Hollywood
Rod Stewart’s ‘Another Country’ to launch in October
MUMBAI: Rod Stewart’s much anticipated new album, Another Country, which is scheduled for release on 23 October via Capitol Records, will continue a prolific new chapter in Stewart’s storied career as one of rock’s most gifted storytellers.
With his singular voice, narrative songwriting and passionate live performances, Stewart has amassed sales of more than 200 million albums and singles worldwide. Throughout his career, he has bagged 18 Grammy nominations, and in 2007 was bestowed Commander of the British Empire (CBE) by the Queen of England.
“I’ve found that the only way to write songs is to be as personal and honest as possible,” said Stewart.
“When my last album was so well-received it gave me the confidence to keep on writing, and to examine and write about different things. It also gave me the freedom to experiment with different sounds – like reggae, ska and Celtic melodies,” the artist added.
Fans who pre-order the 12-song standard or 17-song deluxe album from digital retailers will instantly receive a download of Stewart’s first single “Love is”, along with an instant download of “In A Broken Dream,” the infamous 1968 Python Lee Jackson song featuring the vocals of a yet unknown Stewart. The video for “Love is” has been released on 30 June on Vevo and features Stewart and his band jamming on the roof of the iconic Capitol Records building in Hollywood, CA.
. “It seems like I’ve spent years of my life in a recording studio so being able to record this album at home, where most of the songs were written, felt so much more intimate and inspiring,” said Stewart on his collaboration Kevin Savigar, who co-produced the album and on his tryst with technology.
Hollywood
WBD sets April 23 vote on $110bn Paramount Skydance merger
Investor approval key step, but regulators loom over mega media deal
NEW YORK: Warner Bros. Discovery has set April 23 as the date for shareholders to vote on its proposed $110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance, marking a crucial step in one of the biggest media deals in recent years.
The all-cash transaction offers WBD shareholders $31 per share, a hefty 147 per cent premium to its unaffected stock price, signalling strong intent to push the deal across the finish line. The company’s board has unanimously backed the merger and is urging investors to vote in favour.
Even if shareholders give the green light, the deal is far from done. Regulators in the United States and Europe are expected to scrutinise the merger closely, weighing concerns around competition and potential price impacts for consumers.
To keep investors on side, WBD has built in a safety net. If the deal is not completed by September 30, shareholders will receive a quarterly “ticking fee” of $0.25 per share until closure.
The proposed merger would significantly reshape the media landscape, combining the assets of Warner Bros. Discovery with those linked to Paramount Global and Skydance Media. It would also cement the growing influence of David Ellison, who has been steering Skydance’s aggressive expansion strategy.
“The WBD Board has been guided by the singular principle of securing a transaction that maximises the value of our iconic assets and delivers as much certainty as possible to our shareholders,” said Warner Bros. Discovery board chair Samuel A. Di Piazza Jr.. “This historic transaction will expand consumer choice and create new opportunities for creative talent.”
Warner Bros. Discovery chief executive officer David Zaslav added that the company is working closely with its counterpart to close the deal and unlock value for stakeholders.
With investor backing likely but regulatory hurdles ahead, the proposed merger is shaping up to be a defining moment for the global entertainment industry, where scale, content and competition are increasingly intertwined.
