Showbiz Sandbox

In a year which boasted a bevy of summer blockbusters, moviegoers haven’t been turning up at theaters for some of the more highly anticipated releases. Instead, big budget titles such as “The Little Mermaid,” “Elemental,” “The Flash,” and even “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” among others have all had underwhelming opening weekends. Is depressed movie attendance a temporary trend or is it the new normal? Meanwhile, when SAG-AFTRA extended their contract negotiations with producers into July Hollywood averted a dual strike with both actors and writers walking picket lines. The ongoing writers strike is already causing studios to shift release dates back by months if not years. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including the Academy sets new rules for the Best Picture Oscar, big name directors make their case for the Turner Classic Movies network and Ryan Seacrest takes over as host of “Wheel of Fortune.” Ryan Seacrest Named New ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Host https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/27/business/media/ryan-seacrest-wheel-of-fortune.html ‘Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny’ Clocks Soft $130M Global Bow https://deadline.com/2023/07/indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny-elemental-spider-man-across-the-spider-verse-china-global-international-box-office-1235427838/ Box Office: ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ Stumbles With $60 Million Debut, ‘Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken’ Flops https://variety.com/2023/film/news/box-office-indiana-jones-5-opening-weekend-disappointment-1235660071/ China Box Office: ‘Indiana Jones 5’ Bombs With $2.3M Opening https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/china-box-office-indiana-jones-5-bombs-lost-in-the-stars-1235528181/ CineWorld Restructures After Complete Collapse, CEO and OTher Execs Receive Millions https://deadline.com/2023/06/regal-cineworld-bankruptcy-plan-hearing-attorney-stockholders-mooky-greidinger-1235426411/ Disney Reshuffles Release Dates For Major Releases https://celluloidjunkie.com/digest/disney-reshuffles-release-dates-for-major-releases/ French Filmmaker Luc Besson Definitively Cleared of All Charges in Rape Case https://variety.com/2023/film/global/luc-besson-rape-charges-cleared-1235650624/ Jonathan Majors Return Changes MCU Future https://insidethemagic.net/2023/06/johnathan-majors-innocence-changes-course-of-the-mcu-zg1/ Grammys Add Three New Categories, Including Best African Music Performance and Best Pop Dance Recording

This 76th annual Tony Awards ceremony was held last weekend honoring the best and brightest Broadway productions from the past year. Although there was no script for host Ariana DeBose to work due to the writer’s strike. But while the telecast may have been refreshingly unscripted, the winners were fairly predictable with “Kimberly Akimbo” winning Best Musical, Tom Stoppard’s “Leopoldstadt” taking home Best Play and “Parade” picking up the Best Musical Revival trophies. The only question now is which shows will turn their Tony wins into box office gold. Speaking of labor relations in Hollywood, the DGA released some more info on its proposed deal with producers and the reviews are decidedly mixed, especially for helmers who also write. Meanwhile SAG-AFTRA members made it loud and clear that they are ready to strike as well. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including the PGA’s controversial move to merge with a competitive golf league, CNN axes its CEO and network shows continue to sink in TV ratings. ‘Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts’ Pounces On $171M Global Bow; ‘Across The Spider-Verse’ Nears $400M WW https://deadline.com/2023/06/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-opening-china-global-international-box-office-1235412963/ ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ Beats ‘Spider-Man’ With $61M Box Office Opening https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-rise-of-beasts-box-office-spider-man-1235512135/ Disneyland Paris Rocked by Wave of Protests, Strike From Employees https://variety.com/2023/tv/global/disneyland-paris-protests-1235634348/ Disney Creators Vent Over Disappearing Film and TV Shows On Streaming https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/disney-creators-hulu-shows-disappear-remove-1235508084/ SAG-AFTRA Fights for AI Regulation to Protect the Soul of Entertainment (Guest Column) https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/sag-aftra-contract-writers-strike-duncan-crabtree-ireland-1235634077/ Directors Guild Deal With Studios Draws Mixed Response As Members Review Details https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/directors-guild-deal-details-members-1235510535/ Inside the Meltdown at CNN https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2023/06/cnn-ratings-chris-licht-trump/674255/ CNN Chairman and CEO Chris Licht is out after a brief and tumultuous tenure https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/07/media/chris-licht-cnn/index.html Survey Reveals 2023 Most-Produced High School Plays and Musicals http...

The Directors Guild of America reached a deal with studios, networks and streamers on a new three-year contract avoiding what some believed would be the first true strike in its 87 year history. Entertainment and technology attorney Jonathan Handel joins us to explain the proposed agreement the directors negotiated with producers. He wrote the book on labor in Hollywood, quite literally, as the author of “Hollywood On Strike.” Meanwhile, Tom Cruise is facing another impossible mission. First he saved Hollywood with Top Gun: Maverick. Now he wants to save his new “Mission: Impossible” movie from being exiled from IMAX screens less than two weeks after it opens in July. We’ll explain what’s going on in the battle over premium screens. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including how the French Open is protecting tennis players from toxic social media, why David Byrne’s upcoming Broadway show has no musicians and which summer blockbusters are sinking at the worldwide box office. Jonathan Handel’s Website https://jhandel.com/ Jonathan Handel on Puck https://puck.news/author/jonathan-handel Hollywood On Strike by Jonathan Handel https://amzn.to/3oHtoRf ‘Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse’ Snares $209M Global Bow https://deadline.com/2023/06/spider-man-across-the-spider-verse-china-global-box-office-opening-1235399058/ ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Swings to Huge $120.5M Box Office Opening https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spider-man-across-the-spider-verse-box-office-opening-1235506732/ Directors Guild Reaches Tentative Deal With Studios and Streamers https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/directors-guild-deal-1235499057/ Hollywood Writers Say the Bosses Make Too Much https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2023-05-30/writers-strike-executive-pay-compensation-david-zaslav-ted-sarandos-netflix-warner-bros-discover-hollywood-labor David Byrne Musical Here Lies Love May Face Union Pushback on Lack Of Musicians ​​https://deadline.com/2023/05/here-lies-love-broadway-musicians-union-pre-recorded-tracks-david-byrne-1235382926 After Years of Ever-shrinking Orchestras, Some Broadway Musicals are Going Big https://www.npr.org/2023/06/03/1179684527/broadway-big-orchestras-returning-theater-sweeney-todd-josh-groban Players Detail Drain of Social Media Hate as FFT Seeks Fix

The 76th annual Cannes Film Festival wrapped up over the weekend handing out prizes to some of the 21 official selections appearing in competition this year. Justine Triet’s film “Anatomy of a Fall” took home the Palme d’Or though that was one of many deserving titles programmed at what many festival goers felt was one of the stronger lineups in recent memory. We were in attendance and will take you with us to the south of France to fill you in on all the important news coming out of the festival. Meanwhile, in a legal case that could have a major impact on Fair Use in the arts, the Supreme Court ruled that the late Andy Warhol was a copycat. Ok, they used some fancy legal terms, but that’s the gist of the decision over a work the artist created for Vanity Fair that used a photograph of the musician Prince. ​​Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including why actors in the United Kingdom want some rules to limit taped auditions, Broadway’s post-pandemic box office rebound and broadcaster plan to stream the 2024 summer Olympics live. ‘The Little Mermaid’ Splashes To $164M Global Bow, But There’s Something Fishy Overseas As Disney Pic Beset By Review-Bombing https://deadline.com/2023/05/the-little-mermaid-global-opening-review-bombing-international-box-office-1235381992/ ‘The Little Mermaid’ Takes Memorial Day Weekend Box Office Crown With Splashy $117.5 Million Debut https://variety.com/2023/film/box-office/little-mermaid-opening-weekend-box-office-disney-remake-1235627658/ Ukrainian Cinema Union Calls Out Film Companies Doing Business In Russia https://variety.com/2023/film/global/ukrainian-cinema-union-lionsgate-a24-russia-1235617158/ Filmmagasinet Ekko Cannes 2023 Film Festival Poll https://www.ekkofilm.dk/stjernebarometer/cannes-filmfestival-2023/ Johnny Depp Signs $20 Million-Plus Dior Deal, Marking the Biggest Men’s Fragrance Pact Ever https://variety.com/2023/film/news/johnny-depp-dior-biggest-mens-fragrance-deal-1235611017/ Jimmie Allen Suspended by UTA and Manager Amid Sexual Assault Allegations https://variety.com/2023/music/news/jimmie-allen-suspended-uta-agency-sexual-assault-allegations-1235610737/ Big Paydays for Media’s Big Chiefs: CEO Compensation Stays High Even in Hard Times https://variety.com/lists/ceo-salaries-2022-bob-iger-tim-cook-david-zaslav/ Peacock to Stream All 2024 Olympics Events Live In a Major Bet by NBCUniversal https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/peacock-stream-all-2024-paris-olympics-events-live-nbc-1235484694/ Self-Tape Debate Hits U.K. as Actors Demand Regulation: ‘We’re Being Treated With Absolute Disdain’

There are few people that know more about labor issues in the entertainment business than attorney and journalist Jonathan Handel. So when members of the Writers Guild of America went on strike last week, grinding most television production to a halt, we asked him to join us to discuss all the nuanced details. Handel not only tells us how the last writers strike was resolved in 2007, but explains why the writers are facing an existential problem after the entertainment business was disrupted by streamers. As well, Handel reminds us that the Directors Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild contracts both end on June 30th, forcing producers, studios and networks to negotiate three different contracts at the same time. This is why nobody, not even Handel, believes the writers’ strike will end before July. ​​Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including what Ed Sheeran’s copyright trial victory may mean for the music business, Kevin Costner walks away from “Yellowstone” and this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees. Jonathan Handel’s Website https://jhandel.com/ Jonathan Handel on Puck https://puck.news/author/jonathan-handel/ ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3’ Rockets To $282M Global Opening https://deadline.com/2023/05/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-opening-global-china-international-box-office-1235356048/ Box Office: ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Opens to $118.4M in U.S. After Heroic Sunday https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/guardians-galaxy-vol-3-box-office-opening-1235481443/ Viewership Transparency, AI Among Issues Dividing Writers and Hollywood Companies in Contract Talks https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/writers-strike-issues-dividing-wga-hollywood-studios-1235477715/ Hollywood CEO Pay: Big Checks, Ugly Optics Amid Strike https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/hollywood-ceo-2022-chart-1235481300/ Paramount Officially Orders ‘Yellowstone’ Sequel, Announces an End to the Main Series https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/yellowstone-ending-paramount-sequel-series-release-date-1235480419/ Tony Awards Nominations 2023: The Complete List https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/02/theater/tony-award-nominees-list.html BAFTA Reveals Membership Data, Addresses Awards Concerns: ‘Setting Diversity Quotas for Voting is Not the Answer’ https://variety.com/2023/film/news/bafta-membership-data-awards-concerns-1235603034/ James Patterson Sells His 100 Millionth Book

Movie theater operators from around the world gathered in Las Vegas last week for CinemaCon. Though the last two pandemic suppressed editions of the conference were filled with artificial optimism about the business, this year’s event showcased an industry that had survived and is indeed thriving thanks to a robust release schedule with plenty of new films to show. Meanwhile, the cable news landscape was shaken up last week when Fox News fired its highest rated personality Tucker Carlson and CNN parted ways with longtime host Don Lemon. This came only one week after Fox News paid out $787 million to settle a defamation lawsuit. ​​Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including why Disney is suing the state of Florida, what caused the head of the BBC to step down and Netflix announced the end of its original DVD rental business. Peaches & Green: ‘Super Mario Bros Movie’ Tops $1B Worldwide; Smashes Studio Records In Japan https://deadline.com/2023/04/super-mario-bros-movie-crosses-one-billion-global-box-office-1235341660/ Box Office Milestone: ‘Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Hits $1B Globally https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/super-mario-movie-box-office-crosses-billion-1235475805/ CinemaCon Energizes A Revived and Upbeat Industry https://celluloidjunkie.com/newsletter/cinemacon-energizes-a-revived-and-upbeat-industry/ Disney Sues DeSantis Over Control of Its Florida Resort https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/business/disney-desantis-board-florida.html Bob Hearts Abishola cast Downgraded to Guest Starring Roles https://deadline.com/2023/04/bob-abishola-reduces-series-regular-recurring-glimpse-future-1235338560/ Richard Sharp Resigns as BBC Chair After Failing to Declare Link to Boris Johnson Loan https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/apr/28/richard-sharp-resigns-as-bbc-chair-after-months-of-mounting-pressure Netflix to Shutter Legacy DVD-by-Mail Business https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/netflix-shutting-down-dvd-business-1235182150/ The Phoenix Suns Could Usher In the Future of Regional Sports TV Deals https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/future-rsns-phoenix-suns-new-local-tv-deal-1235404040/ Photographer Admits Prize-winning Image Was AI-generated https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/apr/17/photographer-admits-prize-winning-image-was-ai-generated Fake Drake & The Weeknd Song — Made With AI — Pulled From ...

Warner Bros. Discovery had long promised to merge its two major streaming services HBO Max and Discovery+ into a single, combined offering. This past week the media giant unveiled the name of the new service to the public; Max. Despite having decades of positive brand recognition, HBO will be dropped from the name. The company also announced a ton of new content for the service including a Harry Potter television series. Meanwhile, the Writers Guild of America has authorized a strike against studios, networks and streamers. Producers believe that a strike is now inevitable after the writers’ current contract ends in May. ​​Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including the latest additions to the Library of Congress National Registry of Recordings, Latin music becomes a $1 billion industry and a proposal for new safety guidelines for film and TV productions. ‘Super Mario Bros’ Jumps Higher With $693M WW Through Sunday, Will Barrel Past $700M Today; ‘John Wick 4’ Reaches Franchise-Best $350M https://deadline.com/2023/04/super-mario-bros-movie-second-weekend-global-international-box-office-1235326157/ ‘Super Mario Bros.’ Scores $92.5M in Second Weekend, Crosses $700M Globally https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/super-mario-bros-box-office-crazy-great-1235375839/ Theater Advertiser National CineMedia Files for Bankruptcy Protection https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/national-cinemedia-files-us-bankruptcy-2023-04-12/ Gérard Depardieu Accused Of Sexually Inappropriate Behavior By 13 Women In Médiapart Report https://deadline.com/2023/04/gerard-depardieu-sexually-inappropriate-behaviour-by-13-women-in-mediapart-1235322361/ ‘Rust’ California Set Safety Bill Revived: Unions, Studios Near Deal On Language https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/set-safety-bill-rust-unions-management-deal-1235373704/ NPR and PBS Stop Using Twitter After Receiving ‘Government Funded Media’ Label https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/12/tech/npr-twitter-use/index.html Actors On Dick Wolf NBC Series Reduce Episodes, Take Pay Cuts Amid Broadcast Budget Tightening https://deadline.com/2023/04/dick-wolf-nbc-series-cast-reduce-episodes-chicago-law-order-bob-heart-abishola-pay-cuts-1235324737 Latin Music Revenue Passes $1 Billion for All-Time High https://www.billboard.com/pro/latin-music-revenue-riaa-billion-mark-all-time-high/ Queen Latifah and Super Mario Bros. Make History in National Recording Registry Debut

When the recording industry first moved online in the early 2000’s piracy was driven by fans illegally downloading music through services like Napster. These days piracy is being committed by the music industry itself through streaming fraud. Artists and/or record labels are generating millions of fake automated streams to pump up playback numbers with the aim of receiving higher royalty payments. It’s costing musicians a lot of money and, though the industry knows it’s a problem, they haven’t agreed on a way to fix it. Meanwhile, all those news stories during the pandemic about the death of movie theaters aren’t aging very well. Box office is recovering all over the globe thanks to surprise hits such as “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” And the best is yet to come since most of this year’s Hollywood blockbusters have yet to be released. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including how two new “Shrek” films are in the works, the musical “Wicked” the fourth longest-running Broadway show in history, and why the members of Motley Crue are suing each other. ‘The Super Mario Bros Movie’ Makes History With $378M Global Start; Best-Ever WW Debut For An Animated Film https://deadline.com/2023/04/the-super-mario-bros-movie-opening-china-global-international-box-office-1235318557/ Box Office: ‘Super Mario Bros.’ Opens to Stupendous $204.6M in U.S., Record $375.6M Globally https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/super-mario-bros-movie-box-office-record-opening-1235369721/ China Box Office: Jackie Chan’s ‘Ride On’ Wins Weekend, ‘Suzume’ Hits $100M and ‘Super Mario Bros.’ Stalls https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/china-box-office-super-mario-bros-stalls-1235369990/ ‘Shrek 5’ With Original Cast, Donkey Spinoff With Eddie Murphy, ‘Sing 3’ and More Teased by Illumination’s Chris Meledandri https://variety.com/2023/film/news/shrek-5-donkey-spinoff-secret-life-of-pets-sing-sequels-1235571967/ Mötley Crüe Fake-Plays Live, Guitarist Mick Mars Claims In Profits Participation Suit Against Band Mötley Crüe Fake-Plays Live, Guitarist Mick Mars Claims In Profits Participation Suit Against Band UK Film Studios Hit By Crippling Property Tax Hikes As Talks With Government Agency Continue https://deadline.com/2023/04/uk-film-studios-property-tax-hikes-talks-pinewood-valuation-office-agency-1235318457/ It’s Their Content, You’re Just Licensing it https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/04/arts/dahl-christie-stine-kindle-edited.html Ford to Drop AM Radios From Most New Vehicles in 2024 https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/ford-removing-am-radios-most-new-vehicles-2024

James Patterson has been a perennial presence on the New York Times best seller list after his most recent book failed to make the list, he accused the newspaper of “cooking the books” in the way it compiles its lists. According to BookScan, which uses actual sales figures, Patterson’s latest book should have made the list, but the Times uses a proprietary formula and method for determining its list and now he’s publicly calling them out. Meanwhile, we signed up for the new version of MoviePass just to find out what it offered. It turns out it is very hard to pull off a moviegoing subscription service when you don’t have deals with movie theaters. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including how Cineworld, the owner of Regal Cinemas, plans to restructure and exit bankruptcy, why the cast of the television series “Blue Bloods” took a pay cut, and the stage adaptation of Hayao Miyazaki’s “My Neighbor Totoro” wins six Olivier Awards. Paramount Rolls Dice On ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Revamp, Eyes Possible $65M+ WW Opening https://deadline.com/2023/03/dungeons-and-dragons-box-office-projection-1235312815/ ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Opens to OK $38.5M in North America https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/dungeons-dragons-box-office-opening-1235365626/ Morgan Wallen’s ‘One Thing at a Time’ Spends a Month at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/morgan-wallen-one-thing-at-a-time-fourth-week-number-one-billboard-200-chart-1235296767/ Mean Girls Writer Says Tina Fey and Studio Haven’t Paid Her for Franchise Success https://ew.com/movies/mean-girls-writer-not-paid-by-tina-fey-paramount-for-franchise-success/ ‘Blue Bloods’ Renewed as Stars, Producers Take 25 Percent Pay Cut https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/blue-bloods-renewed-season-14-stars-producers-pay-cut-1235361682/ ‘Yellowstone’ Cast Drama Reaches Boiling Point https://parade.com/tv/kevin-costner-taylor-sheridan-skip-paleyfest-event My Neighbour Totoro Triumphs at Olivier Awards https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/apr/02/my-neighbour-totoro-triumphs-at-olivier-awards WWE to Combine With UFC Parent Endeavor https://www.wsj.com/articles/wwe-to-combine-with-ufcs-endeavor-e9cee9dd Endeavor’s UFC, WWE to Merge; Ari Emanuel to Serve as CEO, Vince McMahon as Executive Chair https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/wwe-ufc-merger-endeavor-vince-mcmahon-1235365885-1235365885/ Los Angeles Remains World’s Soundstage Leader,

Everyone from fans of popular music groups to Broadway regulars are still facing angst and high prices when buying tickets. When the English rock band The Cure decided to forego dynamic pricing and charge only $20 to verified fans for tickets to their upcoming tour, the service fees and facility charges added up to more than twice that amount. Now lead singer Robet Smith is calling out Ticketmaster to explain how this could happen. Meanwhile, the awards season officially comes to an end as the 48th Annual IRA Awards are announced, highlighting at least 30 films, some of which were previously overlooked and definitely worth checking out. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including the controversy over Disney’s firing of a top executive at Marvel, how ad supported streaming services are making their presence known and Apple plans to spend big money to make original films for movie theaters. ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ Blazes To $138M Global Launch https://deadline.com/2023/03/john-wick-chapter-4-russia-shazam-global-intenational-box-office-1235310245/ ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ Annihilates ‘Shazam 2’ With $73.5M U.S. Box Office Opening https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/john-wick-chapter-4-box-office-shazam-1235360910/ Can Movie Theaters Survive? It’s the Most Enduring Question in Hollywood https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/movie-theaters-box-office-historical-data-trend-1235354702/ The 48th IRA Film Awards: Enjoying “Great Freedom” (While It Lasts) http://popsurfing.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-48th-ira-film-awards-enjoying-great.html Victoria Alonso Weighing Legal Action Against Disney, Marvel Over Sudden Firing https://deadline.com/2023/03/disney-lawsuit-threat-victoria-alonso-firing-marvel-patty-glaser-1235309916/ Justin Roiland Domestic Violence Charges Dismissed, ‘Rick and Morty’ Creator Slams ‘Horrible Lies Reported About Me’ https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/justin-roiland-domestic-violence-charges-dropped-1235561877/ Jonathan Majors Has Been Arraigned on Charges of Harassment and Assault https://www.npr.org/2023/03/28/1166214642/jonathan-majors-arraignment In a Swift Decision, Judge Eviscerates Internet Archive’s Scanning and Lending Program https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/91862-in-a-swift-decision-judge-eviscerates-internet-archive-s-scanning-and-lending-program.html Publishers Get One Step Closer To Killing Libraries

As everyone expected, the big winner at this year’s Oscars was “Everyone Everywhere All At Once,” taking home seven of the 11 awards it was nominated for. Anne Thompson of Indiewire was at the ceremony and joins us to give us the scoop on what happened behind the scenes at this year’s Academy Awards, including two extended moments of “integrated marketing.” Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom the BBC stirred up some controversy when they suspended popular sports commentator Gary Lineker for expressing political opinions via his personal social media account. The fallout has been epic, with essentially every sports broadcaster, commentator and soccer player boycotting the BBC. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including two new milestones in the music industry, J.J. Abrams gets into live theater and Disney says its theme parks are too expensive. Takeaways from a Kinder, Gentler Oscars 2023 https://www.indiewire.com/2023/03/oscars-2023-takeaways-anne-thompsons-analysis-1234818958/ Oscars 2023: Final Predictions in 23 Categories https://www.indiewire.com/feature/2023-oscars-final-predictions-1234801270/ ‘Scream VI’ Calls Up Franchise-Record Global Bow With $67M+; ‘Creed III’ Rocks To $179M+ WW https://deadline.com/2023/03/scream-vi-record-global-opening-creed-iii-ant-man-global-international-box-office-1235286874/ Box Office: ‘Scream VI’ Scares Off ‘Creed III,’ ‘65’ With Series-Best $44.5M Opening https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/scream-vi-box-office-65-1235348571/ What did Disney Actually Lose From its Florida Battle With DeSantis? https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-03-01/what-did-disney-actually-lose-from-its-florida-battle-with-desantis BBC Ends Suspension of Top Sports Host After Staff Mutiny https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/13/world/europe/gary-lineker-bbc-return-motd.html BBC Apologizes After Premier League Output Melts Down Amid Presenter Mutiny Over Gary Lineker https://deadline.com/2023/03/bbc-premier-league-meltdown-gary-lineker-football-focus-1235285804/ Japanese Smash ‘The First Slam Dunk’ Is Scoring In Asia Ahead Of European Rollout https://deadline.com/2023/03/the-first-slam-dunk-japan-animation-deadline-global-breakouts-1235283500/ ‘The Last of Us’ Episode 8 Hits Series High of 8.1 Million Viewers, Up 74% From Season Premiere https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/the-last-of-us-episode-8-ratings-viewers-12...

The current Writers Guild of America contract with signatories ends on May 1st of this year. Television networks and studios are bracing for what feels like an inevitable writers strike. The guild, which represents TV and movie writers, recently settled on a list of demands it is seeking during upcoming contract negotiations. Meanwhile AMC is defending its decision to raise ticket prices for movie tickets based on where a seat is in the auditorium. This kind of variable pricing is used by some cinemas in Europe, but will all moviegoers in North America find it too confusing? Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including the big winners at this year’s Independent Spirit Awards, the controversy over self-taping auditions and why many of the hot new stars in China are in their forties. ‘Creed III’ Has Knockout $100M+ Global Opening https://deadline.com/2023/03/creed-iii-3-opening-weekend-ant-man-quantumania-avatar-global-international-box-office-1235279607 Michael B. Jordan’s ‘Creed III’ Wins Title With Historic $58.6M Opening https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016808-sweet-and-spicy-roast-chicken Heads Up: A Better Movie Seat May Cost You https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/05/business/media/movie-theaters-ticket-prices.html AMC CEO Adam Aron Defends New “Sightline” Ticket Pricing https://deadline.com/2023/02/amc-ceo-adam-aron-defends-new-sightline-ticket-pricing-for-moviegoers-1235275125/ Warner Bros. Discovery Tweaks Executive Pay, David Zaslav and Other Execs to Get Bonuses Based on Free Cash Flow, Debt Reduction https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/warner-bros-discovery-executive-pay-david-zaslav-cash-flow-1235341752/ Netflix to Increase Asia Content Spending by 15% in 2023 as Revenue Growth Accelerates in the Region https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/netflix-content-spending-asia-pacific-1235543665/ A24 Buys Off-Broadway’s Cherry Lane Theatre https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/a24-buys-cherry-lane-theatre-1235340385/ Regional Network Diamond Sports Misses $140M Debt Payment to Bondholders https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/regional-network-diamond-sports-debt-1235326440/ Casting Directors Sound Off On Self-Tape Controversy https://deadline.com/2023/03/casting-directors-sound-off-self-tape-controversy-1235278508/ The Rise Of China’s ‘Uncle Stars’: How Middle-aged Men Are Taking The Spotlight

According to Digital Entertainment Group, consumers in North America spent $37 billion on home entertainment in 2022. That includes not only spending on streaming services, but also DVD, Blu-ray and digital sales. Not to mention physical and digital rentals. And none of these figures includes spending on cable television. Meanwhile, awards season is in full swing with the SAG Awards, PGA Awards, Annies and the Cesars all being handed out over the past week. We’ll give you the quick summary and what it all means for the Oscars. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including how Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramout are in a dispute over “South Park,” Stephen Fry will host “Jeopardy” in the United Kingdom and new “Lord of the Rings” movies are in the works. ‘Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania’ Reaches $364M WW On Way To $500M+ Final; ‘Cocaine Bear’ Starts Sniffing Overseas & WB’s ‘Mummies’ Awakens https://deadline.com/2023/02/ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania-second-weekend-cocaine-bear-china-global-international-box-office-1235271793/ Marvel’s ‘Ant-Man 3’ Gets Mauled by ‘Cocaine Bear,’ Suffers Record 69.7 Percent Drop https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ant-man-wasp-quantumania-box-office-cocaine-bear-1235334642/ Kristen Stewart’s Berlin Jury Awards Golden Bear to ‘On the Adamant’ https://www.indiewire.com/2023/02/berlin-film-festival-2023-winners-list-1234813307/ NAACP Image Awards 2023: See the Complete List of Winners https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/25/entertainment/naacp-image-award-winners-list/index.html ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ Takes Producers Guild Award https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/26/movies/producers-guild-awards.html SAG Awards 2023: See the Complete Winners List https://ew.com/awards/sag-awards/sag-awards-2023-winners-list/ ‘The Night of the 12th’ Wins Best Picture at France’s Cesar Awards ​​https://variety.com/2023/film/news/cesar-awards-2023-announced-1235534915/ The Trouble With the Rewrites to the James Bond Books https://time.com/6258547/james-bond-books-rewritten/ Harvey Weinstein Sentenced to 16 Years In Prison for Los Angeles Rape https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-02-23/harvey-weinstein-sentenced-to-xx-in-los-angeles-rape-case As Criticism Mounts, Roald Dahl’s Publisher Offers a Messy Compromise https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2023/02/24/roald-dahl-book-changes/

Major television networks, cable channels and even streamers are all reeling from all of the changes the industry has been undergoing recently. New shows are being canceled before they air. Others disappear after only a single season with all their episodes yanked from streaming libraries. Ratings for linear and cable are way down causing every stakeholder to earn less money from advertising and carriage fees. All of this has caused the industry to get super excited by FAST – Free Ad Supported TV. These are streaming platforms built around existing properties like “Westworld” or original series like “Die Hart” which can be watched on-demand, only with ads peppered in. Annoying perhaps if you subscribe to HBO Max and expected to be able to binge shows that are no longer available on the platform. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including why Roald Dahl’s books are being updated, box office in India rebounds nicely in 2022 and the big winners at this year’s BAFTAs. ‘Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania’ Flies To $225.3M WW Opening Amid Softness In Asia Pacific https://deadline.com/2023/02/ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania-opening-weekend-marvel-titanic-avatar-china-global-international-box-office-1235261913/ ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ Marches to $120M Box Office Opening https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ant-man-wasp-quantumania-box-office-opening-1235329428/ India Recorded Second Biggest Box Office Year Ever In 2022 With $1.28BN, But Admissions Still Down On Pre-Pandemic Levels https://deadline.com/2023/02/india-box-office-second-biggest-year-kgf-chapter-2-rrr-avatar-1235261274/ Hollywood Is Still in Bed With Putin’s Pariah State — and the Russian Box Office Is Booming https://variety.com/2023/film/global/russia-hollywood-deals-ukraine-war-1235524623/ TV Academy Reverses Documentary Emmy Rule, Once Again Allowing Non-Oscar Nominees to Double Dip https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/tv-academy-documentary-emmy-rule-oscars-double-dip-1235522997/ Roald Dahl Books Rewritten to Remove Language Deemed Offensive https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/feb/18/roald-dahl-books-rewritten-to-remove-language-deemed-offensive BBC Says Producing Ads For China Propaganda Organs Is “Vital” For Funding Its Journalism https://deadline.com/2023/02/bbc-defends-china-ads-1235257697/ Indian Officials Search BBC Offices After Modi Documentary https://apnews.com/article/bbc-modi-new-delhi-india-entertainment-4c0c5029ded8a56783e051dcdf162c38 Film Studios Set For Crunch Talks Over Property Tax That Could “Torpedo” UK Status As Hollywood Rival...

AMC Theatres, the world’s largest cinema chain, announced plans to start charging moviegoers based on where they sit in an auditorium. Preferred seats will cost a few dollars more than standard seats and those in the first two rows will cost less. At a time when movie theaters are having trouble attracting patrons back into cinemas, is this new pricing scheme supposed to actually encourage moviegoing or streaming at home? The good news for movie theater operators is that major studios are rethinking their distribution strategies. Disney is the latest to suggest they will be returning to a theatrical window. During a quarterly earnings call the company’s new old CEO, Bob Iger, also revealed they will be cutting 7,000 jobs. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including how Beyoncé is in good company when it comes to being shut out of Grammys top prize, the movie “La La Land” is headed to Broadway and Kevin Costner is leaving the hit series ‘Yellowstone.” ‘Avatar 2’ Tops $2.21B Global As ‘Titanic’ Resurfaces & Retains No. 3 Berth On All-Time WW Chart, For Now https://deadline.com/2023/02/avatar-the-way-of-water-titanic-rerelease-magic-mike-puss-in-boots-black-panther-pathaan-china-global-international-box-office-1235257109/ James Cameron vs. James Cameron: ‘Avatar 2,’ ’Titanic’ Navigate Unusual Box Office Showdown https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/titanic-box-office-showdown-avatar-the-way-of-water-1235322272/ Gustavo Dudamel, Star Maestro, to Leave L.A. for New York Philharmonic https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/07/arts/music/new-york-philharmonic-gustavo-dudamel.html Inside the Implosion of Justin Roiland’s Animation Empire https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/justin-roiland-animation-empire-implosion-rick-and-morty-1235319366/ Adidas Is Looking to Repurpose Unsold Yeezy Products https://www.npr.org/2023/02/13/1155965676/adidas-repurpose-unsold-yeezy-options-kanye-west Kevin Costner Cowboy Drama Series Plots End As Taylor Sheridan Eyes Franchise Extension With Matthew McConaughey https://deadline.com/2023/02/yellowstone-show-end-franchise-continues-matthew-mcconaughey-1235251400/ Super Bowl Inches Up With 113M Viewers https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/super-bowl-lvii-tv-ratings-sunday-feb-12-2023-1235324162/ Super Bowl 2023 Commercials: Here Are the Winners and Losers https://www.cbsnews.com/news/super-bowl-2023-commercials-best-and-worst/ AMC Theatres Presents Sightline at AMC