BSkyB to launch standalone VOD service

LONDON -- The uber competitive BSkyB is to launch its own on-demand service as it attempts to head off competition with Netflix and impending U.K. smart TV service YouView. Announcing the move as it revealed six monthly figures that showed a slowdown in the number of new pay TV subscribers, the paybox's CEO Jeremy Darroch claimed the initiative would offer "a distinctive" new choice to the 13 million U.K. households that do not buy pay TV. He added: "This new product launch will build on our early leadership in multi-platform distribution. "It will allow us to make our expertise and investment in content and technology work even harder, extending our options for continued growth." BSkyB's on demand offer will bow in the first half of the year. Sky Movies will be available from the start, with sport and entertainment added later in the year. Consumers will be able to choose from a variety of pricing options, including unlimited monthly pay-as-you-go access. This marks a significant departure from BSkyB's traditional subscription-based business model. Darroch said: "Alongside the continued growth of our satellite platform, this will be a new way for us to reach out to consumers, but may not want the full Sky service." Netflix has got off to a strong start in the U.K. and the much-delayed YouView, whose backers include the BBC and BT, is expected to bow late in the spring. BSkyB's six-monthly figures showed that the satcaster added 40,000 new TV customers in the second quarter to Dec. 31 -- missing analysts' forecasts of 58,000 and down on the 140,000 net additions in the same period in 2010. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Pilot Season: ABC Accumulates Two Dramas

ABC logo design ABC has acquired two one-hour drama aircraft pilots, Americana and Nashville.Americana is really a cleaning soap set around popular designer, his family and the business. Michael Seitzman is writing and executive-creating for ABC Galleries together with Mark Gordon (Grey's Anatomy) and Nicholas Pepper.Nashville, additionally a family cleaning soap, follows two music artists, one who's already a star and also the other who's increasing. Callie Khouri (Thelma & Louise) will write and executive-produce with RJ Cutler mounted on direct and executive-produce.

Jum Michele Remembers Peoples Choice Award Win With Pasta & Pajamas

First Released: The month of january 12, 2012 10:13 AM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption Jum Michele poses with Favorite TV Comedy Actress Award for Glee within the press room throughout the 2012 Peoples Choice Honours at Nokia Theatre L.A. Reside in La on The month of january 11, 2012LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Jum Michele required home the Peoples Choice Award for Favorite TV Comedy Actress, beating out Courteney Cox, Kaley Cuoco, Tina Fey and co-star Jane Lynch, something she was very impressed by. Just before her large win, AccessHollywood.coms Laura Saltman talked using the Glee star around the red-colored carpet, where she stunned inside a whitened Marchesa gown. Listen, Im within the same category as Jane Lynch and so i got absolutely no way but Im just really pleased to be around, a humble Jum stated. Throughout her speech she thanked her co-stars, saying, I wish to dedicate this to my amazing cast, my Glee club. You're my loved ones and my close friends. Im an only child and today I've 11 other brothers and sisters. And just how did she celebrate her new Peoples Choice Award? This kind of incredible evening! Im so so grateful and happy:) Back in your own home now honoring in PJs eating pasta with my cousin watching movies!, the actress Tweeted following a ceremony. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Emma Stone, Andy Samberg and Nick Cannon Turning up on 30 Rock

Emma Stone Emma Stone, Andy Samberg and Nick Cannon will guest-star on 30 Rock, Tina Fey notifies Entertainment Weekly.The trio look inside the Jan. 26 episode, through which Jenna (Jane Krakowski) stars in the movie referred to as Martin Luther King Day - "within the producers of Valentine's and New Year's Eve," Fey states.Have a look at photos from 30 Rock"If only to put claim they can that bit before anybody can get it," she notifies playboy. "It's a movie that has everyone in the world within it.InchRock, Samberg and Cannon will probably be noticed in a clip for your imaginary (but totally should be real) film.Season 6 of 30 Rock premieres Thursday at 8/7c on NBC.

Kaczmarek is 'Good People'

KaczmarekJane Kaczmarek will topline free air travel Coast preem of "Good People," the David Lindsay-Abaire play that bowed on Broadway last season. Kaczmarek ("Malcolm within the centreInch) plays South Boston native Margie, the role created by Frances McDormand round the Rialto. Production within the Geffen Playhouse will probably be helmed by Matt Shakman ("It Definitely Is Sunny in Philadelphia"), the a.d. of L.A.'s Black Dahlia Theater. Kaczmarek formerly came out on Broadway in "Lost in Yonkers." Her West Coast stage credits include "In Mother Words" within the Geffen additionally to area stagings of "Dinner with Pals," "Awake and Sing," "Dying from the Sales rep" and "Elevated in Captivity." Follow Lindsay-Abaire ("Rabbit Hole," "Shrek the Musical") follows Margie as she reconnects by getting a classic flame wishing of landing a completely new job. "Good People" is an element from the Geffen season including the arrival world preem of Jesse Henley's "The Jacksonian," starring Erection dysfunction Harris, Bill Pullman and Amy Madigan. Further casting for "Good People" remains being set. Show begins previews April 3 before an April 11 opening within the Geffen. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

Should You Bring Your Kids to See 'War Horse'?

Steven Spielberg's new film, 'War Horse,' is racking up the accolades and being touted as a movie for the whole family. But given its subject matter -- a boy gives up his beloved horse Joey to the war effort -- is it really okay for small children? The movie is rated PG-13 for "intense sequences of war violence," but that warning from the MPAA doesn't begin to cover the trauma that Joey (not to mention several humans) undergoes. SPOILERS ahead. 1. Heartbreaking goodbyes. Albert (Jeremy Irvine) is forced to sell his horse, Joey, to a soldier headed for the front, but that's just the beginning of a series of wrenching farewells as Joey is handed off from owner to owner, each of whom forms an instant bond with the noble creature. 2. Violence. This is a war film and there are several battle sequences, one of them so intense it might have been taken out of Spielberg's R-rated opus 'Saving Private Ryan.' There are no exploding limbs or extreme gore, but several characters we've grown attached to do meet their demise. 3. Human deaths. Speaking of deaths, the human death toll is mostly rendered off-screen (a companion-in-arms is engulfed by gas, a letter arrives to tell of the death of another), but the war definitely takes its toll. Even younger characters aren't spared, although their deaths are conveyed with some discretion. 4. Animal deaths. We won't spoil you as to whether Joey lives or dies, but he does endure some of the most extreme trauma any screen animal has ever had to suffer. In perhaps the most traumatic, a panic-stricken Joey is entangled in barbed wire and unable to free himself. Bizarrely, this horrific scene leads to a lighthearted exchange in which two soldiers from opposing armies work together to free him. You could argue what's more upsetting: Shots of the bodies of dozens of horses littered on the battlefield or when a soldier is ordered to put Joey out of his misery by shooting him in the head. One prolonged animal death in particular will have you sobbing your eyes out. Bottom line: Even though the film does have its soaring, inspirational moments and lots of glorious horse scenes, it's far too violent and intense for young children. Our advice: Don't bring anyone under 12. [Photo: Disney] The Best Movies of 2011 The Best Movies of 201150. 'Breaking Dawn'49. 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon'48. 'The Trip'47. 'Warrior'46. 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams'45. 'The Iron Lady'44. 'We Bought a Zoo'43. 'Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol'42. 'Horrible Bosses'41. 'Contagion'40. 'Winnie the Pooh'39. 'Win Win'37. 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy'38. 'Hanna'36. 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close'35. 'The Interrupters'34. 'Crazy, Stupid, Love'33. 'The Guard'32. 'Captain America: The First Avenger'31. 'The Ides of March'30. 'Beginners'29. 'Martha Marcy May Marlene''A Dangerous Method'27. 'The Adventures of Tintin'26. 'Bill Cunningham NY'25. 'We Need to Talk About Kevin'24. 'Young Adult'23. 'My Week With Marilyn'22. 'Margin Call'21. 'X-Men: First Class'20. 'Attack the Block'19. 'Shame'18. 'Super 8'17. 'Melancholia'16. 'The Muppets'15. 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes'14. 'Tree of Life'13. 'Rango'12. 'The Help'11. 'Moneyball'10. '50/50'9. 'Drive'8. 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo'7. 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II'6. 'Midnight in Paris'5. 'Bridesmaids'4. 'The Descendants'3. 'War Horse'2. 'The Artist'1. 'Hugo' See All Moviefone Galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

'Warrior' on DVD: 8 Reasons You Have To Watch the most effective Movie You didn't Look At This Year

Ultimately, possibly you can test 'Warrior' since the canary inside the coal mine for 2011. The very examined fighting drama about two estranged brothers and sisters, their alcoholic father and ultimate fighting will be a major box-office disappointment upon its release in September, but knowing from how a last three several days have carried out out, that was just componen for your coming course. Movie attendance this season is off by four percent from a year ago, and -- despite some levels this summer season ('Harry Potter,' 'Bridesmaids,' 'Transformers') -- a lot of the fall schedule was undercooked financially ('The Muppets,' 'Sherlock Holmes,' 'New Year's Eve'). In the event you overlooked 'Warrior' like numerous others, however, there's some hope: the film is going on DVD and Blu-ray now, meaning you'll be able to become popular what's the best film you didn't look at this year. Ahead, 8 reasons why you ought to give 'Warrior' an chance within the convenience of your couch. You'll be able to really understand Tom Sturdy for the reason that one! Even Bane confirms. Right, Bane? "Efafsssf asqqqqs fsffsafnnn increases!" Kidding aside, Tom Sturdy is actually good in 'Warrior,' he probably warrants an Oscar nomination ... As Tommy Riordan, a wrestling prodigy who becomes a broken war hero getting a secret, Sturdy is heartbreaking, stoic, visceral and basically fit enough to tear Bane's arms off and beat him unconscious together. Also: tats! ... this is also true Nick Nolte As Tommy and Brendan's (Joel Edgerton) father, Nolte gives among people career-capping performances have a tendency to draw the nice cozy glow of Oscar. Sadly, he completed this performance when Christopher Plummer, Albert Brooks and Max Von Sydow all did similar victory-lap work this year in 'Beginners,' 'Drive' and 'Extremely Noisy and very Close,' correspondingly. Will Nolte get forgotten when the Academy awards nominations are introduced? Hopefully his SAG nom bodes well for a lot of recognition. Joel Edgerton doesn't deserve an Oscar nomination, but he's still excellent. Consider Edgerton -- who was simply poised to experience a breakout 2011 until both 'Warrior' and 'The Thing' were D.O.A. -- since the engine in 'Warrior.' Without his Brendan, an excellent guy pressed to extremes to be able to save his family, 'Warrior' wouldn't run additionally into it will. He's the everyman you root when ever faced with overwhelming negative odds. You'll find two tunes with the National in 'Warrior'! Regardless if you are a bearded hipster or just someone who likes their lead entertainers to own killer baritones, hearing The Country's in 'Warrior' forces you to smile and/or cry. ("Start a War" opens the film "About Today" shuts it.) Frank Grillo offers the most underrated character actor performance of 2011 Become accustomed to seeing Frank Grillo next season. The veteran NY actor (which has came out on from 'Blue Bloods' to 'CSI: NY' to 'Breakout Kings' on television) steals his moments in 'Warrior' as Brendan's trainer, and comes in surprisingly than four films in 2012: 'The Grey,' 'Disconnect,' 'Lay the Favorite' and 'Gangster Squad,' opposite Sean Penn, Josh Brolin and Ryan Gosling. Very good! He's as being a Palookaville version of R-Gos! 'Warrior' forces you to cry Serious the best showdown between Tommy and Brendan might reduce you to definitely certainly a weeping, blubbering mess. Sure, 'War Horse' and 'We Bought a Zoo' -- in addition to 'The Artist' -- have emotional moments, but nothing quite comes even close to the showing of brotherly love within the finish of 'Warrior.' Managed to get happen just get dusty in Moviefone HQ? It's just good 2011 is really a year of "good, but" 'Warrior is just good good. Don't increase the risk for mistake of missing that certain again. [Photo: Lionsgate] The Most Effective Movies of 2011 The Most Effective Movies of 201150. 'Breaking Beginning཭. 'Transformers: Dark in the Moonཬ. 'The Tripཫ. 'Warriorཪ. 'Cave of Forgotten Dreamsཀྵ. 'The Iron Ladyཨ. 'We Bought a Zooཧ. 'Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocolས. 'Horrible Bossesཥ. 'Contagionཤ. 'Winnie the Poohལ. 'Win Winཡ. 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spyར. 'Hannaའ. 'Extremely Noisy and very Closeཟ. 'The Interruptersཞ. 'Crazy, Stupid, Loveཝ. 'The Guardཛྷ. 'Captain America: The Initial Avengerཛ. 'The Ides of Marchཚ. 'Beginnersཙ. 'Martha Marcy May Marlene''A Dangerous Methodབྷ. 'The Adventures of Tintinབ. 'Bill Cunningham NYཕ. 'We Need to Discuss Kevinཔ. 'Young Adultན. 'My Week With Marilynདྷ. 'Margin Callད. 'X-Males: Top Qualityཐ. 'Attack the Blockཏ. 'Shameཎ. 'Super 8ཌྷ. 'Melancholiaཌ. 'The Muppetsཋ. 'Rise in the Planet in the Apesཊ. 'Tree of Existenceཉ. 'Rango཈. 'The Helpཇ. 'Moneyballཆ. ཮/50Ə. 'DriveƎ. 'The Girl While using Dragon Tattooƍ. 'Harry Potter as well as the Deathly Hallows, Part IIƌ. 'Midnight in ParisƋ. 'BridesmaidsƊ. 'The DescendantsƉ. 'War Equineƈ. 'The ArtistƇ. 'Hugo' See All Moviefone Galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook