"Chevalier", the new historical feature, directed by Stephen Williams, based on the true story of composer 'Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges' (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), co-stars Lucy Boynton, Fatou Sohna, Samara Weaving, Sam Barlien, Martin Matejcik, Alex Fitzalan, Minnie Driver, Sian Clifford, Marton Csokas, Alec Newman, Ronke Adekoluejo, Jessica Boone, Jim High and Ben Bradshaw, streaming June 16, 2023 on Disney+:
"...the illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, 'Bologne' (Harrison Jr.) rises to improbable heights in French society...
"...as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer...
"...complete with an ill-fated love affair and a falling out with 'Marie Antoinette' (Boynton) and her court..."
Click the images to enlarge... ...
"...the illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, 'Bologne' (Harrison Jr.) rises to improbable heights in French society...
"...as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer...
"...complete with an ill-fated love affair and a falling out with 'Marie Antoinette' (Boynton) and her court..."
Click the images to enlarge... ...
- 6/15/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
"Chevalier" is the new historical feature, directed by Stephen Williams, based on the true story of composer 'Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges' (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), co-starring Lucy Boynton, Fatou Sohna, Samara Weaving, Sam Barlien, Martin Matejcik, Alex Fitzalan, Minnie Driver, Sian Clifford, Marton Csokas, Alec Newman, Ronke Adekoluejo, Jessica Boone, Jim High and Ben Bradshaw, opening April 21, 2023 in theaters:
"...the illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, 'Bologne' (Harrison Jr.) rises to improbable heights in French society...
"...as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer...
"...complete with an ill-fated love affair and a falling out with 'Marie Antoinette' (Boynton) and her court..."
Click the images to enlarge... ...
"...the illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, 'Bologne' (Harrison Jr.) rises to improbable heights in French society...
"...as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer...
"...complete with an ill-fated love affair and a falling out with 'Marie Antoinette' (Boynton) and her court..."
Click the images to enlarge... ...
- 4/21/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
"Chevalier" is the new historical feature, based on the true story of composer 'Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges' (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), directed by Stephen Williams, co-starring Lucy Boynton, Fatou Sohna, Samara Weaving, Sam Barlien, Martin Matejcik, Alex Fitzalan, Minnie Driver, Sian Clifford, Marton Csokas, Alec Newman, Ronke Adekoluejo, Jessica Boone, Jim High and Ben Bradshaw, opening in theaters April 7, 2023:
"...the illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, 'Bologne' (Harrison Jr.) rises to improbable heights in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer, complete with an ill-fated love affair and a falling out with 'Marie Antoinette' (Boynton) and her court..."
Click the images to enlarge... ...
"...the illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, 'Bologne' (Harrison Jr.) rises to improbable heights in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer, complete with an ill-fated love affair and a falling out with 'Marie Antoinette' (Boynton) and her court..."
Click the images to enlarge... ...
- 11/8/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
A biopic on 18th century virtuoso violinist and composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint Georges, featuring Kelvin Harrison Jr. in the title role, “Chevalier” is a delicately assembled cinematic Fabergé egg.
If you watch the film (premiering at the Toronto Film Festival) with the sound off, it can easily be mistaken for a French studio production made in adherence to the Tradition of Quality. But while it purports to celebrate a forgotten historical figure, much of the plot is decidedly ahistorical.
It opens in pre-revolution France, with Joseph crashing a Mozart concert and challenging the prodigy to a violin dual, something like the 18th century Parisian equivalent of Verzuz. While Mozart aims to school the brash unknown and deliver a lesson in humility, Joseph has the goods to upstage him and thoroughly enrapture the audience.
Also Read:
‘Watchmen’ Producer Stephen Williams and ‘Atlanta’ Writer Stefani Robinson Team on ‘Black Mozart...
If you watch the film (premiering at the Toronto Film Festival) with the sound off, it can easily be mistaken for a French studio production made in adherence to the Tradition of Quality. But while it purports to celebrate a forgotten historical figure, much of the plot is decidedly ahistorical.
It opens in pre-revolution France, with Joseph crashing a Mozart concert and challenging the prodigy to a violin dual, something like the 18th century Parisian equivalent of Verzuz. While Mozart aims to school the brash unknown and deliver a lesson in humility, Joseph has the goods to upstage him and thoroughly enrapture the audience.
Also Read:
‘Watchmen’ Producer Stephen Williams and ‘Atlanta’ Writer Stefani Robinson Team on ‘Black Mozart...
- 9/13/2022
- by Martin Tsai
- The Wrap
A Labour MP has complained of urine leaking into his office. Ben Bradshaw took to Twitter to post a picture and comment on the situation, as the leak is reportedly coming from upstairs. He tweeted: "Urine seems to be pouring through the ceiling into my Commons office for the second day running! "[Upstairs is] a men's urinal with ageing copper piping with holes." An aide told BBC News: "The (more)...
- 11/29/2012
- by By Ben Lee
- Digital Spy
Hadouken! have revealed that they recorded a pro-Labour Party song for the BBC's Newsnight programme. The news and current affairs show is leading a search for three 'anthems' for the main political parties ahead of next month's general election. Hadouken!'s track 'Things Would Only Get Worse' was written following consultation with Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw, reports Gigwise. Frontman James Smith explained that the song is meant as "a subversion" of Labour's infamous 1997 election anthem and "a dig at the seemingly impending Tory administration". (more)...
- 4/22/2010
- by By Oli Simpson
- Digital Spy
London -- The BBC is to cut £100 million ($150 million) a year in overhead costs and "reprioritize" £600 million ($900 million) per year into higher quality content, in a major repositioning of the organization that will see it focus on the core areas of news, children's programs, culture and arts and U.K. drama and comedy, director general Mark Thompson said Tuesday.
The move will see the pubcaster cut its estimated £100 million acquisitions budget for such shows as "Heroes" and "Mad Men" by almost a quarter, and will slash its web operations by half.
The pubcaster will also shut down digital radio stations BBC 6 Music and the Asian Network and cap spending on sports rights to 9% of the pubcasters £3.5 billion ($5.2 billion) a year license fee. A range of teen-focused services including radio, TV and online platforms BBC Switch and BBC Blast will also be closed down, opening the way for government-owned Channel 4...
The move will see the pubcaster cut its estimated £100 million acquisitions budget for such shows as "Heroes" and "Mad Men" by almost a quarter, and will slash its web operations by half.
The pubcaster will also shut down digital radio stations BBC 6 Music and the Asian Network and cap spending on sports rights to 9% of the pubcasters £3.5 billion ($5.2 billion) a year license fee. A range of teen-focused services including radio, TV and online platforms BBC Switch and BBC Blast will also be closed down, opening the way for government-owned Channel 4...
- 3/2/2010
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London -- Culture secretary Ben Bradshaw has formally confirmed the introduction of product placement to the U.K., but ruled out the promotion of high fat junk foods, sugary confectionary, over the counter medicines and infant formula.
In a ministerial statement to Parliament, Bradshaw said the move would "provide meaningful commercial benefits to commercial television companies and program-makers while taking account of the legitimate concerns that have been expressed".
Bradshaw pointed out that the U.K. was the only European Union member state apart from Denmark that had not yet introduced product placement, and that a failure to introduce it would "jeopardize the competitiveness of U.K. program makers as against the rest of the EU, and this is something which we cannot afford to do."
The move will not take immediate effect, but will be incorporated within the charter of media regulator Ofcom as soon as possible, Bradshaw said.
In a ministerial statement to Parliament, Bradshaw said the move would "provide meaningful commercial benefits to commercial television companies and program-makers while taking account of the legitimate concerns that have been expressed".
Bradshaw pointed out that the U.K. was the only European Union member state apart from Denmark that had not yet introduced product placement, and that a failure to introduce it would "jeopardize the competitiveness of U.K. program makers as against the rest of the EU, and this is something which we cannot afford to do."
The move will not take immediate effect, but will be incorporated within the charter of media regulator Ofcom as soon as possible, Bradshaw said.
- 2/9/2010
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London -- Culture secretary Ben Bradshaw has backed down on plans to introduce product placement here -- banning junk food, alcohol and gaming brand promotion -- after pressure from the Health secretary and former Culture secretary Andy Burnham.
The move will dismay commercial broadcasters such as ITV and Channel 4, who had hoped for product placement to deliver upwards of £140 million ($221 million) a year in additional revenue.
Burnham, whose total ban on product placement was overturned when Bradshaw succeeded him as the minister responsible for broadcasting policy, has warned that product placement could lead to obesity.
"Following a consultation with the Department of Health I propose to ban product placement in the following areas; alcoholic drinks, high fat, salt and sugar foods, gambling, smoking accessories and baby food," Bradshaw said in a statement.
The restrictions mean that brands including Coca Cola, Pepsi, McDonalds and Budweiser will not be allowed to appear on screen during U.
The move will dismay commercial broadcasters such as ITV and Channel 4, who had hoped for product placement to deliver upwards of £140 million ($221 million) a year in additional revenue.
Burnham, whose total ban on product placement was overturned when Bradshaw succeeded him as the minister responsible for broadcasting policy, has warned that product placement could lead to obesity.
"Following a consultation with the Department of Health I propose to ban product placement in the following areas; alcoholic drinks, high fat, salt and sugar foods, gambling, smoking accessories and baby food," Bradshaw said in a statement.
The restrictions mean that brands including Coca Cola, Pepsi, McDonalds and Budweiser will not be allowed to appear on screen during U.
- 2/4/2010
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London -- Religious groups, child welfare organizations and public health bodies have come out in opposition to plans to allow product placement in the U.K. -- warning that the move could damage editorial standards as well as encourage viewers to ever more unhealthy eating, fuelling childhood obesity and alcoholism.
In September culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw opened the way to a partial lifting of the ban in a bid to deliver much-needed revenues for cash-strapped commercial networks. The move, which could account for as much as an extra £140 million ($226 million) a year for broadcasters, could be in place later this year, allowing such companies as McDonalds, Pepsi and Coca Cola to pay for on-screen visibility in key shows such as "X Factor" and "Britain's Got Talent," which attract huge audiences of young viewers.
But the changes, currently under consultation by the Culture Department, have been attacked by a range of organizations.
In September culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw opened the way to a partial lifting of the ban in a bid to deliver much-needed revenues for cash-strapped commercial networks. The move, which could account for as much as an extra £140 million ($226 million) a year for broadcasters, could be in place later this year, allowing such companies as McDonalds, Pepsi and Coca Cola to pay for on-screen visibility in key shows such as "X Factor" and "Britain's Got Talent," which attract huge audiences of young viewers.
But the changes, currently under consultation by the Culture Department, have been attacked by a range of organizations.
- 1/4/2010
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
2 December 2009
Afghanistan
Gordon Brown welcomed Barack Obama's pledge to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. The prime minister told the Commons that a "very substantial" number of the extra Us troops would be going to Helmand to assist British forces in dealing with Taliban insurgents.
Brown said there was "no question" of British troops being withdrawn until the Afghans could take over security control themselves. He also disclosed that the Nato conference in London in January would discuss troop commitments made by coalition partners and Afghanistan's president, Hamid Karzai, would give details of political reforms.
David Cameron warned the prime minister against giving "false expectations" or "mixed messages" over the date for the eventual withdrawal of British troops.
Recession
Brown was mocked for his claim that he was leading the world out of recession. Cameron said figures showed the UK was the only economy in the entire G20 yet to move out of recession.
Afghanistan
Gordon Brown welcomed Barack Obama's pledge to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. The prime minister told the Commons that a "very substantial" number of the extra Us troops would be going to Helmand to assist British forces in dealing with Taliban insurgents.
Brown said there was "no question" of British troops being withdrawn until the Afghans could take over security control themselves. He also disclosed that the Nato conference in London in January would discuss troop commitments made by coalition partners and Afghanistan's president, Hamid Karzai, would give details of political reforms.
David Cameron warned the prime minister against giving "false expectations" or "mixed messages" over the date for the eventual withdrawal of British troops.
Recession
Brown was mocked for his claim that he was leading the world out of recession. Cameron said figures showed the UK was the only economy in the entire G20 yet to move out of recession.
- 12/3/2009
- The Guardian - Film News
London -- U.K. media regulator Ofcom has recommended a radical shake-up of British media ownership rules that could open the door for a new round of media consolidation across local radio, newspapers and regional television.
The moves form part of a report by Ofcom for culture secretary Ben Bradshaw. If accepted, they would open the way for a single company to own all local commercial radio stations or a combination of more than 50% of the local newspapers in a regional market, a radio station and the ITV license for the area.
"These proposals would allow local media companies more flexibility to respond to the challenges that they are facing while at the same time protecting plurality for listeners and viewers," said Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards. "It is for government and parliament to take any decisions in this area."
The Ofcom report forms part of a routine three-yearly review of legislation.
The moves form part of a report by Ofcom for culture secretary Ben Bradshaw. If accepted, they would open the way for a single company to own all local commercial radio stations or a combination of more than 50% of the local newspapers in a regional market, a radio station and the ITV license for the area.
"These proposals would allow local media companies more flexibility to respond to the challenges that they are facing while at the same time protecting plurality for listeners and viewers," said Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards. "It is for government and parliament to take any decisions in this area."
The Ofcom report forms part of a routine three-yearly review of legislation.
- 11/17/2009
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London -- U.K. sports bodies could lose hundreds of millions of pounds in revenues from broadcast contracts after a long-awaited review of British sport recommended that top national sports including home Ashes cricket matches, the Wimbledon Tennis Championship and a range of national soccer and rugby matches should be kept on free-to-air television.
The controversial report, which has been welcomed by Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw, could cost sports' governing bodies hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues as they would have to sell their program rights to free-to-air broadcasters such as the BBC, Five and ITV, instead of the far more lucrative contracts they currently enjoy with pay TV broadcaster BSkyB.
The report was prepared for the government by former director of the Football Association David Davies, and its recommendations will form the basis of a 12-week consultation period after which the government will finalize its decision.
Announcing the report,...
The controversial report, which has been welcomed by Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw, could cost sports' governing bodies hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues as they would have to sell their program rights to free-to-air broadcasters such as the BBC, Five and ITV, instead of the far more lucrative contracts they currently enjoy with pay TV broadcaster BSkyB.
The report was prepared for the government by former director of the Football Association David Davies, and its recommendations will form the basis of a 12-week consultation period after which the government will finalize its decision.
Announcing the report,...
- 11/13/2009
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London -- Culture secretary Ben Bradshaw has reopened the issue of product placement as a means of funding U.K. programming, less than a year after his predecessor Andy Burnham nixed the idea.
Citing the "challenging economic climate" Bradshaw said that the government would reconsider its position, despite a review under Burnham in 2008 concluding that product placement would damage editorial standards here.
"Program makers have argued that our current stance on product placement will put them at a competitive disadvantage against international rivals, particularly from the U.S.," said Bradshaw, unveiling a consultation period that will run to Jan. 8.
"Most EU member states have now decided that they will allow product placement. I want to ensure that U.K. broadcasters do not suffer through being overly strictly regulated," he added.
U.K. media regulator Ofcom has estimated that product placement could account for as much as £35 million ($58.6 million) in revenues in the U.
Citing the "challenging economic climate" Bradshaw said that the government would reconsider its position, despite a review under Burnham in 2008 concluding that product placement would damage editorial standards here.
"Program makers have argued that our current stance on product placement will put them at a competitive disadvantage against international rivals, particularly from the U.S.," said Bradshaw, unveiling a consultation period that will run to Jan. 8.
"Most EU member states have now decided that they will allow product placement. I want to ensure that U.K. broadcasters do not suffer through being overly strictly regulated," he added.
U.K. media regulator Ofcom has estimated that product placement could account for as much as £35 million ($58.6 million) in revenues in the U.
- 11/9/2009
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cinema Retro has received the following press release from the British Film Institute. It's sure to gladden the hearts of classic movie lovers the world over:
BFI National Film Centre gets the green light Dcms pledges £45 million capital spend Everyone in Britain to benefit from new centre for film Visionary new digital hub you can plug into from home The BFI announces today that it is proceeding with its plan to build a visionary new film centre on London’s South Bank. The decision to move forward comes as the Culture Secretary, Ben Bradshaw, announced a £45 million capital investment from Government in the project. The BFI’s ambition is to create a world-leading centre for the study, enjoyment and celebration of film and television. The money pledged from Government follows an earlier investment promise of £5 million in the project from the London Mayor through the Lda. It secures the next...
BFI National Film Centre gets the green light Dcms pledges £45 million capital spend Everyone in Britain to benefit from new centre for film Visionary new digital hub you can plug into from home The BFI announces today that it is proceeding with its plan to build a visionary new film centre on London’s South Bank. The decision to move forward comes as the Culture Secretary, Ben Bradshaw, announced a £45 million capital investment from Government in the project. The BFI’s ambition is to create a world-leading centre for the study, enjoyment and celebration of film and television. The money pledged from Government follows an earlier investment promise of £5 million in the project from the London Mayor through the Lda. It secures the next...
- 10/19/2009
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Cambridge, England -- Google chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt on Thursday at the Royal Television Society conference sought to allay the concerns of a U.K. media industry facing a TV advertising meltdown.
Schmidt assured delegates that Google was building targeted advertising mechanisms that would return "hundreds of millions" of advertising dollars to content creators over the next decade.
"Our goal is to make large amounts of money for all the content partners in these industries," he said.
But he warned the audience of broadcasters and policymakers here that the next 10-15 years would see a shift "from untargeted advertising to targeted advertising" that would favor mobile and Internet platforms over television.
"I think it's helpful to try and figure what the world is like 10, 12, 15 years from now. What I do know is that advertisers are moving to the Internet and the Internet is more targeted than the traditional TV model,...
Schmidt assured delegates that Google was building targeted advertising mechanisms that would return "hundreds of millions" of advertising dollars to content creators over the next decade.
"Our goal is to make large amounts of money for all the content partners in these industries," he said.
But he warned the audience of broadcasters and policymakers here that the next 10-15 years would see a shift "from untargeted advertising to targeted advertising" that would favor mobile and Internet platforms over television.
"I think it's helpful to try and figure what the world is like 10, 12, 15 years from now. What I do know is that advertisers are moving to the Internet and the Internet is more targeted than the traditional TV model,...
- 9/17/2009
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cambridge, England -- The BBC must slim down, cut salaries and get rid of its oversight committee the BBC Trust if the stability and success of the "mixed economy" of commercial and public British broadcasting is to be maintained, culture secretary Ben Bradshaw said Wednesday.
Making his debut as a government minister before an audience of policymakers and broadcasters at the Royal Television Society's Cambridge Conference, the former BBC reporter said that the BBC "had probably reached the limits of its reasonable expansion" and should open its books to the National Audit Office for scrutiny.
Pointing out the BBC's rapid expansion from a two-channel broadcaster to a broadcaster with a television, radio, online, on-demand and publishing footprint, Bradshaw said further expansion would destabilize the media ecology.
"If it were to continue on anything like that trajectory, the rest of this industry would be right to be worried and the mixed economy would be seriously imbalanced.
Making his debut as a government minister before an audience of policymakers and broadcasters at the Royal Television Society's Cambridge Conference, the former BBC reporter said that the BBC "had probably reached the limits of its reasonable expansion" and should open its books to the National Audit Office for scrutiny.
Pointing out the BBC's rapid expansion from a two-channel broadcaster to a broadcaster with a television, radio, online, on-demand and publishing footprint, Bradshaw said further expansion would destabilize the media ecology.
"If it were to continue on anything like that trajectory, the rest of this industry would be right to be worried and the mixed economy would be seriously imbalanced.
- 9/16/2009
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London -- The lofty spires of Kings College Cambridge will play host to a U.K. TV sector in turmoil this week, with the future of Channel 4 chief executive Andy Duncan in question and the mounting possibility that former BSkyB boss Tony Ball will take over as CEO of ITV set to dominate a three-day conference, at which the future role of the BBC will likely also be put under the microscope.
As the industry's elite gather for the Royal Television Society's biennial policy debate, speculation that Channel 4's Duncan will announce his resignation has been mounting to fever pitch.
As recently as two weeks ago, Duncan told journalists at the Edinburgh Television Festival that he had no plans to quit the broadcaster.
"It is rumor, speculation and gossip...there has been rumor and speculation for the last five years. There is nothing to tell, there has been no board...
As the industry's elite gather for the Royal Television Society's biennial policy debate, speculation that Channel 4's Duncan will announce his resignation has been mounting to fever pitch.
As recently as two weeks ago, Duncan told journalists at the Edinburgh Television Festival that he had no plans to quit the broadcaster.
"It is rumor, speculation and gossip...there has been rumor and speculation for the last five years. There is nothing to tell, there has been no board...
- 9/15/2009
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London -- Broadcasters are rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect of the U.K. government relaxing product placement rules on television.
The media was alive Monday with the prospect of brands being allowed to show sponsored products on television screens for the first time here.
The British government is expected to announce the changes in rules later this week.
The rule change is expected to boost falling revenue streams at the major commercial channels currently hard hit by a slump in advertising revenue streams.
U.K. commercial web ITV's shares rose Monday on the back of the reports that culture secretary Ben Bradshaw will launch a three month consultation on product placement rules Wednesday.
City analysts think the uptick in revenues for commercial webs could be a welcome fillip amid the advertising gloom.
"We estimate that this [relaxation] could lead to an uplift of £25 million ($41.5 million) to £30 million ($50 million) per annum long-term for ITV,...
The media was alive Monday with the prospect of brands being allowed to show sponsored products on television screens for the first time here.
The British government is expected to announce the changes in rules later this week.
The rule change is expected to boost falling revenue streams at the major commercial channels currently hard hit by a slump in advertising revenue streams.
U.K. commercial web ITV's shares rose Monday on the back of the reports that culture secretary Ben Bradshaw will launch a three month consultation on product placement rules Wednesday.
City analysts think the uptick in revenues for commercial webs could be a welcome fillip amid the advertising gloom.
"We estimate that this [relaxation] could lead to an uplift of £25 million ($41.5 million) to £30 million ($50 million) per annum long-term for ITV,...
- 9/14/2009
- by By Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London -- Music-download service Spotify, Disney and Microsoft will join dozens of international creative businesses to debate how to foster success and secure creative rights at the first government-backed Creativity and Business International Network held in London from Oct. 26-28, culture secretary Ben Bradshaw said Friday.
Dubbed "C&binet," the conference is the government's attempt to boost growth for the creative industries and devise conditions to nurture the next generation of creative entrepreneurs. It will reflect the international nature of the entertainment and creative industries and involve representatives from overseas governments and regulators in a bid to establish international dialogue and cross-border consensus on such issues as copyright production, intellectual property and boosting the creative economy.
"Britain is known across the world for the strength of its creative industries and the wealth of talent we possess. We want to make sure this success continues but to ensure sustained growth we need international cooperation,...
Dubbed "C&binet," the conference is the government's attempt to boost growth for the creative industries and devise conditions to nurture the next generation of creative entrepreneurs. It will reflect the international nature of the entertainment and creative industries and involve representatives from overseas governments and regulators in a bid to establish international dialogue and cross-border consensus on such issues as copyright production, intellectual property and boosting the creative economy.
"Britain is known across the world for the strength of its creative industries and the wealth of talent we possess. We want to make sure this success continues but to ensure sustained growth we need international cooperation,...
- 8/14/2009
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London -- Google chairman and chief executive Eric Schmidt will headline this year's Royal Television Society biennial Cambridge conference, delivering a keynote address by satellite to the U.K.'s leading broadcast executives, it was announced Thursday.
The two-yearly conference that runs Sept. 16 to 18, will be chaired by BBC director general Mark Thompson and held at King's College Cambridge.
The Rts convention is the U.K.'s highest-power media confab, running sessions, panels and keynotes aimed at progressing U.K. media policy.
This year's conference is to be titled "Riding Out the Storm" and will evaluate new business models and the changing patterns of entertainment consumption against the backdrop of an advertising recession.
Culture media and sport minister Ben Bradshaw will also deliver the customary government address at the conference.
The minister -- who was appointed just last month, will make his first appearance before U.K. broadcasting executives and...
The two-yearly conference that runs Sept. 16 to 18, will be chaired by BBC director general Mark Thompson and held at King's College Cambridge.
The Rts convention is the U.K.'s highest-power media confab, running sessions, panels and keynotes aimed at progressing U.K. media policy.
This year's conference is to be titled "Riding Out the Storm" and will evaluate new business models and the changing patterns of entertainment consumption against the backdrop of an advertising recession.
Culture media and sport minister Ben Bradshaw will also deliver the customary government address at the conference.
The minister -- who was appointed just last month, will make his first appearance before U.K. broadcasting executives and...
- 7/16/2009
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London -- BBC bosses Tuesday hit out at accusations of "a pattern" of poor leadership from culture and media secretary Ben Bradshaw, warning the government not to engage in "personal criticism" when it came to a debate about the BBC's future.
The argument, exposing a major rift between the government and the BBC, threatened to overshadow the publication of the BBC's annual report and accounts, Tuesday, which showed that the pubcaster's licensing and division BBC Worldwide had exceeded revenue of £1 billion ($1.63 billion) for the first time.
The BBC also said it was scrapping bonuses for its top ten senior executives, amid an argument that its managers are overpaid.
But the pubcaster now finds itself in open warfare with the government ahead of a consultation into plans to redeploy of 3% of the BBC's £3.5 billion ($5.7 billion) annual license fee -- so-called "top-slicing" -- to fund regional news and children's programming made by other producers.
The argument, exposing a major rift between the government and the BBC, threatened to overshadow the publication of the BBC's annual report and accounts, Tuesday, which showed that the pubcaster's licensing and division BBC Worldwide had exceeded revenue of £1 billion ($1.63 billion) for the first time.
The BBC also said it was scrapping bonuses for its top ten senior executives, amid an argument that its managers are overpaid.
But the pubcaster now finds itself in open warfare with the government ahead of a consultation into plans to redeploy of 3% of the BBC's £3.5 billion ($5.7 billion) annual license fee -- so-called "top-slicing" -- to fund regional news and children's programming made by other producers.
- 7/14/2009
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London -- Reactions to the publication Tuesday of the long-awaited and much-heralded Digital Britain report here began flooding in the minute Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw sat down after delivering his speech to the House of Commons.
Billed as the biggest shake up in broadcasting in a generation, the report didn't seem to set the world on fire.
In fact, the U.K. music industry trade body the BPI described the report as "digital dithering," because of its failure to introduce harder anti-piracy measures quickly.
While the report confirmed new legislation requiring media watchdog Ofcom and Internet Service Providers to crack down on people involved in illegal file sharing, BPI chief executive Geoff Taylor said the lack of speed is a problem.
Taylor said: "Evidence shows that the Government's 'write and then sue' approach won't work. And Government appears to be anticipating its failure by lining up backstop powers for Ofcom to introduce technical measures later.
Billed as the biggest shake up in broadcasting in a generation, the report didn't seem to set the world on fire.
In fact, the U.K. music industry trade body the BPI described the report as "digital dithering," because of its failure to introduce harder anti-piracy measures quickly.
While the report confirmed new legislation requiring media watchdog Ofcom and Internet Service Providers to crack down on people involved in illegal file sharing, BPI chief executive Geoff Taylor said the lack of speed is a problem.
Taylor said: "Evidence shows that the Government's 'write and then sue' approach won't work. And Government appears to be anticipating its failure by lining up backstop powers for Ofcom to introduce technical measures later.
- 6/16/2009
- by By Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London -- The U.K. Film Council is to be chaired by Working Title co-founder and co-chairman Tim Bevan, the U.K. government's culture secretary Ben Bradshaw said Monday.
Bevan will take the reins for four years from outgoing chair Stewart Till on July 30.
Bradshaw said the council will benefit from Bevan's experience as one of the "most successful producers" here.
"British film is enjoying great critical and commercial success, but at the same time everyone is facing the transition to a new digital era, the very real challenges of the credit crisis and the impact of online piracy," Bevan said. "We must adapt and consolidate to respond to those new realities, working with government, listening to our stakeholders and carrying out a comprehensive review of all our activities, both industrial and cultural. My first priority is to ensure that we have a U.K. Film Council that is right...
Bevan will take the reins for four years from outgoing chair Stewart Till on July 30.
Bradshaw said the council will benefit from Bevan's experience as one of the "most successful producers" here.
"British film is enjoying great critical and commercial success, but at the same time everyone is facing the transition to a new digital era, the very real challenges of the credit crisis and the impact of online piracy," Bevan said. "We must adapt and consolidate to respond to those new realities, working with government, listening to our stakeholders and carrying out a comprehensive review of all our activities, both industrial and cultural. My first priority is to ensure that we have a U.K. Film Council that is right...
- 6/15/2009
- by By Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London -- Major government policy on broadcasting is still on track to be announced next week, the culture ministry said Monday, despite the process being thrown into chaos by the departure of the cabinet minister in charge.
The news that culture secretary Andy Burnham had been replaced in an emergency cabinet reshuffle percolated through late Friday as Prime Minister Gordon Brown battled to maintain political power in the face of opposition from within his own party.
Burnham will be replaced by health minister Ben Bradshaw, who picks up the reins as the government prepares to publish its Digital Britain report next week, which is expected to outline the future of broadcast policy and may open the way to unprecedented co-operation between the BBC and Channel 4 as well plans to shore up the ailing commercial broadcasters ITV and Rtl-owned Five.
Asked if the publication of the report would go ahead as planned,...
The news that culture secretary Andy Burnham had been replaced in an emergency cabinet reshuffle percolated through late Friday as Prime Minister Gordon Brown battled to maintain political power in the face of opposition from within his own party.
Burnham will be replaced by health minister Ben Bradshaw, who picks up the reins as the government prepares to publish its Digital Britain report next week, which is expected to outline the future of broadcast policy and may open the way to unprecedented co-operation between the BBC and Channel 4 as well plans to shore up the ailing commercial broadcasters ITV and Rtl-owned Five.
Asked if the publication of the report would go ahead as planned,...
- 6/8/2009
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.