The new Starz comedy series Run the World has begun production in Harlem, and throughout New York City. The eight-episode, half-hour series is created by Leigh Davenport (The Perfect Find, Wendy Williams: The Hot Topic, BET’s Boomerang) who will executive produce with showrunner Yvette Lee Bowser (Living Single, black-ish, Lionsgate’s Dear White People). The series is produced by Lionsgate Television. (Starz is a Lionsgate company.)
“Run the World is a love letter to Black women and a love letter to Harlem, that I hope inspires young, ambitious Black women to feel powerful, desirable and free,” said Davenport. “I created this series to celebrate the amazing women in my life and to illuminate the special bonds we built living in Harlem, while pursuing our post-collegiate dreams.”
“Run the World is the latest STARZ series that illustrates the network’s commitment to spotlighting diverse voices and stories that reflect a full spectrum of women both in front of and behind the camera,” said Christina Davis, president of programming for Starz. “Leigh Davenport and Yvette Lee Bowser are creating a bold and authentic scripted series that focuses on four strong and confident Black women who are smart, successful and loyal who live and thrive in Harlem – which is as much of a major character as any of the other characters in the series.”
Erika Alexander (Living Single) joins the cast in the recurring role of “Barb,” along with Nick Sagar (Queen of the South) as “Anderson,” Jay Walker (Grey’s Anatomy) as “Jason,” and guest star Tonya Pinkins as “Gwynn” (All My Children). Previously announced cast include: Amber Stevens West (The Carmichael Show) as “Whitney,” Andrea Bordeaux (NCIS: Los Angeles) as “Ella,” Bresha Webb (Marlon) as “Renee,” Corbin Reid (Valor) as “Sondi,” Stephen Bishop (Moneyball, Imposters) as “Matthew” and Tosin Morohunfola (Black Lightening) as “Ola.”
Emmy® award-winning designer-stylist Patricia Field will consult on wardrobe, alongside series costume designer, Tracy L. Cox, both known for their iconic work on Sex and the City and The Devil Wears Prada.
Primarily filming on location in Harlem, Run the World will feature renowned landmarks such as Marcus Garvey Park and the Harriet Tubman Memorial statue, to authentically showcase the rich cultural history and one-of-a-kind modern atmosphere of the neighborhood. Emmy® nominated set designer Diane Lederman (13 Reasons Why, The Americans) leads production design.
Directors include Millicent Shelton (black-ish, STARZ Original series P-Valley) who directed the pilot, Justin Tipping (Twenties), Jenée Lamarque (STARZ Original series Vida), and Nastran Dibai who makes her directorial debut from producing (Lionsgate’s Dear White People).
DirecTV calls off acquisition of rival Dish, possibly ending a yearslong pursuit
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