News

Billy Joe Shaver, the outlaw-country music pioneer who wrote some of the genre’s greatest songs, died Wednesday in Waco, Texas, after suffering a stroke. He was 81. Connie Nelson, a friend of Shaver’s, confirmed his death to Rolling Stone.

Shaver’s hard-lived career classics included “Honky Tonk Heroes,” “Georgia on a Fast Train,” “Old Five and Dimers Like Me,” and “Live Forever.” He wrote nine out of the 10 songs on Waylon Jennings’ 1973 outlaw-country breakthrough Honky Tonk Heroes; Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley all recorded his songs; and...

In today’s Mipcom Roundup, ViacomCBS announces Mia attendance and its investment commitment in the Italian industry, Nent Studios U.K. and Amazon Prime Video make major casting announcements, All3Media sells “Roadkill” globally, Fremantle acquires distribution rights on “Day Zero” and the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announces winners for the International Emmy Kids Awards.

Markets

ViacomCBS International Studios (Vis) announced its upcoming participation at this year’s Mia Market in Rome where the organization will present its strategy and plans for Southern Europe.

On Saturday, Laura Abril, head of Vis Emeaa, and Jaime Ondarza, executive VP and Gm for ViacomCBS Networks South Europe and Middle East, will attend Drama Talk and host a roundtable discussion titled Business Creativity: The Pursuit of Excellence, inviting speakers from top production companies and studios to explore new models for the drama space.

Vis will also debut its new ViacomCBS International Studios Award,...

Simon Pegg is ripped. I know, I’m as surprised as you are. The British comedian, best known for his humble charm and sharp comedic timing, has lost four percent of his body fat and 19 pounds for a meaty role in the upcoming thriller Inheritance.

Now, with abs that stick out like clouds in an empty sky, audiences will get to see a new turn in the actor’s career. With a transformation similar to the likes of Christian Bale, Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert De Niro, it’s justified to wonder if the 49-year-old performer’s after something more serious. An Oscar maybe?

Then again, his trademark roles have been anything but serious. We loved his could-care-less attitude in Edgar Wright’s Cornetto Trilogy, and his comic relief in the recent Mission Impossible and Star Trek movies. All of which have garnered Pegg a loyal fanbase. Still, comedians taking on...