The Morning Fix: Sony near Jackson deal; making nice with Redbox; `Potter’ hot, `Bruno’ not; ESPN goes local
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
After the coffee. Before the quick hike up Runyon.
Action on Jackson. AEG Live and Michael Jackson’s estate are hawking the king of pop’s last moments on stage to studios and networks in anticipation of both a film and TV special. Latest word has Sony in the driver’s seat for the movie (the conglomerate already has a relationship with Jackson) and NBC in the lead on the TV side. Details from Deadline Hollywood Daily; The Los Angeles Times and The Wrap.If you can’t beat them... Although Hollywood has been fairly vocal in their criticisms of the video vendor Redbox, three studios -- Walt Disney Co., Lions Gate and Sony Corp. have made deals with the firm, according to The Wall Street Journal.
`Potter’ pours it on. The latest ‘Harry Potter’ takes in almost $400 million worldwide and set an overseas opening record. Meanwhile, ‘Bruno’ completely dropped off the radar. Variety; The Los Angeles Times.
ESPN goes local. Walt Disney Co.’s ESPN is launching local sports websites in New York, Los Angeles and Dallas (it already has one in Chicago). ESPN, says The New York Times, isn’t just going after news, it wants local advertisers too.
Diller on digital. IAC/Interactive Corp. CEO Barry Diller tells Business Week that cable operators are worried about losing subscribers and will have to pay more for content.
In the Los Angeles Times: New FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski lays out his agenda for the regulatory agency. NBC News’ news series ‘The Wanted’ about hunting terrorists is making waves for mixing entertainment with journalism.
-- Joe Flint
