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Rob Fai tries to find way again in sports media game after TSN 1040 dismantling – The Province

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Rob Fai’s doing Canucks post-game shows on YouTube and Twitch, and it’ll be interesting to see if any of his old teammates follow suit.

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The dust is still clearing from the sudden demise of TSN 1040, but Rob Fai is on to something new.

Fai — who was the late-night host on the all-sports station that was shut down by parent company Bell Media without warning midway through their morning show last Tuesday — has joined forces with Hubcast Media to do a post-game Vancouver Canucks show on YouTube, Twitch, Facebook Live and Vimeo.

The Nation with Rob Fai debuted on Monday, after the Canucks’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames. The second show was set to run Wednesday after Vancouver’s visit to Calgary, with Jeff Paterson, who had been TSN 1040’s Canucks reporter, slated to be Fai’s guest.

Fai says he wanted to react quickly and get back into the sports media game, trying to take advantage of a growing Facebook Live following that he had begun to create for his TSN 1040 show.

“I felt like I was on the mat, looking up at the referee, and he was in the middle of giving me a 10-count,” Fai said. “I wasn’t going to just lay there and wait for that.”

Fai had left his longtime gig as the play-by-play voice of the Vancouver Canadians to start this latest incarnation of his show at TSN 1040. In 2019, the C’s had a six-game TV deal with Sportsnet, and Hubcast produced those broadcasts. Fai reached out to Hubcast and they teamed up quickly recently to go from concept to finished product.

They were cheeky from the very get-go. The first moments of that very first show included a rendition of the Green Day song Good Riddance (Time of Your Life),the tune that Bell Media — despite the title — opted to play on the TSN 1040 airwaves immediately after an announcement that the station would no longer be all-sports.

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Fai was a freelancer at TSN 1040. He’ll once again need sponsors to help make things work with Hubcast. Fai did say that he had heard from four different companies after Monday’s show that had interest in advertising. And Scott Ackles, who’s the chief revenue officer for Hubcast, says there are plans in the works to take The Nation on location.

The son of the late Bob Ackles of B.C. Lions fame, Scott himself was the general manager of the 2005 and 2011 Grey Cups in Vancouver.He does have a media background, having studied broadcast at BCIT and having worked as a freelance TV camera operator for a time, and he’s been at Hubcast since September.

Peter Young is Hubcast’s founder and president. Other names of note include senior creative producer Fiona Forbes, the former host of Urban Rush on Shaw Cable.

Hubcast’s tag line is that “we create virtual events for today’s world.”

Fai’s show is shot out of Hubcast’s studios in Port Kells, which the company lists as a 5,000-square-foot facility and fully equipped for recording, filming and live broadcasting.

“We want to make sure that Rob’s show is fully supported and fully interactive,” Ackles said.

Fai’s forte with his TSN 1040 show was kibitzing with fans who would phone in. Ackles says that kind of direct connection is a goal for the new venture, although Monday’s show only featured Fai responding to comments on YouTube.

“We’re working to deliver that very quickly,” Ackles said.

TSN 1040 was again winning the head-to-head ratings battle with Sportsnet 650, and there have been assorted suggestions on social media about the possibility of Sportsnet 650 adding former TSN 1040 stalwarts to bolster their roster.That premise became a little more complicated Tuesday, though, when Sportsnet 650’s sister station, Sportsnet 590 in Toronto, cut ties with programming director Dave Cadeau. Cadeau was also the national director of programming for Sportsnet radio, so he had influence with the Vancouver product.

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Meanwhile, the play-by-play broadcasts for the B.C. Lions and Vancouver Whitecaps are both up in the air. The Lions signed a five-year deal with TSN 1040 in January 2018. Leos president Rick LeLacheur told season-ticket holders on a Tuesday Zoom call that “we’re still not sure what’s going to happen. We still have to have conversations with Bell Media.”

LeLacheur said the football club has spoken to play-by-play man Bob Marjanovich, analyst Giulio Caravatta and sideline reporter Karen Surman, and “they’re very hopeful that we can find something going forward that they’ll still be able to be involved (with) because they’re Lions at heart.”

The Whitecaps had been a part of the TSN 1040 stable since the club’s move to MLS in 2011.

Caps chief communications officer Tom Plasteras explained via text message: “We are exploring a number of options and will be able to provide an update in the coming weeks.”

CKNW 980 has a history in Vancouver of sports play-by-play broadcasting, holding the rights to Canucks and Lions games before both teams switched to TSN 1040. The Canucks moved to Sportsnet 650 for the 2017-18 season.

Asked about Corus’s interest in returning to sports play-by-play in the market, Corus Radio communications associate Jamie Jensen explained via email: “Unfortunately we are unable to comment at this time but will let you know if and when that changes in the future.”

sewen@postmedia.com

twitter.com/SteveEwen

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What to stream this weekend: ‘Civil War,’ Snow Patrol, ‘How to Die Alone,’ ‘Tulsa King’ and ‘Uglies’

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Hallmark launching a streaming service with two new original series, and Bill Skarsgård out for revenge in “Boy Kills World” are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also among the streaming offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: Alex Garland’s “Civil War” starring Kirsten Dunst, Natasha Rothwell’s heartfelt comedy for Hulu called “How to Die Alone” and Sylvester Stallone’s second season of “Tulsa King” debuts.

NEW MOVIES TO STREAM SEPT. 9-15

Alex Garland’s “Civil War” is finally making its debut on MAX on Friday. The film stars Kirsten Dunst as a veteran photojournalist covering a violent war that’s divided America; She reluctantly allows an aspiring photographer, played by Cailee Spaeny, to tag along as she, an editor (Stephen McKinley Henderson) and a reporter (Wagner Moura) make the dangerous journey to Washington, D.C., to interview the president (Nick Offerman), a blustery, rising despot who has given himself a third term, taken to attacking his citizens and shut himself off from the press. In my review, I called it a bellowing and haunting experience; Smart and thought-provoking with great performances. It’s well worth a watch.

— Joey King stars in Netflix’s adaptation of Scott Westerfeld’s “Uglies,” about a future society in which everyone is required to have beautifying cosmetic surgery at age 16. Streaming on Friday, McG directed the film, in which King’s character inadvertently finds herself in the midst of an uprising against the status quo. “Outer Banks” star Chase Stokes plays King’s best friend.

— Bill Skarsgård is out for revenge against the woman (Famke Janssen) who killed his family in “Boy Kills World,” coming to Hulu on Friday. Moritz Mohr directed the ultra-violent film, of which Variety critic Owen Gleiberman wrote: “It’s a depraved vision, yet I got caught up in its kick-ass revenge-horror pizzazz, its disreputable commitment to what it was doing.”

AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr

NEW MUSIC TO STREAM SEPT. 9-15

— The year was 2006. Snow Patrol, the Northern Irish-Scottish alternative rock band, released an album, “Eyes Open,” producing the biggest hit of their career: “Chasing Cars.” A lot has happened in the time since — three, soon to be four quality full-length albums, to be exact. On Friday, the band will release “The Forest Is the Path,” their first new album in seven years. Anthemic pop-rock is the name of the game across songs of love and loss, like “All,”“The Beginning” and “This Is the Sound Of Your Voice.”

— For fans of raucous guitar music, Jordan Peele’s 2022 sci-fi thriller, “NOPE,” provided a surprising, if tiny, thrill. One of the leads, Emerald “Em” Haywood portrayed by Keke Palmer, rocks a Jesus Lizard shirt. (Also featured through the film: Rage Against the Machine, Wipers, Mr Bungle, Butthole Surfers and Earth band shirts.) The Austin noise rock band are a less than obvious pick, having been signed to the legendary Touch and Go Records and having stopped releasing new albums in 1998. That changes on Friday the 13th, when “Rack” arrives. And for those curious: The Jesus Lizard’s intensity never went away.

AP Music Writer Maria Sherman

NEW SHOWS TO STREAM SEPT. 9-15

— Hallmark launched a streaming service called Hallmark+ on Tuesday with two new original series, the scripted drama “The Chicken Sisters” and unscripted series “Celebrations with Lacey Chabert.” If you’re a Hallmark holiday movies fan, you know Chabert. She’s starred in more than 30 of their films and many are holiday themed. Off camera, Chabert has a passion for throwing parties and entertaining. In “Celebrations,” deserving people are surprised with a bash in their honor — planned with Chabert’s help. “The Chicken Sisters” stars Schuyler Fisk, Wendie Malick and Lea Thompson in a show about employees at rival chicken restaurants in a small town. The eight-episode series is based on a novel of the same name.

Natasha Rothwell of “Insecure” and “The White Lotus” fame created and stars in a new heartfelt comedy for Hulu called “How to Die Alone.” She plays Mel, a broke, go-along-to-get-along, single, airport employee who, after a near-death experience, makes the conscious decision to take risks and pursue her dreams. Rothwell has been working on the series for the past eight years and described it to The AP as “the most vulnerable piece of art I’ve ever put into the world.” Like Mel, Rothwell had to learn to bet on herself to make the show she wanted to make. “In the Venn diagram of me and Mel, there’s significant overlap,” said Rothwell. It premieres Friday on Hulu.

— Shailene Woodley, DeWanda Wise and Betty Gilpin star in a new drama for Starz called “Three Women,” about entrepreneur Sloane, homemaker Lina and student Maggie who are each stepping into their power and making life-changing decisions. They’re interviewed by a writer named Gia (Woodley.) The series is based on a 2019 best-selling book of the same name by Lisa Taddeo. “Three Women” premieres Friday on Starz.

— Sylvester Stallone’s second season of “Tulsa King” debuts Sunday on Paramount+. Stallone plays Dwight Manfredi, a mafia boss who was recently released from prison after serving 25 years. He’s sent to Tulsa to set up a new crime syndicate. The series is created by Taylor Sheridan of “Yellowstone” fame.

Alicia Rancilio

NEW VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

— One thing about the title of Focus Entertainment’s Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 — you know exactly what you’re in for. You are Demetrian Titus, a genetically enhanced brute sent into battle against the Tyranids, an insectoid species with an insatiable craving for human flesh. You have a rocket-powered suit of armor and an arsenal of ridiculous weapons like the “Chainsword,” the “Thunderhammer” and the “Melta Rifle,” so what could go wrong? Besides the squishy single-player mode, there are cooperative missions and six-vs.-six free-for-alls. You can suit up now on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S or PC.

— Likewise, Wild Bastards isn’t exactly the kind of title that’s going to attract fans of, say, Animal Crossing. It’s another sci-fi shooter, but the protagonists are a gang of 13 varmints — aliens and androids included — who are on the run from the law. Each outlaw has a distinctive set of weapons and special powers: Sarge, for example, is a robot with horse genes, while Billy the Squid is … well, you get the idea. Australian studio Blue Manchu developed the 2019 cult hit Void Bastards, and this Wild-West-in-space spinoff has the same snarky humor and vibrant, neon-drenched cartoon look. Saddle up on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch or PC.

Lou Kesten

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Trump could cash out his DJT stock within weeks. Here’s what happens if he sells

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Former President Donald Trump is on the brink of a significant financial decision that could have far-reaching implications for both his personal wealth and the future of his fledgling social media company, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG). As the lockup period on his shares in TMTG, which owns Truth Social, nears its end, Trump could soon be free to sell his substantial stake in the company. However, the potential payday, which makes up a large portion of his net worth, comes with considerable risks for Trump and his supporters.

Trump’s stake in TMTG comprises nearly 59% of the company, amounting to 114,750,000 shares. As of now, this holding is valued at approximately $2.6 billion. These shares are currently under a lockup agreement, a common feature of initial public offerings (IPOs), designed to prevent company insiders from immediately selling their shares and potentially destabilizing the stock. The lockup, which began after TMTG’s merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), is set to expire on September 25, though it could end earlier if certain conditions are met.

Should Trump decide to sell his shares after the lockup expires, the market could respond in unpredictable ways. The sale of a substantial number of shares by a major stakeholder like Trump could flood the market, potentially driving down the stock price. Daniel Bradley, a finance professor at the University of South Florida, suggests that the market might react negatively to such a large sale, particularly if there aren’t enough buyers to absorb the supply. This could lead to a sharp decline in the stock’s value, impacting both Trump’s personal wealth and the company’s market standing.

Moreover, Trump’s involvement in Truth Social has been a key driver of investor interest. The platform, marketed as a free speech alternative to mainstream social media, has attracted a loyal user base largely due to Trump’s presence. If Trump were to sell his stake, it might signal a lack of confidence in the company, potentially shaking investor confidence and further depressing the stock price.

Trump’s decision is also influenced by his ongoing legal battles, which have already cost him over $100 million in legal fees. Selling his shares could provide a significant financial boost, helping him cover these mounting expenses. However, this move could also have political ramifications, especially as he continues his bid for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential race.

Trump Media’s success is closely tied to Trump’s political fortunes. The company’s stock has shown volatility in response to developments in the presidential race, with Trump’s chances of winning having a direct impact on the stock’s value. If Trump sells his stake, it could be interpreted as a lack of confidence in his own political future, potentially undermining both his campaign and the company’s prospects.

Truth Social, the flagship product of TMTG, has faced challenges in generating traffic and advertising revenue, especially compared to established social media giants like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Despite this, the company’s valuation has remained high, fueled by investor speculation on Trump’s political future. If Trump remains in the race and manages to secure the presidency, the value of his shares could increase. Conversely, any missteps on the campaign trail could have the opposite effect, further destabilizing the stock.

As the lockup period comes to an end, Trump faces a critical decision that could shape the future of both his personal finances and Truth Social. Whether he chooses to hold onto his shares or cash out, the outcome will likely have significant consequences for the company, its investors, and Trump’s political aspirations.

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Arizona man accused of social media threats to Trump is arrested

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Cochise County, AZ — Law enforcement officials in Arizona have apprehended Ronald Lee Syvrud, a 66-year-old resident of Cochise County, after a manhunt was launched following alleged death threats he made against former President Donald Trump. The threats reportedly surfaced in social media posts over the past two weeks, as Trump visited the US-Mexico border in Cochise County on Thursday.

Syvrud, who hails from Benson, Arizona, located about 50 miles southeast of Tucson, was captured by the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday afternoon. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed his arrest, stating, “This subject has been taken into custody without incident.”

In addition to the alleged threats against Trump, Syvrud is wanted for multiple offences, including failure to register as a sex offender. He also faces several warrants in both Wisconsin and Arizona, including charges for driving under the influence and a felony hit-and-run.

The timing of the arrest coincided with Trump’s visit to Cochise County, where he toured the US-Mexico border. During his visit, Trump addressed the ongoing border issues and criticized his political rival, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, for what he described as lax immigration policies. When asked by reporters about the ongoing manhunt for Syvrud, Trump responded, “No, I have not heard that, but I am not that surprised and the reason is because I want to do things that are very bad for the bad guys.”

This incident marks the latest in a series of threats against political figures during the current election cycle. Just earlier this month, a 66-year-old Virginia man was arrested on suspicion of making death threats against Vice President Kamala Harris and other public officials.

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