Abu Dhabi Classic FM was acknowledged in New York Festival's International Radio Program Awards. The station, owned by Abu Dhabi Media, which publishes The National, received a Finals Certificate in the Children/Young Adult category for its hour-long morning programme Kids' Classics. Broadcasting at 6.30am from Sunday to Thursday, the show is led by host Damian Watson, who teams up with his fictitious sidekick, the bumbling producer Ludvig, as they play popular orchestral pieces, including music from Disney films and other children's favourites. Station manager Mathew Sansom was in New York to pick up the certificate. "We're thrilled to get recognition on this global stage," he said. "Huge kudos to Damian and to the rest of the team." Abu Dhabi Classic FM is broadcast on 91.6 Abu Dhabi, 105.2 Al Ain and 87.9 Dubai. – The National staff
Filming of new Star Wars movie begins
Filming for the first instalment of the Star Wars Anthology series reportedly began in London's Pinewood Studios. According to aceshowbiz.com, Felicity Jones has already completed her first scene for Rogue One. The new film is rumoured to included some familiar properties and outfits previously seen in Star Wars films, including the Star Destroyer, the space ship first introduced in 1977's Star Wars. The studio has yet to confirm the beginning of the shoot. Rogue One covers the period between Episode III and Episode IV and follows a rogue band of resistance fighters uniting to steal the Death Star plans. Directed by J J Abrams, it is scheduled to be released next year on December 16. – IANS
Prabhudeva to produce a Tamil film
Filmmaker Prabhudeva is set to produce a Tamil action movie featuring Jayam Ravi and Vijay Sethupathi. The film, for which a title is yet to be picked, will be directed by Lakshman, the man behind the recent hit Romeo Juliet. "Prabhudeva will produce the film. Jayam Ravi is already on board, while talks are still going on with Vijay Sethupathi, who is keen to join the project," said a source. The source added that Prabhudeva expressed interest in working with Lakshman after being impressed with Romeo Juliet. "Ravi and Lakshman had recently organised a special screening of Romeo Juliet for Prabhudeva, who enjoyed the film and had also planned to remake it. Meanwhile, Lakshman narrated a new script, which Prabhudeva liked and agreed to produce it," the source said. The rest of the cast will be finalised soon. – IANS
Rihanna gets over 100 million downloads
Grammy-winning R&B singer Rihanna is the first artist to surpass more than 100 million cumulative digital singles, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. The 27-year-old pop star topped the list of artists with the most digital single awards, coming in ahead of Taylor Swift and Katy Perry, who were second and third respectively. "She has not only surpassed RIAA's one hundred million mark, but also is the first artist to do so. It's a historic feat and a testament to an extraordinary career," said Cary Sherman, the association's chairman and chief executive. Rihanna has won eight Grammy awards and has seven studio albums to her name. Her songs We Found Love, Stay and Only Girl (In The World) are among her top-selling singles. – Reuters
Dr Dre launches new show on Apple Music
Dr Dre will debut a new radio show called The Pharmacy on Apple Music. The 50-year-old rap mogul's hour-long weekly show, which will be broadcast at 2am on Sundays, UAE time, is dedicated to West Coast rap. Apple Music made its debut this week. Apple bought Dre and Jimmy Iovine's Beats by Dre company last year. Apple's new streaming service features live radio programming, including shows hosted by Zane Lowe, Ebro Darden and Julie Adenuga. The service is giving users a free trial for three months and will later charge US$10 (Dh36.7) per month. For details, visit www.Beats1Radio.com. – AP
