Hollywood
Sony Pictures Home Ent. & Transmission Films ink distribution deal
MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) and Transmission Films have inked a multi-year distribution agreement for Transmission’s film library and future new release slate.
Beginning 1 October, 2015, SPHE will distribute Transmission’s titles on both physical and digital formats for the home entertainment market in Australia (through its joint venture, Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Australia Pty Limited) and in New Zealand.
Transmission’s future new release slate includes Todd Haynes’ Carol starring Cate Blanchett, Sufferagette starring Carey Mulligan and Meryl Streep, Sundance Film Festival hit Brooklyn and Martin Scorsese’s Silence starring Liam Neeson and Adam Garfield.
“The Transmission release schedule reflects an exciting growth phase with very high profile quality commercial theatrical releases, and quality independent and straight to DVD titles, that will complement the SPHE product portfolio, giving us a tremendous foundation for building Transmission. We’re incredibly excited about building our business alongside the entire SPHE team,” said Transmission Films joint managing directors Richard Payten and Andrew Mackie.
Transmission Films head of home media Daniel Greentree added, “As Transmission has grown as a business, we’ve built a catalogue that reflects our love of film – from quality theatrical, to family favourites, gripping action and intriguing arthouse. I’m really excited to see our next chapter unfold as we work with SPHE, who has championed a diverse range of titles and genres, to continue delivering the Transmission story into people’s homes.”
“We are pleased to enter into partnership with the team at Transmission Films. This collaboration fits very much into our strategy to continue to grow and leverage our distribution strength worldwide,” said Sony Pictures Home Entertainment president Man Jit Singh.
Other upcoming Transmission titles to flow through the SPHE distribution deal include productions from sister company See-Saw Films, including Mr. Holmes starring Ian McKellan and Laura Linney, extraordinary true storyLion (starring Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman), Anton Corbijn’s Life starring Robert Pattinson and Dane Dehaan, and Justin Kurzel’s Cannes-selectedMacbeth starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard.
Hollywood
David Zaslav could net up to $887m as Warner Bros Discovery sells up
Media mogul strikes gold as Paramount Skydance deal triggers massive windfall
NEW YORK: While the average office worker might hope for a nice clock and a round of applause upon leaving, David Zaslav is looking at a slightly more substantial parting gift. The chief executive officer of Warner Bros Discovery is positioned to receive a windfall of up to $887 million following the company’s blockbuster $110 billion sale to Paramount Skydance.
In a twist of corporate fate that feels scripted for the big screen, the deal marks the finale of a high-stakes bidding war. It comes after Netflix, once the frontrunner, decided to exit stage left and abandon its pursuit of the HBO Max parent company.
While most people receive a standard final paycheck, the filing released on Monday suggests Zaslav’s exit package is built a little differently. If the deal closes as expected in the third quarter of 2026, the numbers break down like this:
The cash out: A severance package of $34.2 million, covering his salary and bonuses.
The equity: $115.8 million in vested shares he already owns.
The future fortune: A massive $517.2 million in unvested share awards, essentially “future stock” that turns into real money the moment the ink dries on the merger.
Perhaps the most eye-catching figure is the $335 million earmarked for tax reimbursements. However, this particular pot of gold has an expiration date.
The company noted that these reimbursements are tied to specific tax-code rules that significantly decline as time passes. If the deal hits a snag and drags into 2027, that tax payout drops to zero. With hundreds of millions on the line, the chief executive officer likely has every incentive to ensure the closing process moves at double-speed.
