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Sierra Leone Writer Olufemi Terry Awarded For “Stickfighting Days”

Olufemi Terry

Sierra Leone Writer Awarded For “Stickfighting Days” The Sierra Leonean author Olufemi Terry has won 2010’s Caine Prize for African Writing. The prize is regarded as Africa’s top literary award. Terry won the honor for his story ‘Stickfighting Days.’ According to the judges – who praised his literature – Terry is a talented writer with a promising future. Terry, born in Sierra Leone, grew up in Nigeria, and was a journalist in Somalia and Uganda. He now resides in Cape Town. His book is about a boy named Raul who lives in a dump and fights with others boys using sticks. The Caine prize is awarded annually for a short story written by an African author and published in English. The winner is awarded $16,000 (£10,000). However, Terry objects to writers from the continent being singled out in a specific category, saying it is more of a hindrance than a help. But, he is grateful for having won the honor, regardless. It is the first step in getting his first novel published.

U2, Madonna and Metallica Among Billboard’s Top Money Makers

Metallica Among Billboard’s Top Money Makers

U2, Madonna Among Billboard’s Top Money Makers. If there was any doubt that U2 was the biggest band in the world, one look at Billboard’s Top Money Makers list should do the trick. Based on actual revenue earned by music artists from touring and music sales, U2 hits #1 on the list, earning nearly double of what the next biggest money maker earned at #2. Thanks to their sold-out U2 360° tour, the band is likely to earn the title for highest-grossing tour in history thanks to the high capacities of their 360-degree setup. The first tour as part of their current deal Live Nation, that includes touring, merchandise, and more, U2 is a clear lead at #1 with an estimated $108 million dollars in revenue. Bruce Springsteen is at #2 thanks to his constant touring schedule, the release of a new studio album and Walmart-exclusive hits collection, as well as publishing revenue from his discography of self-written songs and over 2 million in digital sales, The Boss earned a cool $58 million last year. Madonna came in at #3, earning an estimated $47 million thanks to international stadium sell-outs of her “Sticky & Sweet” tour as part of her new Live Nation deal, as well as her branding and licensing deals. International touring brought in the green for “Back In Black” singers AC/DC, who earned $43 million last year. Sorry Ringling Brothers, but Britney Spears had the highest-grossing circus last year. Her sold-out “Circus” tour, along with album sales and over 7.5 million digital downloads, earned her over $38 million last year. The rest of the top money makers according to Billboard include Pink ($36 million), the Jonas Brothers ($33 million), Coldplay ($27 million), Kenny Chesney ($26 million), and Metallica ($25 million).

“Glee” Heads To Oxygen, “Modern Family” To USA In New Syndication Deals

“Glee” Heads To Oxygen, “Modern Family”

“Glee” Heads To Oxygen, “Modern Family” To USA In New Syndication Deals. The two biggest new shows on television today are getting new homes. “Glee,” the hit Fox musical comedy, is heading to Oxygen, while “Modern Family” will air on USA following a new syndication deal with NBC Universal. The two top-rated shows are set to air on the two cable networks owned by NBCU. The shows are slated to begin airing regularly in the fall of 2013. Deadline reports that NBC Universal made preemptive offers for both shows last week, which also forced potential buyers like TBS to scramble to make offers. TBS reportedly offered $1.1 million for “Modern Family,” while USA offered $1.5 million. “Glee” fetched $500,000 an episode in the deal from Oxygen, and also earned the rights to air a “Glee” reality show to find the next “Glee” cast member. (A recent online competition to find the next cast member was cancelled). “Glee” will begin appearing on Oxygen as early as 2011 with marathon airings and the debut of the “Glee” reality show. “Glee” begins its second season on Fox this fall. “This is a unique syndication opportunity and we’re thrilled to be working on it with Oxygen,” said Steve MacDonald, Twentieth’s EVP and general sales manager, basic cable. “This deal not only provides viewers with the opportunity to see even more of the drama, comedy, song and dance that they have come to expect from ‘Glee ,’ but also extends the reach of this pop-culture phenomenon’s brand through a new reality series.” “‘Glee’ is the No. 1 hit show for women 18-34 and Generation O is obsessed with it,” said Jason Klarman, President, Oxygen Media. USA has the rights to air “Modern Family” Monday through Sunday starting in the fall of 2013. “This is one of the most exciting deals to date for USA,” said Jane Blaney, EVP of program acquisitions and scheduling, in a statement. “Arguably one of the most successful shows on television, ‘Modern Family’ couldn’t be a better fit for the network.”