Showbiz Sandbox

There is no better evidence that the streaming wars are still in full swing than the news that streaming services are accounting for more viewing than cable television for the first time in history. As streaming media companies fight for market share, they have turned to live sports as a means of driving subscriber growth. However, vying with traditional networks for broadcast rights has driven the cost of live sports to record setting levels. While there might be an audience for live sports, new data shows attendance has fallen by as much as 50% for live performances such as Broadway, opera and classical music concerts. Pop concert tours, on the other hand, have never been more successful, or more expensive. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including the reason some movie stars are ditching social media for their own sanity, the second largest movie theater chain in the world may file for bankruptcy and why Mariah Carey should not become the Queen of Christmas. ‘Jurassic’ Franchise Tops $6B Global, ‘Dominion’ At $990.4M WW https://deadline.com/2022/08/jurassic-world-dominion-after-ever-happy-top-gun-maverick-minions-global-international-box-office-1235101669/ ‘The Invitation’ Tops Box Office With $7 Million in Catastrophically Slow Weekend https://variety.com/2022/film/box-office/the-invitation-box-office-slow-weekend-1235352792/ Spirit Awards to Implement Gender Neutral Acting Categories https://variety.com/2022/awards/news/independent-spirit-awards-gender-neutral-acting-categories-1235348072/ Ezra Miller Seeking Treatment for “Complex Mental Health Issues” https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/ezra-miller-seeking-treatment-mental-health-apology-1235199598/ Salman Rushdie on Ventilator Hours After Being Stabbed in Western New York https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/08/12/nyregion/salman-rushdie-stabbed-new-york Warner Bros. Discovery Condemns Threats Against J.K. Rowling Made in Wake of Salman Rushdie Attack https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/jk-rowling-death-threat-rushdie-warner-1235198659/ Korean Film Figures Condemn Venice for Honoring Kim Ki-duk Despite Sexual Abuse Allegations https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/korean-film-figures-condemn-venice2022-for-honoring-kim-ki-duk-despite-sexual-abuse-allegations-1235207801/ Who Went Too Tar: Jerry Sadowitz or Those Who Cancelled His Edinburgh Fringe Show? https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/aug/16/jerry-sadowitz-cancelled-show-comedy-free-speech...

The newly merged Warner Bros. Discovery held its first earnings call last week making so many headlines it was all anyone in the entertainment industry could talk about. The company has a ton of debt, but a plan to get into better financial shape; stop producing expensive scripted shows, shelve pricey projects and layoff thousands of employees. Most controversially the media giant decided to completely abandon the nearly finished DC movie, “Batgirl.” Speaking of comic book movies, the Wall Street Journal believes Disney’s Marvel titles are in a bit of a slump. Their movies are grossing less, getting worse reviews are not a big deal on social media. Do people even like superhero movies anymore? Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including the story behind all those expensive Springsteen tickets, why Beyonce is changing the lyrics to one of her recent songs and why “To Kill A Mockingbird” is leaving Broadway. The Eisner Awards Winners 2022, As Announced At San Diego Comic-Con https://bleedingcool.com/comics/the-eisner-awards-winners-2022-as-announced-at-san-diego-comic-con/ At the Euro 2022 Final, England Takes its First Major Women’s Soccer Title https://www.npr.org/2022/07/31/1114792604/euro-2022-england-beats-germany-women-title ‘Bullet Train’ Clocks $62.5M Global Bow; ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ Overtakes ‘Doctor Strange 2’ ‘Bullet Train’ Clocks $62.5M Global Bow; ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ Overtakes ‘Doctor Strange 2’ & ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Crosses $1.35B WW – International Box Office ‘Moon Man’ Holds Off ‘Warriors of Future’ on Another Strong China Box Office Weekend https://variety.com/2022/film/news/china-box-office-moon-man-warriors-of-future-1235335634/ Jafar Panahi Ordered to Serve Six-Year Sentence by Iranian Authorities https://variety.com/2022/film/global/jafar-panahi-6-year-sentence-iran-1235319533/ Unsealed Transcripts Open Door to End of Roman Polanski’s 45-year Legal Saga in the U.S. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-07-18/unsealed-transcripts-open-door-to-end-of-roman-polanskis-45-year-legal-saga-in-the-u-s Chris Cuomo Will Join NewsNation in Return to TV News https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/chris-cuomo-return-newsnation-tv-1235326569/ Aaron Sorkin’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Abruptly Cancels Return to Broadway, Blaming Producer Scott Rudin https://variety.com/2022/legit/news/to-kill-a-mockingbird-broadway-scott-rudin-1235329501/ Netflix Touts Record 7.7% Share Of Total TV Viewing In June ​​ht...

In an effort to make music valuable again, producer T Bone Burnett is getting behind a technology that allowed him and Bob Dylan to create a one-off re-recording of “Blowin’ In The Wind” and then auction it off for $1.8 million. But can recordings be treated the same way as paintings are in the art world? If musicians limit the reproduction of their work will it really become more valuable? Meanwhile the Emmy Award nominations were announced last week with hit series from HBO and HBO Max helping the network garner 140 nods. Netflix made history with “Squid Game” becoming the first non-English language show to be nominated for Best Drama Series. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including why comedian Lewis Black is suing Pandora, the reason Shawn Mendes is pausing his world tour and how Iran is jailing its leading film directors. ‘Thor 4’ Nears $500M WW; ‘Minions: Rise Of Gru’ At $533M, ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ Stomps Past $900M & ‘Top Gun’ Won’t Stop https://deadline.com/2022/07/thor-minions-gru-jurassic-world-dominion-to-gun-maverick-global-china-international-box-office-1235066117/ ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Slides to $46 Million 2nd Weekend at Box Office https://www.thewrap.com/thor-love-and-thunder-46-million-second-weekend/ ‘Scrubs’ Co-Executive Producer Eric Weinberg Arrested by LAPD for Alleged Serial Sexual Assault https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/eric-weinberg-arrested-scrubs-co-executive-producer-sexual-assault-1235317332/ Iranian Auteur Jafar Panahi Arrested Amid Conservative Backlash https://variety.com/2022/film/news/jafar-panahi-arrested-iran-1235313373/ Actors’ Equity to Add Producer Garth Drabinsky to “Do Not Work” List After ‘Paradise Square’ Cast Speaks Out https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/actors-equity-to-add-producer-garth-drabinsky-to-do-not-work-list-after-paradise-square-cast-speaks-out-exclusive-1235180654/ Lewis Black Sues Pandora for $10M in Latest Comedian Copyright Infringement Lawsuit https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/lewis-black-sues-pandora-for-10m-in-latest-comedian-copyright-infringement-lawsuit-1235176878/ Shawn Mendes Postpones Tour for Three Weeks to Focus on Mental Health https://variety.com/2022/music/news/shawn-mendes-postpones-tour-mental-health-1235312469/ YouTube Takes Live TV Market Share as Streaming War Escalates https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/youtube-hulu-live-tv-market-share-as-streaming-war-escalates...

Though the entertainment industry may be infatuated infatuated with streaming, the legacy media companies behind all the new subscription services haven’t quite found the right way to profit from them. NBC/Universal earned nearly a billion dollars in committed ad revenue with Peacock this year, causing them to take a hard look at all of their low-rated cable channels. And HBO Max is thinking twice about producing original programming in countries like Turkey and Sweden. Meanwhile, the “Minions: The Rise Of Gru” is the lates blockbuster release that is proving the box office is back for everyone, even families. The worldwide gross of “Top Gun: Maverick” continues to soar, but will Paramount leave it in theatres long enough to fully capitalize. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including the Creative Artists Agency completes its acquisition of rival ICM, Disney renews CEO Bob Chapek and Alec Baldwin commiserates with Woody Allen. ‘Minions: The Rise Of Gru’ Boogies To $202M WW As ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Flies By $1.1B & ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ Rumbles Past $800M https://deadline.com/2022/07/minions-the-rise-of-gru-top-gun-maverick-jurassic-world-dominion-global-international-box-office-1235057475/ ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ Breaks July 4th Box Office Record With $125 Million 4-Day Opening https://www.thewrap.com/minions-fourth-of-july-box-office/ Baz Luhrmann Expanding ‘Australia’ Into Six-Episode Director’s Cut ‘Faraway Downs’ https://variety.com/2022/film/news/baz-luhrmann-australia-six-episode-hulu-series-faraway-downs-nicole-kidman-hugh-jackman-1235304986/ R. Kelly Sentenced to 30 Years in New York Sex Trafficking Conviction https://www.billboard.com/business/legal/r-kelly-sentenced-sex-trafficking-conviction-racketeering-1235108165/ ‘Stranger Things 4’ Sets Nielsen Streaming Record https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/stranger-things-4-all-time-nielsen-streaming-high-1235174960/ US Newspapers Continuing to Die at Rate of 2 Each Week https://apnews.com/article/journalism-united-states-39ef84c1131267233768bbb4dcaa181b Disney Board Votes to Renew CEO Bob Chapek’s Contract https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-board-votes-to-renew-ceo-bob-chapeks-contract-11656448976 CAA-ICM Merger to Result in 105 Layoffs https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/caa-icm-layoffs-merger-1235305136/ Olympic Channel’s 5-Year Run on NBCU Ends https://frontofficesports.com/olympic-channels-5-year-run-on-nbcu-ends/

With this year’s Tony Awards having been doled out, the 29 shows currently running on Broadway are taking stock of what’s working, which ones should stick around and which should stop raising their curtains. At least 14 have announced closing dates or are expected to soon, including some big musical productions. Others are recasting their big stars. But hope springs eternal on Broadway as new plays and musicals gear up to light up the Great White Way. Meanwhile, “Top Gun: Maverick” has crossed into the billion dollar club making it the first film in Tom Cruise’s career to hit such a milestone. The actor showed up at CineEurope last week for a bit of a victory lap. We’ll bring you all the latest news from the event. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including the future of K-Pop superstars, BTS, the winners of this year’s BET awards and Apple’s big bet on sports broadcasting. Kate Bush Shatters U.K. Records as ‘Running Up That Hill’ Reaches No. 1 https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/kate-bush-uk-records-running-up-that-hill-no-1-1235089438/ ‘Top Gun’ Tops $1B WW, ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ Nears $750M Global ‘& ‘Elvis’ Enters With $51M https://deadline.com/2022/06/top-gun-maverick-jurassic-world-dominion-elvis-global-china-international-box-office-1235052205/ ‘Elvis’ Beats ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ By $1 Million in Heated Box Office Battle https://variety.com/2022/film/box-office/box-office-top-gun-maverick-elvis-winner-1235304037/ Paul Haggis Arrested in Italy on Sexual Assault Charges https://variety.com/2022/film/news/paul-haggis-arrested-rape-charges-1235298298/ BET Awards 2022: See The Complete List of Winners https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/26/entertainment/bet-awards-2022-winners-list/index.html BTS to Take a Break as K-Pop Band Members Announce ‘Hiatus’ to Pursue Solo Work https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/jun/15/k-pop-band-bts-to-take-a-break-as-members-pursue-solo-work BTS’ J-Hope Reveals the Title of His Solo Single, Teases Upcoming Album With New Photos https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/bts-j-hope-solo-single-jack-in-the-box-photos-1235106868/ Apple Strikes 10-Year Rights Pact With Major League Soccer https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/apple-major-league-soccer-rights-deal-1235293830/ ‘General Hospital,’ ‘Kelly Clarkson Show’ Top Winners at Daytime Emmys 2022 https://variety.com/2022/tv/awards/daytime-emmys-2022-winners-list-1235303165/ “There’s a Lot of Shows and Not as Many People”: Behind Broadway’s Closures

After all of the obstacles the pandemic forced plays and musicals to deal with, this year’s Tony Awards looked to raise the curtain on a revived Broadway. The ceremony managed to honor some of the best productions and performances from last season while celebrating the efforts the Broadway community made just to stay in business. We’ll look at how they might help and hurt this year’s batch winners and mention a few of our favorite performances. Meanwhile, just as movie theaters are looking to rebound from the pandemic, exhibitors in the United Kindom found themselves in a difficult position over a film depicting the early days of Islam. And Disney is saying au revoir to theatrical in France unless that country changes its rules on theatrical release windows. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including some new categories for the Grammy Awards, the rare disorder forcing Justin Bieber to cancel tour dates and why a top executive at Disney is being forced out of the company. Kenny Loggins on How He Tackled Ex-Wives and Addiction in New Memoir https://parade.com/1392562/michael-giltz/kenny-loggins-memoir-2022/ In New Book, Happy-Go-Lucky, David Sedaris Laughs at Death, Carefully https://parade.com/1390314/michael-giltz/david-sedaris-happy-go-lucky/ ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ Roars To $392M WW As ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Soars To $747M https://deadline.com/2022/06/top-gun-maverick-jurassic-world-dominion-china-global-international-box-office-1235043511/ ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ Keeps Box Office Hot With $143 Million Opening https://www.thewrap.com/jurassic-world-dominion-box-office-143-million/ How The Media Failed Amber Heard https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm/episodes/how-media-failed-amber-heard-on-the-media 2022 Tony Awards Winners https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/2022-Tony-Awards-Winners–Updating-Live-20220612 Andrew Lloyd Webber Booed After Calling His ‘Cinderella’ Musical a ‘Costly Mistake’ During Final Curtain Call https://variety.com/2022/theater/news/andrew-lloyd-webber-cinderella-west-end-1235291917/ French Exhibitors’ Org Decries Disney’s Move To Bypass Cinemas With ‘Strange World’ https://deadline.com/2022/06/french-exhibitors-decry-disney-strange-world-decision-streaming-1235040553/ Viacom18 Catches Digital Rights To Indian Premier League Cricket For $2.6B https://deadline.com/2022/06/viacom18-catches-streaming-rights-to-indian-premier-league-cricket-disneys-star-sports-retains-tv-broadcasts-1235044121/

Social justice and political issues have been making life complicated for movie studios, record labels and concert promoters. Whether you’re casting a movie, choosing a director, booking a live performance or releasing a new album, you’ll also be having to deal with their past, present and sometimes even future behavior. Just ask Johnny Depp, filmmaker Cary Fukunaga and comedian Louis C.K. Rolling Stone knows a thing or two about digging into the past of the musicians it covers. As the war in Ukraine marches on the magazine published a piece on all the big name pop stars who’ve been paid millions over the years to perform at private parties and events for Russian oligarchs. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including why Mariah Carey is being sued for plagiarism, the most watched television shows from the past year and musician Kate Bush has a new old hit thanks to “Stranger Things.” ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Soars To $557M Global Through Sunday; ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ Grabs $56M In Early Bow https://deadline.com/2022/06/top-gun-maverick-tom-cruise-500-million-second-weekend-jurassic-world-dominion-doctor-strange-global-international-boxofficeinternational-box-office-1235038582/ ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Keeps Flying High at Box Office With $86 Million 2nd Weekend https://www.thewrap.com/top-gun-maverick-box-office-86-million/ In Tribute to National Drive-in Movie Day, Drive-in Theatre Owners Launch New Drive-in Website https://celluloidjunkie.com/wire/in-tribute-to-national-drive-in-movie-day-drive-in-theatre-owners-launch-new-drive-in-website-www-authenticdriveins-com/ A Big Lie in a New Package https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/29/us/politics/2000-mules-trump-conspiracy-theory.html Pop Stars Made Millions From Russian Oligarchs. Now Some Have Regrets https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/russian-oligarchs-guns-n-roses-robbie-williams-jennifer-lopez-1349163/ ‘Stranger Things’ Surges Past ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ In Streaming Showdown, Posting Biggest U.S. Debut Since March 2020, Nielsen Says https://deadline.com/2022/06/stranger-things-netflix-obi-wan-kenobi-star-wars-disney-plus-nielsen-streaming-1235038981/ Mariah Carey is Sued Over ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ Song https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/06/04/mariah-carey-lawsuit-all-i-want-for-christmas/ Vince Vance & The Valiants – All I Want For Christmas Is You https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8HWHd0EYJA 100 Most-Watched TV Series of 2021-22: This Season’s Winners and Losers

After the COVID pandemic hampered the Cannes Film Festival over the last two years, the 2022 edition moved back to its usual May time frame with all the glamor and artistry that has made it one of the most important annual cinematic events in the world. Despite critics’ complaints about what was deemed a weak official selection, the festival featured its fair share of impressive films from noteworthy auteurs. What’s more, many of these movies will find audiences as distributors were rather active in acquiring titles to release theatrically over the next 12 months. On this special episode of Showbiz Sandbox we are joined by Karen Krizanovich, an independent journalist and broadcaster, not to mention a member of the London Film Critics Circle, as well as Stephen Garrett, the founder of the movie marketing firm Jump Cut who covered the festival for the New York Observer. Both attended this year’s Cannes Film Festival and we’ll discuss the highs and lows of the latest edition, which concluded last weekend.

Unlike some years, there was no frontrunner or obvious favorite to win the Palme d’Or at the 75th annual Cannes Film Festival which concluded over the weekend. Instead, the social satire “Triangle of Sadness” from Swedish filmmaker Ruben Östlund took the festival’s top prize, the second time he has won the award. We discuss the highlights and big winners from this year’s Cannes. Meanwhile “Top Gun: Maverick,” which was shown at Cannes, finally premiered in movie theaters setting all kinds of box office records. It is far and away the biggest opening weekend its star Tom Cruise has ever had as it looks to go on and become his biggest hit. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including the winner of this year’s Eurovision song contest, Justin Timberlake sells his recording catalog and politicians hope to strip Disney of its Mickey Mouse copyright. ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Is Supersonic With $124M Overseas Opening In Career-Best For Tom Cruise; WW At $248M Through Sunday https://deadline.com/2022/05/top-gun-maverick-tom-cruise-opening-records-global-international-box-office-1235034560/ Box Office: ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Debuts to Stratospheric $124 Million https://variety.com/2022/film/box-office/top-gun-maverick-box-office-opening-weekend-tom-cruise-1235280787/ 2022 Cannes Awards: Full Winners List, from Song Kang Ho to ‘Triangle of Sadness’ https://www.indiewire.com/2022/05/cannes-winners-list-palme-dor-2022-1234728775/ Ekko Cannes 2022 Critics Grid https://www.ekkofilm.dk/stjernebarometer/cannes-filmfestival-2022/ Ukraine Wins Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final 2022 https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/05/14/arts/eurovision-final Does the Justin Timberlake Song Sale Price Make Sense? https://www.billboard.com/pro/justin-timberlake-hipgnosis-publishing-song-sale-price-analysis/ Bad Bunny Debuts at No. 1 With Year’s Best Single-Week Tally For ‘Un Verano Sin Ti’ https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/bad-bunny-un-verano-sin-ti-five-burning-questions-1235072390/ Kevin Spacey, James Franco, and More Are Trying to Make Comebacks at Cannes https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-features/cannes-canceled-stars-scandal-spacey-franco-besson-baldwin-1357049/ Kevin Spacey Film Producers Respond to U.K. Sexual Assault Charges: “There Are Those Who Wish for Him Not to Act” https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kevin-spacey-film-producers-respond-to-u-k-sexual-assault-cha...

With each new superhero blockbuster that hits multiplexes it is clear that big well-done movies can score big at the box office. However it is a huge mistake to treat every new release as the barometer of whether cinema is back. Especially when smaller films like “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and family movies like “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” are proving just as successful in getting post-pandemic audiences back into theaters. Meanwhile, record labels and streaming services have been fighting with music publishers over mechanical royalties for years now. However, in a tentative deal on actual music sales, the mechanical royalty will rise more than 30% from 9.1 cents per track to 12 cents. Moving forward, the royalty will be pegged to inflation. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including this year’s Tony Nominations, Dave Chappelle gets attacked on stage during a performance and a new class of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees. New Doctor Who Revealed: ‘Sex Education’ Star Ncuti Gatwa Confirmed By BBC https://variety.com/2022/tv/global/new-doctor-who-ncuti-gatwa-1235261370/ ‘Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness’ Opens $450M Global Portal, $265M From Overseas https://deadline.com/2022/05/doctor-strange-in-the-multiverse-of-madness-opening-international-box-office-1235016822/ Box Office: ‘Doctor Strange 2’ Debuts to Heroic $185 Million https://variety.com/2022/film/box-office/doctor-strange-2-box-office-opening-weekend-disney-marvel-cinematic-universe-1235261390/ One Blockbuster Does Not a Box Office Recovery Make https://celluloidjunkie.com/newsletter/one-blockbuster-does-not-a-box-office-recovery-make/ Italy to Mandate Longer Theatrical Window https://celluloidjunkie.com/digest/italy-to-mandate-longer-theatrical-window/ Fired By Netflix, Frank Langella Refutes Allegations Of “Unacceptable Behavior” https://deadline.com/2022/05/frank-langella-refutes-allegations-of-unacceptable-behavior-fired-by-netflix-1235017544/ Should Fred Savage, Bill Murray, and Frank Langella Be Cancelled for “Inappropriate Behavior”? https://kareem.substack.com/p/should-fred-savage-bill-murray-and Paramount+ Sets U.K., Korea, Europe, India Launch Dates https://variety.com/2022/tv/global/paramount-sets-u-k-korea-europe-india-launch-dates-1235256960/ 2022 Tony Award Nominations https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/2022-Tony-Awards-Nominations-Updating-Live-20220509 Broadway Box Office Up Slightly To $31M As Large Spring Roster ...

When cinema operators from around the world gathered in Las Vegas for CinemaCon last week, it quickly became obvious that movie theaters ain’t dead yet. Though a global pandemic may have decimated their business model for several years, audiences seem to slowly be returning to movie theaters. So have Hollywood studios who are starting to realize they can’t survive on streaming revenue alone. Speaking of streaming, a poor earnings report in which Netflix announced they lost subscribers for the first time in a decade, has served as a moment for self-reflection for the company as well as the industry-at-large. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including an abrupt end to CNN+, “Fast & Furious 10” loses its director and Europe’s new media laws. ‘Fantastic Beasts’ & ‘Sonic’ Top $300M Global; ‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’ Sets Table Overseas https://deadline.com/2022/05/downton-abbey-fantastic-beasts-sonic-bad-guys-china-global-international-box-office-1235013921/ Box Office: ‘Bad Guys’ Stays No. 1 as ‘Memory’ Fails Liam Neeson https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/bad-guys-box-office-memory-1235138696/ A24’s ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ Hits Impressive Box Office Milestone https://variety.com/2022/film/box-office/a24-everything-everywhere-all-at-once-box-office-1235255460/ Netflix to Start “Pulling Back” Content Spend After Losing Subscribers in Earnings Miss ​​https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/netflix-q1-2022-earnings-1235132028/ Netflix Will Face Hurdles in Courting Advertisers, But Biz Abuzz About Streamer’s New Model https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/netflix-ad-model-commercials-1235236339/ Amid Losses, Netflix Bets on a Bold Strategy Around Video Games https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/04/22/netflix-video-games/ How HBO Kept ‘House of the Dragon’ Costs Under $20 Million per Episode https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/house-of-the-dragon-budget-episode-cost-1235238285/ HBO Max, HBO Hit 76.8M Global Subs In Q1, Up 3M From Year End; WarnerMedia Profit Squeezed By CNN+ https://deadline.com/2022/04/hbo-max-warnermedia-att-1235007134/ Tony Awards Producers Warn Potential Slappers: You Will Be Removed https://deadline.com/2022/04/tony-awards-will-smith-chris-rock-no-violence-policy-1235006510/ E.U. Takes Aim at Social Media’s Harms With Landmark New Law https://www.nytimes.

A new industry study claims the five largest producers of original content in the United States also happen to be some of the biggest streamers in the world. Nearly half the content offered by Discovery, Disney, Paramount, the former WarnerMedia and Comcast are original productions which increasingly premiere on their subscription streaming services. Turns out Netflix and Amazon license much of their programming from other companies. Meanwhile, we are delighted to see the Indian film industry leading the world back to moviegoing. And it’s not just Bollywood! Films of every genre and from all parts of the country are topping the worldwide box office. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including a talent shuffle at newscaster MSNBC, the Library of Congress adds recordings to its national registry and how Coachella found itself being censored in China. ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Reaches $150M Overseas; India’s ‘KGF’ Rocks $70M+ Global Start; ‘Sonic’ Speeds To $232M WW https://deadline.com/2022/04/fantastic-beasts-sonic-kgf-yash-india-china-global-international-box-office-1235004648/ Box Office: ‘Fantastic Beasts 3’ Opens to Franchise-Low $43 Million https://variety.com/2022/film/box-office/box-office-fantastic-beasts-3-lowest-opening-weekend-harry-potter-1235234213/ Cuba Gooding Jr. Pleads Guilty to Forcible Touching https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/cuba-gooding-jr-pleads-guilty-forcible-touching-1235129795/ Frank Langella Fired From Netflix Show After Misconduct Investigation https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/14/arts/television/frank-langella-fired-netflix-misconduct.html Rachel Maddow Says She’ll Go To Once-A-Week Schedule In May https://deadline.com/2022/04/rachel-maddow-msnbc-once-a-week-1235000476/ Megan Thee Stallion’s Coachella “WAP” Performance Causes Headache for Chinese Censors https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/megan-thee-stallion-coachella-china-censorship-1235131347/ The Library of Congress Is Preserving These Major Historical Recordings for Posterity https://www.npr.org/2022/04/13/1091585574/the-library-of-congress-adds-25-titles-including-alicia-keys-and-ricky-martin Almost Half of Us Studios’ First-Run Shows Comprise VOD Originals https://www.rapidtvnews.com/2022041262332/almost-half-of-us-studios-first-run-shows-comprise-vod-originals.html Michel Bouquet Dies: French Acting Legend Was 96 https://deadline.

Last week Discovery closed its $43 billion deal to acquire WarnerMedia from telecom giant AT&T. Discovery topper David Zaslav immediately installed his own executive team to run Warner Bros. Discovery forcing the existing management team to head for the door. We discuss the fallout from the merger and the what the future may look like for the combined company. One of the exiting executives was WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar whose infamous Project Popcorn opened all 18 Warner Bros. theatrical releases throughout 2021 day-and-date with HBO Max. Kilar claims the controversial distribution strategy was a success, but if that’s true, then why did Warner Bros. discontinue it? Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including the big winners at the Olivier Awards, “Dancing with the Stars” moves to Disney+ and members of the original Grateful Dead rock band will stop touring after five decades. ‘Sonic 2’ Speeds To $141M Global; ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Uncovers $57M In Early Offshore Bow; ‘RRR’ Roars To WW Milestone https://deadline.com/2022/04/fantastic-beasts-secrets-of-dumbledore-rrr-morbius-sonic-the-hedgehog-2-batman-global-international-box-office-1234998767/ Box Office: ‘Sonic 2’ Booms to $71 Million, Michael Bay’s ‘Ambulance’ Stalls https://variety.com/2022/film/box-office/box-office-sonic-2-opening-weeked-michael-bay-ambulance-1235229294/ ‘Sherlock Holmes’ TV Universe in the Works at HBO Max https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/sherlock-holmes-tv-universe-hbo-max-robert-downey-jr-1235125518/ Cult Japanese Director Sion Sono Accused of Multiple Sexual Assaults https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/sion-sono-accused-of-multiple-sexual-assaults-1235125282/ Umekawa Haruo, Japanese Film Producer, Accused of Sexual Harassment as Country’s #MeToo Allegations Grow ​​https://variety.com/2022/film/news/umekawa-haruo-sex-harassment-japan-film-producer-1235226288/ Once Again, Nearly 98% of 18-to-49-Year-Olds in the US Didn’t Watch the Grammys on Sunday https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/once-again-nearly-98-of-18-to-49-year-olds-in-the-us-didnt-watch-the-grammys-on-sunday/ Jimmy Kimmel Reports Marjorie Taylor Greene To Batman https://deadline.com/2022/04/jimmy-kimmel-marjorie-taylor-greene-batman-1234997153/ Sam Elliott Apologizes For ‘Power Of The Dog’ Comments https://deadline.com/2022/04/sam-elliott-apology-the-power-of-the-dog-comments-1234999185/ Sarah Jessica Parker Tests Positive for COVID-19, ‘Plaza Suite’ Cancels Performance

The coronavirus pandemic once again nearly foiled the Grammy Awards, delaying the ceremony and forcing the event to relocate to Las Vegas. Yet once again, the show’s producers managed to do a stellar job of putting together all-star performances that helped promote and celebrate music. We discuss our thoughts on the telecast and all the winners. Speaking of awards shows, Will Smith’s actions at last week’s Academy Awards continues to generate lots of fallout and finger pointing. We have a thought on how awards shows should handle such moments in the future. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including how Netflix may be looking to pinch their pennies, why media outlets continue to hire former political staffers and the illness that is causing Bruce Willis to retire from acting. Box Office: Jared Leto’s ‘Morbius’ Bites Off $39M Domestically, $84M Globally https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/jared-letos-morbius-box-office-opeing-1235123523/ China Box Office Crumbles as Coronavirus Lockdowns Bite https://variety.com/2022/film/box-office/china-box-office-coronavirus-lockdown-1235222620/ ‘Morbius’ Sinks Fangs Into $84M Global Bow; ‘Sonic’ Booms Overseas; ‘The Batman’ Wings Past $700M WW https://deadline.com/2022/04/morbius-sonic-the-hedgehog-2-batman-rrr-global-international-box-office-1234993236/ Grammys 2022: The Complete Winners List https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/grammys-2022-complete-winners-list-1331212/ ‘A Concert Where They’re Giving Out Awards’: Grammys Bet on Big Performances in Impressive But Front-Loaded Ceremony https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-grammys-recap-jon-batiste-olivia-rodrigo-1235054752/ Ratings for 2022 Grammy Awards Telecast Close to Last Year’s All-time Low https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2022-04-04/grammy-2020-awards-telecast-pandemic-bruno-mars ‘Vikings: Valhalla,’ ‘Worst Roommate Ever’ Just Behind Reigning No. 1 ‘Inventing Anna’ on Nielsen’s Streaming Top 10 https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/vikings-valhalla-worst-roommate-ever-ratings-nielsen-streaming-top-10-1235220226/ CBS’ Mick Mulvaney Hire Signals That 2024 TV News Jockeying Has Begun https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/cbs-mick-mulvaney-hire-2024-election-1235122356/ Concerns About Bruce Willis’ Declining Cognitive State Swirled Around Sets in Recent Years https://www.latimes.

If there was ever a year to speak with Indiewire Editor-at-Large Anne Thompson the day after the Oscars it would be this one. In what should have been a celebration of first’s; from the first deaf actor to win an Oscar (Troy Kotsur), to the first openly gay actress to win a prize (Ariana DeBose) to the first streaming film to win Best Picture (CODA). Instead, all of this was overshadowed by Will Smith taking the stage to assault comedian Chris Rock over a joke about his wife. Thompson tells us what it was like to be in the room where it happened (she was), the industry’s response to Smith’s actions and what the incident means for the future of the Academy Awards. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including audiences (and profits) returning to Broadway, the music industry pulls in $26 billion in 2021 and an Indian Telugu language action film nearly tops the worldwide box office. Oscars Losers and Winners, from Will Smith to Sundance’s ‘CODA’ and ‘Summer of Soul’ https://www.indiewire.com/2022/03/oscars-2022-winners-losers-will-smith-sundance-coda-and-summer-of-soul-1234712098/ ‘RRR’ Roars To Record-Breaking Bows – International Box Office https://deadline.com/2022/03/rrr-opening-weekend-records-rajamouli-jr-ntr-ram-charan-box-office-1234987518/ Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum’s ‘The Lost City’ Takes Down ‘The Batman’ With $31 Million Debut https://variety.com/2022/film/box-office/box-office-the-lost-city-beats-batman-sandra-bullock-channing-tatum-1235215862/ ‘Putin Is Just the Frontman’: Sergei Loznitsa, the Ukrainian Film-Maker Who Refuses to Be Cancelled https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/mar/24/putin-is-just-the-frontman-sergei-loznitsa-the-ukrainian-film-maker-who-refuses-to-be-cancelled Spotify Stops Streaming in Russia Over Safety Concerns https://www.bbc.com/news/business-60881567 International Emmys to Bar All Russian Programs from Competition https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/international-emmys-russia-competition-ukraine-1235215007 Inside the Oscars Ceremony, Will Smith Drama Eclipsed Others That Never Made It on Camera https://www.indiewire.com/2022/03/inside-oscars-ceremony-will-smith-drama-1234712155/ 2022 Oscar Winners: Complete List https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/27/movies/oscars-winner-list.html ‘A Madea Homecoming’ and ‘Free Guy’ Both Cross 1 Billion Minutes Watched in Debut Week https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/a-madea-homecoming-free-guy-streaming-nielsen-top-10-1235213444/ ‘Music Man’ Sets Box Office Record for a Reopened Broadway