Showbiz Sandbox 361: Forget Release Windows, CinemaCon Proves the Screen is the Future

Cinema operators gathered in Las Vegas last week to attend the annual CinemaCon trade show where they were able to preview upcoming film releases and learn about some of the new technology on offer for their theatres. Naturally, box office was a big topic with global ticket sales (barely) hitting a record $38.6 billion. Even with a strong U.S. dollar, international box office still made up 71% of the total.

Another issue on everyone’s mind were theatrical release windows; studios want to introduce a premium video on demand offering that brings new releases to the home sooner, though exhibitors are understandably pushing back.

Meanwhile, there may be no movies to show in cinemas if screenwriters goes on strike. The Writers Guild of America has been meeting with producers and studios, however the sides are far apart in their negotiations and a strike is looking more likely.

Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including Robert Downey Jr. as Dr. Dolittle, why major advertisers are upset with YouTube and Adam Sandler reups with Netflix.

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Robert Iger, Disney’s C.E.O., Agrees to One-Year Extension
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/23/business/media/robert-iger-disneys-ceo-agrees-to-one-year-extension.html

comScore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of April 2, 2017
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-april-2-2017-300433124.html

Global Box Office Hits Record $38.6 Billion in 2016 Even as China Slows Down
https://variety.com/2017/film/news/box-office-record-china-1202013961/

International Box Office Flatlines in 2016, MPAA Report Says
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/international-box-office-flatlines-2016-mpaa-report-says-987921

Weak March Means China Box Office Recovery Is Not Yet in Sight
https://variety.com/2017/film/asia/weak-march-no-sign-of-china-box-office-recovery-1202021189/

Jim Gianopulos Getting Greenlight Authority for Movies Up to $100 Million in Paramount Deal
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jim-gianopulos-getting-greenlight-authority-movies-up-100-million-paramount-deal-987791

Weak March Means China Box Office Recovery Is Not Yet in Sight
https://variety.com/2017/film/news/jim-gianopulos-named-paramount-chairman-ceo-1202017014/

Hollywood Film Revenue in India Rises 10 Percent, Boosted by Dubbed Versions
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hollywood-film-revenue-india-rises-10-percent-boosted-by-dubbed-versions-987585

Windows, Worries and The Rock: 5 Takeaways from CinemaCon
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/5-takeaways-cinemacon-990310

Studios Flirt With Offering Movies Early in Home for $30
https://variety.com/2017/film/news/studios-premium-vod-early-1202013205/

The Reckoning: Why the Movie Business Is in Big Trouble
https://variety.com/2017/film/features/movie-business-changing-consumer-demand-studios-exhibitors-1202016699/

American War by Omar El Akkad – BookFilter
http://bookfilter.com/2016/09/26/american-war/

Megan Mullally & Nick Offerman Snag Movie Rights To Bestseller ‘Lincoln In The Bardo’
https://deadline.com/2017/03/lincoln-in-the-bardo-movie-megan-mullally-nick-offerman-george-saunders-1202048639/

Society Of London Theatre Reports Box Office Figures For 2016
http://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Society-Of-London-Theatre-Reports-Box-Office-Figures-For-2016-20170331

Robert Downey Jr. to Star in ‘The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle’
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/robert-downey-jr-star-voyage-doctor-dolittle-986798

Global Online Ad Apend to Reach $205BN in 2017
https://www.rapidtvnews.com/2017032846647/global-online-ad-spend-to-reach-205bn-in-2017.html

Smithsonian Channel to Colorize American History From Prohibition to the Jazz Age
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/miptv-smithsonian-channel-colorize-american-history-prohibition-jazz-age-990315

Academy Details New Steps to Avoid Another Oscars Fiasco
https://variety.com/2017/biz/awards/oscars-academy-pwc-1202018813/

‘Game of Thrones’ Author George R.R. Martin Opening New Film Studio
http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/game-of-thrones-author-george-rr-martin-opening-new-film-studio-w472598

Time, People Drop Out of White House Correspondents’ Event
https://variety.com/2017/biz/news/time-people-cancel-white-house-correspondents-association-donald-trump-1202012575/

Julie Roginsky Is Latest to Sue Fox News Over Sexual Harassment
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/julie-roginsky-is-latest-sue-fox-news-sexual-harassment-990735

‘O’Reilly Factor’ Loses Advertisers Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mercedes-benz-withdraws-oreilly-factor-ads-sexual-harassment-controversy-990932

‘O’Reilly Factor’ Loses Advertisers Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/01/business/media/bill-oreilly-sexual-harassment-fox-news.html?_r=0

Judy Garland, N.W.A, David Bowie, Vin Scully Works Enter National Recording Registry
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/national-recording-registry-judy-garland-nwa-david-bowie-vin-scully-work-be-preserved-989538

Judy Garland, N.W.A, David Bowie, Vin Scully Works Enter National Recording Registry
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/netflix-doubles-down-adam-sandler-new-four-film-deal-988552

Marvel’s David Gabriel On Sales Slump: People “Didn’t Want Any More Diversity,” “Didn’t Want Female Characters”
https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/03/31/marvels-david-gabriel-sales-slump-people-didnt-want-diversity-didnt-want-female-characters/

Marvel Exec Backpedals After Suggesting Diversity to Blame for Comic Book Sales Slump
https://variety.com/2017/biz/news/marvel-exec-blames-diversity-women-comic-sales-slump-1202021440/

‘The Knick’ Not Moving Forward With More Seasons
https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/the-knick-cancelled-season-3-cinemax-1202014854/

Comedy Central Gives Jordan Klepper Post-‘Daily Show’ Slot
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/comedy-central-gives-jordan-klepper-post-daily-show-slot-991016
Inside Chuck Berry’s First New Album in 38 Years
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/inside-chuck-berrys-first-new-album-in-38-years-w472743

Brazil To Allow Retrans as Broadcasters Threaten Blackouts
https://www.rapidtvnews.com/2017040446734/brazil-to-allow-retrans-as-broadcasters-threaten-blackouts.html

YouTube Plans Policy Changes After LGBTQ Video Controversy
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/youtube-plans-policy-changes-after-lgbtq-video-controversy-w473033

Creators Speak Out in Google Advertising Row
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/mar/21/youtube-google-advertising-policies-controversial-content

AT&T, Verizon Suspend YouTube Ads Over Hate-Speech Videos
https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/att-youtube-advertising-terrorism-hate-videos-1202014165/

WGA Negotiators Call for Strike Authorization
https://variety.com/2017/film/news/writers-guild-negotiators-strike-authorization-1202016121/

WGA, AMPTP Agree to Resume Contract Talks on April 10
https://variety.com/2017/film/news/wga-amptp-contract-talks-1202020213/

Writers Guild Health Plan a Headache for Negotiators as Possible Strike Looms
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/writers-guild-health-plan-a-headache-negotiators-as-strike-looms-990237

Will Hollywood Writers Go on Strike? The Tricky Economics of “Peak TV”
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/will-hollywood-writers-go-strike-tricky-economics-peak-tv-985676

Chuck Barris, ‘Gong Show’ and ‘Dating Game’ Creator, Dead at 87
http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/news/chuck-barris-gong-show-and-dating-game-host-dead-at-87-w473201