Kim Masters, host of KCRW’s The Business, breaks down Hollywood's top stories.
Disney cuts loose two top Marvel executives, begins 7,000 layoffs
While Disney started laying off 7,000 employees, it also announced the firing of two top Marvel executives this week.
3/31/2023 • 4 minutes, 59 seconds
Can ‘John Wick’ 4 perform and attract buyers for Lionsgate?
Lionsgate Films needs “John Wick: Chapter 4” to perform well at the box office in order to attract potential buyers. Can the franchise deliver?
3/24/2023 • 4 minutes, 58 seconds
Netflix says ‘thanks, but no thanks’ to pricey Nancy Meyers’ film
Netflix passed on Nancy Meyers’ latest title due to budgetary disagreements. Why did the streamer pull back on a deal with a top filmmaker?
3/17/2023 • 4 minutes, 4 seconds
Stars should keep high salaries, says agency exec at Morgan Stanley Conference
Can stars keep top salaries under current studio’s austerity measures? An agency exec proposes it at the Morgan Stanley TMT Conference.
3/10/2023 • 4 minutes, 7 seconds
Warner Bros. golden ticket: Will they make new ‘Lord of the Rings’ films?
Following Amazon’s release of their expensive “Lord of the Rings” series, Warner Bros. Discovery announced they too want to make new films from the “Lord of the Rings” world.
3/3/2023 • 4 minutes, 23 seconds
‘Ant Man’ gets poor reviews. Will the Marvel invincibility last?
With its latest movie “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” getting poor reviews, Marvel Studios may have a creative problem.
2/24/2023 • 4 minutes, 29 seconds
Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg reconcile at Oscars luncheon
Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise seem to have reconciled at the Academy Award luncheon. Who benefits from the friendship?
2/17/2023 • 4 minutes
Disney’s Bob Iger open to selling Hulu, plans exit in two years
A day after Disney’s Q1 report and Bob Iger’s restructuring and cost cutting plans, he announced he’s open to selling Hulu, and possible exit in two years.
2/10/2023 • 4 minutes, 1 second
James Gunn, Peter Safran present a new DCU plan. Will they deliver?
Co-chairs of DC Studios at Warner Bros. Discovery James Gunn and Peter Safran have unveiled a new plan. Will they deliver?
2/3/2023 • 4 minutes, 5 seconds
Big stars, popular films are nominated. Will audiences watch the Oscars?
Will the Academy attract viewers with two nominees having the highest total gross in history? Plus, a look at Oscars surprises and snubs.
1/27/2023 • 4 minutes, 26 seconds
Activist investor bids for a Disney board seat, threatens Bob Iger’s kingdom
Two 80-year old corporate raiders are wreaking havoc on Disney, with one of them bidding for a board seat at the company and threatening Bob Iger’s post.
1/20/2023 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
The Golden Globes need a new home: 'Someone will pick up this show'
After last year's hiatus, the Golden Globes are back, so what’s next for the awards show? Will a streaming service pick it up in 2023?
1/13/2023 • 4 minutes, 50 seconds
‘Avatar,’ ‘Top Gun’ sequels deliver at the box office in 2022
Though the “Top Gun” and “Avatar” sequels provided Hollywood some relief, the industry is not back to normal, and studios have adopted different strategies for survival.
1/6/2023 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
Will writers strike, and will there be a mega studio deal in 2023?
On this special edition of the Hollywood Breakdown, we take a look ahead on whether writers will strike and whether there will be a mega-studio deal in 2023.
12/30/2022 • 4 minutes, 44 seconds
Top 2022 stories: Netflix morphs, WB’s head cuts, Disney undergoes a shakeup
Hollywood’s top 2022 stories: Netflix changing strategies, the troubled tenure of David Zaslav heading Warner Bros. Discovery, plus Disney’s management shakeup.
12/23/2022 • 4 minutes, 16 seconds
‘Avatar’ sequel needs over $2 billion at the global box office to break even
“Avatar: The Way of Water” opens in the United States and China. With a budget north of $350 million, can it surpass $2 billion at the global box office to succeed?
12/16/2022 • 4 minutes, 7 seconds
Could Netflix’s new ‘Knives Out’ have done better in theaters?
Netflix’s decision to release “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” to 600 theaters for only a week, brings about the question, “Could it have done better?”
12/9/2022 • 4 minutes, 10 seconds
Mark Burnett departs MGM-Amazon. What does it mean for the merger?
Mark Burnett, the well-known reality TV producer, is departing from his chairman role at MGM months after Amazon acquired the company for $8.5 billion. What’s next?
12/2/2022 • 4 minutes, 18 seconds
Bob Iger is back. Can he cope with Disney’s many challenges?
The Walt Disney Company board of directors reinstated Bob Iger as CEO and ousted Bob Chapek on Sunday. Can Iger cope with Disney’s many challenges?
11/25/2022 • 4 minutes, 49 seconds
Eric Weinberg’s network looked the other way on his bad behavior, vouched for him
For two decades, producer Eric Weinberg moved from one job to the next. A Hollywood network vouched for him even after he was fired for repeated bad behavior.
11/18/2022 • 3 minutes, 57 seconds
Disney struggles with streaming. Will theme parks help with profit?
Though Disney+ has added 12 million subscribers, the company reports loss and weak Q4 profit outlook.
11/11/2022 • 4 minutes, 24 seconds
Peacock reports weak subscriptions, implements changes to survive
As streaming service companies report subscriber numbers, Peacock announces weak subs, and implements changes in order to survive.
11/4/2022 • 3 minutes, 59 seconds
Filmmaker James Gunn, producer Peter Safran to head DC Universe
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO, David Zaslav, hires filmmaker James Gunn and producer Peter Safran to lead the DC Universe.
10/28/2022 • 4 minutes, 38 seconds
‘Black Adam’ isn’t going to be the save-all property DC hoped it might be
“Black Adam” opens in theaters. Will it make DC Films the success that David Zaslav dreams it will be? Plus, who runs DC Films now?
10/21/2022 • 4 minutes, 6 seconds
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO lays off a quarter of its TV division staff
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav cuts more jobs this week. This time, about a quarter of its TV division staff was laid off.
10/14/2022 • 3 minutes, 59 seconds
Alec Baldwin settles ‘Rust’ lawsuit; Halyna Hutchins' husband takes EP role
Alec Baldwin and “Rust” producers settle a lawsuit with cinematographer Halyna Hutchins’ family. The film will resume production, and her husband will take an EP role.
10/7/2022 • 5 minutes, 11 seconds
Harvey Weinstein’s trial is a few weeks away. Has Hollywood changed?
Five years after the #MeToo reckoning in Hollywood, Harvey Weinstein’s trial is a few weeks away in Los Angeles. Have things really changed in the industry?
9/30/2022 • 5 minutes, 12 seconds
‘The Woman King’ delivers the goods, ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ may surprise
“The Woman King” brings in the numbers, “Don’t Worry Darling” may have a surprising opening, and what James Cameron’s upcoming “Avatar” sequels could mean for Disney.
9/23/2022 • 5 minutes, 27 seconds
Disney’s CEO on the future of Hulu, ESPN, and an all-in app
During the D23 Expo, Disney’s CEO Bob Chapek discussed with the press his plans for Hulu and ESPN, as well as the future of an all-in app for the company.
9/16/2022 • 5 minutes, 10 seconds
Disney offers perks to give subscribers the ‘whole Disney experience’
Disney plays big and offers subscribers more perks on Disney+ Day to entice them to other company products.
9/9/2022 • 4 minutes, 59 seconds
Amazon’s ‘The Rings of Power’ and HBO’s ‘House of Dragon’ face off
HBO and Amazon are competing for which show will attract more viewers: “House of the Dragon,” or “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power?”
9/2/2022 • 5 minutes, 13 seconds
AMC, Regal theaters announce financial measures to stay afloat
In two drastic financial moves, AMC Theaters announced a new stock to raise money last week, while Regal Cinemas may file for bankruptcy.
8/26/2022 • 5 minutes, 59 seconds
'Not great for Zaslav': Can CEO salvage Warner Bros. Discovery?
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav’s decision-making process highlights his lack of experience to run the legacy studio, and he accumulates more problems along the way.
8/19/2022 • 5 minutes, 40 seconds
Disney+ gains subscribers, consumers will pay for ad-free content
Disney+ raises subscribers to 152 million, beating expectations, but they will charge $3 more per month for ad-free content.
8/12/2022 • 5 minutes, 30 seconds
Warner Bros. CEO Zaslav cancels release of $90 million film ‘Batgirl’
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav shocks the movie industry once again by shelving the nearly-completed $90-milion film “Batgirl.” What does this mean for the company’s future?
8/5/2022 • 5 minutes, 31 seconds
Summer blockbusters are over. Will theaters hit a box-office wall?
Movies came back this summer, providing theater owners some relief. However, cinemas could hit a wall, until big blockbusters, such as “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” are released in the fall. Meanwhile, moviegoers will turn to streaming services.
7/29/2022 • 5 minutes, 4 seconds
Netflix loses 1 million subscribers in Q2, below expectations. Has it turned the page?
Netflix lost nearly 1 million subscribers in Q2, below expected projections. But Netflix’s CEO thinks it’s a positive sign. So has the streaming service really turned the page?
7/22/2022 • 5 minutes, 23 seconds
Hulu gets 58 Emmy nods, but its future remains uncertain
Hulu gets 58 Emmys’ nominations this year, but its future as a streaming platform remains unclear.
7/15/2022 • 5 minutes, 5 seconds
The box office roars back: ‘Minions’ opens at $125 million
“Minions: The Rise of Gru” opens to a huge weekend, and “Lightyear” doesn’t meet Disney’s expectations. The Business host Kim Masters and Puck News founder Matt Belloni discuss.
7/8/2022 • 5 minutes
Disney renews Chapek: 'He's under significant scrutiny now'
CEO Bob Chapek just renewed his contract with Disney. The company’s vote of confidence comes after a turbulent tenure, with some bright spots.
7/1/2022 • 5 minutes, 28 seconds
All of the lights and glitter: Will 'Elvis' be a box-office success?
With Baz Luhrmann and an endorsement from Elvis’ estate, Warner Bros. hopes to cash in with their new feature film “Elvis.”
6/24/2022 • 5 minutes, 25 seconds
Will audiences boycott Pixar’s ‘Lightyear’ amid same-sex kiss controversy?
Fearing a US boycott over a same-sex kiss scene on “Lightyear,” Disney lowballs its opening to cap at $70 million. The animated film is Disney’s first theatrical release during the pandemic.
6/17/2022 • 5 minutes, 1 second
With poor reviews, can 'Jurassic World: Dominion' hit big at the box office?
With poor reviews coming in, will “Jurassic World: Dominion” hit Universal’s opening projection of $130 to $160 million in the box office? Hollywood insiders say the film is critic-proof.
6/10/2022 • 5 minutes, 55 seconds
Depp vs. Heard: What does the verdict mean for Hollywood?
A verdict has been reached in the Johnny Depp defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard. A jury found both parties liable for defamation.
6/3/2022 • 5 minutes, 15 seconds
‘Top Gun: Maverick’ opening is expected to hit $100 million
Tom Cruise has been a successful movie star for decades, yet he’s never had a $100 million premiere. Could “Top Gun Maverick” be his break?
5/27/2022 • 5 minutes, 32 seconds
Can Disney+ grow subscribers, compete with Netflix and Hulu?
Disney reports that it has 8 million new subscribers to its streaming service. Investors are wondering how much money Disney+ subscribers will bring in the long run.
5/13/2022 • 4 minutes, 43 seconds
Tom Cruise still an action powerhouse in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’
After pandemic delays, the new Tom Cruise film “Top Gun: Maverick” opens on May 27, and is expected to be a hit.
5/6/2022 • 5 minutes, 43 seconds
Too Fast and Furious: Netflix focuses on quantity over quality
As Netflix loses subscribers, insiders reveal that poor leadership and a quantity-over-quality strategy could tank the business.
4/29/2022 • 5 minutes, 31 seconds
Hollywood panics as Netflix loses 200,000 subscribers
Netflix stock tanks after dismal subscriber numbers spook Wall Street
4/22/2022 • 5 minutes, 20 seconds
Fate of CNN+ unclear with David Zaslav in charge of Discovery WarnerMedia
With 100k subscribers on launch, CNN+ streaming service is not a runaway hit.
4/15/2022 • 5 minutes, 19 seconds
Academy will meet to decide on Will Smith consequences
The Motion Picture Academy Board of Governors meets on Friday and is expected to make a statement about Will Smith’s slap at the Oscars.
4/8/2022 • 5 minutes, 28 seconds
After slapping Chris Rock at Oscars, could Will Smith’s career take a hit?
Will Smith could face formal consequences after he publicly slapped Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released a statement indicating that Smith was asked to leave the event, however it's unknown why he remained for the duration of the show.
4/1/2022 • 5 minutes, 14 seconds
Oscars: Will new format draw younger viewers, will ‘The Power of the Dog’ win?
The Oscars are on Sunday, and there’s nervousness in the industry around the lack of blockbusters nominated, save for “Dune.” Ratings for the Academy Awards have been declining, so in an effort to make this year’s telecast more appealing, not all categories will be awarded live during the show. ABC and Disney will pre-tape and edit some of them to air later in the broadcast.
3/25/2022 • 5 minutes, 11 seconds
Amazon buys the lion — closes $8.5 billion merger with MGM
Tech giant Amazon is expanding its entertainment empire with the purchase of MGM for $8.5 billion.
3/18/2022 • 5 minutes, 44 seconds
Disney staff outraged at CEO’s silence on ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill
Disney CEO Bob Chapek aggravated employees, when he chose to not take a stand on Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” legislation.
3/11/2022 • 5 minutes, 47 seconds
Would you pay more to watch ‘The Batman’ at AMC?
If you want to see “The Batman” this weekend at an AMC theater, be prepared to pay extra. The chain is trying out “variable pricing” for the first time on this superhero flick.
3/4/2022 • 5 minutes, 24 seconds
Oscars: 8 categories won’t be part of live telecast, backlash ensues
There will be eight fewer awards broadcast live at this year’s Oscars. Many in the film community are outraged. But some say it’s a needed change for a bloated telecast.
2/25/2022 • 5 minutes, 25 seconds
ViacomCBS is now Paramount, but Wall Street isn't impressed.
ViacomCBS is no more – the company this week rebranded as Paramount and is going all-in on the streaming wars. But investors have not gotten on board.
2/18/2022 • 5 minutes, 43 seconds
Oscars: No vax requirement, no consensus on frontrunners
Attendees of this year’s Oscars won’t have to be fully vaccinated. This decision by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences surprised many people.
2/11/2022 • 5 minutes, 3 seconds
Jeff Zucker out at CNN. Will more be revealed?
Jeff Zucker resigned as the head of CNN this week after failing to disclose a relationship with a high-level CNN executive. The revelation came about as a result of the Chris Cuomo investigation.
2/4/2022 • 5 minutes, 13 seconds
All of the Olympics will stream on Peacock. Will anybody watch?
For the first time, all of the Olympic Games will be available to watch on NBC’s streaming service Peacock. But how many people will actually tune in?
1/28/2022 • 5 minutes, 17 seconds
Netflix hikes prices, how will subscribers react?
The standard Netflix plan now costs $15.49 a month — 50 cents more than HBO Max. Some subscribers may cancel, but the price will likely continue to rise as Netflix grows.
1/21/2022 • 5 minutes, 35 seconds
Future of Disney: What is Bob Chapek’s strategy?
Disney CEO Bob Chapek recently sent his staff a memo outlining three “strategic pillars” that will “set the stage” for the company’s future. What do they really mean?
1/14/2022 • 5 minutes, 44 seconds
Golden Globes go on — with no celebs, no glamor
This year’s Golden Globe Awards will still happen in Beverly Hills, but with no red carpet and no media access. It will be a very pared-down, glamor-free ceremony.
1/7/2022 • 5 minutes, 25 seconds
How will ‘West Side Story’ fare at the box office?
Steven Spielberg’s version of “West Side Story” opens this weekend, and while the film has received strong reviews, it may find trouble at the box office. Because so many movies’ release dates were pushed by the pandemic, it’s extra crowded at the holiday box office this year. And “West Side Story” will likely appeal to an older audience, the group that’s least likely to venture out to see movies in-person.
12/10/2021 • 5 minutes, 19 seconds
Disney has a new board chair, and she’s a gay woman
When Bob Iger officially leaves Disney at the end of the year, he’ll be succeeded by Susan Arnold, the first woman and first openly gay person to lead the Disney board of directors. Unlike Iger, Arnold does not have a creative background. She worked almost 30 years at Procter & Gamble and also spent time in the world of private equity.
12/10/2021 • 5 minutes, 55 seconds
With ‘Red Notice,’ Netflix hopes to become home for blockbusters
Big budget action movies with big stars have traditionally been the bread and butter of Hollywood studios. Now, with films like “Red Notice,” Netflix is trying to make its mark on that blockbuster territory. “Red Notice” stars Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot, and is on track to become Netflix’s most-watched movie, but is that popularity on streaming enough to capture the cultural conversation and launch a franchise?
11/26/2021 • 5 minutes, 25 seconds
Some low-budget film producers seemed to seek tax breaks, with little regard for crew safety
In The Hollywood Reporter, Kim Masters and Gary Baum did a deep dive into the shady side of independent filmmaking. They found that four of the same producers on “Rust” worked on a previous film called “The Tiger Rising,” where the crew complained of late or missed payments. The producers seemed to be looking for tax breaks and credits, and did not care about the movie itself or the people making it. “The Tiger Rising,” which stars Dennis Quaid and Queen Latifah, is yet to be released.
11/19/2021 • 5 minutes, 44 seconds
Ice Cube, Letitia Wright, Shailene Woodley: Stars and vaccine mandates clash in Hollywood
Hollywood studios are tightening up their COVID-19 vaccine requirements. This is a safety issue but also a financial one. When unvaccinated actor Miles Teller tested positive on the set of the series “The Offer,” it cost Paramount $6 million to shut down production. Recently Ice Cube dropped out of the Sony comedy “Oh Hell No” because he refused to get vaccinated, giving up a $9 million job.
11/12/2021 • 5 minutes, 57 seconds
‘Eternals’ is Marvel’s first film with a love scene and same-sex kiss. Will comic fans show up?
With the new movie “Eternals,” Marvel is hoping it can launch a series of films as successful as the “Avengers.” But there’s been skepticism from fans about the new movie, which introduces new characters and is directed by Oscar winner Chloé Zhao. The launch of “Eternals” will be a test for Marvel to see if the company can have success by going in a different direction.
11/5/2021 • 5 minutes, 36 seconds
Why would a star like Alec Baldwin be in a low-budget movie like ‘Rust?’
As authorities continue what could be a months-long investigation into the on-set tragedy that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, those on the business side of things in Hollywood are wondering why Alec Baldwin was involved with “Rust” in the first place. Earlier this year, the actor and producer told The Hollywood Reporter, “I have six kids, I don’t want to work anymore.” Working for a short time on a $6 million movie like “Rust” may be a great deal for Baldwin, but after his pay day, it’s possible not much money was left for the crew, which led to cutting corners and ultimately, a deadly accident.
10/29/2021 • 5 minutes, 36 seconds
Trans employees at Netflix hold a walkout and make demands for more inclusive content
There’s continued unrest at Netflix following the release of the Dave Chappelle comedy special “The Closer,” which includes jokes that some consider transphobic and homophobic. This week, trans Netflix employees and allies staged a walkout and demanded the streamer invest more in content from trans creators. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said that he “screwed up” when he previously wrote in a memo that on-screen content does not impact the real world.
10/21/2021 • 5 minutes, 31 seconds
Dave Chappelle’s ‘The Closer’ prompts trans Netflix employees to plan a walkout next week
Netflix is in hot water after a series of failed PR moves following the release of Dave Chappelle’s new comedy special, “The Closer.” In the special, Chappelle makes antisemitic, homophobic and transphobic remarks, but Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has stood by “The Closer” in a series of memos, writing, “We have a strong belief that content on screen doesn’t directly translate to real-world harm.”
Now trans Netflix employees and allies are planning a walkout on October 20.
10/15/2021 • 5 minutes, 35 seconds
Talent agency CAA acquires rival ICM, continuing the Hollywood consolidation wave
For a long time, WME and CAA have been the number one and number two agencies in Hollywood. Recently, CAA acquired ICM, the number four agency in terms of size, which now makes CAA bigger than WME and moves it to the number one slot. The merger is part of a wave of consolidation in Hollywood, as companies have had to get bigger to keep up with the tech companies who have taken over the industry.
10/8/2021 • 5 minutes, 31 seconds
‘No Time to Die’ finally opens in the US, with high box office hopes
After more than a year of pandemic-related delays, “No Time to Die” is finally opening in U.S. movie theaters. The James Bond movie stars Daniel Craig as the famous secret agent for the fifth and final time and has already made more than $120 million overseas. Hollywood’s hope is that “No Time to Die” could come close to making $100 million at its domestic opening.
10/8/2021 • 5 minutes, 51 seconds
Universal will be the home of Christopher Nolan’s next project, a film about the creation of the atom bomb
Director Christopher Nolan’s long relationship with Warner Bros. ended when the studio released his last movie “Tenet” on the streamer HBO Max the same day it opened in theaters. For his next film, Nolan had several demands for potential studios, including a 110-day exclusive theatrical window. Nolan ended up picking Universal for his next project, a World War II drama about the creation of the atom bomb.
9/17/2021 • 5 minutes, 12 seconds
Time’s Up in crisis as entire board resigns
Formed in the wake of the #MeToo movement, the Time’s Up organization brought together many high-profile Hollywood women to fight workplace gender discrimination, but the nonprofit has been plagued with problems since the beginning. Recently CEO Tina Tchen resigned after it was revealed that she had supported former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in his sexual harassment investigation. A few weeks later, the entire board of Time’s Up resigned.
9/10/2021 • 5 minutes, 48 seconds
‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ ‘Mission: Impossible 7’ and ‘Jackass Forever’ release dates pushed by Paramount
As the pandemic continues to prevent crowds from going to the movies, Paramount decided to push the release dates of three upcoming films. “Top Gun: Maverick” is moving from November 19, 2021 to May 27, 2022. “Mission: Impossible 7” is going from May 27, 2022 to September 30, 2022. And “Jackass Forever” is shifting to October 22, 2021 to Feburary 4, 2022. There is a huge cost involved with delaying these movies, but Paramount is depending on money from theatrical releases and doesn’t want to put the films on streaming.
9/3/2021 • 5 minutes, 28 seconds
Hollywood baffled over Sony TV’s failure to vet ‘Jeopardy!’ EP Mike Richards
Mike Richards was announced, and then canceled, as the new host of “Jeopardy!” following a damning report in The Ringer that highlighted past sexist and racist statements he made on multiple podcast episodes. However, Richards still holds his position as executive producer of the famous game show. Industry insiders are wondering how Sony missed all of Richards’ red flags in the first place and why he gets to keep his job.
8/27/2021 • 5 minutes, 32 seconds
Hollywood must make tough choices on when and how to release new films as Delta variant rises
Late summer and early fall was supposed to be the big return to movie theaters. But with the Delta variant on the rise, Hollywood is in a tough spot. Studios have to decide to put their big movies in theaters, knowing not as many people will come, or sell films to a streaming service and lose out on box office revenue.
8/20/2021 • 5 minutes, 47 seconds
Announcement of new ‘Jeopardy!’ host causes fan uproar online
Following the death of the iconic Alex Trebek, “Jeopardy!” featured a series of high-profile guest hosts. But the job of new host ultimately went to Mike Richards, the executive producer of the game show. Many fans are upset that someone like LeVar Burton wasn’t picked instead. And Richards has some red flags in his past — he was named in three discrimation lawsuits about a decade ago.
8/13/2021 • 5 minutes, 39 seconds
Breaking down the massive deals for ‘South Park’ creators and Reese Witherspoon’s company
The creators of “South Park” and Reese Witherspoon probably aren’t often discussed together, but both recently closed $900 million deals. Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the “South Park” creators, signed a deal with ViacomCBS that runs through 2027 and guarantees 14 new “South Park” movies for the streamer Paramount+. Witherspoon’s company Hello Sunshine sold to an unnamed company run by former Disney executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs.
8/6/2021 • 5 minutes, 17 seconds
Scarlett Johansson sues Disney over ‘Black Widow’ release strategy
Scarlett Johansson, star of “Black Widow,” is suing Disney over the release of the Marvel film. Johansson says Disney’s failure to give the movie an exclusive theatrical release was a breach of contract that cost her $50 million in box office bonuses. “Black Widow” opened in theaters and was available to stream on Disney+ for a $30 charge on the same day. Johansson’s lawsuit is likely just the beginning of a long battle between stars and movie studios over theatrical compensation in the streaming age.
7/30/2021 • 5 minutes, 38 seconds
Netflix is still the streaming king, but lost US subscribers
In its most recent earnings report, Netflix shared that it gained 1.5 million subscribers around the world in the last quarter. However, that is a modest gain for the streaming giant, and it lost 400,000 subscribers in the U.S. and Canada. In a bid to stop viewers from canceling, Netflix plans to offer mobile video games. Meanwhile, HBO Max reported strong growth of 2.8 million new subscribers in the same period.
7/23/2021 • 5 minutes, 20 seconds
‘Black Widow’ opening weekend: Successful as it seemed?
Marvel Studios’ superhero spy thriller “Black Widow” opened last weekend to the tune of $215 million in global revenue. Those earnings come partly due to the film’s dual release in theaters and on Disney+ the same day. While the release initially appears to be a success, a closer look at variables like box office dropoff, multi-person viewing at home, and the pandemic amounted to a muddled narrative. It’s unclear what long-term effects this dual-release model has on the film industry.
7/16/2021 • 5 minutes, 33 seconds
Olympics without spectators could be a ratings disaster
Japan has declared a state of emergency in Tokyo after a spike in coronavirus cases. This news comes as the Olympics are scheduled to begin there in two weeks. In an attempt to keep case numbers under control, Olympic organizers have banned almost all spectators from the games. The lack of in-person fans may well mean fewer viewers for the TV broadcast of the games, a big problem for NBC and its streaming service Peacock.
7/9/2021 • 5 minutes, 24 seconds
Films must have exclusive theatrical run to be eligible for awards in 2022, says DGA
The Directors Guild of America says awards eligibility for 2022 requires a film to once again have an exclusive theatrical release. Those rules were relaxed during the pandemic. The Academy says straight-to-streaming releases are still allowed. This is tricky for Warner Bros., which already announced all its films for this year will debut on HBO Max the same day they open in theaters, making none of their films eligible for DGA Awards.
7/2/2021 • 5 minutes, 26 seconds
NBCUniversal needs the Olympics, but is Tokyo ready to host?
The Olympics begin on July 23, but many in Tokyo say they’re not ready to host because Japan’s vaccination rate is still under 10%. The Olympics are critically important to NBCUniversal — the official broadcaster of the Games — and its streaming service Peacock. The streamer desperately needs new paying subscribers, but will Olympic Games with few fans on site and social distancing policies in place be enough draw?
6/25/2021 • 5 minutes, 50 seconds
What’s behind the ‘In the Heights’ box office miss?
Warner Bros. was hoping for a big summer hit with its movie adaptation of the Lin-Manuel Miranda musical “In the Heights.” Instead, the movie fell below expectations and only made $11.4 million at the box office opening weekend. The lack of big stars could have kept people home, as well as the fact that the film was also streaming on HBO Max.
6/18/2021 • 5 minutes, 32 seconds
Discovery will merge with WarnerMedia, but not right away. That delay makes things difficult
News broke in May that AT&T would be spinning off WarnerMedia to Discovery and that David Zaslav would run the combined media empire, but that deal isn’t closing any time soon. The merger is subject to federal review, which could take a year or more. That leaves WarnerMedia awkwardly situated and without clear leadership in the midst of the streaming wars.
6/11/2021 • 5 minutes, 31 seconds
With ‘A Quiet Place Part II,’ the box office begins to bounce back
“A Quiet Place Part II” had a strong $57 million opening at theaters over Memorial Day weekend. The performance is especially impressive considering theaters are not yet seating guests at full capacity. Disney’s “Cruella” pulled in $26 million in theaters, but the film was also available to stream for $30 on Disney+, which may have cut into box office potential.
6/4/2021 • 5 minutes, 27 seconds
Amazon set to purchase MGM for $8.45 billion
In Hollywood, merger mania continues, this time with a tech twist. Amazon is buying the storied MGM Studios, and the library of 4,000 movies and TV shows that comes with it. The deal says something about how power has shifted in Hollywood — away from the traditional studios and towards the tech companies.
5/28/2021 • 5 minutes, 59 seconds
AT&T spins off WarnerMedia to Discovery
The grand experiment that was AT&T’s ownership of WarnerMedia is coming to an end. The phone company will spin off its WarnerMedia assets to the media giant Discovery. That move will put Discovery CEO David Zaslav over WarnerMedia, most likely leaving current WarnerMedia head Jason Kilar without a job.
5/21/2021 • 5 minutes, 59 seconds
NBC drops the Golden Globes for 2022 as HFPA remains engulfed in crisis
NBC announced it will not air the Golden Globes in 2022. This follows an LA Times investigation into ethical lapses at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the voting body of the Golden Globes. The HFPA came under fire for questionable financial deals as well as for having no Black members in its 87 person group.
5/14/2021 • 5 minutes, 37 seconds
Spotlight stays on toxic Hollywood workplaces with LA Times’ ICM report
The LA Times took a deep dive into accusations of workplace misconduct at the talent agency ICM. The array of allegations include at least one instance of sexual assault, plus more standard bullying that has permeated all the major talent agencies in Hollywood. The industry is having a moment of reckoning regarding abusive workplace behavior, but it’s still not clear there will be any real long-term change.
5/7/2021 • 5 minutes, 50 seconds
Ari Emanuel’s Endeavor is now a publicly traded company
CEO Ari Emanuel tried to take his company Endeavor public in the fall of 2019. That attempt fell through, but now the company, which includes talent agency WME, has succeeded with an IPO. All eyes are now the temperamental Emanuel to see how he’ll do as the head of a publicly traded company.
4/30/2021 • 5 minutes, 55 seconds
Scott Rudin steps away from Broadway and film projects, Hollywood slow to react
Scott Rudin is long known to be a bully in the industry, but after “The Hollywood Reporter” published on-the-record allegations, the prolific producer stepped back from his upcoming Broadway and film projects. But it’s still not clear what “stepping back” actually means, and while some people have taken a stand against Rudin and his toxic behavior, most of Hollywood has stayed quiet.
4/23/2021 • 5 minutes, 56 seconds
Bullying in Hollywood: Ray Fisher and other industry workers speak out
Two recent stories from “The Hollywood Reporter” examine the toxic work environment in Hollywood. Actor Ray Fisher spoke out about being mistreated while working on “Justice League” with Joss Whedon. In another piece, ex-staffers of famous producer Scott Rudin went on the record about his bullying behavior.
4/16/2021 • 5 minutes, 45 seconds
With ‘Godzilla vs. Kong,’ box office shows signs of life
“Godzilla vs. Kong” made $9.6 million at the box office on opening day — a record for the pandemic. The action film that has two famous monsters battling is expected to make $30 million over the weekend, which would be a much-needed boost to the movie theater industry that was wiped out over the past year.
4/2/2021 • 5 minutes, 8 seconds
Disney pushes ‘Black Widow’ to July, will put it and ‘Cruella’ on Disney+ for a premium fee
The Marvel movie “Black Widow” was set to be the first big movie to premiere exclusively in theaters once they reopened. But Disney announced it’s pushing “Black Widow” from May to July and will put it on Disney+ at the same time, where subscribers will be able to watch for a $30 fee. “Cruella” will hold its May 28 release date, but will also be available via premium video on demand.
3/26/2021 • 5 minutes, 29 seconds
Awards shows in freefall as viewers abandon Golden Globes and Grammys
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is worried about the Oscars telecast, and they have every right to be. Both major televised awards shows this year — the Golden Globes and the Grammys — have been ratings disasters. Why are viewers turning away from awards shows?
3/19/2021 • 6 minutes
Independent movie theaters get help from next stimulus bill
The $1.9 trillion relief package President Biden signed on Thursday provides some help for small theaters and other entertainment venues. The American Rescue Plan includes an additional $1.25 billion for a grant program created last December for venue owners. The money may make it possible for some independent theaters to stay afloat until places are able to open to full capacity again.
3/12/2021 • 5 minutes, 45 seconds
Movie studios are anticipating a return to theaters
With vaccines rolling out and business reopenings on the horizon, heads of movie studios are making it clear they have not given up on theaters. Several studios have now announced big theatrical releases in May and June, and have said that while exclusive theatrical windows may be shortening, they’re not ditching them altogether.
3/5/2021 • 5 minutes, 43 seconds
The Golden Globes are under scrutiny again following an LA Times exposé
The Golden Globes are this weekend, and the days of the awards ceremony being a small funky party are long gone. Now the Globes are big business, but a recent LA Times investigation reveals some problematic practices at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the small group that votes on the winners.
2/26/2021 • 5 minutes, 59 seconds
Netflix, HBO Max and Apple seek out kids’ programming to hang on to subscribers
Streaming services are constantly looking for ways to fight churn, which is when viewers sign up for a service and then drop it after they’ve watched a particular show. Kids’ shows and movies seem to be the most churn-proof content, so streamers are making big investments in that department.
2/19/2021 • 5 minutes, 57 seconds
Agencies drop Armie Hammer, Gina Carano, Marilyn Manson, Morgan Wallen
In a recent spate of actors and singers — including Armie Hammer, Gina Carano, Marilyn Manson — getting in trouble for past or current behavior, talent agencies are figuring out how to deal. In some cases, the agencies are dropping clients entirely, and in others, like with Shia LaBeouf at CAA, the relationship is being put on hold.
2/12/2021 • 5 minutes, 51 seconds
Fox News falls to third place in cable rankings after years of dominance
Fox News ratings soared during a Trump presidency, but viewership numbers went down when Trump attacked the network. With a new Biden administration, Fox ratings continue to dip as viewers seek more right-wing content. The network is now behind CNN and MSNBC.
2/5/2021 • 6 minutes
Sundance goes virtual for a different kind of film festival
The Sundance Film Festival kicked off this week, but there will be no crowded screenings in Park City movie theaters. Instead the famous festival will be mostly virtual, with some screenings around the country where theaters are allowed to be open.
1/29/2021 • 6 minutes, 12 seconds
Netflix celebrates 200 million subscribers, moving closer to global streaming domination
Netflix officially has 200 million subscribers as it exponentially grows during the pandemic. The streamer, which holds more than $15 billion of debt, also says it no longer needs to borrow money. However, all streaming services share the fear of churn, where customers sign up for a service to watch one or two things and then unsubscribe.
1/22/2021 • 5 minutes, 12 seconds
For most-streamed shows, ‘The Office’ on Netflix reigned supreme in 2020
Nielsen released year-end streaming data for 2020, and more minutes were spent watching “The Office” on Netflix than any other show. The top 10 most-watched original series were all on Netflix, except for the Disney+ show “The Mandalorian.” When it came to movies, kids’ movies on Disney+ dominated, with “Frozen II” coming in at number one.
1/15/2021 • 5 minutes, 20 seconds
Facebook and Twitter go tough on Trump after US Capitol assault
Facebook has banned President Trump, at least until his term is over. Twitter issued a 12-hour suspension of his account on Wednesday. It’s a fraught time for social media companies as their platforms were used to organize the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol.
1/8/2021 • 5 minutes, 13 seconds
Roku and HBO Max finally cut a deal
Nearly seven months after WarnerMedia launched HBO Max, Roku users finally have access to the streaming service. Roku has 46 million users, so WarnerMedia was desperate to make a deal with the digital media player before the release of “Wonder Woman 1984” on Christmas Day.
12/25/2020 • 4 minutes, 15 seconds
Hollywood fumes at WarnerMedia’s big HBO Max move, guilds and agencies start to speak out
When WarnerMedia announced all of its 2021 movies would stream on HBO Max the same day they open in theaters, Hollywood was completely blindsided. Now the industry is starting to speak out. Christopher Nolan blasted Warner Bros. Then the Directors Guild of America and the powerful agency CAA both sent angry letters to the studio.
12/11/2020 • 5 minutes, 53 seconds
Warner Bros. sends entire slate of 17 movies to HBOMax in 2021
WarnerMedia announced all 17 of its 2021 Warner Bros. movies would debut in theaters and stream on HBOMax at the same time. This shatters the traditional window between theatrical release and streaming that is the foundation of the movie theater business.
12/4/2020 • 6 minutes
Mark Burnett was supposed to bring hits to MGM. Instead he’s brought chaos
Mark Burnett is best known for reality TV hits like “Survivor,” “The Voice,” and “The Apprentice,” which gave Donald Trump a national audience. Five years ago, he joined MGM Studios as the chairman of worldwide television. His management style hasn’t won him many fans as it’s proved to be much like the outgoing president he once promoted.
11/27/2020 • 5 minutes, 52 seconds
‘Wonder Woman 1984’ will land in theaters and HBOMax on Christmas Day
Throughout the pandemic, movie studios have struggled to decide whether to move big films to streaming services or risk putting them in theaters. With “Wonder Woman 1984,” WarnerMedia is going to try doing both. The superhero sequel will open in theaters (those that are actually open, that is) on December 25, 2020 and also be available to stream on HBOMax the same day.
11/20/2020 • 5 minutes, 23 seconds
As Trump attacks Fox News, more conservative networks get a ratings boost
Fox News flourished under a Trump presidency, but trouble in paradise began on Election Night, when the network made an early call for Joe Biden to win Arizona. The call ended up being correct, but Trump was upset that their announcement changed the momentum. Now the President’s most hardcore fans are turning to Newsmax, a network that’s even further to the right than Fox.
11/13/2020 • 5 minutes, 34 seconds
Fox News leads cable news ratings on election night, slips on Nov. 4
Broadcast news ratings were down this year compared to 2016. Cable news ratings remained stable compared to the last election, led by a strong showing from Fox News viewers.
11/6/2020 • 5 minutes, 41 seconds
Netflix raises prices, other streaming competitors see success
Netflix increased pricing for its standard and premium plans to $13.99 and $17.99, respectively, as it continues to position itself as the streaming frontrunner.
10/30/2020 • 5 minutes, 51 seconds
Quibi shuts down as Hollywood tries to pinpoint what went wrong
Quibi announced it’s shutting down next month, and Hollywood is trying to pinpoint what went wrong.
10/23/2020 • 4 minutes, 52 seconds
Disney reorganizes to focus on streaming. Will investors be happy?
Amid an industry-wide wave of reorganization, Disney has just announced a restructuring and the creation of a new division for content distribution.
10/16/2020 • 5 minutes, 58 seconds
Streaming is Disney’s path forward, says investor Daniel Loeb
The movie business has struggled to make money during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some industry insiders say it should prioritize streaming.
10/9/2020 • 5 minutes, 24 seconds
Hollywood’s coronavirus protocols worry some workers behind the scenes
Hollywood’s production schedule is largely back up and running after shutting down at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, raising questions about the standards and protocols in place across the industry.
9/25/2020 • 5 minutes, 10 seconds
Emmys host Jimmy Kimmel says ceremony will be a ‘beautiful disaster’
Emmy Awards host Jimmy Kimmel said he believes the Emmys will have their lowest ever ratings this year. Viewers will see a virtual ceremony this Sunday.
9/18/2020 • 5 minutes, 39 seconds
Academy announces new diversity standards for Best Picture Oscar
The Oscars have announced new requirements for films to be eligible for Best Picture. The requirements will take effect in 2024.
9/11/2020 • 5 minutes, 56 seconds
Studios make big gambles with ‘Mulan’ and ‘Tenet’ releases
Two of this year’s biggest blockbusters — “Mulan” and “Tenet” — will be released this weekend. This will test the pandemic-era business strategies for both Warner Bros. and Disney.
9/4/2020 • 5 minutes, 28 seconds
Longtime Hollywood agents say goodbye to old firms, move to new company backed by Trump donor
A new Hollywood management firm has been quietly drawing personnel from the top talent agencies. This came to a head when four top agents at Creative Artists Agency announced they were leaving the company on Aug. 23.
8/28/2020 • 5 minutes, 40 seconds
Ron Meyer resigns as NBCUniversal chairman after affair with actress
Longtime NBCUniversal chairman Ron Meyer has been ousted, the latest high-profile departure of a major Hollywood executive. This came after news broke that he had an affair with a young actress, who was later revealed to be Charlotte Kirk. In his statement, the former executive said that the affair was brief and consensual.
8/21/2020 • 5 minutes, 32 seconds
AMC plans to reopen some theaters on Aug. 20. Tickets will cost 15 cents
AMC announced it will start to reopen its theaters in parts of the country where COVID protocols allow it. But it remains to be seen whether this move will pay off for the chain. Many states, including California, have not allowed movie theaters to reopen.
8/14/2020 • 4 minutes, 52 seconds
Disney lost nearly $5 billion last quarter, but stock prices surged
Disney reported losses of $4.7 billion last quarter in their latest earnings call. Still, investors saw promise in the company’s streaming revenue, as Disney’s stock rose 10%.
8/7/2020 • 5 minutes, 3 seconds
AMC’s deal with NBCUniversal could bring new movies to viewers’ homes in 17 days
AMC struck a deal with NBCUniversal to allow the studio’s movies to come to video on-demand services 17 days after their theatrical releases. The theater chain was in financial trouble even before the pandemic, and this move could be a lifeline as theaters reopen in some states. Other studios and cinemas are skeptical of the deal, claiming that the model does not make business sense.
7/31/2020 • 5 minutes, 54 seconds
Fox Sports debuts ‘virtual fans’ for MLB live broadcast
The Washington Nationals are playing the New York Yankees on Thursday night — in an empty stadium.Fox Sports is using computer animation to add “virtual fans” to the broadcast. Fox also announced that they sold out 90% of ad inventory for the game.
7/24/2020 • 5 minutes, 20 seconds
Nick Cannon out at Viacom, keeps deal with Fox
Nick Cannon has apologized for anti-Semitic comments he recently made on his podcast. During the public outcry over his speech, he was fired from VH1, where he hosted the long-running sketch comedy show “Wild 'N Out.” He will continue to host “The Masked Singer” on Fox. Also, Tucker Carlson takes a vacation from hosting his Fox News show after his head writer was fired for online hate speech.
7/17/2020 • 5 minutes, 20 seconds
NBC’s free streaming service Peacock hopes to cut through ‘subscription fatigue’
NBC’s Peacock launches on July 15, and one way it hopes to stand apart from other streamers is price. A basic ad-supported version of the service will be free. Peacock will offer classic NBC shows like “Law & Order” and “30 Rock,” plus some Universal movies.
7/10/2020 • 5 minutes, 19 seconds
Walt Disney World in Florida set to reopen July 11, despite performers’ safety concerns
As Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered the closures of bars, movie theaters and indoor restaurants in California, Disneyland in Anaheim has yet to announce a new reopening date. In Florida, where coronavirus cases are also surging, Walt Disney World still plans to reopen on July 11. Many Disney World employees don’t want to return to work yet because Disney is not offering COVID-19 tests to employees.
7/3/2020 • 5 minutes, 21 seconds
Disneyland delays reopening, ‘Tenet’ and ‘Mulan’ may be postponed
The Walt Disney Company recently announced that Disneyland will not reopen next month as planned, even though Disney World will reopen starting July 11. Meanwhile, with movie theaters still closed across the country, this summer’s release schedule is in flux.
6/26/2020 • 5 minutes, 9 seconds
Academy postpones 2021 Oscars, will announce new diversity rules
This week, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the Oscars ceremony will be postponed until April 2021, and the eligibility requirement for films has been extended until February 28, 2021. The Academy also said they will unveil new diversity requirements this July.
6/19/2020 • 5 minutes, 33 seconds
‘Cops’ and ‘Live P.D.’ canceled following protests against police violence
This week, Hollywood continued reckoning with onscreen depictions of racism and police violence. The Paramount Network pulled its long-running police reality show “Cops,” while A&E canceled its hit show “Live P.D.” Meanwhile, HBO Max has pulled “Gone With the Wind” from streaming for glorifying slavery. The network says it will return at a later date with a disclaimer denouncing the film for portraying slaves who remain loyal to their masters even after the end of slavery.
6/12/2020 • 4 minutes, 48 seconds
How is Hollywood responding to George Floyd protests?
As Black Lives Matter protests and marches have continued throughout the week, Hollywood has given mixed responses. Some studios put out bland corporate statements, while others have donated money to social justice causes. Some have shown up to protests, including actors Keke Palmer in Los Angeles and John Boyega in London, who both made powerful speeches.
6/5/2020 • 5 minutes, 24 seconds
Apple and Paramount to make a deal for Martin Scorsese’s next movie
Apple is upping their movie game and putting their stamp on an awards-caliber film. The tech giant is planning to partner with Paramount for Martin Scorsese’s next movie, “Killers of the Flower Moon.” The period drama stars Leonardo DiCaprio and carries a price tag of at least $150 million. Scorcese’s last movie, “The Irishman,” went to Netflix. While that film landed nominations for the streamer, it didn’t take home any of the big awards. Apple is hoping this next Scorsese film can bring them Oscar gold.
5/29/2020 • 5 minutes, 25 seconds
California to announce protocols to resume Hollywood production
A new report from Ampere Analysis says the film and TV industry is set to lose $160 billion over the next five years because of the coronavirus shutdown. Facing such stark losses, the industry is desperate to resume production. California Gov. Gavin Newsom says on May 25, the state will offer protocols for how to start filming again. Newsom estimates 53 of the 58 counties will be able to meet the requirements to restart production.
5/22/2020 • 5 minutes, 20 seconds
TV advertisers are changing the channel
Normally, this would be the time of year when the big broadcast networks gathered in New York City for the upfronts. They’d pitch their new shows to companies who would then spend billions of dollars buying TV advertising. This year, the upfronts are virtual, and companies like GM, PepsiCo and General Mills are trying to walk back their ad commitments for later this year.
5/15/2020 • 5 minutes, 20 seconds
Shanghai Disneyland reopening, Hollywood still in limbo
Disney announced on May 5 that it lost more than $1 billion from the closure of parks and resorts during the coronavirus pandemic. Its park in Shanghai is set to reopen on May 11, but with significant rules and restrictions. Meanwhile, the rest of Hollywood is eager to reopen as soon as possible. Some filming is happening abroad, but in the U.S., making blockbusters is still a long way off.
5/8/2020 • 5 minutes, 19 seconds
Following ‘Trolls World Tour’ kerfuffle, AMC won’t play Universal films
Instead of waiting for movie theaters to reopen, Universal released “Trolls World Tour” through video on demand in early April. NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell said it made $100 million, and given the success, they’d be looking at more streaming options in the future. In response, AMC Theatres released a statement saying they would no longer play Universal movies in theaters.
5/1/2020 • 6 minutes, 7 seconds
Reopen for business? Movie theaters say not so fast
A handful of Southern states are looking to reopen businesses as soon as possible, while keeping social distancing measures in place. But the National Association of Theatre Owners say that if they’re permitted to open, they don’t want to. They’re wondering who would come to the movies, and what would they show.
4/24/2020 • 4 minutes, 58 seconds
Is Bob Iger back as Disney CEO? He abruptly resigned from the helm in February
Hollywood was stunned when Bob Iger suddenly stepped away from his role as Disney CEO in February, handing the reins to Bob Chapek just days before the coronavirus pandemic shut down all the Disney parks. Now a report says Iger is back.
4/17/2020 • 5 minutes, 39 seconds
Disney+ streaming service reaches 50 million subscribers in 5 months
Disney announced that after five months, its streaming service Disney+ is now up to 50 million subscribers. The company hit that landmark about two years earlier than most analysts predicted. The numbers come with some caveats, but it's still an impressive feat in the world of streaming.
4/10/2020 • 4 minutes, 52 seconds
Ex-Hulu CEO Jason Kilar named chief of WarnerMedia
AT&T has appointed former Hulu CEO Jason Kilar as the new head of WarnerMedia. That means he’ll oversee HBO, HBO Max, CNN, Warner Bros. and other WarnerMedia properties. It’s a bold choice. Kilar is known for being a visionary in the streaming world, but is not as well known in the old-school Hollywood circles.
4/3/2020 • 5 minutes, 53 seconds
Will new TV streamers HBO Max, Peacock, and Quibi meet their launch dates?
With a lot of people now stuck at home, TV viewing across the country continues to spike. Viewers may be eager for new content. But for upcoming streaming services such as HBO Max, Peacock, and Quibi, there are questions as to whether they’ll be ready to launch, and if viewers will be willing to pay for them.
3/27/2020 • 5 minutes, 21 seconds
Coronavirus and Hollywood: TV production shut down, some movies shift to streaming
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, TV production has almost entirely shut down. Now the industry is scrambling to see if there’s any way to save the big fall season for the broadcast networks. On the movie side -- in an unprecedented move -- some big films like the newest “Trolls” installment are coming directly to streaming, but don’t expect that to be the case for every new movie.
3/20/2020 • 6 minutes, 1 second
Coronavirus and Hollywood: Disneyland closes, more movies pushed
Disney has announced that its Anaheim-based theme park will close from March 14 until the end of the month. Elsewhere in Hollywood, more movies continue to delay their release dates, including “A Quiet Place Part II” and “Fast & Furious 9.”
3/13/2020 • 5 minutes, 34 seconds
Amid coronavirus, Hollywood takes a hit. Will Disney shut down theme parks, hotels, cruise ships too?
As anxiety over coronavirus increases, Hollywood has already lost $5 billion from a diminished international box office and production stoppages. That’s likely just the beginning. Disney is in an especially tough spot. The company has already closed some theme parks in Asia. Will it do the same in the U.S.?
3/6/2020 • 5 minutes, 1 second
Bob Iger abruptly resigns as Disney CEO, Hollywood is shocked
Bob Iger spent 15 years as Disney CEO, overseeing huge acquisitions and unparalleled box office success. So it came as a massive surprise when Iger announced this week that he was stepping down immediately. He’s handing the reins to Bob Chapek, who had been chairman of Disney Parks since 2015.
2/28/2020 • 5 minutes, 24 seconds
Harvey Weinstein jury deliberates
The jury in the Harvey Weinstein criminal trial began deliberations this week. They've made several requests to review information and to relisten to certain of witness testimonies. It's hard to know how long deliberations will take because there have been relatively few comparable trials.
2/21/2020 • 5 minutes, 36 seconds
'The Hunt' returns
The Universal satire-horror film "The Hunt," from prolific producer Jason Blum, was pulled before its release last fall, following back-to-back mass shootings. Now the film is getting a new release date in March, and Universal is leaning into the controversy in its marketing.
2/14/2020 • 5 minutes, 10 seconds
Oscars still so white and so male
Since the #OscarsSoWhite movement kicked off five years ago, the Academy has worked to make its membership more diverse. A breakdown of the numbers shows they have made some progress, but there's still a long way to go to achieve anything close to parity.
2/7/2020 • 5 minutes, 23 seconds
Emma Watts resigns as chief of 20th Century Studios
As Disney continues to dismantle Fox, more changes emerge at the Mouse. Emma Watts was the executive behind a lot of great films, including "Ford v Ferrari," "Deadpool," and "The Martian," but there appears to not be a home for such kinds of movies at Disney.
1/31/2020 • 5 minutes, 8 seconds
Emotional testimony at the Harvey Weinstein trial
With the jury set, the Harvey Weinstein trial is underway in New York, and the first few days have provided some dramatic and emotional testimony, especially from actress and alleged rape victim Annabella Sciorra.
1/24/2020 • 4 minutes, 54 seconds
Peacock emerges from its shell
NBCUniversal revealed details of its new streaming service Peacock, which will have several tiers and pricing options.
1/17/2020 • 5 minutes, 17 seconds
Harvey Weinstein criminal trial begins in New York
In a closely-watched trial, Weinstein has won himself no favors with the judge after bringing in two cellphones and texting during court proceedings.
1/10/2020 • 5 minutes, 23 seconds
What does 2020 hold for Hollywood?
Taking on some of the questions the industry is facing in 2020: Will Netflix win a Best Picture Oscar? Which franchises get theatrical releases and which go straight to streaming? Is HBO going to diminish its brand?
1/2/2020 • 5 minutes, 33 seconds
As the Skywalker saga wraps up, what's next for Star Wars?
"The Rise of Skywalker" hits theaters this weekend and critics are not impressed. The ninth and final entry in the Skywalker saga is expected to make hundreds of millions around the globe, but with the franchise feeling creatively lacking, what will Disney decide to do with it next?
12/20/2019 • 5 minutes, 20 seconds
A disappointing settlement for the women who brought civil claims against Weinstein
Harvey Weinstein and the women who brought a civil case against him have potentially reached a $25 million settlement. But Weinstein won't have to pay a dime of that money himself--it all comes from insurance--and the math works out to no more than $500K per victim.
12/13/2019 • 5 minutes, 14 seconds
'America's Got Talent' has problems
NBC is in trouble again. This time the issues are not with the news department, but with the show 'America's Got Talent,' where Gabrielle Union was fired as a judge after only one season, after allegedly complaining about a racist culture at the show.
12/6/2019 • 5 minutes, 14 seconds
The hazards of making movies about real people
Two new movies, 'Richard Jewell' and 'The Banker,' have run into problems stemming from the real people they portray before the films have even been released.
11/22/2019 • 5 minutes, 28 seconds
Disney+ officially arrives, with big numbers to boot
Disney+ has now been revealed. It was glitchy to start, but Disney says there's a good reason---10 million people signed up for the new streaming service
11/15/2019 • 4 minutes, 52 seconds
Netflix's Reed Hastings says what he really thinks
At the New York Times Dealbook Conference, the Netflix CEO weighed in on Saudi Arabia, increased playback speeds, and the theatrical experience.
11/8/2019 • 5 minutes, 19 seconds
As the streaming wars continue, WarnerMedia reveals HBO Max details
WarnerMedia hosted a 2-hour event this week where presenters shared the goals and details of HBO Max, which will launch in 2020.
11/1/2019 • 5 minutes, 32 seconds
Rose McGowan sues Harvey Weinstein, Lisa Bloom and others
In addition to Weinstein and Bloom, Rose McGowan is also suing lawyer David Boies and the private intelligence Black Cube, claiming racketeering, invasion of privacy and more.
10/25/2019 • 5 minutes, 18 seconds
'South Park' going after China head-on
Hollywood has been chasing Chinese money for years, and to do so, studios have been self-censoring themselves so that their movies can be played in the Communist country. In recent weeks, 'South Park' has made fun of China directly, which has led to the show being completely banned on Chinese TV and internet.
10/18/2019 • 5 minutes, 6 seconds
Ronan Farrow versus NBC News
Ronan Farrow's book "Catch and Kill" is coming out soon, and already causing drama. Farrow alleges NBC News never aired his Harvey Weinstein reporting because NBC News was being held hostage by Weinstein and allies who said they had dirt on Matt Lauer.
10/11/2019 • 5 minutes, 20 seconds
Already courting controversy, 'Joker' looks to open huge
Todd Phillips' super-villain origin story 'Joker' already won top prize at Venice. But now there are fears the dark and violent movie could incite actual violence.
10/4/2019 • 5 minutes, 11 seconds
Marvel's Kevin Feige to visit a galaxy far, far away
Marvel's Kevin Feige has stuck his nose into the Star Wars tent. The Marvel mega-producer will work on at least one Star Wars movie in the coming years.
9/27/2019 • 4 minutes, 54 seconds
With Peacock, the streaming space gets even more crowded
NBC revealed its forthcoming streaming service this week. Next year, Peacock will arrive on the scene with thousands of hours of content already included. In addition to library shows, there will also be originals and reboots of shows including 'Battlestar Galactica' and 'Saved by the Bell.'
9/20/2019 • 5 minutes, 27 seconds
Apple lifts the veil on TV+
After a seemingly endless wait, we finally know some of the crucial details of Apple TV+. The service will be cheap!--only $5 a month, or free for a year if you buy a new iPhone or Mac. The streaming service will land on November 1.
9/12/2019 • 5 minutes, 29 seconds
'Crazy Rich Asians' co-writer leaves sequel over pay parity
'Crazy Rich Asians' was a huge box office hit, but one of the screenwriters won't be returning for the two sequels after she learned her male screenwriter had been offered more than 8 times what she was making for the job.
9/6/2019 • 6 minutes, 4 seconds
Why 'The Irishman' may not be coming to a theater near you
Netflix wants an Oscar best picture win, and their highest profile release is Martin Scorsese's 'The Irishman.' The film will play in limited theaters before going to Netflix, but none of the major theater chains are jumping on board.
8/30/2019 • 5 minutes, 20 seconds
ViacomCBS and the triumph of Shari Redstone
This week saw the long-awaited recombining of CBS and Viacom. To make it happen, Shari Redstone, daughter of Sumner Redstone, had to roll up her sleeves and outlast several other CEOs in the process.
This is the first quarter that Fox assets have been included in Disney's earnings report, and the results were not as strong as expected. Disney chief Bob Iger blamed Fox's film studio strategy for the lackluster numbers.
8/9/2019 • 4 minutes, 59 seconds
Extra's very bad week
The Warner Bros show 'Extra' is having a rough go of it this week. Host Mario Lopez is in hot water after he made controversial comments about the parenting of possibly transgender kids. And cohost A.J. Calloway has been removed from the program, many months after multiple sexual assault allegations emerged.
8/2/2019 • 4 minutes, 56 seconds
Will Leo roar at the box office?
Quentin Tarantino's 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' opens this weekend and the industry will be watching closely to see how it does. It's one of the few studio movies of the summer that's a standalone, adult, dramatic film that's not part of some larger franchise. It'll also be something of a test: does Leonardo DiCaprio's star power still have pull at the box office?
7/26/2019 • 4 minutes, 53 seconds
Emmy nominations are out and HBO is back on top for now.
The Emmy nominations were announced this week, and while HBO epic ‘Game of Thrones’ broke the record for total nominations in a single season at 32, the news was also an affirmation of the wealth of quality tv out there right now.
7/19/2019 • 5 minutes, 57 seconds
Will HBO Max work and will consumers pay?
WarnerMedia’s new streaming service HBO Max will pull “Friends” from Netflix when it launches in 2020.
7/12/2019 • 6 minutes, 11 seconds
Netflix bragged about 'On My Block.' Now its stars want a raise.
Netflix doesn't reveal ratings, but did say the series 'On My Block' was it's "most-binged" of 2018. Now, the four stars of that show are working to renegotiate their contracts for season 3. They'd like to be paid on par with the stars of another YA Netflix series, '13 Reasons Why.'
6/28/2019 • 6 minutes, 6 seconds
A crisis of comedies at the box office
The movie 'Late Night' written by and starring Mindy Kaling was the talk of Sundance, but its buzz at the box office has been significantly more muted. And it's not the only one--several comedies--one after another have tanked at the box office this spring and summer. Is streaming to blame?
6/21/2019 • 5 minutes, 40 seconds
Emmy nomination voting underway
The first round of Emmy voting began earlier this week, and we're starting to get the lay of the land. 'Game of Thrones' may well dominate the awards space in the drama category, despite less than stellar reviews for the final season. And this year, one of the most competitive categories, Best Limited Series, is a format that was on life support just a few years ago.
6/14/2019 • 5 minutes, 55 seconds
An avalanche of big studios weigh in on Georgia abortion bill
Georgia has become Hollywood East in recent years, thanks to the hefty tax breaks they offer productions. But more and more big studios say they'll have to reconsider working in the state if the "heartbeat bill" becomes law.
5/31/2019 • 5 minutes, 27 seconds
Endeavor goes public, rocks Hollywood
The massive media company Endeavor, whose holdings include the talent agency WME, announced it is going public, and looking to raise around $500 million in its IPO. The filing comes in the middle of the continuing battle between writers and talent agencies.
5/24/2019 • 5 minutes, 37 seconds
Checking in on the broadcast TV upfronts in the age of streaming
While ratings for broadcast television continue to plummet, the annual ritual known as the upfronts soldiers on in New York. And despite the streaming takeover, the broadcast networks still do several billion dollars worth of business selling slots to advertisers. Old school broadcast TV remains one of the few safe places advertisers can reach millions of people.
5/17/2019 • 5 minutes, 44 seconds
CBS censors itself
A recent episode of 'The Good Fight,' the spinoff of 'The Good Wife' which runs on the streaming service CBS All Access, featured a short musical, animated interlude about China. Or that was what the show's creators hoped to air, anyway. What ran instead was a placard that said "CBS has censored this content."
5/9/2019 • 5 minutes, 31 seconds
With 'Avengers: Endgame,' Iron Man is now Platinum Man
With 'Avengers: Endgame' blasting through nearly every box office record, one of the biggest beneficiaries is Iron Man himself. Way back in 2008, Robert Downey Jr. negotiated a unique deal that means he'll be getting a truly superhero-sized payday following 'Avengers' success.
5/2/2019 • 5 minutes, 30 seconds
Abigail Disney calls out Disney CEO Robert Iger's astounding pay
Following a well-received Twitter thread, Abigail Disney wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post highlighting just how much more Bob Iger takes home compared to the median pay of a Disney worker.
4/25/2019 • 4 minutes, 21 seconds
WGA files suit against major talent agencies
The battle between the Writers Guild and the talent agencies is going to court. The lawsuit filed by the WGA alleges that TV packaging fees are a breach of fiduciary duty and illegal under state and federal law.
4/18/2019 • 4 minutes, 46 seconds
For Netflix, what's old is new again
Netflix is possibly buying a famous Hollywood movie theater and publishing an awards magazine. Why is the streamer investing in physical buildings and paper?
4/11/2019 • 5 minutes, 25 seconds
Post 'Game of Thrones,' can HBO still be HBO?
Winter is finally coming. HBO had its premiere party for the final season of 'Game of Thrones,' the most popular show on TV. But after the season ends, will HBO subscribers say so long?
4/4/2019 • 5 minutes, 20 seconds
Apple TV+ is coming, but what does that mean, exactly?
Apple had a big presentation earlier this week that was heavy on names, but light on details of their forthcoming TV product.
3/28/2019 • 4 minutes, 29 seconds
The Mouse has officially swallowed the Fox
Disney's $71 billion acquisition of most of Fox redraws the landscape of Hollywood.
3/21/2019 • 4 minutes, 48 seconds
The perks of power, the limits of power
Several industry players are swept up in the college admissions scandal, including Bill McGlashan, who just resigned from TPG, an investment company with ties in Hollywood. And in other news of people trying to take advantage of a rigged system, the Charlotte Kirk debacle has now engulfed even more executives.
3/14/2019 • 5 minutes, 10 seconds
Warner Bros. CEO traded auditions for sex, text messages reveal
According to hundreds of text messages leaked to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. Chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara pushed for a young, unknown actress he was having a sexual relationship with to get auditions for Warner Bros. movies.
3/8/2019 • 4 minutes, 56 seconds
Arbitrator issues stunning 'Bones' decision, calls Fox "reprehensible"
Just as Disney's acquisition of most of Fox is about to be complete, a huge decision regarding the long-running Fox show 'Bones' has come to light. An arbitrator issued a ruling calling out top Fox exes for self-dealing and awarding $179 million to the stars and creators of 'Bones.'
3/1/2019 • 4 minutes, 49 seconds
Emma Thompson leaves Skydance Animation project following Lasseter hire
When former head of Pixar and Disney Animation John Lasseter was forced to leave following allegations of inappropriate behavior, and was then hired by Skydance to run its animation department, there was blowback among some female animators. Now, even more resistance: Emma Thompson has left a Skydance movie she was voicing.
2/22/2019 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
Woody Allen sues Amazon for trying to get out of its massive movie deal
Amazon wants to terminate a deal with Woody Allen, but the director says if Amazon isn't happy with the deal, that's their fault, and the contract should still stand. He's now suing Amazon for $68 million, which hints at just how rich the deal was.
2/8/2019 • 4 minutes, 25 seconds
In a commitment to hire more women directors, Universal accepts the 4% challenge
The concept comes from Times Up and the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative and calls on industry leaders to agree to hiring a woman director in the next 18 months. Universal is the first major studio to sign on.
2/1/2019 • 4 minutes, 35 seconds
After The Atlantic exposé, will Bryan Singer continue to work in Hollywood?
The long talked-about exposé on director Bryan Singer is finally out. It took reporters a year to write and includes allegations of rape.
1/25/2019 • 5 minutes, 15 seconds
'West Side Story' illustrates the tricky business of remakes
Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner held a town hall in Puerto Rico to talk to people about their remake of the famous movie musical and well, audience members have their doubts.
1/18/2019 • 4 minutes, 51 seconds
John Lasseter returns from exile
The famous animator left Disney and Pixar last year following misconduct allegations and admitted "missteps." Now he's been hired to run the animation department at Skydance Media. So far, the news has gone over like a lead ballon. The backlash among animators has been fierce and swift.
1/11/2019 • 4 minutes, 42 seconds
Netflix taking heat for pulling an episode of Hasan Minhaj's show
The streamer took down an episode of Minhaj's show 'The Patriot Act' in Saudi Arabia that was critical of Mohammed bin Salman.
1/4/2019 • 4 minutes, 42 seconds
What's next for Les?
CBS has fired Les Moonves for cause, which means he does not get his $120 million severance. But that doesn't mean the battle is over.
12/21/2018 • 4 minutes, 55 seconds
So. Much. TV.
This year's numbers are in, and according to an annual study done by FX, there are more scripted original series than ever before. We're at 495 shows for 2018, up from 487 last year.
12/14/2018 • 4 minutes, 57 seconds
Golden Globes nominations and the Oscars find a host...for now
The Golden Globes have once again left people puzzled by some of their nominations. And the Oscars finally found a host in Kevin Hart, but there are already issues.
12/7/2018 • 4 minutes, 38 seconds
New allegations emerge against former CBS CEO Les Moonves
The New York Times details how Moonves tried to silence an accuser by getting her a part on a CBS show.
11/30/2018 • 4 minutes, 21 seconds
Awaiting judge's ruling on CNN's lawsuit against the White House
CNN sued the president, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and others over the confiscation of reporter Jim Acosta's press pass. Other news networks--including Fox--have expressed support for CNN.
11/16/2018 • 4 minutes, 56 seconds
HBO still dark on Dish
The carriage dispute between HBO and Dish Network that left Dish subscribers without the network known for 'Game of Thrones' since November 1 is still ongoing, and the rhetoric ramps up, as both parties blame the other.
11/9/2018 • 4 minutes, 48 seconds
Netflix cracks a window
The rule with Netflix had always been, if you make a movie with them, it might get a small theatrical release, but it would come out in theaters the same day it was available to stream. Now, with a possible best picture nominee on their hands, Netflix is adjusting their policies.
11/1/2018 • 5 minutes, 21 seconds
A showdown between Megyn Kelly and NBC
A year ago, Megyn Kelly was a very expensive new host for NBC's morning lineup. This week, Kelly said blackface for Halloween costumes was OK when she was growing up. Blowback was swift, and now Kelly is out at the 'Today' show and possibly at NBC altogether.
10/25/2018 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
Endeavor ending $400 million deal with the Saudi government
Following the apparent murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, most likely ordered by Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, Endeavor--the parent company of WME--is backing out of a huge $400 million deal it had made with the Saudi government.
10/18/2018 • 4 minutes, 34 seconds
Streaming wars
John Stankey, the head of WarnerMedia, announced a new streaming service coming next year with content from its massive film and TV library. It will join Disney and Apple in companies with forthcoming streaming services that could spell trouble from Netflix.
10/11/2018 • 4 minutes, 40 seconds
The #MeToo movement, one year later
It's been just about a year since two exposes brought down mogul Harvey Weinstein. There's been a huge push for change in the intervening months, but so far, a mixed report card.
10/4/2018 • 4 minutes, 43 seconds
Major changes at all the broadcast networks
Just as fall TV begins, all four big networks are seeing executive turnover at the top.
9/27/2018 • 4 minutes, 44 seconds
Disney's big gamble
More details are emerging about Disney's upcoming streaming service. It's been dubbed "the Netflix killer," but Disney will no doubt lose a lot of money in the process of getting back all its own content.
9/20/2018 • 4 minutes, 46 seconds
Continued fallout at CBS
Following Ronan Farrow's second expose in the New Yorker, Les Moonves stepped down from CBS on Sunday, and later in the week, Jeff Fager, the head of '60 Minutes,' also departed.
9/13/2018 • 4 minutes, 28 seconds
Best popular film category proves not so popular
The Academy has put its plan to introduce a new category for best "popular" film on indefinite hold. It will go forward with presenting 6-8 awards during commercial breaks in order to streamline and shorten the TV broadcast of the ceremony.
9/6/2018 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
Louis C.K. tries to come back to comedy
Not everyone is excited about the comedian's return to a comedy club in New York, nine months after admitting to sexual misconduct. Several women in the audience were especially not thrilled that he showed up without any advance warning.
8/30/2018 • 4 minutes, 43 seconds
As film festival season begins, Netflix tries to make its mark
The Venice Film Festival starts next week, and with it, the unofficial kickoff to awards season. Netflix has had great success racking up awards for television, but so far, not much luck on the film side. This year, the streamer is trying to change that.
8/23/2018 • 4 minutes, 53 seconds
A new moment in #TimesUp: When is it OK to come back?
The #TimesUp movement is facing some difficult questions with no easy answers. Recent projects have people asking, what kind of past misdeeds can be forgiven, and how long do people need to wait before returning to work?
8/16/2018 • 4 minutes, 40 seconds
The Academy's new "popular" film category faces supercharged backlash
In an effort to boost ratings for the Oscars, the Academy said they'd be making some changes to the awards show--including awarding certain categories during commercial breaks, as well as adding a new category for popular films. But so far, that new category is not getting good reviews.
8/9/2018 • 4 minutes, 36 seconds
With Leslie Moonves under siege, the fate of CBS hangs in the balance
Following Ronan Farrow's expose in the New Yorker, an investigation has begun looking into the CBS CEO and allegations of sexual assault. Moonves remains on the job, but he may not be there for long if more alleged victims come forward.
8/2/2018 • 4 minutes, 18 seconds
Did Disney jump the Gunn?
Disney fired James Gunn over years-old tweets that were resurfaced by a far right blogger. No one is debating that the tweets filled with tasteless jokes were bad, but the sudden firing has people asking, should artists not be allowed to evolve and change over time?
7/26/2018 • 4 minutes, 42 seconds
Comcast drops out of the race for Fox, leaving only Disney to claim its prize.
The bidding war for 21st Century Fox is seemingly over after cable giant Comcast takes itself out of the running to acquire much of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.
7/19/2018 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
Netflix bests HBO in Emmy Nominations
The Emmy nominations are in, and streaming giant Netflix garners a staggering 112 nominations while HBO’s new boss at AT&T says the network must become bigger and broader.
7/12/2018 • 4 minutes, 33 seconds
Bill Shine, the former co-head of Fox News, heads to the White House
Shine was ousted from Fox News last May over the network's handling of sexual harassment cases under Roger Ailes. His new job as head of White House communications is in some ways perfect and in many ways shocking.
7/5/2018 • 4 minutes, 9 seconds
NBC News misses another sexual misconduct story
In the midst of the #MeToo mvement, Sil Lai Abrams was ready to go on the record with sexual assault allegations against Russell Simmons and A.J. Calloway. She took the story to Joy Reid at MSNBC, but the network dragged its feet for months, before ultimately killing the story.
6/28/2018 • 4 minutes, 35 seconds
Some top showrunners at Fox speaking out against Fox News
In the wake of the crisis at the border, some Hollywood creatives who work in the film and TV division of Fox are calling out Fox News, based on what they believe is biased coverage of the separation of children and their parents.
6/21/2018 • 4 minutes, 34 seconds
The AT&T-Time Warner merger is a go, with more consolidation to follow
Following the court's ruling in favor of AT&T, the race to get bigger, faster moved into high gear and leaves a lot of people in Hollywood stressed out about their futures.
6/14/2018 • 4 minutes, 40 seconds
Looking ahead to the AT&T-Time Warner merger decision
A decision is expected on June 12 as to whether AT&T will be allowed to buy Time Warner. The Justice Department sued to blocked the merger, supposedly on the basis of antitrust laws, but many speculate more political motivations because Trump is no fan of CNN, which is owned by Time Warner.
6/7/2018 • 4 minutes, 33 seconds
Sam Bee apologizes for having "crossed a line" on her show
Now there are cries from the White House for TBS to cancel her show, following ABC's cancelation of 'Roseanne' earlier this week. But are the Roseanne and Samantha Bee situations really comparable?
5/31/2018 • 4 minutes, 16 seconds
Harvey Weinstein expected to turn himself in tomorrow
A day that many women thought would never come may have finally arrived.
5/24/2018 • 4 minutes, 20 seconds
CBS vs Viacom: the battle rages on
The fate of a CBS and Viacom merger hangs in the balance as CBS holds an emergency meeting for the board of directors on Thursday afternoon.
5/17/2018 • 4 minutes, 45 seconds
Fewer parties, no selfies: a quieter Cannes this year
A check-in from Cannes finds a more muted festival than in years past.
5/10/2018 • 4 minutes, 45 seconds
More allegations of improper conduct by Charlie Rose
A follow-up investigation by The Washington Post found an additional 27 women who say Rose harassed them.
5/3/2018 • 3 minutes, 57 seconds
Cosby found guilty in the first major conviction of the #MeToo era
Bill Cosby has been found guilty of all three counts of aggravated indecent assault. This verdict was handed down after a mistrial last summer. A lot has happened in the interim, including the fall of Harvey Weinstein and others.
4/26/2018 • 4 minutes, 36 seconds
Amazon announces subscriber numbers, but what do they actually mean?
There's an impulse to compare Jeff Bezos' recent announcement of Amazon Prime's 100 million subscribers to Netflix's newly touted 125 million subscribers, but not so fast.
4/19/2018 • 4 minutes, 42 seconds
As festival season begins, a spat between Cannes and Netflix
Cannes told Netflix its films couldn't compete in the festival, so Netflix pulled its films from the lineup all together.
4/12/2018 • 4 minutes, 36 seconds
Saudi crown prince launches charm offensive in Hollywood
Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, has been on a tour of LA this week. He's rented out the entire Four Seasons for his entourage and had an intimate dinner with Rupert Murdoch, Bob Iger and other Hollywood honchos.
4/5/2018 • 4 minutes, 30 seconds
'Roseanne' returns in a big way, broadcast networks rejoice
Broadcast is back, baby. At least for one show: 18 million people tuned in to watch the return of the sitcom 'Roseanne' on ABC.
3/29/2018 • 4 minutes, 46 seconds
What the new "no quotes" law means for pilot season
A special TV breakdown with Lesley Goldberg. A new law in California means studios cannot ask TV actors what they made on previous jobs, which is a good thing for actors who have been stymied by low pay in the past.
3/22/2018 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
Can inclusion riders improve pay parity?
This week we learned Prince Philip was paid more than the Queen herself, at least in the Netflix series 'The Crown.' Matt Smith, who portrays the Prince, came in with a high quote from his years as Dr. Who, while actress Claire Foy was a relative unknown at the time.
3/15/2018 • 4 minutes, 24 seconds
This weekend at the box office, it's Disney vs. Disney
Ava DuVernay's 'A Wrinkle in Time' may well find itself opening to stiff competition from another Disney movie, 'Black Panther,' which continues to roar at the box office almost a month after its initial release.
3/9/2018 • 4 minutes, 49 seconds
With Oscars just days away, a rare wide-open best picture race
A final Oscars Hollywood Breakdown with awards analyst Scott Feinberg, who says that while the acting categories are locked, the best picture could foreseeably go one of five contenders.
3/2/2018 • 4 minutes, 27 seconds
What will be the fate of The Weinstein Company?
The Weinstein Co. drama continues. The company was in financial trouble before the Harvey Weinstein allegations, and following the #MeToo movement, the name alone became toxic.
2/23/2018 • 4 minutes, 21 seconds
Black Panther poised to smash box office records
Going into opening weekend, we're already hearing the thunder of Marvel's newest movie 'Black Panther.' The film will almost certainly break the box office record for February film and has the highest ticket pre-sales of everything except the 'Star Wars' movies.
2/16/2018 • 4 minutes, 39 seconds
After Uma Thurman story, Quentin Tarantino comes under scrutiny
Uma Thurman told The New York Times about being in a car crash on the set of 'Kill Bill' after Quentin Tarantino forced her to drive a car she thought was dangerous. It's a bad look for Tarantino, who's also under scrutiny for some resurfaced comments about Roman Polanski and his rape victim.
2/9/2018 • 4 minutes, 46 seconds
In new NFL deal, Fox is betting on Thursday night football
Fox has paid more than $3 billion to broadcast 11 Thursday night NFL games a year, for the next five years. The deal is a peak at the broadcast network's future strategy in the wake of the Disney deal.
2/2/2018 • 4 minutes, 40 seconds
Speaking up about salary, in the name of pay parity
In the next phase of the #MeToo movement, women in Hollywood are starting to break the taboo of talking about money. Writers and actresses have begun sharing their salaries as a way of demanding equal pay from studios.
1/26/2018 • 4 minutes, 47 seconds
Days before Oscar nominations, the race is still murky
Oscar nominations will be announced on January 23, and normally at this point in the awards season there's a clear frontrunner or two for best picture, but this year, the indicators all are over the place.
1/19/2018 • 4 minutes, 37 seconds
What's up with the pay disparity in 'All the Money in the World'?
It's now come out that when the cast and crew came back for reshoots on Ridley Scott's latest movie, Michelle Williams did the work for practically nothing, and Mark Wahlberg was paid $1.5 million.
1/12/2018 • 4 minutes, 41 seconds
The big Hollywood stories of 2017
Women and men speak up, Harvey Weinstein goes down. A stunning reversal of fortune in late night. And deals that are reshaping the industry.
12/22/2017 • 4 minutes, 28 seconds
A historic day in Hollywood as Disney acquires large parts of Fox
There used to be six major film studios, now there are five. Disney buying most of Fox is a disruptive move that has those in the industry reeling.
12/15/2017 • 4 minutes, 33 seconds
How Disney buying Fox could reshape business in Hollywood
Fox may be on the block, with Rupert Murdoch looking to sell some of his major assets -- including the film studio -- to Disney.
12/8/2017 • 4 minutes, 27 seconds
After Matt Lauer and Charlie Rose, what's next for morning news?
NBC fired Matt Lauer this week after allegations of sexual misconduct. Lauer was the face of the Today show for 20 years. With him and Charlie Rose out at CBS, is the era of the star anchor over?
12/1/2017 • 4 minutes, 41 seconds
Latest in sexual harassment fallout: Charlie Rose & John Lasseter
More big names continue to be exposed. Charlie Rose has now been fired from CBS and PBS and John Lasseter has taken a 6-month leave from Disney and Pixar.
11/24/2017 • 4 minutes, 53 seconds
'Justice League' is here, but not poised for greatness
The movie had a troubled production, and while it may do well at the box office, it probably won't do well enough, considering how much it cost.
11/17/2017 • 4 minutes, 49 seconds
After Kevin Spacey, Brett Ratner and more, who's next?
The fallout from the Harvey Weinstein allegations will not end. More people continue to come forward with accusations of abuse.
11/2/2017 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
In the Weinstein aftermath, more accusers come forward
The accusations involve not just Hollywood, but fashion and media as well.
10/26/2017 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
Weinstein fallout continues; Roy Price out at Amazon
Following stories about Harvey Weinstein in the New York Times and New Yorker, dozens of women have continued to come forward and tell their stories about sexual harassment in the industry.
10/19/2017 • 4 minutes, 44 seconds
Hollywood reels as the Harvey Weinstein saga continues
After the stories in the New York Times and the New Yorker, more and more women continue to come forward with allegations of sexual assault against Harvey Weinstein, who has since been fired by his own company.
10/12/2017 • 4 minutes, 45 seconds
The Harvey Weinstein bombshell story finally lands
The New York Times published an account that alleges decades of sexual misconduct by Harvey Weinstein. Some of these stories had long been open secrets in Hollywood, but the Times was able to get people on the record. Weinstein has now taken a leave of absence from his company.
10/5/2017 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
In her new role at NBC, Megyn Kelly tries to be something she's not
The former Fox News anchor is at her best when she's doing hard-hitting, political interviews. She's tried to leave all that behind for her NBC Today show segment, but one week in, the viewers -- and her guests -- are not loving it.
9/28/2017 • 4 minutes, 21 seconds
When healthcare became personal, Jimmy Kimmel got political
Prior to this year, Jimmy Kimmel was the last late night host you'd expect to take on a political issue. Then, he had a son who needed open heart surgery. Now, Kimmel is loudly speaking out against the newest healthcare bill.
9/21/2017 • 4 minutes, 17 seconds
Another dispatching of a 'Star Wars' director
Colin Trevorrow is out as director of Episode IX. This comes after the firing of Josh Trank and Phil Lord and Christopher Miller on other Star Wars movies. At this point, people are starting to wonder about the Lucasfilm approach of hiring less proven directors to work on such a massive franchise.
9/7/2017 • 4 minutes, 25 seconds
Ed Skrein departs 'Hellboy' after fans call out whitewashing
Actor Ed Skrein announced he'd be dropping out of Hellboy after being cast as a character who in the original source material is Asian. It's the first time an actor has ever stepped down in response to an outcry over whitewashing. Skrein has been praised for his elegant handling of the situation.
8/31/2017 • 4 minutes, 48 seconds
Bummer of a summer at the box office
The domestic box office is stuck the summer doldrums this year. Ticket sales are down 15 percent compared to last year, and for the first time in 25 years, there's no new wide releases landing on Labor Day Weekend.
8/24/2017 • 4 minutes, 56 seconds
Stunt community asking tough questions after 2 recent deaths
A motorcycle racer named Joi "SJ" Harris died on the set of Deadpool 2 this week while attempting a stunt for the film. Harris was an accomplished racer, but did not have stunt experience. Some in the stunt community are asking why she was hired in the first place, and saying that her death could have been prevented.
8/17/2017 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
Disney pulls out of Netflix to launch its own streaming service
Disney announced this week that it will pull its content from Netflix and launch two streaming services of its own -- one for sports and one for Disney properties. There are some caveats, but there's no questions that this represents a fundamental realignment of the media world.
8/10/2017 • 4 minutes, 49 seconds
Tough times for indie film producers and distributors
Business in Hollywood can be boom or bust, and for independent film studios, it's more of the latter at the moment. The problem is exemplified by two struggling companies, Open Road and Broad Green Pictures.
8/3/2017 • 4 minutes, 49 seconds
HBO hit with backlash following announcement of 'Confederate'
The show that created some of the most conversation at this summer's gather of the Television Critics Association is one that doesn't even exist yet. The announcement alone of a new HBO show where the South won the Civil War and slavery is still legal set off a firestorm.
7/27/2017 • 4 minutes, 44 seconds
China's dealings with Hollywood on shaky ground
A year ago, it seemed like the Chinese company the Wanda Group was well on its way to buying up a large chunk of Hollywood. But several deals that felt solid before are now incredibly fraught.
7/20/2017 • 4 minutes, 40 seconds
Emmy nominations: HBO and Netflix dominate
This year's Emmy nominations show the dominance of streaming TV. HBO led the pack, but Netflix was right on its heels. Hulu, which had critical success with The Handmaid's Tale, also did well.
7/13/2017 • 4 minutes, 35 seconds
The symbiotic relationship between CNN and President Trump
President Trump has called CNN "fake news," and last week he tweeted a GIF of himself tackling a symbol of the network. His fans vociferously hate the media and journalists are decrying the potential for violence. All of this may be good for ratings, but is it good for the American people?
7/6/2017 • 4 minutes, 20 seconds
Academy invites 774 new members, a record
In an effort to continue its push for increased diversity, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences welcomed a large class of new members this week, many of them women and/or people of color. But some of the names of the list have raised eyebrows because certain inductees have relatively little experience in film.
6/29/2017 • 4 minutes, 23 seconds
'Star Wars' stunner: 'Han Solo' movie has a new director
Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the original directors of the forthcoming Han Solo movie, were fired and replaced by director Ron Howard. This hardly every happens in Hollywood, especially because production was already well underway -- sources say they were four-fifths of the way through filming.
6/22/2017 • 4 minutes, 48 seconds
Is Megyn Kelly's show the right place for an Alex Jones interview?
Controversy swirls around the upcoming airing of Megyn Kelly's interview with conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. The marketing of the episode has been problematic -- including a picture of the two of them smiling together in a car.
6/15/2017 • 4 minutes, 35 seconds
'The Mummy' looks like a tough start to The Dark Universe
Universal is trying to launch a monster-oriented franchise called The Dark Universe with a reboot of 'The Mummy' starring Tom Cruise. But heading into opening weekend, critics aren't loving it and the film will likely lose at the U.S. box office to Warner Bro's 'Wonder Woman,' which is in its second week.
6/8/2017 • 4 minutes, 24 seconds
The wonder of 'Wonder Woman'
Warner Brother's Wonder Woman opens this weekend with giant expectations. It's the first big superhero movie to both star a woman and be directed by a woman.
6/1/2017 • 4 minutes, 26 seconds
Reversal of fortunes at cable news and late night
There's been a historic reshuffling at cable news and late night as Trump-related news has a big impact on television.
5/25/2017 • 4 minutes, 23 seconds
At the TV upfronts, what's old is new again
It's that time of year where all the broadcast networks gather in New York City to present their new fall lineups to advertisers. This year includes a Will & Grace reboot at NBC and a Roseanne reunion at ABC.
5/18/2017 • 4 minutes, 52 seconds
No strike, but still not quite business as usual
The WGA was able to make a deal with the studios, so a strike was averted, but the industry continues to be in flux as more people cut the cord, Hulu announced a streaming service, and media stocks took a tumble.
5/4/2017 • 4 minutes, 24 seconds
Threat of another writers' strike looms ever closer
The members of the Writers Guild of America voted overwhelmingly in favor -- 96.3% -- of authorizing a strike. Now there's a very short window of time before their current contract ends on May 1.
4/27/2017 • 4 minutes, 42 seconds
It's official, Bill O'Reilly is out at Fox News
When Bill O'Reilly left for vacation after revelations of payouts related to sexual harassment allegations caused advertisers to flee his show, the big question was whether he'd come back to host The O'Reilly Factor. Now we know the answer is no.
4/20/2017 • 4 minutes, 52 seconds
Will there be another writers' strike?
Ten years after the last writers' strike, the industry is possibly looking at another one. The last strike was bitter and divisive, and there's hope that the situation can be avoided this time around, but if the strike goes through, it could start as soon as May 2.
4/13/2017 • 4 minutes, 17 seconds
Advertisers flee Bill O'Reilly's Fox News show
Fifty advertisers have now dropped their ads from Bill O'Reilly's show after learning that the Fox News network paid out $13 million in settlements among to five women who alleged O'Reilly sexually harassed them.
4/6/2017 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
At CinemaCon, lots of debate about theatrical windows
The annual gathering of movie theater owners wraps up today in Las Vegas. The hot topic of this years event was theatrical windows -- how long a movie should have to wait after being in theaters before becoming available in homes.
3/30/2017 • 4 minutes, 51 seconds
Bob Iger's contract extended at Disney, yet again
Disney CEO Bob Iger will remain at his post until July 2019. In the absence of a successor, Disney has renewed Iger's contract four times.
3/23/2017 • 4 minutes, 37 seconds
Ramifications of Trump's budget in the entertainment industry
Trump's proposed budget would eliminate funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the Corporation forPublic Broadcasting.
3/16/2017 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
Hollywood in a state of disarray
This week on the Hollywood Breakdown, we talk about an actual Hollywood breakdown. Two of the major film studios are leaderless at the moment, and the list of people who could possibly step up is a very short one.
3/10/2017 • 4 minutes, 44 seconds
Oscars blunder continues to resonate
By now, the basics of the mix-up that led to presenter Warren Beatty announcing the wrong best picture are well-known, but the Academy is still in the process of evaluating its relationship with accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.
3/3/2017 • 4 minutes, 22 seconds
Brad Grey leaves Paramount, who will take his place?
After a tough year of losses at the box office, Brad Grey is exiting as CEO of Paramount. But finding a replacement may not be easy. The role of a studio head is very different now than when he first took the job 12 years ago.
2/24/2017 • 4 minutes, 21 seconds
New allegations emerge around Fox News harassment scandal
While the situation at Fox News over several women's allegations of sexual harassment by former chairman Roger Ailes seemed to have died down, it came roaring back to life in a New Your state court yesterday. Lawyer Judd Burstein, who is representing suspended Fox host Andrea Tantaros, claims that Fox News is now under investigation by federal prosecutors for possibly breaking SEC laws when making payments in the sexual harassment scandal. In court, Burstein also said he had evidence that Fox monitored Tantaros using electronic surveillance. This allegation has echoes of the previous Murdoch hacking scandal in the UK.
2/17/2017 • 4 minutes, 30 seconds
Talent agencies respond to Trump
Some of the major agencies in liberal Hollywood are starting to respond to policies put in place by the Trump Administration. So far the move that's gotten the most attention is UTA's decision to cancel their Oscars party and give $250,000 to the ACLU.
2/10/2017 • 4 minutes, 33 seconds
Hollywood grapples with the advent of Trump
Disney chief Robert Iger will not attend a White House forum planned for this week. The gathering is a meeting of CEOs and business leaders, and Iger was one of the only entertainment executives slated to appear at the end.
2/3/2017 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
At Sundance, lots of snow and lots of deals
The impact of digital streamers Netflix and Amazon at the film festival means everyone is paying more for movies, including the more traditional film studios.
1/27/2017 • 4 minutes, 8 seconds
Jerry Seinfeld jumps to Netflix
The comedian is leaving his long-time TV home at Sony to go to Netflix, in a deal that's been rumored to be massively expensive.
1/20/2017 • 4 minutes, 13 seconds
How a Trump presidency might affect the AT&T Time Warner merger
Now that Donald Trump is angry with CNN, is it possible that as president he could try to block the giant merger between AT&T and Time Warner, which is CNN's parent company?
1/13/2017 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
Gearing up for the Golden Globes
The Golden Globes are on Sunday, and host Jimmy Fallon has promised a fun, light-hearted show. But with Trump's inauguration just days away, is Hollywood in the mood to party?
1/6/2017 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
Looking back at the year in late night
With Samantha Bee, we finally have a woman hosting a late night show, Seth Meyers delivers cutting commentary and hosts like Stephen Colbert and Trevor Noah find their footing.
12/23/2016 • 4 minutes, 17 seconds
Producer Steven Mnuchin's varied history in Hollywood
Trump's Treasury Secretary pick has a hit-and-miss track record in the film industry.
12/2/2016 • 4 minutes, 13 seconds
Fantastic box office hopes for 'Fantastic Beasts'
The Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is on track for a big opening weekend.
11/18/2016 • 4 minutes, 21 seconds
Hollywood in shock following presidential election
The large majority of people who work in Hollywood, both in front of and behind the camera are walking around in a daze following Donald Trump's win.
11/11/2016 • 4 minutes, 34 seconds
World Series ratings: The Cubs win, and so does Fox
More than 40 million people tuned in to watch the Cubs beat the Indians in a historic World Series finale last night, making it the most-watched baseball game in 25 years.
11/3/2016 • 4 minutes, 24 seconds
Megyn Kelly contract negotiations: Will she stay at Fox News?
Megyn Kelly has become a very prominent player in this presidential election. Her current contract at Fox News expires next year, and Rupert Murdoch would really like her to stay.
10/27/2016 • 4 minutes, 25 seconds
China beckons. Will Hollywood heed the call?
The Chinese company Dalian Wanda Group wants filmmakers to come to their massive studio in China, and offering them a 40% production rebate to do so.
10/20/2016 • 4 minutes, 37 seconds
Negotiating Billy Bush's exit from NBC
After leaked footage with Donald Trump making lewd statements about women to former Access Hollywood host Billy Bush came to light, Bush's future at NBC now comes into question. He's hired a fierce litigator and his departure may not be as amicable as once thought.
10/13/2016 • 4 minutes, 20 seconds
Embroiled in controversy, 'The Birth of a Nation' opens
The Birth of a Nation made history with a record-breaking sale at Sundance. But acquitted rape charges from director and star Nate Parker's past have cast a cloud over the film.
10/6/2016 • 4 minutes, 35 seconds
Will there be wedding bells for CBS and Viacom?
National Amusements, mogul Sumner Redstone's holding company, published a letter it sent to both Viacom and CBS urging the companies to merge back together. It's been a decade since the two media companies first split apart into separate entities.
9/29/2016 • 4 minutes, 29 seconds
Upcoming debate expected to bring in huge ratings
As the first presidential debate approaches, networks are nervous about how best to prepare their moderators in a year where Donald Trump has been determined to make his perceived treatment by the media part of his campaigning process.
9/22/2016 • 4 minutes, 26 seconds
The high cost of ending the Roger Ailes era at Fox News
Earlier this week, news of Gretchen Carlson's $20 million settlement with Fox arrived the same day Greta Van Susteren announced she was leaving. Now that Ailes is gone, it's possible that even more on-air talent will follow.
9/8/2016 • 4 minutes, 11 seconds
The summer of "sequel-itis" and beginning of awards season
As Labor Day weekend approaches, the summer box office officially wraps up and attention moves to upcoming film festivals.
9/1/2016 • 4 minutes, 22 seconds
Following 'Ben-Hur' disaster, the pressure's on at Paramount
The very expensive remake of Ben-Hur grossed just $11.2 million its debut weekend. That puts Paramount CEO Brad Grey in a tough spot. He needs to turn the studio around following a string of flops.
8/25/2016 • 4 minutes, 13 seconds
Director Nate Parker mired in resurfaced rape claims
The Birth of a Nation, written, directed and starring Nate Parker, made Sundance history when it sold to Fox Searchlight for $17.5 million. Moving towards awards season, Parker is under scrutiny around the reemergence of an alleged rape that happened while he was in college. Both Parker and his co-writer were tried and eventually acquitted, but that hasn't made the situation go away, especially since it's recently come to light that the woman pressing charges died by suicide in 2012.
8/18/2016 • 4 minutes, 30 seconds
Peak TV hasn't peaked yet
As the Television Critics Association summer press tour wraps up, one thing is clear -- the amount of new TV coming down the pike isn't slowing any time soon. FX's John Landgraf coined the term "Peak TV" at last year's press tour. This year, he spoke again, saying that Peak TV is still happening, and that the bubble won't burst for at least a couple more years.
8/11/2016 • 4 minutes, 21 seconds
Warner Bros. hopes to end slump with 'Suicide Squad'
For Warner Bros., a lot is riding on the DC thriller Suicide Squad, which opens this weekend. The movie is predicted to have a huge opening, but bad reviews may stop it from becoming a true blockbuster success.
8/4/2016 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
The Battle over Stephen Colbert's 'Colbert Report' Character
Lawyers from Viacom have told CBS their Late Show host Stephen Colbert cannot use his former Colbert Report character, also named "Stephen Colbert." The lawsuit is especially confusing because Viacom and CBS are supposed to be sister companies.
7/28/2016 • 4 minutes, 25 seconds
Roger Ailes Resigns from Fox News
Roger Ailes, the man who turned Fox News into a media giant and most profitable part of Rupert Murdoch's empire, resigned today, following multiple allegations of sexual harassment.
7/21/2016 • 4 minutes, 33 seconds
HBO, FX and Netflix Rule Emmy nominations
Emmy nominations are out, with lots of love for HBO's Game of Thrones and FX's The People v. O.J. Simpson and Fargo.
7/14/2016 • 4 minutes, 18 seconds
Gretchen Carlson Sues Roger Ailes for Sexual Harassment
Fox News host Gretchen Carlson has filed a lawsuit alleging she was sexually harassed by Roger Ailes and let go in retaliation for refusing to sleep with him.
7/7/2016 • 4 minutes, 39 seconds
The Battle of the 4th of July Box Office
Three movies opening this weekend offer a commentary on the state of the box office.
6/30/2016 • 4 minutes, 35 seconds
Ben Affleck Appears on First Episode of Bill Simmons HBO Show
People are wondering what's up with Ben Affleck after the actor went on an F-bomb filled rant on the new Bill Simmons HBO show Any Given Wednesday.
6/23/2016 • 4 minutes, 27 seconds
Shake-up at Fox Film Studio
In a major change of leadership at Fox studios, Stacey Snider is taking the top job, while Jim Gianopolous will be moved to a new role with the company next year.
6/16/2016 • 4 minutes, 23 seconds
'Warcraft' Breaks Box Office Records in China
No one expects Warcraft, the Legendary movie based on a video game, to do well when it opens in the US this weekend. But the film has already made so much money in China, it doesn't matter.
6/9/2016 • 4 minutes, 29 seconds
Turnover in the TV Industry
The television world has seen two big departures in the past week. Bela Bajaria is out at Universal after five years and Steve Mosko is out at Sony after nearly 24 years.
6/2/2016 • 4 minutes, 29 seconds
War at Viacom
As the Sumner Redstone saga continues, a battle ensues for the future of the media company, which includes Paramount, MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon.
5/26/2016 • 4 minutes, 27 seconds
At the Broadcast Upfronts, What's Old Is New Again
Even in the face of a changing television industry, the broadcast networks are still the biggest game in town. Advertisers will do more than $9 billion worth of business at this year's upfront presentations in New York.
5/19/2016 • 4 minutes, 41 seconds
Woody Allen Is Topic du Jour at Cannes
At Cannes, talk of Woody Allen's new movie is overshadowed by drama around a reignited scandal.
5/12/2016 • 4 minutes, 27 seconds
DreamWorks Animation Bought by NBCUniversal for $3.8 Billion
Jeffrey Katzenberg's long slog to find a buyer for the company he co-founded is finally over.
4/28/2016 • 4 minutes, 41 seconds
In a Bid to Gain More Viewers, MTV Goes Back to Its Roots
Does anyone still want their MTV? The network is hoping that by featuring more music, news and game shows, like in days of yore, they'll be able to boost flagging ratings.
4/21/2016 • 4 minutes, 14 seconds
News from CinemaCon: That's A Lot of 'Avatars'
The CinemaCon gathering for movie theater owners used to be a small event. But now that it has a much larger platform via the media and Internet, studios use it as an opportunity to show off their upcoming slates.
4/14/2016 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
Disney's Succession Plan Now Up in the Air
A year ago, top Disney executive Bob Iger announced that Thomas Staggs would be his heir apparent. Now, Staggs says he's stepping down, leaving everyone to wonder what happened, and who will take his place.
4/7/2016 • 4 minutes, 44 seconds
Looking at the State of WME-IMG Post Merger
Matthew Belloni recently spoke to super agents Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell for a piece in the Hollywood Reporter. Kim Masters talks to Belloni about that conversation, which is the first interview Emanuel and Whitesell have given on the topic of the talent agency's $2.4 billion merger with IMG two years ago.
3/31/2016 • 4 minutes, 25 seconds
Warner Bros Needs a Super Success in 'Batman v Superman'
So far, critics are not crazy for Zach Snyder's movie that pits the two super heroes against each other. This could be trouble for Warner Bros. The company needs this very expensive movie to be a hit following a year of flops.
3/24/2016 • 4 minutes, 47 seconds
Sean Parker Wants to Bring New Movies to Your Living Room
The Internet mogul has some big name directors backing his $50-per-movie plan, but movie theater owners are not so hot on the idea.
3/17/2016 • 4 minutes, 44 seconds
Two Lawsuits over Private Videos Gone Viral
ESPN's Erin Andrews won $55 million in court over video shot through a hotel peephole without her consent. And Hulk Hogan is suing Gawker for $100 million after the website published footage showing him having sex with a friend's wife.
3/11/2016 • 4 minutes, 39 seconds
New Rule Changes Make the Emmys More Web Friendly
The Television Academy added or revised several Emmy categories to make the awards more inclusive of online, short-form content.
3/4/2016 • 4 minutes, 27 seconds
Oscar Weekend Approaches -- Finally!
Awards analyst Scott Feinberg joins us for one last Oscar banter before the big reveals on Sunday night.
2/26/2016 • 4 minutes, 41 seconds
Shake-up at ABC: Paul Lee Is Out and Channing Dungey Is In
Before this year, Paul Lee was having a pretty good run at ABC. But after losing a power struggle with his boss Ben Sherwood, Lee has stepped down as head of the network. Channing Dungey will replace him.
2/19/2016 • 4 minutes, 26 seconds
As Guilds All Pick a Different Winner, No Oscar Frontrunner
As Oscar voting opens tomorrow, the race remains unclear. Typically the various guild award ceremonies leading up to the big event are predictive of the winners, but this year, the three major guilds all went a different direction.
2/12/2016 • 4 minutes, 34 seconds
Sumner Redstone Resigns, What's Next for His Media Empire?
Media mogul Sumner Redstone has resigned as executive chairman of CBS and Viacom. Les Moonves will be the new executive chairman at CBS and Philippe Dauman will take the same position at Viacom.
2/5/2016 • 4 minutes, 35 seconds
Donald Trump and Fox News Do Battle over Debate Decision
Donald Trump and Fox News are at odds after Trump has said he will not participate in Thursday night's Republican debate following a snarky press release issued by Fox's Roger Ailes.
1/29/2016 • 4 minutes, 21 seconds
Sundance Preview and How to Make the Oscars More Diverse
Docs are hot at Sundance this year, and now that the Oscars are super white for the second year in a row, industry leaders are trying to figure out how to fix the problem.
1/22/2016 • 4 minutes, 37 seconds
Snubs and Surprises in 2016 Oscar Nominations
Oscar nominations are out, and even in a supposedly modern age, this year's nominees are strikingly white. Room got a surprising boost, while Straight Outta Compton was snubbed.
1/15/2016 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
Kevin Spacey and Dana Brunetti Will Run Relativity Media
In a move that surprised just about everyone in Hollywood, Ryan Kavanaugh announced that the new heads of his financially-troubled studio Relativity will be Kevin Spacey and Dana Brunetti.
1/8/2016 • 4 minutes, 1 second
It's Finally Time: 'Star Wars' Is Here
After executing an ambitious premiere earlier in the week, Star Wars opens wide tonight. There's no question the film will break box office records. The only thing left to wonder is exactly how big will it get?
12/18/2015 • 4 minutes, 42 seconds
SAG Award and Golden Globe Nominations Announced
In a surprise move, Trumbo leads SAG Award nominations and at the Golden Globes, digital rules the TV side.
12/11/2015 • 4 minutes, 37 seconds
Sumner Redstone's Mental Competency & the Fate of Viacom
Just before Thanksgiving, Sumner Redstone's ex-girlfriend filed court papers asking to be put in charge of his healthcare, saying that the 92-year-old mogul is mentally incompetent.
12/4/2015 • 4 minutes, 28 seconds
After 'The Hunger Games,' What's Next for Lionsgate?
The final installment of The Hunger Games opens this weekend. The independent studio Lionsgate has had huge success with that franchise as well as with Twilight. Now that those runs are over, what's the next step?
11/20/2015 • 4 minutes, 19 seconds
Disney's Bob Iger Gives LA NFL Stadium Project a Boost
Disney CEO Bob Iger has agreed to oversee a proposed football stadium project in Carson that could be the new home of the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders.
11/13/2015 • 4 minutes, 41 seconds
TV Networks Continue to Make Big Bets in Digital
Jon Stewart heads to HBO to do digital shorts and CBS will present a new Star Trek series on their streaming service CBS All Access.
11/6/2015 • 4 minutes, 27 seconds
Protests Call for NBC to Dump Trump as 'SNL' Host
NBC is facing growing protests calling for the network to pull Donald Trump as host from an upcoming episode of Saturday Night Live. Love him or hate him, Trump is proven ratings magnet, and it seems unlikely that NBC will rescind the offer.
10/29/2015 • 4 minutes, 26 seconds
Leonardo DiCaprio Shares Challenges of Making 'The Revenant'
Sleeping in animal carcasses, eating raw bison liver and swimming in freezing rivers were among just some of the difficult conditions Leonardo DiCaprio says he faced while filming Alejandro Iñárritu's new movie The Revenant.
10/22/2015 • 4 minutes, 35 seconds
'Pan' Flops, Makes a Rough Year Worse for Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. is looking at a possible $150 million loss on Pan, and now the studio faces more trouble with their very expensive upcoming Tarzan project.
10/15/2015 • 4 minutes, 15 seconds
With New Leadership, MTV Hopes to Reinvent Itself...Again
MTV's new president Sean Atkins comes from the digital side of Discovery.
10/1/2015 • 4 minutes, 41 seconds
In a Start to Fall TV, 'Empire' Reigns Supreme
Fall TV seemed off to a shaky start, and then Empire came back.
9/24/2015 • 4 minutes, 49 seconds
GOP Debate Breaks Ratings Records for CNN
Though there were other contenders involved as well, Donald Trump was no doubt the draw that has almost 23 million people tuning into CNN last night.
9/17/2015 • 4 minutes, 34 seconds
Stephen Colbert Returns to Television
Stephen Colbert is back, now as the host of The Late Show on CBS.
9/10/2015 • 4 minutes, 33 seconds
Steven Spielberg Negotiating New Deal for DreamWorks
Spielberg's DreamWorks likely to split from Disney and land at Universal.
9/3/2015 • 4 minutes, 38 seconds
A Stellar Summer at the Box Office, but Only for Two Studios
2015 has been a great summer at the movies...if you're Universal or Disney. For everyone else, it's rough out there.
8/27/2015 • 4 minutes, 42 seconds
'Straight Outta Compton' Adds to Universal's Winning Streak
Universal is having a stellar summer, and the box office success of Straight Outta Compton continues what has been a great run of diverse films in 2015.
8/20/2015 • 4 minutes, 17 seconds
'Sesame Street' Strikes a Deal with HBO
The newest talented duo to make their way to HBO are some guys named Bert and Ernie. Maybe you've heard of them? The iconic children's show, Sesame Street, made a five year deal to offer new episodes first on HBO. Episodes will still appear on PBS, though nine months later.
8/13/2015 • 4 minutes, 19 seconds
Media Stocks Take a Hit on Wall Street
Media companies took a shellacking on the stock market this week as investors start to worry that cord cutting may eat away at profits.
8/6/2015 • 4 minutes, 21 seconds
Relativity Files for Bankruptcy
For years Relativity's Ryan Kavanaugh said he was reinventing the movie business, but now the independent studio has filed for bankruptcy.
7/30/2015 • 4 minutes, 10 seconds
Cracking the Code to a Successful Sequel
In the least surprising news ever, Universal announced today that there will be a Jurassic World 2 hitting screens in June of 2018. Other recent franchise reboots like The Terminator have not seen the same kind of success.
7/23/2015 • 4 minutes, 21 seconds
Snubs and Surprises in 2015 Emmy Nominations
Emmy nominations were announced this morning, and once again critics were crying "snub!"-- but not as often as in previous years. Critics loved FX's The Americans and the CW's Jane the Virgin, but neither show received much attention from the TV Academy. At least actress Tatiana Maslany from Orphan Black finally got a nomination.
7/16/2015 • 4 minutes, 27 seconds
Comic-Con Kicks Off in San Diego
It's that time of year again. Comic book fans from around the world, many of them in costumes, descend on San Diego to meet their heroes of the industry and learn about upcoming movies and TV shows.
7/9/2015 • 4 minutes, 29 seconds
Trump Keeps Getting Dumped
Univision said they would drop Donald Trump's beauty pageants from their network after Trump made derogatory statements of Mexican immigrants during his announcement of his intention to run for president. Now, more and more businesses are cutting ties with the one-time host of the Celebrity Apprentice whose signature phrase was, of course, "You're fired."
7/2/2015 • 4 minutes, 25 seconds
Fortune Magazine Features In-Depth Report on Sony Hack
An exposé by Fortune magazine offers new revelations on the hack attack on Sony studios at the end of 2014. A six-month investigation by Peter Elkind found that security at Sony was lax and that Sony executives had been warned multiple times before the hack occurred.
6/25/2015 • 4 minutes, 44 seconds
Brian Williams Will Stay at NBC, but in a Demoted Role
NBC has announced that Brian Williams will be coming back, but not as the host of Nightly News. Instead he'll be reporting breaking news on MSNBC. Lester Holt, who has been filling in at Nightly News since Williams was suspended, will become the full-time anchor of the show.
6/18/2015 • 4 minutes, 22 seconds
Rupert Murdoch's Plan of Succession Emerges
Rupert Murdoch has announced he will step down from his position as chief executive at 21st Century Fox. His son James will take his position, while Rupert Murdoch will remain an executive chairman at the company. Murdoch's other son, Lachlan, will become co-executive chairman.
6/11/2015 • 4 minutes, 44 seconds
John Malone Looks for Even More Ways to Consolidate
Billionaire cable mogul John Malone has recently re-emerged from retirement. After negotiating a merger between Charter Communications and Time Warner Cable, Malone is now eyeing even more media consolidation opportunities.
6/4/2015 • 4 minutes, 54 seconds
TLC Lands in 19 Kinds of Hot Water...and Counting
Advertisers are fleeing from the TLC show 19 Kids and Counting following a scandal involving the show's oldest son, Josh Duggar. The network has put the show on hold temporarily, but has not officially cancelled it.
5/28/2015 • 4 minutes, 23 seconds
At Cannes, Some Strong Performances, but No Breakout Film
Matthew Belloni has just returned from Cannes, where several actors were lauded for memorable performances, but there was no consensus about a breakout film of the festival. Netflix's Ted Sarandos gave a keynote, but was heckled by a French journalist who said he company was destroying the film eco-system.
5/21/2015 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
At 2015 Network TV Upfronts, What's Old Is New Again
If you were a fan of network television in the 90's, you're in a luck. Some of those shows are coming back. From Coach to The X-Files to The Muppets, reboots and returns were recurring theme at this year's upfront presentations in New York.
5/14/2015 • 4 minutes, 27 seconds
As Avengers Approaches, Box Office Prepares for Huge Weekend
The Avengers: Age of Ultron will make a giant splash at theaters this weekend, possibly even breaking records and cementing itself as yet another blockbuster for Disney and Marvel. Warner Bros and DC Comics on the other hand, is struggling to find an effective master of their universe.
4/30/2015 • 4 minutes, 41 seconds
Hits at CinemaCon 2015 Include Tom Cruise and 'Inside Out'
Matt Belloni reports on his visit to CinemaCon in Las Vegas, or as he calls it, "Comic-Con for guys in suits." Visitors to the annual gathering of movie theater owners saw presentations from studios touting their slates of upcoming films.
4/23/2015 • 4 minutes, 28 seconds
Fans Go Wild at Release of New 'Star Wars' Teaser
A new teaser for Star Wars: The Force Awakens had fans in pandemonium at today's Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim. The movie doesn't open until December, but it's already predicted to break records at the box office.
4/16/2015 • 4 minutes, 51 seconds
Tough Times for Viacom
The company that owns cable networks like Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central and the film studio Paramount Pictures has recently taken a $785 million hit to their bottom line. Sumner Redstone, 91-year-old majority owner of Viacom, did not appear at the last shareholders meeting, leaving many to wonder if the company is primed for a potential merger.
4/9/2015 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
Major Talent Agency Shake-up as 10 CAA Agents Move to UTA
The heads of CAA's comedy division, along with several other agents, have suddenly left Creative Artists Agency for rival United Talent Agency, taking with them big-name clients like Will Ferrell, Chris Pratt and Melissa McCarthy.
4/2/2015 • 4 minutes, 24 seconds
James Corden Charms Late Night; So Long to Downton Abbey
American television abounds with British stars both coming and going. After six seasons, PBS will say farewell to Downton Abbey, and James Corden wraps up a successful first week as the new host of The Late Late Show on CBS.
3/26/2015 • 4 minutes, 28 seconds
Fox's 'Empire' Continues Its Meteoric Rise
The hip-hop soap opera Empire has been a ratings savior for Fox. The show has grown in viewership numbers every week, with especially strong showings in the African American demographic. More than 17 million people tuned in to the second hour of last night's season finale.
3/19/2015 • 4 minutes, 26 seconds
MPAA Reports Box Office Revenue Down in US
The MPAA's box office numbers for 2014 are in, and the news isn't great. Box office revenue fell 5 percent in the U.S. and Canada. Global revenue was up 1 percent, mostly because of gains in China.
3/12/2015 • 4 minutes, 25 seconds
Jury Hears Closing Arguments in "Blurred Lines" Trial
The second week of the "Blurred Lines" trial continues, with closing arguments slated for this afternoon. The trial has revealed information typically not revealed to the public -- just how much money the song's creators made off the hit.
3/6/2015 • 4 minutes, 40 seconds
Tom Rothman Named New Sony Pictures Chairman
The big question following Amy Pascal's post-hack attack departure at Sony was who would replace her. We now have an answer. Veteran film exec Tom Rothman will be the new chair of Sony Pictures, which has some in Hollywood worried because Rothman has been extremely fiscally disciplined in the past.
2/27/2015 • 4 minutes, 33 seconds
A Final Oscars Preview
Scott Feinberg, lead awards analyst for the Hollywood Reporter, joins Kim Masters for one last Hollywood Breakdown before the Academy Awards. Some major categories seem to have been largely decided, but others are more up in the air.
2/20/2015 • 4 minutes, 49 seconds
'Fifty Shades of Grey' Expected to Dominate the Box Office
The first movie in the trilogy based on EL James' books will open to huge numbers this weekend. In the making of the film, power dynamics weren't just a part of the on-screen performances, James and director Sam Taylor-Johnson had their own set of arguments behind the scenes.
2/13/2015 • 4 minutes, 27 seconds
Amy Pascal Out as Co-Chairman at Sony
In a move that's been widely expected following the Sony hack attack at the end of 2014, Amy Pascal is stepping down from the top creative role at the studio.
2/6/2015 • 4 minutes, 26 seconds
Huge Hits in 'American Sniper' and 'Empire'
There's one film and one TV show dominating conversations and scoring huge numbers right now. Clint Eastwood's American Sniper is breaking records at the box office and Fox's Empire is doing the same on broadcast television.
1/30/2015 • 4 minutes, 42 seconds
Setting Off for Sundance
Sundance kicks off tonight, and we're on our way to the annual indie film festival in Park City. This year there will be more buyers than ever as digital services like Amazon get in the theatrical game. Plus, some documentaries are already making waves before they've even premiered.
1/23/2015 • 4 minutes, 26 seconds
Oscar Nominations Lack Diversity
The 2015 Oscar nominations are out, and the nominees are overwhelmingly male and overwhelmingly white. Director Ava DuVernay is seen as one of the major snubs. While her film, Selma, was nominated for Best Picture, the movie received no other nominations except Best Song.
1/16/2015 • 4 minutes, 20 seconds
Over the Top Dominates at 2015 TCA's
The semi-annual gathering of the Television Critics Association begins in Pasadena this week. Some of the more anticipated presentations are still yet to happen, but the focus of this winter's get-together seems to be the proliferation of over the top streaming services that especially appeal to a younger, more cord-cutting generation.
1/9/2015 • 4 minutes, 38 seconds
Sony Pulls the Plug on 'The Interview'
The situation at Sony isn't getting better any time soon. Following a threat of physical violence from the hackers, now believed to somehow involve North Korea, many theater owners said they would not show The Interview. Now, Sony has said they will not release the film in theaters at all, or via VOD.
12/19/2014 • 4 minutes, 21 seconds
Golden Globes Snubs, Damage from Sony Hack Mounts
No major surprises with Golden Globe nominations this year, but big snubs include Angelina Jolie's Unbroken and Christopher Nolan's Interstellar. On the TV side, the nominated comedies are more serious shows. Plus, the leaks from the hack at Sony continue to wreak havoc.
12/12/2014 • 3 minutes, 31 seconds
Sony Hack Leaves Studio Reeling
An attack by hackers on Sony Pictures has leaked movies online, revealed personal employee data like salaries and passwords and left the company paralyzed, unable to access email and voicemails.
12/5/2014 • 4 minutes, 25 seconds
Cosby Fallout Continues as Allegations Mount
Bill Cosby continues to find himself in the midst of a public relations debacle as more women come forward accusing him of sexual assault and Netflix and NBC drop Cosby-related projects.
11/21/2014 • 4 minutes, 30 seconds
Sony Introduces Streaming TV Service with PlayStation Vue
As the media landscape continues to shift, cable cord cutters will soon have yet another option to access programming. Sony's announced they'll be getting into the web-based TV game with a new service called PlayStation Vue, which will stream shows through a PlayStation console.
11/14/2014 • 4 minutes, 33 seconds
Alibaba's Jack Ma Visits Hollywood
Executives across Hollywood hoped for face time with the founder of Alibaba and one of the richest men in China on his visit to Southern California. Jack Ma's company may be opening an office in Los Angeles, but what kind of partnerships he's looking to form in Hollywood remains to be seen.
11/7/2014 • 4 minutes, 44 seconds
Marvel Announces Latest Slate of Movies
Marvel hosted a fan-filled event this week announcing the dates and titles of their upcoming superhero movies through 2019. One of those films will be 2017's Black Panther starring Chadwick Boseman, making Marvel the first studio to have an African American superhero.
10/30/2014 • 4 minutes, 42 seconds
NBCUniversal Settles Lawsuit with Former 'SNL' Interns
NBCUniversal will pay $6.4 million to settle a lawsuit with former Saturday Night Live interns who claim the network violated labor laws. Other intern-related lawsuits with media companies like Fox, Sony and Warner Bros. are still pending.
10/23/2014 • 4 minutes, 17 seconds
TV Unbundles as HBO and CBS Announce New Streaming Services
One day after HBO announced they will start to offer an online subscription streaming service that will not require a cable package, CBS came out with some news of their own. Streaming service "CBS All Access" is the first foray by a traditional broadcaster into the world of offering a live feed over the web via subscription.
10/16/2014 • 4 minutes, 25 seconds
Talent Agency Resolution to Close
Resolution, the fledgling talent agency founded by Jeff Berg, will cease operations. The agency lacked major stars and the television packaging fees, making it tough to keep up with more established competitors.
10/9/2014 • 4 minutes, 30 seconds
Netflix Deals Shake Up Film Release Patterns
Netflix and IMAX announced this week they'll simultaneously release a sequel to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. But the theater owners who have control of most of the IMAX screens in the country say that won't play the film. Adam Sandler also has a new deal with Netflix. He'll release four films through the online streaming service.
10/2/2014 • 4 minutes, 35 seconds
Audiences Showing Up for Fall TV
In the age of cable, DVRs and streaming services, the idea of a fall TV season might seem dated. But this year, the broadcast networks are showing they still have some kick as plenty of viewers are tuning in to sample new shows.
9/25/2014 • 4 minutes, 19 seconds
So Long to 'Longmire'
The cable channel A&E canceled the show Longmire after three seasons, but not because it didn't have enough viewers. In fact, the show about a Wyoming sheriff was the network's second most popular after Duck Dynasty. The problem was it had the wrong kind of audience.
9/11/2014 • 4 minutes, 34 seconds
Remembering Joan Rivers
The groundbreaking comic Joan Rivers died at age 81, after losing consciousness during vocal cord surgery last week. Rivers was an enormously successful, constantly working comic who paved the way for women in the comedy world.
9/4/2014 • 4 minutes, 35 seconds
California Film Tax Credits Get a Boost
In an effort to stop runaway production, Governor Jerry Brown said he would approve a $330 million deal that would triple the tax credits available for films and TV shows shot in California.
8/28/2014 • 4 minutes, 30 seconds
As Emmys Approach, More Grumbling About Categories
The Emmys are this Monday, and while the excitement is building, there's also some dissatisfaction with certain shows like True Detective and Orange Is The New Black competing in categories where perhaps they don't objectively belong.
8/21/2014 • 4 minutes, 25 seconds
Advertisers Spending Less Than Expected on Fall TV
Upfront commitments for television advertisements are down this year for the first time since 2009. And it's not just the broadcast networks that are taking a hit — ad spending for cable is down 4.7 percent. Even though total upfront advertising spending fell 6.1 percent, there's still $18,125 billion in ad dollars confirmed for fall television.
8/14/2014 • 4 minutes, 26 seconds
Fox Officially Drops Time Warner Bid
Rupert Murdoch withdrew his offer to buy Time Warner, but the media company continues to appear to make itself attractive to potential buyers, including a Warner Bros announcement of nine new superhero movies through 2020.
8/7/2014 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
Dodgers Doing Great on the Field, Still Troubled on TV
Most Angelenos still can't watch their hometown baseball team on television because Time Warner Cable hasn't been able to sell the Dodgers channel SportsNet LA to other distributors.
7/31/2014 • 4 minutes, 25 seconds
Studios Making Superheroes For This World and Beyond
Marvel has enjoyed spectacular success building out an entire universe with their characters. Now, other movie studios are trying to do the same.
7/24/2014 • 4 minutes, 41 seconds
21st Century Fox Tries to Buy Time Warner
Murdoch makes an $80 billion offer, Time Warner says no thanks... for now.
7/17/2014 • 4 minutes, 26 seconds
Emmy Nominations Announced, 'Game of Thrones' Tops the List
A strong showing for Game of Thrones, Fargo and Breaking Bad at this year's Emmy nominations, but a snub for critics' favorite Orphan Black.
7/10/2014 • 4 minutes, 28 seconds
'Midnight Rider' Director and Producers Indicted in Death of Sarah Jones
Following the death of camera assistant Sarah Jones, a grand jury in Georgia has indicted Midnight Rider director Randall Miller and producers Jody Savin and Jay Sedrish on charges of involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespass.
7/3/2014 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
Paramount's High Hopes for 'Transformers' Opening in China
Paramount hopes for a piece of China's booming movie market with 'Transformers: Age of Extinction.'
6/26/2014 • 4 minutes, 45 seconds
Chelsea Handler to host Talk Show and Specials for Netflix
Kim Masters and Matt Belloni discuss Chelsea Handler's Late Night Talk show moving to Netflix in 2016.
6/19/2014 • 4 minutes, 42 seconds
Time Warner's Disappointing Summer Box Office
Kim Masters and Michael Schneider discuss Warner Bros’ big-swing strategy and hopes for the future.
6/12/2014 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
Tom Cruise and 'Edge of Tomorrow'
Can Tom Cruise get a hit with Edge of Tomorrow?
6/5/2014 • 4 minutes, 35 seconds
Kevin Reilly Out at Fox
Fox Entertainment Chairman, Kevin Reilly, is leaving his place at the top of the FOX network.
5/29/2014 • 4 minutes, 22 seconds
Recreating Paul Walker for 'Fast & Furious 7'
Kim Masters, host of KCRW’s The Business, breaks down Hollywood's top stories.
5/22/2014 • 4 minutes, 37 seconds
Trends at the 2014 Broadcast TV UpFronts
Kim Masters and Michael Schneider discuss the trends in the new TV shows presented by the broadcast networks to advertisers this week.
5/15/2014 • 4 minutes, 43 seconds
Hollywood Boycotts Beverly Hills Hotel
Kim and John discuss Hollywood's boycott of the Beverly Hills and Bel Air Hotels. Both are owned by an arm of the Brunei government which recently instituted Sharia law.
5/8/2014 • 4 minutes, 28 seconds
The New Frontier of Online Shows
A plethora of programming yields pay questions.
5/1/2014 • 4 minutes, 20 seconds
Aereo Confounds the High Court
Kim and John discuss the Aereo case, now before the Supreme Court.
4/24/2014 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
Glenn Beck and Oliver North Go Hollywood (sort of)
Two conservatives made entertainment news this week.
4/17/2014 • 4 minutes, 35 seconds
CBS Goes for the Colbert Bump
Stephen Colbert to replace David Letterman on "Late Show."
4/10/2014 • 4 minutes, 19 seconds
David Letterman to Retire
David Letterman announces his retirement.
4/3/2014 • 4 minutes, 42 seconds
The Directors' Oscar Race
3/28/2014 • 4 minutes, 30 seconds
Disney Buys Lucas Film
Disney is the new home of "Star Wars"....
3/28/2014 • 4 minutes, 39 seconds
News from CinemaCon
News from the theater owners' convention, CinemaCon
3/27/2014 • 4 minutes, 23 seconds
YA Novels at the Multiplex
'Divergent' is the latest young adult novel to become a movie.
3/20/2014 • 4 minutes, 38 seconds
Anne Sweeney Leaves Disney/ABC
Anne Sweeney leaves Disney/ABC to be a TV director.
3/13/2014 • 4 minutes, 35 seconds
Fatality on a Film Set Galvanizes the Industry
The 'Midnight Rider' tragedy and safety on film shoots.
3/7/2014 • 4 minutes, 22 seconds
The Oscars, and Sandra Bullock's 'Gravity' Grosses
The Oscar race, and Sandra Bullock's big pay day.
2/28/2014 • 4 minutes, 35 seconds
NBC, the Olympics and Fallon
NBC's cost versus benefit of the Olympics.
2/21/2014 • 4 minutes, 37 seconds
Oscar-nominated Song Pulled from Competition
Kim and John discuss a first in the history of the Academy Awards.
1/31/2014 • 4 minutes, 34 seconds
Sundance 2014
Kim Masters and Ben Fritz, reporter for The Wall Street Journal, discuss films at this year's Sundance Film Festival.
1/24/2014 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
Oscar Nominations
Today the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced this year's Oscar nominations.
1/17/2014 • 4 minutes, 21 seconds
'The Wolf of Wall St:' Truth or Fiction
The ethics of basing movies on true stories.
1/10/2014 • 4 minutes, 36 seconds
'Duck Dynasty' Debacle
'Duck Dynasty' star ignites a culture war.
12/20/2013 • 4 minutes, 28 seconds
The Awards' Race Takes Shape
SAG and Golden Globe nominations ring in awards season.
12/13/2013 • 4 minutes, 41 seconds
Paul Walker's Death
Kim and John discuss how the "Fast & Furious" film franchise will be impacted by the tragic, untimely death of the film's star, Paul Walker.
12/6/2013 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
Big Changes at Sony
A sign of troubled times in the movie biz: Sony plans major cost-cutting moves.
11/22/2013 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
The Violence of the PG-13 Movie
A new study finds PG-13 movies more violent.
11/15/2013 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
Blockbuster Stores Close as Netflix Expands
As the last of the brick and mortar Blockbuster stores are closing, Netflix is expanding, acquiring rights to a new documentary and a deal to make 4 new TV-like series.
11/8/2013 • 4 minutes, 36 seconds
Hillary and Hollywood
Hillary Clinton and her Hollywood backers...
10/31/2013 • 4 minutes, 28 seconds
Awards Race Opens as Movies Shuffle out of 2013
Kim and John discuss news that a number of high-profile films
that had been on Oscar watchers' lists as possible contenders this year have
been pushed back to 2014.
10/24/2013 • 4 minutes, 40 seconds
Troubles on Aronofsky's Movie Noah
Troubled Waters on Aronofsky's epic movie Noah
10/17/2013 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
Twitter & TV
Social TV: Twitter Talks Television
10/10/2013 • 4 minutes, 20 seconds
Shake-up at Focus Features
Focus Features gets a new head and perhaps a new mandate.
10/3/2013 • 4 minutes, 40 seconds
LA Gets a Film Czar
Mayor Eric Garcetti names Tom Sherak LA's first Film Czar.
9/26/2013 • 4 minutes, 39 seconds
J.K. Rowling's New Hollywood Deal
Warner Bros will re-partner with J.K. Rowling...
9/12/2013 • 4 minutes, 19 seconds
The Toronto International Film Festival Begins
Goings on in Toronto as TIFF begins.
9/5/2013 • 4 minutes, 35 seconds
Fall Film Festivals
Awards films hit the Fall festivals...
8/29/2013 • 4 minutes, 24 seconds
Summer 2013's Indie Hits
From Woody Allen to Lee Daniels, indie filmmakers' Summer hits.
8/22/2013 • 4 minutes, 20 seconds
Fox Sports One and Al Jazeera Launch
Two new cable networks are launching: Fox Sports One and Al Jazeera America.
8/15/2013 • 4 minutes, 20 seconds
NBC and CNN Face Wrath over Hillary
NBC and CNN are widely criticized over Hillary Clinton program plans.
8/8/2013 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
Summer 2013: Season of Box Office Bombs
Expensive Movies Bust
7/25/2013 • 4 minutes, 21 seconds
Emmy Nominations Highlights
A look at the Emmy nominations, which run from Netflix to broadcast to cable...
7/18/2013 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
Fallout from 'The Lone Ranger' Flop
What does "The Lone Ranger Flop" mean for Hollywood?
7/11/2013 • 4 minutes, 30 seconds
Paula Deen: The Collision between Reality and Reality TV
Kim and John weigh in on the meltdown of the Paula Deen empire.
6/27/2013 • 4 minutes, 23 seconds
World War Z v. Monsters University
Kim is rejoined by John Horn of the LA Times to break down the upcoming box office showdown between zombies and monsters.
6/20/2013 • 4 minutes, 17 seconds
Spielberg and Lucas Predict Doom for Movie Biz
Spielberg criticizes the movie business for making outsized films that, if they fail, could take down a studio or two in its wake.
6/13/2013 • 4 minutes, 40 seconds
Will Smith's Rare Miss
Will Smith, M. Knight Shyamalan and Sony may all lose from the "After Earth" stumble.
6/6/2013 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
Summer's Movie Match-ups and Are Movie Trailers Too Long?
The National Association of Theater Owners want studios to cut their trailers. Meanwhile, studios go head-to-head with Summer blockbusters.
5/30/2013 • 4 minutes, 26 seconds
Highlights from the Cannes Film Festival
Highs and lows from the Cannes Film Festival.
5/23/2013 • 4 minutes, 21 seconds
The Low Down on the 2013 Upfronts
How the broadcast TV networks' presented their new Fall shows.
5/16/2013 • 4 minutes, 34 seconds
Will Robert Downey, Jr. Reprise His Iron Man Role?
Have we seen the last of Robert Downey, Jr. as Iron Man?
5/9/2013 • 4 minutes, 40 seconds
What's Up at the NewFronts?
Creators of online video entertainment woo advertisers.
5/2/2013 • 4 minutes, 17 seconds
Hollywood's Efforts to Break into China
Kim and John break down the risks and rewards of making movies for the the Chinese market.
4/25/2013 • 4 minutes, 49 seconds
The Media's Rush to Report on Boston Bombers
CNN and other media outlets err when rushing to report arrests.
4/18/2013 • 4 minutes, 22 seconds
Aereo Has Moguls Up in Arms
A New York start-up threatens broadcast television.
4/11/2013 • 4 minutes, 26 seconds
Leno, Fallon, and Colbert
Fallon to replace Leno but Colbert big winner
4/4/2013 • 4 minutes, 19 seconds
Barbara Walters Reportedly Set to Retire
KCRW's Steve Chiotakis and Michael Schneider (TV Guide magazine) discuss reports that veteran ABC News personality Barbara Walters is set to announce her retirement.
3/28/2013 • 4 minutes, 46 seconds
Leno Out and Fallon In
3/21/2013 • 4 minutes, 40 seconds
Kickstarter Kick Starts Veronica Mars Movie
A crowd-funding website that has been used to bring art projects, documentaries and inventions to fruition, has kick started the budget for a movie by Hollywood insiders.
3/14/2013 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
Fox Hopes to Rival ESPN
NewsCorp has announced plans to launch Fox Sports 1, its answer to ESPN.
3/8/2013 • 4 minutes, 43 seconds
Oscars' Ratings Up; VFX Artists Snubbed
While Oscar ratings were up, the VFX Community was up-in-arms.
3/1/2013 • 4 minutes, 19 seconds
The Oscars Are (Finally) Here
Kim and John weigh in on what's been a lengthy, expensive Oscar campaign season. They also discuss the Academy's play to bring younger audiences to the telecast.
2/22/2013 • 4 minutes, 19 seconds
VFX Business in Trouble
Troubles in the VFX business.
2/15/2013 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
Sundance Sales Were Sailing
John Horn, freshly back from the Sundance Film Festival, talks with Kim about the state of the film market there.
1/25/2013 • 4 minutes, 47 seconds
The Gun Debate and Hollywood
While the country engages around the gun debate and what to do about gun violence some in Hollywood are getting self-reflective while others are deflecting. Kim speaks with John who is in Park City for the Sundance Film Festival. He reports that in his opening remarks, Festival found Robert Redford raised the issue of whether his industry believes that guns will sell tickets. Meanwhile, they talk about a recent contentious interview Quentin Tarantino gave to a UK outlet during which he refused to answer questions about violence in his films. It remains to be seen how and if Hollywood writ large will take any action on the issue.
1/18/2013 • 4 minutes, 24 seconds
2012's Big Box Office and the Oscar E-Voting Snafu
Last year ended with lots of people having gone to the movies. Today AMPAS ends its voting window with many a member having trouble with the new e-voting system.
1/4/2013 • 4 minutes, 45 seconds
Zero Dark Thirty v. Lincoln
Two Hollywood movies vying for awards contention have been making waves in Washington, DC.
12/21/2012 • 4 minutes, 40 seconds
Golden Globes v. SAG Awards
Kim and John discuss how the Golden Globe nominations compare to others -- namely those of the SAG nominations which were announced yesterday.
12/14/2012 • 4 minutes, 40 seconds
Disney Deals Big Hand to Netflix
Kim and John discuss the big deal that Netflix did with the Walt Disney Company to carry that studio's content exclusively starting in 2016. This moves Netflix from a company that overpays for old movies and television reruns to a player in the VOD space. Netflix is hoping with this news and the launch of some original programming -- namely the David Fincher produced/Kevin Spacey starring House of Cards -- they will turn their stock price and their subscriber numbers around.
12/7/2012 • 4 minutes, 33 seconds
BBC Scandal Rocks the UK
Why was a BBC expose of decades of child molestation by a now deceased talk show host never aired? Why did the BBC wrongly accuse an MP of being a pedophile?
11/16/2012 • 4 minutes, 36 seconds
Election Night TV Watching
Kim and John break down the way we are watching on Election Night.
11/9/2012 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
Politics and Movies
Dueling political documentaries are in the news...
10/25/2012 • 4 minutes, 53 seconds
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler v. Seth MacFarlane
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will co-host the Golden Globes, a throw-down to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences' Oscar telecast...
10/18/2012 • 4 minutes, 42 seconds
Variety Gets Bought
This week, Penske Media, the company that owns deadline.com, bought Variety. We reflect on the trade publication's history and the future of this Hollywood institution.
10/11/2012 • 4 minutes, 46 seconds
Ron Burkle v. the New Yorker
Kim and John discuss a new New Yorker article about billionaire Ron Burkle and his relationships in Hollywood....
10/4/2012 • 4 minutes, 42 seconds
Lack of Diversity among TV Directors
The Directors Guild of America released a report today analyzing the percentage of directors working in television.
9/27/2012 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
The Anti-Islam Movie: Not a Hollywood Film
The movie at the center of the attacks in the Middle East was not a Hollywood film, but it does expose the secret world of super low-budget filmmaking.
9/13/2012 • 4 minutes, 37 seconds
Bummer Summer Box Office Numbers
The numbers for the summer movie theater ticket sales are in and the news isn't good for Hollywood studios.
9/6/2012 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
Fall Film Festivals
John and Kim discuss the beginning of the fall film festival season, which premieres some potential awards contenders like 'Argo' and 'The Master.'
8/30/2012 • 4 minutes, 48 seconds
The Academy Awards Kerfuffle
Every year the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences struggles to put on a compelling show for the Oscars and it often hinges on getting a great host and a producer willing to take on the gargantuan task. Until this week it looked like Lorne Michels of SNL was going to produce the next show and Jimmy Fallon was going to host but that plan has been thwarted. Bob Iger-- the chairman of The Walt Disney Company which owns ABC -- the network that will broadcast the Oscars-- has put his foot down about having NBC talent hosting and producing a show on his network.
8/9/2012 • 4 minutes, 37 seconds
Olympics Business
Kim and John break down the highs and lows of NBC's coverage of the London Olympics.
8/2/2012 • 4 minutes, 19 seconds
Modern Family's Contract Dispute
John Horn talks with ATC host Steve Chiotakis about the contract dispute between the "Modern Family" cast and the studio that produces the show.
This week has been full of the Television Critics Association meetings where TV talent and executives met with critics to get them excited about their new shows and to answer questions about their business. One looming question is: What will happen with ABC's hit comedy "Modern Family?" The cast members claim that both ABC-- the network that broadcasts the show-- and 20th Century Fox-- the studio the produces the show-- are making lots of money and some of that is due to the cast.
7/26/2012 • 4 minutes, 43 seconds
The Dark Knight's Dark Night
Kim and John respond to the massacre at the midnight showing of 'The Dark Knight Rises' in Aurora, Colorado.
7/21/2012 • 5 minutes, 1 second
Emmy Nominations Reveal Trend
Kim and John break down the Emmy nominations that were announced today.
7/19/2012 • 4 minutes, 40 seconds
Direct TV v. Viacom
There's been another clash in the cable/satellite provider versus content creator wars. This time it's Direct TV and Viacom.
7/12/2012 • 4 minutes, 42 seconds
Tom Cruise in the News
Kim and John discuss the business side of the Tom Cruise-Katie Holmes divorce.
7/5/2012 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
News Corp Will Split in Two
John Horn of the Los Angeles Times talks with All Things Considered host Steve Chiotakis about the announcement that News Corp. will split into two separate companies.
6/28/2012 • 4 minutes, 28 seconds
The Movie Haves and Have-Nots
Of the summer movies this year there's 'The Avengers' and then everyone else.
6/21/2012 • 4 minutes, 35 seconds
The Glass House
Kim and Michael Schneider, LA Bureau Chief of TV Guide Magazine, discuss CBS's accusations that ABC has ripped off 'Big Brother' for its new show "Glass House."
6/14/2012 • 4 minutes, 30 seconds
Ari Emanuel Speaks Out on Piracy
Earlier this week, uber agent Ari Emanuel framed the online piracy issue as a division between Hollywood content creators and Silicon Valley Internet search providers.
6/7/2012 • 4 minutes, 33 seconds
Alan Horn Named New Head of Disney
Veteran movie executive, Alan Horn, was named Chairman and CEO of the Walt Disney Studios.
5/31/2012 • 4 minutes, 27 seconds
MIB3 in 3-D versus 'The Intouchables'
Memorial Day weekend sees the return of Will Smith versus a little French film.
5/24/2012 • 4 minutes, 27 seconds
Upfronts Upshot
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Kim and John talk about the highs and lows of
the television upfronts...
5/17/2012 • 4 minutes, 39 seconds
Hollywood, Gay Rights and Obama
Although tonight’s $40,000 a plate fundraiser is sold-out, President Barack Obama’s public support of gay marriage has galvanized Hollywood donors.
5/10/2012 • 4 minutes, 25 seconds
Murdoch Unfit to Run NewsCorp
Kim and John discuss the report issued by the U.K. parliament's Culture, Media and Sport Committee on NewsCorp that deemed Rupert Murdoch "unfit" to run the company.
5/3/2012 • 4 minutes, 55 seconds
Bribery Scandals Abound
The latest in the News Corp scandal in the UK, and the SEC looking at whether Hollywood studios possibility used bribes to gain access to the Chinese film market.
4/26/2012 • 4 minutes, 20 seconds
Hollywood Makes Inroads in China
The Chinese-Hollywood connection gains another dimension. Disney's Marvel will co-produce "Iron Man 3" with a Chinese production company.
4/19/2012 • 4 minutes, 49 seconds
Gary Ross Will Not Direct 'Hunger Games' Sequel
Kim and John discuss how "Hunger Games" director Gary Ross with not be back to direct the sequel, "Catching Fire."
4/12/2012 • 4 minutes, 35 seconds
'Titanic' Returns to Theaters
James Cameron has retrofitted his blockbuster film "Titanic" into a 3D version. He and Paramount are poised to make a bundle on the international market.
4/5/2012 • 4 minutes, 41 seconds
'Bully' Will Be Released Unrated
Kim and John discuss the decision by the Weinstein Company to release the documentary film, Bully, unrated rather than use the R-rating that the MPAA gave it.
3/29/2012 • 4 minutes, 45 seconds
MPAA Report on Global Box Office
Kim and John discuss the MPAA's newly released report, "2011 Theatrical Market Statistics" on the latest box office and movie attendance trends.
3/22/2012 • 4 minutes, 47 seconds
The Cancellation of HBO's 'Luck'
3/15/2012 • 4 minutes, 40 seconds
Steven Spielberg's Very Bad Week
Steven Spielberg is not having a good week. Three of his TV series are in trouble and his forthcoming movie is generating "tepid interest" at best.
3/9/2012 • 4 minutes, 24 seconds
Oscars Post-Mortem
Reflections on the lackluster vibe of the Oscars and banter over what the Academy could or would be willing to do to make the telecast more appealing to viewers.
3/2/2012 • 4 minutes, 46 seconds
Oscar Voters and The Nominees
A recent LA Times article on the Motion Picture Academy raises questions on how its demographics could affect the films that get recognized by the Oscars.
2/24/2012 • 4 minutes, 56 seconds
How Hollywood Handles Its Stars
In the wake of Whitney Houston's death, Kim and John banter about the way some stars are surrounded by people who don't have their well-being forefront in their minds.
2/17/2012 • 4 minutes, 44 seconds
Box Office Numbers Up
Movie theater box office numbers are up and Hollywood is hopeful that, like the economy, it's showing signs of life. So far this year there have been three huge hits...
2/10/2012 • 4 minutes, 43 seconds
SOPA in Trouble
Kim and John discuss the latest steps in the fight over how to stop piracy on the Internet.
1/20/2012 • 4 minutes, 51 seconds
SOPA Pits Hollywood against Silicon Valley
Studios are desperate to prevent the pirating of their films and TV shows online, but big Internet companies say that it's an infringement on their rights.
1/13/2012 • 4 minutes, 20 seconds
The Tom Cruise Comeback
After a couple movies that didn't do so well and some negative PR, some in Hollywood questioned the future of this once mega-star. With Mission Impossible 4, he's back.
1/6/2012 • 4 minutes, 45 seconds
Hollywood Needs a Visionary
Kim and John reflect on the state of the entertainment industry and how, after the death of Steve Jobs, it desperately needs a visionary.
12/30/2011 • 4 minutes, 28 seconds
Year End Box Office
2011 is ending with box office returns higher but only because of ticket price hikes. Actual attendance atobie theaters is down. This has everyone in the movie business worried.
12/23/2011 • 4 minutes, 41 seconds
Golden Globe and SAG Award Nominations
Kim and John banter about the nominations for the Golden Globes and the SAG Awards and how predictive these could be in the Oscar race.
12/16/2011 • 4 minutes, 43 seconds
David Denby v. Scott Rudin
Kim and John discuss the dust-up between producer Scott Rudin and film critic David Denby, over violation of an agreement to hold the review until the movie's release.
12/9/2011 • 4 minutes, 37 seconds
Hollywood's Awards Season Begins
Now's the time of year when Hollywood is abuzz with awards campaigning,
so Kim and John take a look at what films and performances seem to be
getting the most traction.
12/2/2011 • 4 minutes, 55 seconds
Ricky Gervais Is Back!
Despite his jokes that some found "mean spirited" in last year's Golden Globe Awards, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association says Ricky Gervais will be back in 2012.
11/18/2011 • 4 minutes, 3 seconds
The Oscars Upheaval
After Brett Ratner’s gay slur and revelations about his sex life, he and and Eddie Murphy are out, Brian Grazer and Billy Crystal are in…
11/11/2011 • 4 minutes, 7 seconds
R.I.P. Gil Cates
This week Hollywood lost a beloved member of the family. Kim and John reflect on the career of Gil Cates' and his impact on the industry...
11/3/2011 • 4 minutes, 34 seconds
Apple TV? Direct TV versus Fox
Kim and John talk about Steve Jobs' claim that he'd cracked the code to create a TV that integrates with all digital devices. Also, the Fox-Direct TV conflict.
10/27/2011 • 4 minutes, 47 seconds
The State of News Corp and the Murdoch Family
Tomorrow News Corp. will hold its annual shareholder meeting on the Fox lot in Los Angeles. In the wake of the phone hacking scandal in the UK, the Murdochs are under fire...
10/20/2011 • 4 minutes, 34 seconds
Two Entertainment Giants Reverse Course
Netflix drops plans to split off its DVD-by-mail service. Universal scraps plans to release Tower Heist, on premium VOD a mere three weeks after its theater release...
10/13/2011 • 4 minutes, 46 seconds
Steve Jobs' Impact on Hollywood
Kim and John look at some of how Steve Jobs impacted the entertainment business, namely his legacy with Pixar....
10/7/2011 • 4 minutes, 29 seconds
3-D Glasses Dust-Up
Sony studio has decided to no longer pay for 3-D glasses. Will other studios may follow suit? Kim the LA Times’ Rebecca Keegan take on the latest dust-up in the movie world.
9/29/2011 • 4 minutes, 14 seconds
Emmy Predictions
This coming Sunday the 63rd Annual Emmy Awards will air on Fox with actress Jane Lynch hosting...
9/15/2011 • 4 minutes, 21 seconds
Fall Festivals in Full Swing
John joins Kim from the 38th Telluride Film Festival for a conversation on the current climate for distributors and the buzz on potential Oscar contenders....
9/1/2011 • 4 minutes, 29 seconds
The Hollywood-China Connection
Hollywood studios' efforts to forge co-productions with China...
8/25/2011 • 4 minutes, 19 seconds
Is 'Mad Men' Murdering 'The Walking Dead?'
Show-runner Frank Darabont, the goings on at AMC and how the big contract with Mad Men may or may not have played a role in what's happening with these other shows...
8/4/2011 • 4 minutes, 28 seconds
The Latest in the Murdoch Scandal
Kim and John discuss the latest in a long line of scandals plaguing NewsCorp and its UK company, News International.
7/28/2011 • 4 minutes, 33 seconds
Comic-Con 2011
Kim and John discuss the expectations around the 2011 geekfest, Comic-Con, which got underway in San Diego today. This year there are...
7/21/2011 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
Unfolding Scandal at News Corp
Kim and John discuss the latest in the on-going scandal engulfing Rupert Murdoch and News Corp.
7/14/2011 • 4 minutes, 20 seconds
Scandal at News Corp
The burgeoning scandal facing News Corp's "News of the World." The 168-year old UK tabloid’s been accused of hacking into the phones of celebrities, soldiers and a missing girl...
7/7/2011 • 4 minutes, 30 seconds
July 4th Movies: 'Transformers' In 3D v. 'Larry Crowne'
A look at Transformers' box office potential this holiday weekend, the public's appetite for 3D, and the "little" movie Larry Crowne. Can big stars compete with crashing robots?
6/30/2011 • 4 minutes, 24 seconds
'Cars 2' Poised to Do Big Business...at the Toy Counter
The merchandise tie-ins with the new Pixar movie Cars 2 are unprecedented. We look at the vast array of products and Disney offshoots that will come from Pixar's new pic.
6/23/2011 • 4 minutes, 30 seconds
The Best Picture Oscar Rules Change...Again!
This week the Motion Picture Academy announced they've changed the rules for the best picture category again. This year it could be anywhere between five and 10...
6/16/2011 • 4 minutes, 30 seconds
TV Anchors Play Musical Chairs
Kim Masters and the Los Angeles Times' Rebecca Keegan break down the latest comings and goings of TV anchors....
6/9/2011 • 4 minutes, 20 seconds
Audience Interest Wanes in 3-D Movies
John and Kim discuss how domestically at least, audience interest in 3-D movies is on the decline...
6/2/2011 • 4 minutes, 29 seconds
The Hangover Part II Will Open Big
The Hangover, Part II will open big this weekend with box office watchers saying it will break records for most tickets sold over a Memorial Day weekend, but...
5/26/2011 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
Arnold Schwarzenegger's Hollywood Career on Hold
Former Governor Schwarzenegger will, according to a statement released by his talent agency, put all his entertainment projects on hold to focus on his personal life...
5/19/2011 • 4 minutes, 30 seconds
Fox Announces New Shows
5/12/2011 • 4 minutes, 30 seconds
Hollywood's Take on the bin Laden Killing
Before the news of bin Laden's death, Kathryn Bigelow and Mark Boal, the Oscar-winning director and screenwriter of The Hurt Locker were already working on a movie based on the book Kill Bin Laden...
5/5/2011 • 4 minutes, 30 seconds
Media Frenzy over the Royal Wedding
Kim and John critique the out-sized media attention and resources that are being used to cover the Royal wedding.
4/28/2011 • 4 minutes, 16 seconds
Directors Back Theater Owners in Fight against Studios
An update in the fight between Hollywood studios and theater owners over studios' decision to offer video-on-demand a mere 60 days after their release in theaters...
4/21/2011 • 4 minutes, 24 seconds
Two Legendary Soaps Cancelled; Katie Couric's Future
Kim and guest host Matt Belloni discuss ABC's cancellation of two legendary soap operas, Plus, with her CBS contract ending, will Katie Couric launch a daytime talk show?
4/14/2011 • 4 minutes, 15 seconds
More on the War between Theater Owners and Hollywood Studios
The ongoing fight between major studios and theater owners over the studios' decision to shorten the release time of films to premium video-on-demand channels at home...
4/7/2011 • 4 minutes, 29 seconds
Hollywood Studios Inflame Theater Owners
A controversial video-on-demand plan that four Hollywood studios announced today will affect
the length of time movies will be exclusively available in
theaters...
3/31/2011 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
TV's Pilot Season and 'The X Factor'
It's pilot season in Hollywood, where anxiety runs high as networks put into production potential new shows many of which will not be picked up to series...
3/24/2011 • 4 minutes, 28 seconds
Netflix Plans to Make Original Content
Kim and John discuss Netflix's recent deal to produce an original series to be directed by David Fincher and starring Kevin Spacey.
3/17/2011 • 4 minutes, 19 seconds
The Business of Charlie Sheen and His Lawsuit
Matt Holzman sits in for Kim Masters and talks with John Horn about the real business ramifications of how disputes are handled in Hollywood. This week Charlie Sheen was fired from Two and a Half Men and now Sheen is suing for $100 million.
3/11/2011 • 4 minutes, 30 seconds
The Media Feeding Frenzy over Charlie Sheen
Kim and John discuss the media's obsession with Charlie Sheen and their attempts to psychoanalyze him while outdoing each other with coverage. Meanwhile they acknowledge that there is a legitimate business issue afoot here given that Two and a Half Men is a huge grossing show for CBS, the network that broadcasts it and Warner Brothers, the studio that produces it.
3/4/2011 • 4 minutes, 29 seconds
Global Box Office Numbers and Oscar Movie Earnings
Kim and John discuss the Motion Picture Association of America's box office report and reflect on how movies have been performing less well over the years...
2/25/2011 • 4 minutes, 23 seconds
Miley Cyrus's Father's Controversial GQ Interview
John and Kim discuss the GQ article in which Billy Ray Cyrus says the Hannah Montana show ruined his family and laments his relationship with his daughter, Miley Cyrus.
2/18/2011 • 3 minutes, 47 seconds
Paul Haggis & His Public Split from Scientology
Today Kim and John discuss an article in The New Yorker by Lawrence Wright about Paul Haggis public departure from Scientology. They talk about how Scientology has infiltrated Hollywood and the reasons why Haggis resigned from the church.
2/11/2011 • 4 minutes, 12 seconds
Sundance Film Festival Preview
The annual Sundance Film Festival starts today in Park City Utah. Kim and John (who will be attending the festival) breakdown the vibe in the marketplace for distributors looking to buy films and the buzz on what movies look most likely to get bought for theatrical distribution.
1/21/2011 • 4 minutes, 30 seconds
The Business of the Golden Globes
Sunday evening is the Golden Globe Awards Show. Today, Kim and John discuss the feeling in town leading up to this event, feelings about this award and the meaning of winning.
1/14/2011 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
PGA and WGA Nominees; Surprise Hits at the Box Office
Matt Holzman sits in for Kim Masters who's on vacation. He and John Horn discuss the Writers Guild Awards nominations and those of the Producers Guild Awards. Horn bets that the PGA list of best pictures could be predictive of the Oscars. They also discuss the surprise box office success of little movies like True Grit, Black Swan and The King's Speech. These movies are doing well largely based on word of mouth not splashy marketing campaigns.
1/7/2011 • 4 minutes, 25 seconds
Top Hollywood Stories of 2010
Kim and John break down some of the top entertainment business stories of 2010.
12/24/2010 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
The Golden Globe Nominations Debate
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has announced the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards nominees. Kim and John debate the wisdom, value and business of these awards.
12/17/2010 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
Ronni Chasen Murder Update
Kim and John discuss the latest developments and theories in the Ronni Chasen murder case.
12/10/2010 • 4 minutes, 18 seconds
The Latest in the Ronni Chasen Murder Mystery
Kim and John discuss the recent suicide of a "person of interest" in the murder of Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen.
12/3/2010 • 4 minutes, 28 seconds
Hollywood Mourns Iconic Publicist, Ronni Chasen
Earlier this week publicist Ronni Chasen was found murdered in her car as she was on her way home from the premiere of the movie "Burlesque." Kim and John talk about the gatherings to mourn her, her legacy in the business and the state of the murder investigation.
11/19/2010 • 4 minutes, 24 seconds
NBC-Universal Executive Drama
Kim and John discuss the wild drama in the executive suites at NBC/Universal in the run up to the Comcast take-over.
11/12/2010 • 4 minutes, 24 seconds
'127 Hours' Marketing Dilemma
The new Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) movie, 127 Hours, starring James Franco opens this weekend. The film is based on the true story of Aaron Ralston, the mountain climber who had to cut off his own forearm to save himself when trapped in a while hiking. Though Fox Searchlight, the studio behind the movie, has big awards hopes for the movie, audiences at film festival from Telluride to Toronto to Mill Valley and beyond have been fainting in screenings because of the intensity of the footage.
11/4/2010 • 4 minutes, 27 seconds
Avatar 2 and 3 Deal
Kim and John discuss what was the deal of the week and perhaps of the year. James Cameron struck a deal with Fox Studios to make two sequels to his blockbuster 3D feature film, Avatar....
10/28/2010 • 4 minutes, 30 seconds
Hollywood Men and Women Behaving Badly
Kim and John discuss the newest issue of GQ, which shows some Hollywood types behaving badly, including the cast of Fox's hit show Glee appear in a racy photo-shoot revealing lots of skin and not much else, and former HBO head Chris Albrecht's potentially self-destructive interview.
10/21/2010 • 4 minutes, 30 seconds
'The Dilemma' Controversy
Kim and John discuss the controversy over the use of a gay joke in the trailer for The Dilemma, the Universal movie starring Vince Vaughn.
10/14/2010 • 4 minutes, 28 seconds
Tribune Company Dirty Laundry
Kim and John discuss the New York Times article about the leaders of the Tribune Company and how their behavior has affected flagship journalism properties, including the Los Angeles Times.
10/7/2010 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
Star Wars' 3D Conversion Plans
George Lucas has announced that he will convert the entire six film Stars Wars saga into 3D, starting in 2012 with the 3D release of Star Wars -- Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Another film will be released each year. Kim and John debate the wisdom of this massive conversion endeavor and whether audiences will show up for it.
9/30/2010 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
Changes at Warner Bros.
Kim and John discuss the changing of the guard in the Office of the President at Warner Bros.
9/23/2010 • 4 minutes, 24 seconds
Business in Toronto
Many movies looking to be bought for distribution at the Toronto International Film Festival found buyers this year. John and Kim take an inventory of some of the deals struck so far and what it all says for the mood in the indie film world.
9/16/2010 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
Telluride to Toronto: The Fall Film Festivals
The King's Speech, Black Swan and 127 Hours are but three of the notable movies screened at the fall film festivals in Telluride and Toronto, where Oscar buzz gets generated and deals are made.
9/9/2010 • 4 minutes, 32 seconds
Apple vs The TV Studios (other than Fox and Disney)
9/2/2010 • 4 minutes, 19 seconds
Michael Eisner and the Tribune Company
Kim and John discuss the news that former Disney Chairman and CEO Michael Eisner may take over as Chairman of the Board of the Tribune Company, owner of numerous TV stations and newspapers including KTLA, the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune.
8/26/2010 • 4 minutes, 12 seconds
Scott Pilgrim's Failure at the Box Office
Matt Holzman, Executive Producer of The Business, talks with John Horn about the failure of the film Scott Pilgrim vs The World to perform at the box office. Faithfully adapted from the beloved graphic novel, this fanboy feature got good reviews and much love at Comic-Con. So, what happened?
8/19/2010 • 4 minutes, 15 seconds
Netflix's Billion-Dollar Deal
Kim and John discuss the Netflix deal with start-up pay-TV channel Epix
to distribute movies made by Epix's parent studios
8/12/2010 • 3 minutes, 31 seconds
Which Way, Idol?
8/5/2010 • 4 minutes, 24 seconds
Departure of ABC's Stephen McPherson
ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson resigned unexpectedly this week. Kim and John discuss theories behind the story, including the alleged sexual-harassment accusations against him, his famous tantrums, and his failure to revive ABC's poor prime-time line-up...
7/29/2010 • 4 minutes, 34 seconds
Hollywood Hawking at Comic-Con
7/22/2010 • 4 minutes, 22 seconds
Mel and Roman
7/15/2010 • 4 minutes, 21 seconds
Celador Sues Disney, Part II
7/8/2010 • 4 minutes, 19 seconds
Celador Sues: Will Disney Get Millions from 'Millionaire?'
7/1/2010 • 4 minutes, 28 seconds
Kids Movies Play to Adults
PG-13 films, once the reliable breadwinners at the box office, are losing out to PG and G-Rated films this summer. Meanwhile, adult fare movies are getting left in the dust...
6/24/2010 • 4 minutes, 26 seconds
Will Redbox Put Hollywood in the Red?
6/17/2010 • 4 minutes, 30 seconds
June Gloom at the Box Office
6/10/2010 • 4 minutes, 29 seconds
Box Office Breakdown
6/3/2010 • 4 minutes, 31 seconds
Greed in Hollywood?
5/27/2010 • 4 minutes, 28 seconds
LOWDOWN ON THE TV UPFRONTS
This week were the television upfronts in New York. That's the annual sales event where the networks roll out their new shows in the hopes of selling about 9 billion dollars worth of commercial time to advertisers. Each network took its turn pitching its schedules, showing clips of new shows and trotting out stars, usually followed by lavish parties. John and Kim talk about what happened and what we'll all be watching come the fall.
5/20/2010 • 4 minutes, 21 seconds
Cannes Film Festival
Kim and John discuss the Cannes Film Festival which got underway yesterday in France. It runs from May 12th to May 23rd.
Banner Image: CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 10: Yachts line the harbour at dusk prior to the annual film festival on May 10, 2010 in Cannes, France. The 63rd Cannes Film Festival will run from May 12 to May 23. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)