Live Nation Posts Robust 2021 and Fourth Quarter Earnings, Despite Omicron and Astroworld

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorNo matter how many awards categories get screen time at this year’s Oscars telecast, one thing will be certain: There will be advertising around them.Disney has sold all the 60 commercial slots it has around its coming broadcast of the event late last week, according to Rita Ferro, president of Disney Advertising Sales, and the company hopes the 2022 version of the program will serve as a “rebuild year” for the spectacle after the coronavirus pandemic severely crimped moviegoing.“We are all coming back to getting social and going out,” says Ferro, in an interview, and Disney’s ABC and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have agreed to make changes to the show after it has run into strong viewership headwinds in recent years. Executives, she says, have worked to solve the question of “how do we make the show more compelling, more relevant to audiences?” Among the changes: a trio of female hosts — Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall — after three years of programs without a designated person to lead the crowd; a new producer, Will Packer; and a decision to award several categories during off-air moments, then edit those presentations in later n a bid to streamline the event, which is often criticized for being too long.

Zack Sharf When “Stranger Things” debuted on Netflix in July 2016, many television critics compared the series favorably to the spirit of Amblin movies like “The Goonies” and “E.T. the Extraterrestrial.” According to co-creator Ross Duffer, that vibe will no longer exist when the show returns for its long-awaited fourth season. “Stranger Things 4” picks up six months after Season 3’s Starcourt Mall battle between the main characters and the Mind Flayer.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentAfter several hours of heated debates, Iris Knobloch, the former boss of WarnerMedia France and Germany, has been chosen by the board of the Cannes Film Festival to become its first female president, as Variety has learned . She will succeed Pierre Lescure who was re-elected for a third term in June 2020 and is planning to step down after the upcoming edition.The German-born, Paris-based executive was elected by the board of directors of the Association Française du Festival International du Film, which brings together public authorities and film industry professionals, amid much controversy in France.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentVariety shined a spotlight on European talents at its jam-packed dinner cocktail party at Series Mania Festival in Lille, France.The event, which was co-hosted by Variety and Series Mania Forum, celebrated Mo Abudu, the CEO of Nigeria’s EbonyLife Media who won the 2022 Woman in Series Award. The party also brought together the laureates of the Copro pitching sessions and over 800 international industry players.Following an introduction by Series Mania Forum’s head Francesco Capurro, Variety‘s international editor Manori Ravindran welcomed on stage three rising series directors and creators who are part of Variety’s 10 European Talents to Watch: Chas Appeti and Junior Okoli, the cinematographer and director of “Jungle,” and Quoc Dang Tran, the creator, showrunner and writer of Disney Plus’ French original “Parallels.” “Jungle” is an Amazon Original Series showcasing the creativity of the U.K.’s drill, grime and rap music.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer“Supernatural” alum Misha Collins, who played the trench-coat-wearing angel Castiel on the long-running CW series, has been cast on the network’s “Gotham Knights” pilot, Variety has learned.Collins will play District Attorney Harvey Dent in the project, which is based on DC Comics characters. In DC canon, Dent is known for later turning into the Batman villain Two-Face.Per the official description for the “Gotham Knights” character, “Dashing, with a swagger, Harvey Dent is Gotham’s charismatic, hard-charging District Attorney.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorCrooked Media, the progressive media company that produces the top-ranked “Pod Save America” and other podcasts, signed a multiyear, multiplatform agreement with SiriusXM.The agreement gives SXM Media, the advertising-sales arm of Sirius XM Holdings, exclusive global ad sales rights to Crooked Media’s lineup of podcasts starting in May. SXM Media also gets sales and sponsorship rights to digital video, social media and live events produced by Crooked Media.As part of the agreement, Crooked Media’s podcasts, including “Pod Save America,” “Lovett or Leave It” and “Pod Save the World,” will join the SiriusXM network through the 2024 election cycle and beyond, distributed on the Stitcher, SXM App and Pandora platforms.

Kim Kardashian has been photographed stepping out of a private jet with her boyfriend Pete Davidson as the pair went on a sweet trip together.The 41 year old, who recently partied with Madonna's daughter Lourdes at her star-studded SKIMS dinner, and her Saturday Night Live star other half arrived in Los Angeles on 22 March following a quick trip to New York City.The Kardashians star Kim appeared in good spirits as she made her way down the jet stairs wearing a full black ensemble, including a pair relaxed trousers, a black zip-up top and a matching puffer jacket. Get exclusive celebrity stories and fabulous photoshoots straight to your inbox with OK!'s daily newsletter Mum-of-four Kim styled her raven hair back into a ponytail and donned a reflective pair of sunglasses as she flashed a small smile.

Stranger Things for its fourth season later this year, NME has an exclusive image from the new episodes.Set to be released in two volumes, with the first five episodes arriving on Netflix on May 27, Stranger Things season four takes fans back to the town of Hawkins, Indiana once more.While trailers have largely focused on Eleven’s (Millie Bobby Brown) storyline and her new life in California, a new image shows Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) alongside Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) and his sister Erica (Priah Ferguson) using what looks like a gaming device branded with the MB Games logo.You can check out the image below.A synopsis for the fourth season reads: “It’s been six months since the Battle of Starcourt, which brought terror and destruction to Hawkins. Struggling with the aftermath, our group of friends are separated for the first time – and navigating the complexities of high school hasn’t made things any easier.“In this most vulnerable time, a new and horrifying supernatural threat surfaces, presenting a gruesome mystery that, if solved, might finally put an end to the horrors of the Upside Down.”After the first batch of episodes in May, the second volume of the fourth season will be released five weeks later on July 1.Last month, shows creators The Duffer Brothers also confirmed Stranger Things will come to an end after season five.In a note announcing the season four release date, the pair wrote: “Seven years ago, we planned out the complete story arc for Stranger Things.

When Oscar voting officially closed at 5 PM on March 22nd it meant The Academy could finally announce the musical performers for this year’s 94th Academy Awards. And, as expected, Beyonce is part of the mix along with three other performers of the Best Original Song class.

Kathleen Hanna‘s vocal coach.Broadway singing coach Barbara Maier Gustern, aged 87, died last week (March 15) from brain injuries sustained in an attack five days earlier, where – according to the NYPD – she was pushed from behind by a woman who “crossed the street [and] pushed [her] in an unproved senseless attack.”A search for the attacker was then begun, with New York police chief of detectives James Essig saying: “We’re asking the public’s help in solving this disgusting and disgraceful offense committed against a vulnerable, elderly female who was doing nothing but walking down the streets of New York City.”After Gustern’s death was ruled as a homicide this week (March 22), 26-year-old Lauren Pazienza – who the police had been chasing for a week after releasing CCTV footage of her on the night of the attack – turned herself in to the NYPD alongside her lawyer, as NBC New York reports.Following the attack, Bikini Kill singer Hanna took to social media to appeal for help identifying the attacker, writing in a now-deleted Instagram post (via Rolling Stone): “I can’t even fucking believe I am posting this.“I really don’t want anyone else to ever have to go thru what the lovely, energetic, funny as hell Barbara Maier Gustern had to go through,” she added.“I struggle to understand and cope with this world on a daily basis, and frankly this is beyond my ability to bear,” Gustern’s grandson wrote on Facebook upon her death being classed as a homicide. “Do what you can for your fellow human being, no matter how small.

First announced back in 2018, the 21,500-capacity venue is the brainchild of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp (MSG), the team behind the iconic New York venue of the same name. It will become the UK’s largest concert arena.The MSG Sphere will sit on a 1.9-hectare (4.7-acre) site in Stratford that was purchased by MSG.

One Direction singer Liam Payne will captain the England team at this year’s Soccer Aid.The annual celebrity football match is set to return this June in a bid to raise money for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Sponsored content. Us Weekly receives compensation for this article as well as for purchases made when you click on a link and buy something below.

Turbulent travels. Miley Cyrus is safe and sound after her flight to Paraguay took an unplanned turn.

We have confirmed that "West Side Story" star Rachel Zegler has been invited to the Oscars after all.There’s word out there that the Academy has invited her to be a presenter, however, they won’t confirm. What is clear is that the actress’ production schedule in London on the Disney movie "Snow White" has loosened up so that she can head to Los Angeles and watch the show live instead of in sweatpants and her boyfriend’s flannel from her couch, as she indicated on Instagram over the weekend to her followers who were enraged to hear that the actress be a no-show.  Rachel Zegler initially told fans on social media that she wasn't invited to this year's Academy Awards despite her film being nominated.

An iconic image of Marilyn Monroe created by Andy Warhol is coming to auction, with Christie’s auction house estimating the price at around $200 million.The silkscreen image known as “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn,” a close-up of Monroe with her hair in yellow, her eyeshadow blue and her lips red, is slated to be part of a week of sales in May, Christie’s said Monday.If it met the sale estimate, the 1964 painting would be the most expensive 20th-century artwork to be auctioned, Christie’s said.The proceeds of the sale would go to the Thomas and Doris Ammann Foundation Zurich, which is putting the painting up for auction.The foundation aims to help children with health care and educational programs.Warhol created more than one image of Monroe; this particular painting has been exhibited in museums around the world.

Cassie Randolph, the winner of season 23 of The Bachelor, has revealed how she found out her ex-boyfriend Colton Underwood was gay. On March 22, in an interview with Kaitlyn Bristowe, on Bristowe’s Off The Vine podcast, Randolph disclosed that Underwood did not give her any advanced notice.Randolph revealed that she “found out the same way that everyone else did.” Making Underwood’s coming out about her, Randolph continued, “It was horrible. It was just, like, a shocking kind of feeling.”Underwood starred in the 23rd season of The Bachelor in 2019. He went on to have a relationship with Cassie Randolph before breaking up.

accepted the Icon Award Tuesday night at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, complete with a show-stopping performance of her biggest hits and most iconic looks modeled by drag queens.Introduced by Billy Porter, the drag queens strutted down the stage in J. Lo’s memorable looks over the years.“The word for tonight is ‘icon,'” he shouted on stage while dressed in an all-pink ensemble.Images and videos of Lopez flashed across the on-stage screens as the drag queens rocked similar outfits.When Lopez herself emerged on stage, she donned a white fur coat with the word “Equality” on the train, eventually stripping it off as she performed “On My Way,” her latest song from her film “Marry Me,” followed by “Get Right.”In true J.

celebrated in ultimate baller style at a $25 million mansion in Las Vegas. And it’s nine days before “Marry Me,” his well-reviewed big-screen debut opposite Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson, opens on Valentine’s Day weekend.But despite all the buzz, he’s the picture of chill as he strolls into a Midtown Manhattan studio for his Alexa photo shoot. No doubt, it’s about to get harder for the Colombian reggaeton sensation to walk down the street just minutes away from Times Square without getting mobbed by swooning fans.

EASTENDERS star Ricky Champ's pregnant wife Sammy was rushed to hospital yesterday after falling ill. The influencer, who is expecting her second child in July, shared a picture from her bed on the ward as she reassured fans that her baby was OK.

KATIE Price has been forced to fly back from her dream Thailand holiday with Carl Woods to carry out community service. The 43-year-old was ordered to do 100 hours' unpaid work when she avoided jail in December for a drink drive crash near her Sussex home.

HOLLYOAKS original Lucy Benson actress Kerrie Taylor looks completely different 22 years after quitting the soap. The actress has grown up since her days playing the fresh-faced teen, having joined the soap shortly after finishing school.

SHRINKING Gemma Collins showed off her legs on holiday and looked thinner than ever in a colourful dress after her weight loss. All eyes were on the reality TV queen, 41, who looked glam in a bright floaty top, after losing almost 3 stone after doing Dancing on Ice a few years back.

Albion Rovers boss Brian Reid insists midfielder Callum Wilson is lucky he didn't break his leg in last night's win over Stirling Albion after what he claims was a "stupid" tackle from Dylan Mackin.

pic.twitter.com/FOTAiNZsQVThey later visited the Trench Town Culture Yard and Museum, the former home of the late Jamaican musician, Bob Marley. The couple were showed around and even tried their hand at playing drums with some reggae musicians in the same courtyard where Marley learned to play. For the couple's arrival in Kingston, Kate wowed in a bright yellow Roksanda dress with a cream-colored clutch purse, pulling her hair back into a ponytail.

Katie Price arrived at court hand-in-hand with her fiancé Carl Woods for his hearing.

Making a new claim for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or transferring from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to the benefit may take up to 22 weeks, according to the latest statistics released by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has bowed to pressure and reduced fuel duty by 5p a litre, effective from 6pm tonight.

John Waters spoke about cancel culture and Johnny Depp in a new interview with the New York Times.

Kanye West is bringing his new album to life, with the help of a few superstar friends.

Billie Eilish, 20, and Seth Meyers, 48, bonded over their love for Daniel Craig, 53, during the singer’s appearance on Late Night Wednesday, February 23. “He’s a DILF,” Billie said about the British actor, which Seth agreed with. The young superstar explained that she was nervous when she met Daniel to sing the Oscar-nominated theme song for the latest James Bond movie, No Time To Die.

Dave Grohl has made his debut appearance on the hugely popular YouTube interview series Hot Ones.The Foo Fighters frontman made the appearance on the First We Feast show, which sees celebrity guests answering questions while eating increasingly hot chicken wings, to promote the band’s new movie Studio 666, which is set to be released tomorrow (February 25).During the interview, which you can watch in full below, Grohl was told that he was one of the “most-requested Hot Ones guests of all-time” and responded by regularly taking shots with host Sean Evans throughout the wide-ranging interview.The former Nirvana drummer spoke highly of Lorde, Thundercat and Billie Eilish‘s respective appearances on Hot Ones, while he also recalled how he was once electrocuted on stage after jumping into a pool mid-performance.Grohl reserved particular praise for Alabama Shakes during his Hot Ones interview, despite recalling how they beat Foo Fighters to the Grammy for Best Rock Performance in 2016.Grohl also spoke about his ambition to one day play live with AC/DC (“the only thing I have left to do in my life is jam with AC/DC”) and was asked about his long-standing fascination with UFOs.“From an early age, I was super-into UFOs,” he explained. “I read this book, Above Top Secret, and in that I saw the term ‘Foo Fighters’.

Toro y Moi has released the third single from his upcoming seventh studio album ‘Mahal’, the playful and funky track ‘The Loop’.The track arrived on streaming platforms on February 22 alongside a video of the chillwave artist and his posse cruising through the streets of San Francisco in GoCars and a customised ‘Mahal’ Jeepney. It also features a cameo appearance by Filipino rapper Eyedress.On the laid-back song, Toro y Moi – real name Chaz Bear – sings about how hard it is to keep up to date in the digital age, musing, “East Coast friends fill me in, I know you get the early scoop / Online trends that border cringe start to feel overused”.Watch the music video for ‘The Loop’ below.Toro y Moi’s upcoming album ‘Mahal’ is set to be released April 29 via Dead Oceans, and the singer has already released two singles and music videos to promote the album in ‘Postman’ and ‘Magazine’, the latter featuring vocals from Salami Rose Joe Louis.“I wanted to make a record that featured more musicians on it than any other record of mine,” Toro y Moi explained in a statement about the follow-up to his 2019 album ‘Outer Peace’.

WACKY hairstyles, bold fashion choices and daring tattoos that will drive youngsters wild. While this could describe his dad 30 years ago, teenager Cruz is now the trendsetter of the Beckham family.

Keeping it in the family!

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorDua Lipa, My Chemical Romance, Green Day and Halsey will headline the 2022 Firefly festival, which returns to Delaware’s Woodlands Sept. 22-25.Presale for the festival, which is presented in conjunction with AEG Presents, begins Friday, February 25 at 10 am ET.“After last year’s rapturous return, Firefly 2022 is packed full of everything that makes the festival so special – incredible sets from iconic artists, the best food and beverage offerings within the Delaware Valley, treehouse DJ sets, spirited drag brunches and a joyful pride parade; unique, moments that give Firefly its characteristic sense of fun, flare and community” the announcement reads, and also notes that the festival will be presented in accordance with all applicable Covid-19 mandates, with more information available on its website.