Showbiz Sandbox

There’s no getting around the fact that 2014 was a financially dismal year for the entertainment business. Movie box office, home video revenue and music sales were all down significantly in most territories. The only bright spot might be television ad sales which grew slightly, albeit at lower level than originally forecast. Statistically speaking the numbers don’t look good. Movie attendance plummeted to the lowest levels since 1995. Home video returns decreased nearly 2%, despite a rise in digital downloads. Music sales continued their global decline as more consumers turn to streaming services. Industry-watchers are predicting that, except for box office, 2015 could produce the same mixed results for entertainment companies as digital technologies keep disrupting longstanding business models. Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including the most pirated TV shows and movies of 2014, how One Direction became the year’s top concert draw and an update on the Sony Pictures cyber attack. Box Office: 2014 to End Down Sharply Despite Holiday Highs http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-2014-end-down-760445 Box Office 2014: Moviegoing Hits Two-Decade Low http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-2014-moviegoing-hits-760766 China’s Box Office Surges 36 Percent in 2014 to $4.76 Billion http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/chinas-box-office-surges-36-760889 France’s Box Office Rises 8% – But Thanks to France not Hollywood http://variety.com/2015/film/news/frances-box-office-rises-8-but-thanks-to-france-not-hollywood-1201390901/ What We Can Learn from 2014 Record Box-Office in France https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-we-can-learn-from-2014-record-box-office-france-julien-marcel Digital Downloads Top $1.5 Billion for First Time for Home Entertainment Industry in 2014 http://variety.com/2015/digital/news/digital-downloads-top-1-5-billion-for-first-time-for-home-entertainment-industry-in-2014-1201393613/ ‘Godzilla,’ Warner Bros. Lead the Year’s Top TV Ad Spend for Movies http://variety.com/2015/data/news/godzilla-warner-bros-lead-the-years-top-tv-ad-spend-for-movies-1201389114/ Sony Will Stream ‘The Interview’ Through YouTube, Google, Xbox, Sony Site

Showbiz Sandbox 262: Will “The Interview” Become A Rallying Cry For Freedom?

Showbiz Sandbox 261: Sony Hack Gives New Meaning To The Term Box Office Bomb

Showbiz Sandbox 260: The Race To Build A Bigger, Louder And More Expensive Movie Theater

Showbiz Sandbox 259: Sony Hack Reveals Hollywood’s Digital Dilemma

Showbiz Sandbox 258: Bill Cosby Gets Schooled In Celebrity Social Media

Showbiz Sandbox 257: Debating President Obama’s Position On Net Neutrality

This year’s Tony Awards spread the love around with many of the Broadway season’s most lauded shows taking home trophies. "A Raisin in the Sun" won several awards including best revival of a play. Actor Bryan Cranston earned a Tony for his portrayal of President Lyndon Johnson “All The Way”, which also won best play. The critical darling “A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder” walked off with one of the night’s biggest awards, best musical. Meanwhile Audra McDonald made history by winning her sixth Tony for acting, the most ever won by a performer. There were very few surprises during this year’s ceremony, accept for maybe host Hugh Jackman starting the telecast off by hopping (literally) through a dance routine that lasted four minutes. And even though Neil Patrick Harris didn’t host this year’s ceremony as he has for the past three years, he still managed to make his presence felt by performing a number from “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” and winning the Tony for best actor in a leading role in a musical. In the world of movies it appears the day-and-date release of movies both in theatres and online is quickly becoming the new normal, if the practice hasn’t done so already. Now, a new research report out of Europe suggests that overlapping release windows is not eroding cinema attendance. Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including the latest movie from the Wachowski siblings gets pushed into next year, “Game of Thrones” becomes the the most watched show in HBO’s history and despite critical praise the latest Tom Cruise blockbuster is struggling at the box office. 'Fault in Our Stars' Eclipses Tom Cruise http://online.wsj.com/articles/fault-in-our-stars-eclipses-tom-cruise-1402259319 (http://online.wsj.com/articles/fault-in-our-stars-eclipses-tom-cruise-1402259319) How 'Fault in Our Stars' Mobilized Teens to Topple Tom Cruise http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-fault-stars-mobilized-teens-710123 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-fault-stars-mobilized-teens-710123) Edge Of Tomorrow And The Path To Box Office Profitability http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Edge-Tomorrow-Path-Box-Office-Profitability-43371.html (http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Edge-Tomorrow-Path-Box-Office-Profitability-43371.html) 2014 Tony Awards: ‘Gentleman’s Guide’ and ‘All the Way’ Are Named Top Shows http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/09/theater/theaterspecial/audra-mcdonald-and-neil-patrick-harris-win-acting-honors.html (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/09/theater/theaterspecial/audra-mcdonald-and-neil-patrick-harris-win-acting-honors.html) Tony Award Winners 2014 — Full List http://variety.com/2014/legit/news/tony-award-winners-2014-tonys-winner-list-1201215961/ (http://variety.com/2014/legit/news/tony-award-winners-2014-tonys-winner-list-1201215961/) Over 12 Million Theatregoers Take in Broadway Shows Throughout 2013-14 http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Over-12-Million-Theatregoers-Take-in-Broadway-Shows-Throughout-2013-14-According-to-End-of-Season-Report-20140527 (http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Over-12-Million-Theatregoers-Take-in-Broadway-Shows-Throughout-2013-14-According-to-End-of-Season-Report-20140527) Thailand's Anti-Coup Protestors Adopt 'Hunger Games' Salute http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/thailands-anti-coup-protestors-adopt-708856 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/thailands-anti-coup-protestors-adopt-708856) 'Game of Thrones' Now Rivals 'The Walking Dead' With 18 Million Viewers This Season http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-rivals-walking-dead-709041 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-rivals-walking-dead-709041) 'Game of Thrones' Officially Surpasses 'The Sopranos' As HBO's Biggest Series http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-officially-surpasses-sopranos-709615 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-officially-surpasses-sopranos-709615)

Even though subtitles appear more often in mainstream movies like “Avatar”, “Inglorious Basterds” and “Slumdog Millionaire”, North American audiences aren’t any more comfortable with them than they had been historically. In a detailed piece for Indiewire, Anthony Kaufman (https://twitter.com/antkaufman) reports that foreign language films are struggling at both the U.S. box office and in ancillary distribution channels. Kaufman joins us for an in-depth discussion about the endangered state of world cinema. We’ve just returned from this year’s Book Expo America, the largest annual book trade show in the U.S. The good news is that the publishing industry is actively engaging in digital instead of being frightened by out. Unfortunately, everyone was concerned that an ongoing contract dispute between publishing giant Hachette and online book retailer Amazon is a sign of a contentious future. Meanwhile the Tony Awards will be held next weekend honoring the best productions and brightest talent to emerge from Broadway over the past year. Hugh Jackman is hosting the ceremony which will feature performances from Neil Patrick Harris, Idina Menzel and even Sting. The real money however, will be earned by whoever takes home the trophies for Best Musical and Best Musical Revival. Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including a movie poster that’s a little too risqué for the MPAA, director James Cameron teams up with Cirque du Soleil and the record price NBC is charging for a 30-second ad during next year’s Super Bowl. 'Brady Bunch' Star Ann B. Davis Dead at 88 http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ann-b-davis-brady-bunch-708536 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ann-b-davis-brady-bunch-708536) ‘Maleficent’ Rules With $70 Mil, ‘Million Ways’ Stumbles http://variety.com/2014/film/news/box-office-maleficent-rules-with-70-mil-million-ways-stumbles-1201202568/ (http://variety.com/2014/film/news/box-office-maleficent-rules-with-70-mil-million-ways-stumbles-1201202568/) 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' Hits Franchise Best $500M http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-milestone-x-men-708521 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-milestone-x-men-708521) Adam Sandler on Why He Won’t Host ‘SNL’: ‘Why Should I?’ http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/adam-sandler-on-why-he-wont-host-snl-why-should-i-1201195013/ (http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/adam-sandler-on-why-he-wont-host-snl-why-should-i-1201195013/) Malcolm Gladwell ‘Surprised’ to Become an Amazon Bargaining Chip http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/05/30/gladwell-on-amazon-its-sort-of-heartbreaking-when-your-partner-turns-on-you/ (http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/05/30/gladwell-on-amazon-its-sort-of-heartbreaking-when-your-partner-turns-on-you/) James Patterson: ‘If Amazon Is the New American Way, Then Maybe It Has to Be Changed’ http://www.vulture.com/2014/05/james-patterson-calls-out-amazon-at-book-expo.html (http://www.vulture.com/2014/05/james-patterson-calls-out-amazon-at-book-expo.html) The Big Books of BookExpo America 2014 http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bea/article/62673-bea-2014-big-books-of-the-show-coming-right-up.html (http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bea/article/62673-bea-2014-big-books-of-the-show-coming-right-up.html) Tony Awards 2014: Who Will Win? http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/06/03/tony-awards-2014-who-will-win/ (http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/06/03/tony-awards-2014-who-will-win/) ‘Arsenio Hall Show’ Cancelled After One Season http://www.thewrap.com/arsenio-hall-show-cancelled-despite-season-2-order/ (http://www.thewrap.com/arsenio-hall-show-cancelled-despite-season-2-order/) Amazon Prime To Offer Music Streaming Service — With 6-Month-Old Songs http://www.buzzfeed.com/reggieugwu/amazon-prime-to-offer-music-streaming-service (http://www.buzzfeed.com/reggieugwu/amazon-prime-to-offer-music-streaming-service)

Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan took home the Palm d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival for his movie, “Winter Sleep”. The slow-paced character drama set in a picturesque corner of Apollonia faced stiff competition from Xavier Dolan’s “Mommy”, A...

It’s the middle of May so that must mean it is once again time for the Cannes Film Festival, one of the most anticipated and prestigious annual events of the international film industry. This year’s Festival du Film is stocked with titles by auteurs co...

As rumors began to circulate that Apple was purchasing Beats Electronics for $3.2 billion everyone from music industry executives to stock market analysts all asked the same simple question - why? The lucrative deal makes perfect sense from Beats perspective, but what does Apple see in the high-end headphone manufacturer that made them spend so much money to acquire the company. Speculation has centered on two possible reasons, both of which are probably accurate. The first hypothesis is that since Apple already heavily promotes Beats products through their retail stores, they may as well make them a part of the family and keep all the profits. The second theory is that Apple is hoping Beats streaming subscription service can help them with their own streaming music offerings. With digital music sales first plateauing and now declining, Apple may be predicting that more consumers are wanting to stream their music rather than purchase it. We discuss Apple’s big purchase and provide in-depth analysis on what it means for the company and the state of the music business. Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including the renewal of “American Idol” for a 14th season, NBC pays billions for the rights to broadcast the Olympics over the next 20 years and Comedy Central finds a replacement for Stephen Colbert. Rentrak Announces Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of May 11, 2014 http://www.marketwatch.com/story/rentrak-announces-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-may-11-2014-2014-05-11 (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/rentrak-announces-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-may-11-2014-2014-05-11) Porn Stars Rail Against Piracy, Ask You To Pay For Porn http://www.geek.com/news/porn-stars-rail-against-piracy-ask-you-to-pay-for-porn-1593495/ (http://www.geek.com/news/porn-stars-rail-against-piracy-ask-you-to-pay-for-porn-1593495/) News Corp Buys Harlequin World’s Biggest Romance Book Publisher http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeremygreenfield/2014/05/02/news-corp-buys-harlequin-worlds-biggest-romance-book-publisher-three-reasons/ (http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeremygreenfield/2014/05/02/news-corp-buys-harlequin-worlds-biggest-romance-book-publisher-three-reasons/) 'American Idol' Renewed for Season 14 http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/american-idol-renewed-season-14-702224 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/american-idol-renewed-season-14-702224) NBC Secures Olympic Games Broadcast Rights Through 2032 for $7.65 Billion http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/nbc-secures-olympic-games-broadcast-701973 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/nbc-secures-olympic-games-broadcast-701973) Hachette Says Amazon Is Delaying Delivery of Some Books http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/09/technology/hachette-says-amazon-is-delaying-delivery-of-some-books.html?hpw&rref=books (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/09/technology/hachette-says-amazon-is-delaying-delivery-of-some-books.html?hpw&rref=books) Daily Shows Larry Wilmore To Replace Stephen Colbert http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/daily-shows-larry-wilmore-to-replace-stephen-colbert-1201176871/ (http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/daily-shows-larry-wilmore-to-replace-stephen-colbert-1201176871/) Apple in Talks to Buy Beats Electronics for $3.2 Billion http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB1000142405270230443.... (http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304431104579550392146532138)

Two real-life controversies are presently complicating life in Hollywood where studios prefer to make lots of money and ignore complicated social issues or the sometimes tawdry private lives of their executives and talent. The first involves accusations of forcible rape by movie director Bryan Singer. The second involves boycotting a historic Tinseltown hotel over its owners politics. In less contentious news it appears our prediction about the future of Craig Ferguson as host of the “Late Late Show” was correct, and he will indeed be departing by the end of this year. The host says the decision was entirely his own, despite what it might look like with David Letterman retiring from his show’s lead in, “Late Night”. Tony nominations were announced last week to honor some of this year’s best and brightest Broadway productions and performers. We give you a rundown of all the front runners as well as a look at a few that didn’t make the cut. Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including the “Star Wars Episode VII” casting announcement, AT&T’s acquisition offer of DirecTV and Ben Affleck’s blackjack trouble. Bob Hoskins, Actor Who Combined Charm and Menace, Dies at 71 http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/01/movies/bob-hoskins-british-actor-dies-at-71.html (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/01/movies/bob-hoskins-british-actor-dies-at-71.html) Amazing Spider-Man 2′ Soars With $92 Mil Stateside Bow http://variety.com/2014/film/news/box-office-amazing-spider-man-2-soars-with-92-mil-stateside-bow-1201171380/ (http://variety.com/2014/film/news/box-office-amazing-spider-man-2-soars-with-92-mil-stateside-bow-1201171380/) 'Amazing Spider-Man 2' Kicks Off Summer With $92 Million Debut http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-amazing-spider-man-701103 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-amazing-spider-man-701103) Wes Anderson to Celebrate 'Grand Budapest Hotel' With Cruise http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/wes-anderson-to-celebrate-grand-budapest-hotel-with-cruise-20140505 (http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/wes-anderson-to-celebrate-grand-budapest-hotel-with-cruise-20140505) DreamWorks Animation Takes $57M Impairment Charge on 'Mr. Peabody & Sherman' http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dreamworks-animation-takes-57m-impairment-699590 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dreamworks-animation-takes-57m-impairment-699590) Jeffrey Katzenberg Predicts 3-Week Theatrical Window in Future http://variety.com/2014/film/news/jeffrey-katzenberg-predicts-3-week-theatrical-window-in-future-1201166052/ (http://variety.com/2014/film/news/jeffrey-katzenberg-predicts-3-week-theatrical-window-in-future-1201166052/) Craig Ferguson to Exit CBS' 'Late Late Show' http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/craig-ferguson-exit-late-late-show-699470 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/craig-ferguson-exit-late-late-show-699470) Craig Ferguson: ‘I Wanted to Leave the Show Before I Stopped Enjoying It’ (EXCLUSIVE) http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/craig-ferguson-i-wanted-to-leave-the-show-before-i-stopped-enjoying-it-exclusive-1201166239/ (http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/craig-ferguson-i-wanted-to-leave-the-show-before-i-stopped-enjoying-it-exclusive-1201166239/) No Craig Ferguson Replacement Before Upfronts (Exclusive) http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/craig-ferguson-replacement-wont-be-699948 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/craig-ferguson-replacement-wont-be-699948) Tony Awards 2014: ‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder,’ ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ Lead the Nominations Field http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/29/2014-tony-awards-nominations/ (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/29/2014-tony-awards-nominations/) 2014 Tony Award Nominations - The Complete List http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/2014-Tony-Award-Nominations-The-Complete-List-20140429#.U1_NGuZdUWE

The concept that all data sent via the Internet should be treated equally has allowed services such as YouTube and Netflix to develop and prosper on a level playing field. However a new proposal from the Federal Communications Commission would effectiv...

In its 15 year history the Coachella has grown from a two day event with a couple dozen bands to one of the world’s most important music festivals with so many VIP luxury amenities that some have argued the high-priced perks have begun overshadowing th...