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Business

QUICK BITE: T-Mobile Partners With Quibi For Launch

The former California Governor Candidate, Meg Whitman, is launching a new streaming service called Quibi (Short for Quick Bites). Quibi has inked a new deal with T-Mobile as the exclusive wireless partner of QuiBi for its launch.

The T-Mobile deal will help QuiBi reach 80 million possible customers on the telecom companies network.

“Quibi will deliver premium video content for millennials on a technology platform that is built exclusively for mobile, so a telecommunications partner like T-Mobile, with their broad coverage today and impressive 5G roadmap, is the perfect fit,” Quibi CEO Meg Whitman said in a statement.

T-Mobile CEO John Legere added, “Of course Quibi and T-Mobile are working together — we’re two mobile-centric disruptors committed to challenging the status quo and giving customers incredible experiences. Quibi is completely re-imagining video content for a mobile-first world, and that’s what makes this such a strong partnership.”

21 October, 2019 0 comment

Business Tech Television

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST! Netflix Loses ‘The West Wing’ To HBO Max

written by Ruben Jay

Classic political drama, The West Wing, is leaving Netflix for HBO Max. As the streaming war continues to brew, Netflix seems to be the biggest loser so far.

In the last few months, Netflix has lost Friends, The Office, and the Disney library. The West Wing is now the latest classic show that Netflix is losing.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. The West Wing was on NBC for 7 seasons.

15 October, 2019 0 comment

Business

Will Ferrell Partners with iHeartPodcasts For New Venture

written by Ruben Jay

iHeartMedia and Will Ferrell Partner to Launch New Podcast Company – “Big Money Players Network”

The joint venture will focus on comedy podcasts, all executive produced by Will Ferrell and iHeartMedia that will be distributed through the iHeartPodcast Network

NEW YORK, NY – October 15, 2019 – iHeartMedia, the No. 1 commercial podcast publisher globally, and actor, comedian and producer Will Ferrell, today announced a partnership to launch “Big Money Players Network,” a new podcast company focused on comedy shows. Listeners can expect the new shows to roll out in 2020.

The Big Money Players Network will recruit top comedic talent and curate a variety of formats and styles – both scripted and unscripted – within the podcast medium. The network is set to launch 10 podcasts over the next 24 months all produced by Ferrell and iHeartMedia that will be available on iHeartRadio and everywhere else podcasts are heard.

“Will Ferrell is one of the greatest comedians of our lifetime, and the unique synergy between Will and iHeartMedia will continue to lead us in accomplishing even more great audio content together,” said Conal Byrne, President of the iHeartPodcast Network. “We’ve worked extremely close with Will over the past year and our listeners love what we’ve offered them so far. The creative opportunities that an iHeart and Will Ferrell collaboration offer are limitless, and we can’t wait to introduce fresh, hilarious, new content to listeners.”

“The iHeartPodcast Network has been such a pleasure to work with. I love hanging out in the offices and I’ve only been yelled at once for using someone’s computer, which I shouldn’t have done,” said Will Ferrell. “Its creative, multiplatform assets and ability to market and reach millions of new podcast listeners is unprecedented. I’m looking forward to continuing our journey as creative partners and helping to define how comedy and podcasting will merge in the next couple years.”

“As we were looking to expand Will’s presence in the audio space, we needed a partner who fundamentally understood his brand of premium comedy, stated UTA Head of Emerging Platforms, Oren Rosenbaum. “iHeartMedia has proven to be just that—they have an innate understanding of the podcasting landscape and will help bring this partnership to the next level.”

Up next, Ferrell is set to star in the comedy feature Eurovision and the drama Downhill. Additionally, he has recently produced a number of popular titles across film and television including Succession, Dead To Me, Hustlers, Booksmart and Vice, to name a few.

iHeartMedia has continued to invest heavily in podcasting, from acquiring HowStuffWorks in 2018 to producing an ongoing slate of new iHeartRadio Original shows like “The Ron Burgundy Podcast,” “Disgraceland,” “Chelsea Handler: Life will be the Death of Me,” “Noble Blood” and “Committed,” as well as fostering over a hundred shows from its on-air talent like the popular “Bobbycast” and “The Breakfast Club” radio show podcasts. These shows are distributed on all major podcast platforms, including the iHeartRadio app, which additionally distributes more than 250,000 shows.

15 October, 2019 0 comment

Business Featured Tech

The New Era Of Microsoft Office

written by Mario Toscano

Now that Office 2010 support now reaching its final year of the 10-year lifecycle, customers are being urged to migrate to its newer Office 365 ProPlus bundle.

Microsoft announced this week that extended support for Office 2010 will end on October 13, 2020. And as with Windows 7, which also reaches end of life in January 2020, that means no more tech support, bug fixes or security patches.

Customers do have the option of upgrading to the on-premise Office 2019 for a one-time cost, but Microsoft really wants customers to move to Office 365 ProPlus per-user subscription.

The main difference between the two is that Office 365 ProPlus is updated regularly with new features, while Office 2019 has the same features it had since October 2018.

Office 365 ProPlus, which comes with most enterprise plans, includes the “full versions of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Access, and Skype for Business installed on your client computers”. It also allows people to install Office on up to five devices, be they PCs, Macs, or mobile.

“With built-in, cloud-powered security to protect your data, Office 365 ProPlus also provides the peace of mind that comes with knowing your business will not only be productive, but safe.”

Some of the main features Microsoft has added to Office 365 since releasing Office 2010 include Excel’s XLOOKUP, the successor to the VLOOKUP formula; Excel real-time collaboration across PCs, laptops and mobile; Word’s Resume assistant; dictation in Word and the ability to upload audio for auto transcription.

In addition, there’s also an AI-powered feature in PowerPoint that offers suggested slide designs and PowerPoint inking, voice and 3D capabilities. You’ll have from now until to October 13, 2020 take care of business so-to-speak.

15 October, 2019 0 comment

ABC Business Television

‘High School Music: The Series’ Airing On Disney, Freeform, and ABC Networks

written by Ruben Jay

Disney is pulling no punches when it comes to their forthcoming streaming service, Disney Plus. In fact, Disney plans to air their new flagship show, High School Musical: The Series, on traditional broadcast and cable networks. The plan is to air the first episode on ABC, Disney Channel, and Freeform TV a few days before the launch of Disney Plus.

The pilot episode will air on this networks on November 8, 2019, a full 4 days before the November 12th launch of Disney Plus. Disney is hoping to get potential viewers hooked on the show so they subscribe to the $7 a month or $70 a year streaming service.

High School Musical: The Series will be a 10 episode series, 9 of those episodes will air exclusively on Disney Plus. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the series is shot as a documentary style show (ala The Office) and will “follows a new class of students at East High, the Utah school where the original movie was filmed”.

The Hollywood Reporter states “The cast is led by Joshua Bassett (Disney Channel’s Stuck in the Middle) as Ricky, who auditions for the show in an effort to win back his ex-girlfriend, Nini (Olivia Rodrigo). The cast also includes Kate Reinders as East High’s spirited drama teacher; Sofia Wylie, Matt Cornett, Dara Reneé, Julia Lester, Frankie A. Rodriguez and Larry Saperstein as East High students; and Mark St. Cyr as the school’s by-the-book STEM teacher.”

Are you looking forward to the High School Musical series?

Watch The High School Musical Trailer

11 October, 2019 0 comment

Business Entertainment

James Franco Accused of Sexually Exploiting Acting School Students

written by Ruben Jay

In 2014, James Franco opened Studio4, an acting school in Los Angeles and New York. For the price of $300 a month, students would get acting lessons from Franco and others. According to two former students, acting classes weren’t the only thing Franco was offering.

Sarah Tither-Kaplan and Toni Gaal allege in a class action complaint that Franco and his business partner, Vince Jolivette, used Studio4 to sexually exploit young women.

The suit alleges that Franco and Jolivette would sexually intimidate women and that women who were willing to disrobe in front of the two were given special treatment.

Variety reports:

“As Plaintiffs experienced and observed, Studio 4 served no other legitimate purposes other than to dupe unsuspecting and often very young ‘students’ out of their money and talent to serve Defendants’ financial and exploitative desires,”

As part of the school’s offering, Franco taught a “master class” on sex scenes. According to the complaint, students would have to audition to get into the master class in a taped audition. Students would then also have to perform sexual activities that were “beyond industry norm”.

3 October, 2019 0 comment

Business Tech

TO UPGRADE OR NOT TO UPGRADE, THAT IS THE QUESTION

written by Mario Toscano

TO UPGRADE OR NOT TO UPGRADE, THAT IS THE QUESTION

Seems like we can’t get enough for the next big craze in technology. Ahh, remember the days when we longed for the next update on tech a few years after you made your dream purchase? We somehow knew that we would have that new tech-toy for awhile before it was time to upgrade to a newer and better model; thus, enjoying our toys to the fullest.

RISE OF A NEW ERA:

Fast-forward to 2019, and you know how that goes. Long-gone are the days where we actually get excited for the next great thing coming out. Gone are the cute little faces of overzealous teens, fighting in lines to get that new “widget.” Heck, we hardly see people shopping at malls anymore because of the rapid advancement in technology. So, allow yourself a moment to ask the question: “DO I NEED to upgrade?” You see, let’s take the obvious subject of phones…

Do you really need all that space?
Do you really need all those apps?
Is it going to make that big of a difference if you don’t have that new “green?”
Do you actually need the next model, when the one you have looks almost the same, feels the same, does the same thing, sounds the same, makes calls the same, texts the same and isn’t that much slower? Oh, and by the way… a better camera won’t make a better photographer.

Well, do you?

Only you can answer that one. My own opinion is that we could wait two or three years with what we have and guess what… I think we’d survive! I know, right… crazy. Unfortunately, we live in times where it’s more important to have the latest gadgets, rather than exploit all that our current tech has to offer. Look at the iPhone and Android eco-systems for example: are they really that much different every year? Short answer is NO. But, it’s not about that is it? It’s much more than a technological need; it’s more a self-gratification, I just have-to-have feeling that we long for nowadays. Of course the same can be said for other peripherals as well, not just phones. I just picked on them, because well, why not!

So, the next time you feel the need to upgrade your stuff, take a step back and think, “Do I REALLY NEED to?” I think you’ll be surprised to find out, that you’ll probably do the complete opposite of what you answered.

In the meantime, happy upgrading…. or not.

2 October, 2019 0 comment

Business Impact Wrestling Wrestling

IMPACT Wrestling On AXS TV Premiere Date Announced

written by Ruben Jay

Its official — IMPACT Wrestling will be moving to AXS TV on Tuesday, October 29 2019. This will make it so IMPACT being on at one point, every night of the week. According to the AXS TV Press release, IMPACT will be airing programming a month prior to their premiere.

AXS TV LAUNCHES IMPACT WRESTLING TUESDAY NIGHTS AT 8pE/5pP WITH DEBUT SPECIALS STARTING OCTOBER 1 & ‘IMPACT!’ PREMIERE ON OCTOBER 29

Flagship Weekly Wrestling Series ‘IMPACT!’ Brings Two Action-Packed Hours of High-Octane Original Programming to the Network Every Tuesday Night

Los Angeles (Sept. 24, 2019) – AXS TV, the exclusive U.S. television broadcast home for IMPACT Wrestling, one of the world’s pre-eminent professional wrestling organizations, today announced IMPACT Wrestling will launch on the network on Tuesday, Oct.1 at 8pE/5pP.

Leading up to the debut of its flagship weekly show IMPACT! on October 29, AXS TV will showcase IMPACT Wrestling’s critically acclaimed pay-per-view events of 2019, broadcasting each of Homecoming (October 1), Rebellion (October 8) and Slammiversary XVII (October 15) in their entirety and hosted by Executive Vice President Scott D’Amore and the voice of IMPACT Wrestling Josh Mathews. Finally, on October 22, THIS IS IMPACT! will serve as a launchpad for the promotion’s AXS TV debut, featuring a preview of the weekly series, profiles on IMPACT Wrestling’s biggest stars and exclusive non-televised matches from BOUND FOR GLORY, IMPACT Wrestling’s biggest pay-per-view event of the year to be held on Sunday, October 20 in Chicago .

Distinguished by its world-class roster of renowned athletes, led by IMPACT World Champion Brian Cage and UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock, IMPACT Wrestling will add over 100 hours of original, engaging content to AXS TV each year, ushering a new era of programming following the network’s acquisition by global media company Anthem Sports & Entertainment this month. The IMPACT roster also features legends Rob Van Dam and Rhino, third-generation superstar Tessa Blanchard, high-flying X-Division stars such as Rich Swann and TJP, featured stars such as former Atlanta Falcons lineman Moose, Sami Callihan, Eddie Edwards and Michael Elgin, plus the trail-blazing Knockouts women’s division headlined by Champion Taya Valkyrie, Rosemary, Tenille Dashwood and others.

“The incredible athleticism of our roster, dynamic characters and accomplished story-telling deliver must-see weekly programming that has captured the attention of professional wrestling fans around the world,” said Ed Nordholm, Chief Corporate Officer of Anthem Sports & Entertainment and president of IMPACT Wrestling. “We are excited to bring the best professional wrestling on television to AXS TV, long recognized as a premier destination for world class sports entertainment programming”

Since its inception in 2002 IMPACT! has been a leading destination for professional wrestling fans, televised globally in 120 countries, while growing its popularity and reach on YouTube, Twitch, Pluto and social media platforms.

For more information about IMPACT! on AXS TV or for tickets to BOUND FOR GLORY Oct. 20 at the Odeum Expo Center in Villa Park, Illinois visit https://impactwrestling.com.

About IMPACT Wrestling

IMPACT Wrestling is one of the world’s largest wrestling entertainment properties, creating more than 300 hours of original content annually across television and other digital platforms. IMPACT Wrestling specializes in creating premium content, events, products, merchandise and music, as well as the management and promotion of professional wrestlers. Its highly successful flagship, IMPACT!, is broadcast globally, including AXS TV and Twitch in the United States, Fight Network and GameTV in Canada, Sony ESPN in India, 5STAR and Fight Network in the United Kingdom, SuperSport in Africa, and MVStv in Mexico. IMPACT Wrestling is a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc.

For more information visit www.impactwrestling.com.

About AXS TV

Launched in 2012 by visionary entrepreneur Mark Cuban in conjunction with AEG, AXS TV has established itself as the premier destination for music and entertainment programming, and is the newest addition to the Anthem Sports & Entertainment portfolio. The network delivers an eclectic programming roster that includes original series, live concerts, music documentaries, live wrestling and mixed martial arts. AXS TV is currently available nationally in the United States and parts of Canada and the Caribbean. For a list of providers, visit www.axs.tv/subscribe. For more information, visit www.axs.tv.

24 September, 2019 0 comment

AEW Business Featured Wrestling WWE

All Elite Wrestling May Get Another Show

written by Ruben Jay

All Elite Wrestling is getting ready to launch their weekly 2 hour show called All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite. AEW debuts on TNT on October 2 and they are already in talks for a companion show to air somewhere in the WarnerMedia portfolio.

According to a report out at TheWrap.com, AEW and WarnerMedia are in talks to air a possible studio show.

“We are talking about it,” Weitz said when we specifically asked if there could be “a possible studio show as a companion [series]” for “Dynamite.” “I don’t know if you’ve met Tony Khan, but he’s not short of ideas — or passion,” he continued. “So there is a world where we’re thinking about ‘Where does something like that live?’ Knowing full well that within the WarnerMedia ecosystem we have B/R Live, we’ve got all these different components at our disposal.”

The fun note about a possible AEW Studio show is this: WWE Has announced and began auditions for a Fox Sports studio show. Could the AEW/WWE war go beyond Wednesday night?

Cody Rhodes, one of the founder fathers of AEW and wrestler, has come out to comment on the possibility of a 3rd hour of AEW programming:

“It may not happen on October 2, which is what we’re all kind of gunning towards, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it was something that [launched] shortly thereafter,” Weitz said of the potential companion series. “We’re thinking about it for sure.”

What are your thoughts on AEW possibly expanding programming beyond their current 2 hours commitment?

23 September, 2019 0 comment

AEW Business Impact Wrestling NWA Ring of Honor Wrestling WWE

Admit It: Jeff Jarrett Was Right About The ‘Pro Wrestling Boom’

written by Ruben Jay

In April of 2014, Jeff Jarrett announced plans for his own wrestling promotion and began predicting a boom in wrestling. He was right! Except, he wouldn’t have much to do with it.

It’s time to admit it: Jeff Jarrett was right about the Pro Wrestling Boom. Yes, I am openly saying that Jeff Jarrett, a high-ranking WWE creative official was right about the boom he sensed coming.

Granted, he’s about 5 years off, but he was right! Give Jeff Jarrett the credit he deserves. Yes — Jeff Jarrett got it right!

The unfortunate side of the equation is that Jeff Jarrett’s Global Force Wrestling isn’t going to be part of the boom. Tony Khan’s All Elite Wrestling has taken the role of GFW. Lets go back in time.

Introducing, Global Force Wrestling

In April of 2014, Jeff Jarrett and Global Force Entertainment, the parent company that Jarrett founded to house his wrestling and entertainment ventures, announced Global Force Wrestling. At the time, Jarrett didn’t announce a TV home, tapings, or talent roster. For much of GFW’s time, they were a logo and a website.

A week after the promotion was announced, they announced that they had inked a deal with 25/7 Productions, the company behind NBC’s The Biggest Loser. With this announcement, no TV deal was announced.

Over the next few weeks, GFW would begin to announce partner promotions In which they would have a “talent exchange”, but still no TV home or details of a show. The exchange was…pointless?

The Jarretts then announced that they were going to produce New Japan Pro Wrestling’s flagship event of the year, WrestleKingdom. Essentially NJPW used GFW’s connection to get the show on Pay-Per-View in the US. Still no TV deal.

As things got moving, GFW would announce TV tapings and events, but never actually announced details on where or how you can watch GFW on tv. They went so far as to create a TV show name, Global Force Wrestling: AMPED!, but still no TV deal.

Things got so confusing that Jeff would talk about “non-traditional distribution models”. One would assume the possibility of streaming or Youtube. In the same breath, he would talk about a Pro Wrestling Boom..and what that meant no one knew.

I remember listening to podcasts and the hosts would laugh at Jarrett. When Jarrett returned to IMPACT Wrestling, the dream of GFW and the wrestling boom kinda died. In 2016, Jarrett would join Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions, LLC, the new parent company of IMPACT as a “Chief Creative Officer” and Anthem would “Acquire” Global Force. A few months later, Jeff Jarrett would be fired from his position for personal problems that would lead him into rehab and back into WWE.

Fast Forward To Today…

Lets tlak about where we are today… WWE has 7 hours or programming on major TV Networks. 3 Hours of Monday Night Raw on USA Network, 2 Hours of WWE Smackdown LIVE on the FOX Broadcast Network, and 2 hours of NXT Live on USA Network.

All Elite Wrestling now has 2 hours of live wrestling every Wednesday starting in October on the TNT Network. IMPACT Wrestling has 2 hours or programming coming to AXS TV. MLW has an hour on BeIN Network. Ring of Honor has an hour of programming throughout the country (and possibility of ROH coming to cable as well). Heck, even the NWA is going to be presenting some sort of wrestling in show format!

Pro Wrestling is going to be on almost every night of the week. Monday, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and whatever day IMPACT ends up on. To say the least, the wrestling boom Jarrett promised us is here…5 and a half years later and without his company…but it’s here.

20 September, 2019 0 comment