Summary: Digital distribution of television shows, movies and music has become quite trendy in Hollywood. Not a week goes by that companies such as Netflix, Spotify, Hulu and others aren't in the news cutting some sort of deal with a big studio, television network or record label. This past week retail giant Amazon and online video portal YouTube made big additions to their streaming content libraries while Fox decided to limit those who could view their shows online. We provide a rundown of all the recent announcements and what they might mean for you, the consumer. We are also joined by Roger Goff (http://twitter.com/#!/rogergoff), an entertainment attorney with Wolf, Rifkin, Shapiro, Schulman & Rabkin. He helps us understand a few recent lawsuits filed by television producers, especially one in which the producer of "American Idol" is suing Fox over not being made an executive producer on the upcoming reality series "X-Factor". Speaking of legal issues, it turns out the NBCUniversal Comcast merger wasn't as much of a done deal as everyone thought. A federal judge is threatening to hold up approving the union claiming it may not be in the "public interest". Of course we cover all the week's top entertainment news stories as well, including filmmaker Kevin Smith's new talk show, yet another reason filmmaker Lars Von Trier is having an awful year and why the United Kingdom won't let you download pirated content but will let you sell "Star Wars" costumes. Box Office Shocker: R-Rated Comedies Pass $1 Bil in Summer Grosses http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-shocker-r-rated-215730 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-shocker-r-rated-215730) Judge Threatens NBCU, Comcast Merger Delay http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405311190488830457647265221911.... (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904888304576472652219116660.html) In Deal With NBC, Amazon Seeks To Widen Its Video Streaming Service http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/29/business/media/in-deal-with-nbc-amazon.... (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/29/business/media/in-deal-with-nbc-amazon-seeks-to-widen-its-video-streaming-service.html) Fox To Limit Next Day Streaming On Hulu http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/27/business/media/fox-to-limit-next-day.... (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/27/business/media/fox-to-limit-next-day-streaming-on-hulu.html) YouTube Finalizing Plans To Push Movie-Rental Business Into Mainstream http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/youtube_pay_plan_n5cTuUzIyoq.... (http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/youtube_pay_plan_n5cTuUzIyoq4kSTyby3mLL) Sundance Institute To Begin Distributing Independent Films Online http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-fi-ct-sundance-20110728.... (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-fi-ct-sundance-20110728,0,6293804.story) AMC Launches Digital Studio, Sets Web Series http://www.deadline.com/2011/07/tca-amc-launches-digital-studio-launches.... (http://www.deadline.com/2011/07/tca-amc-launches-digital-studio-launches-first-web-series/) 'The Walking Dead': Glen Mazzara Takes Over As Showrunner http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/whats-alan-watching/posts/the-walking-dead.... (http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/whats-alan-watching/posts/the-walking-dead-glen-mazzara-takes-over-as-showrunner) PBS Revisits Mister Rogers' Neighborhood With New Spin-Off http://www.tvguide.com/news/mister-rogers-neighborhood-spin-off-1.... (http://www.tvguide.com/news/mister-rogers-neighborhood-spin-off-1035880.aspx) Von Trier Talks Dogville Influence On Norway Massacre http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2011/07/30/von_trier_talks.... (http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2011/07/30/von_trier_talks_dogville_influence_on_norway_massacre/) Kevin Smith Is Hosting A Talk Show Pilot http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/07/director_kevin_smith.... (http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/07/director_kevin_smith_may_becom.html)
