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    Director Sam Mendes to head jury at Venice Film Festival

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments1491 Views
    In this Nov. 2, 2015 file photo, director Sam Mendes poses for photographers as he walks the red carpet at the regional premiere of the latest James Bond film, "Spectre," at the National Auditorium in Mexico City. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
    MILAN (AP) --

    Organizers of the Venice Film Festival say Oscar-winning British director Sam Mendes will head the jury that will choose winners in this year's competition.

    In announcing Mendes' appointment Wednesday, organizers said the director has "established himself as one of the most highly respected film directors of recent years."

    The 50-year-old Mendes was quoted as saying that his "happiest film festival memory is launching 'Road to Perdition' at Venice in 2002."

    Mendes' directorial debut, "American Beauty," won five Oscars, including best director and best picture. Mendes is also an accomplished theater director.

    The Venice Film Festival, the world's oldest, is holding its 73rd edition this year. It will be held from Aug. 31-Sept. 10, when the jury will select the winner of the coveted Golden Lion for best film.

    Tags:Sam MendesVenice Film Festival



    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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