she added.
“This is an industry that young people grew up dreaming of working in, one where the sky is the limit for talent. It is incumbent on all of us to make sure this industry is synonymous with talent, opportunity and inclusivity,...
Speaking at the Rts Cambridge Convention, Frazer wouldn’t go into detail on the allegations that emerged over the weekend but delivered a calling card to the wider industry to provide “places where people feel safe, where working cultures are responsible and accountable and don’t allow abuses of power.”
“I would urge all of you as leaders in your industry to look hard at your culture and processes in your own organizations and lead change if change is needed,” she added.
“This is an industry that young people grew up dreaming of working in, one where the sky is the limit for talent. It is incumbent on all of us to make sure this industry is synonymous with talent, opportunity and inclusivity,...
- 9/20/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
U.K. culture secretary Lucy Frazer has called the allegations against Russell Brand “deeply shocking” and said “it is right” they are being investigated by the police.
In a joint investigation by The Times of London, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 documentary strand “Dispatches,” which dropped over the weekend, Brand was accused of rape and sexual assault against four women at the height of his fame. He adamantly denies the allegations.
Frazer, who was appointed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to lead the department of culture, media and sport in February, said it was important to keep the creative industries safe for young people. She is the eleventh culture secretary in the space of ten years.
“Those allegations are deeply shocking and it’s right that the police are encouraging anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a sexual offence to come forward,” she said at...
In a joint investigation by The Times of London, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 documentary strand “Dispatches,” which dropped over the weekend, Brand was accused of rape and sexual assault against four women at the height of his fame. He adamantly denies the allegations.
Frazer, who was appointed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to lead the department of culture, media and sport in February, said it was important to keep the creative industries safe for young people. She is the eleventh culture secretary in the space of ten years.
“Those allegations are deeply shocking and it’s right that the police are encouraging anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a sexual offence to come forward,” she said at...
- 9/20/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Welcome to this week’s review of Nxt, right here on Nerdly. Let’s get straight into it and see what went down in this episode…
Match #1: Ilja Dragunov def. Wes Lee The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The Mad Dragon is one step closer to realizing his dream as Nxt Champion as he defeated Wes Lee to become the No. 1 Contender to face Carmelo Hayes at Nxt No Mercy. The two competitors left it all in the ring as they exchanged their signature offense like chops, splashes, and even a suplex from Ilja Dragunov to Lee on the announce table. In the end, Dragunov came away the victor after vicious shots from both Superstars, punching his ticket to Nxt No Mercy for a date with Nxt Champion Carmelo Hayes for the Nxt Title.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5 Match #2: Drew Gulak, Charlie Dempsey & Damon Kemp def. Josh Briggs,...
Match #1: Ilja Dragunov def. Wes Lee The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The Mad Dragon is one step closer to realizing his dream as Nxt Champion as he defeated Wes Lee to become the No. 1 Contender to face Carmelo Hayes at Nxt No Mercy. The two competitors left it all in the ring as they exchanged their signature offense like chops, splashes, and even a suplex from Ilja Dragunov to Lee on the announce table. In the end, Dragunov came away the victor after vicious shots from both Superstars, punching his ticket to Nxt No Mercy for a date with Nxt Champion Carmelo Hayes for the Nxt Title.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5 Match #2: Drew Gulak, Charlie Dempsey & Damon Kemp def. Josh Briggs,...
- 9/14/2023
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
The UK government has said it was “important” to raise questions with the BBC about the Huw Edwards scandal amid concerns it could have called the broadcaster’s independence into question.
Culture secretary Lucy Frazer took the unusual step in July of holding talks with BBC director general Tim Davie over the “deeply concerning” allegations that news anchor Edwards paid a young person for sexually explicit images.
Frazer was questioned about her intervention during a hearing held by the House of Lords’ influential Communications and Digital Committee on Wednesday. Committee chair Baroness Stowell said it was not “standard” for the government to be in contact with the director general over a BBC operational matter.
Stowell suggested that it would have been more appropriate for Frazer to have engaged with the chair of the BBC board, which is responsible for holding the corporation to account. Dame Elan Closs Stephens is the...
Culture secretary Lucy Frazer took the unusual step in July of holding talks with BBC director general Tim Davie over the “deeply concerning” allegations that news anchor Edwards paid a young person for sexually explicit images.
Frazer was questioned about her intervention during a hearing held by the House of Lords’ influential Communications and Digital Committee on Wednesday. Committee chair Baroness Stowell said it was not “standard” for the government to be in contact with the director general over a BBC operational matter.
Stowell suggested that it would have been more appropriate for Frazer to have engaged with the chair of the BBC board, which is responsible for holding the corporation to account. Dame Elan Closs Stephens is the...
- 9/13/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Welcome to this week’s review of Nxt, right here on Nerdly. Let’s get straight into it and see what went down in this episode…
Match #1: Nxt Women’s Championship – Tiffany Stratton def. Kiana James The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Tiffany Stratton vanquished Kiana James, but found her next challenge in the process. Both Superstars were willing to do whatever it took to win, but the Nxt official was in perfect position to catch both competitors before they could steal a victory. That, however, wouldn’t last the entire match as once Stratton attempted to use James’ handbag as a weapon, she used the distraction to rake the challenger’s eyes, hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, and retain her title.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5 Match #2: Ilja Dragunov def. Oro Mensah The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The Mad Dragon dealt with The Meta-Four and...
Match #1: Nxt Women’s Championship – Tiffany Stratton def. Kiana James The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Tiffany Stratton vanquished Kiana James, but found her next challenge in the process. Both Superstars were willing to do whatever it took to win, but the Nxt official was in perfect position to catch both competitors before they could steal a victory. That, however, wouldn’t last the entire match as once Stratton attempted to use James’ handbag as a weapon, she used the distraction to rake the challenger’s eyes, hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, and retain her title.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5 Match #2: Ilja Dragunov def. Oro Mensah The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The Mad Dragon dealt with The Meta-Four and...
- 9/7/2023
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Welcome to this week’s review of Nxt, right here on Nerdly. Let’s get straight into it and see what went down in this episode…
Match #1: Steel Cage Match – The Creed Brothers def. The Dyad The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Julius and Brutus Creed are officially reinstated in Nxt after the brother duo defeated Rip Fowler and Jagger Reid and seemingly destroyed the entirety of Schism in the process. Fowler and Reid jumped the Creeds to start the match and Brutus was carried off by masked members of Schism, leaving Julius all along to The Dyad who used their chaotic nature to make the cage their home. Julius managed to hold on long enough for Brutus to return, and the two showed why they belong in Nxt as they hit a dual Brutus Ball and secured their reinstatement to Nxt.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5 Match #2:...
Match #1: Steel Cage Match – The Creed Brothers def. The Dyad The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Julius and Brutus Creed are officially reinstated in Nxt after the brother duo defeated Rip Fowler and Jagger Reid and seemingly destroyed the entirety of Schism in the process. Fowler and Reid jumped the Creeds to start the match and Brutus was carried off by masked members of Schism, leaving Julius all along to The Dyad who used their chaotic nature to make the cage their home. Julius managed to hold on long enough for Brutus to return, and the two showed why they belong in Nxt as they hit a dual Brutus Ball and secured their reinstatement to Nxt.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5 Match #2:...
- 8/31/2023
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Welcome to this week’s review of Nxt Heatwave, right here on Nerdly. Let’s get straight into it and see what went down in this special episode…
Match #1: Ilja Dragunov def. Trick Williams The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The Mad Dragon walked out of Nxt Heatwave with the win, but Trick Williams proved to himself, to Ilja Dragunov, and to the Nxt Universe that he is indeed more than a sidekick. Dragunov unleashed his hellacious offense highlighted by his vicious chops and reckless abandon, but Trick responded in a big way thanks to his size and strength advantage. Both Superstars did their best to deliver the winning blow and a top rope Uranage from Trick looked to be it, but Dragunov proved to truly be unbreakable as a pair of devastating flying elbow strikes proved to be enough to win the match.
My Score: 3 out of 5 Match #2: Ivy Nile def.
Match #1: Ilja Dragunov def. Trick Williams The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The Mad Dragon walked out of Nxt Heatwave with the win, but Trick Williams proved to himself, to Ilja Dragunov, and to the Nxt Universe that he is indeed more than a sidekick. Dragunov unleashed his hellacious offense highlighted by his vicious chops and reckless abandon, but Trick responded in a big way thanks to his size and strength advantage. Both Superstars did their best to deliver the winning blow and a top rope Uranage from Trick looked to be it, but Dragunov proved to truly be unbreakable as a pair of devastating flying elbow strikes proved to be enough to win the match.
My Score: 3 out of 5 Match #2: Ivy Nile def.
- 8/24/2023
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Welcome to this review of Nxt: The Great American Bash PPV, right here on Nerdly. Let’s get straight into it and see what went down in this episode…
Match #1: Nathan Frazer, Dragon Lee, Yulisa Leon and Valentina Feroz def. Meta Four The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Nxt Heritage Cup Champion Nathan Frazer, Dragon Lee, Yulisa Leon and Valentina Feroz took out all of The Meta-Four on the Kickoff Show of Nxt Great American Bash in an incredible Eight-Person Tag Team Match. The dastardly Meta-Four pulled out all the sneaky stops trying to gain an advantage, but the high-flying quarter of Frazer, Lee, Leon and Feroz wasn’t ready to go down quietly, as they answered Meta-Four’s antics with perfect teamwork. With Noam Dar, Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson all neutralized, Oro Mensah was left all alone with Lee, and the electrifying Luchador hit a picture-perfect...
Match #1: Nathan Frazer, Dragon Lee, Yulisa Leon and Valentina Feroz def. Meta Four The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Nxt Heritage Cup Champion Nathan Frazer, Dragon Lee, Yulisa Leon and Valentina Feroz took out all of The Meta-Four on the Kickoff Show of Nxt Great American Bash in an incredible Eight-Person Tag Team Match. The dastardly Meta-Four pulled out all the sneaky stops trying to gain an advantage, but the high-flying quarter of Frazer, Lee, Leon and Feroz wasn’t ready to go down quietly, as they answered Meta-Four’s antics with perfect teamwork. With Noam Dar, Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson all neutralized, Oro Mensah was left all alone with Lee, and the electrifying Luchador hit a picture-perfect...
- 8/1/2023
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Welcome to this week’s review of Nxt, right here on Nerdly. Let’s get straight into it and see what went down in this episode…
Match #1: Nathan Frazer & Dragon Lee def. Los Lotharios The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The Nxt return of Los Lotharios did not go the way they planned as the team of Nxt Heritage Cup Champion Nathan Frazer and Dragon Lee walked out as the victors. Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo started the match by jumping Frazer and Lee with tandem dropkicks to the outside, and early on it looked like Los Lothario would cruise to the win. A pair of remarkable moonsaults from Garza and Carrillo was followed up by an incredible powerbomb from Lee, but all four Superstars refused to give in as the match wore on. With the Nxt Universe in a frenzy, Frazer took out both members of Los...
Match #1: Nathan Frazer & Dragon Lee def. Los Lotharios The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The Nxt return of Los Lotharios did not go the way they planned as the team of Nxt Heritage Cup Champion Nathan Frazer and Dragon Lee walked out as the victors. Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo started the match by jumping Frazer and Lee with tandem dropkicks to the outside, and early on it looked like Los Lothario would cruise to the win. A pair of remarkable moonsaults from Garza and Carrillo was followed up by an incredible powerbomb from Lee, but all four Superstars refused to give in as the match wore on. With the Nxt Universe in a frenzy, Frazer took out both members of Los...
- 7/20/2023
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Welcome to this week’s review of Nxt, right here on Nerdly. Let’s get straight into it and see what happened this week…
Match #1: Nxt Women’s Championship – Tiffany Stratton def. Thea Hail The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Tiffy Time will continue as Tiffany Stratton successfully defended the Nxt Women’s Championship in first-ever defense of the title as she downed the upstart Thea Hail. Hail gave it her all and despite the showboating from Stratton, she was able to hit her signature offense and even lock in the Kimura Lock. Unfortunately for her, Drew Gulak and Charlie Dempsey began arguing with the referee and the distraction forced the referee to miss the champion tapping out. Stratton capitalized on the mistake and managed to roll up Hail and walk away as the champion.
My Score: 3 out of 5 Match #2: Nxt Tag Team Championship – Gallus def. Malik...
Match #1: Nxt Women’s Championship – Tiffany Stratton def. Thea Hail The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Tiffy Time will continue as Tiffany Stratton successfully defended the Nxt Women’s Championship in first-ever defense of the title as she downed the upstart Thea Hail. Hail gave it her all and despite the showboating from Stratton, she was able to hit her signature offense and even lock in the Kimura Lock. Unfortunately for her, Drew Gulak and Charlie Dempsey began arguing with the referee and the distraction forced the referee to miss the champion tapping out. Stratton capitalized on the mistake and managed to roll up Hail and walk away as the champion.
My Score: 3 out of 5 Match #2: Nxt Tag Team Championship – Gallus def. Malik...
- 6/28/2023
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Welcome to this week’s review of Nxt, right here on Nerdly. Let’s get straight into it and see what happened this week…
Match #1: Wes Lee, Tyler Bate & Mustafa Ali def. Schism The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The mystifying Schism was no match for the combined forces of Mustafa Ali, Tyler Bate, and the Nxt North American Champion, Wes Lee. The camaraderie of Joe Gacy, Rip Fowler, & Jagger Reid was on point to begin the match as they flexed their collective muscles to keep their opponents down and off-balance. The action broke down and it caused the official to miss Bate tagging into the match, but Gacy’s pinfall on Lee was broken up by a second official recognizing the error. Lee, Bate, and Ali used the confusion to their advantage and defeated Schism to put this terrible ordeal behind them.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5 Match #2: Thea Hail def.
Match #1: Wes Lee, Tyler Bate & Mustafa Ali def. Schism The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The mystifying Schism was no match for the combined forces of Mustafa Ali, Tyler Bate, and the Nxt North American Champion, Wes Lee. The camaraderie of Joe Gacy, Rip Fowler, & Jagger Reid was on point to begin the match as they flexed their collective muscles to keep their opponents down and off-balance. The action broke down and it caused the official to miss Bate tagging into the match, but Gacy’s pinfall on Lee was broken up by a second official recognizing the error. Lee, Bate, and Ali used the confusion to their advantage and defeated Schism to put this terrible ordeal behind them.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5 Match #2: Thea Hail def.
- 6/15/2023
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
The UK’s new Culture Secretary has accused the BBC of being biased, but failed to provide a single example of where the broadcaster has broken its commitment to impartiality.
Appearing before British Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Tuesday, Lucy Frazer was questioned in detail for the first time on the media brief she inherited in February.
Asked by Conservative lawmaker Simon Jupp if the BBC is biased, she said: “The BBC is, on occasion, biased.” Pressed for an example, she said: “I’m not going to give any specific examples of bias.”
She added: “It is really important that the BBC takes its responsibility, in terms of editorial standards and impartiality, very seriously. We should ensure that the BBC, as a public service broadcaster … which is meant to be there to provide impartial news to the public, fulfills that duty. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always get that right.
Appearing before British Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Tuesday, Lucy Frazer was questioned in detail for the first time on the media brief she inherited in February.
Asked by Conservative lawmaker Simon Jupp if the BBC is biased, she said: “The BBC is, on occasion, biased.” Pressed for an example, she said: “I’m not going to give any specific examples of bias.”
She added: “It is really important that the BBC takes its responsibility, in terms of editorial standards and impartiality, very seriously. We should ensure that the BBC, as a public service broadcaster … which is meant to be there to provide impartial news to the public, fulfills that duty. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always get that right.
- 6/6/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
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