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    Jennifer Lopez, Laverne Cox win GLAAD Media Awards

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments1099 Views
    LOS ANGELES (AP) --

    Jennifer Lopez has added a couple of more trophies to her block.

    The pop star and "American Idol" judge was honored Saturday night at the 25th annual GLAAD Media Awards with the Vanguard Award, which lauds efforts to increase visibility and understanding of the gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender community. In addition to being an outspoken advocate for gay rights, Lopez serves as executive producer of the ABC Family series "The Fosters," which centers on a lesbian couple raising their children. "The Fosters" also won the award for outstanding drama series.

    Other winners at the Beverly Hilton Hotel ceremony included NBC's "Days of Our Lives" for daily drama, Fuse's "Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce" for reality program, Tegan and Sara for music artist and "Young Avengers" for comic book. "Bridegroom" and "Call Me Kuchu" tied for the outstanding documentary trophy.

    "Orange is the New Black" star Laverne Cox was presented with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award, which is given to a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender member of the entertainment community. Previous recipients include Wanda Sykes, Rufus Wainwright, Melissa Etheridge, Ellen DeGeneres and Ian McKellen.

    Norman Lear, the veteran producer of such sitcoms as "All in the Family" and "Maude," was honored with the Pioneer Award.

    The awards salute fair, accurate and inclusive representation in media of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives. Other winners will be presented at a New York ceremony on May 3.




    DirecTV calls off acquisition of rival Dish, possibly ending a yearslong pursuit

    Friday, November 22, 2024
    Dish Network satellite dishes are shown at an apartment complex in Palo Alto, Calif., Feb. 23, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

    DirecTV is calling off its planned acquisition of rival Dish after the offer was rejected by bond holders at that company.

    The deal was reliant on Dish bond holders agreeing to trade in the debt they held for debt in the new company, a swap that would have cost them about $1.6 billion, collectively.

    The retreat by DirecTV this week may end a years-long effort by the company to acquire both Dish and Sling after it announced the bid in September.

    DirecTV was looking to acquire Dish TV and Sling TV from its owner EchoStar in a debt exchange transaction that included a payment of $1, plus the assumption of approximately $9.8 billion in debt. The deal was contingent on several factors, including regulatory approvals and bondholders writing off debt related to Dish.

    "While we believed a combination of DirecTV and Dish would have benefited all stakeholders, we have terminated the transaction because the proposed exchange terms were necessary to protect DirecTV's balance sheet and our operational flexibility," DirecTV CEO Bill Morrow said in a statement.

    The prospect of a DirecTV-Dish combo has long been rumored, and reported talks resurfaced over the years. And the two almost merged more than two decades ago — but the Federal Communications Commission blocked the deal valued at the time at $18.5 billion deal, citing antitrust concerns.

    The pay-for-TV market has shifted significantly since. As more and more consumers tune into online streaming platforms, demand for more traditional satellite entertainment continues to shrink.

    DirecTV says that it will continue to invest in next-generation streaming platforms and offer new packaging options while integrating content from live TV alongside direct-to-consumer... Read More

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