Lena Waithe: Why Change in Hollywood Must Be Mandated, Not Requested (Guest Column)

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorNetflix, in its second games-related acquisition, plans to buy Next Games, mobile games developer based in Finland, for $72 million.Founded in 2013, Next Games has created games based on popular entertainment franchises, including story-driven puzzle game “Stranger Things: Puzzle Tales” and two based on hit zombie series “The Walking Dead.”Helsinki-based Next Games had about 120 employees at the end of 2021 and reported sales of approximately €27.2 million ($30 million) in 2020 with 95% of revenues generated from in-game purchases.The deal comes less than six months after Netflix’s acquisition of Night School Studio, a game developer best known for its supernatural mystery adventure title “Oxenfree.” Netflix has launched a selection of games, starting with handful of mobile titles, as an extension to its core video-entertainment for no extra charge. “Next Games has a seasoned management team, strong track record with mobile games based on entertainment franchises, and solid operational capabilities,” said Michael Verdu, VP of games for Netflix, in a statement.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorStanley Tucci’s next trip to Italy will face a slight delay.CNN will bump the debuts of a handful of looming original documentary projects due to its ongoing coverage of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The second season of “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy,” will premiere on CNN later in the spring, as will the new series “Nomad with Carlton McCoy.” Meanwhile, the WarnerMedia network will push back the debut of “Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain” to Sunday March 13 at 9 p.m., a week later than its previously scheduled March 6 launch.The network has built a new business out of documentaries and docuseries, but it must balance those projects with the demands of the news cycle.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorThe media industry’s measurement wars are expanding beyond counting traditional video audiences.iSpot, the measurement company that figures prominently in plans by NBCUniversal and WarnerMedia to offer alternatives to Nielsen in the sector’s looming “upfront” marketplace, will acquire Tunity, an analytics company that analyzes consumer viewing habits in public locations nationwide, including restaurants, offices, bars and hotels.“We want to account for all viewing across all screens,” says Sean Muller, iSpot’s founder and CEO, in an interview. The Tunity acquisition, he says, could be “powerful, both for our advertising clients who invest heavily in tentpole events and programs that are consumed outside the home and for our media partners.” The companies did not disclose financial terms.Keeping track of so-called “out of home” audiences has become more critical to TV networks, who understand that significant chunks of viewership for news, sports and other live programming is often found outside a consumer’s main habitat.

Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle EditorLady Gaga may not have been nominated for an Oscar for her work in “House of Gucci,” but that doesn’t mean she won’t be busy the night of the big show.Gaga has signed on to co-host the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards viewing party alongside Billy Porter, Eric McCormack and David Furnish. The annual event returns as an in-person gala in West Hollywood Park on March 27.“Lady Gaga, Billy Porter and Eric McCormack are not only amazingly talented, but have greatly contributed to LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion in entertainment – both on screen and in music,” Furnish, who is chairman of the foundation, said in a statement Wednesday morning.

K.J. Yossman Alice Cabañas has been appointed the new head of the BFI Network.She will lead the network’s U.K.-wide talent development programme, overseeing management, funding, digital platforms and professional development programmes.Cabañas is joining as the BFI is developing a 10-year funding strategy in consultation with the industry and the public which will explore how best to use its funding to support new creatives in the screen sector.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentThe Venice Biennale, which is the multidisciplinary arts organization behind the Venice Film Festival, has announced that in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the fest plans to bar Russian delegations but not independent Russian filmmakers and their works.The Biennale “intends to express its full support to all the Ukrainian people and their artists,” the org said in a statement on Wednesday, announcing that it’s making every effort to ensure that, despite the war, Ukraine will be able to participate at the upcoming Biennale Art exhibition which kicks off in April with a national pavilion. As previously announced, Russia proactively pulled out of the art Biennale.

Two teenage boys have been arrested after being found with a huge 'zombie knife' and two stolen motorbikes.

A third world war would be 'nuclear and destructive', a Russian minister has warned.

Council bosses have agreed to compulsory purchase a derelict listed building and ‘major heritage asset’ in Oldham town centre which has been ‘left to rot’.

Dan Walker stepped in and apologised when a Ukrainian singer swore live on BBC Breakfast.

A court hearing about last year's deadly Astroworld music festival was held on Tuesday and featured discussions related to the issues of media publicity, a gag order and a concern over a lack diversity among attorneys representing those killed or injured. The hearing was the first time lawyers handling the nearly 500 lawsuits filed after 10 people died and hundreds of others were injured during a massive crowd surge at the Nov.

BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker was forced to apologise to viewers of the show when a Ukrainian guest swore at Russian President Vladimir Putin while live on air. Ukrainian singer Maria Burmaka joined Dan and his co-host Sally Nugent on the morning show to talk about the current situation, as Russia continues to attack Ukraine.

Katie Price's children Junior and Princess Andre are worried that their mum will marry fiancé Carl Woods on their current Thailand holiday without telling them.The 43 year old is currently on holiday with Carl, 33, where they are staying in a £64 a night hotel in Bangkok, and a source has told OK! online the pair are planning to get married on their trip.They then added that that Princess, 14, is "expecting them to go ahead with it this time" and she will only be told once they have tied the knot.They said: "Katie will FaceTime the kids to tell them when it's happened as she doesn't want either dads knowing her plans. Get exclusive celebrity stories and fabulous photoshoots straight to your inbox with OK!'s daily newsletter "Carl desperately wants Katie to become Mrs Woods and ditch the Price name.

Since announcing she’s expecting her first child with boyfriend A$AP Rocky, superstar Rihanna has been baring her bump almost every day in a stream of iconic maternity outfits. Over the past few weeks, the 34 year old has sported everything from gold body jewellery to plunging crop tops, ditching traditional maternity wear in favour of risque, stand-out pieces.

Charli XCX has responded to critics of her new single ‘Baby‘, saying that she’s unaffected by negative comments and is “living my best life”.The pop singer, who yesterday (March 1) released the latest cut from her forthcoming album ‘CRASH’, sent a series of tweets in which she addressed some poor reception to it.One fan called her “mother”, to which she said: “If u wanna throw around midlife crisis fucking throw it at me. I’m getting older, I’m getting hotter, my tits are stunning, I’m in great shape, I’m dancing, I’m progressing and I’m living my best life – and that the tea.”The fan in question had written: “These charli singles so far….

UNIMPRESSED Dancing On Ice viewers have slammed judges for 'overmarking' on the show. Venting their frustration on social media, fans raged: "It's clear they have favourites." Sunday's edition of the ITV competition saw former Strictly star Brendan Cole top the leader board with perfect tens all round from judges Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Oti Mabuse and Ashley Banjo.

SAM Faiers has finally bought her dream home – after spending £7,000 a month on rent. The 31-year-old and partner Paul, 33, have splashed £2 million on the property in Cobham, Surrey after renting in the area for two years.

LUCY Mecklenburgh has revealed her incredible home office transformation. Fitness pro Lucy wanted the office space, which doubles as her studio, to have a relaxed feel, and that's exactly what she's done.

“Wheel of Fortune” contestants sparked yet another online frenzy on Tuesday.

Wardrobe malfunctions happen to even the most seasoned celebs. On Tuesday, Salma Hayek took to Instagram to reveal that she had a wardrobe malfunction with Fran Drescher while making a trip to the bathroom during the 2022 Screen Actors Guild Awards Sunday night.

TOWIE has been thrown into chaos after a fall-out between Chloe Sims and Pete Wicks has threatened filming for the new series. Chloe, 40, raised eyebrows this week by unfollowing Pete, 33, on Instagram and removing all traces of him from her page.

TIPPING Point fans have been left open-mouthed after a contestant revealed a role on Hollyoaks - before getting a question about the soap wrong. Tuesday's edition of the ITV quiz show saw Denise play alongside three other contestants to try and secure as many tokens from the machine as possible.

To coincide with International Women’s Day next week, a new podcast celebrating women in music is set to launch.

Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse has been left horrified by clips of people being racially discriminated against at the Ukraine border.MORE: Strictly's Motsi Mabuse inundated with support after heartbreaking messageEarlier this week, heartbreaking footage showing African and Caribbean students being denied permission to cross over into Poland for safety went viral amid Russian's invasion of Ukraine.WATCH: Loose Women makes history with an all-black panelMotsi, who comes from South Africa and whose husband is Ukrainian, uploaded a video on social media showing black students trying to move close to the Polish border.MORE: Dan Walker forced to apologise after 'difficult' BBC Breakfast coverageDONATE NOW: What can you do to help Ukraine?"We're still stranded, we haven't eaten, no rest, we were just in the cold for six hours outside," the woman in the video is heard saying. "We've been begging, pushing, dragging, it's been so traumatic just to get into the border and we’re not able to get there."In the caption, Motsi expressed her disgust and said: "This is happening!!!! Can we talk about this!!!!!! Saving people according to their skin color!!!!! #AfricansinUkraine." [sic]A post shared by Motsi Mabuse (@motsimabuse)Motsi's husband is from UkraineThe tweet comes as Loose Women's Charlene White touched upon the subject on Tuesday's show.

DEALSJnr Choi has signed to Sony Music’s Epic and Black Butter labels, following last year’s independently released ‘SS21’ album.Concord Music Publishing has signed and acquired the full publishing catalogue of songwriter Josh Miller. His past works include songs for Jason Derulo, Backstreet Boys, Bebe Rexha and more.

The King’s Man takes over at Number 1 on the Official Film Chart.

Lena Waithe wants financial repercussions for Hollywood companies who aren’t being inclusive enough.

The Real Quick‘s Danielle Young during a panel at the Essence Festival of Culture‘s Entertainment All Access program.Her debut film The 40-Year-Old Version, which made history earlier this year by winning the U.S. dramatic competition at the Sundance Film Festival, is being produced by Lena Waithe and was acquired by Netflix. Blank’s movie follows Radha, a newly single poet who’s reconciling with turning 40 and rejection until she ignites her first love—rapping.“I’m just so happy to finally get to share, um, the story that I wrote and created with us in mind as Black women, where we’re centered and we’re complex,” says Blank.

Also Read: Summer TV 2020: Premiere Dates for New and Returning Shows (Photos)The eight-episode first season of “Twenties,” which premiered March 4 and concluded April 15, was the No. 1 new comedy series on cable for African-Americans in the key adults 18-49 demographic, according to Live + Same Day data from Nielsen.Along with the announcing the Season 2 renewal on Friday, BET revealed the comedy’s first season will air on fellow ViacomCBS-owned channel Showtime starting July 6 as part of an FYC partnership.Waithe executive produces the show with her co-showrunner, Susan Fales-Hill.

Denise Petski Senior Managing EditorLena Waithe’s breakout hit Twenties will be back for a second go-round. BET has renewed the series for a second season.

Lena Waithe doesn’t expect her new show to get attention during awards season.