Showbiz Sandbox 317: Bundling Cable Networks May Work For Advertisers, But Not For Cable Customers
Summary: In yet another sign that the difference between broadcast and cable networks is eroding, NBCUniversal announced that it would include all of its cable outlets in their traditional upfront presentation to advertisers for NBC. By combining shows from networks such as Bravo, Telemundo and Oxygen with the big primetime hits on NBC, the Comcast owned media giant is signaling that the best way for advertisers to reach viewers is through aggregating audiences.<br> Time Warner Cable, on the other hand, is struggling to distribute its own content through different cable providers. Specifically, none of the other pay-TV companies is willing to force their customers to pay for SportsNet LA, the regional sports network owned by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Could this be an indication that cable operators finally understand that technology will force them to unbundle their basic cable offering?<br> Meanwhile, short, cheap and entertaining books – once called dime store novels or pulp fiction – are making a comeback. As are serialized novels, short stories and lots of things that don’t fit into the 250 pages or more standard of most books today. Technology and the need to hold the attention of readers are the reasons it’s happening.<br> Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including the controversial film pulled from the Tribeca Film Festival lineup, the death of comedian Gary Shandling and the porn industry gets into virtual reality.<br> <br> China Box Office Grows by 50% in First Quarter<br><br> <a href="https://variety.com/2016/film/asia/china-box-office-up-by-half-in-first-quarter-1201743685/" target="_blank">https://variety.com/2016/film/asia/china-box-office-up-by-half-in-first-quarter-1201743685/</a><br> ‘Batman v. Superman’ Launches DC Superhero Universe With Record $166.1M U.S. Debut<br><br> <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-batman-v-superman-878505" target="_blank">http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-batman-v-superman-878505</a><br> Screening Room Headed to CinemaCon; Brett Ratner Checks Out Technology<br><br> <a href="https://variety.com/2016/film/news/screening-room-headed-to-cinemacon-brett-ratner-softens-opposition-1201742212/" target="_blank">https://variety.com/2016/film/news/screening-room-headed-to-cinemacon-brett-ratner-softens-opposition-1201742212/</a><br> NBCUniversal to Combine Broadcast and Cable in Dramatic TV Upfronts Shakeup<br><br> <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcuniversal-combine-broadcast-cable-dramatic-879196" target="_blank">http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcuniversal-combine-broadcast-cable-dramatic-879196</a><br> Morning-Show Wars Take a Twist as ‘Today’ Trumps ‘GMA’ in Total Viewers<br><br> <a href="https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/today-beats-good-morning-america-tv-news-nbc-abc-1201743017/" target="_blank">https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/today-beats-good-morning-america-tv-news-nbc-abc-1201743017/</a><br> Fox News Posts Record Ratings as Cable News Surges at Top of Election Year<br><br> <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fox-news-posts-record-ratings-878908" target="_blank">http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fox-news-posts-record-ratings-878908</a><br> ‘Wolf Hall’ Leads Nominations Race for BAFTA Television Awards<br><br> <a href="https://variety.com/2016/tv/global/wolf-hall-nominations-tv-bafta-awards-1201741707/" target="_blank">https://variety.com/2016/tv/global/wolf-hall-nominations-tv-bafta-awards-1201741707/</a><br> ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ Renewed for Record-Tying Seasons 13 and 14<br><br> <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/sunny-philadelphia-renewed-record-tying-879880" target="_blank">http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/sunny-philadelphia-renewed-record-tying-879880</a><br> NBC to Produce ‘A Few Good Men’ Live, Written by Aaron Sorkin<br><br> <a href="http://www.nytimes."></a>
