Showbiz Sandbox

The ratings for this year’s Super Bowl may have declined 7% and we might know why. After all, there were ads for Hulu, Netflix movies like “The Cloverfield Paradox,” Amazon Prime’s Jack Ryan series and even a few movies that might appear in theatres later this year. Oh, there was also a pretty good football game that came down to the last play. The big game usually puts a damper on the box office in North America, but it certainly doesn’t help when new releases can’t hold their own against titles that opened in December. Even so, international grosses are where all the action is these days and over the past week a Bollywood title managed to beat out the latest “Maze Runner” installment in China. We’ll explain why. Meanwhile, the Oscar race is coming into sharper focus now that the Director’s Guild has handed out their top awards to “The Shape of Water” and “Get Out”. It’s important to remember however, that the preferential ballot has managed to upend the Best Picture category recently. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including why there is a petition for RIAA president Neil Portnow to resign, compact discs are slowly disappearing from retail outlets and Netflix may team up with Luc Besson. comScore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of February 4, 2018 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-february-4-2018-300593119.html Sony Chief Hands Over Reins After Resurgence https://www.wsj.com/articles/sonys-kazuo-hirai-to-step-down-as-ceo-1517548358 Bollywood Movie ‘Secret Superstar’ Beats Out ‘Maze Runner’ Sequel in China http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-china-box-office-20180131-story.html DGA Awards: Guillermo del Toro and ‘The Shape of Water’ Take Best Film Prize https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/dga-awards-2018-winners-list-full-1078501 Annie Awards: ‘Coco’ Tops the Animation Celebration https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2018-annie-award-winners-complete-list-1067856 ‘120 BPM’ Leads France’s Cesar Awards Nominations https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/frances-cesar-awards-nominations-unveiled-1079655 History Greenlights Unscripted Series in Search of Hosted and Executive Produced by Zachary Quinto http://www.aenetworks.com/article/history-greenlights-unscripted-series-search-hosted-and-executive-produced-zachary-quinto The Heart Is a Shifting Sea by Elizabeth Flock – BookFilter http://bookfilter.com/2017/05/03/the-heart-is-a-shifting-sea/ Equity Calls For Tighter Audition Processes to Protect Actors From Harassment

Some of the biggest annual headline generators in the entertainment industry all happened to occur during the same week this year; the Grammy Awards were handed out, the Oscar Nominations were announced and the Sundance Film Festival came to a close. Anne Thompson, Indiewire’s editor at large, helps us break down the Oscar nominations while also telling us about the titles from Sundance that we can look forward to seeing in the year ahead. As for the Grammy Awards, though hip-hop albums by Kendrick Lamar and Jay-Z were heavily favored to win top prizes, it was Bruno Mars who took home the nights biggest honors, including Album of the Year. And though the telecast of the ceremony was filled with performances by the biggest names in music, viewership plummeted to an all-time low. Meanwhile, the movie ticket subscription service MoviePass caused a stir in Hollywood last week, though not necessarily in a good way. The company removed ten high-profile AMC theaters from its service claiming they were tired of being ignored by the cinema chain. But could the real reason be that MoviePass was simply losing too much money at those locations? Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including why Neil Diamond and Elton John will stop touring, celebrities get caught out paying for social media followers and the story behind an open source, anonymous list of salaries for television writers and producers. Sundance 2018 Oscar Wrap: The Market Is Split Between Young and Old http://www.indiewire.com/2018/01/sundance-oscar-contenders-box-office-1201922242/ Meet Netflix’s Indie Content Team, at Sundance and Beyond http://www.indiewire.com/2018/01/netflix-indie-content-production-sundance-2018-private-life-1201921906/ Oscar Nominations 2018 Snubs and Surprises: ‘Phantom Thread’ Rises, James Franco Falls, and More http://www.indiewire.com/2018/01/oscar-nominations-2018-snubs-and-surprises-dunkirk-get-out-the-shape-of-water-1201920746/ Oscar Nominations 2018: The Complete List http://variety.com/2018/film/news/list-2018-oscar-nominations-1202668757/ Song Publisher Agrees “We Shall Overcome” Is in Public Domain in Legal Settlement https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/song-publisher-agrees-we-overcome-public-domain-legal-settlement-1078906 comScore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of January 28, 2018 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-january-28-2018-300589279.html India Braces for Opening of Film That Has Hindu Extremists Enraged https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/24/world/asia/india-hindu-muslim-padmavati-movie.html Paddington 2 Breaks Records to Become Rotten Tomatoes’ Best-Reviewed Movie Ever

As Hollywood continues to grapple with how to handle decades of sexual misconduct one immediate benefit for women throughout the industry may come in the form of higher paychecks. Take actress Ellen Pompeo, for instance. The star of “Grey’s Anatomy” for the past 13 years dished the dirt on her contract with ABC and after years of trying to be paid as much as the male leads of the show, she now makes $20 million per season. Naturally not everyone working in television who is looking to be paid what they are worth, or even what they are owed contractually, is a woman. Frank Darabont, who created the hit series “The Walking Dead” has been suing AMC for years over profit participation in the show he was fired from. Now Darabont is returning to court armed with even more evidence the network tried to hoodwink him. Meanwhile the awards season plows on with some claiming there are no front runners in the Oscars race. That seems strange when “The Shape of Water” (The Producers Guild) and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” (SAG Awards) keep winding up at the top of most lists. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including why the Huffington Post is saying goodbye to its bloggers, YouTube sets new guidelines for its partner program and MoviePass gets into the film distribution game. comScore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of January 21, 2018 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-january-21-2018-300585651.html ‘The Greatest Showman’ Soundtrack Repeats at No. 1 https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/15/arts/music/greatest-showman-soundtrack-billboard-chart.html ‘Greatest Showman’ Becomes a Sleeper Hit as Disrespected Films Flourish https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/21/movies/greatest-showman-jumanji-box-office-results.html U.S. Movie Ticket Sales Plunged 6% in 2017, Thanks to Lousy Summer http://variety.com/2018/film/box-office/u-s-movie-tickets-sold-2017-1202667483/ Average Price of a Movie Ticket Soars to $8.97 in 2017 https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/average-price-a-movie-ticket-soars-897-2017-1075458 Visual Effects Society Awards: ‘Apes,’ ‘Blade Runner 2049’ Lead Feature Nominees https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2018-visual-effects-society-awards-nominations-list-full-1067888/item/outstanding-visual-effects-a-photoreal-feature-1067977 SAG Awards: Complete List of Winners https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/sag-award-winners-2018-full-list-1067861 ‘Party of Five’ Reboot From Original Series Creators Lands at Freeform https://www.

Though the number of pay-TV subscribers grew by 1.2% last year, in mature media markets consumers continue to cut the cord, migrating to over the top (OTT) services provided by an increasing list of streaming services. In fact, Hulu just announced they now have 17 million subscribers for their on-demand and live-TV services. The promise of a future wherein we could watch whatever we want, whenever we want may finally be here. Now all we need is half a dozen streaming subscriptions. Meanwhile, as the Directors Guild of America and BAFTA announce their nominees for year end honors, the awards season begins to further define some of its frontrunners. Though not always telling of who might wind up on Oscars shortlist, “The Shape of Water” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” continue to rack up the most nods. And unfortunately cases of sexual misconduct continue to make headlines. The revered French actress Catherine Deneuve joined 100 other women from France to accuse the #metoo movement of having a pack mentality that sometimes mistakes flirting for sexual assault and winds up destroying people’s lives in the process. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including why YouTube is facing a backlash over a post by one of its popular vloggers, “Modern Family” will end after its tenth season and why Radiohead might be suing Lana Del Rey over copyright infringement. Viacom, CBS Shares Rise After Report Suggests New Merger Talks Have Started http://variety.com/2018/tv/news/viacom-cbs-shares-merger-talks-report-1202663319/ Cranberries Singer Dolores O’Riordan Dies at 46 https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dolores-oriordan-dead-cranberries-singer-was-46-1074715 comScore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of January 14, 2018 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-january-14-2018-300582378.html ‘Blade Runner,’ ‘Mudbound,’ ‘Game of Thrones’ Land ASC Cinematography Nominations http://variety.com/2018/artisans/awards/asc-cinematography-nominations-2018-blade-runner-game-of-thrones-1202658221/ DGA Feature Film Nominations Revealed http://variety.com/2018/film/news/shape-of-water-dunkirk-lady-bird-directors-guild-nominations-1202661056/ BAFTA Film Awards: ‘The Shape of Water,’ ‘Three Billboards,’ ‘Darkest Hour’ Lead Nominations http://variety.com/2018/film/news/2018-bafta-film-award-nominations-1202656769/ ‘John Wick’ TV Series in the Works at Starz (With Keanu Reeves Attached) https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/john-wick-tv-series-works-at-starz-keanu-reeves-attached-1074315 Mark Wahlberg and Agency Will Donate $2 Million to Time’s Up After Outcry Over Pay

Amid a sea of black dresses and black tie Hollywood held its first big annual event of the #metoo age as the Golden Globes became a platform for the industry to speak out on gender inequality. The highlight of the evening came when Oprah Winfrey delivered a rousing acceptance speech for an honorary award that had everyone wondering whether she plans on running for president in 2020. Meanwhile, estimated financials for 2017 are being tallied and it looks as if the global box office set new highs, thanks in part to the Chinese market which is still rising sharply. In North America however, attendance reached a low that hasn’t been seen in decades generating receipts that declined only slightly. And just as a new wave of lawsuits threaten to swamp Spotify, the music streaming service looks to cash in with one of the largest direct public offerings ever. Apple music is still trying to catch up to Spotify’s 70 million paying subscribers as Jimmy Iovine, one of their key executives, is reportedly stepping down this summer. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including Broadway’s record breaking year, Lady Gaga heads to Las Vegas and John Legend becomes a savior. comScore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of January 7, 2018 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-january-7-2018-300578704.html China Box Office Expands by $2 Billion to Hit $8.6 Billion in 2017 http://variety.com/2017/film/asia/china-box-office-expands-by-2-billion-in-2017-1202650515/ Netflix’s ‘Bright’ Spot: Nielsen Says 11 Million Have Watched Panned Flick https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/netflixs-bright-spot-nielsen-says-11-million-have-watched-panned-flick-1070605 ‘Bright’ Sequel Officially a Go at Netflix https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/bright-sequel-will-smith-david-ayer-expected-return-netflix-movie-1071188 Disneyland Power Restored After Outage http://variety.com/2017/biz/news/disneyland-power-outage-1202649168/ Movie Biz Banking on Big Franchises (Again) in 2018 to Reverse Box Office Slump http://variety.com/2017/film/news/2018-box-office-upcoming-films-black-panther-han-solo-1202649248/ Disney Becomes Only Studio to Hit $6 Billion Twice at Global Box Office http://variety.com/2017/film/box-office/disney-2017-worldwide-box-office-6-billion-star-wars-the-last-jedi-1202648241/ MoviePass Adds a Million Subscribers, Even if Theaters Aren’t Sold on It https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/27/business/media/moviepass-theaters-tickets.html

In one of the largest deals Hollywood has ever seen, the Walt Disney Company announced it had agreed to buy most of 21st Century Fox in a transaction valued at $66.1 billion. Disney will scoop up Fox assets that include 20th Century Fox film and TV studios, 300 cable channels, 22 regional sports networks, control over the Hulu streaming service and a stake in Sky. Fox will keep its news, sports and broadcast networks, as well as its publishing empire. The move underscores how movie studios have become an intellectual property business where scale matters. Rupert Murdoch feared Fox never scaled properly to compete in the age of digital on-demand consumption of content and that his company was at the peak of its value. Selling a portion of his empire also avoids a family power struggle over who would take control of the company once he steps down. Meanwhile, the first award nominations from a guild have arrived courtesy of the Screen Actors Guild. And the Library of Congress added 25 new works to the National Film Registry, including fiction and documentaries, features and shorts. We’ll discuss what significant works they’ve enshrined. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including the FCC officially ditches net neutrality regulation, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces this year’s entries and why Norway is switching off FM radio. comScore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of December 17, 2017 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-december-17-2017-300572378.html SAG Award Nominations: Complete List http://variety.com/2017/film/news/2018-sag-award-nominations-list-nominees-1202638033/ Oscars: Nine Films Advance in Foreign-Language Race http://variety.com/2017/film/awards/oscars-nine-films-advance-in-foreign-language-race-1202641490/ The 2017 National Film Registry Is More Than a “Field of Dreams” https://celluloidjunkie.com/wire/2017-national-film-registry-field-dreams/ The Fuentes Collection http://www.texasarchive.org/library/index.php/Category:The_Fuentes_Collection Interior New York City Subway 14th to 42nd Street https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J10-aYVG6HY The Sinking of the Lusitania, 1918 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYKdXABWaFg With the Abraham Lincoln Brigade in the Spanish Civil War https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnqYbpiWeEY Ryan Lizza Fired by The New Yorker Over Sexual Misconduct Allegation https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/11/business/ryan-lizza-sexual-misconduct.html?_r=0 Dustin Hoffman Accused of Exposing Himself to a Minor, Assaulting Two Women

You know you’re in the thick of the awards season when you have to complain about who was snubbed and overlooked when the Golden Globe nominations were announced. “The Shape of Water” and “Big Little Lies” led this year’s nominees, as women filmmakers were shut out. Then there is the nomination for “Get Out,” a horror film, in the music and drama category, which makes even less sense. One filmmaker who probably won’t be attending the Golden Globes this year is Bryan Singer. The filmmaker behind the X-Men franchise was fired from his latest film “Bohemian Rhapsody” after disappearing from the set. Singer cried foul and said he was caring for an ill parent, though it turns out a civil case was filed against him over a 2003 sexually assault of a 17-year-old boy. Speaking of sexual misconduct, Time magazine named all the women who have come forward to tell their own stories of sexual harassment and assault, especially in Hollywood, as their person of the year. Accusations continue to surface about those in front of and behind the camera with the number of incident showing no sign of abating anytime soon. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including J.K. Rowling defends casting Johnny Depp in the “Fantastic Beasts” movie, why the release of John Travolta’s mobster biopic “Gotti” was delayed and Alec Baldwin preps a talk show. comScore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of December 10, 2017 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-december-10-2017-300569385.html Iger Likely to Stay On as Disney CEO Past 2019 if Fox Deal Is Reached https://www.wsj.com/articles/robert-iger-likely-to-extend-tenure-as-disney-ceo-past-2019-1512592562 Bob Iger Prepares to Extend as Disney CEO if Fox Deal Happens, but Comcast Still a Contender http://variety.com/2017/biz/news/bob-iger-disney-21st-century-fox-ceo-contract-1202632349/ DC Shake-Up in the Works After ‘Justice League’ Stumbles http://variety.com/2017/film/news/dc-films-justice-league-1202632214/ Queen Biopic Finds New Director After Bryan Singer’s Firing https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/queen-biopic-finds-new-director-bryan-singers-firing-1063734 Bryan Singer Fired From Directing Queen Biopic After On-Set Chaos https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/bryan-singer-fired-directing-queen-biopic-set-chaos-1063977 Bryan Singer Claims Fox Refused to Allow Him to Care for “Gravely Ill Parent” https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/bryan-singer-claims-fox-refused-allow-him-care-gravely-ill-parent-1064288 Bryan Singer’s Fox Offices Shut Down

Hip-hop artists lead the nominees for this year’s Grammy Awards with Jay Z and Kendrick Lamar the front runners for Album Of The Year. Steve Knopper, a contributing editor for Rolling Stone and author of several books about the music industry, joins us to explain how musicians have taken a lesson from Hollywood and begun mounting marketing campaigns to snag music’s highest honor. Accolades for the year’s best movies have also begun to be doled out with critics groups announcing their picks. “Call Me By Your Name,” “The Florida Project,” and “Lady Bird” seem to be the big favorites as we head into awards season. Meanwhile, allegations of sexual misconduct continue to pile up against entertainment and media personalities. Just when we thought it couldn’t get much worse, “Today” anchor Matt Lauer was fired by NBC News over sexual harassment and famed Metropolitan Opera conductor James Levine was suspended over accusations of sexual abuse. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including how Stephen Colbert continues to win the late night wars, director Bryan Singer disappears from the set of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and why Disney is suing Redbox. Steve Knopper’s Website http://knopps.com/ MJ: The Genius of Michael Jackson http://amzn.to/2jUiF09 Appetite for Self-Destruction: The Spectacular Crash of the Record Industry in the Digital Age http://amzn.to/2AYF5Iw How Artists Are Playing the Grammy Game http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/how-artists-managers-woo-grammy-voters-w512149 comScore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of December 3, 2017 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-december-3-2017-300565658.html Disney Will Remove the Awful 20-Minute ‘Frozen’ Short From ‘Coco’ This Week http://mashable.com/2017/12/02/coco-olaf-frozen-adventure-short-removed/#tYI0Qz3hLkqj ‘Lady Bird’ Sets Rotten Tomatoes Record as the Website’s Best Reviewed Movie of All Time http://www.indiewire.com/2017/11/lady-bird-rotten-tomatoes-record-greta-gerwig-1201901145/ Steven Spielberg’s ‘The Post’ Named Best Film of 2017 by National Board of Review http://variety.com/2017/film/awards/steven-spielbergs-the-post-named-best-film-of-2017-by-national-board-of-review-1202624800/ Call Me By Your Name’s Armie Hammer to Make His Broadway Debut in Straight White Men http://www.playbill.com/article/call-me-by-your-names-armie-hammer-to-make-his-broadway-debut-in-straight-white-men ‘Lady Bird’ Named Best Picture by New York Film Critics Circle

The Justice Department filed suit to block the merger of AT&T and TimeWarner. Since President Donald Trump promised to oppose the deal and repeatedly complained about CNN news coverage many see this as political payback. Ironically, however, many impartial observers agree with the Trump administration’s stance, just not for the same reasons. They see the merger as a questionable convergence of media power and vertical integration. At the same time the Ajit Pai, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission wants to kill net neutrality regulations that he claims are crippling the internet. Pai’s proposal, which is certain to pass in December, is despised by consumer groups, tech companies and just about everyone other than the handful of giant telecommunications companies it is aimed to help. Meanwhile, the number of sexual harassment allegations against power players in Hollywood, the media and politics continues to grow, though now we’re calling it sexual misconduct. We’ll touch on the latest entrants to the list including journalist Charlie Rose and Pixar’s John Lasseter. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including Netflix’s first Colombian production, Time Inc. gets a new owner, and the nominations for this year’s Spirit Awards. comScore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of November 26, 2017 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-november-26-2017-300561623.html Wanda Sony Pictures Financing And Marketing Deal Is Over http://variety.com/2017/film/asia/wanda-sony-pictures-finance-deal-halted-1202620411/ Spirit Awards Nominations Led by ‘Call Me by Your Name’ http://variety.com/2017/film/awards/spirit-awards-nominations-2018-call-me-by-your-name-1202620662/ Murder On The Orient Express Sequel In The Works https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/murder-orient-express-sequel-works-1060513 FCC Plans Net Neutrality Repeal in a Victory for Telecoms https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/21/technology/fcc-net-neutrality.html FCC Chairman Proposes Repeal of Net Neutrality Rules http://variety.com/2017/politics/news/fcc-net-neutrality-repeal-1202620531/ FCC Eyes Raising TV Station Ownership Cap Amid Sinclair-Tribune Merger Review http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/fcc-national-ownership-cap-sinclair-tribune-1202620605/ Justice Department Sues to Block AT&T-Time Warner Merger https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/20/business/dealbook/att-time-warner-merger.html U.S. Faces Tough Battle Proving AT&T Would Use Time Warner to Squeeze Competition http://www.

Six weeks after allegations of sexual abuse and harassment against media mogul Harvey Weinstein were first reported by the New York Times, there seems no end to the number of Hollywood players being accused of misconduct. Kevin Spacey and Louis C.K. may be the biggest stars to have their careers upended thus far, but they won’t be the last as everyone from actor Jeffrey Tambor to talent agents to politicians and even journalists are having similar claims made against them. The unanswered question is how the entertainment industry will implement changes to ensure sexual harassment will come to an end. Instead, there is concern of a backlash should the public grow tired of hearing about the latest offense to come out of Hollywood’s ranks. Meanwhile, suing someone these days as become the industry’s second favorite past-time, right after wondering whose vile behavior will finally come back to haunt them. The hit TV show “Supernatural” is apparently losing money after years on the air, while director George Miller says “Mad Max: Fury Road” did not go over budget and he’s suing Warner Bros. to prove it. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including some new FCC media ownership rules, Sony nabs Quentin Tarantino’s next movie and the NFL is still proving attractive to advertisers. Taylor Swift’s ‘Reputation’: The Final Numbers Are in and It’s a Monster http://variety.com/2017/music/news/taylor-swift-reputation-first-week-sales-final-1202618414/ comScore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of November 19, 2017 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-november-19-2017-300559138.html Box Office: ‘Justice League’ Scores $185 Million International Opening, Led by China http://variety.com/2017/film/news/box-office-justice-league-international-opening-china-1202618624/ How Pixar Made Sure “Coco” Was Culturally Conscious https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/19/movies/coco-pixar-politics.html Warner Bros. Nabs ‘Paddington 2’ Rights From Weinstein Co. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-bros-nabs-paddington-2-rights-weinstein-1058616 21st Century Fox Shares Soar on Reports of Comcast Acquisition Overture, Verizon Interest http://variety.com/2017/biz/news/comcast-21st-century-fox-acquisition-1202617008/ Sony Also Inquiring About 21st Century Fox Assets https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sony-inquiring-21st-century-fox-assets-1059499 A ‘Supernatural’ Profits Fight, and the AT&T-TW Merger Issue That Few Are Discussing https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/a-supernatural-profits-fight-at-t-tw-merger-issue-few-are-discussing-1059396 ‘Columbo’ Creators Sue Universal Over Profits from 1970s Show

The Walt Disney Company reported earnings for the past year fell 1% as media networks help drag down profits. With revenue from its sports network ESPN declining, the entertainment conglomerate is now looking to get even bigger through acquisitions that will bolster its streaming media service. Specifically, Disney has been eyeing key assets of 21st Century Fox’s film and television holdings. As the media landscape shifts, becoming more fractured, so too have the ways in which content such as movies and television shows is monetized. In an age where new entrants make their money selling electronic devices (Apple) or other products (Amazon) it would appear that size matters. Thus the reason investors are bullish on a deal between Disney and Fox. Once again we can not avoid discussing the sexual harassment allegations that have erupted in Hollywood and started to spread into other industries, even politics. With each passing week another celebrity or power player sees their life fall apart amidst accusations of misconduct. The latest is comedian Louis C.K. who says the claims against him are all true. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including Taylor Swift’s latest album shattering sales records, Jennifer Anniston starring in Apple’s first scripted television series and Vanity Fair names a new editor-in-chief. comScore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of November 12, 2017 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-november-12-2017-300554331.html Disney-Fox Rumors Underscore Changing Business Landscape, Even for Murdochs http://variety.com/2017/film/news/disney-fox-rumors-murdochs-1202608371/#article-comments 21st Century Fox Quarterly Earnings Exceeds Expectations http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/21st-century-fox-quarterly-earnings-exceeds-expectations-1056289 Disney Quarterly Earnings Unimpressive, Stock Falls http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-quarterly-earnings-unimpressive-stock-falls-1056668 Disney’s ESPN Is Expected To Lay Off 100 More Employees http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-espn-layoffs-20171109-story.html Paramount Loses Slate Financing Deal With China’s Huahua http://variety.com/2017/film/news/paramount-china-huahua-1202609480/ Disney Ends Ban on Los Angeles Times Amid Fierce Backlash https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/07/business/disney-la-times.html Star Wars Is Getting An All-new Trilogy From Rian Johnson https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/9/16630902/star-wars-new-trilogy-rian-johnson-disney-lucasfilm ‘Dynasty’ Scores Full Season Order at The CW

Last week it was released that Disney would be charging movie theaters a record high percentage of box office and a minimum guaranteed run in order to book “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” At the same time, the studio has blacklisted the Los Angeles Times from reviewing and covering its films. We’ll explain why. In television news, the Nielsen ratings company is giving us a peek into viewership for the Netflix series “Stranger Things.” And the BBC is opening up its digital platform to different sports leagues so more games can be seen for free by more people. We also continue to provide updates on the sexual harassment allegations that have plagued the entertainment and media industries over the past month. The rap sheet of people fired or quitting over revelations they’ve been sexually harassing and assaulting people for years grows longer and longer…starting with Kevin Spacey, who has seen his life collapse in just one week. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including discussion of a “Lord of the Rings” television series, how YouTube has become a leading music curation platform and the Country Music Awards try and squelch the debate over gun control. 21st Century Fox has been holding talks to sell most of the company to Disney: Sources https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/06/21st-century-fox-has-been-holding-talks-to-sell-most-of-company-to-disney-sources.html comScore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of November 5, 2017 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-november-5-2017-300549781.html China Box Office: ‘Thor’ Opens With $54 Million Weekend http://variety.com/2017/film/asia/china-box-office-thor-opening-weekend-1202607395/ Disney Lays Down the Law for Theaters on ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-lays-down-the-law-for-theaters-on-star-wars-the-last-jedi-1509528603 Why Disney Can Demand 65% of Box Office for “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” https://celluloidjunkie.com/2017/11/04/disney-can-demand-65-box-office-star-wars-last-jedi/ Is Disney Paying Its Share In Anaheim? http://www.latimes.com/projects/la-fi-disney-anaheim-deals/ LA Times Holiday Movie Preview: A Note To Our Readers http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-holiday-movie-preview-2017-times-note-on-disney-1509668978-htmlstory.html Disney Bars LA Times Film Coverage After Critical Piece https://apnews.com/d96aedc23b854405858a14986a435733/Disney-bars-LA-Times-film-coverage-after-critical-piece ‘Bond’ Studio MGM Forms Key Distribution Venture With Megan Ellison’s Annapurna

October has been a particularly horrific month for Hollywood this year, and not just because of the run up to Halloween. After a record setting September, North American box office dropped to a ten year low in October as major releases failed to attract audiences. Then there was the flood of industry-wide sexual harassment claims, an ongoing story with no end in sight. What started with egregious allegations against indie-mogul Harvey Weinstein has led to actors and actresses coming forward with more stories of harassment, including one against two-time Oscar winner Kevin Spacey, who has been accused of making sexual overtures to a 14-year-old boy over 30 years ago. Meanwhile, the publishing industry has some good news about book sales and we’ll explain why lists announcing the best books of 2017 have already been compiled by trade publications, two months before the year is over. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including how the Disney Channel is introducing a gay storyline, a virtual reality project wins a special Oscar and the latest Star Trek series will get a second season. comScore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of October 29, 2017 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-october-29-2017-300545223.html China Box Office: ‘Geostorm’ Blows to $33 Million Win as ‘Blade Runner’ Flops http://variety.com/2017/film/asia/china-box-office-geostorm-victory-blade-runner-flops-1202602049/ Regal Cinemas Plan May Let You Pay Less for Flops, More for Hits https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-24/regal-cinemas-plans-to-test-new-pricing-to-fill-empty-seats Adult Trade, Children’s Categories Posted Six-Month Gains https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/financial-reporting/article/75205-adult-trade-children-s-categories-posted-six-month-gains.html Australia’s Amazon Book Battle https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/19/books/australias-amazon-book-battle.html Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2017 https://best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2017/top-10 Hitler in Los Angeles by Steven J. Ross http://amzn.to/2ihuLjb The Trees by Conrad Richter – BookFilter http://bookfilter.com/2016/10/19/the-trees-2/ Disney Channel Breaks Ground With First Gay Storyline http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/disney-channel-breaks-ground-first-gay-storyline-1051791 Alejandro G. Inarritu’s Virtual Reality Installation ‘Carne y Arena’ to Receive Special Award ht...

The recent and voluminous sexual harassment claims against mega-producer Harvey Weinstein have ignited a firestorm of similar allegations by women against numerous professionals throughout the industry. It has grown into a day of reckoning that is reaching directors, agents and executives in Hollywood, to encompass the music, publishing and video game industries too. Last week it was revealed that filmmaker James Toback sexually harassed upwards of 38 women over a course of decades. At the same time Nickelodeon fired Chris Savino, the creator behind one of its most popular series, over harassment claims and the head of amazon Studios stepped down under a cloud of similar accusations. Meanwhile, Ticketmaster may have finally found a way to squelch scalpers from buying up all the best seats at live events. Its Verified Fan program is getting great, albeit expensive, tickets into the hands of actual fans. Now all they have to do is work on the technology to make it work more effectively. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including Netflix continues to expand its subscriber base, Justin Timberlake will perform at the Super Bowl halftime show and HBO will bring its international productions to the United States. comScore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of October 22, 2017 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-october-22-2017-300540932.html Jack Gao Departs Wanda Group, Legendary Entertainment http://variety.com/2017/film/news/jack-gao-departs-wanda-group-legendary-entertainment-1202591716/ ‘Nancy Drew’ Reboot Being Redeveloped at NBC http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/nancy-drew-reboot-being-redeveloped-at-nbc-1049293 ‘Magnum P.I.’ Reboot in the Works at CBS http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/magnum-pi-reboot-works-at-cbs-1050888 I Can’t Breathe by Matt Taibbi – BookFilter http://bookfilter.com/2016/10/31/i-cant-breathe/ The Rooster Bar by John Grisham – BookFilter http://bookfilter.com/2017/04/19/new-legal-thriller/ How ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ Is Cashing in on Broadway http://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-harry-potter-and-the-cursed-child-is-cashing-in-on-broadway-2017-10-20 Broadway’s Soaring ‘Springsteen,’ Megahit Ticket Prices Transforming the Great White Way, Experts Say https://www.amny.com/entertainment/springsteen-broadway-ticket-prices-1.14583070 Netflix Adds 5.3 Million Subs in Q3, Beating Forecasts http://variety.com/2017/digital/news/netflix-q3-2017-adds-5-3-million-subscribers-1202591159/

NBC forked over millions of dollars to steal Megyn Kelly away from Fox News and then realized they had nowhere to put her. First the network gave Kelly a primetime news show opposite the ratings powerhouse 60 Minutes. When that move prove disastrous NBC shoehorned Kelly into the third hour of their hit morning program, “Today,” only to see the shows ratings plummet. Marc Berman, the editor-in-chief of Programming Insider, joins us to analyze what went wrong with bringing Kelly to NBC, why putting a former political news anchor into a morning show was a bad fit, and what the network can do to save the “Today” show before Kelly brings down ratings any further. Berman believes if NBC doesn’t act soon, they could get lapped by the likes of CBS. Speaking of public implosion swof media fixtures, the Harvey Weinstein scandal has moved beyond the movie mogul himself to encompass a culture of sexual harassment that pervades Hollywood. We’ll discuss a plausible idea that Hollywood could take toward ending such behavior. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including how Spanish language network Telemundo is gaining ground on its rival Univision, why the ratings of a CW show were significantly boosted by binge viewing on Netflix and YouTube views may soon be included in determining Billboard’s weekly music charts. comScore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of October 15, 2017 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-october-15-2017-300536867.html Fandango to Acquire Rival MovieTickets.com http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fandango-acquire-rival-movieticketscom-1048430 ‘Roswell’ Series Reboot in Development at CW http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/roswell-reboot-series-cw-1202588397/ ‘Blue Crush’ Reboot Set at NBC http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/blue-crush-reboot-set-at-nbc-1048364 Sarah Polley: The Men You Meet Making Movies https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/14/opinion/sunday/harvey-weinstein-sarah-polley.html?_r=0 Harvey Weinstein Expelled From Motion Picture Academy http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-harvey-weinstein-film-academy-20171014-story.html Academy Expels Harvey Weinstein http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/academy-expels-harvey-weinstein-1048914 Bob Weinstein Gets Emotional on “Depraved” Harvey, Saving the Company and His “Waking Nightmare” http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bob-weinstein-gets-emotional-depraved-harvey-saving-company-his-waking-nightmare-1048905 Lin-Manuel Miranda,