James Bond producer David Heyman pays himself £26m December 19, 2025 The new co-producer of the James Bond franchise has paid himself more than £26m after the success of his film company. David Heyman is best known for producing all eight instalments of the Harry Potter film series as well as the spin-off prequels, Fantastic Beasts. Heyman, through his company Heyday Films, has also produced the likes of [...]
Warner Bros to snub Paramount’s takeover in favour of Netflix December 17, 2025 Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) is preparing to urge shareholders to reject a $108bn (£81bn) hostile takeover bid from Paramount, after one of its key financial backers pulled out of the deal. Affinity Partners, the investment firm owned by Jared Kushner, said it would no longer support Paramount’s offer, citing a shift in circumstances. “The dynamics [...]
Inside London’s occult bookshops December 9, 2025 As I stood outside Watkins Books, the oldest occult bookshop in London, an old man approached me. “Number 23 is the one you want,” he said, pointing down the street. I looked confused. “Murder! A woman stabbed in the basement!” The man, who quickly walked on, was referring to the 1961 murder of Elsie Batten, [...]
Netflix holds Hollywood’s crown, but at what cost? December 9, 2025 If you have so much as glanced at any headlines in the past few days, you will have seen that Hollywood is entering a new era of streaming consolidation, with Netflix leading the way. The US giant has agreed a mega $72bn (£54bn) deal to acquire Warner Bros Discovery’s film and TV studios, HBO Max, [...]
Paramount crashes Netflix-Warner Bros party with £108bn rival bid December 8, 2025 Paramount Skydance has launched a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), throwing the film titan’s recent deal with streaming giant Netflix into uncertainty. On Monday, Paramount said its all-cash tender offer of $30 (£22.50) per share provides shareholders $18bn more than Netflix’s $27.75 per share offer. Paramount chief executive David Ellison argued the [...]
Netflix snaps up Warner Bros in blockbuster £54bn deal December 5, 2025 Netflix has clinched a blockbuster deal to take over Warner Bros in a major shake-up of the film and streaming industry. In an announcement on Friday, it was formally announced that Netflix would take over the major streaming and film company Warner Bros in an agreement worth $72bn (£54bn). Should the deal pass regulatory checks, [...]
Lord Lee: My own plan for fixing financial literacy December 1, 2025 Virtually everyone agrees that there is and has been a near total failure to teach young people about the world of finance, investment, mortgages, etc. in schools. Politicians of all persuasion have failed lamentably in this area. It is truly appalling that many young people are now more likely to speculate in cryptocurrencies than invest [...]
A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic: Twee as can be and a triumph nonetheless November 26, 2025 A Christmas Carol has almost every sickly sweet ingredient to make it utterly detestable, but our writer couldn't help but fall for it.
The Hunger Games on Stage review – Damp squib production fails to emit a single spark November 13, 2025 Watching The Hunger Games on Stage makes it immediately obvious why The Hunger Games should not, in fact, be on stage.
Take a city break in the historic northern stronghold of York November 10, 2025 Easily reached by train, York is one of the most historic and picturesque cities in the north. Renowned for its stunning York Minster, one of the largest gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, and its remarkably preserved medieval city walls that still encircle much of the old town, the cobble-paved city makes for an ideal winter [...]