Latest news with #WhiteLotus
Newsroom
5 hours ago
- Business
- Newsroom
Sky taking the reins at Three makes sense for everyone
Comment: TV3 was New Zealand's first privately owned television station but in 35 years of operation it has lost well north of $1 billion in total for a string of local and overseas owners. While it produced some great TV it was also a great destroyer of shareholder value. The latest owner, US giant Warner Bros. Discovery finally cried enough and gave it away to Sky for less than you'd tip a waiter. Warners must have been close to shutting the doors on what was left of the local TV network after previously gutting the operation and contracting out its 6pm news production to Stuff. It may have stemmed the bleeding, but it clearly had no appetite for the investment required to keep the channel competitive. After buying the TV operation in 2020 (minus its only real asset – a large building and adjacent properties on Auckland's city fringe) for $20 million Warners lost hundreds of millions trying to keep a channel that produced some local shows, including news and (light) current affairs, afloat. In the end, it left a shell of a station (programmes are put to air from a control room in Sterling, Virginia) playing mainly reality shows. Sky has always been the logical owner of Three, but it has been smart enough not be sucked into paying over the odds for a free-to-air broadcaster in a small and declining market dominated by a state-owned network. There have been plenty of discussions between Sky and TV3's owners over the years, and at least one formal offer, which was turned down by the private equity funds that controlled MediaWorks (TV3's parent company at the time). Then CEO of Sky, John Fellet, dryly and correctly remarked at the time 'I think I've dodged a bullet.' One Australian private equity fund paid about $800 million for the business but lumbered the company with $700 million in debt. The banks moved in (not for the first time) and tipped MediaWorks into the hands of the receivers in 2013. A new set of private equity owners struggled along and lost hundreds of millions before selling up in 2020. No doubt Sky would have, once more, run the ruler over the TV operation at this point. It would have come up with a price tag of $1 but Michael Anderson (former MediaWorks CEO) pulled off a genius move and convinced US-based Discovery to pay $20 million for the TV assets. Discovery later merged with Warners – both companies enjoyed long-term relationships with Sky. From the beginning, Discovery seemed devoid of a strategy. The writing was on the screen when Warners left its major hits like Game of Thrones, White Lotus and other popular programmes on Sky channels. These shows could've transformed Three and seriously hurt TVNZ but clearly Warner Bros. felt it could make more money leaving them at Sky. The enduring relationship with Sky has clearly played a role in Warners giving Three to its local ally. Sky CEO Sophie Maloney told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking that she and her Warners counterpart (based in Singapore) had been discussing various options for Three off and on for about two years. Maloney also indicated that despite all of Warners' restructuring of the business and the deal with Stuff to supply it with a cut-price news service, Three was still unprofitable. Maloney's rock-steady confidence around the deal has been reassuring for Sky shareholders and, under questioning from a skeptical Hosking, she was unequivocal that TV3 would return to profit under Sky's management. Her optimism has been shared by share broking analysts with one predicting the deal might be worth $48 million to Sky. Sky says it has locked in a supply of Warner programmes for Three and judging by Maloney's confidence around profitability it is likely to be at a very good price. The synergies and value that Sky can bring to Three have always been obvious. Its sales and marketing team will take over the free-to-air inventory and add it to the advertising spots it's selling on the pay TV channels. Having more eyeballs available to advertisers will help it compete, and possibly give it an edge over TVNZ and other media companies. Three will also be a handy vehicle to promote Sky's own channels and subscription products. More rugby and cricket on Three will boost its ratings and Sky might also decide to migrate the best programmes from Sky Open (formerly Prime) to its new free-to-air platform. This would allow it to shut Sky Open, which is likely to have been losing millions annually. Sky has had to persist with its loss-making channel, so it could guarantee a free-to-air outlet for sport. That problem is now solved. Hosking put it to Maloney that TVNZ was now 'dead in the water' in terms of sport but the Sky CEO diplomatically suggested that certain segments of TVNZ's audience might be attractive enough to keep it in the hunt. NZ on Air will also find Sky a more attractive owner of Three than Warner Bros. While the reach of a platform rather than its owner should be the major factor in funding local shows for a network, there had to be some unease about giving millions in public money to an American corporate giant that has been rapidly reducing its staff and financial commitment to local programming. Will Sky look to up the level of quality programming (local and international) on Three? It's hard to know. Any significant cash investment in shows, unless they are a spectacular ratings success, is hard to recoup in this market. Warners and previous owners of Three have found out the hard way. Sky might be interested in a modest investment given its zero-capital outlay. It will want to stall the decline of the linear audience as much as it can while it builds up the on-demand platform, ThreeNow. Maloney described ThreeNow, which has been growing audiences, as a jewel in the crown. She will have a decision to make when Three's contract with Stuff to produce a 6pm news bulletin ends. The contract may have one, but most likely two, years to go. Sky will probably want a better product while Stuff will want more money. It might be an opportunity to move to a 30-minute, higher-quality bulletin. Before Warner Bros. shut its own news division (Newshub), it had, for many years, produced a nightly 30-minute news bulletin for Prime (Sky Open). It was a point of difference in the market and one of Prime's strongest performing shows.
News.com.au
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Aussie location in running for White Lotus Season 4
Most of the time, travelling for work is far less glamorous than its portrayal on social media. An early morning alarm, followed by a flurry of meetings before a 'networking dinner' which inevitably leads into a couple of 'nightcaps' at the hotel bar. Hopefully before 10pm, you finally get the chance to embrace the harder-than-concrete mattress, that often boast picturesque views of the hotel's car park. Not quite the private jet, laptop by the pool experience they sell to us in movies. So when I stayed at Elements of Byron during a recent work trip, I took every opportunity to live out the social media dream. A quick dip in the adults-only pool. A shore-side Yoga session in the morning. A coffee brought to me via QR code while typing away at my sunlounge. Pretty soon, while having an (off the clock) gin and tonic by the communal fire, I was feeling a constant sense of deja vu. But not deja vu in the sense that I'd been here before, more than I had seen this before. I'm not sure whether it was the fluffy bathrobe, the attentive staff or simply the fact that I watch too much television, but suddenly I realised – I felt like I was playing a role in White Lotus. For anyone who has seen the show, each season revolves around a group of mostly self-entitled individuals who end up finding themselves at the centre of a murder at the ultra-luxurious White Lotus hotel. The location and sets are always lush, exotic and full of affluence, with the first three seasons in Maui, Sicily and Thailand. And as someone who has spent most of their 20s in hostels and Airbnbs, my stay at Elements was an introduction to the White Lotus lifestyle. It was also confirmation to me that Season 4 needs to be in Byron Bay. Potential location Since Max – which apparently, is now back to HBO Max again – announced earlier this year that Season 4 would begin production in 2026, the internet has been abuzz with rumours of the new location. Buzz about Byron Bay began after satirical Instagram page LordsOfByronBay posted a fake poster of White Lotus Season 4, writing: 'Leaks suggest it's heading to Byron Bay – where the sunsets are spiritual, the influencers are unhinged and linen shirts are worn with deep emotional consequences'. Since then, Vogue Australia and Harper's Bazaar have also put Byron Bay forward as a contender, noting how well it hosted Nine Perfect Strangers. Many have scrubbed Byron Bay off the list as it doesn't have a Four Seasons, which is where White Lotus is usually set. However, a hotel like Elements of Byron would make for a perfect beachside substitution to bring much-needed funds into Australia's film and television sector. This week, HBO executive Casey Bloys said White Lotus director Mike White had given him a 'general outline' of what Season 4 would be. 'He's going to be scouting, seeing what location he gets inspired by, and then giving us more of an update of what he's thinking, but it's percolating in his head,' Mr Bloys said. If I were Mr White, I'd be percolating Byron.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'I Pretty Much Spent Everything I Earned,' Admits 'Harry Potter' Star Jason Isaacs on His Money Habits
"I pretty much spent everything I earned," actor Jason Isaacs recently admitted, acknowledging that decades of Hollywood paychecks never swelled his savings. The 62‑year‑old, who played Lucius Malfoy in the "Harry Potter" film series and Timothy Ratliff in HBO's "The White Lotus," spoke candidly in an interview with New York magazine about how he matched each raise with equal spending. His candor throws fresh light on lifestyle creep—the silent budget siphon now dogging households even as wages climb and prices cool. Lifestyle Creep Bites Even Wizards Isaacs told New York magazine he earned about $40,000 for every "White Lotus" episode—modest by prestige‑TV standards—yet still "expanded my outgoings to match my incomings." Don't Miss: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Many are rushing to grab $100k+ in investable assets? – no cost, no obligation. Producer David Bernad told The Hollywood Reporter that the cast is paid one equal rate. That flat structure, according to Bernad, values art over earnings and keeps budgets trim. Isaacs' confession echoes past stars who vaulted from indie stages to franchise fame only to watch wealth slip away. "Many feel as though they have to spend more as they progress through career milestones," certified financial planner Matt Saneholtz of Tobias Financial Advisors told CNBC for a story on Isaacs' habits, warning the approach "goes against everything" he teaches about building lasting wealth. Saneholtz says that what begins with a few upgraded purchases—like nicer hotels or premium subscriptions—can quietly grow into a steady habit of overspending. Trending: Named a TIME Best Invention and Backed by 5,000+ Users, Kara's Air-to-Water Pod Cuts Plastic and Costs — Planner Urges Automatic Investing Saneholtz advises routing a slice of every raise straight into an investment account before it reaches checking. "You won't miss what you don't see," he said, urging quarterly budget reviews and subscription audits. Fellow planner Robert Persichitte expanded the point, telling Business Insider that high‑ticket items like larger homes lock people into lifestyles that are hard to unwind, making it crucial to distinguish between being rich and being wealthy. Both advisers frame investing as an antidote: every dollar diverted to index funds today can snowball through compounding rather than vanish on fleeting luxuries. Automatic transfers also blunt decision fatigue, Saneholtz said, because savings grow untouched while discretionary funds remain visible for daily needs. Persichitte added that visibility matters: "If your net pay doesn't go up, you don't feel rich, and you don't feel the need to spend." Their shared blueprint—save first, spend later—mirrors guidance in Vanguard's long‑running "pay yourself first" Show Thin Safety Nets Federal Reserve data underline the stakes. Its latest Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking found just 63 % of adults could cover a $400 emergency with cash, matching 2024 levels yet below the pandemic peak. The Fed has noted rising living‑cost worries despite steady employment gains. Meanwhile a Bankrate poll released last month showed 26% of U.S. adults believe they must earn at least $150,000 a year to feel financially secure, up from 25 % last year. Saneholtz links the numbers, saying lifestyle creep quietly widens the gap between perceived comfort and real financial cushions. Once higher paychecks become the norm, cutting back can feel like failure. He urges clients to automate raises toward retirement goals before lifestyle inflation takes hold. Read Next: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die." Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article 'I Pretty Much Spent Everything I Earned,' Admits 'Harry Potter' Star Jason Isaacs on His Money Habits originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Apparently Theo James Opened a Restaurant and It Sucks
James recently opened a restaurant in London featuring a "Rome-inspired menu"… whatever that means, and it's been getting some underwhelming reviews. What do you do when you're rejected as the next James Bond? Turn to food. Theo James, of White Lotus fame, recently opened a restaurant in London featuring a 'Rome-inspired menu'… whatever that means. Unfortunately, the actor's passion project, Lupa, has been earning some underwhelming reviews since opening in June. Most Popular George Clooney Sounds Like a Lovely House Husband Ohio Woman Faces 'Abuse of a Corpse' Charge for Miscarriage in Another Post-Roe Nightmare Abortion Access Will, Once Again, Be Decided by the Supreme Court For starters, some diners complained that the food lacked flavor. (Never something you want to hear as a White Man). Some reviewers also reported that they were rushed out the door to make room for more heads. Plus, there wasn't even one shirtless pic of Theo lining the walls. Devastating! Kidding aside, we're sad for Theo. Celebrity ventures into the restaurant world are always a gamble—it's a brutal industry that eats people alive (even the good-looking ones). But as a recovering server, I can't help but wonder what Theo is like as an owner. Is he a full-throttle Gordon Ramsay type? Or the soft-spoken kind who tosses around wine terms like 'unctuous,' 'crisp minimality,' and 'a hint of creosote'? Maybe he's just method acting for a guest role on The Bear Season 5, in which case he better call in backup from co-white-boy-of-the-month Jeremy Allen White. 'I've always wanted to get into the restaurant industry,' James recently told British GQ. 'I love food, and curating spaces, and wine.' Specifically of wine, James added, 'Italian wine is great, but you have to get it right.' So true. If he can't get the wine right, perhaps he should gather three to four dysfunctional wealthy families, let their simmering tensions boil over across six to eight episodes, throw in a mysterious death, and voilà, success. Oh yeah, and change the name from Lupa to The White Lotus. Just a thought! A Barbie animated movie is in the works. God, when will we ever be free? [Deadline] Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham tease reunion or 50-year-long situationship. You decide. [CNN] Meg Stalter wore a cardboard Diet Coke corset to the Las Culturistas Culture Awards. She IS my culture <3 [Bravo] Huge day for film bros everywhere. Christopher Nolan's upcoming film, The Odyssey, sells out its special 70mm screening a year before its release. [The Hollywood Reporter] Nothing to see here… Just Alison Brie and Dave Franco sharing a fry at Wendy's [Complex] Looks like the Biebers are in a financial pickle. What's that song about Karma? [TMZ] Adam Sandler said Taylor Swift is 'ridiculously nice.' What's that song about Karma? [Pop Crave] Like what you just read? You've got great taste. Subscribe to Jezebel, and for $5 a month or $50 a year, you'll get access to a bunch of subscriber benefits, including getting to read the next article (and all the ones after that) ad-free. Plus, you'll be supporting independent journalism—which, can you even imagine not supporting independent journalism in times like these? Yikes. Solve the daily Crossword
News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Video: This Massive Line Outside Pop Mart Melbourne Highlights Labubu Mania
Last Updated: The craze began to grow in Southeast Asia when K-pop icon and White Lotus actress Lisa Manobal was seen carrying a Labubu doll. Hundreds of fans braved Melbourne's freezing weather to line up overnight for a special toy launch. The crowd gathered on Bourke Street, eager to grab limited-edition dolls from Pop Mart's newest store. Pop Mart is a Hong Kong-based company known for its collectable toys, especially the monster-like dolls called Labubus. These toys have become a global sensation, thanks to their rising popularity on TikTok. The craze began to grow in Southeast Asia in April 2024 when K-pop icon and White Lotus actress Lisa Manobal was seen carrying a Labubu doll. Other celebrities, like Rihanna, have also been spotted with them. The new Bourke Street store is the largest Pop Mart outlet in Australia and the only one in the world themed around the popular Skullpanda character. Chinese artist Xiong Miao created Skullpanda. One fan, Amy Sutherland, wore a Skullpanda T-shirt while waiting in line. She said she was thrilled to see a store based on her favourite doll. 'It's just something fun in such a heavy world," Amy shared. 'Staying in touch with my inner child is really important to me." The opening drew people from all over the world. Fans began lining up hours in advance. Brandon Fraser was the first in line after arriving at 2 pm the previous day. He has been collecting the toys for three months and already owns 60 dolls. He spent $1354 during the launch and left with several boxes of merchandise, including an orange Labubu pillow. 'I'm happy. I can't complain," he said, as quoted by the Herald Sun. One major appeal of Pop Mart toys is their packaging. The dolls come in 'Blind Boxes", so buyers don't know which doll they'll get until they open it. This mysterious element drives people to buy more, especially those seeking rare editions. One of the most wanted Labubu dolls is the 'Chestnut Cocoa" from the secret edition. Pop Mart's Australia and New Zealand head, Yuki Wu, called the Melbourne launch an exciting step. 'We're inviting fans to step inside a world they know and love," she said. The store opened at 10 am, with crowds rushing in to collect the exclusive toys. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
