Summary: With Netflix now available in 190 countries, the upstart video-on-demand service has grown so big Hollywood studios and television networks are getting seriously worried. Sure, they’ve earned millions by licensing their content to Netflix, but they now find themselves competing with the company for new projects, not to mention the industry’s most sought after talent.<br> TV networks are especially upset Netflix can claim to be a success without ever revealing their ratings. Some have even gone so far as to commission studies to determine the true viewership of Netflix programming. Meanwhile, Netflix has become concerned about viewers bypassing geographic restrictions by subscribing to their U.S. service from international territories.<br> When it came to this year’s Academy Awards nominations however, Netflix was overlooked in all of the major categories. So were minorities. For the second year in a row all of the acting nominations and those for best director went to caucasians, giving rise to a repeat of the #OscarsSoWhite social media campaign.<br> Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including NBC’s plans to produce a live version of the musical “Hairspray”, Al Jazeera America is being shut down and the death of actor Alan Rickman.<br> <br> Box Office: ‘Ride Along 2’ Speeding Past ‘The Revenant,’ ‘Star Wars’ Over Holiday Weekend<br><br> <a href="https://variety.com/2016/film/box-office/ride-along-2-box-office-the-revenant-1201682080/" target="_blank">https://variety.com/2016/film/box-office/ride-along-2-box-office-the-revenant-1201682080/</a><br> Japan Box Office: ‘Star Wars: Force Awakens’ on Course to Cross $100 Million<br><br> <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/japan-box-office-star-wars-854862" target="_blank">http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/japan-box-office-star-wars-854862</a><br> Spike Lee, Jada Pinkett Smith Call for Oscar Boycott<br><br> <a href="https://variety.com/2016/film/awards/spike-lee-jada-pinkett-smith-oscar-boycott-1201682165/" target="_blank">https://variety.com/2016/film/awards/spike-lee-jada-pinkett-smith-oscar-boycott-1201682165/</a><br> Oscar Nominations: The Complete List<br><br> <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/oscar-nominations-complete-list-855398" target="_blank">http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/oscar-nominations-complete-list-855398</a><br> Academy Nominates All White Actors for Second Year in Row<br><br> <a href="http://variety.com/2016/biz/news/oscar-nominations-2016-diversity-white-1201674903/" target="_blank">http://variety.com/2016/biz/news/oscar-nominations-2016-diversity-white-1201674903/</a><br> ‘Straight Outta Compton’ Producer Calls Oscar Noms “Embarrassing”<br><br> <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/straight-outta-compton-producer-calls-856421" target="_blank">http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/straight-outta-compton-producer-calls-856421</a><br> DGA Awards Film Nominations Unveiled<br><br> <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dga-awards-film-nominations-unveiled-854770" target="_blank">https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dga-awards-film-nominations-unveiled-854770</a><br> ‘Hairspray’ Set as NBC’s Next Live Musical<br><br> <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/hairspray-set-as-nbcs-next-855371" target="_blank">https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/hairspray-set-as-nbcs-next-855371</a><br> ESPN Launches Vertical to Cover eSports, Competitive Gaming<br><br> <a href="https://variety.com/2016/digital/games/espn-launches-vertical-to-cover-esports-competitive-gaming-1201679478/" target="_blank">https://variety.com/2016/digital/games/espn-launches-vertical-to-cover-esports-competitive-gaming-1201679478/</a><br> David Bowie Hits No. 1 on Billboard Chart with ‘Blackstar,’ a First<br><br> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/18/arts/music/bowie-hits-no-1-a-first.html" target="_blank">http://www.nytimes.</a>
