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Tag: Netflix

  • Nigerian pastors call for Netflix boycott over Jesus movie

    Two Nigerian pastors are up in arms against Netflix, a global movie streaming service, over a comedy production on Jesus, titled ‘The First Temptation of Christ’.

    The movie which debuted 3 December in Brazil, where it was produced portrays Jesus as gay and his mother Mary as a weed smoker. About 1.5 million people in Brazil have already signed a petition asking Netflix to axe the 46 minute movie.

    One of the Nigerian pastors, Apostle Johnson Suleman who opposed the film has threatened to mobilise christians worldwide to boycott Netflix.

    In several tweets on Sunday, Suleman wrote: “Delete Netflix app on your system..unfollow them if you are a true Christian..The movie ‘gay jesus’ is an insult to christianity and abuse to our sensibilities..we stand to condemn it and all it stands for…Mad people…

    “We have 2.5billion Christians on earth, if Netflix goes ahead with this rubbish, we should boycott them.. that movie is evil, its not right and it will not stand.

    “The glory of present day cinema is Netflix..but since they have decided to blaspheme, its crash is inevitable..you want to do a film ‘gay jesus’?…it’s the beginning of your end..we are not cowards cause we are tolerant”, he said.

    Reno Omokri, former presidential aide, who also runs a ministry also kicked against the movie.

    In a post shared on his Instagram “””page, Reno appealed to Netflix not to take the tolerance of Christians for granted.

    “The other day, a misguided woman used Scripture as an ashtray. Now, @Netflix announces a film about a gay Jesus. Would they do that to the Quran? Do NOT take advantage of Christian’s tolerance. We choose non-violence. Not that we can’t be violent! If Netflix goes ahead to release their comedy on the gay Jesus, I urge all #RenosNuggeteers around the world to delete their Netflix app and cancel their subscription. If you fail to do this, you can’t claim to love Christ, His Father, or me, their servant. Please retweet!”

    The controversial movie is a Netflix Christmas special that depicts Jesus as a gay man.

    No sooner the movie was released in Brazil than it sparked controversy.

    The satirical flick is by a Brazil-based YouTube comedy group and shows Jesus as a closeted homosexual on Christmas, reports Mail Online.

    The film sees Jesus and a friend named Orlando arriving at Mary and Joseph’s house who are throwing a birthday party for their son.

    Jesus tries to downplay his relationship with Orlando, who hints the pair are more than just friends.

    ‘Jesus, who’s hitting the big 3-0, brings a surprise guest to meet the family. A Christmas special so wrong, it must be from comedians Porta dos Fundos,’ reads the description on Netflix.

  • Netflix deletes suicide scene from popular youth show, ’13 Reasons Why’

    Netflix Inc. is removing a controversial graphic scene depicting a youth suicide from its popular young adult drama “13 Reasons Why”, following advice from medical experts, the company said on its Twitter account early on Tuesday.
    The show, based on a book of the same name, depicts the suicide of the protagonist in the last episode of season 1, with a scene of the youth Hannah slitting her wrists in a bathtub.
    The company said on Twitter that on the advice of medical experts it had “decided with the creator Brian Yorkey and the producers of 13 Reasons, Why to edit the scene in which Hannah takes her own life.”
    In an emailed statement early on Tuesday, a Netflix spokesperson said, “We’ve heard from many young people that 13 Reasons Why encouraged them to start conversations about difficult issues like depression and suicide.”
    While critically acclaimed, the show has drawn criticism from groups including the Parents Television Council (PTC), which claims the show glorifies teen suicide.
    The move to edit the scene drew praise from a number of agencies including the PTC, which has also lobbied Netflix to drop the show entirely.
    “Netflix has finally acknowledged the harmful impact that explicit content, such as the graphic suicide scene in 13 Reasons Why, is capable of inflicting on children.”
    The American Association of Suicidology and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention were among others welcoming the move.
    Suicides by young Americans rose by almost a third in the month following the 2017 streaming debut of the popular Netflix television series, a U.S. study found.
    The National Institutes of Health-supported (NIH) study found a 28.9 percent increase in suicide rates among U.S. youth ages 10-17 in April 2017.
    It said there was an additional estimated 195 suicide deaths in that age bracket from April to December 2017, versus expectations based on past data.
    The researchers said the study had limitations and that they could not make a direct “causal link” between “13 Reasons Why” and the rise in suicide rates, or rule out other factors.
    The show tells the story of a teen who leaves behind a series of 13 tapes describing why she decided to take her life.
    The graphic scene caused a backlash among parents and health professionals, prompting Netflix in 2017 to put up additional viewer warning cards and direct viewers to support groups.
    A second season of “13 Reasons Why” was released in May 2018 and a third season has been ordered by Netflix.

  • Apple to acquire Netflix, analysts predict

    Premium smartphones maker, Apple Inc. has been predicted to possibly buy Netflix contrary to reports of the iPhone maker launching its video subscription product in 2018.

    Analysts from Citi said the smartphones giant could possibly take advantage of US President Donald Trump’s corporate tax cut to acquire the entertainment company.

    According to Citi analysts, Jim Suva and Asiya Merchant, there is a 40 percent likelihood that Apple will acquire Netflix.

    They posit that under the new taxing rules, Apple will be able to repatriate about $220 billion in cash to the US.

    “The firm has too much cash – nearly $250 billion – growing at $50 billion a year. This is a good problem to have,” Suva and Merchant were quoted as saying.

    “Historically, Apple has avoided repatriating cash to the US to avoid high taxation. As such, tax reform may allow Apple to put this cash to use.

    “With over 90 percent of its cash sitting overseas, a one-time 10 percent repatriation tax would give Apple $220 billion for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) or buybacks,” they added.

    A report in Business Insider Australia said that iTunes has been a huge hit for the company, but viewers have migrated increasingly to services like Netflix, Amazon or Hulu to watch their favourite shows leaving Apple struggling to offer a compelling TV or movie offering.

     

  • Shonda Rhimes dumps ABC Studios for Netflix

    Renowned TV Producer, Shonda Rhimes has joined Netflix, American entertainment company, ending her 15-year relationship with the Walt Disney owned ABC Studios.

    Rhimes is acclaimed for her hit television series like Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and How To Get Away With Murder. The revered media expert has said she would begin the production of her new series for Netflix while her pre-existing shows will continue to air.

     

    “Shonda Rhimes is one of the greatest storytellers in the history of television,” Ted Sarandos, Netflix chief content officer, revealed.

     

     

    According to reports,Netflix will pay Rhimes $10 million per year to produce shows for the network.

     

    ABC’s entertainment president, Channing Dungey, said, “I’m proud to have given a home to what have become some of the most celebrated and talked-about shows on television. With the launch of a new season upon us, fans can rest assured that TGIT remains intact and will be as buzzed about as ever.”

     

    Shonda Rhimes shows, How to Get Away with Murder, Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal have already been renewed for new seasons.

     

  • Facebook original TV quality shows to premiere soon

    Facebook Incorporated is reportedly in talks with Hollywood studios about producing originally scripted, TV quality shows.

    Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that the social network aims to launching original programming by late summer in what will be the outcome of the talks.

    The social media giant has indicated that it is willing to commit to production budgets as high as $3m per episode, in meetings with Hollywood talent agencies, the Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

    According to reports, Facebook is hoping to target audiences from ages 13 to 34, with a focus on the 17 to 30 range.

    The company has already lined up “Strangers”, a relationship drama, and a game show, “Last State Standing”, the report said.

    Although, Facebook is yet to release official statements on the matter, the tech firm is expected to release episodes in a traditional manner, instead of dropping an entire season in one go like Netflix and Amazon.com, WSJ reported.

    The company is also willing to share its viewership data with Hollywood, the report added.

    Meanwhile, recently, Apple hired co-presidents of Sony Pictures Television, Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg to lead its video-programming efforts.

    Apple began its long-awaited move into original television series last week, with a reality show called “Planet of the Apps”, an unscripted show about developers trying to interest celebrity mentors with a 60-second pitch on an escalator.

    The company’s future programming plans include an adaptation of comedian James Corden’s “Carpool Karaoke” segment from his CBS Corporation show that will begin airing in August.