Politics
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‘Jurassic Park 25th Anniversary Collection’ coming May 22 from Universal
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment will release the “Jurassic Park 25th Anniversary Collection” on May 22, in time for the theatrical debut of Jurassic Word: Fallen Kingdom, the fifth installment in the series due in theaters June 22. Available for the first time ever in 4K Ultra HD and featuring newly remastered versions of the films, the collection also includes … Continue reading “‘Jurassic Park 25th Anniversary Collection’ coming May 22 from Universal”
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Tribeca Film Festival Expands Brightcove Video Platform for Global Audience
The Tribeca Film Festival April 26 announced it is expanding Brightcove’s video platform for online viewers worldwide to 2018 Festival through April 29. The independent film festival launched in 2002 by actor Robert De Niro and others, extended the core Brightcove platform and website by incorporating emotive, engaging, video experiences around trailers, festival programs, and … Continue reading “Tribeca Film Festival Expands Brightcove Video Platform for Global Audience”
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House Passes Updated Music Copyright Bill
The House of Representatives April 25 approved the Music Modernization Act (H.R. 5447), legislation intended to update music copyright laws and remuneration to artists and creators in the digital age. The bill, which was introduced to the House on April 10 House Judiciary Committee chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), would … Continue reading “House Passes Updated Music Copyright Bill”
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Comcast Makes Formal $31 Billion Bid for Sky
As expected, Comcast Corp. April 25 announced a “pre-conditional superior cash offer” of $31 billion for Sky, the European satellite TV operator headquartered in the U.K. The offer represents a 16% premium on 21st Century Fox’s standing bid for the 61% stake in Sky it does not own. “We have long believed Sky is an … Continue reading “Comcast Makes Formal $31 Billion Bid for Sky”
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MoviePass Takes Stake in John Travolta Mobster Film ‘Gotti’
Theatrical ticket subscription service MoviePass reportedly has acquired a stake in Gotti, the biographical crime drama starring John Travolta as infamous New York mobster John Gotti. The acquisition – announced at CinemaCon in Las Vegas – marks the second deal for MoviePass’ financing arm, MoviePass Ventures, following pickup of indie drama, American Animals, at Sundance … Continue reading “MoviePass Takes Stake in John Travolta Mobster Film ‘Gotti’”
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Theaters Partnering for Online Content, Live Event Service
A consortium of independent theatrical venues and the National Association of Theater Owners trade group are partnering for an online platform offering alternative content and live streaming events. Dubbed “MyCinema.live,” the broadband platform is officially launching at Cinemacon 2018 through April 26 in Las Vegas. Theaters and Cinema Buying Group-NATO are working with digital TV … Continue reading “Theaters Partnering for Online Content, Live Event Service”
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Middle East OTT Video Market Expands as Saudi Arabia Ends Theatrical Ban
The over-the-top video market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) topped 1.4 million subscribers in 2017, up 48% from 2016, according to new data from IHS Markit. Online video revenue grew 44%, exceeding $100 million for the first time. Subscriptions are forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 34.4%, reaching … Continue reading “Middle East OTT Video Market Expands as Saudi Arabia Ends Theatrical Ban”
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‘American Idol’ Going Live Nationwide
Ratings-challenged “American Idol” announced it would for the first time air live simulcasts nationwide of the remaining three weeks of season 16 of the music performance reality show. Previous telecasts have been tape-delayed for Westcoast audiences. The series, which began airing for the first time in March on ABC after its original run (through 2016) … Continue reading “‘American Idol’ Going Live Nationwide”
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AT&T Planning $15 Online TV Service
On the witness stand defending his company’s $85.4 billion acquisition of Time Warner as pro consumer, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson took the opportunity to announce the pending roll out of a $15 monthly online TV service. Dubbed “AT&T Watch,” the platform would be the cheapest online TV service on the market — $5 less than … Continue reading “AT&T Planning $15 Online TV Service”
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Netflix Turns 21, Co-Founder Reed Hastings Talks Facebook
Netflix quietly turned 21 years old on April 14, and co-founder/CEO Reed Hastings was on a stage in Vancouver, BC, discussing lessons learned from the recent data breach scandal at Facebook. During a Q&A on the last day of the Technology, Entertainment, Design (TED) conference, Hastings, who has been on Facebook’s board of directors since … Continue reading “Netflix Turns 21, Co-Founder Reed Hastings Talks Facebook”
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Bob Iger for President? Disney CEO ‘Seriously’ Considered 2020 Campaign Run
Appalled by the nation’s bitter political divide and the current occupant of the White House, Disney CEO Bob Iger considered running for president in the 2020 election. The political aspiration, outlined in a Vogue profile, was cut short after Disney’s $52.4 billion acquisition of select 21st Century Fox assets, including 20th Century Fox, require Igor … Continue reading “Bob Iger for President? Disney CEO ‘Seriously’ Considered 2020 Campaign Run”
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Pension Fund Sues Netflix Over Executive Bonuses
A Netflix shareholder has filed a lawsuit against the streaming video behemoth’s board of directors alleging performance bonuses paid to senior executives were rigged in favor of the company getting lower tax burdens. The suit, filed by the City of Birmingham Relief and Retirement System in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, alleges performance-based bonuses totaling … Continue reading “Pension Fund Sues Netflix Over Executive Bonuses”