In this Nov. 22, 2015, file photo, from left, Chrissie Fit, Rebel Wilson, and Anna Kendrick, from the cast of "Pitch Perfect 2," accept the award for top soundtrack at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File)
LOS ANGELES (AP) --
"Step Up All In" director Trish Sie is stepping up to direct "Pitch Perfect 3." Producer and "Pitch Perfect 2" director Elizabeth Banks tweeted the news Thursday.
Banks, who has produced the "Pitch Perfect" films since the beginning, in addition to playing a small part in the a cappella series, was originally slated to direct the third installment after the latest performed so well at the box office. Earlier this year Banks backed away from the role.
Sie has a background in music and dance and is also known for her innovative music videos, including the Grammy-winning video for OK Go's "Here It Goes Again." She is also handled by Bob Industries for commercials and branded content.
Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson will reprise their roles in "Pitch Perfect 3," which Universal Pictures has slated for release in December 2017.
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
