Universal Music Group
Get Up!
Ben Harper has just released his 12th album, which he recorded in collaboration with his longtime friend, blues legend Charlie Musselwhite. Each time they play together, sparks fly. This disk blends gospel, country and R&B in an alchemy that allows Harper to expand his artistic palette in an original way. He had always wanted to record this disk, but was aware that he needed more life experience before he could make of it what he wanted it to be – and it was worth the wait!
www.universalmusic.fr
Activision Blizzard
Warcraft, the movie
It’s official: the Warcraft franchise will be coming to the silver screen sometime in 2015, in a movie directed by Duncan Jones, the man behind Moon and Source Code. Jones, the son of David Bowie, will work with Charles Leavitt, known for his screenplay for Blood Diamond. The movie, produced by Legendary Pictures, will begin filming in late 2013. Blizzard will naturally follow this project closely, since Chris Metzen (vice-president of creative development at Blizzard and creator of the Warcraft universe) will himself be ensuring that the film measures up to the standards of the famous video-game franchise.
SFR
4G at Paris-La Défense
On January 29, SFR launched its 4G network at Paris-La Défense, making it the largest European business center with very-high-speed mobile coverage. Three new cities in Paris’ western suburbs (Courbevoie, Nanterre and Puteaux) and four new devices round out the existing range. The 4G network will allow businesses and individuals with compatible mobile phones and a special service plan to access speeds equivalent to those currently available over a very-high-speed fixed line. Barely one year after obtaining 4G frequencies, SFR is already offering its services in six cities and, in the first half of this year, will expand to cover an additional four: Lille, Marseille, Strasbourg and Toulouse. Other openings, including within Paris, will quickly follow in the second half of 2013.
Maroc Telecom
Watch games in real time
Until February 10, Maroc Telecom offers customers the chance to watch the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations directly on their mobile phones. Every day during the event, they can receive text message updates with daily scores (goals, half-time and final results, penalty cards and rankings) and all other important information. To subscribe to this service, customers need only send “CAN” by text message to the number 150.
Groupe Canal+
Canal+ maintains the English Premier League
Canal+ has won full exclusive rights to the Barclays Premier League, the world’s most-broadcast soccer championship. Subscribers to the group’s channels will be able to watch all the games played by the top English teams, including Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. The contract covers three seasons beginning in August 2013. For the next three seasons, Canal+ will offer its subscribers exclusive access to the best of French, European and world soccer with two major Ligue 1 games, the top Ligue des Champions game and everything from the English Premier League.
