Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.
Disney said it will introduce an ad-supported version of the Disney+ streaming service
The Walt Disney Co Friday said it will offer a cheaper, ad-supported version of its Disney+ streaming service later this year as it seeks to reach its goal of profitability by 2024. Disney joins a growing number of media companies, including AT&T’s WarnerMedia, Comcast, Discovery and Paramount Global, in offering ad-supported tiers of their streaming services to capture price-sensitive customers.
Madrid’s Opera House cancels Russia’s Bolshoi ballet show after Ukraine invasion
Madrid’s Teatro Real on Friday said it has canceled performances of the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet scheduled in May because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the “painful humanitarian emergency” it has caused. Thousands of people are believed to have been killed or wounded and more than 1 million refugees have fled Ukraine since Feb. 24 when Russia’s President Vladimir Putin ordered the biggest attack on a European state since World War Two.
“Bridgerton” producer Rhimes, make-up artist McGrath heralded with Barbie dolls
U.S. TV producer and writer Shonda Rhimes, British make-up artist Pat McGrath and French blogger Lena Mahfouf are being honored with Barbie dolls in their likeness as part of a celebration of female business founders. In its latest Barbie role models line-up, toymaker Mattel is paying tribute to women from around the world, including Sonia Peronaci, founder of Italian cooking website “GialloZafferano” and German digital entrepreneur Tijen Onaran.
Paul McCartney, Kendrick Lamar, Olivia Rodrigo to perform at Glastonbury
Veteran Paul McCartney, rapper Kendrick Lamar, and U.S. chart-topper Olivia Rodrigo will perform at Glastonbury in June, organizers said on Friday, after the music festival returns following a three-year absence due to the COVID pandemic. McCartney and Lamar complete the list of headliners for the main Pyramid Stage at the June 22-26 festival after Billie Eilish and Diana Ross were previously announced as part of the line-up.
Hipgnosis buys catalogue of singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen
Hipgnosis Song Management said on Sunday it has acquired the music catalog of Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen. “Hipgnosis has acquired rights in all 278 songs and derivatives written by Leonard Cohen, including Hallelujah,” the company said.
Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher fundraiser for Ukraine refugees tops $6.8 million
Hollywood couple Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have raised over $6.8 million as of Friday, a day after setting up a GoFundMe page seeking humanitarian aid for Ukrainian refugees.
Kunis, who was born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine in 1983, moved to the United States in 1991.
(With inputs from agencies.)