Category: media

“Just as video stores once failed to compete with Blockbuster’s larger inventory, the retail chain now can’t compete with Amazon, Netflix, on-demand cable-satellite, and other means of delivering video entertainment that don’t involve going to a store — even as it struggled to keep up, offering DVD-by-mail option.”

“Battles between programmers and distributors are becoming quite common, and usually agreements are reached without consumers losing any channels.”

“It looks to be a reassuring night for network-TV viewers, proof that over-the-air TV is in the midst of a golden age. Yes, there’s a lot of junk on the tube. But look how good it can get.”

“Colour grading, in which a film’s palette is altered in post-production, has become more prevalent over the last decade, as digital technology has erased the limits on what can be done.”

“[Her] self-penned low-budget tale of a Bosnian woman who falls in love with a Serbian military man [during the 1990s war] … so far untitled, will cost $15m (£10m) to make, [and] will feature local actors from the Bosnia and Herzegovina area.”

“[A]fter two days of frantic effort, the Academy has failed to track down Godard to inform him of his good fortune. Letters, faxes and calls have all gone unanswered, and they now suspect that the reclusive film-maker may be deliberately ignoring them.”

“At least so far, theater owners have gotten away with the biggest year-to-year increases in ticket prices ever — with average admission costs spiraling upward more than 40 cents in 2010, or over 5 percent. Meanwhile, attendance has stayed largely flat, dropping less than 1 percent, according to the National Association of Theater Owners.”

“The current agreement, reached in 2002 and expiring this year, created an annual network rotation that brought the ceremony to ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC, and gave the TV academy a huge boost in its license fees.”

“Apple Inc., seeking to fend off rivals such as Netflix Inc. and Hulu LLC, is in advanced talks with News Corp. to let iTunes users rent TV shows [for 48 hours] for 99 cents.” NBC, CBS and ABC/Disney are reportedly in similar talks with Apple.

“The committee of about 20 TV bigwigs is said to be in the midst of picking the award categories and winner voting system, aiming to assuage industry frustration with the current system employed by the Emmy Awards.”