News

An office for telecom provider Consolidated Communications in Yelm, Washington. (Photo by Matthew Keys for The Desk)

Consolidated Communications has launched a new promotion that will see new customers of its Fidium high-speed Internet service get a $150 streaming video credit when they sign up for a certain plan.

Starting November 29 (Black Friday) and running through December 6, new customers who sign up for Fidium’s 1 or 2 gig service plans will receive six months of streaming credits that equate $150, redeemable through the MyBundle streaming TV bonus card program. The $150 credit can be used for new or existing video subscriptions, and the offer will be available in all markets where Fidium offers Internet service, the company affirmed.

“Just as Black Friday and Cyber Week are known to offer consumers the best holiday deals, Fidium is excited to offer this streaming promotion to our new customers, giving them access to the best connection and streaming experience,...

The MyBundle recommendation tool allows streamers to select the linear channels they want, then receive recommendations for the best streaming services that offer them. (Graphic by The Desk)

Nearly one on three streaming TV users are unable to find a single streaming service that offers access to all the broadcast and cable networks they want to watch, according to a new report released by MyBundle on Wednesday.

The report, authored by MyBundle Chief Revenue Officer Michael Goldstein and published by Hub Entertainment Research, said more than one million broadband Internet users have used MyBundle’s streaming recommendation tool to select the broadcast and cable channels they want out of a streaming service, then receive guidance on the streaming services that offer some, if not all, of those channels.

When a user fires up the MyBundle recommendation tool, they’re greeted with a list of around two dozen popular channels to...

(Stock image)

The biggest cable TV operator in Alaska has signaled its desire to stop offering cable TV service altogether.

This week, Gci Communications began telling customers it will stop offering cable TV service in mid-2025, with the company pushing subscribers toward its broadband Internet offerings and to third-party streaming video platforms.

In the coming weeks, Gci intends to start offering customers the Xumo Stream Box as a replacement for their cable TV hardware. The Xumo Stream Box allows streamers to watch content from popular apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, Peacock, YouTube and Paramount Plus, and to stream live broadcast and cable channels from services like Sling TV, YouTube TV and Hulu with Live TV.

Gci affirmed it filed an application with the Regulatory Committee of Alaska earlier this month. Members of the public may comment on the application, though it is not expected to face much opposition.

The new fourth-generation Tablo over-the-air digital video recorder includes an updated Tablo app experience for streaming and smart TV devices. (Courtesy photo)

The E. W. Scripps Company is working on a version of its Tablo digital video recorder that will play nicely with broadband Internet service providers, allowing certain companies to transition away from legacy video in favor of a hybrid broadcast-streaming option.

Company executives revealed plans for the new Tablo device during the Independent Show in Nashville this month, and has affirmed a partnership with the National Content & Technology Cooperative (Nctc) to eventually offer the device to members who operate small and mid-sized broadband Internet and cable TV systems across the country.

Scripps acquired Nuvyyo, the parent company of Tablo, two years ago. Last year, the company released an updated fourth-generation model of Tablo that combines broadcast TV stations with around 60 free, ad-supported content streams, all without a subscription.

The Roku Streaming Stick is an ultra-compact streaming device.

Streaming video marketplace MyBundle has helped its broadband Internet partners transition customers away from traditional video toward connected TV for several years, and now it is kicking that strategy into high gear thanks to a new partnership with hardware maker Roku.

On Wednesday, MyBundle CEO Jason Cohen said the service has struck a deal with electronics maker Roku that will allow more than 250 partner Internet service providers to offer their customers a free Roku Streaming Stick 4K, which can be acquired directly from the MyBundle platform.

“Through this collaboration, MyBundle and Roku will handle all the fulfillment, ensuring a seamless experience for our ISP partners and their customers,” Cohen said on Wednesday. “Eligible customers can claim their Roku Streaming Stick 4K through MyBundle and receive them free of charge, making it easier than ever to enjoy top-notch streaming.”

Cohen continued: “It may surprise most,...

Michael Goldstein. (Courtesy photo)

Streaming marketplace MyBundle has hired former Ting Chief Revenue Officer Michael Goldstein into the same role for the company, starting this month.

Goldstein will report to MyBundle CEO Jason Cohen, a company spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday. At MyBundle, Goldstein will be responsible for all sales, marketing and partner success initiatives. In addition to a consumer streaming platform, MyBundle offers services to broadband Internet providers, connecting their customers with online-based services for their linear and on-demand video needs.

“MyBundle is thrilled to bring on Michael to our executive team in this time of accelerated growth for the company,” Cohen said in a statement emailed to The Desk on Tuesday. “Michael’s wealth of broad leadership experience, as well as specific skills needed in driving Ting’s broadband business will help MyBundle, and most importantly our broadband partners, make the most of the opportunity ahead.”

Goldstein joins MyBundle...

Siblings navigated love on Netflix's Dated and Related, with some finding connections and others not lasting post-show. Cast members pursued careers as influencers and tried reality TV again, facing challenges like long-distance and ghosting. Winners Kaz and Diana Bishop couldn't adjust to life outside the villa and split, while others like Joey Roppo found new relationships.

Netflix's Dated and Related is about siblings becoming wingmen and wingwomen for each other, and some are more successful than others. With a beautiful villa in France as their backdrop, sibling pairs gathered, helping each other to find love. Some couples found their matches in the first episode, while others needed time to form deep connections. Three finalists left Dated and Related (which premiered in early September 2022) together in the season finale, but not every pair stayed together after the show ended.

It was easy to have mixed reactions to Dated and Related,...

(Courtesy image)

MyBundle will soon offer a premium package that couples lifestyle and adventure service My Outdoor TV with food-focused Tastemade Plus, The Desk has learned.

The bundle will be priced at $11 per month and sold through MyBundle’s direct-to-consumer subscription marketplace and through a similar white-label marketplace offered to its broadband and cable partners.

The formation of the bundle comes after MyBundle signed a distribution agreement with Outdoor Sportsman Group, the company behind My Outdoor TV. As part of the agreement, Outdoor Sportsman Group will use MyBundle’s native payment processing and subscription management tool, which will allow streamers to sign up and manage their Motv and the forthcoming bundle right from the MyBundle app.

“Outdoor lifestyle and adventure programming resonates with many customers in the growing MyBundle broadband partner network. We are very pleased to enter into an agreement with Osg as our latest content distribution partnership and...

Chris Hahn's popularity rose from Perfect Match; however, fans questioned his intentions and authenticity during the show. Chris, a 30-year-old model and reality TV star, is an Aries and has a background in various professions before focusing on influencing. Despite a controversial coupling with Tol, Chris now resides in Los Angeles post-season, maintaining a single status after finishing with Tol.

Perfect Match season 2 may have ended, but there are still questions regarding contestant Chris Hahn, who spent most of the competition matched with The Trust's Tol Ekundare. Chris originally starred in Netflix's short-lived series Dated And Related, where he appeared as a single looking for love alongside his cousin, Jason Cohen. While he was unsuccessful, Chris caught Tol's eye on Perfect Match season 2, leading to one of the strongest pairings in the house. Perfect Match season 3 might be a long time away, but there's still curiosity about one of season 2's leading men.

Chris and Tol's genuine connection started as a friendship on Perfect Match season 2. Despite challenges, Chris and Tol's relationship has deepened into something special. While deserving to win, Chris and Tol may lose to another couple on the season finale.

Perfect Match season 2 couple Tol Ekundare and Chris Hahn have been building a relationship throughout their time on the series that deserves to win, but its likely the pair will be snubbed on the season finale. Tol, who first appeared on Netflixs The Trust: A Game Of Greed season 1, is known for her strong personality, so coming into Perfect Match season 2, she needed to pair up with someone who wasnt intimidated. Chris, who originally appeared on Dated & Related season 1 with his cousin Jason Cohen, came into the season late but didnt catch Tols eye immediately.

While Chris and Tol have very different backgrounds, Perfect Match was the perfect...

CBS’ Super Bowl Lviii and Disney+/ESPN+ animated Toy Story Funday Football were the top scorers with three wins each at the 45th annual Sports Emmy Awards, which were handed out tonight at Frederick P. Rose Hall in Manhattan.

Four other programs tied with two statuettes apiece at the ceremony hosted by The Kid Mero: NFL Networks’ perennial trophy hog NFL 360, Apple TV+’s Super League: The War for Football, Golf Channel’s Unredeemable and HBO’s now-wrapped Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.

See the full list of winners recognized by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences below.

Longtime NFL studio host James Brown received the Sports Emmys Lifetime Achievement Award for his work as “a significant influence and a consistent presence in sports broadcasting,” Sharp said. He has anchored pro football pregame shows including The NFL Today, NFL on Fox and Inside the NFL and has hosted the Super Bowl a record 12 times.

Does a long-lost photo of Abraham Lincoln exist?

Discovery Channel is aiming to answer that question in a new documentary that’s being produced by Mark Walberg’s production company Unrealistic Ideas and directed by Jason Cohen, who was nominated for the best short documentary Oscar for Facing Fear in 2014.

There are currently only 130 known images of President Lincoln on record. However, The Lost Lincoln will investigate whther there is another image of him that was taken of the president in secret after he was assassinated and thus has remained hidden for more than 150 years.

The doc centers on ...

Does a long-lost photo of Abraham Lincoln exist?

Discovery Channel is aiming to answer that question in a new documentary that’s being produced by Mark Walberg’s production company Unrealistic Ideas and directed by Jason Cohen, who was nominated for the best short documentary Oscar for Facing Fear in 2014.

There are currently only 130 known images of President Lincoln on record. However, The Lost Lincoln will investigate whther there is another image of him that was taken of the president in secret after he was assassinated and thus has remained hidden for more than 150 years.

The doc centers on ...

With Encore!, Jason Cohen reunited 12 high school musical casts for one final performance, many years after graduation, facing countless logistical hurdles along the way.

Hosted and executive produced by Kristen Bell, the Disney+ reality series was inspired, in part, by Cohen’s lifelong love of musical theater. “Up until high school, I was in a lot of camp productions. Then, in high school, I wasn’t actually on stage, but I was a musician who played for some performances,” the director and Ep notes. “So, the chance to be able to highlight [the high school musical experience] was appealing.”

Beginning her career in stage productions at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Bell shared Cohen’s love of theater, as well as his sense of the importance it plays in many people’s lives, whether they end up pursuing the craft professionally or not. “She is a musical theater nerd, and she just had...

“I don’t think any of us can imagine what our lives will really be like (when we’re in high school),” admits Jason Cohen. Reexamining high school dreams is a major component of Cohen’s new show “Encore!” where he serves as creator, executive producer and director. The reality series from Disney+ reunites high school casts as adults so they can stage the musical they performed as teenagers one last time. Watch the exclusive video interview above.

Cohen, who also created the series, was excited by “this idea of transformation. We all have the chance to grow through our lives.” How would the participants of “Encore!” transform since their high school days? The results vary widely. The show proves that theater holds a special place in teenagers’ memories, and was a chance for a diverse set of students to gather together. The reunited alumni were part of different friend...

We’re two paltry weeks away from the Oscars and while the race for Best Picture continues to narrow, the Emmy race couldn’t be more wide open. That’s not to say that there aren’t a few conclusions to be drawn from TV’s winter awards cycle, but their significance remains to be seen.

Saturday night saw the Directors Guild of America step into the spotlight and celebrate the artists in their midst. Hosted by fellow director Judd Apatow, it was a ceremony even Jimmy Hoffa could love, with many winners touting the benefit of working within a strong union.

“I’m very moved by this,” “Chernobyl” director Johan Renck said of his award. “As a Swede I really believe in the power of unions and organized labor for justice and solidarity.”

HBO came out on top, winning Dramatic Series (Nicole Kassell for “Watchmen”), Comedy Series (Bill Hader...

Sam Mendes’ World War I epic 1917 scored its second major guild victory of the awards season Saturday at the 72nd annual DGA Awards, cementing his spot as an Oscar Best Picture frontrunner in Director and Best Picture by winning the marquee feature film award.

The victory in a category that included four of this year’s five Oscar Directing nominees — Bong Joon-Ho for Neon’s Parasite, Quentin Tarantino for Sony’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Martin Scorsese for Netflix’s The Irishman — came after the Universal film produced and financed by Amblin Partners and New Republic scored the top prize at the PGA Awards a week ago.

‘I want to tell a quick story I’ve never told before,” Mendes, who won this award in 1999 for American Beauty, said onstage at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. “My grandfather inspired this film, and he made me...

Director Sam Mendes won the top prize at the 72nd annual Directors Guild of America Awards for “1917,” solidifying the World War I drama as the film to beat at the Academy Awards.

“I was fortunate enough to win this award two decades ago,” Mendes said in his acceptance speech, referencing his DGA Awards win for 1999’s “American Beauty.” “And I think if I’m honest with myself, I didn’t feel ultimately like I really knew what I was doing. I feel a little bit more like I do now.”

Mendes also used his speech to praise his fellow nominees — Bong Joon Ho for “Parasite,” Martin Scorsese for “The Irishman,” Quentin Tarantino for “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” and Taika Waititi for “Jojo Rabbit” — and laud the chance to get to know them better.

“To hear other directors think and talk — it’s a little like being an alcoholic,...

When the winners of the 72nd Directors Guild of America ceremony were handed out Saturday, January 25, all eyes were on the feature film category. (Read our live blog here.) Would Sam Mendes (“1917”) continue his winning streak after claiming the Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Award? Would Bong Joon Ho (“Parasite”), who tied Mendes with the critics, prevail with the directors guild? Or would Martin Scorsese (“The Irishman”), Quentin Tarantino (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”) or Taika Waititi (“Jojo Rabbit”) triumph instead? Scroll down to see who won all of the film and TV categories at the 2020 DGA Awards, which took place at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles.

SEEJanuary 25 is busiest day on 2020 Oscars calendar: DGA Awards plus cinematographers, sound mixers and Annies

DGA voters have a great track record with predicting what will ultimately win the Oscar for Best Director, including the past six in a...

The Directors Guild of America announced only a handful of nominations on the TV front on January 6, after a glitch in voting. Jill Soloway, who won in 2015 for helming “Transparent,” was left off the ballot for the series finale. So the guild is letting its members recast their votes in that category. The DGA will reveal the results of that on Friday, along with the nominees for drama series and specials. (The feature film nominations are still a go for Tuesday.)

Among Monday’s nominations, “Fosse/Verdon” led the way with three bids in the TV Movie or Limited Series race: Emmy nominees Thomas Kail and Jessica Yu are joined by Minki Spiro. Emmy champ Johan Renck (“Chernobyl”), Emmy nominee Ava DuVernay (“When They See Us”) and Vince Gilligan (“El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie”) round out the race.

See Over 100 interviews with 2020 Oscar contenders

Conspicuously absent from the documentary category...

It was a strange morning for the Director’s Guild of America (DGA) Monday, as the organization announced some — but not all — of the TV nominations for the 2020 DGA Awards.

A note included in the official nomination statement explained that the nods for the Comedy Series, Dramatic Series, and Variety/Talk/News/Sports — Specials categories will be announced on Friday, rather than today as scheduled, due to an error related to the organization’s newly implemented electronic entry submissions process. The categories in question require a re-vote, the DGA explained. Variety reported last week that the DGA sent members an email stating that “Transparent” creator Jill Soloway had been mistakenly omitted from the comedy series ballot for her direction of “Transparent Musicale Finale,” and advising members to recast their vote in the category if they so chose.

Still, there were plenty of accolades to go around in the official announcement,...

FX’s “Fosse/Verdon” dominated the first round of Directors Guild of America TV nominations, landing three in the TV movie/limited series — for directors Jessica Yu, Minkie Spiro and Thomas Kail.

Yu, Spiro and Kail will face off against “Chernobyl” director Johan Renck, who won the Emmy for that HBO limited series in September. Also up for the award are “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie” director Vince Gilligan and “When They See Us” director Ava DuVernay, both for Netflix projects.

But the big news Monday was the DGA’s decision to hold back on revealing nominations in other key categories, including drama and comedy. The org said nomination announcements for the Comedy Series, Dramatic Series and Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials categories will be announced on Friday, Jan. 10 “due to a re-vote related to a newly implemented electronic entry submissions process.”

Last week it was revealed that “Transparent” creator...

The Directors Guild of America has announced nominations in several television categories, including movies and limited series, and documentary categories for the 72nd annual Directors Guild Awards, which will be handed out on Saturday, Jan. 25.

The limited series nominees include three different episodes of “Fosse/Verdon,” as well as “When They See Us,” “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie” and “Chernobyl.”

The commercial nominees include Ridley Scott for a Hennessy ad and Spike Jonze for commercials for Squarespace and Mekanism.

Also Read: Golden Globes Winners by the Numbers: HBO Tops Netflix With 4 Wins

In the documentary category, nominations went to the directors of “American Factory,” “The Cave,” “Maiden,” “Honeyland” and “One Child Nation.”

The nominees:

Movies For Television And Limited Series

Ava DuVERNAY, “When They See Us”

Vince Gilligan, “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie”

Thomas Kail, “Fosse/Verdon,” “Nowadays”

Johan Renck, “Chernobyl”

Minkie Spiro, “Fosse/Verdon,” “All I Care About Is Love”

Jessica Yu,...

Disney+ has signed Supper Club, producers of Netflix’s docuseries “Chef’s Table,” to an exclusive multi-year production deal, which is the first nonfiction pact for the upcoming streaming service.

Supper Club, led by David Gelb, Brian McGinn and Jason Sterman, will create franchise-based and original-concept nonfiction programming for the streaming service as well as other platforms and networks within The Walt Disney Company. The company already has 2 projects in development for Disney+.

Disney+, the company’s upcoming Netflix competitor, will be centered around five brands: Disney, Marvel, LucasFilm, Pixar and National Geographic. Disney+ will be formally unveiled Thursday during an investor event and will launch towards the end of this year.

Also Read: Billy Crystal and John Goodman to Reprise 'Monsters, Inc' Roles in Disney+ Series

“We are thrilled Jason, David and Brian will bring their distinct perspectives and genuine narrative vision exclusively to Disney,” said Agnes Chu, senior vice president,...

As its burgeoning fiction slate continues to shuffle and take shape, Disney+ has announced its slate of nonfiction content, which will include the return of the Kristen Bell musical recreation show “Encore!,” as well as a project from Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’ Milojo Productions.

The streaming platform has also inked a two-year deal with documentary specialists Supper Club, Variety has learned.

Under the pact, the trio of Brian McGinn, David Gelb and Jason Sterman (pictured above left to right), who are behind award-winning docs including “Chef’s Table,” “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” and “13th,” will create both franchise-based and original-concept nonfiction programming for the streaming service, as well as other platforms and networks under the Disney umbrella.

“We are thrilled Jason, David and Brian will bring their distinct perspectives and genuine narrative vision exclusively to Disney,” said Agnes Chu, Svp of Content at Disney+. “As some of the world’s greatest nonfiction storytellers,...

Disney+ has launched its first non-fiction programming slate as well as an overall deal with Supper Club, the producers of Netflix’s Chef’s Table and Ava DuVernay’s 13th.

The streaming service has unveiled ten projects including two from David Gelb, Brian McGinn and Jason Sterman’s company, which was also behind Amanda Knox, Five Came Back and Jiro Dreams of Sushi. The news was unveiled as part of Disney’s investor day.

The trio are producing culture-focused Marvel’s 616 (w/t), created in collaboration with Marvel New Media, and wildlife conservation-themed Earthkeepers (w/t).

Marvel’s 616 is an anthological documentary series that explores the Marvel legacy and its intersection with the world. Told through the lens of a diverse group of filmmakers, each documentary will dive into rich historical, cultural and societal context that has become inseparable from stories of the Marvel Universe. It will be executive produced by Joe Quesada,...

CNN is expanding its nonfiction programming slate with six new original series for premiere in 2019.

They include six-part travel series Chasing Life with Sanjay Gupta, a new edition of American Dynasties that will focus on “the Bush family’s complex internal dynamics, fraternal rivalries, influential matriarchs and extreme competitive spirit,” Richard Nixon-focused Tricky Dick produced by Left/Right, and American Style (working title) a four-part series produced by Vox Entertainment that examines “how America’s changing style through the decades has mirrored the political, social, and economic climate of the time.”

The network also has greenlighted Once in a Great City: Detroit 1962-64, executive produced by Emmy winners Anthony Bourdain, Lydia Tenaglia, Chris Collins and Toby Oppenheimer; and The Redemption Project, produced by Citizen Jones and directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker, Jason Cohen, an eight-part series led by Van Jones that brings together crime victims and perpetrators and explores the human potential for redemption.

Welcome back to the Weekend Warrior, your weekly look at the new movies hitting theaters this weekend, as well as other cool events and things to check out.

This Past Weekend:

Tom Hanks and Clint Eastwood’s real-life drama about airline pilot Sully (Warner Bros.) far surpassed all expectations, making nearly $10 million more than my prediction with an opening weekend of $35 million in 3,525 theaters, also making it one of the biggest openings for a movie opening the weekend after Labor Day. The Screen Gems thriller When the Bough Breaks disappointed compared to some of their similar releases, taking second place with around where we predicted with around $14 million. The lower profile animated film The Wild Life (Summit/Lionsgate) did end up in fifth place behind Don’t Breathe and Suicide Squad, but with a measly $3.3 million in 2,493 theaters. As expected, Relativity’s theatrical return with its own horror/thriller The Disappointments Room...

“Three friends dream up the Compaq portable computer at a Texas diner in 1981, and soon find themselves battling mighty Ibm, for PC supremacy. Their improbable journey altered the future of computing and shaped the world we now know. Silicon Cowboys is directed by filmmaker Jason Cohen, of the Oscar nominated short doc Facing Fear previously. The doc “explores the remarkable David vs. Goliath story, and eventual demise, of Compaq, an unlikely upstart who altered the future of computing.”

The post Silicon Cowboys Gets A New Trailer appeared first on Shockya.com.

“Three friends dream up the Compaq portable computer at a Texas diner in 1981, and soon find themselves battling mighty Ibm, for PC supremacy. Their improbable journey altered the future of computing and shaped the world we now know. Silicon Cowboys is directed by filmmaker Jason Cohen, of the Oscar nominated short doc Facing Fear previously. The doc “explores the remarkable David vs. Goliath story, and eventual demise, of Compaq, an unlikely upstart who altered the future of computing.”

The post Silicon Cowboys Gets A New Movie Poster appeared first on Shockya.com.

"Enjoy it while you can, because Ibm's gunna have a portable and then it's sayonara." As a computer nerd, it's always fun to see documentaries that explore the history of computers. Silicon Cowboys tell the story of the rise and fall of Compaq Computers. Launched in 1981 by three friends in Houston, they wanted to challenge Ibm's dominance over the personal computer market and were mostly successful. That is, until Ibm decided to fight back. Everyone knows the name Compaq, but do you know the real story behind them? This looks like a fascinating and captivating doc not only about computers but about the cutthroat business world that is still prevalent today. That quote about "the way you were supposed to deal with Ibm" sold me. Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for Jason Cohen's doc Silicon Cowboys, direct from YouTube: Three friends dream up the Compaq portable computer at a...

FilmRise has acquired worldwide rights to filmmaker Jason Cohen’s documentary following its world premiere in Austin, Texas, at the weekend.

The distributor brokered the deal with Preferred Content and will release Silicon Cowboys theatrically in the autumn. Content Media handles international sales.

Ross Dinerstein and Glen Zipper produced the David vs. Goliath story of Compaq Computer the rise of the PC industry in the 1980s.

Starz has picked up all North American and Latin American rights from Wme Global to Sophie Goodhart’s rom-com My Blind Brother, which also premiered at the weekend in SXSW.

Adam Scott, Nick Kroll, Jenny Slate, Zoe Kazan, and Charlie Hewson star in the Low Spark Films and Tunnell’s Safehouse Pictures feature. Low Spark financed in association with Think Media Studios.

Starz Digital plans a theatrical and VOD release later this year followed by an exclusive pay television premiere on Starz in 2017.

FilmRise has acquired worldwide distribution rights to the Silicon Cowboys, which had its world premiere Friday in the Documentary Spotlight section at SXSW. The indie film and TV distributor (Going Clear, Janis: Little Girl Blue) plans a fall 2016 theatrical release. Jason Cohen’s docu centers on the birth of Compaq Computer and is a fresh look into the explosive rise of the 1980s PC industry. Compaq, founded by three friends in a Houston diner, took on mighty Ibm by…...

Film and television distributor FilmRise announced today it has acquired the worldwide distribution rights for the SXSW documentary premiere "Silicon Cowboys." Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Jason Cohen and produced by Ross Dinerstein and Glen Zipper, the film "chronicles the David vs. Goliath story of Compaq Computer and offers a fresh look into the explosive rise of the 1980’s PC industry, delivering a surprising alternative to the familiar narrative of Jobs, Gates, and Zuckerberg." According to its official synopsis, "Launched in 1982 by three friends in a Houston diner, Compaq Computer set out to build a portable PC to take on Ibm, the world’s most powerful tech company. Many had tried cloning the industry leader’s code, only to be trounced by Ibm and its high-priced lawyers. 'Silicon Cowboys' traces the rise, and eventual demise, of the unlikely upstart – that would alter the future of computing and shape the...

Oscar 2014 winners and nominees (photo: Oscar winners Lupita Nyong’o and Jared Leto chat at the 2014 Oscar ceremony) Best Picture: American Hustle, Charles Roven, Richard Suckle, Megan Ellison, Jonathan Gordon; Captain Phillips, Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca; Dallas Buyers Club, Robbie Brenner, Rachel Winter; Gravity, Alfonso Cuarón, David Heyman; Her, Megan Ellison, Spike Jonze, Vincent Landay; Nebraska, Albert Berger, Ron Yerxa; Philomena, Gabrielle Tana, Steve Coogan, Tracey Seaward; 12 Years a Slave, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Steve McQueen, Anthony Katagas; The Wolf of Wall Street, Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, Joey McFarland, Emma Tillinger Koskoff. Best Foreign Language Film: The Broken Circle Breakdown, Belgium; The Great Beauty, Italy; The Hunt, Denmark; The Missing Picture, Cambodia; Omar, Palestine. Best Actress: Amy Adams, American Hustle; Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine; Sandra Bullock, Gravity; Judi Dench, Philomena; Meryl Streep, August: Osage County. Best Actor: Christian Bale, American Hustle; Bruce Dern, Nebraska; Leonardo DiCaprio,...

The 86th annual Academy Awards were really fun to watch. Ellen Degeneres did a fantastic job hosting, and I enjoyed the show she put on. It was also insanely predictable, at least, for me it was. Overall, I'm happy with all of the films that won. My favorite win of the the night was Spike Jonze taking home the Oscar for Best Original screenplay for Her. That was such an amazing movie, and I really wanted it to win that award, but I wasn't sure it would happen. My favorite speech of the night came from Best Actor winner Matthew McConaughey. I was never really a big fan of his, but over the last couple of years he has sure blown up into an amazing actor who has starred in some really incredible films. Then that speech he gave last night won me over, and now I'm on team McConaughey.

It was another incredible night at the 86th Academy Awards earlier this evening (March 2), as Ellen DeGeneres hosted a wonderful show filled with fabulous moments.

Big wins went to Jared Leto and Lupita Nyong'o in the Supporting Actors categories, while Cate Blanchett and Matthew McConaughey took home the golden statues for their work as Leading Actors.

Meanwhile, the cast and crew of "12 Years a Slave" was recognized with a Best Picture Oscar and Alfonso Cuaron took home the award for Best Director.

Check out the full list of 2014 Academy Award winners below!

Best Picture

"American Hustle"

"Captain Phillips"

"Dallas Buyers Club"

"Gravity"

"Her"

"Nebraska"

"Philomena"

Winner "12 Years a Slave"

"The Wolf of Wall Street"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Barkhad Abdi in “Captain Phillips”

Bradley Cooper in “American Hustle”

Michael Fassbender in “12 Years a Slave”

Jonah Hill in “The Wolf of Wall Street”

Winner Jared Leto...

After a lengthy awards season that lasted three long months, the race for the Oscars came to a conclusion tonight at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

This year’s 86th Academy Awards saw a split between Best Picture and Director. 12 Years A Slave won three, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Lupita Nyong’o.

Backstage, producer/actor Brad Pitt said, “ I love this movie. I ‑‑ just as a film, as a lover of film, the filmmaking, the ‑‑ this heroic story of a man in this inhumane situation trying to get back to his family. I love this film. I love the filmmaking. It’s counterintuitive to the way we’re making films today. It’s a real achievement by Mr. McQueen here. I love this movie. I think it’s important. I think it’s important because it deals with our history that we haven...

Another year has gone by with some simply fantastic movies and yes, it’s the night of the Oscars yet again. We’ll be up throughout the night tweeting from @HeyUGuys and we’ll be updating this post as we go throughout the night.

If you miss a winner, fear not as they’ll all be here as we go or if you’re reading this in the UK in the morning, welcome and we’re no doubt asleep!

The Tally:

Gravity: 7 Dallas Buyers Club: 3 12 Years a Slave: 3 The Great Gatsby: 2 Frozen: 2 Blue Jasmine: 1

—————————

Best Picture

“American Hustle” Charles Roven, Richard Suckle, Megan Ellison and Jonathan Gordon, Producers “Captain Phillips” Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti and Michael De Luca, Producers “Dallas Buyers Club” Robbie Brenner and Rachel Winter, Producers “Gravity” Alfonso Cuarón and David Heyman, Producers “Her” Megan Ellison, Spike Jonze and Vincent Landay, Producers “Nebraska” Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa,...

The 86th Annual Academy Awards have come and gone, and Et has the complete list of winners!

Read on to find out who took home gold. (Winners underlined).

Related Pics: Hit or Miss: The 2014 Oscars!

Best Supporting Actor

Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips

Bradley Cooper, American Hustle

Jonah Hill, The Wolf of Wall Street

Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave

Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club

Best Supporting Actress

Lupita Nyong'o, 12 Years a Slave

Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle

June Squibb, Nebraska

Julia Roberts, August: Osage County

Sally Hawkins, Blue Jasmine

Best Animated Feature

Frozen

The Croods

The Wind Rises

Despicable Me 2

Ernest & Celestine

Best Picture

American Hustle

Captain Phillips

Dallas Buyers Club

Gravity

Her

Nebraska

Philomena

12 Years a Slave

The Wolf of Wall Street

Best Lead Actor

Christian Bale, American Hustle

Bruce Dern, Nebraska

Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street

Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave

Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club

Best Lead Actress

Amy Adams, American Hustle

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Screen is updating the Oscar winners live here…winners so far include Dallas Buyers Club, Gravity, Frozen, The Great Beauty, 12 Years A Slave and more.

The winners are being announced at the 86th Academy Awards in Los Angeles.

The winners are listed below, followed by the nominees.

Best motion picture of the year“American Hustle” Charles Roven, Richard Suckle, Megan Ellison and Jonathan Gordon, Producers“Captain Phillips” Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti and Michael De Luca, Producers“Dallas Buyers Club” Robbie Brenner and Rachel Winter, Producers“Gravity” Alfonso Cuarón and David Heyman, Producers“Her” Megan Ellison, Spike Jonze and Vincent Landay, Producers“Nebraska” Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa, Producers“Philomena” Gabrielle Tana, Steve Coogan and Tracey Seaward, Producers“12 Years a Slave” Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Steve McQueen and Anthony Katagas, Producers“The Wolf of Wall Street” Nominees to be determinedPerformance by an actor in a leading roleChristian Bale in “American Hustle”Bruce Dern in “Nebraska”[link...

Waking up bright and early, Chris Hemsworth headed over to the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, CA to announce the 2014 Academy Award nominations on January 16.

In addition, the President of the Academy, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, took to the stage to kick off the day in honor the "heroes" in the film industry and read off the list with the "Thor" hunk.

Starting off the nominees list were the talented men in the Supporting Actor category including Barkad Abdi, Bradley Cooper, Michael Fassbender, Jonah Hill and Jared Leto.

As for the ladies in the Supporting Actress category, Sally Hawkins, Jennifer Lawrence, Lupita Nyong'o, Julia Roberts and June Squibb each earned recognition.

When it came to the Best Picture nominees, nine films including "American Hustle," "Captain Phillips," "Dallas Buyers Club," "Gravity," "Her," "Nebraska," "Philomena," "12 Years a Slave" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" gained a nod.

Check out the full list of 2014 Oscar nominees below!

The 86th Annual Academy Awards are happening right now, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres. We'll be updating this story live as the Academy Awards are being handed out, so keep refreshing to see all the latest winners, and chime in with your thoughts on Hollywood's biggest night of the year.

Best Picture

12 Years a Slave

American Hustle

Captain Phillips

Dallas Buyers Club

Gravity

Her

Nebraska

Philomena

The Wolf of Wall Street

Best Actor In A Leading Role

Matthew McConaughey - Dallas Buyers Club

Christian Bale - American Hustle

Bruce Dern - Nebraska

Leonardo DiCaprio - The Wolf of Wall Street

Chiwetel Ejiofor - 12 Years a Slave

Best Actress In A Leading Role

Cate Blanchett - Blue Jasmine

Amy Adams - American Hustle

Sandra Bullock - Gravity

Judi Dench - Philomena

Meryl Streep - August: Osage County

Best Director

Alfonso Cuar&#243n - Gravity

Steve McQueen - 12 Years a Slave

Alexander Payne...

Dennis Paul of React to Film, MTV News' Josh Horowitz and director Jason Cohen with Matt Boger at the Paley Center For Media discussion on Facing Fear. Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze

Ten days before the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on this Sunday, March 2, announces this year's Oscars, the Paley Center For Media in New York held a screening and discussion moderated by Josh Horowitz from MTV News of Jason Cohen's Best Documentary Short nominee Facing Fear. The evening was presented by React to Film, GLAAD, the Independent Filmmaker Project (Ifp) and The Fetzer Institute.

React to Film co-founder Dennis Paul spoke before the screening - "Our mission is to engage the young people of America on important social issues of today. Ultimately the whole point of the high school and the college program is to expose them to those issues that they haven't probably thought about and...

Contributed by Michelle McCue, Melissa Thompson and Gary Salem

Funny how fast an Oscar season goes by… only last year Argo was being given the Academy Award for Best Picture. The big night is almost here and nothing about this year’s Academy Awards is a sure bet. With so much time between the nominations in January, the various guild awards and the Olympics thrown in, the 6,028 AMPAS voters have had a long time to mull things, and their votes, over.

The winner’s acceptance speeches at the Golden Globes, the Screen Actor Guild Awards (SAG) and the British Academy Awards (BAFTA) have never been more important as they have during this past month and a half. Voting for the Oscars closed on Tuesday, February 25, at 5 p.m.

Even the avid pundits are in a muddle and would give their eye teeth to see the final tallies. Will hopefuls Leto,...

On Wednesday evening of Oscar Week, the Academy introduced the five films nominated for Best Documentary Feature and Documentary Short Subject at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

Host Rob Epstein introduced the event by welcoming the packed house to the “Temple of Films.” Represented by the nominees in both categories, the program included clips from all of the films nominated and panel discussions with filmmakers from each group.

First up were the Documentary Short Subject films.

On hand were nominees Malcolm Clarke and Nicholas Reed, directors of the “The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life,” the story of 109 year old, Alice Herz Sommer, the world’s oldest pianist and Holocaust survivor who shares her story on how to achieve a long and happy life through music, laughter and optimism. It was apparent that both were still deeply affected by this woman who passed away on Sunday.

In the lead-up to the 86th annual Academy Awards on March 2, HitFix will be bringing you the lowdown on all 24 Oscar categories with multiple entries each day. Take a few notes and bone up on the competition as we give you the edge in your office Oscar pool! Back in the days before online streaming, Best Documentary Short was the wild card of every year's Oscar pool -- without seeing the nominees, which are usually equivalent in terms of profile (low) and previous recognition (little to none), there's no way of knowing which one would win. These days I do get to see the nominees beforehand, and you know what? There's still no way of knowing which one will win -- this is surely the most evenly matched race of the night, consisting of at least three highly different survival stories (and one of heartbreaking demise). There's not one nominee that can be discounted here.

Come Oscar season, all cinephiles are ready to campaign for their favorite film. Are you Team Gravity or Team 12 Years a Slave? Jennifer Lawrence or Lupita Nyong’o? While movie fans have likely seen all the big nominees by this point, there are smaller categories where even some film enthusiasts may not be as well-versed. Leading up to the Oscars, EW will tell you all about one often-overlooked category: Best Documentary Short. Come back each day this week for a look at one of the nominees, and impress your Oscar party with your knowledge when the category appears on Sunday’s broadcast.

There is a single thread running through these shorts, and it is deeply existential and irreducibly personal: How do we save ourselves? I’m “biast” (pro): nothing

I’m “biast” (con): nothing

(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)

There is a single thread running through all the Oscar-nominated short documentaries this year, and it is a deceptively simple question with no one simple answer, and not even one simple definition as a question. But it is deeply existential and irreducibly personal: How do we save ourselves? “Saving ourselves” will mean something different to everyone, with a different degree of urgency. It may encompass what we consider to be the core of our beings… or even the mere posing of the question may help us define who we consider ourselves to be. It would be remarkable if any of the definitions and answers in this stories coincided with your own.

Oscar nominated short films will be screened in theaters across the country starting Friday, Jan. 31 and will be available on demand and for download on iTunes beginning Feb. 25.

The nominees in the three categories – Best Live Action Short, Best Animated Short and Best Documentary Short – span from running times of 5 minutes to 40 and come from a handful of countries around the world.

Click here to find a theater near you.

Here is a list of the nominated films, all of which will be screened as part of this event.

Best Live Action Short:

Do I Have To Take Care of Everything? from director Selma Vilhunen (Finland)

Just Before Losing Everything from director Xavier Legrand (France)

Helium from director Anders Walter (Denmark)

That Wasn’t Me from director Esteban Crespo (Spain)

The Voorman Problem from director Mark Gill (United Kingdom)

Best Animated Short:

Feral – Daniel Sousa (USA)

Get A Horse! – Lauren MacMullan...