Category: media

TV shows are selling well for the video iPod. What does it mean? “The iTunes distribution model gives the networks a huge opportunity to reinvent themselves. By allowing viewers to purchase individual episodes, broadcast-television executives could free themselves from the yoke of advertising revenue. That could potentially usher in a new age of television, one where fans have the power to keep their favorite series in production and producers have the opportunity to create more elaborate, controversial, and innovative programs.”

Total listenership slipped last year from 27.2 Million to 26.8 Million, and some worrisome trends are appearing…

The Toronto Film Festival generated a record $52 million in film sales this year. “The sales included $29 million in domestic film sales and $23 million in international sales. Titles from Brazil, China, Germany, and Spain were sold this year, alongside films from Canada, the U.S., and the U.K.”

“Commercial time per hour on the networks hasn’t gone up significantly since last season. However, over the past decade, the networks have gradually added two minutes of commercials. But commercials, particularly on ABC, are inserted in a way that can be maddening, leaving the impression of far less programming time.”

“Hollywood knows how to sell a movie to the 12-to-24 age group. (See Doom and Saw II.) And it knows how to sell a movie to boys and men. But studios have less experience selling to an older demographic, especially when the headliners are female.”

“Less than three weeks after unveiling its video iPod, Apple Computer has sold 1 million videos that play on the portable device. ‘Selling 1 million videos in less than 20 days strongly suggests there is a market for legal downloads. Our next challenge is to broaden our content offerings’.”

“Since Hollywood is an industry dedicated to perpetrating illusion, its leaders often assume they have license to take liberties with the factual elements that support the movies they make. This practice is euphemistically described by marketing executives as ‘pushing the reality envelope.’ The way in which Hollywood crosses the boundary between the make-believe and the real world takes myriad forms.”

In a tribute to murdered Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh, friends are remaking some of his films in American versions. “Each film will be shot on digital video in the rapid, three-camera style used by the late director. Filming will last only two weeks per title to keep the budget low and the intensity high. Unlike the last few of van Gogh’s films, none of the remakes focus on religious or political themes, sticking instead to the sexy, provocative themes and edgy characters that made van Gogh both a pariah and favorite at home.”

“In 1999 the Disney animation workforce numbered about 2,200. In the aftermath of massive layoffs and the shuttering of the company’s Florida animation studio, the total is about 700. Those who remain have accepted a reality that would have been unthinkable back when Walt Disney was drawing Mickey Mouse: Disney is out of the hand-drawn animation business. Instead the company has placed all of its eggs into the computer-animation basket. Who’s supposed to hatch them? Chicken Little.”

“Iran’s hardline Islamic regime has banned all foreign films deemed to promote ‘secular, feminist, liberal or nihilist ideas.’ The decision reverses prior moves by ex-president Mohammad Khatami to open up Iran to Western culture and will likely add more fuel to Iran’s massive black market and illicit satellite viewership.”