Category: media

“The Brits know how to get fresh, saucy material on screen, and American producers, buoyed by NBC’s Emmy-winning remake of “The Office,” have started a buying spree hoping just a few tweaks will help them reach mass audiences in the U.S. Desperate for innovative fare, networks are tripping over one another to acquire formats that worked in Britain.”

Lost of speculation about what a sale of media behemoth Clear Channel might mean. “Clear Channel is often painted with a broad stroke by critics who decry the entertainment behemoth’s lack of programing diversity. If the sale does go through, will its programing become more interesting? It depends on who you ask.”

More people are watching TV online. “A growing number of people, particularly males ages 18 to 24, have turned to their personal computer for television shows. Last week, the Conference Board, a research company that tracks consumer Internet habits, reported that 1 in 10 online users now watches television on a computer. With YouTube in the mainstream, and major networks offering shows online free, the subtle shift from the television to the PC is under way, analysts say.”

What’s the best city in the U.S. for shooting a film? Not New York: too expensive, too crowded. Seattle? Eh – they had their moment. So what about… Cleveland? No, wait, we’re serious.

“Critics want TV to be art, and are willing to settle for entertainment. TV watchers are after entertainment, but yearn secretly for psychotherapy. The networks give us all of the above, and pray that some of it sticks.”

“Movie tourism is such a thriving business – witness the planeloads of pilgrims to New Zealand in the wake of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ – that tourist offices from Hawaii to the hinterlands are leveraging their connections to Hollywood.”

“Compensation for digitally delivered media threatens to be among the more hotly debated topics in contracts talks with unions representing writers, actors and directors over the next two years and could hold up some studios’ plans.”

He’s reviving the historic United Artists studio. “Under his new partnership with MGM, Cruise will produce at least four films a year for United Artists with his longtime business partner, Paula Wagner, who will oversee day-to-day operations of UA as its chief executive officer.”

Blockbuster Video is sweetening the deal for its mail-order customers. “Customers can receive free in-store movie rentals if they return to stores those DVDs that are rented online. Rival online DVD rental company Netflix Inc. operates only through the mail.”

An independent filmmaker has made a green film. “This means that all of the carbon dioxide emitted by the filmmaking process — lights, cameras, transportation — was totaled up and offset by comparable investments in renewable energy. Carbon dioxide is a potent greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere and contributes to climate change.”