MOVIES

Game of Thrones boosts sky earnings

Published

7 years ago

October 12, 2017

FAB.NG

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

MOVIES

Nollywood Director, Kemi Adetiba Teases King Of Boys 3

Published

2 weeks ago

January 9, 2025

Reporter

Nollywood director Kemi Adetiba teases King of Boys 3 | fab.ng

Nollywood director Kemi Adetiba has revealed that another instalment of King of Boys will be released on December 25, 2025. She made this announcement on her birthday through an Instagram post.

“KOB Army…. ARISE!!! It’s time…. We MOOOOOOOVE. Signed: Your General. #KOB3 #TheBeginningOfTheEnd #DettyDecember25 #KAV25,” she said.

Earlier in 2023, director Kemi Adetiba commenced pre-production for the next instalment of King of Boys.

Alongside this, she hinted at the upcoming releases of “To Kill A Monkey” and “Welcome to the Fourth.” This new King of Boys instalment, subtitled “The Beginning of the End,” will feature a blend of familiar faces and exciting new characters.

The feature-length film will make its debut in cinemas on December 25, 2025. This groundbreaking series centres around Alhaja Eniola Salami, a powerful businesswoman and philanthropist embroiled in a high-stakes power struggle.

The first film, released in 2018, captivated audiences with its compelling narrative and exceptional performances. Its sequel, “King of Boys: The Return of the King,” premiered on Netflix in 2021.

The original film boasted an ensemble cast, including the formidable Sola Sobowale as Eniola Salami, alongside Nse Ikpe-Etim, Jide Kosoko, Adesua Etomi, and Richard Mofe-Damijo.

Kemi Adetiba’s career began as a radio presenter at Rhythm 93.7 FM, where she hosted the popular shows “Soul’d Out” and “Sunday at the Seaside.”

During this time, she anonymously shared her remixes on platforms like Spotify and SoundCloud under the pseudonym “Hule.”

Transitioning to television, Adetiba became a prominent figure on Mnet, producing and hosting popular shows such as “Studio 53” and “Temptation Nigeria” alongside Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa.

She also hosted the Maltina Dance All reality show for three consecutive seasons.

After achieving on-screen success, Adetiba pursued her passion for filmmaking. She enrolled at the New York Film Academy to hone her filmmaking skills.

This decision led to international recognition for her work. Her short film, “Across a Bloodied Ocean,” was showcased at the 2009 Pan African Film Festival and the National Black Arts Festival.

Her directorial debut, “The Wedding Party,” a romantic comedy, premiered on September 8, 2016, as the opening film of the City-to-City Spotlight at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

MOVIES

“Everybody Loves Jenifa” Becomes Nollywood’s Highest-Grossing Film Of All Time

Published

2 weeks ago

January 8, 2025

Reporter

Everybody Loves Jenifa Nollywood’s highest-grossing film | fab.ng

Nollywood filmmaker Funke Akindele has achieved a historic milestone with her latest film, “Everybody Loves Jenifa.”

The film has officially broken box office records, surpassing the ₦1 billion mark to become the highest-grossing Nollywood movie of all time.

This groundbreaking achievement was announced by FilmOne, the film’s distributor, on their official Instagram page.

“Everybody Loves Jenifa” has officially hit a historic ₦1.466 billion and counting at the box office, making it the highest-grossing film of all time! A massive THANK YOU to our incredible audiences in Nigeria and Ghana for making this dream a reality. Your support is everything. On to even greater heights! Still showing in cinemas near you—experience the magic on the big screen,” the statement read.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by FilmOne Entertainment (@filmoneng)

Akindele continues her reign as a dominant force in Nollywood with this latest triumph.

“Everybody Loves Jenifa” achieved this remarkable feat in less than two weeks, further solidifying her legacy of box office successes.

Last year, her film “A Tribe Called Judah” made history by becoming the first Nollywood film to surpass the ₦1 billion mark, firmly establishing her as the queen of Nigerian cinema.

In 2023, Akindele’s “Battle on Buka Street” also achieved record-breaking success, surpassing the previous record set by her own blockbuster, “Omo Ghetto: The Saga.”

The “Jenifa” franchise has transcended the realm of a mere movie series, evolving into a cultural phenomenon.

Akindele first introduced the iconic character “Jenifa” to audiences in the 2008 Yoruba-language film “Jenifa,” captivating viewers with her wit and charm.

The character’s popularity skyrocketed with the 2015 launch of “Jenifa’s Diary.” Interestingly, the series is a beloved television series that seamlessly blended humour with valuable life lessons.

With “Everybody Loves Jenifa,” Akindele elevates the character to new heights. She delivers a heartwarming and comedic story that resonates deeply with fans.

The film boasts a stellar ensemble cast, featuring Funke Akindele as Jenifa, Folarin “Falz” Falana as Sege.

Also, Jackie Appiah, Nancy Isime, Stan Nze, Bisola Aiyeola, Patience Ozokwor, Chimezie Imo, and Isaac Olayiwola (Layi Wasabi) brought life to the movie.

Check out more movie updates here.

MOVIES

FG To Premiere TV Series, “Hidden Riches” On Mining Sector On January 25

Published

2 weeks ago

January 8, 2025

Reporter

Hidden Riches: FG to premiere TV series on mining sector | fab.ng

Nigeria’s Federal Government will launch an ambitious television drama series focused on the nation’s mining sector, premiering “Hidden Riches” on January 25, 2025.

The Solid Minerals Development Minister, Dele Alake, unveiled the project Tuesday. He describes it as a creative exploration of Nigeria’s vast mineral resources and their transformative potential.

Take 7 Media has produced this groundbreaking series under the directorial vision of Bem Pever and Nwamaka Chikezie.

The drama will occupy a prime-time slot on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) network, airing every Saturday from 8:05 pm to 8:30 pm, reaching viewers across the nation.

“Hidden Riches” weaves together multiple storylines, following a diverse cast of characters including miners, political figures, environmental activists, and ordinary citizens.

These characters navigate the complex landscape of Nigeria’s mineral wealth. Also, it confronts challenges and seizes opportunities as they interact with the nation’s underground treasures.

The series delves deep into the intricate web of politics, power dynamics, and personal ambition surrounding Nigeria’s mineral resources.

Through its dramatic narrative, the show illuminates the mining sector’s potential as a crucial driver of economic diversification and sustainable development. It aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for reducing Nigeria’s dependence on oil.

A talented ensemble cast brings these stories to life. It features acclaimed performers Sydney Diala, Lara Owoeye-Wise, Iveren Antiev, and Alex Jibrin.

Their performances help spotlight the human elements within Nigeria’s resource management challenges and opportunities.

Minister Alake emphasises that beyond entertainment, “Hidden Riches” serves a vital educational purpose.

I am pleased to announce the debut of a TV drama series, “Hidden Riches,” which aims to uniquely tell the story of the complexities and potential of Nigeria’s mining sector.

Featuring a stellar cast that includes Sydney Diala, Lara Owoeye-Wise, Iveren Antiev, Alex Jibrin, among… pic.twitter.com/OZaQObzjUs

— Dele Alake (@AlakeDele) January 7, 2025

The series aims to inspire Nigerian citizens to engage actively with the mining sector. Further, it fosters an understanding of its role in building a sustainable economic future.

Through compelling storytelling, the show highlights how solid minerals could serve as a pivotal alternative revenue stream for Nigeria’s economy.

Check out more movie updates here.