MUSIC MILESTONE
Rap icon Eminem has received a Brit Billion Award from the BPI, marking seven billion U.K. streams as calculated by the Official Charts Company. The artist holds a U.K. record for most consecutive No. 1s on the Official Albums Chart, with 10 studio albums topping the list in succession.
Recently, Eminem scored his 11th U.K. No. 1 single with “Houdini” and his 11th No.1 album with “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce).” Over 60 of his songs have been BRIT Certified, with 15 certified multi-platinum. His top three streamed hits have accumulated over 770 million U.K. streams.
The Brit Billion award, launched in 2023, has recognized 39 artists for surpassing one billion U.K. career streams, including diverse acts like Green Day, The Rolling Stones and Billie Eilish.
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This award reflects streaming’s impact on the music industry, with over 85% of U.K.’s recorded music consumption now occurring through streaming. In 2023, the U.K. logged 180 billion audio streams, with over 2,000 artists annually accumulating at least 10 million streams.
ARTIFICIAL DOMAIN
VFX group Digital Domain has begun the establishment of an artificial intelligence research center in Hong Kong, which is both Digital Domain’s legal seat and an aspiring technology hub. The center is housed within the Hong Kong Science Park. The city’s Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong said that AI can help “inject a new impetus to the local film industry.” Digital Domain, founded by James Cameron in 1993, has previously been involved in the creation of digital humans and a decade ago had an artificial version of Teresa Teng, who died in 1995, perform songs from her repertoire. The group last year had losses of HK$476 million ($61 million) and revenues of HK$736 million ($94.4 million).
HUAYI HANDOVER
Chinese film studio Huayi Brothers Media is selling its 70% holding in production company Dongyang Mayla to tech and entertainment giant Alibaba, according to a regulatory filing by Huayi, in order to repay debts. Controlled by successful film director Feng Xiaogang, Dongyang Mayla has credits on Feng’s 2016, Fan Bingbing-starring “I Am Not Madame Bovary” and his 2017 nostalgia blockbuster “Youth.” Huayi pledged the stake to Alibaba Pictures in 2019 as collateral for a RMB700 ($97 million) loan.
GAME ON
China’s National Press and Publication Administration has approved licenses for 105 video games in July. These include “Arena Breakout: Infinite” from Tencent, the world’s largest gaming company by revenue. Games approvals had slowed following government concerns including the safety of minors, gaming addiction, myopia and the powerful economic positions of some of China’s tech companies. But in recent months, approvals have been running at over 100 per month, a roughly 20% increase over last year.
FEDERAL FEMALE
Film producer Tania Chambers has been appointed to the board of Screen Australia, the federal development, production and promotion body, for a three-year term. The announcement was made by Tony Burke, Australia’s federal minister for the arts. Producer and executive producer at Feisty Dame Productions, Chambers’ production credits including“How to Please a Woman”(2022) and“A Few Less Men”(2017).
BUYERS BRIGADE
The Association of Korean Buyers & Distributors of Foreign Films has appointed Yoo Hyun-taek, CEO of Green Narae Media, as its new president. Lee Jee-hye, CEO of Challan Film Company, and Lee Dong-won, team leader of Nuri Pictures, were elected as vice presidents. They are each appointed for a two-year term.
SONY SUITS
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) is set to lose two key execs. CFO Nitin Nadkarni and general counsel Ashok Nambissan will exit the company on Aug. 31. Nadkarni, who joined in 2005, steered SPNI’s financial ship and led broadcast operations. He spearheaded the company’s zero environmental footprint initiative. Nambissan, onboard since 2007, handled legal and regulatory affairs. He played a pivotal role in major deals, including Indian Premier League rights renegotiation and Ten Sports acquisition.
SPNI chief N.P. Singh, who is also stepping down, praised both execs for their contributions to the company’s growth and navigation of industry challenges.
