BBC First, the British broadcaster’s new global channel, is set to launch in the region on February 1, with a pledge to provide at least two hours of prime-time programming with Arabic subtitles every day.
Available exclusively on OSN, it replaces the existing BBC Entertainment channel, and promises improved content. It will offer the pick of BBC's popular dramas, comedies, soap operas and entertainment shows, including sci-fi favourite Doctor Who, starring Peter Capaldi, the smash-hit Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, gritty Idris Elba crime drama Luther, long-running soap EastEnders, as well as the popular new mini series War and Peace.
Viewers will also be able to watch selected content on OSN’s catch-up service, OSN Pay. BBC First will be available on channel 215 from launch. Viewers who subscribe to OSN through du or eLife should check their electronic programme guide for the channel number. – The National staff
Latest star wars film takes China by storm
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens broke box-office records in China, taking an estimated US$33 million (Dh121m) on its first day on release in the world's second-largest film market.
It was the studio’s biggest opening day ever in China and the best-ever Saturday opening by any film in the country. The film is already the top-grossing movie of all time in the biggest movie market – the United States and Canada – and has set records around the world.
Global sales reached $1.6 billion by last Thursday.
The Star Wars saga, which began with the release of the original film in 1977, had not been a cultural phenomenon in China like in other countries.
Although the original trilogy eventually became available on DVD, they were not shown in Chinese theatres until June last year. Disney launched a marketing blitz to build buzz for the new film, featuring 500 stormtroopers on the Great Wall of China, and promotions with pop star Lu Han. – Reuters
Akshay Kumar to appear on reality-TV acting show
Actor Akshay Kumar took to Twitter to promote an appearance on the reality-TV show, India's Best Dramebaaz, a talent contest for child actors (a dramebaaz is an actor specialising in drama), along with his upcoming film Airlift, which was partly filmed in Ras Al Khaimah.
“On the sets of @ZeeTV’s India’s Best Dramebaaz today (Saturday), enjoying all the #dramebaazi! These kids will #Airlift your mood! @AirliftFilm #IBD,” the 48-year-old star wrote.
Filmmaker Sajid Khan, who is on the show's judging panel alongside actors Vivek Oberoi and Sonali Bendre, also took to social media to share a photograph of himself with Kumar and his Airlift co-star Nimrat Kaur.
"#indiasbestdramebaaz airlifted by my friend @akshaykumar and @NimratOfficial," tweeted Khan, who has worked with Kumar in films including Heyy Babyy, Housefull and Housefull 2.
The episode featuring the Airlift stars will be broadcast this week on Zee TV. The film, about the mass evacuation of Indians from Kuwait during the Iraq-Kuwait war, will be released in India on January 22. – IANS
Kylie Minogue sparks engagement rumours
Australian actress and singer Kylie Minogue has been spotted wearing a diamond ring, fuelling rumours that she is engaged to her actor boyfriend of four months, Joshua Sasse.
She was photographed with the jewel on her left hand as the couple dined at the Chiltern Firehouse in London, following a two-week holiday in Geneva.
"Kylie was smiling from ear to ear and was more than happy to flaunt her diamond ring. It was like she wanted the world to know," a source told The Sun newspaper.
The 47-year-old star had previously said that she would like to have children with the 28-year-old Brit one day. – IANS
Blues singer Otis Clay dies
Chicago soul, blues and gospel singer Otis Clay, whose career spanned half a century and a range of musical influences, died on Friday at the age of 73 after suffering a heart attack.
Clay, who was born in Mississippi, where he began singing gospel music, arrived on the Chicago music scene in the mid-1950s. His first national rhythm and blues hit, That's How It is (When You're in Love), was released in 1967, followed by She's About a Mover the following year.
In the mid-1970s, Clay launched his own label, Echo Records. His album Walk a Mile in My Shoes earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional R&B Performance in 2008, and in 2013, he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis.
A community advocate as well as a performer, Clay was a board member of People For New Direction, a local non-profit with a mission to address socioeconomic issues on Chicago’s West Side. He also served as chairman of the board for Tobacco Road, which helped build a cultural centre in the city. – Reuters
Lamar Odom released from hospital
Basketball player Lamar Odom has been released from Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles and transferred to a private facility, his aunt JaNean Mercer confirmed.
The NBA star reportedly left the hospital last week, following months of recovery after being found unconscious in Nevada in October last year, according to etonline.com.
“It is with extreme gratitude and appreciation to all of you around the world who have prayed without ceasing for Lamar, that we announce his transition to the next stage of his miraculous recovery at a new facility,” Mercer said.
She added that he “continues to make remarkable strides and we are asking that you continue to respect our privacy. Again we thank you all greatly, your support has been paramount in helping to uplift us during these past few difficult months.”
Odom’s estranged wife, Khloe Kardashian, who also spoke to etonline.com, said: “He’s definitely doing better and better every day, which I’m so grateful for.” – IANS