AJA Newsbites – July 20, 2026 - THE AsiaN

• The TV Academy is removing five categories, including two limited acting fields, from the primetime Emmy telecast to revamp and freshen the ceremony. • This strategic shift aims to protect the integrity of the awards while evolving the show's image to ensure it remains culturally meaningful for future generations.

• Brenda Fricker, the first Irish actress to win an Academy Award, has passed away at the age of 81. • Fricker earned her Oscar for her acclaimed performance as Bridget Fagan Brown in the 1989 film "My Left Foot."

• JioStar is significantly expanding the "Bigg Boss" franchise by launching versions in six different languages. • The expansion features a high-profile lineup of hosts and stars, including Salman Khan, Mohanlal, and Sourav Ganguly.

• The BBC released a four-minute campaign film titled "What Has The BBC Ever Done For Me?" featuring nearly 100 celebrities to promote the license fee. • The advert has faced heavy criticism, with detractors describing it as "nauseating" and "shameless self-promotion."

• Multiple high-profile artists, including Shakira, Madonna, BTS, and Justin Bieber, are set to perform at the World Cup. • Brenda Fricker, the first Irish actress to win an Oscar for her 1989 role in "My Left Foot," has passed away at the age of 81.

• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the winners of the 72nd National Film Awards in New Delhi this Saturday. • Major honors include Yami Gautam winning Best Actress for *Article 370*, while Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty shared the Best Actor award.

• Christopher Nolan's new film, *The Odyssey*, starring Matt Damon, achieved a record-breaking global opening of $257.8 million by its second day. • This performance marks the biggest global opening of Nolan's career, signaling massive commercial success for the production.

• The World Cup final featuring Spain and Argentina will be broadcast free-to-air in the UK via the BBC and ITV. • This matchup follows a series of high-stakes games, including Argentina's 3-1 victory over Switzerland and England's 2-1 win against Norway after extra time.

• The British Film Institute (BFI) reported that UK film and high-end television spending rose to £6.8 billion in 2025, accompanied by growth in box-office admissions and takings. • To further support this growth, the UK government has unveiled a £380 million Creative Industries Sector Plan designed to boost film, TV, and global expansion.

• A comprehensive schedule of 2026 TV premiere dates has been released, detailing new and returning series across broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms. • Key May premieres include the BAFTA Television Awards on E! (May 10), Season 12 of 90 Day Fiancé on TLC (May 10), and Season 4 of Mark Rober’s CrunchLabs on Netflix (May 11).

• The animated film "Hoppers" debuted with $45 million in the first half of 2026, but failed to maintain long-term box office momentum. • Despite positive reviews, the film's performance lagged behind 2023's "Elemental," which eventually reached nearly $500 million globally after a slower start.