The Morning Fix: ‘Breaking Dawn’ still has bite. New NFL deals near.
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After the coffee. Before seeing if Nancy Sinatra is available for the 2013 Super Bowl halftime show.
The Skinny: The NFL officially announced Madonna will perform in the 2012 Super Bowl halftime show. Since Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction, one gets the feeling that the NFL consults with AARP before choosing an act. Speaking of the NFL, Monday’s headlines include the latest on the league’s negotiations for new TV deals with CBS, Fox and NBC. Other stories include a box office recap, controversy over a New Yorker review of ‘Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ and a look at the battle between Hollywood and Silicon Valley over legislation aimed at fighting piracy.
Point and purchase. Next time you’re watching Pawn Stars on History Channel and you see something you’d like to buy, all you’ll have to do is point your remote at the screen. Verizon Communications, the History Channel and tech company Delivery Agent are announcing Monday a new television commerce initiative. “The History Shop application is an exciting first, because it enables viewers to see and buy things at the moment they’re most interested — while their favorite shows are on screen,” said Mark Garner, senior vice president for the cable network. Soon enough you’ll be buying underwear in your underwear.
Still plenty of bite. The experts projected that ‘The Muppets’ would take first place at the weekend box office. But they were wrong. Once again, ‘Breaking Dawn,’ the latest chapter of the ‘Twilight’ saga, finished first, taking in almost $17 million. ‘The Muppets’ collected $11.2 million. The box office for ‘Hugo’ shrank by about one-third, but Paramount is still slowly rolling the movie out. Box office recaps from the Los Angeles Times and Movie City News.
Talk about a hike. Although the National Football League’s current television deals with CBS, Fox and NBC aren’t up until after the 2013 season, talks are already on for new deals. According to Sports Business Journal, each of the networks will end up paying an average of $1 billion per season when the dust has settled on the current negotiations. Earlier this year, Walt Disney Co.’s ESPN struck a new deal worth about $1.8 billion per season. What does this mean for you? It means the broadcast networks will squeeze the cable operators for more money to carry their channels and the operators will then turn around and raise your bill. See, it’s a win-win. Oh, except for us.
Jumping the gun. The New Yorker is planning to publish a review of Sony’s ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ this week. Only problem is that Sony had asked all critics to wait until late next week before publishing. This has, of course, set off a brouhaha over embargoes on reviews and whether journalists should play ball. All I’ll say is, if you agree to it, you honor it. Coverage and debate from Hollywood Reporter, Hollywood Elsewhere, Deadline Hollywood and the New York Post. At least producer Scott Rudin doesn’t seem like the type to hold a grudge so I’m sure this will all blow over.
Learning curve. Gary Knell, formerly the chief executive of Sesame Workshop, the maker of the acclaimed kids show ‘Sesame Street,’ has moved to a rougher neighborhood. As the new head of National Public Radio, Knell will face funding and programming issues and be required to balance the needs of NPR with those of the local stations that carry its programming. A look at what’s ahead for Knell from The New York Times.
Don’t get any ideas, Rupert. Washington Post Co. Chairman Donald Graham says he would never sell the company’s struggling flagship newspaper. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Graham said he lives by friend Warren Buffett’s ‘rule against engaging in ‘gin rummy behavior,’ where you discard your least attractive asset for short-term gain.’
Who’s your media most valuable player? Every year, I Want Media, an aggregator of media stories, holds a vote for media personality of the year. This year’s hopefuls include new New York Times Executive Editor Jill Abramson, embattled News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch, the late Steve Jobs and even Charlie Sheen. I’m a write-in candidate so feel free to throw some love my way.
Inside the Los Angeles Times: A look at the bitter fight between the entertainment industry and Silicon Valley over legislation aimed at fighting piracy.
-- Joe Flint
Follow me on Twitter. It’s the future of journalism. Twitter.com/JBFlint
