Showbiz Sandbox show

Showbiz Sandbox

Summary: Industry pros J. Sperling Reich and Michael Giltz provide insightful analysis, humorous viewpoints and insider opinions on the latest entertainment news headlines. The weekly podcast features panel discussions with renowned industry guests, as well as phone calls and emails from listeners who voice their own opinions on the child’s play of the entertainment business.

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  • Artist: J. Sperling Reich & Michael Giltz
  • Copyright: Showbiz Sandbox is licensed under a Creative Commons 3.0 License.

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 Showbiz Sandbox 651: The Next Hit Song May Be Written and Performed by AI | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:00:10

In what Rolling Stone magazine has dubbed ChatGPT for music, a new service called Suno is trying to democratic music by using artificial intelligence to allow anyone to create a hit song. With no need to learn how to play an instrument or sing, the latest advances in generative AI are creating tunes with a few text prompts that are indistinguishable from those created by trained musicians. The creators of Suno aren’t saying what content was used to train their AI. That is probably why the European Union is passing legislation to regulate the use of AI, requiring developers to provide a list of copyrighted material used to train their technology. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including why Neil Young’s music is back on Spotify, Iranian filmmaker Ashgar Farhadi wins his plagiarism case and Roman Polanski is headed back to court. ‘Dune: Part Two’ Nears $500M Global, Dusting 2021 Movie; ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ Punches In At $177M As Rollout Expands https://deadline.com/2024/03/dune-part-two-milestone-kung-fu-panda-china-global-international-box-office-1235860696 ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ Dethrones ‘Dune 2,’ Mark Wahlberg’s ‘Arthur the King’ Lacks Bite https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-kung-fu-panda-4-dune-part-two-lead-weekend-1235854014/ A New Publisher Promises Authors ‘the Lion’s Share of the Profit’ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/05/books/publisher-authors-equity.html Asghar Farhadi Fully Cleared of ‘A Hero’ Plagiarism Allegations by Iranian Court https://variety.com/2024/film/global/asghar-farhadi-cleared-iranian-court-plagiarism-a-hero-1235940549/ Neil Young Says His Music Is Returning to Spotify https://www.billboard.com/business/streaming/neil-young-music-returning-spotify-1235631717/ A ChatGPT for Music Is Here. Inside Suno, the Startup Changing Everything https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/suno-ai-chatgpt-for-music-1234982307/ European Union Passes ‘World First’ AI Legislation That Would Safeguard Copyrighted Music https://www.billboard.com/business/business-news/european-union-ai-legislation-laws-copyrighted-music-passes-1235631846/ Karaoke Inventor Shigeichi Negishi Dies at 100 https://www.npr.org/2024/03/15/1238840404/karaoke-inventor-shigeichi-negishi-dead Byron Janis, One of the Great Pianists of the 20th Century, Dies at 95 https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/byron-janis-dead-pianist-1235854358/ Dan Wakefield, Multifaceted Writer on a Spiritual Journey, Dies at 91

 Showbiz Sandbox 650: “Oppenheimer” Gives Christopher Nolan His Oscar Moment | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: Unknown

As expected, “Oppenheimer” dominated the 96th Academy Awards winning seven categories including Best Actor, Best Picture and, for Christopher Nolan, Best Director. “Barbie” only picked up a single trophy for Best Original Song. Anne Thompson, Indiewire’s Editor-at-Large attended this year’s Oscar ceremony and joins us to describe what it was like to be in the room where it happened. Meanwhile, a recent Supreme Court ruling ending affirmative action based college admissions has led to a reverse discrimination lawsuit against CBS by a script coordinator of the show “SEAL Team.” The outcome could determine whether it becomes the first of many more such legal actions. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including how the BBC is going all in on the streaming service BritBox, the launch of a new author driven publishing house and Kanye West’s latest album tops the charts despite not being on streaming services. ‘Rust’ Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/rust-armorer-hannah-gutierrez-reed-guilty-manslaughter-rcna142136 ‘Dune: Part Two’ Rises To $367.5M Global; ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ Kicks Off With $80.5M WW As Early Overseas Play Begins https://deadline.com/2024/03/dune-part-two-kung-fu-panda-4-china-global-international-box-office-1235852214/ ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ Lands Victorious $58.3M U.S. Opening; ‘Dune 2’ Nears $370M Worldwide https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kung-fu-panda-4-box-office-near-record-opening-1235846564/ Oscars 2024: Final Predictions in 23 Categories https://www.indiewire.com/awards/predictions/2024-final-oscar-predictions-anne-thompson-1234960948/ Who Came Out Ahead at the Oscars, from ‘Oppenheimer’ to Jimmy Kimmel and Ryan Gosling https://www.indiewire.com/awards/industry/oscars-2024-who-came-out-ahead-oppenheimer-jimmy-kimmel-ryan-gosling-1234963438/ Electronic Arts Cancels Upcoming ‘Star Wars’ Game, Plans to Cut More Than 650 Jobs https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/video-game-giant-ea-layoffs-1235839026/ ITV Sells Stake in Britbox International to BBC Studios for £255M https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/mar/01/itv-sells-stake-britbox-international-bbc-studios-itvx Three Publishing Veterans Form a New House, Authors Equity https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/94507-three-publishing-veterans-form-a-new-house-authors-equity.

 Showbiz Sandbox 649: Hollywood’s Superhero Movie Problem | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:28:03

The superhero movie is facing its biggest enemy yet – audience indifference. “Madame Web” is just the latest superhero flick to open to poor reviews and/or bad box office. Entertainment journalist Geoff Boucher, who has covered the comic book world for over two decades and is a bigwig at ComicCon, discusses the declining popularity of superhero films and his belief that there are better times ahead for the genre. Meanwhile, Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery are facing their own existential threats, especially when it comes to their declining ad revenue, soft earnings and overwhelming debt. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including Beyoncé making history on the country music charts, revenues soar for concert promoter Live Nation thanks to some big tours and artificial intelligence upends the expansion of Tyler Perry’s studio. ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ Still On A High At $121M WW, ‘Anyone But You’ Romps To $200M Global & ’Poor Things’ Nears $100M; Korea’s ‘Exhuma’ Has Scary Good Opening https://deadline.com/2024/02/bob-marley-one-love-anyone-but-you-poor-things-exhuma-global-international-box-office-1235837454/ Bob Marley’s ‘One Love’ Jams Past $120M Globally, ‘Madame Web’ and ‘Drive-Away Dolls’ Spin Out https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/bob-marley-one-love-box-office-drive-away-dolls-madame-web-1235834503/ Atlantic Theater Workers Vote Overwhelmingly to Join IATSE https://iatse.net/a-growing-movement-off-broadway-atlantic-theater-workers-vote-overwhelmingly-to-join-iatse/ Is Hollywood Sleepwalking Toward Strike Three? https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/hollywood-strikes-crew-people-better-deal-1235830684/ Hollywood Musicians Reach Tentative Deal With Major Studios in ‘Watershed Moment for Artists’ https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2024-02-23/afm-amptp-deal-reached-hollywood-musicians Sam Mendes, Sony & Apple Corps Set Four Beatles Theatrical Movies On Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison & Ringo Starr https://deadline.com/2024/02/beatles-movies-sam-mendes-paul-mccartney-john-lennon-george-harrison-ringo-starr-1235831317/ Live Nation Had Another Record Year as Its Business Went Global & Fans Continued Flocking to Shows https://www.billboard.com/business/touring/live-nation-earnings-record-revenue-artist-tours-fan-demand-high-1235612747/ Warner Bros. Discovery Shares Drop 10% as Company Misses Estimates, Warns of 2024 Cash Flow Headwinds https://www.cnbc.

 Showbiz Sandbox 648: Judging This Year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominees | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:40:59

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced their 2024 nominees, including some musical acts previously shortlisted for inclusion. Musician and music writer Sal Nunziato joins host Michael Giltz to argue over which of these acts should be included in the Hall of Fame and why. Plus they give us a rundown of their favorite albums from the past year. Meanwhile, “Oppenheimer” solidified itself as the obvious and only leader during this year’s awards season by winning seven BAFTA awards, including Best Film. At this point, the movie seems destined to top the upcoming Academy Awards. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including the math behind this year’s movie release schedule, how Microsoft is spreading some Xbox love and ESPN is going long on college football. Sal Nunziato’s https://burnwoodtonite.blogspot.com/ Sal Nunziato’s Discogs https://www.discogs.com/seller/Oscarmadisoy/profile ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ Embraces $80M Global Bow; ‘Madame Web’ Musters $52M WW – International Box Office https://deadline.com/2024/02/bob-marley-one-love-madame-web-opening-weekend-global-international-box-office-1235829751/ Bob Marley ‘One Love’ Jams to Massive $52M Opening, ‘Madame Web’ Wipes Out at $26M https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/bob-marley-one-love-madame-web-box-ofifice-1235828725/ Inside Sony’s ‘Madame Web’ Collapse: Forget About a New Franchise https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/madame-web-bomb-killed-sony-franchise-1235829471/ Oppenheimer’s Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr Scoop BAFTA Film Awards https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68332541 Off-Broadway’s Backstage Workers Are Unionizing; Atlantic Theater Company Workers Vote to Join IATSE https://www.playbill.com/article/off-broadways-backstage-workers-are-unionizing-atlantic-theater-company-workers-vote-to-join-iatse Disneyland’s Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy Want to Join A Union https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/13/business/disneyland-union-organizing-effort/index.html HBO’s True Detective Hits Series High In Viewership https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/true-detective-night-country-ratings-series-highs-1235823863/ Leaked Emails Reveal Hugo Awards Ineligibility Details https://locusmag.com/2024/02/leaked-emails-reveal-hugo-awards-ineligibility-details/ Xbox to Take Four Exclusive Video Games to PS5 and Switch, ‘Starfield’ and ‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’ Not Among Titles

 Showbiz Sandbox 647: Disney Teams Up For Sports Streaming Service | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:27:02

Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery and Fox are teaming up to deliver a new subscription streaming service that will combine all of their sports programming on a non-exclusive basis. It will have 14 channels including ESPN, ABC, FS1, Fox, TNT and TBS. The surprise announcement has generated more questions than answers, especially over whether any antitrust laws are being broken. Meanwhile, awards season chugs along with the Directors Guild of America handing out its top prize to Christopher Nolan for “Oppenheimer.” Plus, the Oscars add a new category for casting directors. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including why Universal Music pulled all of its music from TikTok, Disney invests in “Fortnite” developer Epic Games and Paramount starts pulling content off its streaming service. ‘YOLO’ Thrives In Chinese New Year Bow; ‘Wonka’ Nears $600M Worldwide https://deadline.com/2024/02/yolo-chinese-new-year-movies-wonka-worldwide-international-box-office-1235822097/ Box Office: Worst Super Bowl Weekend in Decades Outside of COVID, ‘Argylle’ Ekes Out $6.5M Lead https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/argylle-box-office-worst-super-bowl-weekend-1235821901/ Relationship Drama ‘Rewind’ Becomes First Filipino Movie To Take $16M At Global Box Office https://deadline.com/2024/01/rewind-philippines-global-box-office-record-1235808494/ Ed Mintz Dies: CinemaScore Founder & Pioneer In Moviegoing Polling Was 83 https://deadline.com/2024/02/ed-mintz-dead-cinemascore-founder-1235820895/ Warner Music to Lay Off 10% of Staff in Effort to ‘Double Down on Core Business’ https://variety.com/2024/music/news/warner-music-to-lay-off-10-percent-staff-1235901563/ IATSE Negotiating Committee ‘Not Interested’ in Extending Talks Past July 31 Deadline https://www.indiewire.com/news/business/iatse-will-not-extend-negotiations-strike-1234952637/ “They Should Fear Us”: Teamsters & IATSE Link Arms For March Contract Talks With Studios “They Should Fear Us”: Teamsters & IATSE Link Arms For March Contract Talks With Studios Will UMG’s TikTok Licensing Standoff Lead to Music’s Equivalent of the Hollywood Strikes? https://www.billboard.com/business/tech/tiktok-universal-music-fight-affect-music-industry-1235593862/ Meta Hits Record Revenue of $40.1 Billion in Q4, as Facebook and Other Apps Now Reach Nearly 4 Billion People Monthly https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/meta-q4-2023-earnings-record-revenue-monthly-users-1235894587/ Amazon Advertising Revenue Hits $14.

 Showbiz Sandbox 646: A Slimmed Down Sundance Still Shines | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:34:31

This year’s Sundance Film Festival reflected the current state of the contracting industry itself, offering fewer films at fewer venues for fewer in-person attendees. Yet, as festivals like Sundance work toward rekindling post-pandemic financial support, this year’s official selections were just as noteworthy as those that have appeared throughout its 40 year history. We’ll give you a rundown of the titles too look out for over the next year and fill you in on all the Sundance winners. Speaking of winners, this year’s Oscar nominations were announced and they included a few titles from last year’s Sundance and Cannes film festivals. The only thing missing for most were nominations for “Barbie” director Greta Gerwig and its star Margot Robbie. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including Jon Stewart’s return to “The Daily Show,” the influential music website Pitchfork suffers layoffs and Netflix continues dominate the streaming landscape with a stellar quarterly earnings report. India’s ‘Fighter’ Flies To $25M Global Bow; ’Aquaman 2’, ‘Migration’, ‘Beekeeper’ Hit New WW Milestones https://deadline.com/2024/01/fighter-opening-weekend-deepika-padukone-aquaman-2-migration-beekeeper-milestones-global-international-box-office-1235807010/ ‘Mean Girls’ Dances Past ‘The Beekeeper’ to Win Slow Weekend With $6.9M https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/beekeeper-box-office-victory-mean-girls-1235809035/ India Box Office Hits Record $1.47B In 2023 But Admissions Remain Below Pre-Pandemic Levels https://deadline.com/2024/01/india-box-office-record-2023-jawan-animal-pathaan-1235801535/ Sundance 2024 Sales So Far https://www.indiewire.com/news/festivals/sundance-2024-film-festival-acquistions-1234940243/ Oscar Nominations 2024: ‘Oppenheimer’ Dominates With 13 Nods, ‘Poor Things’ Follows With 11 https://variety.com/2024/film/awards/oscar-nominations-2024-list-1235877798/ Microsoft Lays Off 1,900 Employees After Acquiring Activision Blizzard https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/microsoft-lays-off-employees-activision-blizzard-1235806788 Condé Nast Is Folding Pitchfork Into GQ, With Layoffs https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/17/business/media/music-magazine-pitchfork-merger-gq.html International Producers Organisations Call for Streamer Regulation https://www.screendaily.com/news/international-producers-organisations-call-for-streamer-regulation/5189540.article Layoffs Imperil Sports Illustrated as Owner, Publisher Battle Over Money

 Showbiz Sandbox 645: Amazon Prime Video Set To Dominate Advertising Market | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:08:01

Unlike most major streaming services, which allow new subscribers to choose between a more expensive ad-free plan and a cheaper ad-supported tier, Amazon has taken an opt-out approach with Prime. When Prime Video begins streaming ads in late-January one of the biggest streaming services in the world with at least 150 million subscribers, will immediately become a major player in television advertising. Especially since most of its customers will decide not to pay extra to avoid ads. Meanwhile the Emmys got slotted into January due to last year’s actors and writers strikes forcing the awards ceremony to compete with football playoffs and presidential election campaigns. Will anyone be paying attention to see who wins prizes for television series that aired two years ago? Or with guild awards nominations piling in has everyone already moved onto the Oscars. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including the deal Tom Cruise landed to make movies at Warner Bros., Harry Potter’s best selling video game and another former cable news anchor launches a program on X (née Twitter). 2024 Golden Globes Reaches Viewership of 9.4 Million — Highest Ratings In Years https://www.cbsnews.com/news/golden-globes-succession-oppenheimer-2024-ratings/ Henry Kissinger Cause of Death Revealed https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/henry-kissinger-cause-of-death-congenital-heart-failure-1234946127/ ‘Wonka’ Hits Sweet Milestone As Musical Tops $500M WW; ‘Beekeeper’ Buzzes To $37M Global Bow, ‘Mean Girls’ Clicks With $35M https://deadline.com/2024/01/wonka-milestone-beekeeper-mean-girls-global-international-box-office-1235789848/ ‘Mean Girls’ Singing to $33.2M Opening, ‘Beekeeper’ Buzzes to $19M https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/mean-girls-opens-box-office-beekeeper-1235787238/ IMAX Soars to Banner Year in 2023 With $1.06 Billion in Global Box Office https://celluloidjunkie.com/wire/imax-soars-to-banner-year-in-2023-with-1-06-billion-in-global-box-office/ Highest-Grossing Documentary Film at the Global Box Office https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/78695-highest-box-office-film-gross-for-a-documentary-film Don Lemon Announces Comeback, New Show on X https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/09/don-lemon-new-show-twitter-00134540 Taylor Swift Made Up 1.7% of Total U.S. Music Market in 2023, According to Luminate’s Year-End Report https://variety.com/2024/music/news/taylor-swift-percent-total-us-music-market-2023-luminate-1235867482/ What Tom Cruise’s New Deal Really Means

 Showbiz Sandbox 644: The Golden Globes Lose Their Luster | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 51:37

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association held its first Golden Globes awards ceremony under a new and supposedly improved organization under new ownership. Organizers scrambled to find both a network to broadcast this year’s show, not to mention a host. In the end, the winners weren’t surprising with “Oppenheimer” and “Succession” each taking home five, but the show itself was incredibly bland. Realistically, neither the Golden Globes or groups like the National Society of Film Critics are good predictors of which films will be favorites at this year’s Academy Awards. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including the best selling books of 2023, a major radio station operator files for bankruptcy and Prince’s “Purple Rain” heads to Broadway. 125 Best Romance Books Of All Time https://parade.com/books/best-romance-books-of-all-time ‘Wonka’ On Way To $500M WW, ‘Wish’ Tops $200M; ‘Taylor Swift: Eras Tour’ Overtakes ‘This Is It’ https://deadline.com/2024/01/wonka-aquaman-2-wish-taylor-swift-eras-tour-global-international-box-office-1235698776/ Box Office: ‘Night Swim’ Opens to $12M, ‘Wonka’ Leads Overall as Post-Holiday Doldrums Begin https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/night-swim-box-office-wonka-1235780767/ ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Will Go On Without Nigel Lythgoe Amid Sexual Assault Allegations https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2024-01-05/nigel-lythgoe-sytycd-sexual-assault-so-you-think-you-can-dance These Are the Bestselling (New) Books of 2023 https://lithub.com/these-are-the-bestselling-new-books-of-2023/ Radio Giant Audacy — Owner of KROQ and KCBS — Files for Bankruptcy https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/audacy-kroq-wfan-files-bankruptcy-1235781045/ Prince Movie Classic ‘Purple Rain’ Becoming a Stage Musical https://variety.com/2024/legit/news/prince-movie-purple-rain-stage-musical-branden-jacobs-jenkins-1235863878/ David Soul, ‘Starsky & Hutch’ Star, Dies at 80 https://variety.com/2024/tv/obituaries-people-news/david-soul-dead-starsky-hutch-1235862532/ Glynis Johns, Tony Winner for ‘A Little Night Music,’ Dies at 100 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/04/theater/glynis-johns-dead.html MGMT’s “Mother Nature.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDzIO5ahGE8

 Showbiz Sandbox 643: Linear Television Viewership Sinks to New Lows | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:14:47

Two annual ratings roundups of television viewing in the United States show that audiences for traditional broadcast and linear cable are in serious decline. The list of the 100 most watched broadcast episodes is mostly sports. And the top ranked channels reveal cable isn’t even really trying to program their networks anymore. Meanwhile, the domestic box office managed to surpass $9 billion for the first time since the COVID pandemic, with Universal Pictures taking over for Disney as the top earner. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including Gérard Depardieu stirs up more controversy, Taylor Swift sets more sales chart records and Paramount Global is looking for a buyer. Warner Bros Titles Deliver $700M Worldwide In December As ‘Wonka’ Nears $400M & ‘Aquaman 2’ Tops $260M; Universal & Paramount Pics Hit Milestones During Holidays https://deadline.com/2023/12/wonka-aquaman-2-warner-bros-global-international-box-office-milestones-1235683983/ Box Office: ‘Wonka’ Leads New Year’s Waltz as ‘Aquaman 2’ Continues to Sink https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/wonka-box-office-aquaman-new-years-1235776921/ 2023 Box Office: Domestic Revenue Clears $9B in Post-Pandemic First (Thanks, Barbenheimer) https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/barbenheimer-box-office-2023-revenue-bonanza-1235777081/ Universal Overtakes Disney as Highest-Grossing Studio at 2023 Box Office https://variety.com/2024/film/box-office/universal-overtakes-disney-highest-grossing-studio-box-office-1235859823/ Why Hollywood’s China Syndrome Is Both Meltdown and Opportunity https://variety.com/2023/film/news/hollywood-china-meltdown-opportunity-1235848495/ Paula Abdul Is Suing Nigel Lythgoe for Sexual Assault https://www.vulture.com/2024/01/paula-abdul-sues-nigel-lythgoe-sexual-assault.html 56 French Stars Defend actor Gerard Depardieu Despite Sexual Misconduct Allegations https://apnews.com/article/france-gerard-depardieu-stars-sexual-misconduct-women-c4c91653dedc35be2a7b3d1892e9c6bc The Times Sues OpenAI and Microsoft Over A.I. Use of Copyrighted Work https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/27/business/media/new-york-times-open-ai-microsoft-lawsuit.html The New York Times Brings Receipts in Lawsuit Against OpenAI https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/new-york-times-brings-receipts-copyright-lawsuit-openai-1235775781/

 Showbiz Sandbox 642: What Netflix Subscribers Really Watch | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:05:32

Last week Netflix released a huge data dump detailing the viewership of all its programming for the first six months of 2023. The streaming giant is calling it a victory for transparency. While it’s a long way from the granular detail the industry has long sought, it does reveal that almost nobody watches 25% of the 18,000 on the serverice. We discuss other findings the metrics reveal and why Netflix is suddenly so open about releasing data. Meanwhile, the guilds have started to weigh in with their picks for the top films of this year and providing us with a list of documentaries you should catch up on. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including why Mayim Bialik is out as host of “Jeapordy,” the 25 films added to this year’s National Film Registry and the (legal and professional) verdict on actor Jonathan Majors. Me, The Manhattan Transfer, and My Broken Hip https://kareem.substack.com/p/me-the-manhattan-transfer-and-my ‘Wonka’ Sweetens Pot To $150M+ Global Amid Expanded Rollout https://deadline.com/2023/12/wonka-international-box-office-timothee-chalamet-songbirds-and-snakes-1235670777/ Timothee Chalamet’s ‘Wonka’ Charms With $39M U.S. Debut, Dances to $151.4M Globally https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/timothee-chalamet-wonka-box-office-previews-1235757669/ See You in 2025? Box Office May Take $2B Hit Next Year Amid Delays https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-forecast-2024-2025-movies-1235757052/ Mayim Bialik Will No Longer Host ‘Jeopardy!’ Show https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2023/12/16/jeopardy-host-mayim-bialik/ ‘Lord of the Rings’: Amazon and Tolkien Estate Win Copyright Lawsuit Over TV Show, Copycat Book https://variety.com/2023/tv/global/lord-of-the-rings-amazon-tolkien-estate-copyright-lawsuit-1235843726/ What We Watched: A Netflix Engagement Report https://about.netflix.com/en/news/what-we-watched-a-netflix-engagement-report Netflix’s Big Data Dump Shows Just OK TV Is Here to Stay https://www.wired.com/story/netflix-viewership-data-foretells-bland-streaming-future/ Streaming Giants Weigh Costs of Big Licensed TV and Movie Libraries https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/netflix-amazon-prime-libraries-1235757142/ Michael Blakemore, a Single-Season Double Tony Winner for Directing, Dies at 95 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/13/theater/michael-blakemore-dead.

 Showbiz Sandbox 641: Red Sea Film Festival Highlights Emerging Film Market | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:22:06

In its third year the Red Sea International Film Festival continues to build on its reputation for programming some of the most engaging and important movies being made in the Middle East. Held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, RSIFF has gone a step further by financially backing productions from the region, which until five years ago didn’t even have movie theaters. Meanwhile, the awards season is revving up with numerous film critics societies weighing on their top movies from the past year. Plus the Golden Globes announced their nominations for next year’s ceremony. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including how a 65-year-old Christmas song becomes only the third holiday tune to top the Billboard charts, bundling comes to streaming services and Disney’s Bob Iger says the ABC television network is not for sale. ‘Wonka’ Sweet With $43M Overseas Debut; ’Migration’ Swoops Into First Markets; IMAX Tops $1B Global For 2023 https://deadline.com/2023/12/wonka-timothee-chalamet-migration-opening-international-box-office-1235660589/ Hayao Miyazaki’s ‘The Boy and the Heron’ Soars to Record $12.8M U.S. Opening https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/boy-and-the-heron-box-office-opening-1235732076/ Golden Globes 2024: Full Nominations List https://variety.com/2023/film/news/golden-globes-nominations-list-nominees-2024-1235831576/ New Old-Fashioned No. 1: Brenda Lee’s ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ Tops Hot 100, 65 Years After Its Release https://www.billboard.com/lists/brenda-lee-rockin-around-the-christmas-tree-number-one-hot-100/ Amazon Prime Video Confirms ‘Clarkson’s Farm’ Will Be Renewed For Season 4 https://deadline.com/2023/11/clarkson-farm-season-4-confirmed-amazon-prime-video-1235643866/ Netflix and Apple Open Door to Bundling With Streaming Rivals https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/new-streaming-bundles-netflix-apple-verizon-1235709564/ Music Streamer Spotify To Cut Workforce By 17% https://deadline.com/2023/12/spotify-cutting-workforce-lay-offs-music-daniel-ek-1235650430/ PlayStation Will Delete Purchased Discovery Shows https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/06/technology/sony-playstation-discovery-shows-removal.html 3 Observations on… the Sale of BMI (and Google’s Entrance Into Music Rights Management) https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/3-observations-on-the-sale-of-bmi-and-googles-entrance-into-music-rights-management/

 Showbiz Sandbox 640: Hollywood Has Always Been Addicted To Sequels | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:04:39

If moviegoers have grown tired of endless sequels and franchise reboots, as some will have you believe, then Hollywood studios may be in big trouble. In 2024, a new sequel will be released every other week, including another Godzilla movie, Dune 2, a new Ghostbusters, a new Kung Fu Panda, another Mad Max film, Deadpool 3, Inside Out 2, the next Planet of the Apes movie and a new Despicable Me. Yet, Hollywood’s love affair with sequels is as old as the film business itself. Meanwhile, in the music industry, comedian Bo Burnham hit a landmark on the Billboard charts, the performing rights organization BMI ditches its nonprofit status, and musical duo Daryl Hall and John Oates are suing each other. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including Disney’s horrible year continues with its latest animated film, Taylor Swift gives herself a birthday present and spending on productions for streaming services hits an all time high in Europe. ‘Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade’ Draws Its Biggest TV Audience Ever https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/macys-thanksgiving-day-parade-record-ratings-1235677181/ ‘Napoleon’ Conquers With $79M Global Bow; ‘Wish’ Debuts To $49M WW https://deadline.com/2023/11/napoleon-wish-opening-weekend-global-international-box-office-1235637258/ ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel and ‘Napoleon’ Conquer Thanksgiving as ‘Wish’ Wobbles https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/hunger-games-napoleon-box-office-wish-1235678839/ China Box Office: Annual Total Passes $7 Billion https://variety.com/2023/film/news/china-box-office-across-the-furious-sea-weekend-win-1235809469/ Sadiq Khan Rejects Plans for MSG Sphere in East London https://www.dezeen.com/2023/11/20/sadiq-khan-rejects-plans-for-msg-sphere-in-east-london/ New SAG-AFTRA Advance Residual Payment Procedure Rattles Talent Reps https://deadline.com/2023/11/sag-aftra-advance-residual-payment-talent-agency-confusion-1235633245/ Bo Burnham’s ‘Inside (The Songs)’ Breaks Record for Most Weeks Spent at No. 1 on Comedy Albums Chart https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/bo-burnham-inside-the-songs-breaks-record-comedy-albums-chart-1235500489/ BMI Moves to For-Profit Business Model, Eyeing Growth and New Initiatives https://www.billboard.com/pro/bmi-for-profit-business-model-expansion-investment/ BTS Members Jung Kook, RM, Jimin and V to Begin Military Service in December https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/nov/23/bts-military-service-enlistment-members-jung-kook-rm-jimin-v-enlist AS1ONE,

 Showbiz Sandbox 639: Hollywood Deals With Post-Strike Fallout | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:21:08

Hollywood’s dual writers and actors strikes may finally be over, with significant gains in earnings, residuals and AI protections, but the many systemic issues that caused the labor disruption aren’t entirely history. As more of the details of the SAG-AFTRA contract become public we take a look at what they mean for actors and the industry at large. For instance, how is a hit show going to be defined and how will the new agreements affect upcoming negotiations with unions representing crew, casting directors and teamsters? And why does actress Justine Bateman believe the new contract doesn’t go far enough in addressing synthetic performers? Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including why Spotify is leaving Uruguay, Amazon threatens the United Kingdom over production incentives and the latest Marvel film collapses at the box office. ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes’ Devours $101M Global Opening https://deadline.com/2023/11/hunger-games-songbirds-and-snakes-opening-global-international-box-office-1235627214/ ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel Opens to Subdued $44M, ‘The Marvels’ Suffers Historic Drop https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/hunger-games-prequel-box-office-opening-1235663158/ The Beatles Make More Hot 100 History as ‘Now and Then’ Debuts in Top 10 https://www.billboard.com/lists/the-beatles-now-and-then-hot-100-top-10-debut/most-hot-100-top-10s-among-groups/ Warner Music To Recreate Edith Piaf’s Voice & Image Via AI For Estate-Sanctioned, Animated Biopic https://deadline.com/2023/11/edith-piaf-movie-ai-warner-music-entertainment-1235611484/ AI-Generated Voices of John Legend, Demi Lovato and Charlie Puth Are Coming to YouTube https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/youtube-dream-tracks-ai-music-tool-1235648779/ Univision Anchor Leon Krauze Exits in Wake of Network’s Controversial Trump Interview https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/leon-krauze-univision-anchor-exit-donald-trump-interview-1235791987/ Spotify Plans to Leave Uruguay Over Change to Copyright Laws https://www.billboard.com/business/streaming/spotify-leaving-uruguay-copyright-law-change-1235499653/ Amazon Warns Of Threat To UK Status As Hollywood Rival https://deadline.com/2023/11/amazon-warning-uk-status-hollywood-rival-1235611831/ ‘SWAT’ Lands Cable Syndication Deal With WeTV https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/swat-cable-syndication-deal-wetv-1235639989/

 Showbiz Sandbox 638: What the Actors Won in Their New Contract | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:39:06

After 118 days the actor’s strike finally came to an end as SAG-AFTRA reached an agreement on a new three-year employment contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Entertainment attorney Jonathan Handel joins us to explain all of the major achievements in wages increases, residuals and artificial intelligence protections the union negotiated, while highlighting the significance the contract will have for the entire industry in future years. Meanwhile, women dominated this year’s Grammy nominations which were announced last week. Seven of the eight nominees in the big categories of song, record and album of the year are by women or female groups. The only male nominee? Jon Batiste who won big last year. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including why a satellite radio service is moving to your phone, the poor opening of Marvel’s latest superhero movie and how third quarter earnings announcements from entertainment companies underscores the industry’s current generational disruption. ‘The Marvels’ Amiss With $110M Global Opening; Lowest Ever For Disney MCU Offshore & WW https://deadline.com/2023/11/the-marvels-opening-global-international-box-office-1235600417/ Box Office Bomb: ‘The Marvels’ Opens to $47M in New Low for Marvel Studios https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/the-marvels-box-office-bombing-opening-1235644758/ SAG-AFTRA Approves Deal to End Historic Strike https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/sag-aftra-tentative-deal-historic-strike-1235771894/ What the Actors Really Won on A.I. https://puck.news/what-the-actors-really-won-on-a-i/ SAG-AFTRA Secures $40 Million Streaming Bonus: ‘We’re Starting to Claw Our Way Back’ https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/sag-aftra-streaming-bonus-40-million-1235784773/ Drescher and Crabtree-Ireland On Deal https://deadline.com/2023/11/sag-aftra-fran-drescher-actors-strike-ending-ai-interview-1235598296/ Fran Drescher & Duncan Crabtree-Ireland On SAG-AFTRA Deal, AI & Informed Consent + Importance Of CEOs https://deadline.com/2023/11/actors-strike-deal-details-sag-aftra-1235599842/ As Hollywood’s Season of Strikes Comes to End, What Are the Lessons Learned? https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/strikes-end-hollywood-lessons-sag-wga-shutdowns-1235780177/ Grammy Nominations 2024: See the Full List Here https://pitchfork.com/news/grammy-nominations-2024-see-the-full-list-here/ Here Lies Love Announces Closing Date on Broadway

 Showbiz Sandbox 637: Spotify Fighting Fraud With New Payment Plan | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:06:57

Spotify is changing how it pays out royalties in an effort to deter fraud, demonetize the flood of new music that almost no one listens to and frustrate those gaming the system. None of the changes will alter the amount of money paid out in royalties each year. But Spotify believes the move may add up to $1 billion a year going to actual musical artists, rather than con artists. Meanwhile, the actors’ strike continues despite word that SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP were close to a deal on a new three-year contract. Word is that one of the remaining sticking points has to do with how artificial intelligence can be used to create performances in future productions. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including a new Broadway season ramps up with plenty of new productions, Live Nation reports record earnings thanks to sales of concert tickets and Britney Spears becomes a bestselling author. ‘Five Nights At Freddy’s’ Tops $200M WW; ‘Godzilla Minus One’ Roars In Japan https://deadline.com/2023/11/five-nights-at-freddys-killers-of-the-flower-moon-godzilla-minus-one-global-international-box-office-1235594101/ ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ Leads Slow Frame With $19.4M, ‘Priscilla’ Opens Nationwide https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/five-nights-at-freddys-box-office-priscilla-1235637013/ Gen Z Teens Want Less Sex on Screen, According to New UCLA Study https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/sex-on-screen-ucla-study-gen-z-teens-young-adults-1235768046/ Actors’ Union Mulls “Last, Best and Final Offer” as Strike Enters 114th Day https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/11/sag0aftra-actors-strike-negotiations-deal Schedule of Upcoming and Announced Broadway Shows https://playbill.com/article/schedule-of-upcoming-and-announced-broadway-shows Britney Spears’s ‘The Woman in Me’ Sells More Than 1 Million Copies https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/93629-britney-spears-s-the-woman-in-me-sells-more-than-1-million-copies.html All Seasons Press Sues Mark Meadows over Alleged Lies in Memoir https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/93661-all-seasons-press-sues-mark-meadows-over-alleged-lies-in-memoir.html Cedar Fair to Buy Six Flags in $1.9 Billion Theme-Park Deal https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-02/six-flags-cedar-fair-to-merge-in-8-billion-theme-park-deal Phil McGraw To Launch Cable Network Anchored By ‘Dr.

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