Category: media

The Audit Bureau of Circulations in the United States says sales of four popular celebrity gossip magazines – Life and Style, InTouch, Star and People – flattened or declined in the second half of 2007. Only US Weekly and OK! were continuing to attract new readers.

“A controversial plan that would let top-rated U.S. cable networks such as HBO, ESPN and Nickelodeon into the Canadian market, ending decades of protectionism for domestic television channels, will be considered by broadcast regulators next week.”

“Whereas moviegoers have been mostly unfazed by recent recessions, studios may not be so fortunate this time around, given the changes in the business. There are indications that consumers may not be as willing to shell out for movie tickets and other forms of entertainment.”

While many of the 111 Newsweek employees who did accept the buyout will leave May 30, the 62-year-old Ansen negotiated to continue reviewing for the magazine until year’s end, at which point he will start a yearlong contract as contributing editor delivering reviews and longer features.

“This 3D comeback has been creeping up on us, thanks to advances in digital projection, the popularity of the huge Imax screens (of which there are now around 300 across the world), and new levels of expertise in computer animation.”

American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Screen Actors Guild will go it alone. “Unions representing film and television actors will negotiate separately with producers in upcoming contract talks after board members of the TV actors union voted Saturday to sever a long-standing agreement between the two guilds.”

“European Union foreign ministers condemned on Saturday a Dutch film that accuses the Koran of inciting violence, but said its author had a right to make it under the bloc’s free speech principles.”

France’s public TV network has been hit hard by a precipitous drop in advertising. The French government has agreed to inject E150 million ($231 million) into the coffers of France Televisions to offset plunging ad revenues.

“The never-ending news cycle, the fact that films are arriving in theaters even as the war continues, the shifting situation on the ground and the audience appetite for escapist entertainment have conspired to make war movies a tough sell these days.”

The premium movie theatre experience is coming the the US. The theatres include “digital projection, Dolby sound, reclining seats with footrests, seat-side food and beverage service, valet parking and more — to the U.S. this fall. A lounge area will have a full bar and entrees will range from $12 to $25. Each of seven auditoriums will have no more than 40 seats.”