Sony Reaches Settlement Over Streaming Royalties to ‘American Idol’ Stars – n a week that brought news that Spotify had confidentially filed for an IPO comes another key development concerning whether musicians stand to benefit from the growth of streaming. On Wednesday, it was revealed in court that Sony Music had reached a settlement in principle with 19 Recordings, the entity started by Simon Fuller that represents the financial interests of American Idol stars like Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken and Carrie Underwood. Yesterday, the judge discontinued the proceedings after being informed by the parties of the pending deal. The terms of the agreement haven’t been made public, with those involved either declining comment or not responding to a query. – Read more at The Hollywood Reporter
Fox Bosses Talk ‘The Four,’ ‘X-Files,’ ‘Prison Break’ – In the near term, Fox has “The Four,” its music-competition event series set to premiere Thursday night. Fox alternative-programming chief Rob Wade — appearing with Newman, fellow Fox Television Group co-CEO Dana Walden, and Fox entertainment president Michael Thorn in an executive session — touted the show’s cast. “We put together this phenomenal panel,” Wade said, speaking of the show’s judges Sean “Diddy” Combs, DJ Khaled, Meghan Trainor, and Charlie Walker. “I think we have a very clear, concise show. We have a very clear marketing message.” The show, he added, “has a freshness that I haven’t seen before. – Read more at Variety
Fox’s ‘The Four’ Isn’t Searching for a New Kelly Clarkson – Executive producer and co-showrunner David Friedman tells The Hollywood Reporter that the series will condense the best parts of Idol (soon to be revived on ABC), The Voice and the reality competition genre, into one easily watchable show. “It takes all of what you like about the genre — the auditions, the competition, the finale — and it puts it all in one show each episode,” Friedman says. “I think that’s really what’s most exciting about it. You don’t have to wait through 13 weeks of something and then six weeks of something else and then two finales. It’s all right there for you.” – Read more at Hollywood Reporter
‘The Four’ Is The ‘Hunger Games’ Of Singing Competition Series, Says Host Fergie – Panelist Sean “Diddy” Combs, however, likened it to Game of Thrones; “You get to challenge, and if you want to cut anybody’s head off” that’s how the cookie crumbles, he explained today during the show’s TCA panel in Pasadena. He also described it as being “like a fight at the school.” “Other shows don’t have that combative nature,” Combs boasted, hours before its launch on the network. – Read more at Deadline
Kelly Clarkson Promotes The Voice on Snapchat
Got what it takes to win #VoiceOnSnapchat? Head to https://t.co/pTRHhk5gce to find out how YOU could be on Season 4! ? pic.twitter.com/9qGhiExBVv
— The Voice (@NBCTheVoice) January 4, 2018
Addison Agen where she wants to be – But most 16-year-olds don’t sell out two shows at Embassy Theatre in less than 21/2 hours. Heck, most 16-year-olds don’t sell out a show anywhere in any amount of time. “It just proves how great Fort Wayne has been on backing me up and supporting me and actually loving the music, not just because I’m from Fort Wayne,” Agen says. “I couldn’t be in a better place city-wise because they have been unbelievably gracious and loving towards me.” – Read more at Journal Gazette
Profits at Simon Cowell’s X Factor business knocked by drop in international sales – Profits at Simon Cowell’s entertainment business dropped last year as a fall in overseas revenues dragged down its bottom line. Pre-tax profits at Simco, which owns the X Factor and …Got Talent formats and handles some of Mr Cowell’s music royalties, fell 6pc to around £21.4m in the year to March, while revenues dipped 3pc to £39m. The firm, part of his Syco business, blamed the drop on lower income from its overseas arm. UK revenues climbed 12.5pc in the year to £20.7m and in the US they were broadly flat at £7.4m. But revenues from the rest of the world fell 23pc to around £11m. – Read more at Telegraph.co.uk
Cosmopolitan UK Cover Story – Jennifer Hudson gets real about prejudice and women taking a stand – But Cosmopolitan UK’s February cover star struggles with prejudice regularly, “There have been several situations where I get on a plane and [the air steward] assumes that I’m [meant to be] in the back of the plane. That happens a lot. I’m like ‘No, my seat is up there [in first class], thank you’. “People also assume that my home belongs to my white driver, Charles. One time, I was having something moved into my house and they wanted to know where to put it. I said, ‘There.’ [The removal man] just stood there. When Charles came in, he asked him, ‘So where would you like these things?’ Charles said, ‘She said she wanted it right there. You’re talking to the wrong person. – Read more at Cosmopolitan
Olly Murs reveals Simon Cowell’s reaction to him joining The Voice UK: “He knows where I am” – The popstar was teed up to have a go at his old boss when asked at The Voice UK’s press screening tonight (January 3) if he’d sought Simon’s seal of approval — but he was well-mannered as always. “Listen, you make your own decisions in life,” he explained. “Ever since I left The X Factor, I’ve always made my own decisions. “As much as Simon — not just Simon, many people — have been there to mentor me throughout this experience and throughout my career. When The Voice came calling, it was just, I want to do this because I think it’s just an incredible show. – Read more at Digital Spy
