Showbiz Sandbox

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

This year’s Academy Award nominations will soon be announced and we wonder if one can predict who might take home Oscar gold by watching the annual honors handed out by Hollywood’s labor guilds. We’ll tell you how won Golden Globes, which have proven less reliable in forecasting Oscar winners, and take a look at who the Brits shine a spotlight on via the BAFTAs. Much like the movie business, publishing has become a global game. That makes the recent broadside by groups representing authors around the world especially notable. They’re calling on publishers to offer author contracts that are more equitable and represent the way business is done in the 21st Century. Director/Producer Gavin Polone believes Hollywood studios and television networks are only hurting themselves when they decide to cook the books when it comes to reporting earnings to profit participants. He argues that the talent and creatives they cheat on the backend have no incentive to keep costs down on the front end. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including how Netflix went worldwide, actor Sean Penn went to Mexico to interview the head of a drug cartel and the death of legendary musician David Bowie. ‘Star Wars’ Beats ‘The Revenant’ in U.S., Storms China With Record $53M Debut https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-star-wars-beats-853756 Why ‘The Revenant’ Proves Leonardo DiCaprio May Be Hollywood’s Biggest Star https://variety.com/2016/film/box-office/leonardo-dicaprio-revenant-box-office-1201676230/ Producers Guild Surprises With Nods for ‘Compton,’ ‘Sicario’ http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/06/movies/producers-guild-surprises-with-nods-for-compton-sicario.html ‘The Martian,’ ‘Straight Outta Compton’ Land Writers Guild Nominations https://variety.com/2016/film/news/martian-straight-outta-compton-writers-guild-nominations-1201672993/ ‘Bridge of Spies,’ ‘Carol,’ ‘Mad Max,’ ‘Revenant,’ ‘Sicario’ Nominated for ASC Awards https://variety.com/2016/film/news/asc-awards-nominations-mad-max-revenant-sicario-1201672842/ ‘Carol’ and ‘Bridge of Spies’ Lead Bafta Nominations http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2016/01/08/carol-and-bridge-of-spies-lead-bafta-nominations/ Golden Globes: The Complete Winners List http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/golden-globes-winners-2016-list-853010 Authors Guild Begins Letter-Writing Campaign to Meet with Publishers http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/69050-authors-guild-begins-letter-writing-campaign-to-meet-with-publishers.html 2016: An International Coalition of Author Advocacy Challenges Publishing Contracts http://porterand...

Few, if any, can rival Paul Dergarabedian when it comes to analyzing the film industry’s global box office. Rentrak’s senior media analyst has been running movie numbers for upwards of 20 years now and is a regularly quoted box office pundit. Dergarabedian joins us to discuss how 2015 turned into a record breaking year at the box office all over the world. We cover everything from how the winners at last year’s box office left little for the losers to the increasing role social media plays in the fortunes of any given movie, from the importance of international grosses to the record shattering “Star Wars” sequel. One big question is how 2016 could ever top last year’s figures or if that even matters. We wind up in the music business where lawsuits are always a good indication on the issues affecting the industry. Two big new lawsuits target Spotify and Ticketmaster. We’ll explain what they are all about… and predict if they will actually make it to trial. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including why The Beatles agreed to put their music on streaming services, how Taylor Swift’s concert tour topped the charts last year and the sexual assault charge against Bill Cosby. Rentrak Weekly Worldwide Box Office http://www.rentrak.com/section/movies_and_tv_everywhere/…. ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Crosses $100M Milestone in Imax Theaters http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-force-awakens-crosses-851298 Steven Spielberg Puts His Own Big Bucks Into the New Amblin Partners https://variety.com/2015/film/news/steven-spielberg-amblin-investment-1201669720/ Rentrak Reports 2015 Worldwide Box Office Sets New Record with $38 Billion-Plus http://investor.rentrak.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=948427 China Box Office Grows Astonishing 48.7 Percent in 2015, Hits $6.78 Billion https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/china-box-office-grows-astonishing-851629 Box Office 2015: How Revenue (Narrowly) Hit a Record $11B in the U.S. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-2015-how-revenue-851167 ‘Star Wars,’ ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ Push Disney Past $5 Billion Mark for First Time http://variety.com/2015/film/news/star-wars-box-office-disney-5-billion-1201666226/ Half Of Top-Grossing Films Worldwide Were Released In 2015 http://deadline.com/2015/12/top-grossing-films-worldwide-half-released-in-2015-1201670465/ Hollywood Rules French Box Office in 2015 http://variety.com/2015/film/box-office/hollywood-france-box-office-2015-1201670302/ Italy Box Office 2015: ‘Inside Out’ Arrives on Top, Overall Revenue Jumps http://www.hollywoodreporter.

The release of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” shattered box office records the world over and became the biggest movie opening of all time by earning $529 million. We explain why in countries such as Japan and South Korea, the latest “Star Wars” not only didn’t win the weekend, but in some cases earned less than earlier installments of the franchise. We also look at the breakdown of which formats audiences favored when buying tickets. George Lucas’ original “Star Wars” movie was released in 1977 and was added to the National Film Registry in 1989. We weigh in on the annual list of films added to the registry by the Library of Congress, charged with selecting new entrants. It always makes for a fascinating mix; we’ll discuss what made this year’s cut there and why. Hint: It’s not always artistry that counts… and no we’re not looking at you “Top Gun.” In music news, it turns out online radio services such as Pandora will soon be paying more to license songs. Meanwhile, Adele is trying to prevent her fans from having to pay more to purchase tickets to see her in concert. We’ll tell you about the growing backlash against the secondary market for concert tickets and what some artists are doing about it. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including how “Star Wars” bumped Quentin Tarantino’s latest movie out of a historic movie theater, Howard Stern signs a new deal with SiriusXM and the list of this year’s inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Box Office: ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Opens to Record $238M for Cosmic $517M Global Launch http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-star-wars-force-850340 Foreign Box Office: ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Blasts Off With $279M http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/foreign-box-office-star-wars-850387 ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Shatters Box Office Records http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/21/movies/star-wars-the-force-awakens-shatters-box-office-records.html ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ TV Spend at $66 Million and Rising http://adage.com/article/media/star-wars-force-awakens-tv-spend-66/301693/ ‘Star Wars’ Carries Its Own Marketing Weight for Disney http://www.wsj.com/articles/star-wars-carries-its-own-marketing-weight-for-disney-1449536686 ‘Ghostbusters,’ ‘Top Gun,’ ‘L.A. Confidential’ Among 2015 National Film Registry Selections https://variety.com/2015/biz/news/national-film-registry-2015-ghostbusters-top-gun-l-a-confidential-1201662032/ Howard Stern Sets New Five-Year Deal with SiriusXM Satellite Radio That Includes Video Plans https://variety.com/2015/biz/news/howard-stern-5-year-deal-sirius-xm-satellite-radio-1201661527/ Peak TV: Scripted Series Surpass 400 in 2015 http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/peak-tv-scripted-series-surpass-849541 Paramount, Hasbro Creating Movie Universe Around G.I. Joe, Four Other Brands

Sal Nunziato, former co-owner of the shuttered record store NYCD, is now a musician and popular music blogger. He joins us to weigh in on his favorite albums of 2015 and unlike Rolling Stone magazine, Adele’s latest release didn’t make Sal’s list. Who better to get a state of the industry report on the music business? The end-of-year awards season continued to kick into high gear as the Golden Globes announced their nominees. The SAG Awards may matter more however, since some of the guild’s members actually vote for the Oscars. Even after these nominations the Oscar race continues to be wide open. With “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” opening this week it’s impossible to avoid news about the eagerly anticipated sequel. Disney’s secrecy over the project reached new heights when the studio held its press junket without first showing the film to the media. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including Melissa McCarthy’s sitcom is canceled, “Dirty Dancing” is being adapted into a television musical and Apple presses pause on its plans to offer a live streaming television service. Sal Nunziato’s Burning Wood Blog http://burnwoodtonite.blogspot.com/ ‘In The Heart Of The Sea’: What The Hell Happened? https://deadline.com/2015/12/the-heart-of-the-sea-box-office-why-it-bombed-1201666007/ ‘In the Heart of the Sea’ Tanks at the Box Office http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/12/13/in-the-heart-of-the-sea-tanks-at-the-box-office/?_r=0 10 Things We Learned At The ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Press Conference http://www.slashfilm.com/force-awakens-press-conference/ ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Has Roused Theater Campers Too http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-star-wars-tcl-line-20151209-story.html ‘Star Wars’ Premiere Street Closures Are “Bigger Than the Oscars” http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-premiere-street-closures-848194 Lin-Manuel Miranda Explains How He Ended Up Working With J.J. Abrams on ‘Star Wars’ http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lin-manuel-miranda-explains-how-846547 Golden Globe Nominations: Complete List https://variety.com/2015/film/awards/golden-globe-nominations-2016-nominees-full-list-1201658166/ SAG Awards Nominations: Complete List https://variety.com/2015/film/awards/sag-award-nominations-2016-nominees-full-list-1201657169/ Streaming Video Now Accounts for 70 Percent of Broadband Usage https://recode.net/2015/12/07/streaming-video-now-accounts-for-70-percent-of-broadband-usage/ ABC Sets ‘Dirty Dancing’ Musical With Abigail Breslin

The National Board Of Review, the New York Film Critics Circle and the Los Angeles Film Critics have all weighed in on the best movies and performances of 2015. We said it was a wide-open awards race and perhaps for the first time in history, none of them agree. On anything. On the other hand, the Grammy Award nominations seem to have come to a consensus with just about everyone agreeing Kendrick Lamar released one of the best albums of the year. We’ll fill you in on some of the other musicians who racked up Grammy nominations this year. During Inside Baseball we once again turn to the world of television where new studies are reporting that ad sales are edging downward as advertisers begin to increase their campaign spends on digital media outlets. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including how Adele’s latest release became the only album to ever sell more than one million copies during two different weeks, Jerry Seinfeld agrees to a long term residency at New York’s Beacon Theatre and Morrissey wins a dubious award for his first novel. ‘Star Wars’ Tickets Getting Scalped for Big Bucks https://variety.com/2015/film/news/star-wars-the-force-awakens-tickets-scalping-1201651963/ China Hits Another Box-Office High http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/12/05/china-hits-another-box-office-high/?_r=0 ‘Spotlight’ Named Best Film of 2015 by Boston Society of Film Critics https://variety.com/2015/film/in-contention/spotlight-named-best-film-of-2015-by-boston-society-of-film-critics-1201655050/ ‘Spotlight’ Named Best Picture by L.A. Film Critics http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/spotlight-named-best-picture-by-846239 ‘Carol’ Dominates New York Film Critics Circle Awards https://variety.com/2015/film/in-contention/new-york-film-critics-circle-winners-in-progress-1201651677/ ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ Named Best Film by National Board of Review http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/national-board-review-2015-winners-844862 ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ Named Best Film by National Board of Review https://variety.com/2015/film/in-contention/national-board-of-review-winners-2015-best-film-1201650879/ Oscar Unveils List of 15 Films on Documentary-Feature Short List https://variety.com/2015/film/awards/oscar-unveils-list-of-15-films-on-documentary-feature-short-list-1201651045/ Grammy Nominations: Full List For 58th Annual Awards https://variety.com/2015/music/news/grammy-nominations-full-list-58th-annual-taylor-swift-1201655347/ Adele’s ’25’ Sells 1.11 Million in Second Week in U.S. http://www.

Taking a cue from cable networks like AMC and USA, Fox recently became the first major network to abandon the practice of touting overnight television ratings numbers. The move simply confirms the growing realization within the industry of a sea change in viewing habits that is having a massive impact on when shows are watched, what shows are produced and how they get promoted. The publishing industry is undergoing its own set of struggles. New reports on book sales paint a dire picture for the ebook format and mid-size publishers. We’ll go over the numbers and explain what they actually mean. Speaking of numbers, Adele’s new album “25” broke sales records selling 3.38 million copies in its first week, accounting for 67% of all record sales in Billboard’s Top 200. While you can hear songs from the album on the radio or purchase it via digital download and even on compact disc, Adele is not allowing you to stream it on services such as Spotify or Apple Music Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including how French television series were big winners at the International Emmy Awards, why only one of this season’s new TV shows have been cancelled and Sony’s decision to stop manufacturing Betamax tapes. Activision Claims ‘Biggest Entertainment Launch’ of 2015 with $550 Million for ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops III’ https://variety.com/2015/digital/news/activision-claims-biggest-entertainment-launch-of-2015-with-550-million-for-call-of-duty-black-ops-iii-1201638343/ ‘Star Wars: Force Awakens’ Racks Up $50M-Plus in Advance Ticket Sales http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-force-awakens-racks-842279 Soft E-book Sales Underscore Down HBG Results http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/financial-reporting/article/68630-soft-e-book-sales-contribute-to-down-hbg-usa-quarter.html U.S. book Publishing Industry Stats From Nielsen http://jwikert.typepad.com/the_average_joe/2015/11/us-book-publishing-industry-stats-from-nielsen.html?et_mid=797336&rid=240996315 September Bookstore Sales Up 6.7% http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/68702-september-bookstore-sales-up-6-7.html Broadway Box Office: ‘Hamilton’ Dethrones ‘Lion King’ As Highest Grossing Show http://www.forbes.com/sites/leeseymour/2015/11/10/broadway-box-office-hamilton-dethrones-lion-king-as-highest-grossing-show/ ‘Bones’ Producer Sues Fox for “Accounting Chicanery,” Claims Top Execs “Threatened” Him http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/bones-producer-sues-fox-accounting-843854 Anne Frank’s Diary Gains ‘Co-Author’ in Copyright Move http://www.nytimes.

Until the past few years virtual reality felt more like actual fiction, as proponents offered up underwhelming demonstrations which requiring expensive and cumbersome equipment. The days however, the ongoing work by the pioneers developing VR has transformed the technology into a viable platform for more than just the odd hardcore gamer. As VR products and content make their way into the consumer market, it seems no industry trade show or film festival is complete without addressing the technology in some way. In fact, just last week, the Sundance Institute announced they would begin a residency program in VR and the New York Times launched their own VR initiative. We dive into the hype behind VR and try to make some sense out of what all the fuss is about. Meanwhile, as the MPAA confirmed a new agreement for film distribution in China, and with the country on track to surpass North America as the world’s largest movie market in 2017, a number of organizations are claiming China isn’t abiding by international trade rules to which it had originally agreed. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including the nominees from this year’s European Film Awards, Showtime’s plans for the revival of “Twin Peaks” and why a number of police departments are calling for their officers to boycott Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming movie. Spectre’ and ‘Peanuts’ Resuscitate the 2015 Box Office http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4120&p=.htm Making A Killing! 17 Different Brands Linger On Screen in New Bond Film http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3285408/Making-killing-17-different-brands-linger-screen-new-Bond-film-Spectre-007-profits-endorsement.html James Bond Exercises License to Shill With ‘Spectre’ Product Placement http://www.thewrap.com/james-bond-exercises-license-to-shill-with-spectre-product-placement-wrap-trends-video/ A Look Inside Lincoln Park’s New ArcLight Movie Theater http://www.redeyechicago.com/movies/redeye-arclight-chicago-theater-20151103-story.html MPAA Confirms New Hollywood-China Film Distribution Agreement http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mpaa-confirms-new-hollywood-china-837645 China Is On Track To Surpass U.S. As Aorld’s Biggest Movie Market By 2017 http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-china-growth-20151105-story.html China Still Not Complying With WTO Distribution Deal, Says IFTA https://variety.com/2015/film/asia/china-not-complying-with-wto-distribution-deal-ifta-1201636022/ European Film Awards: ‘The Lobster,’ ‘Victoria,’ ‘Youth’ Score Multiple Nominations http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/european-film-award-nominees-announced-838169 ‘The Lobster’ Leads British Independent Film Awards Nominations

South by Southwest (SXSW) set the tech world and media outlets aflame when they recently canceled two panel discussions on harassment in the gaming community scheduled for their 2016 conference. Organizers quickly reversed their decision realizing it sent the unintended message that the of the annual music, film and interactive festival not only tolerates online harassment but condones it. SXSW officials claimed they were trying to protect attendees from violence threatening the panels from a group aligning themselves with GamerGate, an angry and misogynistic movement focused on sexism and progressivism in video game culture. Trying to define GamerGate is difficult since it has evolved from a debate raging through social media hashtags to real world death threats against prominent women in the video game industry. We’ll try to unravel the meaning of GamerGate and discuss whether SXSW can fully recover from the controversy it stirred up. Meanwhile, tickets to hot franchise properties are getting hard to come by. When tickets for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” went on sale recently, web ticketing companies were crippled by demand. The same was true when tickets for the London West End production of “Harry Potter And The Cursed Child” which promptly sold out a year’s worth of performances. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including the return of “Gilmore Girls”, Internet music service Pandora settles a copyright dispute to the tune of $90 million and a new Star Trek television series is headed straight to online streaming. ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Destroys Fandango First-Day Sales Record http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-fandango-start-wars-record-20151020-story.html Behind the crash: Force Too Strong for Cinemas Selling ‘Star Wars’ Tickets http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-star-wars-theaters-20151019-story.html “Emperor Palpatine” Victorious in Ukraine City Council Election http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/emperor-palpatine-victorious-ukraine-city-835156 Lenin Statue in Ukraine Turned Into Darth Vader http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/10/25/lenin-statue-in-ukraine-turned-into-darth-vader/?_r=0 ‘Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension’ Flop Shouldn’t End Early VOD Experiments http://variety.com/2015/film/box-office/paranormal-activity-flop-early-vod-1201626191/ ‘Empire’ Writers to Pen Movie About the “Mother of Hip-Hop” http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/empire-writers-pen-movie-mother-833206 China Film Quota Full for 2015, Hollywood Releases Confirmed http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/china-film-quota-full-2015-832925 China Vows Further Crackdown on Box Office Fraud http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/china-vows-crackdown-box-office-834516 How Sony Could Lose James Bond After Bloated ‘Spectre’ (Analysis)

Hollywood’s gender pay gap is once again a hot topic of discussion thanks to a frank essay on the subject by Academy Award winning actress Jennifer Lawrence. We are joined by Karen Woodward, an entertainment industry social media consultant, who suggests that the crass and angry tone the actress took in her piece helped gain attention for the issue and start a conversation on how to fix the problem. We’ll hear what Lawrence had to say about being paid less than her male co-stars, specifically how she’s no longer concerned with being “liked” or finding a kinder, gentler way to express her opinion. Now at least one of her frequent co-stars has plans to take up the cause with what could be a very effective strategy. Meanwhile, with the number of major record labels having already declined to three from what was once six, it appears the industry’s contraction may soon affect music publishing with Sony/ATV looking for a new owner. Could one of the world’s largest music publishers soon merge with a competitor? Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including why Playboy magazine is getting rid of its centerfold, how “The Walking Dead” went global in a big way and Netflix earnings and subscriber growth disappoint Wall Street. ‘Goosebumps’ Tops ‘The Martian,’ ‘Crimson Peak’ Falls Flat http://variety.com/2015/film/box-office/box-office-goosebumps-the-martian-crimson-peak-1201620792/ Warner Bros.’ ‘Pan’ Could Lead to $150 Million Loss http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-bros-pan-could-lead-831412 ‘Spectre’ Tracking for Huge $80 Million-Plus Opening at Box Office http://www.thewrap.com/spectre-tracking-for-80-million-plus-opening-at-box-office/ ‘Paranormal Activity: Ghost Dimension’ Shunned by Many Theater Circuits Due to Early VOD Plan http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/paranormal-activity-ghost-dimension-shunned-832289 Benedict Cumberbatch Draws Record Audience For NT Live ‘Hamlet’ Screenings http://deadline.com/2015/10/benedict-cumberbatch-hamlet-record-screenings-nt-live-1201585579 Why Do I Make Less Than My Male Co‑Stars? http://us11.campaign-archive1.com/?u=a5b04a26aae05a24bc4efb63e&id=64e6f35176&e=1ba99d671e#wage Jennifer Lawrence Pens Essay: ‘Why Do I Make Less Than My Male Co-Stars?’ http://www.hollywoodrxeporter.com/news/jennifer-lawrence-pens-essay-why-831635 Bradley Cooper Applauds Lawrence’s Attack on Hollywood Pay Gap http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/14/us-film-bradleycooper-jenniferlawrence-idUSKCN0S82VY20151014 ‘Star Wars’ Wants Female Directors for the Franchise, says Kathleen Kennedy http://variety.com/2015/film/news/star-wars-female-director-kathleen-kennedy-1201618946/

Among the 2016 nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced this past week were legendary musical acts like The Smiths that will surely be inducted, unheralded backing groups such as the J.B.s that are a long shot and even a popular 1970s funk band, Chic, that has now been nominated ten times. The nominations that generated the most media discussion were probably for pop star Janet Jackson and N.W.A., the hip hop group which popularized gansta rap. We debate which of this year’s nominees are deserving of induction and which are real head scratchers. Meanwhile government and film industry regulators in China agreed to allow greater oversight into their box office receipts through a public website. Only time will tell whether this was a symbolic gesture meant to assuage Hollywood studios or a true step toward more transparency. We’ll also dip back into book publishing, where despite recent setbacks many companies are trying to launch all-you-can read subscription services.. Given the numbers revealed by Amazon for its Kindle Unlimited program, it appears authors don’t have much to gain. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including a lifetime achievement award for composer John Williams, the plans to adapt Nancy Drew for television and Woody Allen goes digital. Weekend Box Office: (There’s Still) Life on Mars http://www.avclub.com/article/weekend-box-office-theres-still-life-mars-226680 Does ‘Pan’s’ Box Office Bomb Spell the End for Origin Stories? http://variety.com/2015/film/news/pan-box-office-bomb-death-of-origin-movies-1201615656/ Walt Disney Studios Crosses $4-Billion Mark at Global Box Office http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-walt-disney-studios-crosses-4-billion-mark-at-global-box-office-20151008-story.html Australian Films Break Local Box-Office Records http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/australian-films-break-local-box-829949 China’s Film Regulators Unveil Official Box Office Reporting After Secret MPAA Deal http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/chinas-film-regulators-unveil-official-830577 Rock Hall of Fame: Janet Jackson, N.W.A, NIN, the Smiths Lead Nominees http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rock-hall-of-fame-janet-jackson-n-w-a-nin-the-smiths-lead-nominees-20151008 Why N.W.A belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-why-n-w-a-belongs-in-the-rock-roll-hall-of-fame-20151008-story.html Bonnier is Working on its Own eBook Subscription Service http://the-digital-reader.com/2015/10/06/bonnier-is-working-on-its-own-ebook-subscription-service-bookbeat Amazon Set to Pay Self-Published Authors As Little As $0.006 Per Page Read

In the digital age the viewership of television content has been difficult to track across multiple platforms and devices. The announcement of a game-changing merger between web analytics firm Comscore and the TV and box office data outfit Rentrak suggests a much needed solution for cross-media ratings may soon be available. The combination of Comscore and Rentrak would finally create a company with the deep pockets and technical expertise to legitimately take on Nielsen, the uncontested reigning king of television ratings for the last several decades. The industry welcomes such competition at a time when advertisers are clamoring for accurate audience measurement across all screens, including mobile devices. Thanks to the increase in delayed viewing, television ratings have become near impossible to report in a timely manner. Overnight ratings have long been the standard for touting a television program’s success (or failure), but now such numbers can represent less than half a show’s total audience once DVR data is counted. This has made keeping track of who watched what when and on which devices extremely confusing. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including the plans to the former hit series “MacGyver” a makeover, “Ghostbusters” gets animated and some of the unnecessary recipients among this year’s MacArthur Genius Awards. The Martian’ Opens To $44.6M, Will Pass $100M Worldwide http://deadline.com/2015/10/martian-tops-100-million-55-million-international-box-office-the-walk-1201566927/ ‘The Martian’ Opens With Strong $55 Million Weekend http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4110&p=.htm Vin Diesel Confirms Final ‘Fast & Furious’ Trilogy https://variety.com/2015/film/news/fast-and-furious-trilogy-vin-diesel-1201603871/ Hasbro Exec Confirms 4 More ‘Transformers’ Sequels https://variety.com/2015/film/news/transformers-5-sequels-four-more-movies-1201609828/ Taika Waititi in Negotiations to Direct ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ for Marvel http://www.thewrap.com/taika-waititi-in-negotiations-to-direct-thor-ragnarok-for-marvel-exclusive/ Spider-Man Producer to Present NYC Lab of Jim Steinman’s Bat Out of Hell Musical http://www.playbill.com/news/article/spider-man-producer-to-present-nyc-lab-of-jim-steinmans-bat-out-of-hell-musical-364819 Sony Pictures Television Producing Russian ‘Roseanne’ Adaptation http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/sony-pictures-television-sells-roseanne-for-russian-adaptation-1201607163/ MacArthur ‘Genius Grant’ Winners for 2015 Are Announced http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/29/arts/macarthur-genius-grant-winners-for-2015-are-announced.html ‘Westworld’ Actors Warned About Graphic Sex Scenes http://variety.

It is said numbers don’t lie, however in the entertainment business they don’t always tell the truth either. When it comes to box office grosses, television ratings, home video earnings and book sales, numbers can often present misleading or incomplete information which paint an unrealistic, or at times purposefully skewed, financial picture. Netflix, for instance, released data detailing what they claim is the episode when their customers get hooked on a television series. However, the “hook study” performed by the subscription video streaming service was limited in scope and may simply be an example of how good Netflix is at spinning its numbers into great PR opportunities. Meanwhile, like every other area of the entertainment industry, the book world has been rocked by the digital revolution. But publishers believe the business is leveling out based on sales figures which leave out large segments of the market. None of this explains why e-books cost more than paperbacks though. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including Amy Schumer’s big book advance, a lawsuit over the movie “Goodfellas”, which Warner Bros. says was a huge flop, and the Harry Potter origin story will become a two part theatrical production on London’s West End. Viacom To Simulcast Trevor Noah Debut Across Multiple Networks (This will have already happened when we post http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/trevor-noah-daily-show-viacom-1201602529/ ‘Hotel Transylvania 2’ Sets September Record With $47.5M; ‘Intern’ Solid No. 2 http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-hotel-transylvania-2-827467 Adam Sandler’s Box Office Returns http://www.the-numbers.com/person/126870401-Adam-Sandler#tab=acting ‘Rogue Nation’ Breaks Hollywood 2D Box Office Record in China http://variety.com/2015/film/asia/rogue-nation-breaks-hollywood-2d-box-office-record-in-china-1201600289/ France Box Office: Opera Film Beats ‘Compton’ in Opening-Week Ticket Sales http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/france-opera-beats-compton-tickets-826890 The Plot Twist: E-Book Sales Slip, and Print Is Far From Dead http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/23/business/media/the-plot-twist-e-book-sales-slip-and-print-is-far-from-dead.html Oyster Is Shutting Down Operations http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/68130-oyster-is-shutting-down-operations.html What Oyster Going Down Demonstrates Is Not Mostly About the Viability of Ebook Subscriptions http://www.idealog.com/blog/what-oyster-going-down-demonstrates-is-not-mostly-about-the-viability-of-ebook-subscriptions/ Do E-Books Earn More Money at Lower Prices? http://observer.com/2015/09/do-e-books-earn-more-money-at-lower-pric...

Two of the world’s most prominent film festivals are held each September in Telluride and Toronto and, without fail, you’ll find Anne Thompson, Indiewire’s editor-at-large, dashing off to both of them. Thompson gives us a feel for what both festivals were like this year, which films created the most awards buzz and which she thinks audiences should be looking forward to. Thompson also joins us to discuss this year’s Emmy winners. The premium cable network HBO proved it is still at the top of its game, fending off the stiff competition of hot new shows being produced by upstart streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon. The network wept away the Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Limited Series categories, winning 14 awards in all. Meanwhile, in case that seems destined to reach the U.S. Supreme Court, a federal judge ruled that copyright owners must take into account the possibility of fair use before sending a takedown notice. Rather than force possible infringers to mount what is known as an affirmative defense, the court is placing the burden on copyright holders to consider whether a work should be considered fair use. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including the new over-the-top and mobile streaming services being offered by the BBC and Epix, one of the creators of Batman will finally get the credit he has long deserved (though maybe not the money) and Denzel Washington will produce ten August Wilson plays for HBO. ‘Maze Runner’ Sequel Races to No. 1 at Box Office http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/09/20/maze-runner-sequel-races-to-no-1-at-box-office/?_r=0 High-School Comedy ‘Fack Ju Göhte 2’ Breaks German Box Office Record http://variety.com/2015/film/box-office/high-school-comedy-fack-ju-gothe-2-breaks-german-box-office-record-1201593840/ How ‘Everest’ and ‘The Walk’ Early Imax Runs Could Shake Up the Movie Business https://variety.com/2015/film/box-office/everest-the-walk-imax-debut-movie-business-1201598004/ Thompson On Hollywood’s Telluride Film Festival Coverage http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/tag/telluride-15 Thompson On Hollywood’s Toronto Film Festival Coverage http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/tag/tiff-2015 ‘Room’ Wins Toronto Audience Award, Awards Bellwether http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/room-wins-toronto-audience-award-awards-bellwether-20150920 In Defense of the Conventional Movie, from ‘Spotlight’ to ‘The Man Who Knew Infinity’ http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/tiff-in-defense-of-the-conventional-movie-from-spotlight-to-the-man-who-knew-infinity-20150919 Emmy Award Winners 2015 – Full List http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/2015-primetime-emmy-award-winners-list-120159803...

China continues on its torrid pace toward become the number one movie market in the world having already surpassed its record $4.7 billion box office from last year. However, some Chinese distributors, and even some moviegoers, are claiming cinema owners are manipulating reported grosses on behalf of the government. Recently a propaganda film titled “The Hundred Regiments Offensive” managed to sell more tickets than was possible based on its number of showings and theater count. Industry executives now say releases such as “Terminator:Genisys” are being unfairly robbed of their true earnings. Yet the market is so big, when “Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation” debuted last week it gave Tom Cruise the biggest box office opening of his career. Meanwhile, parts of the world are entering autumn, a time when leaves fall from the trees and Broadway shows fall from the marquees to make way for new shows. We’ll tell you which shows have announced closings, which ones will follow soon and take a brief look at some new productions opening soon. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including the return of Stephen Colbert to late night television, the new owner of National Geographic and how the late Billie Holiday and Whitney Houston will perform once again… as holograms. ‘Perfect Guy’ Takes Weekend #1 With Shyamalan’s ‘Visit’ a Close Second http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4105&p=.htm ‘Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation’ Opens to Huge $86M in China http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mission-impossible-opens-huge-86m-822702 Local Blockbuster ‘Monster Hunt’ Unseats ‘Furious 7’ as Highest Grossing Film Ever http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/monster-hunt-overtakes-furious-7-822468 China Readies Film Promotion Law As Box Office Overtakes 2014 Total https://variety.com/2015/film/asia/china-readies-film-law-as-box-office-overtakes-2014-total-1201587741/ China Film Execs Claim ‘Terminator’ a Victim of Box-Office Fraud to Boost Propaganda Movie http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/china-film-execs-claim-terminator-820874 How My Negative Review of Legend Was spun Into Movie Marketing Gold http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2015/sep/09/legend-review-movie-marketing-false-advertising Summer Movie Ad Buys: ‘Mission: Impossible,’ ‘Mad Max’ Get Biggest U.S. Spend http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/summer-movie-ad-buys-mission-821043 ‘From Afar’ By Venezuelan First-Time Director Lorenzo Vigas Scoops Venice Golden Lion https://variety.com/2015/film/news/venice-film-festival-winners-announced-1201591867/ Hand To God Sets Broadway Closing Date http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/09/09/hand-to-god-sets-broadway-closing-date/?_r=0 Sales Down, Losses Up at Barnes & Noble