Register

    Netflix plans no changes in airing “13 Reasons Why”

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments1891 Views
    In this March 30, 2017 photo, Joan Marie and author Jay Asher appear at the Netflix "13 Reasons Why" premiere in Los Angeles. (Photo by Steve Cohn/Netflix via AP)

    By Hillel Italie, National Writer

    NEW YORK (AP) --

    A planned second season of "13 Reasons Why" on Netflix will be unaffected by the recent allegations of sexual misconduct against author Jay Asher.

    Netflix said in a statement on Tuesday that Asher was uninvolved in the new season, scheduled to air this year. The streaming network added that the series would "not be impacted."

    Asher's best-seller from 2007 about a suicidal teenager is the basis for the popular Netflix show. On Monday, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators told The Associated Press that Asher was kicked out of the organization because of complaints about harassment. The Oklahoma Writers' Federation already has canceled a planned keynote address by Asher at a conference in May.

    Asher has said he chose to leave the children's writers society and was himself a victim of harassment. In an email to the AP, he did acknowledge having affairs with "consenting adults."

    "I am ashamed of myself and the pain our actions caused our families," wrote Asher, 42, who has been married since 2002. "During the past decade of harassment related to these affairs, I have never once retaliated. I will continue to leave my accusers to their anonymity in order to save them and their families from further hurt."

    Later on Tuesday, the executive director of the SCBWI told the AP that it had strengthened and expanded its anti-harassment policy. The additions included a code of conduct and a plan to have an anti-harassment monitor at SCBWI events. Lin Oliver also disputed Asher's contention that he had left the SCBWI voluntarily and was himself a victim of harassment.

    "If he chose to leave, it was under duress," said Oliver, adding that she had made it clear to Asher that the SCBWI wanted him out. "And the reason he left was not because he was being harassed."

    Also Tuesday, Asher's publisher issued a statement saying it had no comment on the allegations.

    "We are unable to comment on Jay Asher's relationship with SCBWI because we have had no involvement with or knowledge of our author's history with this organization," reads the statement from Penguin Young Readers, which currently has no plans for new books by Asher.

    Tags:13 Reasons WhyJay AsherNetflix



    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

    MySHOOT Profiles


    Add A Comment