Deitrick Haddon Partners With eOne Music for New Record Label, Putting TV on Backburner

Gospel music star Deitrick Haddon. (Photo: Deitrick Haddon)

Gospel music star Deitrick Haddon.

Christian Post Report – Deitrick Haddon is partnering with eOne Music for an epoch-making partnership with the introduction of his DHVisions record label.

Haddon, the 41-year-old minister, gospel singer and producer who appeared on the Oxygen docu-series “Preachers of L.A.,” was signed to eOne Nashville recently where he will release new music for his DHVisions record label.

Haddon said his goal is to elevate gospel music to new heights and explained why he decided to partner with eOne Music for his latest venture to create new music on DHVisions.

“As I sat down with Phil and the entire eOne team, I realized we have the same goal, and that’s to unapologetically push Gospel music to new heights,” Haddon said in a statement obtained by The Christian Post. “It’s rare to find a label that’s on the same page as the artist. I feel that my music and my vision are in good hands with eOne! Let’s Go.”

Haddon took to Instagram to thank his business partner Dr. Holly Carter, CEO and founder of Relevé Entertainment, for reminding him that he was not solely a television star after his success on “Preachers of L.A.” He went on to thank his family, before vowing to deliver new music to his fans.

“I spoke with a lot of companies but it was something special about EOne’s passion for entertainment & the Gospel from the entire staff that moved me,” Haddon wrote in the Instagram message. “First order of business is to get my supporters the music they’ve always loved and wanted from me!”

Haddon has recently been vocal about wanting to focus more on his music ambitions rather than television with the announcement of his new record label.

“I officially started on my new solo record this week. I’m taking a break from t.v. for a minute to put my heart & soul in this record,” Haddon wrote on Instagram. “I’m in a very solemn yet creative place and I feel my good songs coming!! #newalbum2015 #Official #creativity #Art #gospel #Soulful #Dhvisions.”

Phil Thornton, eOne Music Vice President and General Manager of Urban Inspirational spoke about eOne Music’s decision to sign and partner with Haddon.

“At eOne Music, we are excited to partner with the critically-acclaimed, award-winning superstar Deitrick Haddon in forming this new label partnership DHVisions, as he returns to produce the music his fans worldwide have always loved,” Thornton said in a statement obtained by The Christian Post. “Deitrick’s multi-faceted talents and the dynamic gifts that he’s brought to every project have made him an undeniable visionary artist, and we look forward to breaking new creative ground together in the field of gospel entertainment.”

Source : Christian Post

Upcoming Blackberry Phones 2015: Here’s How The Newest Slider Smartphone Could Look

Blackberry Classic Youtube Screenshot/ file

The BlackBerry Classic, left, along with the BlackBerry Passport are the newest phones from BlackBerry.

Christian Post Report – During the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this week, Blackberry CEO John Chen showcased a brand new Blackberry device to the press.

According to reports, the device is a slider similar to the Torch, which was announced a couple of years ago.

Reports also mentioned that aside from the slider technology, the mysterious smartphone also had curved display similar to the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge. The Galaxy S6 Edge just took home the MWC crown this year.

Based on the reports of the unknown Blackberry slider phone, artist Dylan Habkirk decided to make a concept design for the smartphone.

In the report by TechnoBuffalo, the device imagined by Habkirk boasts a dual-edged screen with QHD (2560 x 1440) resolution, a 16MP primary camera at the back, and a slide-out QWERTY keypad that has 35 keys.

In the concept art, the Blackberry device is described having a huge 3,560mAh battery.

The past few months, Blackberry has been reaping the rewards of its biggest risk in recent years – the Blackberry Passport.

The Passport combined the touchscreen experience with the company’s well-loved QWERTY keypad like never seen before.

Moreover, it featured the current high-end specs, so people who want to get the latest in technology made sure not to miss it.

Given the success of the Passport, the Canada-based manufacturer could use the same risk in developing this unnamed slider phone.

Source : Christian Post

HTC One M9 Plus to Top Original, Boasts QHD 2K Display

HTC One M9 Facebook/ HTC One M9

HTC One M9

Christian Post Report – During the last several weeks prior to the HTC One M9 release date, there were rumors that the Taiwanese manufacturer is preparing not one but two flagships, similar to the scheme Apple and Samsung followed.

However, when the Mobile World Congress began last week, only the One M9 flagship was launched.

Now that the dust has settled, it looks like HTC is actually going to release the ‘other’ model soon.

According to a report by Phone Arena, the device that was previously dubbed as the A55 is actually the One M9 Plus.

So what’s different about this version?

In the report, the HTC One M9 Plus will feature the same 5.2-inch display using an IPS LCD screen. However, the device will have an even better QHD (2560 x 1440) resolution, which is far better than the 1080p screen.

However, the high-end Android device will pack a MediaTek chipset, specifically the MT6795 SoC, instead of the Snapdragon 810 from Qualcomm.

In addition, the smartphone will reportedly come with 3GB of RAM, a 32GB built-in memory, a 20MP primary shooter, and a 4MP UltraPixel camera in front.

According to rumors, the One M9 Plus was also referred to as the One E9, though there is nothing official just yet.

The device is said to launch in China and other neighboring Asian countries. Currently, pricing details are not yet available.

Source : Christian Post

Buffalo Bills Commit Big Money to Running Back LeSean McCoy

LeSean McCoy reuters.com

After being traded to the Buffalo Bills LeSean McCoy gets a big new contract

The Buffalo Bills traded for LeSean M McCoy. The star running back was reportedly upset with that move, so the Bills signed their new acquisition to a huge contract extension to help erase is unease with joining their roster. Even with a soft market for veteran backs the Bills went out of their way to make their new star happy.

Pro Football Talk is reporting the deal is for five years and it increases his 2015 compensation from $10.25 million to $16 million. That is a big number for a running back putting the contract into the realm of what Quarterbacks tend to make in the NFL (in terms of total compensation for 2015). McCoy’s agent released further details. There is a $13.125 million dollar signing bonus. The year one salary is $2.65 million with a $250,000 workout bonus makes his earnings $16 million in the first year of the new deal.

Due to the structuring of the deal McCoy will never count more than $10 million against the cap. That and the fact the base salaries do not spike at the end of the deal make this deal very cap friendly and one that is likely to keep McCoy in Buffalo for the entire length of the deal.

The base salary grows to just $6.175 in year five.

After their head coach essentially quite the Bills have made several big moves. They have hired Rex Ryan to take over the team, and help it build a new identity. They have traded for McCoy, and there is news that they have resigned pass rusher Jerry Hughes.

The Bills also brought in OL Richie Incognito. Incognito was a part of the bullying scandal while with the Miami Dolphins. The team has new ownership and beyond being committed to the Buffalo area, it appears they are committed to building a winner out of the Bills.

Source : Christian Post

Dame Maggie Smith Confirms Departure From ‘Downtown Abbey’

Maggie Smith Reuters/File

Actress Maggie Smith in central London, July 7, 2011.

Christian Post Report – Veteran actress Maggie Smith has said she plans to leave British period drama, “Downtown Abbey” after the end of Season 5.

The “Harry Potter” actress has voiced her intention to depart from the critically acclaimed PBS period drama, “Downtown Abbey” when season 5 comes to a close. This news follows rumors the series was preparing to wind down after the show’s writer, Julian Fellowes, had reportedly left the show in preparation for a move to New York.

“They say this is the last one, and I can’t see how it could go on,” Smith, 80, told The Sunday Times. “I mean, I certainly can’t keep going. To my knowledge, I must be 110 by now. We’re into the late 1920s.”

Smith, who is set to permanently hang up her Edwardian costume soon, plays the Dowager Countess of Grantham, Violet Crawley, whose tough personality and dry wit have drawn countless viewers to the show. Her character has been with the series since its pilot in 2010.

Show creator, Julian Fellowes is currently working on another period drama, “The Gilded Age,” that’s reportedly set in 19th century New York. Fellowes and “Downtown Abbey” executive producer, Gareth Neame, have not confirmed whether the show will continue past its sixth season.

News has also been released that some of the cast of “Downtown Abbey” have been casting around for work and have sent their agents to look for projects for when the summer season winds down. Others, like Allen Leech, who plays Tom Branson, have moved to the U.S. presumably to work on a Hollywood project.

Source : Christian Post

‘Fashion Police’ News: E! Eyes Khloe Kardashian and Nene Leakes to Take Kelly Osbourne’s Place

Khloe Kardashian Youtube Screenshot/ file

Khloe Kardashian

Christian Post Report – E!’s “Fashion Police” is mulling between the choice of Khloe Kardashian or Nene Leakes to replace Kelly Osbourne, who resigned from the show a few days ago.

Osbourne announced her decision to quit “Fashion Police” following fellow host Giuliana Rancic’s racist comments about her friend, actress Zendaya Coleman’s dreadlocks during a post-Oscars telecast. E! has narrowed down her replacements to Kardashian sister, Khloe and “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” reality actress, Nene Leakes.

“Fashion Police” popularity has taken a nose-dive since the death of its lead host, Joan Rivers in September last year. Comedian Kathy Griffin took over Rivers’ post in December, and was joined by Brad Goreski, who replaced George Kotsiopoulos shortly after.

According to rumors, Leakes was a close runner-up for Rivers’ position before it was given to Griffin, while the third Kardashian sister was previously given the slot but turned it down pending what US Weekly is referring to as “the right incentive” from E!

Real Housewives of Atlanta Bravotv/ The Real Housewives of Atlanta

Nene Leakes on The Real Housewives of Atlanta

“She [Kardashian] may consider doing it again but the offer would have to be really high,” a source told Us Weekly. “It’s a lot of extra work for her.”

Meanwhile, Leakes, who once appeared as a guest co-host in “Fashion Police” in 2013, has been vocal about her intentions to leave “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” for the last two seasons.

With Kelly Osbourne’s departure from the show, the slot remains open for either Kardashian or Leakes to fill. According to E!, “Fashion Police” will be returning on March 30, Friday at 9 p.m. with a new episode, and may introduce Osbourne’s replacement then.

Source : Christian Post

‘Toy Story 4’ News: Fourth Movie A Rom-Com, Not A Continuation of the Series

Toy Story 4 Facebook/ Toy Story

Toy Story’s Jessie and Buzz

Christian Post Report – Pixar Studios’ president, Jim Morris, has announced the upcoming “Toy Story” 4 will be a romantic comedy instead of a continuation of the previous film.

“Toy Story 4,” scheduled to hit theaters in June 16, 2017, is geared to being a rom-com, focusing more on the characters romantic story arcs, instead of their relationship with human children. Jim Morris, Pixar Studios’ president revealed the primary focus of the upcoming film in the franchise during an interview with Disney Latino.

“It will be a love story. It will be a romantic comedy,” Morris said. “It will be a romantic comedy.”

John Lasseter, who directed the first two films, will be returning to helm “Toy Story 4” based on the story created by the franchise’s original writing team composed of Lasseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, and Lee Unkrich.

While the fourth outing in the series will pick up where the last film left in the timeline, it will not be a continuation of “Toy Story 3,” but is intended to be a separate story featuring the romantic development between characters in the movie, particularly the growing friendship between Woody and BoPeep, and the blossoming romance between Buzz Lightyear and Jessie.

The last three movies were intended as a trilogy, with 2010 ‘s “Toy Story 3” becoming the highest grossing animated movie in history, winning two Oscars for best original song and best animated feature before Disney’s “Frozen” came on the scene and took the over the record.

The screenplay for “Toy Story 4” will be penned by love story veterans, Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, who wrote the script for the breakup drama-comedy film, “Celeste & Jesse Forever.”

Source : Christian Post

HBO to Launch HBO Now Streaming Video Service Exclusively on Apple TV and Devices

HBO Now Reuters/File

HBO CEO Richard Plepler speaks during an Apple event in San Francisco, California March 9, 2015.

Christian Post Report – Apple and HBO have inked a deal to stream HBO movies and television shows exclusively on Apple TV via HBO Now.

HBO’s first ever standalone digital streaming package, HBO Now, will soon be available on Apple devices like iPhones, iPads and Apple TV by April this year without viewers having to pay for a cable subscription.

“This is a transformative moment for HBO,” HBO Chairman and CEO, Richard Pleper said as published on CNN Money. The news HBO and Apple were in talks to distribute HBO Now was announced in October last year.

The streaming video service, available only in the U.S., will still cost viewers $14.99 in monthly service fees, however. It is also the first time the cable and satellite TV network is offering a standalone service to make HBO’s programming available to people who don’t have a cable subscription.

The agreement takes effects in time for Season 5 of the popular HBO fantasy drama, “Game of Thrones,” which premieres on April 12.

apple itv (Photo: Apple Inc.)

A photo of Apple TV

HBO has announced it is in talks with Internet service providers like Comcast and Time Warner Cable, to make HBO Now available to viewers as part of their broadband package, ready to stream shows on applicable devices. This means viewers who want to watch HBO shows on PC need to own at least one approved Apple device.

Viewers who subscribe via their Apple devices next month will get one month’s free subscription service, and will get access to HBO’s past and current movies and TV shows.

With the exclusive three-month deal HBO has with Apple, other home streaming services like PlayStation, Xbox, and Roku will be unable to stream HBO shows until July this year.

Source : Christian Post

‘The Walking Dead’ News: AMC Announces Two-Season Spin-Off Series

The Walking Dead Youtube Screenshot/ file

A promo shot from season 5 of The Walking Dead

Christian Post Report – “The Walking Dead” on AMC is getting a spin-off series of its own in late summer, providing fans of the show with more zombie action in between seasons.

AMC just announced it will soon be premiering a spin-off series for “The Walking Dead” with its pilot to be launched by late summer of this year, followed by two seasons of the new show to be set in Los Angeles featuring a new cast of characters.

The spin-off, codenamed “Cobalt,” is yet untitled but is frequently referred to as “Fear the Walking Dead.”

Conceptualized as a companion series for the popular zombie apocalypse drama on AMC, production began in early 2015 and ended the following month.

“From the beginning of The Walking Dead on AMC, we’ve been asked questions about what was going on in other parts of the zombie apocalypse, and what it looked like as the world really did ‘turn,'” Charlie Collier, AMC President, said in a statement.

The spin-off will introduce “Body of Proof” and “Columbiana” New Zealand actor, Cliff Curtis, who takes the lead role of Sean Cabrera. It will also feature “Gone Girl’s” Kim Dickens as Nancy Tomkins, British actor Frank Dillane, who played Tom Riddle in “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” as Nick Tomkins, and Australian “Into the Storm” actress Alycia Debnam-Carey as Ashley Tomkins.

The plot follows a divorced male teacher played by Curtis, a guidance counselor, Dickens, and her two children, Dillane and Debnam-Carey. The storyline for the new show has yet to be revealed.

Season One of the new show will feature six 60-minute episodes to provide fans of the original apocalypse drama more zombie fare in between “The Walking Dead” seasons, with Season 2 set to follow in 2016.

The companion series was written by Robert Kirkman and Dave Erickson and directed by Adam Davidson.

Source : Christian Post

‘Teen Mom’ Stars Farrah Abraham and Amber Portwood Feud Over Their Book Covers

Farrah Abraham Instagram/ farrahabrahamofficial

Farrah Abraham and her daughter Sophia

Christian Post Report – “Teen Mom OG” stars Caitlynn Lowell, Amber Portwood and Maci Bookout were not thrilled upon learning of Farrah Abraham’s return to the show. Now, Portwood and Abraham are engaged in a Twitter war as they feud about their respective book covers.

On Wednesday. March 4, Abraham shared the cover image of her book, “My Teenage Dream Ended” on Twitter and wrote, “Look @ covers as you collect them #ActionsSpeakLouder why aren’t there more children on the covers #TrueStory @MTV.”

In the cover, Abraham is seen getting hugged by her 4-year-old daughter Sophia.

But the tweet was deemed to be inappropriate by Portwood, who appears to have been offended by the tweet as she also took to the social network and wrote, “What does this mean??”

“@F1abraham @MTV I did it out of respect for my 6 year old who shouldn’t be on the cover of a book talking about drugs and sex…love not hate,” Portwood added.

Portwood has written a book while she was serving a five-year jail sentence in 2012 at Indiana’s Rockville Correctional Facility. She served 17 months behind bars was released early in 2013. The memoir, titled “Never Too Late” is described as a book on “hardship, hope, and addiction” and features Portwood’s selfie on the cover.

Speaking to Radar, she explained the reason behind the book cover.

“The selfie has become so mainstream that everyone can relate to it and my story and journey is one that a lot of people can relate to,” she said.

“Teen Mom OG” premieres on March 23 on MTV.

Source : Christian Post