Hollywood
Benedict Cumberbatch to receive Variety Award
NEW DELHI: Renowned British actor Benedict Cumberbatch will receive The Variety Award the Moet British Independent Film Awards at the ceremony on 7 December at Old Billingsgate.
The recipient of The Variety Award was announced today by Johanna von Fischer and Tessa Collinson, joint Directors.
The Variety Award recognises a director, actor, writer or producer who has helped to bring the international spotlight on the UK. The Variety Award was bestowed upon Paul Greengrass last year and has previously been awarded to Jude Law, Kenneth Branagh, Liam Neeson, Sir Michael Caine, Daniel Craig, Dame Helen Mirren and Richard Curtis to name a few.
The news coincides with the release of his latest film, The Imitation Game which is nominated for four Moet British Independent Film Awards: Best British Independent Film, Best Screenplay for Graham Moore; Best Actress for Keira Knightley and Best Actor for Benedict Cumberbatch.
Cumberbatch commented: “I am delighted to receive this prestigious award and would like to thank Variety and The Moet British Independent Film Awards for this incredible honour. It is made even more special by the recognition of The Imitation Game in this year’s nominations, a film I am very proud to be a part of.”
Cumberbatch is best known for playing the title role of Sherlock Holmes in Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss’ stunning adaption of the Conan Doyle books. It is a role that has earned him international acclaim and several awards including an Emmy as Best Actor in 2014.
Benedict is currently filming The Hollow Crown II for BBC and Neal Street Productions, in which he plays the legendary Richard III for director Dominic Cooper and alongside Dame Judi Dench.
Now in its 17th year, the Awards were created by Raindance in 1998 and set out to celebrate merit and achievement in independently funded British filmmaking, to honour new talent, and to promote British films and filmmaking to a wider public.
Previous winners of the prestigious Best British Independent Film Award include Slumdog Millionaire.
Hollywood
Paramount raises bid for Warner Bros Discovery
Higher offer challenges Netflix’s $82.7bn deal; Paramount targets full company at improved terms on 24 February 2026.
MUMBAI: Hollywood’s blockbuster bidding war just got a sequel because when studios are the prize, even the richest players keep upping the ante. Paramount Skydance has submitted a sweetened bid for Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on 24 February 2026, intensifying efforts to derail Netflix’s proposed acquisition of the HBO Max owner. The new offer improves on Paramount’s earlier $108.4 billion ($30 per share) proposal for the entire company, addressing Warner Bros’ concerns over financing certainty.
Netflix’s cash offer of $27.75 per share ($82.7 billion) for the studios and streaming assets allows it to match any superior bid. Warner Bros had rejected Paramount’s previous enhanced proposal, which included covering Netflix’s $2.8 billion termination fee and a 25-cent quarterly “ticking fee” from next year to compensate shareholders for delays. The board gave Paramount until 23 February to submit its “best and final” offer.
MoffettNathanson analysts earlier suggested a Paramount bid around $34 per share could end the contest by settling debates over Discovery Global’s value. Warner Bros plans to spin off cable assets (CNN, HGTV) into Discovery Global, estimated at $1.33 to $6.86 per share, arguing the move gives the remaining company greater flexibility. Netflix claims its offer provides shareholders upside from the spinoff; Paramount has dismissed the cable business as “effectively worthless”.
The saga escalated after activist investor Ancora Capital built a roughly $200 million stake in Warner Bros, accusing the board of failing to engage properly with Paramount and threatening to vote against the Netflix deal at the 20 March shareholder meeting.
Paramount shares rose 1.3 per cent to $10.70 in extended trading. The outcome now hinges on Warner Bros shareholders, antitrust scrutiny in the US, EU, and UK, and bipartisan lawmaker concerns over market dominance. A Paramount win would create a studio larger than Disney and merge two major TV operators, Netflix’s victory would forge the biggest global streamer with nearly half a billion subscribers.
With Ted Sarandos confident in regulatory approval and Paramount claiming a clearer path, this clash isn’t just about price, it’s about who gets to write Hollywood’s next chapter in the streaming era. The popcorn’s ready; the credits haven’t rolled yet.
