Showbiz Sandbox 535: Theatrical Release Windows Get A Little Clearer
March 30, 2021
With North American movie theaters starting to reopen with limited capacity and European cinemas set to follow in the months ahead what new theatrical releases will be available to them, and for how long, is becoming more apparent. Studios are not only deciding when they are going to release their blockbusters, but more importantly whether they will launch them simultaneously on streaming platforms. In the process they are reaching agreements with cinema operators over the future of theatrical release windows.
Meanwhile, what counts as this year’s awards season continues to chug along with the Producers Guild handing out their awards. Though many of the same movies keep taking home the big prizes with each new ceremony, it’s always important to remember that this doesn’t mean they are guaranteed Oscar trophies.
Of course we also cover some of the week’s top entertainment headlines including the list of this year’s new entries to the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress, Warner Bros. Music heads to China and who is guest hosting the television game show Jeopardy in the absence of the late Alex Trebek.
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Showbiz Sandbox 241: YouTube Gets Tough With Indie Record Labels
June 23, 2014
As YouTube gets set to launch its own streaming music service the company is updating existing partnership contacts with record companies. While all of the major labels have signed on, some independent labels are balking at what they consider unfair terms. Now, YouTube is threatening to block the content of any label refusing to enter into its new licensing contracts, a move that is proving hugely controversial and divisive throughout the tech and entertainment industries.
Speaking of contracts, when it came to negotiating the deal for his latest film “Boyhood”, director Richard Linklater gave up a large part of his usual salary to assure he would actually own a piece of the movie it took him 12 years to complete. Will more filmmakers decide to forfeit their upfront fees and begin taking ownership stakes in their projects, or is Linklater’s move a one-off?
Musician Jack White probably isn’t setting any trends either, at least not for vinyl records. His new album sold 40,000 on vinyl during its first week of release though that can probably be attributed to all the nifty extras White included on the vinyl version such as hidden tracks and alternate versions rather than any ongoing interest in the analogue medium.
Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including why “Sesame Street” is getting shorter, Netflix plans on producing a talk show with Chelsea Handler and Disney nails down another director for its “Star Wars” franchise.
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