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| (Image Source: Cageside Seats/Total Nonstop Action Wrestling) |
Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling (formerly IMPACT Wrestling), a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment and a division of Anthem Sports Group, has partnered with Endeavor Streaming to launch its global on-demand streaming service TNA+ which is slated to go live on January 5, 2024. As part of a multi-year deal, Endeavor Streaming will power the new TNA+ app to deliver an enhanced user experience to all wrestling fans across a number of leading streaming platforms, as well as mobile and connected devices. TNA+ will leverage Endeavor’s experience working with some of the world’s biggest sports organizations to scale the platform’s business operations and further grow its fan base and digital revenues.
In addition to reclaiming the iconic TNA moniker, the TNA+ app is relaunching with an all-new dynamic look, as well as expanded options and increased functionality. The app will deliver the ultimate premium experience to wrestling fans where they can stream the company’s flagship weekly TV show IMPACT! and tune into pay-per-view events, view TNA’s full archive, get exclusive original content and wrestler-created series, and even have the chance to interact with some of TNA’s top stars. TNA+ will be available at TNAWrestling.com, via iOS, tvOS and Android mobile apps, as well as big screen devices such as Android TV, Fire TV and Roku, with more platforms to follow. Subscribers will have the choice of a ‘Special Attraction’ membership tier that features access to the full TNA/IMPACT Wrestling library and all TNA+ special PPV programming other than the 4-tent pole annual events offered at a price of US$9.99 monthly or US$95.99 per year and a ‘World Championship’ membership tier that includes all the perks of the Special Attraction tier, plus the 4-tent pole PPV events (Hard To Kill, Rebellion, Slammiversary, Bound For Glory), offered at a price of US$219.99 per year.
TNA Wrestling President Scott D'Amore commented, “This is truly an incredible opportunity for us as we forge into an exciting new chapter of the TNA legacy. We are proud to partner with Endeavor Streaming on this initiative, and we look forward to continuing to provide our fans with the absolute best in new, classic and exclusive professional wrestling content, available to them anywhere, anytime, on their favourite devices, when TNA+ launches on January 5th.” Endeavor Streaming Chief Commercial Officer Pete Bellamy added, “Wrestling fans are some of the most passionate in the world of sports and entertainment and TNA+ is the perfect ‘always-on’ personalised OTT service to help TNA build a deeper relationship with its global audience. We’re looking forward to working with TNA to deliver the best streaming experience for wrestling fans.”
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Premier Boxing Champions, Prime Video Ink Landmark Broadcasting Deal
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| (Image Source: Premier Boxing Champions) |
Amazon's Prime Video and Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) announced a landmark multiyear broadcasting rights agreement to deliver boxing events with year-round access to fights and other boxing-related programming. PBC features over 150 active fighters across various weight divisions including top contenders and current world champions. Since its debut in 2015, PBC has presented some the biggest events in the sport of boxing including 2023 blockbusters David Benavidez vs. Caleb Plant, Gervonta “Tank” Davis vs. Ryan Garcia, Errol Spence vs. Terence Crawford, and Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo.
Prime Video will distribute PBC’s pay-per-view (PPV) events in the U.S. with the first event anticipated for March 2024. PBC PPV fights will be available for all viewers to purchase, regardless of Prime membership. Additionally, in the U.S. and select countries, Prime Video will exclusively stream a PBC Championship Boxing series of events, showcasing top matchups among boxing’s current and rising stars. Details on specific cards, dates, and locations will be announced at a later date. In addition to the live PBC events, Prime Video will continue to grow its original sports content offerings with behind-the-scenes PBC docuseries, live weigh-ins, as well as on-demand access to previous events, highlights, archival footage, and more.
“We are thrilled to join with Premier Boxing Champions to bring the best boxers in the world to Prime Video, and to give more fans than ever the chance to experience these must-see events. With live coverage of PBC action throughout the calendar year, Prime Video continues to bring viewers in the U.S. and around the world the best in sports," said Amazon Prime Video's Vice President of US Sports Content and Partnerships Marie Donoghue. “Premier Boxing Champions is very proud to partner with Prime Video to showcase our world-class boxers and events. With Prime’s incredible reach and unprecedented marketing power, we’re very excited to reach new audiences for our sport as we continue to present the most exciting, competitive and biggest fights in Boxing,” said Bruce Binkow, Chief Executive Officer of PBC's exclusive agency Integrated Sports. Fans will be able to watch PBC live at home or on the go, and across hundreds of compatible devices, streaming from the web, or using the Prime Video app on smartphones, tablets, set-top boxes, game consoles, and connected TVs.
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ONE Championship Returns To Middle East In 2024 With ONE 166: Qatar On March 1st At Lusail Sports Arena
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| (Image Source: ONE Championship) |
ONE Championship, the world’s largest mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, in partnership with Qatar Tourism, Media City Qatar, and Ooredoo, officially announced that its on-ground debut in Qatar on March 1, 2024 at the Lusail Sports Arena with ONE 166: Qatar. The event, which marks ONE's return to the Middle East in 2024, will feature five ONE World Championship fights across MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and submission grappling. Additional event details and headline bouts will also be announced in the coming weeks.
ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong stated, “I’m thrilled to announce ONE Championship’s return to the Middle East with one of our biggest events ever. We’re building a spectacular card that is stacked from top to bottom which will feature World Championship fights across all of our martial arts disciplines. We can’t wait to put on a show for the greatest fans on earth and would like to thank Qatar Tourism, Media City Qatar, and Ooredoo for teaming with us to make history.” Qatar Tourism Chief Marketing and Promotion Officer Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi said, “Qatar Tourism is delighted to be the Official Event Host, Presenting Partner, and VIP Lounge Sponsor of what will be the biggest ONE Championship event the region has ever seen. This exciting addition to Qatar’s world-class roster of events reinforces our commitment to bringing exceptional experiences that resonate with local and global audiences. As we strategically position ourselves as a hub for diverse and dynamic experiences, the partnership with ONE Championship showcases our dedication to hosting world-class sports and entertainment year-round for residents and visitors to enjoy.”
Media City Qatar CEO Sheikh Ali bin Abulla Al Thani stated, “MCQ is privileged to stand alongside our esteemed partners at ONE Championship and Qatar Tourism in hosting ONE 166: Qatar in Doha. As an official media partner, we recognize the historic significance of this event, and we are committed to sharing compelling stories of the world’s most recognized athletes with a global audience, further solidifying Qatar’s position as a regional home for diverse and dynamic experiences in sports and entertainment while contributing to the evolution of the media landscape in Qatar and beyond.” ONE 166: Qatar will be broadcast across the Middle East region on beIN Sports on March 1 starting at 3:30pm AST (Arabian Standard Time). Additional tune-in details for the global broadcast, which can be viewed in over 190 countries worldwide, will be made available at a later date.
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PLDT's Program For Mom Entrepreneurs Shines At 3rd United Nations Global Compact Network Philippines' SDG Awards
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| Representatives of PLDT's Sustainability Office and PLDT Home receiving the UN Global Compact Network Philippines SDG Award recognizing the Madiskarte Moms PH program (Image Source: PhilStar.com/PLDT Inc.) |
The Philippines’ largest integrated telecommunications network PLDT Inc. (PLDT) has been recognized at the 3rd United Nations (UN) Global Compact Network Philippines’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Awards for its Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH) program. Recognizing companies and programs with outstanding contributions towards sustainable development, particularly on areas of the Planet, Prosperity, and People, the SDG Awards cited MMPH for enabling digital inclusion among women, promoting decent work and economic growth, and supporting the recovery and resilience of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). “We are happy and proud to receive this recognition for PLDT Home and MMPH. This initiative demonstrates our continuing thrusts to embed sustainability in the way we do business and promote digital inclusion in support of achieving sustainable development,” said PLDT First Vice President, Head of Investor Relations and Chief Sustainability Officer Melissa Vergel de Dios.
MMPH (“resourceful moms” in English) is an online community founded by PLDT Home in September 2020 with a group of Filipino mom entrepreneurs (mompreneurs). Statistics show that about 33% of Filipino women lost their jobs at the height of the pandemic. MMPH fostered an active community that helps women find alternative sources of income, use digital tools to their advantage, and continuously exchange ideas and share experiences about running home-based and online businesses. Three years since its launch, MMPH now has 170,000 community members. It has trained more than 15,000 moms, supported at least 75 businesses through the provisioning of digital kits, conducted at least 11 regular webinars and masterclasses, and produced over 160 educational videos about several areas of doing business sustainably and responsibly. MMPH has also been recognizing outstanding mompreneurs through its Annual Gawad Madiskarte Awards and active participation in various public fora and engagements.
“Our goal is to help upskill Filipino moms on how to start and grow their home-based businesses and empower them to succeed in their entrepreneurial journey, while also providing them access to digital solutions and tools,” said PLDT Home Assistant Vice President for Marketing, PR, Influencer Management and Brand Advocacies Cheryl Maxine Loyola. PLDT Home and MMPH continue to support mompreneurs and their employees to rise above poverty and achieve prosperity through digital inclusion and empowerment. “We believe that women can achieve financial security by becoming entrepreneurs so that they can further empower their families to achieve their dreams,” added Loyola. MMPH supports PLDT and Smart’s continuing contribution to the United Nations SDGs, particularly #1: No Poverty, #3: Gender Equality, and #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. It also aligns with PLDT’s broader goal to promote inclusive technologies that can help boost livelihood opportunities among Filipinos, leaving no one behind.
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TPB Philippines, Embassy Of Malaysia Host "Halal Journey Through Philippine Malaysian Flavors"
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| (Image Source: Journal Online/Tourism Promotions Board Philippines) |
In a celebration of culinary diplomacy, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, in collaboration with the Embassy of Malaysia, recently orchestrated the “Halal Journey Through Philippine-Malaysian Flavors” at the Residence of His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines, last November 28, 2023. This culinary endeavor featured a meticulously curated Halal menu, embodying the rich cultural exchange between the Philippines and Malaysia. Renowned chefs Chef Don Baldosano, Chef Edwin Loh, and Chef Ammaar Syafiq Ayob worked in tandem to deliver a gastronomic fusion celebrating the distinct flavors of both countries. Beyond its culinary appeal, this initiative strategically supports the burgeoning Halal tourism in the Philippines, fostering mutual appreciation and understanding through the universal language of food. Destileria Limtuaco & Co. also sponsored the cocktail hour with a unique mix of Filipino-inspired drinks before the dinner.
“By understanding the changing dynamics of our Muslim tourists, we can adapt our offerings and create exceptional travel experiences that resonate with their desires. Together, we harness the potential of Halal tourism and showcase the Philippines as a welcoming and inclusive destination for all travelers,” said TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles. The event was attended by esteemed guests including Brunei Ambassador Megawati Mana, Islamic Tourism Centre Malaysia Director General Mr. Nizran bin Noordin, and Director of the Office of the Secretary – Halal Industry Development Mr. Aleem Siddiqui M. Guipal. Key Philippine tourism players from both the public and private sectors including Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Sec. Amenah Pangandaman, Department of Tourism (DOT) Usec. Atty. Shereen Gail Yu-Pamintuan, DOT Usec. Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Usec. Aliah Dimaporo, and Vogue Philippines’ Rhoda Campos-Aldanese graced the occasion among others.
The Malaysian Embassy also organized a Halal Tourism Forum that facilitated engaging discussions among tourism stakeholders. The objectives encompassed showcasing Filipino cuisine to the Malaysian tourist market and exploring potential developments in Muslim-friendly tourism products and facilities. This forum marked a significant stride towards the mutual promotion of both countries’ culinary delights, encouraging Philippine tourism stakeholders to tap into the vast Muslim tourist demography by fostering collaborations and setting the stage for future advancements in this dynamic sector.
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Level Infinite, Sharkmob Unveil Exoborne At The Game Awards 2023
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| (Image Source: Level Infinite) |
Level Infinite and Sharkmob officially revealed the ladder’s new and upcoming original game Exoborne at The Game Awards 2023 held last December 8, 2023. In development for PC and consoles, this tactical open-world extraction shooter puts you in the middle of a world ripped apart by apocalyptic forces of nature. “Exoborne is not just a game to us, it’s so much more than that! This is a long time in the making. We are excited to finally reveal it to the world and hear what people think about both the universe and the thrilling, action-packed playground we have created," says Sharkmob's Creative Director Petter Mannerfelt.
“Since the founding of the studio, we have had the ambition to create our own original game concepts and we are now one step closer to releasing the first of two currently in development,” adds Sharkmob CEO Fredrik Rundqvist. Humanity is facing an unprecedented global collapse after the failure of its last hope, Project Rebirth – turning our world into a hostile place. You will explore a part of the southeastern United States, being torn apart by brutal forces of nature. Public events, ever-changing threats by the world itself, and risky missions let players write their own stories each time they enter the world of Exoborne – like having an epic gunfight in a tornado.
Players take on the role of Reborn, extraordinary survivors fitted with an implant enabling them to use the powerful Exo-Rigs. Equipped with this epic technology, they thrive in a world plagued by warring factions, deadly elemental chaos, and other hostile Reborn. Utilizing their Exo-Rigs abilities allows players to survive the fierce forces of nature and channel their might in combat and movement, making it the ultimate apocalyptic power fantasy.
