Story of the UK’s first reggae band Cimarons to air on Sky Arts
Sky picks up reggae band doc
Sky Arts has picked up Mark Warmington’s feature doc Harder Than the Rock: The Cimarons Story. Premiering at Sheffield DocFest this year, the Margot Films and J6 Films co-production chronicles the journey of Britain’s first reggae band, Cimarons. Formed by teenage Jamaican immigrants in a London bus shelter in 1967, the band was at the forefront of the reggae explosion in the 1970s. They collaborated with the likes of Bob Marley, Toots & the Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, and Paul McCartney. It is produced by James Baxter and directed by Mark Warmington who said that Cimarons were ”finally receiving some long overdue recognition”. Harder than the Rock: The Cimarons Story, airs on 18 October on Sky Arts (Freeview Channel 36)
Apple TV+ orders sixth run of Slow Horses
Apple TV+ will return to hit series Slow Horses for a sixth run, following its season four finale. The latest order comes after the SVoD announced a fifth series from See-Saw Films in January. The sixth series sees the spies on the run as Diana Taverner (Kristin Scott Thomas) embroils them all in a fatally high-stakes game of retaliation and revenge. It will be based on Mick Herron’s novels Joe Country and Slough House, which are the sixth and seventh books in the series. It is adapted for television by co-executive producer Gaby Chiappe, with Adam Randall returning to direct.
Bectu voices concern over BBC News cuts
Broadcasting union Bectu has responded to yesterday’s announcement of major cuts at BBC News, saying it is “very disappointed” for everyone impacted. BBC News is to close 185 roles (around 4% of the division) as part of major cuts which will also see some services and shows come to an end including interview strand Hardtalk, which has run for 26 years. Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said: “The BBC’s need to make savings is clear, but this latest round of cuts follows a worrying trend towards reducing services that provide critical, in-depth analysis. Central tenets of the BBC’s mission are to inform and educate; Bectu is concerned that in a world of fake news, disinformation and political turmoil, these cuts will hit not just jobs, but also reduce the breadth and range of news content that the BBC can provide and is known for.” She added that Bectu will do everything it can to support members affected and will fully engage with the BBC on the proposals.
Czech Republic PSB buys Welsh kids mental health programme
Welsh indie has Ceidiog has sold two series of its children’s series Bex and Bextra to Czech PSB Česká Televise. Originally airing on S4C, each of the 16 20-minute episodes features a standalone story set in a different part of Wales. Bex is a mysterious figure who appears to offer support and guidance to children going through a tough time, and how talking about their mental health, neurodiversity and wellbeing can be a big help. The deal was brokered by UK sales house Videoplugger.
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