Category: media

“This broadcast trend flies in the face of conventional ‘wisdom,’ which has for years argued that shows featuring female, black, Latino, Asian or gay leads could only muster niche audiences. It has been taken as gospel that viewers in the heartland, i.e. Americans with conservative values, just aren’t ready for anything beyond the pale of ‘traditional’ programming.”

Ruling party deputy Robert Schlegel, author of the legislation: “We basically show American films that promote the stereotypes, national interests and values of the United States. Many of these are low quality. Russia can produce its own films, which will be interesting to viewers.”

Author Stella Duffy looks at the ambitious “arts for everyone” plans BBC Controller Tony Hall has announced – and finds them too London-centric, too establishment, too mainstream and too old-fogey.

“Will it meet with a welcoming, needy response from audiences, longing for access to the world of Glyndebourne, the Hay-on-Wye literary festival and the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, as well as, say, the Rolling Stones at Glastonbury and the Last Night of the Proms, current fixtures?”

“The number of tickets sold fell nearly 11% between 2004 and 2013, according to the report, while box office revenue increased 17%. With home-entertainment options improving all the time— whether streamed movies and television, video games, or mobile apps—and studios releasing fewer movies, people are less likely to head to their local multiplex.”

“Indonesia has banned the release of the Hollywood blockbuster Noah, saying the biblical epic contradicts the teachings of the Koran and may mislead people. ‘We don’t want a film that could provoke reactions and controversies,’ said [a member of the] Film Censorship Board.”

“Four days after giving a pilot greenlight to drama Alice in Arabia, ABC Family is pulling the plug on the project about an American teenage girl kidnapped by her extended royal Saudi Arabian family and forced to live with them.”

BuzzFeed, which got a copy of the script, fills us in.

“Closing the loophole could bring in revenues of about £300m in its first year, according to government estimates. The tax change will apply to downloads of films, music, e-books and smartphone games.”

“Alongside the new appointments – which sees Nicholas Hytner join the BBC executive board and Vicky Featherstone become a ‘creative leader’ – director general Tony Hall has today announced a range of new arts programmes and strands which he said would put the arts at “the very heart” of what the BBC does.”