This image released by Sony Pictures Classics shows Isabelle Huppert in a scene from, "Elle" directed by Paul Verhoeven, who was just named jury president at the Berlin International Film Festival. (Guy Ferrandis/Sony Pictures Classics via AP)
BERLIN (AP) --
Paul Verhoeven has been named to serve as president of the jury at the Berlin International Film Festival in February.
The Dutch director was nominated for an Oscar with his 1973 film "Turkish Delight" and a Golden Globe for 1977's "Soldier of Orange."
After moving to Hollywood, Verhoeven made blockbusters such as "RoboCop," ''Total Recall' and "Basic Instinct."
The 78-year-old returned to moviemaking this year after a lengthy break with "Elle," starring Isabelle Huppert.
The Berlinale – the first of the year's major European film festivals – runs from Feb. 9 to Feb. 18.
The festival didn't specify Friday who else will serve on the 2017 jury. This year's jury was led by Meryl Streep.
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
