Global Showbiz Briefs: Fox Sports Challenging World Cup Date?; Jailed Filmmaker In Hunger Strike In Egypt; More
Fox Sports Opposes Proposed Move Of 2022 World Cup Dates
Fox Sports is reportedly balking at a potential move by World Cup soccer governing body FIFA to switch the dates of the 2022 championships in Qatar. Fox paid a record $425M for U.S. broadcast rights to the 2018-2022 World Cup package and, according to Bloomberg sources, is concerned that moving the competition would clash with NFL games. FIFA is discussing a proposal to shift the Qatar games due to extremely high temperatures — as much as 122° Fahrenheit — in the Qatari summer that could adversely affect players.
“FIFA has informed us that they are considering and voting on moving the 2022 World Cup,” Fox said in a statement to Bloomberg. “Fox Sports bought the World Cup rights with the understanding they would be in the summer as they have been since the 1930s.” FIFA responded, “The matter of the timing of the 2022 FIFA World Cup will be discussed in various ad hoc committees as well as the FIFA Executive Committee, and until these meetings have taken place, FIFA is in no position to make any further comments.” Fox is not alone in its concerns. The English Premier League also opposes a date change since it would force changes to European soccer timetables as the national World Cup teams are made up of players who, in many cases, make their daily living with clubs outside their home countries.
Jailed Canadian Filmmaker And Colleague Begin Hunger Strike
Canadian filmmaker John Greyson, and Tarek Loubani, who have been held without charges in a Cairo jail for more than a month, have informed friends and supporters through their Egyptian lawyers that they have begun a hunger strike. Greyson and Loubani were en route to Gaza when they stopped to ask directions from Egyptian police and were jailed. According to new emergency measures put in place in Egypt. Greyson and Loubani’s detention could be extended up to two years without formal charges.
Tandem Communications Makes Three New Hires
StudioCanal-owned Tandem Communications is staffing up as part of its ongoing growth and expansion in the development, production and distribution of original programming. Ben Stoll has been appointed Director of Development, Mitch Zamarin has been named Press & PR Manager, and Marcos Eberle is now Deliveries & Logistics Manager. Tandem’s first drama series, Crossing Lines, starts principal photography on Season 2 this month. The company also recently partnered with Lionsgate to develop and produce one-hour drama series including Sex, Lies And Handwriting. Tandem says the new hires are intended to keep pace with a strategy to increase program output and better serve client needs. Stoll was most recently a development exec at the UK’s Channel 4; Zamarin most recently headed public relations in Los Angeles for Moonscoop France and U.S.; Eberle joins with an extensive background and knowledge in electronic media.
‘Low Winter Sun’ Coming To Europe And Asia
AMC/Sundance Channel Global, the international division of AMC Networks, will premiere Low Winter Sun for Sundance Channel in Europe and Asia. The Detroit-set crime drama starring Lennie James, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Athena Karkanis and James Ransome is a co-production between AMC Studios and Endemol Studios, based on the UK series. Low Winter Sun airs on AMC in the U.S.
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