Showbiz Sandbox 169: How TV Networks Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The DVR

October 29, 2012

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Major networks used to bemoan the use of DVRs out of fear that audiences would use them to skip over commercials. However, with DVRs in almost half of all US homes, they have begun touting the big audience increases some of their shows get after factoring in time shifted viewing. Scott Collins, a television reporter with the Los Angeles Times, discusses modern-day TV ratings and how the industry is coping as viewing habits change.

And if you thought television networks were in trouble, they’ve got nothing on the film industry. If you were to believe folks like film critic David Denby and a recent New York Times article, movies may not even be relevant anymore.

Talent agencies aren’t immune from all the changes affecting the industry. Last week the longtime head of ICM Partners, one of the world’s largest ten percenteries, announced he’d be leaving to start a new agency.

Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including how a child sex abuse scandal at the BBC, the merger of publishing giants Penguin and Random House, and an Amy Winehouse musical.

Argo No Longer Just A Mid-Week Champ
http://www.boxofficeprophets.com/column/index.cfm?columnID=15334&cmin=10&columnpage=3

Foreign Box Office: ‘Skyfall’ Blasts Off Overseas With Massive $77.7 Million
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/foreign-box-office-skyfall-blasts-383848

Movies Try to Escape Cultural Irrelevance
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/29/movies/hollywood-seeks-to-slow-cultural-shift-to-tv.html

Analysis: DVR Viewing Gives Fall TV Shows A Critical Ratings Boost
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-fall-tv-ratings-20121012,0,1756792.story

Bertelsmann, Pearson to Combine Book Units to Create Trade Publishing Giant Penguin Random House
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bertelsmann-pearson-book-unit-merger-penguin-random-house-383989

Dohle Addresses Booksellers, Authors and Agents About Merger
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/54545-dohle-addresses-booksellers-authors-and-agents-about-merger.html

News Corporation Is Said to Bid for Penguin
http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/news-corporation-is-said-to-bid-for-penguin/

Random House, Penguin May Merge
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/financial-reporting/article/54511-random-house-penguin-may-merge.html

President Obama Scores On The Tonight Show
http://www.tvmediainsights.com/2012/10/president-obama-scores-on-the-tonight-show/

New Play About Amy Winehouse to Open in Denmark
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/26/new-play-about-amy-winehouse-to-open-in-denmark/

B&N’s E-Ink Devices Go On Sale in U.K. Today
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/devices/article/54543-b-n-s-e-ink-devices-go-on-sale-in-u-k-today.html

Pop Acts Go to the Highest-Bidding City
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/23/arts/music/want-andrew-bird-in-your-town-try-crowdfunding.html

TV Ratings: Football Bests World Series Final as Sports Tops a Robust Sunday
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-football-bests-world-384021

Warner Bros. Relents, Agrees To Redbox DVD Deal
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-warner-redbox-20121026,0,1008334.story

Former ICM Chairman and CEO Jeff Berg Exits Agency
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-former-icm-chairman-and-ceo-jeff-berg-exits-agency-20121026,0,6394040.story

Longtime Agent Carol Bodie Leaving ICM
http://www.deadline.com/2012/10/longtime-agent-carol-bodie-leaving-icm/

CAA Signs Bill Cosby, Ending 48-Year Run With WMA And WME
http://www.deadline.com/2012/10/caa-signs-bill-cosby-ending-48-year-run-with-wma/

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