Latest news with #Wallace&Gromit:VengeanceMostFowl
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BBC to cut spending on new shows by £150m as streaming wars bite
The BBC is to spend £150m less on new shows in the coming year as it warned of an 'unprecedented' funding challenge for British television. The public service broadcaster said it plans to spend just over £2.5bn on programming in the current financial year, down from almost £2.7bn last year. It follows industry-wide warnings of a funding crisis for British programmes amid growing competition from streaming rivals such as Netflix. A gold rush of investment from US companies has driven up the cost of making shows, while TV executives have warned that streaming services are shunning co-productions as they look to retain full ownership of rights. The BBC has previously said that a number of its productions, including an adaptation of Douglas Stuart's award-winning novel Shuggie Bain, are 'stuck in limbo' owing to a lack of cash. The funding drought has prompted calls for a government intervention, with proposals including a shake-up of existing tax incentives or even a new 'Netflix tax' on streaming companies. In its annual plan published on Monday, the BBC said it was facing an 'unprecedented content funding challenge'. It added: 'Without intervention, it will be difficult to maintain the current ambition and volume of UK content.' It comes amid a broader funding squeeze for the BBC, which is now locked in discussions with ministers over the future of the licence fee. The corporation last year rolled out sweeping cuts to jobs and programming as Tim Davie, the BBC's director general, tried to plug a black hole in its finances of nearly £500m. Bosses said they had cut 2,000 roles over the last five years but warned this approach was 'no longer sustainable'. The BBC had said it expected to return to a surplus in the coming year. However, the broadcaster warned today that a further deficit of £33m is expected due to delays in some cost-cutting initiatives. The BBC forecast income of just over £6bn in the coming year, including roughly £3.9bn from the licence fee. That is up from £3.8bn last year, with an inflation-linked increase in the licence fee to £174.50 offset in part by a 1pc decline in the number of people paying the levy. The corporation said its budget was down by £1bn in real terms compared to 15 years ago. The BBC has been investing heavily in its streaming service iPlayer as it looks to stem an exodus of viewers to streaming services –particularly among younger audiences. The broadcaster said it 'remains a unifying force in a digitally fragmented world', pointing to major successes for Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Gavin & Stacey: The Finale, which both pulled in more than 20m viewers. It also attracted large audiences for major sporting events such as the Olympics, men's Euros and Wimbledon. The BBC also emphasised the importance of its news output at a 'challenging time for global democracy'. The corporation pointed to figures showing the British public has more trust in broadcast news than in social media, while the BBC remains the number one news source in the UK. Samir Shah, the BBC chairman, said: 'The BBC's role has never been more important, both here in the UK and around the world, to deliver trusted, impartial news in a world of disinformation; develop and promote the most compelling home-grown content; and be the place where people come together for unforgettable shared moments. 'The BBC board fully endorses this plan, as we plot the long-term future of this marvellous organisation and deliver for audiences for generations to come.' Mr Davie said: 'We are focused on our mission to deliver value for all, through our journalism, our storytelling and our unique ability to bring people together. 'The UK's creative industry continues to change rapidly, as does the world around us. This plan sets out how the BBC continues to evolve for audiences, both on and off air, but also how we will support and invest in the wider industry.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
31-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
BBC to cut spending on new shows by £150m as streaming wars bite
The BBC is to spend £150m less on new shows in the coming year as it warned of an 'unprecedented' funding challenge for British television. The public service broadcaster said it plans to spend just over £2.5bn on programming in the current financial year, down from almost £2.7bn last year. It follows industry-wide warnings of a funding crisis for British programmes amid growing competition from streaming rivals such as Netflix. A gold rush of investment from US companies has driven up the cost of making shows, while TV executives have warned that streaming services are shunning co-productions as they look to retain full ownership of rights. The BBC has previously said that a number of its productions, including an adaptation of Douglas Stuart's award-winning novel Shuggie Bain, are 'stuck in limbo' owing to a lack of cash. The funding drought has prompted calls for a government intervention, with proposals including a shake-up of existing tax incentives or even a new 'Netflix tax' on streaming companies. In its annual plan published on Monday, the BBC said it was facing an 'unprecedented content funding challenge'. It added: 'Without intervention, it will be difficult to maintain the current ambition and volume of UK content.' Funding squeeze It comes amid a broader funding squeeze for the BBC, which is now locked in discussions with ministers over the future of the licence fee. The corporation last year rolled out sweeping cuts to jobs and programming as Tim Davie, the BBC's director general, tried to plug a black hole in its finances of nearly £500m. Bosses said they had cut 2,000 roles over the last five years but warned this approach was 'no longer sustainable'. The BBC had said it expected to return to a surplus in the coming year. However, the broadcaster warned today that a further deficit of £33m is expected due to delays in some cost-cutting initiatives. The BBC forecast income of just over £6bn in the coming year, including roughly £3.9bn from the licence fee. That is up from £3.8bn last year, with an inflation-linked increase in the licence fee to £174.50 offset in part by a 1pc decline in the number of people paying the levy. The corporation said its budget was down by £1bn in real terms compared to 15 years ago. The BBC has been investing heavily in its streaming service iPlayer as it looks to stem an exodus of viewers to streaming services –particularly among younger audiences. The broadcaster said it 'remains a unifying force in a digitally fragmented world', pointing to major successes for Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Gavin & Stacey: The Finale, which both pulled in more than 20m viewers. It also attracted large audiences for major sporting events such as the Olympics, men's Euros and Wimbledon. The BBC also emphasised the importance of its news output at a 'challenging time for global democracy'. The corporation pointed to figures showing the British public has more trust in broadcast news than in social media, while the BBC remains the number one news source in the UK. Samir Shah, the BBC chairman, said: 'The BBC's role has never been more important, both here in the UK and around the world, to deliver trusted, impartial news in a world of disinformation; develop and promote the most compelling home-grown content; and be the place where people come together for unforgettable shared moments. 'The BBC board fully endorses this plan, as we plot the long-term future of this marvellous organisation and deliver for audiences for generations to come.' Mr Davie said: 'We are focused on our mission to deliver value for all, through our journalism, our storytelling and our unique ability to bring people together. 'The UK's creative industry continues to change rapidly, as does the world around us. This plan sets out how the BBC continues to evolve for audiences, both on and off air, but also how we will support and invest in the wider industry.'
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Flow',' 'the Wordless Cat Adventure Movie, Wins Best Animated Film at Oscars 2025, Making History for Latvia
Flow has drawn gold at this year's Oscars. At the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 2, writer-director Gints Zilbalodis, along with writers Matiss Kaza, Ron Dyens and producer Gregory Zalcman, took the stage to accept the Best Animated Feature award from presenters Andrew Garfield and Goldie Hawn. "I am really moved by the warm reception our film has had," Zilbalodis, 30, told the Oscars audience after also thanking his parents and his cats and dogs. "I hope it will open doors to independent animation filmmakers around the world."Flow is the third animated film to be nominated in the Best International Movie category and the second animated film to be nominated for both Best Animation and touched on the project making history as Latvia's first-ever Oscar-nominated movie. "It truly means a lot to us," he shared. The director ended his speech by sharing a heartfelt message with the star-studded audience. "We are all in the same boat. We must overcome our differences and find ways to work together," Zilbalodis nominated in the Academy's top animation category this year were Inside Out 2, Memoir of a Snail, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and The Wild Robot. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Latvian director Zilbalodis' Flow, which depicts a wordless adventure story about a cat and its animal pals surviving a fantastical flood, has gone toe-to-toe with animation heavyweights this awards season. Along with its Oscar honor, the film garnered Golden Globe and Critics Choice nominations. Related: How Flow, a Latvian Animated Movie with No Dialogue, Is Upending the Awards Race: The Story Is 'Universal' (Exclusive) Directed by Pete Docter, Inside Out 2 offers all-new emotional adventures within the now-teenage mind of Riley (voiced by Kensington Tallman). Amy Poehler reprises her role as the fun-loving, blue-haired Joy, joined by Phyllis Smith as Sadness, Lewis Black as Anger, Tony Hale as Fear and Liza Lapira as Disgust. Maya Hawke joins the cast as a new emotion for Riley to contend with — anxiety. The Australian stop-motion Memoir of a Snail features characters voiced by Sarah Snook, Kodi Smit-McPhee and Eric Bana. Making history as the second R-rated animated film to be Oscar nominated (2015's Anomalisa being the first), Memoir follows lonely misfit Grace Prudel as she navigates a series of misfortunes from childhood to adulthood. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl saw the return of Wallace, Gromit and a familiar foe of theirs in the first feature-length Wallace & Gromit film since 2005's The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. Directed by Merlin Crossingham and Nick Park, the stop-motion animation follows the famed duo as they attempt to clear Wallace's name when he's framed as an "evil inventor" by the fearsome penguin Feathers McGraw. Related: Lupita Nyong'o Is Excited to Show Wild Robot to Nieces So They 'Finally' 'Understand What I Do for a Living' (Exclusive) Lupita Nyong'o voices robot Roz in Chris Sanders' The Wild Robot, which is based on the bestselling book series of the same name. The film follows Roz after their transport ship crashes onto an island populated only by animals, including Fink the fox (voiced by Pedro Pascal) and Pinktail the possum (voiced by Catherine O'Hara). Roz's initial programming, aimed to be useful in the human world, frightens the animals. When an orphaned gosling named Brightbill (Kit Connor) imprints on her, the robot softens and learns the meaning of community and PEOPLE's full coverage of the 97th annual Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O'Brien and airing on ABC. Read the original article on People
CNN
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
In pictures: The 2025 Academy Awards
From left, Nick Park, Richard Beek and Merlin Crossingham hold "Wallace & Gromit" figurines before the show. Park and Crossingham directed "Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl," which was nominated for best animated feature. Beek produced the film.
Express Tribune
02-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Wicked cast stuns on the 2025 Oscars red carpet with show-stopping looks
Wicked cast stuns on the 2025 Oscars red carpet with show-stopping looks The 97th Academy Awards red carpet was filled with cosmic glamour, as stars arrived in breathtaking ensembles. Ariana Grande Grande, channeling Glinda's celestial charm, wore a cream gown with a sculpted bodice and flowing tulle, evoking the ethereal beauty of a starlit nebula. Cynthia Erivo Erivo, embracing Elphaba's dark mystique, stunned in a deep velvet gown with delicate ribbon details, exuding an enchanting and otherworldly elegance. Jeff Goldblum Goldblum brought his signature flair to the carpet, donning a cream suit accented with a striking purple flower, blending retro sophistication with futuristic style. Ethan Slater Slater kept it classic in a sleek black suit, providing a timeless contrast to the evening's more avant-garde fashion statements. Marissa Bode Marissa Bode delivered a striking fashion moment in a ruby red gown, exuding confidence and sophistication from head to toe. Wallace & Gromit Creators Nick Park, Merlin Crossingham, and Richard Beek walked the red carpet in support of Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, nominated for Best Animated Feature. Hosted by Conan O'Brien, the night features performances by Doja Cat and Raye, with a lineup of presenters including Andrew Garfield, Cillian Murphy, Scarlett Johansson, Selena Gomez, and Oprah Winfrey. As the Oscars unfold, the Wicked cast's dazzling red carpet moments continue to be a highlight of the night
