Hollywood
Relativity Media gets $100 million in new funding
MUMBAI: It seems as if the financial woes of the Ryan Kavanaugh-led Relativity Media LLC might just be over. The company has claimed to have successfully completed new financing commitments in excess of $100 million, in anticipation of its emergence from chapter 11 in February.
The new financing includes more than $100 million in additional commitments from current investors including Macquarie Bank; Joseph Nicholas and Kavanaugh, Atorus Investment Management LLC chief investment officer Carey Metz and new investors such as TomorrowVentures and Carat Global as well as VII Peaks Capital.
The new financing is separate from the approximately $180 million in Relativity senior debt acquired by Kavanaugh and Nicholas during the course of the company’s chapter 11 process, however it is anticipated that this debt will be converted pursuant to the plan of re-organisation.
This financing is in addition to the post emergence ultimate facility, an asset backed facility being syndicated by GHL & Company and Aperture Media Partners.
In addition, since Carat Global has agreed to extend credit to Relativity for its P&A capital, Relativity’s debt need is much less than expected.
“With the total financing commitments now successfully in place, we remain focused on emerging from chapter 11 and moving forward with our robust slate of films and our continued evolution as a 360 degree content engine,” said Kavanaugh.
Kavanaugh and Nicholas, will be co-managers of Relativity’s parent company, Relativity Holdings, with a robust management and finance team to oversee the 360 vertical from film and television to branding, sports, digital and Relativity Education.
As was reported by Indiantelevision.com, earlier this month, Relativity acquired Kevin Spacey and Dana Brunetti’s entertainment production company Trigger Street Productions. At Relativity, Spacey will become chairman of RelativityStudios and Brunetti will become president of Relativity Studios where they will oversee all film and television operations.
Hollywood
Disney sells out ad slots for 98th Oscars broadcast
Strong demand for live events turns the Academy Awards into a global, multi-platform marketing moment
NEW YORK: Hollywood’s biggest night has also become one of advertising’s hottest tickets. Disney has sold out all advertising inventory for the 98th Oscars, underscoring the growing demand from brands eager to ride the cultural wave of major live events.
The sell-out marks the sixth consecutive live tentpole success for Disney Advertising. The streak includes last year’s 97th Oscars, the 59th Annual CMA Awards, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, signalling strong appetite among marketers for moments that bring audiences together in real time.
For advertisers, the Oscars are no longer just a single night of glitz and gold statues. Disney’s “Content Everywhere” strategy has expanded the awards show into a sprawling, multi-platform brand playground spanning linear television, streaming, social media and digital content.
“Live continues to be one of the most powerful ways for brands to connect with engaged audiences at scale, and the Oscars represent the very best of culture, creativity and community,” said Disney Advertising SVP, entertainment and streaming solutions John Campbell. He added that the company has reshaped the show’s commercial potential into a connected experience that stretches well beyond the broadcast.
Brands such as Mazda, Pfizer and Volkswagen of America are tapping into Disney’s wider ecosystem, appearing across original content segments including Know Your Movies on Hulu and Critically Acclaimed on Disney+. Partnerships also extend to social media through TikTok Pulse Premiere and to custom brand storytelling created by Disney CreativeWorks.
The result is what Disney calls the “Oscars Everywhere” approach. Rather than a few high-profile ad breaks, advertisers now find themselves woven through a series of moments before, during and after the ceremony.
These include On The Red Carpet at The Oscars, a live pre-show syndicated across major local markets and streamed nationwide, and the After the Oscars Show, which keeps the conversation going once the final award has been handed out.
This year’s sponsors include Rolex, returning for its ninth year, and Burger King, which joins the Oscars advertiser roster for the first time. Other brands in the mix include Disney Cruise Line, Dunkin’, Eli Lilly and Company, Eucerin, Intuit TurboTax, L’Oréal, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Miebo, Paris Baguette, Peacock, Starbucks, State Farm, Toyota and Verizon.
The 98th Oscars will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, reaching audiences in more than 200 territories worldwide.
