September 26, 2009
Sony's Latest Gaming Device Cuts Out Retailers | www.cnbc.com
Sony's latest gaming device does NOT cut out retailers as this titles infers. There is still plenty of business for retailers to capture in this category with the PSP Go including hardware and accessory sales as well as pre-paid game cards (similar to Apple's iTune gift cards).
Coinstar’s Redbox Expands Relationships with Studios
August 31, 2009
Redbox Sues Studio Over Access to Films | online.wsj.com
Redbox’s future will ultimately be affected by a number of variables, starting with whether or not the Universal (NYSE: GE), Fox and Warner Brothers studios succeed in their struggle to create a kiosk release window.
With Financing in Place, DreamWorks to Produce Six Movies a Year
August 20, 2009
Spielberg Gets Funds to Start Up New Studio | online.wsj.com
DreamWorks is able to achieve what many Hollywood producers have been unable to do: secure new sources of film funding in financially difficult times.
Sony Pictures Signs Multiyear Agreement with Redbox
July 24, 2009
Studios Rethink Redbox | online.wsj.com
1. Sony Pictures (NYSE: SNE) has signed a multiyear deal to supply Redbox's (NASDAQ: CSTR) video rental kiosks. 2. Deal minimizes sell-thru of used Sony DVDs, while maximizing Sony non-theatrical titles.
Hulu’s Traction Causing Friction with Multichannel Operators
May 14, 2009
Disney Teams Up With Other Networks Online, Buying Stake in Hulu Site | online.wsj.com
1. As online viewership grows, Pay TV companies reconsider sharing their content for free 2. Multichannel companies such as Comcast (CMCSA), Time Warner Cable (TWC) and DIRECTV (DTV) pay cable networks billions of dollars each year to carry programming
3-D Cinema to Add $1 Billion to Box Office Revenues
April 13, 2009
'Monsters vs. Aliens' in 3-D: Taking filmmaking to another dimension | www.latimes.com
1. Year to date domestic box office revenues are 14% higher than the record year of 2008 2. Driven by 3-D, 2008 saw a 33% year-to-year rise in the number of digital screens available worldwide.
March 30, 2009
Videogame Start-Up Reaches Marvel Pact | online.wsj.com
Character based MMOG's are risky. Licensing fees can be costly. Competition in this space is fierce.
Broadcast TV Slump Translates to Cable Network Viewer Growth
March 26, 2009
TVB's Revised Spot Forecast: Down 7-11% | www.tvnewsday.com
1. Top 35 advertising supported cable networks have seen a 7% increase in total viewers this season while the broadcast networks are down 5%. 2. There is a growing consensus among viewers that there is no real differentiation between broadcast TV and the top cable networks.
More than Recession Impacting Hispanic TV Ratings and Advertising
March 3, 2009
Harsh times for Spanish-language TV | www.medialifemagazine.com
1. When U.S. Hispanics turn on their televisions over half are tuning to English language programs. 2. Younger Hispanic viewers are not the only major segment in front of English language TV.
Will New French State TV Advertising Regulations Provide for TF1 and M6
February 25, 2009
TF1 Slumps Most Since 2001 on Sales Drop Forecast | www.bloomberg.com
1. French state-owned television will be phase out commercials entirely by 2011, eliminating some $700 million in advertising revenue 2. French TV ad spending was $4.6 billion in 2008. For 2009, ZenithOptimedia expects a 5% decline
Switzerland sues Google over Street View privacy concerns
November 13, 2009
Here Come the Droids! A brief review of Verizon Wireless' new Droid line-up.
November 11, 2009
October 30, 2009
Vodafone Orange Iphone Deal Ends Two Years Exclusivity Of O2 In UK
October 5, 2009
IPhone Coma Mode puts Apple in the ICU
September 19, 2009