Reuters Entertainment News Summary

Recorded music subscription revenue grew 4.1% in the second quarter, compared with a 13% growth a year ago, in constant currency. BBC sorry for any poor experiences on flagship celebrity dancing show The BBC apologised on Tuesday to any contestant who had suffered a bad experience on "Strictly Come Dancing" after the long-running show was hit by allegations about the training methods of some of its professional dancers.

Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.

UMG Q2 revenue beat offset by subscription and streaming headwinds

Universal Music Group, the label representing Taylor Swift, BTS and Drake, on Wednesday recorded higher than expected second quarter sales, which was offset by a slowdown in the subscription and streaming segment. Recorded music subscription revenue grew 4.1% in the second quarter, compared with a 13% growth a year ago, in constant currency.

BBC sorry for any poor experiences on flagship celebrity dancing show

The BBC apologised on Tuesday to any contestant who had suffered a bad experience on "Strictly Come Dancing" after the long-running show was hit by allegations about the training methods of some of its professional dancers. "Strictly Come Dancing" has been the BBC's flagship entertainment show for 20 years, and the format has been sold around the world under the banner of "Dancing with the Stars".

Deluge of stars at Venice Film Festival after 2023 drought

Stars will bedeck this year's Venice Film Festival, as the beach-lined Lido bounces back from the 2023 actors' strike that deprived the red carpet of its usual glamour. The 2024 edition, which runs from Aug. 28 to Sept. 7, will feature its usual roster of big blockbuster and auteur movies, both in and out of competition, looking to make a splash ahead of the major awards seasons.

Hollywood donors drop 'Dembargo' as celebrities back Harris

A Hollywood "Dembargo" on political donations has ended, as key fundraisers and celebrities from rapper Cardi B to Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis and TV producer Shonda Rhimes endorsed Kamala Harris as the next Democratic nominee for U.S. president.

Relief and excitement spread across Los Angeles, the world's film and television capital and an important source of Democrats' campaign funds, following President Joe Biden's decision to end his reelection campaign on Sunday.

Disney, unions reach tentative pact, avoiding strike at Disneyland

Unions representing 14,000 Disneyland employees said on Wednesday they had reached a tentative labor agreement with Walt Disney Co , averting a work stoppage at the California theme park. The new, three-year agreement, which includes wage increases and other benefits for park employees, whom Disney calls "cast members," was signed by an alliance of unions representing custodians, ride operators, merchandise clerks and other workers at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, in Southern California.

Comcast expects to carry 100 NBA games each season in new broadcast rights deal

Comcast said on Tuesday it expects to announce an 11-year broadcasting rights deal with the National Basketball Association to carry 100 games every regular season across its NBC network and Peacock streaming services. The media conglomerate - along with Amazon Prime Video and Walt Disney's ESPN - is vying for broadcasting rights to one of the most-watched sporting events in the U.S., as media companies increasingly turn to sports to expand their viewership.

Olympics-Water polo-Flavor Flav helps US team taste success, says Steffens

The U.S. women's water polo team will chase a fourth consecutive gold in Paris with new mega-fan Flavor Flav in their corner, after the rapper backed their Olympic dream and brought a new level of attention to the sport. Captain Maggie Steffens put out a call for support earlier this year and Flav leapt into action, offering to sponsor the team and lending them his celebrity spotlight in the process.

Taylor Swift lends personal items to UK's V&A for museum 'journey'

Outfits, musical instruments and other objects on loan from U.S. musician Taylor Swift are going on display at London's V&A in a temporary summer exhibition. Titled "Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail" the exhibition is made up of 13 installations dotted across the museum's many galleries.

Olympics-US rapper Snoop Dogg to carry torch ahead of Paris opening ceremony

American rapper Snoop Dogg will be among the torchbearers carrying the Olympic flame in the final stretch before the opening ceremony of the Paris Games on Friday. Snoop Dogg, 52, will carry the torch through the streets of Saint-Denis, the underprivileged northern Paris suburb that is home to the Stade de France Olympic Stadium, the town's mayor Mathieu Hanotin said on social media platform X.

Snoop Dogg to learn new tricks in Paris Olympics coverage

American rapper Snoop Dogg said he is ready to learn "some new tricks" when he collaborates with Gen Z social media influencers to showcase the Paris Olympics to a younger generation. The 52-year-old hip hop legend-turned special correspondent for NBCUniversal has become a cornerstone of the media company's effort to energize its coverage of the Games and inject pop culture and celebrity into the U.S. broadcast.