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    German cinematographer Michael Ballhaus dies at 81 

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    In this Feb. 18, 2016 file photo German cinematographer Michael Ballhaus shows the Honorary Golden Bear after being awarded for his lifetime achievement during the awarding ceremony at the 2016 Berlinale Film Festival in Berlin, Germany. (AP Photo/Axel Schmidt, file)
    BERLIN (AP) --

    The publisher of German cinematographer Michael Ballhaus, who worked with Martin Scorsese on "Gangs of New York," ''Goodfellas" and "The Departed," says Ballhaus has died. He was 81.

    Publishing house DVA, which cited Ballhaus' family, said in a statement Wednesday that he died overnight at his Berlin apartment after a short illness.

    Ballhaus spent four decades behind the camera. Besides Scorsese, he worked with the late Rainer Werner Fassbinder and other German directors, including Volker Schloendorff.

    His other credits included "The Fabulous Baker Boys," "Broadcast News," ''Working Girl" and "Quiz Show."

    Publisher Thomas Rathnow described Ballhaus on Wednesday as "more than a cameraman."

    Rathnow says: "He was an artist who created unforgettable pictures in numerous films and in cooperation with the best directors of our time."

    Tags:Gangs of New YorkGoodFellasMartin ScorseseMichael Ballhaus



    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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