Showbiz Sandbox

Late night talk show personality David Letterman surprised everyone last week by announcing that he would be retiring as host of the “Late Show” in 2015. News that Letterman would be exiting on his own terms after 30 years as a late night headliner broke in a thoroughly modern way; first via Twitter, then through the media’s career retrospectives and ultimately with stories about who would make a good replacement. We nominate Vince Vaughn. In other television news, Time Warner Cable is in a bitter dispute with satellite provider DirecTV. The two companies are butting heads over the broadcast rights for the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball games TWC paid more than $8 billion for last year. With negotiations seemingly stalled, more than 30% of the market’s paid television subscribers have been blacked out of each game’s telecast. Meanwhile, this year’s Broadway season is about to kick off in earnest on the run up to the Tony Awards. Our own Michael Giltz gives us a complete rundown on which productions he’s putting his own figurative money on. Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including a trademark dispute over Mickey Mouse, a new contract for the Writers Guild of America and the continuing struggles of Entertainment Weekly. Mickey Rooney, Master of Putting On a Show, Dies at 93 http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/07/arts/mickey-rooney-master-of-putting-on-a-show-dies-at-93.html?_r=0 (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/07/arts/mickey-rooney-master-of-putting-on-a-show-dies-at-93.html?_r=0) Captain America’ Blows Up Weekend Box Office With Boffo $203 Mil Globally, Scores Record $96 Mil Stateside http://variety.com/2014/film/news/captain-america-blows-up-box-office-with-boffo-203-mil-globally-scores-record-96-mil-stateside-bow-1201153224/ (http://variety.com/2014/film/news/captain-america-blows-up-box-office-with-boffo-203-mil-globally-scores-record-96-mil-stateside-bow-1201153224/) Box Office: 'Captain America: Winter Soldier' Soars to $303.3 Million Globally http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-captain-america-winter-693959 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-captain-america-winter-693959) German Film Academy Awards Announce Nominees http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/german-film-academy-awards-announce-691863 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/german-film-academy-awards-announce-691863) German Box Office Falls in First Quarter http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/german-box-office-falls-first-693210 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/german-box-office-falls-first-693210) China's Box Office Surges 30 Percent in First Quarter, Expected to Hit $4.64 Billion for 2014 http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/chinas-box-office-surges-30-693212 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/chinas-box-office-surges-30-693212) President Obama, Jimmy Kimmel React to David Letterman’s Retirement Via Twitter http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/jimmy-kimmel-ellen-degeneres-react-to-david-lettermans-retirement-via-twitter-1201152454/ (http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/jimmy-kimmel-ellen-degeneres-react-to-david-lettermans-retirement-via-twitter-1201152454/) David Letterman Follows Johnny’s Playbook Until the End http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/david-letterman-follows-johnnys-playbook-until-the-end-1201152390/ (http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/david-letterman-follows-johnnys-playbook-until-the-end-1201152390/) CBS Approached John Oliver for Late Night Show as Major Shuffle Looms http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cbs-approached-john-oliver-late-693587 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cbs-approached-john-oliver-late-693587) Los Angeles Mayor to CBS: Move the ‘Late Show’ to L.A. http://variety.com/2014/biz/news/los-angeles-mayor-to-cbs-move-the-late-show-to-l-a-1201152653/ (http://variety.com/2014/biz/news/los-angeles-mayor-to-cbs-move-the-late-show-to-l-a-1201152653/) For Letterman’s Job, Dueling 10-Best Lists http://www.nytimes.

Every spring movie theater operators from around the world converge on Las Vegas to attend CinemaCon. During the week-long convention cinema owners are bombarded with industry facts, attendance figures, educational seminars and endless footage from upcoming releases. Over the years advances in digital projection have become an increasingly important topic at the show. It’s no secret that cinemas have been slowly converting their facilities from traditional 35mm projection to digital. There was no better indication that the days of celluloid film prints are definitely over than the number of vendors at CinemaCon demonstrating the next generation of digital technology, including immersive sound and laser projectors. When it comes to live theater, there is no doubt that New York’s Broadway and London’s West End are the leaders of the pack. Our own Michael Giltz reviews his previous predictions and investment advice by recapping the past year’s biggest money making productions, as well as a few financial losers. Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including the fall of “Duck Dynasty”, a decline in paid cable subscribers and Oprah Winfrey’s plans for a national tour. Cineplex Australia https://www.cineplex.com.au/ (https://www.cineplex.com.au/) ‘Frozen’ Just Became The Highest-Grossing Animated Film Ever http://www.cartoonbrew.com/disney/frozen-just-became-the-highest-grossing-animated-film-ever-97992.html (http://www.cartoonbrew.com/disney/frozen-just-became-the-highest-grossing-animated-film-ever-97992.html) 'Frozen' Sells 3.2 Million Blu-ray, DVD Units in First Day http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/frozen-sells-32-million-blu-689770 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/frozen-sells-32-million-blu-689770) ‘Noah’ Delegation Meets Pope at Vatican General Audience http://variety.com/2014/film/news/pope-meets-noah-delegation-at-vatican-general-audience-1201138822/ (http://variety.com/2014/film/news/pope-meets-noah-delegation-at-vatican-general-audience-1201138822/) 'Lego Movie' Backer Village Roadshow Cut Out of Sequel http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lego-movie-2-village-roadshow-691087 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lego-movie-2-village-roadshow-691087) CinemaCon 2014: '4-D' theater coming to Regal Cinemas L.A. Live http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-aeg-4d-theater-20140324,0,4666741.story (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-aeg-4d-theater-20140324,0,4666741.story) Hollywood to Test Discount Movie Ticket Prices for Weeknights http://www.thewrap.com/hollywood-launching-discount-ticket-price-weeknights-test/ (http://www.thewrap.com/hollywood-launching-discount-ticket-price-weeknights-test/) China Expected to Confirm Second Theatrical Distribution License http://variety.com/2014/biz/international/china-expected-to-confirm-second-th.... (http://variety.com/2014/biz/international/china-expected-to-confirm-second-theatrical-distribution-license-exclusive-1201143916/) Number of Frequent Young Moviegoers Plummets in 2013 http://variety.com/2014/film/news/number-of-frequent-young-moviegoers-p.... (http://variety.com/2014/film/news/number-of-frequent-young-moviegoers-plummets-in-2013-1201146426/) Theater Owners Chief: '12 Years a Slave' Was 'Too Intense' to Watch in Cinema http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/theater-owners-chief-12-years-691191 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/theater-owners-chief-12-years-691191) CinemaCon: African-American Moviegoers Increase for First Time Since 2009 http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cinemacon-african-american-moviegoers-increase-691170 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cinemacon-african-american-moviegoers-increase-691170) CinemaCon: Christopher Nolan Talks 'Interstellar,' Plugs Film Over Digital http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cinemacon-christopher-nolan-talks-interstellar-691456

Countless bands long to play at South by Southwest, the music festival that takes place in Austin, Texas every March. The event has grown into an important showcases for undiscovered, unsigned and fast rising artists. The Family Crest (http://www.thefamilycrestfamily.com/), an indie rock band from San Francisco, is one of the buzzworthy acts that played at this year’s SxSW. Liam McCormick, the group’s songwriter and founding member, joins us to discuss what it’s being officially invited to play at such a prestigious festival. In an in-depth conversation, McCormick walks us through how The Family Crest (https://www.facebook.com/thefamilycrest) has managed to follow through on all the necessary achievements modern bands strive for in search of success; they’ve funded two albums via Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/thefamilycrest) which feature hundreds of musicians, they’re signed to an indie record label and NPR is touting the group’s music, which of course can be easily found on all the popular streaming services. On top of all that, television series and advertising campaigns have begun licensing their music. Much like The Family Crest, Disney is doing quite well for itself these days, at least when it comes to Broadway. What’s surprising is that it isn’t one of the company’s hot new productions that’s the highest grossing production on the Great White Way, but rather “The Lion King”, which opened 16 years ago. It’s all thanks to the new trend of dynamic ticket pricing. We’ll explain. Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including why the NFL is suing M.I.A., Amazon prepares to enter the streaming music business, and “Big Bang Theory” gets renewed for three whole seasons. The Family Crest’s Website http://www.thefamilycrestfamily.com/ (http://www.thefamilycrestfamily.com/) The Family Crest’s “Beneath The Brine” http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HOGRKYC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1.... (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HOGRKYC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00HOGRKYC&linkCode=as2&tag=showbsandb-20) Projecting ‘Grand Budapest Hotel’ in Theaters Requires Special Instructions http://variety.com/2014/film/news/projecting-grand-budapest-hotel-in-theaters-requires-special-instructions-1201132106/ (http://variety.com/2014/film/news/projecting-grand-budapest-hotel-in-theaters-requires-special-instructions-1201132106/) Weinstein Co. Buys Animated ‘Foosball,’ Re-Titled as ‘Underdogs’ http://variety.com/2014/film/news/weinsteins-buy-foosball-re-titled-as-underdogs-exclusive-1201136517/ (http://variety.com/2014/film/news/weinsteins-buy-foosball-re-titled-as-underdogs-exclusive-1201136517/) Paramount Denies Report That Pope Canceled Meeting With 'Noah's' Russell Crowe http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/paramount-denies-report-pope-canceled-689114 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/paramount-denies-report-pope-canceled-689114) Warner Bros. Licenses CW's 'The 100' Exclusively to Netflix Canada http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-bros-licenses-cws-100-687941 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-bros-licenses-cws-100-687941) NFL Now Demands $16.6 Million Over M.I.A.'s Super Bowl Middle Finger http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/nfl-demands-166-million-mias-689017 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/nfl-demands-166-million-mias-689017) Digital Now 30% of Revenue at Hachette http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2014/digital-now-30-of-revenue-at-hachette (http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2014/digital-now-30-of-revenue-at-hachette) CBS Sets Mega 3-Season Renewal for ‘The Big Bang Theory’ http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/cbs-sets-mega-3-season-renewal-for-the-big-bang-theory-1201129964/ (http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/cbs-sets-mega-3-season-renewal-for-the-big-bang-theory-1201129964/) Amazon Working on Music-Streaming Service http://online.wsj.

After months of rancorous public and legal battles with television networks over their ad-skipping Hopper technology, U.S. satellite provider Dish Network reached a landmark retransmission consent agreement with the Walt Disney Company. The deal calls ...

If you weren’t surprised by any of the winners at this year’s Oscar ceremony, you may have Oscar prognosticators like Anne Thompson (https://twitter.com/akstanwyck) to blame. Indiewire’s editor-at-large was at the big show and joins us to discuss the t...

Broadcast television networks are finally catching on to what most of us have known all along; people over the age of 50 actually watch a lot of TV. In a never-ending pursuit to attract younger viewers, networks discovered that baby boomers make up a large portion of their audience. Surely we’ll be seeing a lot more programming meant to appeal directly to this new found demographic. Maybe some of these new, more mature shows can be turned into movies one day. That seems to be the new trend in Hollywood as studios get set to release two movies that are spun-off from canceled series (“Veronica Mars”) or are have actually already appeared on television as mini-series (“Son of God”). Speaking of Hollywood studios, it turns out that despite crying poor on a perennial basis, they all managed to make hundreds of millions of dollars in profit during 2013. Not revenue… actual profit. Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including Cee Lo Green quitting “The Voice”, CNN quitting Piers Morgan and the end of Moviefone’s movie listing service. ‘Ghostbusters’ Star Harold Ramis Dies at 69 http://variety.com/2014/film/news/harold-ramis-dead-at-69-1201118556/ (http://variety.com/2014/film/news/harold-ramis-dead-at-69-1201118556/) 'Lego Movie' Sequel Sets Release Date http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lego-movie-sequel-sets-release-682407 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lego-movie-sequel-sets-release-682407) Box Office: 'Hobbit 2' Opens to Huge $32.7 Million in China http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-hobbit-2-opens-682657 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-hobbit-2-opens-682657) Box Office (Global): 'Pompeii' Struggles Internationally With $22.8 Million http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-global-pompeii-struggles-682665 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-global-pompeii-struggles-682665) R-Rated 'Anchorman 2' Hitting Theaters for One Week http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/r-rated-anchorman-2-hitting-682273 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/r-rated-anchorman-2-hitting-682273) ‘Anchorman 2’ Returns (Call It 2½) http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/movies/anchorman-2-returns-call-it-2.html (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/movies/anchorman-2-returns-call-it-2.html) Studio Profit Report: Who's Up and Who's Down http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/gallery/movie-tv-studio-profit-report-681784 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/gallery/movie-tv-studio-profit-report-681784) Churches Buy Out Multiplexes for ‘Son of God’ Opening http://variety.com/2014/film/news/churches-buy-out-multiplexes-for-son-of-god-opening-1201104736/ (http://variety.com/2014/film/news/churches-buy-out-multiplexes-for-son-of-god-opening-1201104736/) 'Veronica Mars' Movie: Coming to a Living Room Near You http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/veronica-mars-movie-coming-a-682506 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/veronica-mars-movie-coming-a-682506) Pilot Season: 4 Hot Trends for 2014 http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/pilot-season-4-hot-trends-680994 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/pilot-season-4-hot-trends-680994) TV Pilot Season 2014: By the Numbers http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-pilot-season-2014-by-681459 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-pilot-season-2014-by-681459) Fox Adds Family Drama From Jerry Bruckheimer http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/fox-adds-family-drama-jerry-682726 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/fox-adds-family-drama-jerry-682726) NBC’s ‘Heroes’ to Return as Miniseries in 2015 http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/nbc-to-revive-heroes-franchise-as-miniseries-in-2015-1201116954/ (http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/nbc-to-revive-heroes-franchise-as-miniseries-in-2015-1201116954/) Jennifer Lopez Drama Ordered Straight to Series at NBC http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/jennifer-lopez-drama-ordered-straight-682502

The proposed merger of Comcast and TimeWarner Cable has presented industry analysts with a number of complicated questions. Providing some of the answers is David Gelles (https://twitter.com/dgelles), a business reporter for the New York Times, who joins us to provide background and insight into a transformative $45 billion deal that would combine the two largest media and technology providers in North America. Though there are no legislative restrictions, will the U.S. government try to prevent to the two cable giants from consolidating? What concessions will the regulators ask of Comcast if allowing the merger to go through? How will consolidation give Comcast leverage in negotiations with content providers? Would the combined companies have too much control over the media? Most importantly, what does all of this mean for consumers? Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, the BAFTA awards were handed out over the weekend to films with strong British ties. That wasn’t the case at the Berlin Film Festival where Chinese movies took home the top prizes. Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including Jimmy Fallon’s “Tonight Show” debut, actress Ellen Page’s inspiring coming-out speech, and an update on actor Shia Labeouf’s latest performance art stunt. Shirley Temple Dead: Legendary Child Star Dies at 85 http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/shirley-temple-dead-legendary-child-677643 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/shirley-temple-dead-legendary-child-677643) Shirley Temple’s 1997 Oscar Appearance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WlDvrqGuzA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WlDvrqGuzA) Sid Caesar Dead: Comedy Titan Was 91 http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sid-caesar-dead-comedy-titan-679817 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sid-caesar-dead-comedy-titan-679817) 'Lego' Stuns With $63.5 Million Second Weekend; 'About Last Night' Opens to $28.5 Million http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-lego-stuns-635-680751 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-lego-stuns-635-680751) Gravity Emerges as Biggest Winner at the 2014 BAFTA Ceremony http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/feb/16/gravity-biggest-winner-bafta-awards-baftas (http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/feb/16/gravity-biggest-winner-bafta-awards-baftas) Complete List of BAFTA 2014 Nominees and Winners http://awards.bafta.org/award/2014/film (http://awards.bafta.org/award/2014/film) China's Film Industry Celebrates Berlinale Triumph http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/chinas-film-industry-celebrates-berlinale-680735 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/chinas-film-industry-celebrates-berlinale-680735) Ellen Page Comes Out as Gay: 'I Am Tired of Lying by Omission' http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ellen-page-comes-as-gay-680563 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ellen-page-comes-as-gay-680563) E! Deletes Story Mocking Ellen Page Following Her Coming Out Speech http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ellen-page-comes-e-deletes-680618 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ellen-page-comes-e-deletes-680618) Seth Meyers Names 'SNL' Pal Fred Armisen 'Late Night' Bandleader http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/seth-meyers-names-snl-pal-fred-armisen-late-night-bandleader-20140210 (http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/seth-meyers-names-snl-pal-fred-armisen-late-night-bandleader-20140210) Authors Tell Penguin: Pulp Our Books Too http://www.gulf-times.com/india/185/details/381502/authors-tell-penguin:-pulp-our-books-too (http://www.gulf-times.com/india/185/details/381502/authors-tell-penguin:-pulp-our-books-too) Shia LaBeouf Launches Bizarre Public Performance Art Piece http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/shia-labeouf-launches-bizarre-public-679414 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/shia-labeouf-launches-bizarre-public-679414) Jerry O'Connell Copies Shia LaBeouf Who Copies Marina Abramovic http://www.latimes.

When Jay Leno signed off as host of “The Tonight Show” last week he left late night television and the city of Los Angeles in different states than when he first began the job 22-years earlier. Scott Collins (https://twitter.com/scottcollinsLAT), TV reporter for the Los Angeles Times, discusses the legacy Leno leaves behind in a late night landscape that now includes two dozen shows, along with what “The Tonight Show’s” move to New York City means for L.A. production jobs. If you weren’t one of the more than 14 million viewers tuning in to Leno’s last late night stints, then maybe you’re watching the Winter Olympics. Networks such as NBC in the United States are making it easier to stream the Olympic Games online… sort of. The catch is that you must already be a subscriber to cable or satellite television services. Meanwhile the Berlin Film Festival is currently taking place in Germany though the person making most of the headlines at the event is an actor who claims to no longer be famous. Can you guess who it is? (Hint: It’s Shia Labeouf). Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including singer Clay Aiken’s run for seat in Congress, Fox puts an end to the “X Factor” and the Red Hot Chili Peppers get called out for miming their Super Bowl halftime performance. Paramount to Release 'Noah' in 3D in Foreign Markets http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/paramount-release-noah-3d-foreign-677644 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/paramount-release-noah-3d-foreign-677644) No Speak English? Cinema Show Noah In 3D Just For You. http://celluloidjunkie.com/2014/02/07/no-speak-english-cinema-show-noah-in-3d-just-for-you/ (http://celluloidjunkie.com/2014/02/07/no-speak-english-cinema-show-noah-in-3d-just-for-you/) China Mulls Upping Film Quota http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/china-mulls-upping-film-quota-678697 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/china-mulls-upping-film-quota-678697) Berlin: Shia LaBeouf Storms out of 'Nymphomaniac' Press Conference http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/berlin-shia-labeouf-storms-nymphomaniac-678686 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/berlin-shia-labeouf-storms-nymphomaniac-678686) Berlin: Shia LaBeouf Wears Paper Bag on Head to 'Nymphomaniac' Premiere http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/shia-labeouf-at-nymphomaniac-premiere-678711 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/shia-labeouf-at-nymphomaniac-premiere-678711) The $4.38 Billion Reason It’s So Hard for U.S. Cord-Cutters To Watch the Olympics Online http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/02/06/the-4-38-billion-reason-its-so-hard-for-u-s-cord-cutters-to-watch-olympics-online/ (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/02/06/the-4-38-billion-reason-its-so-hard-for-u-s-cord-cutters-to-watch-olympics-online/) U.S.-Russian Media Spar Over WWII Memorials http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20140210/NEWS08/302100013/Monumental-slights-U-S-Russian-media-spar-over-WWII-memorials (http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20140210/NEWS08/302100013/Monumental-slights-U-S-Russian-media-spar-over-WWII-memorials) Canadian Government Signs E-book Consent Agreements with Four Publishers http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/60974-canadian-government-signs-e-book-consent-agreements-with-four-publishers.html (http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/60974-canadian-government-signs-e-book-consent-agreements-with-four-publishers.html) Canadian Competition Bureau Limits Agency Ebook Pricing http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2014/canadian-competition-bureau-limits-agency-ebook-pricing/ (http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2014/canadian-competition-bureau-limits-agency-ebook-pricing/) CBS Lands Thursday Night NFL Package http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/nfl-cbs-thursday-night-1201087880/ (http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/nfl-cbs-thursday-night-1201087880/)

Thanks to surging theatrical grosses in countries such as Brazil, China, India, Mexico and Russia, the international box office more than doubled North American earnings in 2013, topping out at a record $25 billion. Though Hollywood studio content continues to dominate globally, receipts for local productions are beginning to play a more significant role in many markets. We provide a breakdown of the annual box office for of all the major territories and explain why some fared better than others. Speaking of breaking records, the telecast of this year’s Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos had an audience of 112 million viewers. That makes it the most watched television show in U.S. history. As is often the case, the commercials proved more interesting than the game. Last week the industry also mourned the tragic death of Oscar winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman from what appears to be a drug overdose. Unfortunately, obit writers were also kept busy with the passing of folk musician Pete Seeger, studio executive Tom Sherak and legendary animator Arthur Rankin Jr. Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including an Oscar nomination for Best Song gets rescinded, “Back to the Future” is being turned into a Broadway musical and Disney plans to reboot Chip ‘n Dale. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Actor of Depth, Dies at 46 http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/03/movies/philip-seymour-hoffman-actor-dies-at-46.html (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/03/movies/philip-seymour-hoffman-actor-dies-at-46.html) Philip Seymour Hoffman Found Dead in New York http://variety.com/2014/film/news/wsj-report-philip-seymour-hoffman-found-dead-in-new-york-1201082934/ (http://variety.com/2014/film/news/wsj-report-philip-seymour-hoffman-found-dead-in-new-york-1201082934/) Pete Seeger dies at 94; Balladeer Was America's Conscience http://www.latimes.com/obituaries/la-me-pete-seeger-20140128,0,191963.story (http://www.latimes.com/obituaries/la-me-pete-seeger-20140128,0,191963.story) Tom Sherak Dies at 68; Former Head of Motion Picture Academy http://www.latimes.com/obituaries/la-me-tom-sherak-20140129,0,6382220.story (http://www.latimes.com/obituaries/la-me-tom-sherak-20140129,0,6382220.story) Animation Legend Arthur Rankin Jr. Dies at 89 http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/animation-legend-arthur-rankin-jr-676275 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/animation-legend-arthur-rankin-jr-676275) New Chinese Box Office Records Come As No Surprise http://celluloidjunkie.com/2014/02/04/new-chinese-box-office-records-come-as-no-surprise/ (http://celluloidjunkie.com/2014/02/04/new-chinese-box-office-records-come-as-no-surprise/) WGA Awards 2014: Complete List of Winners and Nominees http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/moviesnow/la-et-mn-wga-awards-2014-complete-list-nominees,0,5255121.story (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/moviesnow/la-et-mn-wga-awards-2014-complete-list-nominees,0,5255121.story) Gravity Earns Top Honors from Cinematographers http://www.theasc.com/asc_news/News_Articles/News_470.php (http://www.theasc.com/asc_news/News_Articles/News_470.php) 'Great Gatsby' Wins Big at Australian Oscars http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/great-gatsby-wins-big-at-australian-oscars (http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/great-gatsby-wins-big-at-australian-oscars) Aussie Films Hit 8-Year Low http://if.com.au/2014/01/20/article/Aussie-films-hit-8-year-low/GYQVSPQLCG (http://if.com.au/2014/01/20/article/Aussie-films-hit-8-year-low/GYQVSPQLCG) Box Office: Boom! Bust! Inside a Wild $25 Billion Year Overseas http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-boom-bust-inside-674757 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-boom-bust-inside-674757) Super Bowl XLVIII Is Most Watched in History With 112.2 Million Viewers http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-super-bowl-xlviii-676651

Whether it was Hunter Hayes belting out an anti-bullying song or Queen Latifah performing a mass-marriage ceremony for 32 couples to the hip-hop beats of Macklemore & Lewis, this years Grammys’ ceremony was more upbeat than ever. David Wild (https://twitter.com/Wildaboutmusic), a contributing editor at Rolling Stone, wrote the telecast that attracted a whopping 28.5 million viewers, as well as the Beatles tribute concert the very next night. He stops by to discuss what it was like helping put both shows together. Awards were also handed out for movies this past week. The Directors Guild of America shook up the Oscar race by giving its top prize to Alfonso Cuaron for “Gravity” and the Sundance Film Festival came to an end by handing out more than two dozen awards to indie movies. Meanwhile, a number of companies are locked in a heated battle to provide an online alternative to cable and satellite television. The biggest hurdle for the likes of Amazon, Sony and Verizon in helping audiences cut the cord may turn out to be the erosion of net neutrality. Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including shorter movie trailers, Quentin Tarantino’s latest screenplay gets leaked and Bill Cosby returns to NBC with a new sit-com. David Wild on The Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-wild/ (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-wild/) 'Jack Ryan' Franchise in Question After Snub From Younger Moviegoers http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jack-ryan-franchise-question-snub-672533 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jack-ryan-franchise-question-snub-672533) Disney's 'Frozen' To Get Singalong Theatrical Release http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-disney-frozen-singalong-theatrical-release-20140122,0,5709427.story (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-disney-frozen-singalong-theatrical-release-20140122,0,5709427.story) Directors Guild Awards: Alfonso Cuaron Wins Top Honor for 'Gravity' http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/moviesnow/la-et-mn-directors-guild-awards-winners,0,3026295.story (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/moviesnow/la-et-mn-directors-guild-awards-winners,0,3026295.story) 2014 Sundance Film Festival Announces Feature Film Awards http://www.sundance.org/festival/release/2014-sundance-film-festival-announces-feature-film-awards/ (http://www.sundance.org/festival/release/2014-sundance-film-festival-announces-feature-film-awards/) Trent Reznor Blasts Grammys With 'A Heartfelt F--k You' Tweet http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/trent-reznor-blasts-grammys-with-a-heartfelt-f-k-you-tweet-20140127 (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/trent-reznor-blasts-grammys-with-a-heartfelt-f-k-you-tweet-20140127) 56th Grammy Awards: Full Winners List http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/grammys-2014/5885341/grammy-awards-full-winners-list-2014-complete (http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/grammys-2014/5885341/grammy-awards-full-winners-list-2014-complete) Quentin Tarantino Will Not Direct Western ‘Hateful Eight’ as His Next Film http://variety.com/2014/film/news/quentin-tarantino-will-not-direct-western-hateful-eight-as-his-next-film-1201066380/ (http://variety.com/2014/film/news/quentin-tarantino-will-not-direct-western-hateful-eight-as-his-next-film-1201066380/) Quentin Tarantino Shelves ‘The Hateful Eight’ After Betrayal Results In Script Leak http://www.deadline.com/2014/01/quentin-tarantino-hateful-eight-leak-novel/ (http://www.deadline.com/2014/01/quentin-tarantino-hateful-eight-leak-novel/) Quentin Tarantino Suing Gawker Over Leaked 'Hateful Eight' Script http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/quentin-tarantino-suing-gawker-leaked-674424 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/quentin-tarantino-suing-gawker-leaked-674424) Theater Owners Enact New Guidelines Calling for Shorter Movie Trailers http://www.hollywoodreporter.

Celebrities, filmmakers and industry executives are in the midst of their annual pilgrimage to Park City, Utah for the Sundance Film Festival. Thanks to digital technology it’s never been easier to make or distribute a low budget film. This has led to a glut of indie productions looking for audiences and no way to know which are worth watching. This year’s Sundance began the day Oscar nominations were handed out and the festival’s founder was overlooked for his critically praised performance in “All Is Lost”. (Awkward). With nine films competing for Best Picture, and guild awards not being hounded out to consistent winners, it looks as if this will be one of the closest Oscar races in recent memory. Meanwhile, an appeals court ruling may have finally killed Net Neutrality, much to the joy of Internet service providers everywhere. This means the cost of streaming online music and video may soon rise significantly. Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including a Broadway bound musical adaptation of Disney’s “Frozen”, the declining appeal (and ratings) of “American Idol” and the most popular show on daytime television. Paramount Reportedly Stops Delivery of Film Prints http://celluloidjunkie.com/2014/01/19/paramount-reportedly-stops-delivery-of-film-prints/ (http://celluloidjunkie.com/2014/01/19/paramount-reportedly-stops-delivery-of-film-prints/) PGA Awards: '12 Years' and 'Gravity' Surge Back to Life After SAG Losses http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/pga-awards-12-years-gravity-67244 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/pga-awards-12-years-gravity-67244) SAG Awards: 'Hustle' Wins Endorsement of First Guild to Weigh in on Race http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/sag-awards-hustle-wins-endorsement-672272 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/sag-awards-hustle-wins-endorsement-672272) Oscars: 'American Hustle,' 'Gravity' Score 10 Nominations Each http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/oscars-american-hustle-gravity-score-671461 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/oscars-american-hustle-gravity-score-671461) CBS Renews Entire Daytime Lineup http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cbs-renews-entire-daytime-lineup-671212 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cbs-renews-entire-daytime-lineup-671212) Disney CEO Iger: Frozen Has Restored Our Mojo http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2014/01/13/disney-ceo-iger-frozen-has-restored-our-mojo/ (http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2014/01/13/disney-ceo-iger-frozen-has-restored-our-mojo/) Disney Confirms That Frozen Will Skate Its Way to Broadway http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/01-2014/disney-confirms-that-frozen-will-skate-its-way-to-_67151.html (http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/01-2014/disney-confirms-that-frozen-will-skate-its-way-to-_67151.html) ‘The Bachelor’s’ Juan Pablo Galavis Apologizes for Anti-Gay Remarks http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/bachelor-star-juan-pablo-galavis-gays-on-abc-show-would-be-too-hard-1201063569/ (http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/bachelor-star-juan-pablo-galavis-gays-on-abc-show-would-be-too-hard-1201063569/) Christine McVie Back in Fleetwood Mac http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/christine-mcvie-back-in-fleetwood-mac-20140113 (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/christine-mcvie-back-in-fleetwood-mac-20140113) Art Garfunkel Returning to the Stage: 'The Voice Is Back' http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/art-garfunkel-returning-to-the-stage-the-voice-is-back-20140113 (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/art-garfunkel-returning-to-the-stage-the-voice-is-back-20140113) The Weather Channel Is No Longer Available on DirecTV http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/weather-channel-is-no-longer-670684 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/weather-channel-is-no-longer-670684) HBO To End 'The Newsroom' With Third Season http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/13/showbiz/tv/the-newsroom-ending-hbo-ew/

Last week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas manufacturers stirred up a lot of buzz around 4K Ultra HD television sets. The proven and tested technology promises resolution four times greater than current high definition monitors. The biggest hurdle the industry must overcome for Ultra HD to work are the economics, specifically the high cost of delivering 4K content. For those consumers who have given up on cable and broadcast television, commonly referred to as “cord-cutters”, the good news is they will now be able to watch wrestling via streaming video thanks to the WWE’s new online only network. However, the United States Supreme Court will decide whether they can continue using Aereo to stream local broadcast channels. Meanwhile, this year’s awards season continues to chug along as the Golden Globes are handed out and the Director’s Guild of America announced their nominations. Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including why Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus are too sexy for France, the demographics of last year’s Broadway ticket sales and whether a movie critic’s tweets can be used in advertisements. Catching Fire Passes Iron Man 3 to Become 2013 Box-Office Champ http://www.vulture.com/2014/01/hunger-games-catching-fire-2013-box-office-winner.html (http://www.vulture.com/2014/01/hunger-games-catching-fire-2013-box-office-winner.html) U.K. Box Office Shrinks in 2013, First Decline in 10 Years http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/uk-box-office-shrinks-2013-668543 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/uk-box-office-shrinks-2013-668543) Dutch Box Office: $340 Million Take in 2013 http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dutch-box-office-340-million-669158 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dutch-box-office-340-million-669158) Digital Video Sales' Rise Breathes New Life Into Home Entertainment http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ces-digital-sales-20140103,0,5970703.story#ixzz2qFxQFCpY (http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ces-digital-sales-20140103,0,5970703.story#ixzz2qFxQFCpY) Analyst: Studios Raising VOD Prices http://www.homemediamagazine.com/vod/analyst-studios-raising-vod-prices-32266 (http://www.homemediamagazine.com/vod/analyst-studios-raising-vod-prices-32266) 'Golden Globes' Bring in 20.9 Million Viewers, a Ten-Year High http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-golden-globes-grow-670373 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-golden-globes-grow-670373) Golden Globes: Complete Winners List http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dga-unveils-documentary-award-nominations-670226 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dga-unveils-documentary-award-nominations-670226) DGA Unveils Film Award Nominations http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dga-awards-unveils-film-nominations-668692 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dga-awards-unveils-film-nominations-668692) Supreme Court To Hear Broadcasters' Case Against Aereo http://money.cnn.com/2014/01/10/technology/aereo-supreme-court/index.html (http://money.cnn.com/2014/01/10/technology/aereo-supreme-court/index.html) WWE Launching Over-The-Top Network http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-wwe-network-20140108,0,2623775.story (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-wwe-network-20140108,0,2623775.story) Did An Ad for 'Inside Llewyn Davis' Violate Twitter's Terms of Service? http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/7/5282748/times-critic-a-o-scotts-tweet-became-a-70000-ad (http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/7/5282748/times-critic-a-o-scotts-tweet-became-a-70000-ad) CBS Films Masters The Art of Social Media Marketing http://celluloidjunkie.com/2014/01/07/cbs-films-masters-the-art-of-social-media-marketing (http://celluloidjunkie.com/2014/01/07/cbs-films-masters-the-art-of-social-media-marketing) Late Night Results – 4th Quarter 2013 http://www.tvmediainsights.com/forum/?

Almost every sector of the entertainment industry saw record grosses during 2013. North American movie ticket sales reached a record $10.9 billion. Television audiences are tuning in to more shows than ever, especially sporting events. The top 20 conce...

Beating up on the film business seems to be all the rage lately, as witnessed by the New York Times recently suggesting the industry was in “survival mode”. Yet the worldwide box office is about to break another all-time record and home video revenue a...

The entertainment industry is marking the end of 2013 with a flurry of lawsuits all having to do, one way or another, with profit participation. Moguls Harvey and Bob Weinstein have filed suit against Warner Bros. over profits from sequels to “The Hobbit”, a property they originally owned. Then there’s the fired creator of “The Walking Dead” who is suing AMC claiming the network owes him tens of millions of dollars for the hit television series. Filmmaker James Cameron is no stranger to legal battles since he is constantly having to fend off plagiarism lawsuits. Last week the director said he struck a tax deal with New Zealand to film not one, but three “Avatar” sequels in the country. Golden Globe nominations were announced last week helping solidify awards season frontrunners such as “12 Years A Slave”, “American Hustle” and “Gravity” among others. Keep in mind, only about 90 international entertainment journalists get to nominate and vote for the Globes. Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including the new additions to the National Film Registry, the new members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and how Beyoncé surprised fans with a new album. Peter O’Toole, Star of ‘Lawrence of Arabia,’ Is Dead at 81 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/16/movies/peter-otoole-lawrence-of-arabia-is-dead-at-81.html (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/16/movies/peter-otoole-lawrence-of-arabia-is-dead-at-81.html) Joan Fontaine, Actress Who Won Oscar for 'Suspicion,' Dies at 96 http://www.latimes.com/obituaries/la-et-mn-joan-fontaine-actress-who-won-oscar-for-suspicion-dies-at-96-20131215,0,3131740.story (http://www.latimes.com/obituaries/la-et-mn-joan-fontaine-actress-who-won-oscar-for-suspicion-dies-at-96-20131215,0,3131740.story) ‘Hobbit’ Sequel’s High Frame Rate Theaters Nearly Doubled – But Warner Bros. Keeps It Quiet http://www.thewrap.com/hobbit-sequel-steers-clear-high-frame-rate-controversy/ (http://www.thewrap.com/hobbit-sequel-steers-clear-high-frame-rate-controversy/) 'Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug' Wins Weekend With $73.7 Million in Domestic Debut http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-hobbit-desolation-smaug-665787 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-hobbit-desolation-smaug-665787) New 'Avatar' Trilogy to Be Filmed in New Zealand http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/new-avatar-trilogy-be-filmed-665834 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/new-avatar-trilogy-be-filmed-665834) Golden Globes Nominations 2014: The Complete List http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/moviesnow/la-et-mn-golden-globes-nominees-winners-complete-list,0,6845028.story (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/moviesnow/la-et-mn-golden-globes-nominees-winners-complete-list,0,6845028.story) TiVo Testing Thumbs-Up / Thumbs-Down Interactive Voting On 'The Voice' http://www.theverge.com/2013/12/15/5211114/tivo-testing-thumbs-up-thumbs-down-interactive-voting-on-the-voice (http://www.theverge.com/2013/12/15/5211114/tivo-testing-thumbs-up-thumbs-down-interactive-voting-on-the-voice) 'Beyonce' Heading for Number One http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/beyonce-headed-for-number-one-20131216 (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/beyonce-headed-for-number-one-20131216) For Staples Center, a Record-Setting Year for Concerts http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/staples-center-concerts-one-direction-taylor-swift-665775 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/staples-center-concerts-one-direction-taylor-swift-665775) Led Zeppelin Catalog Comes To Spotify http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/led-zeppelin-catalog-comes-to-spotify-20131211 (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/led-zeppelin-catalog-comes-to-spotify-20131211) 25 Years of Dominance for “The Young and the Restless” on CBS http://www.tvmediainsights.com/highlights/36631/25-years-of-dominance-for-the-young-and-the-restless-on-cbs/