Movies
Asianet Movies launches on Singapore’s StarHub TV
MUMBAI: Malayalam movie channel Asianet Movies has launched on Singapore’s StarHub TV platform.
Asianet Movies (StarHub TV channel 140), along with Malayalam general entertainment channel Asianet (StarHub TV channel 139) will form the new Nidhi Pack on the platform, which is available for a monthly subscription of $16.05.
Asianet Movies, which carries over 1,000 titles, will showcase some latest movies like Ennum Eppozhum, Aadu Oru Beekara Jeeviyalla and Immanuel amongst others.
“When StarHub launched Asianet some years back, local Malayalee households were able to enjoy quality content in their language on a dedicated channel. Today, we are pleased to enhance their viewing entertainment with the introduction of Asianet Movies,” said StarHub media business unit head Lee Soo Hui.
“We are extremely pleased and excited to strengthen our offerings on StarHub TV with the launch of Asianet Movies, India’s first 24-hour Malayalam movie channel. The channel showcases the best of Malayalam movies and we are confident that the Malayalee Diaspora in Singapore will be excited by this addition,” said Asianet senior vice president Reghu Ramachandran.
Additionally, to coincide with the Indian festival of Diwali, StarHub is offering both new and existing subscribers a 50 per cent discount for three months when they sign up for the Nidhi Pack between 29 October and 28 December.
StarHub will offer a free preview of Asianet Movies from 9 am on 23 October to 12 pm on 16 November.
Hollywood
Paramount Skydance secures financing for Warner Bros Discovery deal
Debt syndication and new loans push $111 billion merger closer to close
WASHINGTON: Paramount Skydance has taken a major step towards its planned acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, securing fresh financing and completing the syndication of its bridge loan facility.
In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company confirmed that the bridge facility has now been distributed among a group of 18 banks, reducing total commitments to $49 billion from an earlier $54 billion. The move spreads risk across lenders and signals growing confidence in one of the year’s largest media deals.
Alongside this, the company has finalised permanent financing arrangements, including $5 billion in senior term loans and a $5 billion revolving credit facility. A previously planned $3.5 billion credit line has been dropped as part of the restructuring.
The loans are secured against key assets, including Paramount Global, Skydance Media and Warner Bros post-merger, underlining the scale and complexity of the transaction.
The financing push follows a competitive bidding process earlier this year, which saw interest from players such as Netflix before Paramount Skydance emerged as the frontrunner. The deal, valued at $111 billion, is expected to close in the third quarter, subject to regulatory approvals.
Adding to the momentum, the company has also secured significant equity backing, including investments from Middle Eastern funds, with support from billionaire Larry Ellison, who has guaranteed the equity portion of the transaction.
Commenting on the development, Paramount Skydance chief strategy officer Andy Gordon said, “Our successful debt syndication and new debt facilities represent another important milestone towards the completion of our acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery.”
Once completed, the combined entity is expected to carry net debt of just under $80 billion, reflecting the sheer scale of the merger.
As Hollywood continues to consolidate in the streaming era, this deal could reshape the competitive landscape, with Paramount Skydance betting big on scale, content and financial muscle to take on global rivals.
