English Entertainment
National Geographic introduces new programming block ‘Case Files’ with Sharad Kelkar
Mumbai: National Geographic dives deeper into investigative genre with a new programming block called “Case Files” with actor and presenter Sharad Kelkar. This block premieres on 8 November and brings intriguing narratives of real investigations around the world. The segment will air every Monday to Friday starting at 8 p.m.
The programming includes “Air Crash Investigations,” “Banged Up Abroad,” “Airport Security,” “To Catch A Smuggler,” along with new series such as “Undercover Asia & Crime Science,” host Sharad Kelkar will set up the tone and conclude every episode.
“At National Geographic, we bring compelling and engaging narratives; drawing audiences in with our authentic and factual storytelling,” said a spokesperson from National Geographic. “The series in this genre have been enjoying a loyal fan-base on our channel and with this destination, we thought of introducing a new generation of fans to this genre while bringing in a fresh perspective for the already engaged viewers. We are really happy to have Sharad Kelkar, who with his powerful voice and presence, will take the viewers on an all-immersive journey of fascinating and gripping stories.”
‘I am a huge fan of National Geographic and the manner in which they have been presenting these stories,” said Sharad Kelkar. “With Case Files, there was an opportunity for me to take the viewers through true and real crime mysteries in my own style.”
Air Crash Investigation –The show recounts air crashes, near crashes, fires, hijackings, bombings, and other mainly flight related disasters and crises. It also reveals the events that led to each crisis or disaster, their causes as determined by the official investigating body or bodies, and the measures they recommended to prevent a similar incident from happening again.
Undercover Asia – This award-winning investigative series exposes the secret criminal underbelly of Asia. Within depth, undercover reporting, National Geographic explores gripping stories of crime, violence and injustice across the world’s largest continent. From cybercrime masterminded in North Korea to document forgers in Thailand; from fake degree scams in Pakistan to private detectives in China the cases are intriguing also because they uncover aspects of society usually kept undercover.
Crime Science – This award-winning series explores how cutting-edge technology can help prevent, solve and reduce crime. From digital detectives and VR police training to hi tech forensic murder investigations, the episode reveals the future of law enforcement
Banged Up Abroad – This series features the real story of people who have been arrested while travelling abroad. Through a dramatic reconstruction, the convicted or captured are shown talking about their experiences, combined with dramatic re-enactments of their respective experiences.
To Catch a Smuggler and Airport Security – The show follows a day in the life of airport security teams in some of the busiest International Airport s in the world across in Bogota, Colombia, Lima, Peru, Rome, Italy, Madrid, Spain, and New York, USA. The episode goes beyond the busts because the story of trafficking is not just one of law enforcement; it’s also about human drama.
English Entertainment
Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders approve Paramount deal
Investors wave through a $111 billion megamerger but deliver a stinging, if toothless, rebuke over half-a-billion-dollar goodbye packages
NEW YORK: The shareholders said yes to the deal. They said no to the cheque. At a virtual special meeting on Thursday that lasted barely ten minutes, Warner Bros. Discovery investors voted overwhelmingly to approve Paramount Skydance’s $111 billion acquisition of the company — and then turned around and voted against the lavish exit pay packages lined up for chief executive David Zaslav and his fellow outgoing executives.
Not that it will make much difference. The compensation vote is purely advisory and non-binding. The Warner Bros. Discovery board can, and almost certainly will, pay out as planned.
But the symbolism stings. It is the second consecutive year that WBD shareholders have voted against the executive compensation packages, and this time they had good reason. Zaslav’s exit deal is, by any measure, extraordinary. Under the terms filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, he is set to receive $34.2 million in cash severance, $517.2 million in equity in the combined company, and $44,195 in continued health coverage — a total of at least $550 million. On top of that, Warner Bros. Discovery has agreed to reimburse Zaslav up to $335 million for taxes assessed by the Internal Revenue Service on his accelerated stock vesting, though the company says that figure will decline depending on when the deal closes. As of March 11, Zaslav also held $115.85 million in vested WBD stock awards — and last month sold a further $114 million worth of WBD shares.
Shareholder advisory firm ISS recommended voting against the compensation measure, citing “problematic” tax reimbursements to Zaslav and the full vesting of his stock awards.
Zaslav will be bound by a two-year non-competition covenant and a two-year non-solicitation of customers and employees after the deal closes.
His lieutenants are not walking away empty-handed either. J.B. Perrette, chief executive and president of global streaming and games, is in line for $142 million, comprising $18.2 million in cash severance and $123.9 million in equity. Bruce Campbell, chief revenue and strategy officer, will receive an estimated $121.5 million, including $18.8 million in severance and $102.7 million in equity. Chief financial officer Gunnar Wiedenfels is set for $120 million, made up of $6.6 million in cash severance and $113.1 million in equity. Gerhard Zeiler, president of international, will get $82.6 million, including $11.9 million in severance and $70.7 million in equity.
The deal itself, clinched in February after Netflix declined to raise its bid for Warner Bros., still needs regulatory clearance from the Justice Department and European authorities. Several state attorneys general are also weighing legal action to block it.
Senator Elizabeth Warren, Democrat of Massachusetts, was unsparing. “The Paramount-Warner Bros. merger isn’t a done deal,” she said after the shareholder vote. “State attorneys general across the country are stepping up to stop this antitrust disaster. We need to keep up this fight.”
If it does go through, the combined entity would be a formidable beast, bringing together Paramount Skydance’s stable — CBS, CBS News, Paramount Pictures, Paramount+, BET, MTV and Nickelodeon — with WBD’s portfolio of HBO, Max, Warner Bros. film and TV studios, DC, CNN, TBS, TNT, HGTV and Discovery+. Paramount has said it expects $6 billion in cost savings from the merger, which is Wall Street shorthand for mass layoffs on a significant scale.
The ten-minute meeting was presided over by chairman Samuel Di Piazza Jr., with Zaslav, Campbell, Wiedenfels and chief communications officer Robert Gibbs in virtual attendance. Di Piazza was bullish. “We appreciate the support and confidence our stockholders have placed in us to unlock the full value of our world-class entertainment portfolio,” he said. “With Paramount, we look forward to creating an exceptional combined company that will expand consumer choice and benefit the global creative talent community.”
Zaslav echoed the sentiment. “Over the past four years, our teams have transformed Warner Bros. Discovery and returned the company to industry leadership,” he said. “Today’s stockholder approval is another key milestone toward completing this historic transaction that will deliver exceptional value to our stockholders.”
Paramount Skydance struck a similar note. “Shareholder approval marks another important milestone towards completing our acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery,” it said in a statement, adding that it looked forward to “closing the transaction in the coming months.”
The shareholders have spoken on the merger. On the pay, they were ignored before the vote was even counted.
