Showbiz Sandbox 130: It’s The Data, Stupid (or Why Live Nation Bought BigChampagne)

Summary: As 2011 comes to an end mainstream media companies continue to struggle with how to distribute their content through the Internet. That was never more apparent than this week as concert promoter Live Nation acquired BigChampagne (http://bcdash.bigchampagne.com/who), a media tracking and technology company. Joe Fleischer, Big Champgne's chief marketing officer, explains why a live-event company is interested in staying on top of the latest music industry data and how the acquisition will help Live Nation better understand their customers. Meanwhile, as SOPA and PIPA make their way through Congress, Universal Music Group caused a stir when they tried to squash news reports of their copyright infringement lawsuit against MegaUpload. Then there was comedian Louis C.K. who used digital convergence to his benefit by selling a video of his most recent stand-up show directly to fans, making a huge profit in the process. Matt Damon was also muddying the waters last week by revealing the in-fighting going on behind the scenes of the"Bourne" franchise. Of course, we also cover the top entertainment news stories of the week including the Golden Globe and SAG award nominations, Howard Stern's new television gig on "America's Got Talent" and Madonna's new record contract. Programming Note: There will be no shows on December 26, 2011 or January 2, 2012. See you all next year. Margin Call Changes VOD Picture http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118047677 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118047677) 'The Help' Leads With Four SAG Awards Nominations http://www.goldderby.com/films/news/2282/%27the-help%27-leads-with-four-sag-awards-nominations.html (http://www.goldderby.com/films/news/2282/%27the-help%27-leads-with-four-sag-awards-nominations.html) Golden Globe Nomination List http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/golden-globe-awards-nominations-nominees-list-274209 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/golden-globe-awards-nominations-nominees-list-274209) 'Smurfs' Animated Feature DQ Raises Questions About Vague Regulations http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/in-contention/posts/smurfs-animated.... (http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/in-contention/posts/smurfs-animated-feature-disqualified) Matt Damon's Verbal Attack Exposes Deep Rift In 'Bourne' Franchise http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/matt-damon-bourne-identity-tony-gilroy-275137 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/matt-damon-bourne-identity-tony-gilroy-275137) Apple Plots Its TV Assault http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405297020479110457710.... (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204791104577106531093742246.html) Is Congress Prepared To Deregulate Television http://www.deadline.com/2011/12/is-congress-prepared-to-deregulate-television/ (http://www.deadline.com/2011/12/is-congress-prepared-to-deregulate-television/) YouTube Says Universal Had No ‘Right’ to Take Down MegaUpload Video http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2011/12/youtube-universal-megaupload/ (http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2011/12/youtube-universal-megaupload/) DHS Abruptly Abandons Copyright Seizure of Hip-Hop Blog http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-57339569-281/dhs-abruptly-abandons-copyright-seizure-of-hip-hop-blog/ (http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-57339569-281/dhs-abruptly-abandons-copyright-seizure-of-hip-hop-blog/) Louis CK: How He Made $500K in 4 Days http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/267089/20111214/louis-ck-500k-4-days-comedy-special.htm (http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/267089/20111214/louis-ck-500k-4-days-comedy-special.htm) Howard Stern Joins America's Got Talent http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/howard-stern-joins-americas-got-talent-274213 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/howard-stern-joins-americas-got-talent-274213) Amazon's Best Selling Books of 2011 http://www.omnivoracious.com/2011/12/amazoncoms-best-selling-books-of-2011-steve-jobs-more-customer-favorites.html