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Disney+ Hotstar to stream UK show featuring David Beckham on 9 November
Mumbai: OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar has debuted the official trailer for the UK original series, Save Our Squad with David Beckham. The series is set to premiere exclusively on Wednesday, 9 November at Disney+ Hotstar. The announcement was accompanied by four new images from the series.
It is co-produced by Bafta and RTS Award-winning production company Twenty Twenty, and Studio 99, the global content and production studio co-founded by Beckham. Save Our Squad with David Beckham is a series that sees David Beckham return to his East London roots to mentor Westward Boys, a young, grassroots team who are at the bottom of their league, facing relegation. However, this isn’t just any league… This is the same league that Beckham played in as a young boy. Working with the head coaches, he’ll try to turn the team’s fortunes around.
Beckham mentors the young squad, sharing stories from his own playing career, which spanned over 20 years and saw him play for some of the most successful clubs in the world, to help them learn valuable lessons about practice, ambition, and teamwork. Off the pitch, Beckham gets the chance to spend time with players and their families, learning about their lives, hopes and concerns and talking to them about the importance of collaboration, work ethic and community.
In the trailer, we see the first time the squad meets David Beckham, with one member of the team quizzing him on missed penalties. For David, this role is about giving back, as we see him mentor the boys, give them inspiring team talks, and even get his boots back on to try to score a trademark Beckham free kick against our young team.
Save Our Squad with David Beckham builds on the company’s commitment to source, develop, and produce original productions. Disney’s International Content and Operations team plans to create 60 local productions in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa alone by 2024 as it continues to collaborate with outstanding creators and premium producers.
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Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square makes $64 billion bid to acquire Universal Music Group
Ackman pitches NYSE relisting plan as UMG board weighs unsolicited offer
The hedge fund has proposed a business combination that values UMG at €30.40 per share, representing a hefty 78 per cent premium to its current trading price. The offer includes €9.4 billion in cash alongside stock in a newly formed entity, with shareholders set to receive €5.05 per share in cash and 0.77 shares in the new company for each UMG share they hold.
Under the proposal, UMG would merge with Pershing Square SPARC Holdings Ltd and re-emerge as a Nevada-based entity listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The move is designed to boost investor visibility and potentially secure inclusion in major indices such as the S&P 500.
Pershing Square Capital Management ceo Bill Ackman argued that while UMG’s operational performance remains strong, its market valuation has lagged due to external factors. “UMG’s stock price has languished due to a combination of issues that are unrelated to the performance of its music business,” Ackman said, pointing to concerns ranging from shareholder overhang to delayed US listing plans.
Ackman also flagged what he sees as untapped potential in UMG’s balance sheet and a lack of clear capital allocation strategy. He added that the market has not fully recognised the value of UMG’s €2.7 billion stake in Spotify, alongside gaps in investor communication.
The proposed transaction would also result in the cancellation of around 17 per cent of UMG’s outstanding shares, while maintaining its investment-grade balance sheet. Pershing Square has said it will fully backstop the equity financing, with debt commitments secured at signing. The deal is targeted for completion by the end of the year.
UMG, however, has struck a measured tone. The company confirmed that its board has received the non-binding proposal and will review it with advisers. It reiterated confidence in its current strategy and leadership under Lucian Grainge, signalling no immediate shift in stance.
The proposal comes at a time when global music companies are navigating evolving investor expectations, streaming economics and capital allocation pressures. For Pershing Square, the bet is clear: sharpen the financial story, relist in the US, and let the music play louder in the markets.
Whether UMG’s board is ready to change the tune remains to be seen, but the spotlight on its valuation just got a lot brighter.
