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Game of Thrones boosts sky earnings

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European pay-TV giant Sky, facing a possible takeover by Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox, announced Thursday a surge in subscribers on keen demand for cult US series Game of Thrones.

Sky’s subscriber base swelled by a 160,000 new customers in the three months to late September, up 51 percent on a year earlier, it said in a trading update.

Revenues grew five percent to £3.3 billion ($4.4 billion, 3.7 billion euros) over the same period.

Underlying profit, which strips out items such as tax and interest payments, jumped 11 percent to £582 million.

“We’ve had a strong start to our new financial year with good revenue growth and excellent profit growth,” said chief executive Jeremy Darroch.

He added: “Game of Thrones has become the most watched series ever on Sky.”

The London-listed group has exclusive rights to US broadcasting giant HBO’s television catalogue, which includes the current season of the award-winning show.

Later on Thursday, shareholders voted in favour of the re-election of Murdoch’s son James as chairman.

Some investor groups had expressed unease over him serving longer, in light of James being also chief executive of 21st Century Fox — which is seeking to buy the 61 percent of Sky it does not already own.

However, investors voted more than 78 percent in favour of his re-election at an annual general meeting at Sky’s London headquarters later on Thursday.

One angry shareholder argued that the deal would not go through if James Murdoch remained in his post.

“If everything remains the same (on the board) you have no chance of the deal going through,” the shareholder, who declined to be named, told the meeting.

“There’s nothing wrong with Mr Murdoch — but it is because of the name.”

Meanwhile, the takeover of Sky is being held up by a UK investigation into the proposed deal worth £11.7 billion.

Regulators on Tuesday said the probe would assess Rupert Murdoch’s influence on Britain’s political landscape.

Overall, Britain’s Competitions and Markets Authority will assess the impact of the Murdoch family’s proposed deal on both broadcasting standards and media plurality.

The CMA will seek to prevent “any one media owner, or voice, having too much influence over public opinion and the political agenda”.

The regulator’s probe will scrutinise the ability of the Murdoch Family Trust (MFT) to “control or influence editorial and commercial decisions” at Sky News, a 24-hour news channel broadcast from London.

It will assess also the current state of plurality within the UK media, and the commitment to accuracy in newspapers controlled by the MFT’s News Corp division, including The Times and The Sun.

AFP

FOREIGN

Lee Min-Ho Returns To The Big Screens In Netflix’s “When The Stars Gossip”

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Lee Min-Ho back to the screen in When The Stars Gossip | fab.ng

Lee Min-ho is set to make a triumphant return to the big screens with Netflix’s upcoming South Korean series When The Stars Gossip.

After a well-planned hiatus, the iconic actor will star in this highly anticipated sci-fi romance alongside Gong Hyo-jin.

The series will premiere globally on January 4, 2025. Netflix K-Content announced it with exclusive first-look images that tease a captivating narrative exploring love and life among the stars.

In the series, Min-ho takes on the role of an OB-GYN who becomes a space tourist. Meanwhile, Gong portrays a space mission commander. Their characters promise an exciting dynamic that blends romance and adventure in an interstellar setting.

Renowned as one of South Korea’s most celebrated actors, Lee Min-ho rose to international fame with his breakout role as the charismatic Gu Jun-Pyo in the 2009 drama Boys Before Flowers.

His performance earned widespread acclaim and established him as a key figure in the global Hallyu wave. Over the years, he has enthralled audiences with his performances in hit dramas. These dramas are The Heirs (2013), Legend of the Blue Sea (2016), and The King: Eternal Monarch (2020).

Known for his selective approach to roles, Min-ho consistently curates projects that highlight his versatility, leaving fans eagerly anticipating his next move.

His most recent major project, Apple TV+’s Pachinko, showcased his exceptional acting skills. In seasons one (2022) and two (2024), Min-ho delivered a critically acclaimed performance as Koh Hansu, a morally complex and nuanced character. This role further cemented his reputation as a versatile and skilled actor.

Lee Min-ho’s deliberate approach to choosing projects has elevated the anticipation for When The Stars Gossip. Fans are thrilled to see him return to the small screen in a fresh and compelling narrative.

The series boasts an impressive supporting cast. They include Gong Hyo-jin (When the Camellia Blooms), Oh Jung-se (It’s Okay to Not Be Okay), Han Ji-Eun (Be Melodramatic), Kim Joo-hun (Castaway Diva), Lee El (My Liberation Notes), Lee Cho-hee (Once Again), and Heo Nam-jun (Sweet Home).

Indeed, the show promises to captivate audiences worldwide with its unique mix of sci-fi and romance.

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“Gladiator II” Records ₦99.1 Million In Its Opening Weekend At The Nigerian Box Office

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Gladiator II records ₦99.1 million in its opening weekend | fab.ng
Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II has taken the Nigerian box office by storm, earning an impressive ₦99.1 million during its opening weekend. This remarkable feat positions the epic as the second-highest opening film of the year in Nigeria.

Before its weekend release, Gladiator II generated significant momentum. On Wednesday, it earned ₦8.13 million, followed by ₦8.96 million on Thursday.

An advanced screening earlier in the week pulled in ₦17 million across two days, showcasing strong local anticipation. These milestones cement the film as one of 2024’s top-performing titles in Nigeria.

The sequel, directed by Ridley Scott, follows Lucius, the nephew of Maximus, the heroic protagonist of the original Gladiator. After ruthless Roman emperors seize his home, Lucius embraces the life of a gladiator to seek revenge and restore Rome’s glory.

The film delves into timeless themes of vengeance and redemption, set against the backdrop of ancient Rome.

Featuring a star-studded cast including Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Denzel Washington, Gladiator II has captivated Nigerian audiences. The movie’s strong local performance underscores the growing appeal of global cinema in Nigeria.

On the international stage, Gladiator II debuted with an estimated $87 million, marking the largest opening weekend for any Ridley Scott film.

This success highlights the sequel’s long-awaited arrival, nearly two decades after Gladiator premiered in 2000. The development of the sequel spanned years, with numerous script drafts considered before the final version emerged in 2018. Paul Mescal joined the cast in early 2023, solidifying the project’s momentum.

Written by David Scarpa (Napoleon) in collaboration with Peter Craig, Gladiator II was distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Filming took place between June 2023 and January 2024, delivering a cinematic masterpiece that bridges nostalgia and modern storytelling.

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MOVIES

Watch The Trailer For Jade Osiberu’s “Christmas In Lagos”

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Christmas In Lagos: Watch the trailer | fab.ng

Christmas is about to get a thrilling twist with the release of the trailer for Jade Osiberu’s highly anticipated film, Christmas in Lagos. Set to premiere on Prime Video on December 20th, the film promises an exciting blend of love, drama, and self-discovery during the festive season.

The story follows Fiyin, played by Teniola Aladese, as she navigates life after heartbreak. Convinced her best friend Elo (Shalom Obiago) could be her soulmate, she faces an emotional twist when Elo returns from New York, ready to propose to his secret girlfriend, Yagazie (Angel Anosike). Their tangled relationships set the stage for heartfelt moments and unexpected revelations.

Simultaneously, Gbemi (Shaffy Bello), a sophisticated 59-year-old, finds herself torn between her longtime boyfriend (Wale Ojo) and the rekindled spark of her high school sweetheart (Richard Mofe-Damijo). Her journey explores the complexities of love and second chances.

Adding to the drama, Ivie (Rayxia Ojo) arrives in Lagos from London, seeking the ultimate “Detty December” experience. Her plans take an unexpected turn when she meets Ajani (Ladipoe), leading to a romantic and transformative holiday.

With a stellar cast and captivating storylines, Christmas in Lagos promises a festive celebration filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments.

Sharing the trailer, Jade said,

CHRISTMAS IN LAGOS IS HERE!!! 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽

So proud to present to you the trailer for my new film 💕. Grateful to everyone who worked on this film, our amazing cast and super talented crew.

We set out to make a film that shows Lagos (and Naija) off in its full Detty December glory and when the film is out in exactly a month from today, I think you guys will be really proud of the film 💕

The holiday romance brings together a stellar Nollywood cast, spotlighting talents like Shaffy Bello, Wale Ojo, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), Shalom C. Obiago, Rayxia Ojo, Teniola Aladese, Angel Anosike, and Folu Storms.

Adding a musical flair, the film also showcases top Afrobeats stars, including Waje, Adekunle Gold, Ayra Starr, and Ladipoe, seamlessly blending acting and music for an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Watch the trailer of Christmas in Lagos below.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jade Osiberu (@jadeosiberu)

See some behind-the-scenes photos below.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jade Osiberu (@jadeosiberu)

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