Fiction
Hallmark’s ‘con’ with innovation continues
MUMBAI: It may have failed to make a dent in India on the ratings front. However that is not stopping Hallmark from innovation as far as introducing new specials is concerned.
Earlier this month it had announced its show Child Of Our Time. The show tracks a generation of British babies for the next 20 years. Now it will take a completely different path with its new series Hustle.
The show which deals with con men trying to score will air every Tuesday at 8 pm from 1 February. Fans of the caper film Oceans 11 may want to check out this series. The crime series deals with a group of ‘long con’ artists, lead by the recently out of jail master, Mickey Stone.
They get together to make quick bucks by scamming the wealthy out of all they’ve got. A shares scam, the arts world, a health spare and a casino will be targeted by these criminals. The show has been shot in a very stylish manner. There are funky moments when the action slows down and the characters talk to the camera.
Since the criminals target the rich and greedy the viewer is encouraged to join in the fun. However not all their best laid plans always go as they expect them to. In the UK, the British show was hyped up in a big way before it went on air last year on BBC One. There were lots of trailer activities as well as ads on television, print and radio.
Talking about the different characters Hustle’s script editor Karen Wilson said, “Stone is in a class all his own. He is out of prison, and keen to get back in the game. His old team-mates have been busy while he’s been inside. Ash has been doing the flop, Stacie the dip and Albert’s just continued being Albert.
“However Stone wants them back together. This will be his last score before he retires. So it’s important he has the right team. This crew is not about conning little old ladies out of their pension – they’re strictly major league.”
Fiction
Paramount taps Pentwater Capital’s Halbower in push to reshape Warner Bros board
Skydance-backed bid eyes board shake-up to derail Netflix deal and win shareholder support
CALIFORNIA: The battle for control of Warner Bros. Discovery has moved beyond takeover talks and into the boardroom, as Paramount Global and Skydance Media reportedly prepare for a proxy fight. At the center of the push is Pentwater Capital founder Matthew Halbower, whose potential nomination to the board could reshape the outcome of the high-stakes standoff.
Paramount is seeking to block Warner Bros. Discovery’s proposed tie-up with Netflix, arguing that its own $108.4 billion all-cash offer represents a stronger alternative for shareholders. By backing a new slate of directors, the Skydance-backed bidder aims to install leadership more receptive to its proposal — and willing to abandon the Netflix agreement.
As the seventh-largest investor in Warner Bros. Discovery, Halbower wields considerable influence. The Pentwater Capital chief has already voiced sharp criticism of the board, accusing it earlier this year of a “breach of fiduciary duty” for rejecting Paramount’s offer without what he described as adequate engagement.
According to Reuters, Halbower has held discussions with Paramount about a potential board role, though no final decision has been confirmed. He reportedly characterized his candidacy as a last resort, suggesting that if the current board meaningfully negotiates with Paramount, his presence would not be required.
In a bid to strengthen its appeal to shareholders, Paramount Global has enhanced its takeover proposal with added financial safeguards. The revised offer includes a delay-protection clause that would grant shareholders an additional $650 million in cash for every quarter the transaction remains incomplete beyond this year. Paramount has also pledged to absorb the $2.8 billion breakup fee that Warner Bros. Discovery would owe Netflix if it terminates its existing agreement, removing a significant financial obstacle to the deal.
Paramount is not alone in challenging the status quo. Hedge fund Ancora Holdings has also accumulated a stake in Warner Bros. Discovery and publicly opposed the Netflix deal.
With reports suggesting Paramount could nominate enough directors to overturn a majority of the company’s 14-member board, Warner Bros. Discovery’s leadership now faces mounting pressure from influential shareholders. The outcome of this proxy battle will determine whether the media giant proceeds with its streaming partnership or pivots toward a massive cash acquisition.
