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    6 more years of hosting “Tonight Show” for Fallon

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments1083 Views
    In this May 12, 2014 file photo, The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon attends the NBC Network 2014 Upfront presentation at the Javits Center in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
    BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) --

    Just a few months after Jimmy Fallon marked his first anniversary as host of "The Tonight Show," NBC has signed him for six more years.

    Calling him "the best there is," NBC entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt said Fallon, who turns 41 next month, will occupy the "Tonight" host chair until at least 2021.

    Speaking to TV critics on Thursday, Greenblatt also announced that Rihanna will join "The Voice" as key adviser to the panel of judges, who will be Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Pharrell and Gwen Stefani.

    He said new additions to the cast of the holiday production of "The Wiz Live!" include "Hairspray" co-star Elijah Kelley (in the role of the Scarecrow), singer-songwriter-actor Ne-Yo (as the Tin Man) and Oscar-winning songwriter and actor Common, who will play the Gatekeeper to Emerald City.

    Previously announced cast members in the musical production, airing live Dec. 3, include Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, David Alan Grier, Uzo Aduba, Amber Riley, Stephanie Mills and Shanice Williams as Dorothy.

    Greenblatt also had two words on whether Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump would ever return as host of "The Celebrity Apprentice": "Absolutely not."

    Greenblatt said the show will not be back next season, but will return in the future with a new host. He didn't speculate on whom that host might be, but said, "We're obviously looking for a host who will make noise and is a big personality."

    Tags:Jimmy FallonNBCThe Tonight Show



    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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