Showbiz Sandbox 377: Disney Breaks Up With Netflix To Launch Solo Streaming Service
August 14, 2017
After years of licensing their movies to Netflix, Disney announced last week that it will be launching their own streaming service when their current deal expires. Then in a true reordering of the media landscape, Disney also revealed it will be creating a standalone subscription streaming service for ESPN. Realistically though Disney might be one of the few entertainment companies that could successfully pull off direct-to-consumer strategy on such a grand scale.
Perhaps Disney felt threatened by content distributors like Netflix and felt compelled to make a move. After all, just days after making their announcement Netflix said it had lured producer Shonda Rhimes away from Disney’s ABC Studios to make original programming for its own service. Netflix also stole hitmaker Chuck Lorre away from CBS and cut a deal with the Coen Brothers to make one of their next projects.
Meanwhile, there’s lots of drama on Broadway, literally and figuratively. Everyone is talking about the collapse of the musical “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812,” which has charges of racism, unprofessionalism and bad management swirling around it. Now the show is closing long before its $12 million budget was recouped.
Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including how Warner Music Group posted big revenue gains thanks to streaming, Bruce Springsteen heads to Broadway and the emergence of a new Chinese media magnate.
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Showbiz Sandbox 48: The Justin Bieber Swagger
April 5, 2010
Yet another 3D film release topped the box office this weekend, sort of. “Clash of the Titans” was actually shot traditionally and had 3D added to it during post-production. Many film critics and industry insiders are faulting the film’s 3D work, which was performed in only eight weeks. Neil Feldman, the president and CEO of In-Three, a company that specializes in dimensionalizing 2D films, joins us during our Inside Baseball segment to discuss the difference between good 3D conversions and bad 3D conversions. For Feldman, it’s all about quality, which he believes Warner Bros. was not concerned with on “Clash”.
Apparently, Warner Bros. also wasn’t concerned with producing a sequel of “The Hangover” when they set out to make the surprise comedy hit. The studio neglected to put option clauses in the lead actor’s contracts so they are having to pay each of them $5 million to appear in the sequel. The same may have been true for Twentieth Century Fox and “Independence Day”. There are now rumors however that the studio has locked Will Smith in for two sequels to the blockbuster 1996 action film. Unfortunately they are just that… rumors.
Justin Bieber continues to tear up the music charts. His new album “My World 2.0” debuted in the number one spot and his first album is still at number five. Read more
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