In this Feb. 17, 2016 file photo, Jennifer Hudson attends the Michael Kors 2016 show during Fashion Week in New York. Hudson and Harvey Fierstein will headline the cast of NBC’s “Hairspray Live!” (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)
LOS ANGELES (AP) --
Broadway performers Ephraim Sykes and Shahadi Wright Joseph are joining the cast of NBC's "Hairspray Live!"
Sykes, an original company member with the hit musical "Hamilton," will play Seaweed J. Stubbs in "Hairspray Live!"
Wright Joseph will play Seaweed's sister, Little Inez, NBC said Wednesday. The actress' credits include the musicals "The Lion King" and "School of Rock."
Previously announced cast members for "Hairspray Live!" include Harvey Fierstein, Jennifer Hudson and Ariana Grande.
The Walt Disney Co. logo appears on a screen above the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Aug. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
Disney's Hulu + Live TV and sports streaming service Fubo are combining in a deal that will also see the settlement of a lawsuit against the creation of Venu Sports.
Fubo and Hulu + Live TV both allow customers to stream live broadcast and cable networks on their connected TVs, mobile phones, tablets, and other internet-connected devices.
The combined company, which Disney will have a 70% stake in, will operate under Fubo's publicly traded company name and be led by Fubo's existing management team. Fubo and Hulu + Live TV have a combined 6.2 million North American subscribers.
Fubo and Hulu + Live TV will still be available to consumers as separate offerings once the transaction closes.
"This combination enables us to deliver on our promise to provide consumers with greater choice and flexibility," Fubo CEO David Gandler said in a statement. "Additionally, this agreement allows us to scale effectively, strengthens Fubo's balance sheet and positions us for positive cash flow."
Disney has committed to a $145 million term loan to Fubo in 2026. There's also a $130 million termination fee payable to Fubo under certain circumstances.
Disney said it will also enter into a new deal with Fubo that will allow Fubo to create a new sports and broadcast service that features Disney's sports and broadcast networks including ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS and ESPN+.
The companies said that Fubo has settled all litigation with Disney and ESPN related to Venu Sports, the sports streaming platform that was planned by ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery. Fubo has also settled all litigation with Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery.
In August a federal judge granted Fubo's motion for a preliminary injunction against... Read More
