CBS Corp. (TV broadcast & cable properties only)

Link

by Mike Liebenson

[1] CBS Logo

CBS Headquarters
51 W. 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019-6188
1-212-975-4321 [1.5]

KEY EXECUTIVES

[2] Leslie Moonves- President and Chief Executive Officer, CBS Corporation

[3] Sumner M Redstone- Executive Chairman

[4] Joseph Ianniello- Chief Operating Officer

[5] Anthony G. Ambrosio, Senior Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Administration, CBS Corporation.

OVERVIEW

CBS Corporation is an industry-leading mass media company that creates and distributes content across a multiple platforms to audiences worldwide. Spanning virtually every field of media and entertainment, CBS’s operations include cable, film, radio, publishing, local TV, and interactive/social media. [6]

Network Portfolio

[7] All of CBS’s Assets

CBS is home to one of the world’s largest libraries of media content, making it one of the most recognized brands in business. Specific to television, CBS’s businesses include CBS Television Network, The CW, Showtime Networks, TVGN, CBS Sports Network, Smithsonian Networks, CBS Television Studios, and CBS Television Stations [6].

CBS CURRENT FALL SEASON

[8] One of the Thursday Night Football games featuring San Diego at Denver.

The 2015 season has been kind to “The Big Eye,” with the network averaging 12.2 million viewers daily. This puts the network ahead of every other network, with NBC trailing behind at 9.8 million [9]. Part of this is due to their addition of Thursday Night Football to their fall line-up. Each week their installment of football, which replaced conventional series for the first two months of the season, topped Thursday nights for total viewership. The final game aired earned a 13.2 rating and 23 percent share [10]. That’s slightly less than the all-time high overnight household rating of 13.7 when the season opened on September 11. While Thursday Night Football has done well, analysts projected it to do even better. Yesterday RBC Capital Markets’ David Bank dropped his earnings forecast for CBS by 27 cents to $3.07 because of the ratings letdown [8].

Newcomers

Among CBS’s five other newcomers for the 2014-2015 season, only one was a half-hour sitcom. The Mccarthys, which debuted 1.7/5 in the 18-49 share and 8.08 total million viewers [12], but has fallen to 1.4 and 6.53 total million viewers [13].

[11] First Look

Of the four dramas that premiered this season, consisting of Madame Secretary, Scorpion, NCIS: New Orleans, and Stalker, Scorpion has the strongest for the 18-49 share while the NCIS spin off has the highest overall views. Scorpion debuted at 3.2 share, but has decreased to a low 1.9 as of their 11/24 episode [14].

[15] First Look

NCIS New Orleans debuted at 17.37 million views, and as kept most of its view with their most current episode garnering 14.47 million views. NCIS: New Orleans, along with its predecessor, both skew older and target viewers above the age of 50 [16]. All four of the new dramas have been picked up for full seasons as of 10/28/14 [17].

[18] First Look

Returning Shows

[19] The cast of The Big Bang Theory

Of its current series, CBS boasts the most watched scripted series by both total views and 18-49 shares. The Big Bang Theory, which moved back to Thursdays as of 11/20, has consistently had highest 18-49 share for a scripted series with their most current rating averaging a 4.1 as of 11/25 [20]. Their eighth year’s average is lower so far than their past season, which averaged a 5.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 17.65 million total viewers. The series is renewed until season 10, though, with higher salaries for their lead actors as well [21].

[23] The cast of NCIS

NCIS captures the most viewers for a scripted series every week with their 11/25 episode garnering 16 million viewers. This season is also down from last, with their 11th season of NCIS averaged a 2.8 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 18.5 million total viewers [22]. Even with their top shows dipping in the numbers slightly, CBS is maintaining a steady flow of cash revenue.

FINANCIALS

[24] 2014 Q3 earnings for CBS

CBS is publicly held. As of their 2014 third quarter report, CBS’s shares rose 2.3% from $3.30 billion in 2013 to $3.37 billion now [24]. This was mostly thanks to a 4% increase in content licensing and distribution revenues from higher domestic and international licensing of their television programming. The main Entertainment unit, which includes the CBS TV network and studios, saw a 1% increase in revenues to $1.91 billion. Thanks to the political revenues of the midterm elections and their introduction to Thursday Night Football on CBS, the corporation saw their advertising revenue increase by 2%. In cable networks, like Showtime, revenues were up 5% to $624 million due to the company’s increased rates and increased cash flow from license agreements for its original series [25]. As of December 1 at 4:02 pm, CBS’s stock closed at $54.47, a .75% decrease from the day before [26].

MAJOR HAPPENINGS

CBS All Access

[27]

On October 16, 2014 CBS announced a first for any of the major traditional broadcast networks; subscription based multi-platform access to their content called CBS All Access [28]. For $5.99, the network will offer subscribers episodes from their current and classic shows on-demand across computers, tablets, and smartphones. Subscribers will also have the ability to live stream local CBS television stations in 14 of the most popular U.S. markets; And that number will only grow [28]. The most important amenity of this new service is that customers do not have to be subscribers of a cable or satellite company to access this service; They just need to pay their subscription to seamlessly interact with CBS’s content across their multiple platforms.

TVGN to POP

[29] Redesigned Logo

The TV Guide Network, a joint venture between CBS Corp. and Lionsgate, is planning to receive a major facelift in January of 2015. TVGN will be rebranded as POP, a network centered on the celebration of American fan boy culture [30]. The theme has a much more unique POV, allowing the channel to look at anything that draws on the experience of high intensity fans. POP will launch with more than 400 hours of original programming, featuring A New Kids on The Block reality series, a scripted series, entertainment news, red-carpet specials, and other exciting new content. One series in particular, The Story Behind, will look inside the origin stories of successful hit series [29]. CBS is hoping to be able to obtain more money a month per subscriber. The current TVGN commands two cents a month in comparison to networks garnered towards similar audiences, like E!, that get 24 cents a month per subscriber. Their hopes extend to increased ad revenue as well, since it is on the smaller side [30].

CBS vs. Dish Dispute

[31]

Tensions are rising between CBS and the no. 2 Satellite Distributor over this past month. On November 14, CBS reached out to Dish Network subscribers to inform them of the impending loss of their affiliated channels due an unresolved deal between the two companies after their carriage contract expires at the end of November. CBS has extended the deadline twice, with their deal now supposed to close by the end of the first week in December [31]. The deal seems to me more about rights over CBS content rather than financial issues, specificaly Dish’s ability to include it in the over-the-top service that it aims to launch as well as offering out-of-home viewing rights to their subscribers. There is been concern over Dish’s Hopper DVR service that allows users to record large amounts of primetime with one button. The rollout of this new DVR launched lawsuits against Dish by the major broadcasters, not just CBS [32].

Works Cited

[1] CBS Logo, Deadline.com, RT: 12/1/14

[1.5] CBS Contact, cbscorporation.com, RT: 12/1/14

[2] Photo of Leslie Moonves, cbscorporation.com, RT: 12/1/14

[3] Photo of Sumner Redstone, cbscorporation.com, RT: 12/1/14

[4] Photo of Joseph Ianniello, cbscorporation.com, RT: 12/1/14

[5] Photo of Anthony Ambosio, cbscorporation.com, RT: 12/1/14

[6] About CBS, cbscorporation.com, RT: 12/1/14

[7] Assets of CBS, cbscorporation.com, RT: 12/1/14

[8] Photo of Thursday Night Football, deadline.com, RT: 12/1/14

[9] CBS 2014-2015 Ratings, tvseriesfinale.com, RT: 12/1/14

[10] ‘Thursday Night Football’ Ends on High Note, hollywoodreporter.com, RT: 12/1/14

[11] The Mccarthy’s- First Look, youtube.com, RT: 12/1/14

[12] Thursday Final Ratings (10/31), tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com, RT: 12/1/14

[13] Thursday Final Ratings (11/25), tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com, RT: 12/1/14

[14] Scorpion: Season One Ratings, tvseriesfinale.com, RT: 12/1/14

[15] Scorpion- First Look, youtube.com, RT: 12/1/14

[16] NCIS: New Orleans: Season One Ratings, tvseriesfinale.com, RT: 12/1/14

[17] NCIS: New Orleans, Scorpion, Madam Secretary, Stalker: CBS Orders Full Seasons, tvseriesfinale.com, RT: 12/1/14

[18] NCIS: New Orleans- First Look, youtube.com, RT: 12/1/14

[19] The Big Bang Theory Cast Photo, moviepilot.com, RT: 12/1/14

[20] The Big Bang Theory: Season Eight Ratings, tvseriesfinale.com, RT: 12/1/14

[21] ‘Big Bang Theory’ Renewed Through Season 10, hollywoodreporter.com, RT: 12/1/14

[22] NCIS: Season Twelve Ratings, tvseriesfinale.com, RT: 12/1/14

[23] NCIS Cast Photo, jenniferbadger.com, RT: 12/1/14

[24] CBS Corporation Earnings Release, cbscorporation.com, RT: 12/1/14

[25] CBS Narrowly Beats Q3 Earnings Estimates, deadline.com, RT: 12/1/14

[26] CBS Interactive Stock Chart, finance.yahoo.com, RT: 12/1/14

[27] CBS Offers Digital Subscription Service, youtube.com, RT: 12/1/14

[28] CBS New Multi-Platform Digital Subscription Service, cbscorporation.com, RT: 12/1/14

[29] Meet POP, variety.com, RT: 12/1/14

[30] TV Guide Network To Relaunch In Early 2015 As POP, variety.com, RT: 12/1/14

[31] CBS Will Star on Dish Through the Weekend, deadline.com, RT: 12/1/14

[32] Carriage Talks Progress, variety.com, RT: 12/1/14

AMC Networks

Posted on October 5, 2014 by mtzukin

by Meg Zukin

AMC Networks

photo courtesy of under consideration.com [i]

Contact Information[ii]—

11 Penn Plaza

New York, NY 10001

Main phone: 212-324-8500

http://www.amcnetworks.com

About—

AMC Networks is an American entertainment company which owns and operates AMC, BBC America, IFC, Sundance TV, WE, IFC Films, and AMC Networks International. Initially, AMC was known as Rainbow Media Holdings and until 2011, was a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems. In 2011, Cablevision made Rainbow Media Holdings a publicly traded company and changed its name to AMC Networks [iii].

AMC has recently gained momentum through television shows like The Walking Dead, Mad Men, and Breaking Bad, on its cable channel, AMC [iv]. IFC Films and its affiliate channel, IFC, are responsible for indie films like Boyhood [v] and quirky television comedies like Portlandia [vi]. Recently, the company acquired a 49.9% stake in BBC through a joint venture that cost $200 million [vii].

Key Executives—

Charles Dolan, Executive Chairman AMC Networks

Josh Sapan, President and CEO of AMC Networks

Charlie Collier, President and General Manager of amc

Jennifer Caserta, President and General Manager of IFC

Sarah Barnett, President and General Manager of BBC America and SundanceTV

Jonathan Sehring, President of Sundance Selects and IFC Films

Marc Juris, President and General Manager of WE tv

Pictures and titles courtesy of http://www.amcnetworks.com/about-us/leadership [viii]

Financials—

AMC Networks just reported its third quarter earnings. Net revenues increased a whopping 31.4% to $520 million [ix]. International revenue reached $122.7 million, up 765% from last year. This could be attributed to acquisitions of both BBC and Chellomedia, a deal AMC made in February which gave them a stack of networks in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia [x]. The company also reported earnings of $53.2 million, or 74 cents a share. Analysts estimated that AMC Networks would come in at 73 cents a share and thus, they surpassed projections [xi].

According to the third quarter report, AMC Networks is currently working with a $110 million operating income [xii].

When the market closed on December 1, 2014, AMCX was down 1.34% at $63.99 per share. The company hit a low-point in mid-October at $52.75 per share and was at its highest in March at $77.40 per share. Looking at the past 3 years (when AMCX became a publicly traded company), we see exponential growth overall.

photo courtesy of Google Finance [xxx]

What’s Happening Now?—

Sarah Barnett Named President and General Manager, BBC America

AMC Networks announced last week (November 21, 2014) that current SundanceTV chief, Sarah Barnett, would be moving up to President and General Manager of BBC America [xiii]. Barnett began her career at BBC in production before she spent a decade at SundanceTV. She will start her new position in January, surveying over both SundanceTV and BBC America until AMC taps someone else to oversee SundanceTV. The current General Manager at BBC, Perry Simon, who was on the team behind Orphan Black, is moving to production with BBC Worldwide North America [xv].

Barnett certainly has the chops for an upgrade in position. Under her reign, she established Sundance as an original programming network with shows like Rectify, Top of the Lake, and The Honourable Woman [xvi] With this new position she will continue to report to Ed Carroll, Chief Operating Officer of AMC Networks.

AMC Announces Two-Night Premiere for Spin-Off Series “Better Call Saul”

AMC’s next new drama series, Better Call Saul, will debut on Sunday, February 8 with its second episode debuting the next night, Monday, February 9 [xvii]. The series follows Breaking Bad character Saul Goodman, prior to him becoming Walter White’s lawyer lawyer.

video courtesy of AMC Networks on Youtube [xviii]

The back-to-back premiere is “AMC’s first ever two-night series premiere event” according to Charlie Collier [xix]. Season one is slated for 10 episodes and Talking Dead will air before it, a solid segue for high-ratings for both shows. Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan co-created the spin-off with writer-director Peter Gould [xx].

AMC Networks and BBC Worldwide Enter Partnership

In October, AMC Networks bought a 49.9% stake in the BBC America cable channel. They paid $200 million to BBC Worldwide and the marriage between the two companies leaves BBC with a 50.1% stake in BBC America [xxi]. BBC America is available in almost 80 million homes domestically and was the most critically acclaimed channel on ad-supported television in 2013 [xxii].

BBC America will be managed as a standalone channel within AMC, much like how AMC, WE tv, and SundanceTV are operated. Even though BBC still has a grander stake in its American counterpart, AMC Networks will maintain operational control over the company, as well as affiliate and advertising sales [xxiii].

This agreement occurred almost exactly on the one-year anniversary of AMC’s $1 billion acquisition of Liberty Global’s international network, Chellomedia. That acquisition led to AMC Networks International which is available in 140 countries [xxiv].

AMC Networks/IFC Films Acquires Rights to “October Gale”

IFC Films bought the American rights to writer-director Ruba Nadda‘s thriller, October Gale, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival. IFC Films also released another film by Nadda, Cairo Time. The film stars Patricia Clarkson, Tim Roth, and Scott Speedman. Clarkson plays a doctor who takes in a skeptical man when he floats ashore at her secluded cabin with a gunshot wound [xxv]. Myriad Pictures is handling worldwide sales.

Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein Return to Portlandia

Portlandia will return to IFC for its ten-episode fifth season in January. This season will showcase a laundry list of cameos including Vanessa Bayer, Steve Buscemi, Peter Giles, Justin Long, Shepard Fairey, Jane Lynch, and Olivia Wilde, amongst others [xxvi].

video courtesy of IFC Youtube

Viewers will be able to recap previous seasons on New Year’s Day when IFC will air a marathon but seasons 1 through 4 are also available on Netflix and iTunes [xxvii].

IFC Orders New Comedy Series: “Gigi’s Bucket List”

IFC has ordered a series starring David Krumholtz as “Gigi,” a 72-year-old Jewish grandmother from Boca Raton, Florida. Krumholtz is also an executive producer along with Grandma’s House Entertainment.

It will shoot this year and is slated to air in 2015. Gigi indulges herself after she discovers that she has access to her dead husband’s bank account [xxviii]. This series fits in with IFC’s quirky personality and will air in 73 million U.S. homes [xix].

David Dobkin to Direct “Badlands” for AMC

In July, AMC ordered Badlands, a martial arts drama that is loosely based on the Chinese Journey to the West. It is the third AMC series that was picked up straight to series at the network [xxxi].

However, it was announced on November 24, 2014 that director David Dobkin has signed onto the project as series director and executive producer. Dobkin has worked on Wedding Crashers and Shanghai Knights previously. AMC bought six, one-hour, episodes with an expected premiere either in late 2015 or early 2016 [xxxii].

Works Cited—

[i] AMC Logo accessed 11/20/2014

[ii] AMC Contact accessed 11/20/2014

[iii] Hoovers AMC profile accessed 11/20/2014

[iv] AMC Shows accessed 11/20/2014

[v] Boyhood, IFC accessed 11/22/2014

[vi] Portlandia, IFC accessed 11/22/2014

[vii] AMC Networks/BBC accessed 11/22/2014

[viii] AMC Leadership accessed 11/22/2014

[ix] Quarter Earnings accessed 11/30/2014

[x] Chellomedia deal accessed 12/1/2014

[xi] Quarter projections accessed 11/30/2014

[xii] Operating income accessed 11/30/2014

[xiii] Sarah Barnett, BBC accessed 11/22/2014

[xiv] Perry Simon future plans accessed 12/1/2014

[xv] BBC Worldwide North America accessed 12/1/2014

[xvi] Sarah Barnett at Sundance accessed 11/22/2014

[xvii] Better Call Saul premiere accessed 10/28/2014

[xviii] Better Call Saul video accessed 12/1/2014

[xix] AMC double night debut accessed 12/1/2014

[xx] Co-creators Better Call Saul accessed 12/1/2014

[xxi] BBC deal accessed 11/24/2014

[xxii] Metacritic BBC critically-acclaimed accessed 11/29/2014

[xxiii] BBC America management accessed 12/1/2014

[xxiv] Chellomedia acquisition accessed 12/1/2014

[xxv] October Gale acquisition accessed 10/28/2014

[xxvi] Portlandia fifth season accessed 12/1/2014

[xxvii] Recap New Year’s Day accessed 12/1/2014

[xxviii] IFC orders comedy series accessed 12/1/2014

[xix] IFC series accessed 12/1/2014

[xxx] Current state of stock market accessed 12/1/2014

[xxxi] Badlands accessed 12/1/2014

[xxxii] David Dobkin signs on accessed 12/1/2014

A+E Television Networks

Posted on October 5, 2014 by cewilder

by Caley Wildermuth

A+E Network Logo – photo courtesy of C21Media (1)

HEADQUARTERS
235 E. 45th Street
New York, NY 1001
www.aenetworks.com

KEY EXECUTIVES

Abbe Raven – Chairman and Past President/CEO, A+E Networks – photo courtesy of A+E Networks (2)

Nancy Dubuc - President and CEO, A+E Networks (2)

Nancy Dubuc – President and CEO, A+E Networks – photo courtesy of A+E Networks (3)

Robert DeBitetto –
President, Brand Strategy, Business Development and A+E Studios, A+E Networks – A+E Courtesy of A+E Networks (4)

ABOUT

Beginning in 1984 as a joint venture between The Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company, A+E Television Networks is now an international media company with over ten channels, six original brands, and owner and operator of the informative historical website Bio (5). Standing for “Arts and Entertainment” Television, the company reaches over 330 million homes of 160 markets in over 60 different languages and a variety of genres, including both reality and scripted shows. Their ten channels include A&E, Lifetime, Lifetime Movie Network, History, H2, Military History, FYI, Crime and Investigation, History en Español, and Lifetime Real Women (6). Top shows across all channels include History’s Vikings and Pawn Stars, Lifetime’s Devious Maids and Dance Moms, and A+E’s Duck Dynasty and Bate’s Motel (3).

Logos of all A+E Network Channels – photo courtesy of A+E Networks (5)

HISTORY

Created in 1984, the company only consisted of one channel: The Arts and Entertainment Channel. Although small in the beginning, the channel’s first-ever original programming propelled the company to new heights. Beginning with only 9 million subscribers, the company began to stray away from their original theme of fine art content into content more accustomed for a younger audience. This included historical documentaries and sitcoms that helped boost subscriptions. One of their most popular series was the show Biography, a docuseries that chronicled the lives and stories of famous celebrities and societal figures and brought the channel its first Emmy nomination in 1990. (7)

As subscriptions skyrocketed, the channel officially changed its name to A & E on its 10th anniversary and began to refocus its image into three themes: “biographies, mysteries, and specials” (7). With this rebranding, the company launched three new channels including the History Channel, the History International Channel (now known as H2), and the Biography Channel, which was recently rebranded as the new channel, FYI. By 2001, the History Channel hit 70 million subscribers, making it the fastest cable network to hit those numbers since launch. Continuing their expansion, in 2009 A+E Networks combined with Lifetime Entertainment Services to add the various Lifetime channels (6). The company is now just celebrating their 30th year anniversary and is considered to be worth $26 billion (8).

FINANCIALS

A+E Television Networks is not a publicly traded company, therefore no information regarding financials could be found.

CHANNEL NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS OF FALL SEASON

A+E Networks saw many high points with the close of the fall and 2014. Twelve of its shows broke the list of top 50 most watched shows for age group 25-54 (3). Listed below are some of those highlights.

History Channel Logo – photo courtesy of A+E Networks (9)

History Channel
Houdini Sparks Big
Starring Academy Award winner, Adrien Brody, the miniseries chronicled the life of the ever-mysterious and famous magician, Houdini. The show reached over 3.7 million viewers on its first night, “making it cable’s number one miniseries premiere of 2014” (10).

FYI Channel Logo – photo courtesy of A+E Networks (11)

FYI
New Channel Fares Well
Rebranded in summer 2014, the Bio Channel is now FYI, a lifestyle network with a contemporary twist (12). With high hopes for the new channel, their original show Married at First Sight fared well, setting records among both the FYI and Bio network brands, reaching 903,000 viewers during the season finale (13).

Married at First Sight Advertisement – photo courtesy of A+E Networks (14)

Lifetime Channel Logo – photo courtesy of A+E Networks (15)

Lifetime
Devious Maids and Project Runway Soar
After finishing up season two this past summer as the number one cable show for its time slot for women 18-49, Lifetime has officially announced there will be a third season soon for Devious Maids (16). Project Runway also continues its legacy after finishing its 13th season finale in October and immediately rolling into a spin-off show, Project Runway: Threads, featuring teen designers (17).

A&E Channel Logo – photo courtesy of A+E Networks (18)

A&E
Past Hits Continue On, Others Canceled
Two hits for the channel, Bates Motel and Duck Dynasty, were renewed for their third and seventh seasons respectively (19). Duck Dynasty’s season premiere launched November 19th, but many fans fear the show will be cancelled due to recent drops in ratings (20). On the other hand, this past fall, A&E cancelled their hit show, Longmire, to the shock of most fans as show was one of A&E’s most watched original dramas. Speculators believe the show was pulled as it appealed to too old an audience and A&E didn’t have a stake in the production as the show is produced by Time Warner (21).

Bates Motel Advertisement – photo courtesy of deadline.com (22)

Duck Dynasty Logo – photo courtesy of popsugar.com (23)

COMPANY NEWS

A+E Purchases 10% Stake in Vice Media

Vice Media Logo – photo courtesy of advice.com (24)

This past fall, A+E Networks beat out Time Warner and purchased a 10% stake in Vice Media in exchange for $250 million. Vice Media is a digital news organization that targets the young male demographic through its informative website, YouTube Channel, and popular HBO-owned TV show, Vice. CEO, Nancy Dubuc managed the deal, stating it was a good move for the company as Vice Media’s demographic reach complimented A+E’s own History channel (25).

Carlton Cuse Signs First-Look Deal with A+E Studios

Carlton Cuse – photo courtesy of nab.org (26)

Famous producer and writer of popular shows such as Lost, The Strain, and A+E’s own Bates Motel, Carlton Cuse has just signed a “three-year first-look deal with A+E Studios,” the first ever production deal with a writer in the history of the network (27). The deal requires Cuse to work closely with A+E Studios EVP, Barry Jessen, to develop quality original content for the channel over the next three years (28).

History Channel Offers 1st Ever TV-Branded Online Course for Credit

On October 28th, History officially launched open enrollment for the first-ever TV-branded online course, United States 1865 to Present. The channel teamed up with University of Oklahoma to offer this unique and interactive course for transferrable credit and it will be taught by renowned OU professor and scholar-in-residence at the History Channel, Steve Gillon. The course is expected to use interactive video lectures, quizzes, and discussions all intermixed with History Channel content to strengthen and deepen one’s understanding of American history and will last for 16 weeks during Spring 2015 (29).

A+E Networks Named 2015 Company of Distinction at Banff World Media Festival

Banff World Media Festival Logo and Advertisement – photo courtesy of film button.com (30)

The Banff World Media Festival recently announced their decision to choose A+E Networks as their 2015 Company of Distinction to be honored at the festival from June 7-10, 2015 in Banff, Canada (31). The festival is a three day long conference bringing together top media leaders and companies internationally to discuss issues facing the industry and to serve as a platform for creative development, networking, and production (32). According the festival itself, the award is given to media companies “demonstrating significant leadership in the world of screen-based entertainment.” Previous winners of the award include CBS Corporation and Lionsgate Entertainment (31).

Sources

(1) “A+E Networks“, C21Media, RT: 11/30/14

(2) Abbe Raven, A+E Networks, RT: 11/30/14

(3) Nancy Dubuc, A+E Networks, RT: 11/30/14

(4) Robert DiBitetto, A+E Networks, RT:11/30/14

(5) A+E Television Networks, LLC Company Profile, Hoovers, RT: 11/30/14

(6) About Us, A+E Networks, RT: 11/30/2014

(7) A & E Television Networks History, FundingUniverse, RT: 11/30/14

(8) “A+E at 30: How a Tiny Network Became a $26 Billion Success Story,” The Hollywood Reporter, 3/28/14, RT: 11/30/14

(9) HISTORY, A+E Networks, RT: 11/30/2014

(10) “Houdini Mesmerizes 3.7 Million Viewers,” A+E Networks, 9/2/2014, RT: 11/30/14

(11) FYI, A+E Networks, RT: 11/30/2014

(12) “Bio to Rebrand as FYI, a ‘Contemporary Lifestyle’ Network,” Adweek, 12/11/13, RT: 11/30/14

(13) “FYI’s ‘Married at First Sight’ Season One Finale Becomes Most-Watched Telecast in Network History,” A+E Networks, 9/10/14, RT: 11/30/14

(14) Married at First Sight, A+E Networks, RT: 11/30/14

(15) Lifetime, A+E Networks, RT: 11/30/14

(16) “Lifetime Renews Devious Maids for Third Season,” A+E Networks, 9/26/14, RT: 11/30/14

(17) “Lifetime’s All New Fashion Competition Series Project Runway: Threads, Tailor-Made for Teen Fashionistas, Premieres October 23,” A+E Networks, 9/16/14, RT: 11/30/14

(18) A&E, A+E Networks, RT: 11/30/14

(19) Recent News, A+E Networks, RT: 11/30/14

(20) “‘Duck Dynasty’ Cancelled? Willie Robertson Talks Ratings Drop, Duck Commander Plans,” Inquisitir, 8/21/14, RT: 11/30/14

(21) “Why TV Hit ‘Longmire’ Got Canceled: Fans Too Old,” The Wall Street Journal, 9/11/14, RT: 11/30/14

(22) “A&E’s ‘Bates Motel’ Renewed For Third Season,” Deadline, 4/7/14, RT: 11/30/14

(23) Duck Dynasty Logo, PopSugar, RT: 11/30/14

(24) “Vice Won an Emmy Award” Advice, 8/18/14, RT: 11/30/14

(25) “A+E Networks Outbids Time Warner For 10% Vice Media Stake,” Deadline, 8/29/14, RT: 11/30/14

(26) “Executive Producers of ‘Lost’ on Tap at NAB Show,” NAB, 2/14/2008, RT: 11/30/14

(27) “Cuse Signs First-Look Deal With A+E,” Broadcasting & Cable, 10/10/14, RT: 11/30/14

(28) “Carlton Cuse, A&E Sign First-Look Development Deal,” Variety, 10/10/14, RT: 11/30/14

(29) “History Launches Online Course for Credit,” A+E Networks, 10/28/14, RT: 11/30/14

(30) “Banff World Media Festival Registration Open,” FILMbutton, 2/6/12, RT: 11/30/14

(31) “A+E Networks Named 2015 Company of Distinction at Banff World Media Festival,” A+E Networks, 10/15/14, RT: 11/30/14

(32) About the Banff World Media Festival, BANFF, RT: 11/30/14

Verizon

Posted on October 5, 2014 by lashaw01

by Lauren Shaw

Verizon Communications

Company Logo, click to go to website.

140 West Street

New York, NY 10007

www.verizon.com

Executives [1]

Courtesy of verizon.com

Lowell C. McAdam, Chairman & CEO

Courtesy of verizon.com

Roy H. Chestnutt, Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer

Courtesy of verizon.com

James J. Gerace, Chief Communications Officer

Courtesy of verizon.com

Roger Gurnani, Executive Vice President & Chief Information Officer

About [2]

Courtesy of wikimedia.org

Verizon Communications is a major media conglomerate that provides broadband and other communication services to consumer, business, government, and wholesale customers. The company is known for its wireless services, providing a reliable wireless network for its 98 million customers nationwide.

: Courtesy of fool.com

Verizon FIOS is one of the company’s major departments that provides a telephone service, digital TV, and high speed Internet over a single fiber optic cable. Fios customers gain access to over 575 digital TV channels, with over 160 channels being High Definition. FiOS also offers over 18,000 movies on demand.

History [3]

Launching in 2005, Verizon FiOS was originally just available to 9,000 customers in Keller, Texas. With the addition of DVR in 2006 and High Definition in 2008, Verizon grew to eventually becoming a leading television distribution company, with around five million customers and availability in 18 million homes in 16 states, as of May 2013. Their top markets are New York, Washington, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Boston, with New York having 1,305,440 subscribers and Boston having 343,535 subscribers. (As of 2013)

Courtesy of creoleindc.typepad.com

Financials

On October 21, the company released their third quarter earnings report. Although more customers were added, Verizon Communications saw a decline in profit. Third quarter net income was $3,794 million, which is a drop from the $5,578 million in 2013’s third quarter. [4] More specifically, the companies Wireline segment had a total revenue of $9.576 million, which is a 0.8% decrease from last year. [6] However, FiOS video subscriber base went up 7% from last year to 5.533 million (adding a net 114,000 subscribers). In addition, broadband connections increased 1.7% from last year to 9.146 million.[5] Although the company is falling short of profit expectations, it seems as though they can detest their revenue drive to FiOS, as FiOS represented 74% of the company’s total revenue during the first quarter of 2014, and is continuing to do so. [7]

FiOS TV Interactive Media Guide

Courtesy of verizon.com

There are many changes being brought to FiOS that may explain its success for the company. Verizon has revamped its FiOS TV Interactive Media Guide for TV and mobile, improving the personalization, management abilities, and user interface for customers.[8] Customers will now receive search results and recommendations for shows and movies based on their viewing behavior. Rotten Tomatoes Movie Reviews and FiOS TV star ratings will also appear when customers are viewing specific content via their guide, with cast and crew biographies as well. [8] The new changes also come with a “My FiOS TV” feature that connects users to social media. [9]

Courtesy of verizon.com

Customers can see what’s being discussed about their favorite shows via Twitter.[9] These new changes are one of many incentives from the company to try and meet the demands of consumers and their reliance on media. These changes offer a comparison to one of Verizon’s competitors Comcast, and its recently upgraded mobile user interface with similar user-friendly personalization updates.[9]

TV Everywhere

Courtesy of bidnessetc.com

The company is not only updating its guide to keep up with consumer’s growing reliance on media and need for entertainment on multiple platforms. In October, the company renewed its carriage agreement with Viacom. [10] These new agreements seem to meet the demands of people’s need for ‘TV Everywhere.” Soon, Verizon customers will be able to stream Viacom programming in and out of their homes. [10] Viacom content such as music and entertainment programming will be available 24/7 on multiple platforms and will include 25 Viacom networks such as MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central. [11] This agreement not only allows customers to gain access to live and on-demand content through the FiOS mobile App, but gain access to Video On-Demand content through various Viacom TV Everywhere websites and Apps as well. [11]As the industry is moving toward more content on mobile, the company is trying to keep up and avoid loosing subscribers by providing opportunities such as these to provide more TV Everywhere options.

Courtesy of digitalhollywood.com

“People want to watch TV anywhere, not just in their living rooms. Disruption in the TV marketplace is happening and Verizon wants to reach agreements with content providers like Viacom that reflect that reality and give people what they want. We are thrilled to extend our long-term distribution partnership with Viacom Media Networks, delivering some of the most recognizable and popular kids, music and entertainment programming available to our customers anytime, anywhere on a variety of platforms from TV to wireless. “-Ben Grad, Verizon’s executive director of content strategy & acquisition [12]

FiOS Quantum Gateway

In addition to consumer’s need for entertainment in a variety of platforms, consumers also want their content as fast as possible. After complaints of slow download speeds over the summer, specifically when streaming Netflix, it seems as though the company is approaching these problems with the launch of FiOS Quantum Gateway.[13] (released in November 2014)

For customers with multiple devices in their homes who frequently stream videos, the Quantum Gateway, which was released at the beginning of the month, should improve speeds and cut down download time for its subscribers. [13] This goes along with Verizon’s “speed match” campaign, which promises to match all customers upload speeds to its download speeds by the end of the year for free. [14] These new features will hopefully improve user experiences for all FiOS customers and create an advantage over its competitors, as other distribution companies are attempting to improve speeds as well.[14]

Stopping the Cord-Cutters from Cutting this Holiday Season

Courtesy of bidnessetc.com

With more and more ways to view content online, Verizon needs to promote competitive advantages to prevent the cord-cutters from actually cutting, and thus loosing customers for Verizon. Just in time for the holiday season, from now until January 17th, customers can purchase FiOS Triple Play package (high-speed internet, phone, and TV) for only $59.99 a month, and get a full year of Netflix free. [15] Not only does this provide a popular package for a much cheaper price, but includes Showtime, HBO, and free Netflix, all of which are usually the reason for cord-cutters to begin with.[16] This bold move of including competitive companies in a much cheaper package should attract millennials who would have previously been turned off to paying for an expensive cable package.[16] 2015’s first quarter earnings report will provide an answer as to whether this unique package paid off for Verizon as a whole.

Looking Towards The Future

As 2014 comes to an end, consumers should prepare for more TV Everywhere opportunities from Verizon, as well as more user-interface and personalization changes to FiOS. [17] Verizon customers should look out for the possibility of a wireless internet pay TV service and FiOS Custom Channels, both which would be released sometime in 2015. [17]

Sources

[1] “Executive Bios” .verizon.com RT: 11/28/14

[2] “Verizon At a Glance” .verizon.com RT:11/28/14

[3] “History & Timeline” .verizon.com RT: 11/28/14

[4] “Verizon Misses on Q3 Earnings, Revenues” .zacks.com October 21, 2014 RT: 11/29/14

[5] “Verizon adds 1.5 Million Customers, But Misses on Profit Expectations” .dailytech.com October 22, 2014 RT: 11/29/14

[6] “Verizon Reports Strong Customer Additions” .prnewswire.com RT: 11/29/14

[7] “FiOS Drives Revenue Up, But Earnings Fall Short of Expectations” .forbes.com April 24, 2014 RT: 11/29/14

[8] “Verizon Revamps FiOS TV Guide” .bidnessetc.com October 1, 2014 RT: 11/28/14

[9] “Verizon Freshens Up FiOS TV Guide” .multichannelnews.com September 30, 2014 RT: 11/28/14

[10] “Verizon FiOS and Viacom Renew Carriage Agreement” .marketwatch.com October 1, 2014 RT: 11/29/14

[11] “Verizon FiOS, Viacom Strike New Carriage Deal” .broadcastingcable.com October 1, 2014 RT: 11/29/14

[12] “Verizon, Viacom Strike New Carriage Deal” .multichannelnews.com October 1, 2014 RT: 11/29/14

[13] “Verizon FiOS Launches Souped-Up Broadband Gateway” .multichannelnews.com October 3, 2014 RT: 11/29/14

[14] “Verizon’s Pitch: Upload Speeds to Match Download” .wallstreetjournal.com August 25, 2014 RT: 11/29/14

[15] “Verizon Trial: 1 Year Free Netflix to FiOS Triple Play Users” dslreports.com October 27, 2014 RT: 11/29/14

[16] “Verizon FiOS Bows Cord-Cutter Plan with Netflix, HBO, Showtime” .homemediamagazine.com November 19, 2014 RT: 11/29/14

[17] “Verizon CEO Says He’s Weighing A Wireless Internet Pay TV Service” .deadline.com March 4, 2014 RT: 11/29/14

Time Warner Cable

Posted on October 5, 2014 by htfergus

by Dan Watson

(15)

Key Executives (13)

Robert D. Marcus
Chairman and CEO

Arthur T. Minson, Jr.
EVP and CFO

Dinesh C. Jain
COO

Ellen M. East
EVP and CCO

Contact (14)

One Time Warner Center

New York, NY 10019-8016

212-484-8000

http://www.timewarnercable.com/en/residential.html

History

In 1992, American Television and Communications (ATC) and Warner Cable merged to become Time Warner Cable (1). Not long after, in 1996, they released the first cable-delivered high speed internet, called Roadrunner (1). Following this was the release of digital cable and video on demand in 1999, digital phone service in 2003, and then finally the “Triple Play” service in 2005 (1). In 2007, Time Warner Cable (TWC) went public, and two years later, in 2009, they separated themselves from their parent company, Time Warner Inc (1).

About The Company

Time Warner Cable is a cable provider that offers high speed internet, digital phone services, and cable services to over 25 states, including Texas, North Carolina, and New York State (1). The company is subscription based, meaning customers pay a certain price per month to receive the content. Cable plans range anywhere from $20 to $50 per month, internet prices range from $35 to $65 per month, and phone service range from $10 to $20 per month (2). Subscribers can also choose the three service deal, which gives you video, phone, and internet for anywhere from $110 to $130 per month (2). As of September 30, 201, the end of their 3rd quarter, TWC has a total of 15.1 million subscribers receiving one or more of their services (1). 10.8 million of them are video subscribers, 11.5 million are internet subscribers, and 4.9 million of them are phone subscribers (1). In New York, North Carolina, and Texas, TWC provides local, all-news channels (1). TWC currently employs 50,000 people all over the US, including a special program that hires military veterans in areas such as technology, construction, and marketing sales (3). In 2013, TWC CEO Glenn Britt retired. TWC announced that the company’s COO at the time, Robert D. Marcus, would proceed him. He is currently the Chairman and CEO of TWC (1).

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Financials

Time Warner Cable is a publically owned company, and is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TWC (1). Currently, TWC on the New York Stock Exchange is $148.54 USD (12). Because TWC is a publically owned company, it is obligated to let the public know how it is doing, in the form of quarterly reports. The latest quarterly report, the end of the third quarter, was released on September 30th, 2014 (4). In the fourth quarter alone, TWC had a revenue of $5.7 billion, which was up 3.6 percent, when compared to last year’s third quarter (4). This year to date (September 30th), the company has a total revenue of $17.1 billion, which is a 2.9% increase when compared to the same figure from last year (4). The report boasts the “best third-quarter customer relationship performance in six years” (4). Services in particular, their video service continues to provide the most money out of all the other services. Their video service provided $2.5 billion, while the internet service provided $1.6 billion, and the phone service provided $476 million (4). One notable difference is that both the revenue of the video and phone services for the third quarter went down from last year, with the video bringing in $2.6 billion, and the phone bringing in $498 million (4).

The Comcast, Time Warner Cable Merger

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Back on February 13th, Comcast publicly announced that they wanted to by Time Warner Cable for $45.2 billion dollars (5). Since then, both the FCC and The United States Department of Justice have been investigating and evaluating the deal to see if they will either approve, or decline the deal. On October 8th and 9th, both company’s shareholders approved of the acquisition (6). For TWC, more than 99% of votes from shareholders voted in favor of the deal, showing the support of the deal from the shareholders (6). Immediately after the announcement of the deal, there was a wave of backlash and criticism against the deal. One of the main concerns of the deal is the fact that if the deal were to go through, the ensuing company would have control of roughly 30% of the pay TV market (6). This company would have 33 million subscribers, leagues above any other cable provider (5). Because of this, people are worried that the result of this deal would have far much too control on the cable, phone, and internet markets. With such control, this company would have would have more power to raise prices (5). This would be because they would be the only cable provider in a lot of areas, and customers would have no other option than to pay whatever amount for that cable provider. Some are also worried that this deal could affect competition and innovation. The company could have so much control over the market, that it might deter newcomers from trying to enter the market (5). Because of this, there would be inherently less competition, and much less innovation, as all of the new content and technology a new company could bring to the market would be much less inclined to jump in (5).

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One of the biggest issues of the deal is the possibility of net neutrality being hurt following the completion of the deal (7). Net neutrality is the idea, and law, that every source on the internet is treated equally, and has the same access as any other source (7). This applies heavily to online streaming sites like Netflix and Hulu. Their whole, or at least majority of their business is based on their ability to stream content to subscribers via the internet. With the completion of the deal, some are worried that the cable company would have so much control, that they could create internet “fast lanes”, and “slow lanes” (7). In other words, Comcast/TWC could make Netflix or Hulu pay an extra amount of money for their products to be streamed faster and in higher quality through the internet that the cable company provides its customers (7). President Barack Obama recently released a statement, saying that net neutrality is essential, and that any deal hindering that would hurt the economy (8). He also called for the FCC to create new rules regulating net neutrality (8). Both parties of the deal have since stated that the deal is still proceeding (9).

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One of the biggest oppositions to the deal happened in Lexington, Kentucky. Arguing over poor customer service, the city was unable to reach a new franchise agreement with TWC, and planed on denying the transfer of ownership, and looking for other cable providers (10). This would have proved a tough task, though, because TWC owns all of the existing cable infrastructure in the city (10). On November 20th, however, the city agreed to a 10 year franchise agreement with TWC, ending negotiations and backlash of the pending deal (11).

Sources

(1) http://www.timewarnercable.com/en/about-us/company-overview.html

History of Time Warner Cable, DR: 11/26/14

(2) http://www.timewarnercable.com/en/plans-packages/cable-internet.html#3services

Time Warner Cable, Packages and Plans, DR 11/26/14

(3) http://jobs.timewarnercable.com/content/military/

Time Warner Cable, Jobs and Military, DR 11/26/14

(4) http://ir.timewarnercable.com/files/2014%20Earnings/3Q14/aQ3-2014-TWC-Earnings-Release-FINAL_v001_a0q10j.pdf

Time Warner Cable Third Quarterly Report, DR 11/21/14

(5) http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/comcast-time-warner-agree-to-merge-in-45-billion-deal/2014/02/13/7b778d60-9469-11e3-84e1-27626c5ef5fb_story.html

Washington Post, Comcast and TWC agree to deal, DR 11/19/14

(6) http://online.wsj.com/articles/time-warner-cable-shareholders-approve-merger-deal-with-comcast-1412869575

The Wall Street Journal, Shareholders Approve, DR 11/20/14

(7) http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/15/opinion/why-the-fcc-should-heed-president-obama-on-internet-regulations.html?_r=0

The New York Times, Net Neutrality Concerns, DR 11/23/14

(8) http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/11/10/obama-internet-net-neutrality/18793429/

USA Today, Obama’s Statement on Net Neutrality, DR 11/25/14

(9) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/13/comcast-time-warner-full-steam-ahead_n_6149068.html

Huffpost, Deals moving Forward, DR 11/24/14

(10) http://www.kentucky.com/2014/10/07/3468773_citys-action-could-kill-time-warner.html?rh=1

Kentucky.com, Lexington Opposes Deal, DR 11/19/14

(11) http://wuky.org/post/lexington-signs-franchise-agreement-time-warner-cable

WUKY.org, Lexington Agrees to Deal, DR 11/27/14

(12) http://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyProfile?symbol=TWC.N

Reuters, TWC Stock Information, DR 11/30/14

(13) http://www.timewarnercable.com/content/twc/en/about-us/leadership/overview.html

Time Warner Cable Leadership, DR 11/28/14

Time Warner Cable Leadership Photos, DR 11/28/14

(14) http://www.timewarner.com/contact-us

Time Warner Cable Contacts, DR 11/28/14

(15) http://logos.wikia.com/wiki/File:Time_Warner_Cable_2010.png

Time Warner Cable Logo, DR 11/30/14

(16) http://g.foolcdn.com/editorial/images/144432/comcast_twc-via-comcast-release_large.png

Comcast, Time Warner Cable Image, DR 11/30/14

(17) http://static.squarespace.com/static/514c6ec7e4b0f1fab133877d/514e614fe4b0e29595febc04/514e6178e4b045db9416cc37/1364091272056/?format=1000w

TWC Triple Play Image, DR 11/30/14

(18) http://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/7362006206_ea7fa6b6f8_z.jpg

Net Neutrality Under Attack Image, DR 11/30/14

(19) http://images.bidnessetc.com/img/f1e5284674fd1e360873c29337ebe2d7-president-obama-supports-net-neutrality-addresses-fcc.jpg

Obama On Net Neutrality

DirectTV

Posted on October 5, 2014 by Nicholas Sabatino

by Nick Sabatino

Photo courtesy of www.interpretllc.com [1]

Contact Information

Headquarters: 2230 E. Imperial Hwy, El Segundo, CA 90245 Phone: (310) 964-5000 [2] Facebook: DirecTV Twitter: @DirecTV

Executives

President and CEO: Michael White Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer: Patrick T. Doyle Executive Vice President and President, DirecTV Latin America: Bruce B. Churchill [3]

President and CEO, Michael White
Photo courtesy of investor.directv.com [4]

About

DirecTV was founded in 1990 and was one of the country’s first satellite-cable providers. DirecTV offers quality television with a variety of channels, including many high definition (HD) channels. There are hundreds of channels on DirecTV and the number of channels a customer receives depends on the package that the customer buys. However, not only does DirecTV provide cable, they also provide On-Demand services, HD DVR products(recording devices) called Genie [5], and “TV Everywhere” applications so that you can enjoy your television shows or movies when you want, where you want, and on what device you choose.

DirecTV’s Genie: HD DVR
Photo courtesy of www.directv.com [6]

DirecTV is a satellite-cable provider, this means that instead of just having a cable box attached to your television inside of your home, DirecTV puts a satellite dish on top of your home. Appearance is mostly the only major difference. However, DirecTV has benefits over other cable providers. DirecTV is rated #1 in overall customer satisfaction, and has been ahead of cable for the past 14 years [7].

Financials

DirecTV offers its services in the United States and in Latin America. The company currently has over 37 million subscribers in these areas, and their revenues totaled about $30 billion dollars in 2013 [8]. DirecTV is a multi-billion dollar company traded publicly on the NASDAQ with the ticker symbol DTV. Their stock currently has a volume of 899,268 and it is being traded at $87.71 per share [9]. Over the past four years DirecTV has seen a substantial increase in subscribers. With that, came an increase in their stock value. Since 2010, DirecTV’s stock has rose about 60 points and it keeps steadily going up over time. These numbers are very good for DirecTV and proves that they are becoming more successful as a company and more people are choosing their product over others.

DirecTV stock over the last four years Photo courtesy of investor.directv.com

DirecTV’s stock price over the last four years
Photo courtesy of investor.directv.com [10]

AT&T Merger

In May of 2014, DirecTV proposed a deal to AT&T to join companies and create a merger. With this merger, AT&T could improve the services that DirecTV already has. AT&T would focus on improving the Internet quality in many areas of the country that DirecTV does business [11]. With improved Internet, customers would be able to get better access to On-Demand and Pay-Per-View options that DirecTV offers. It would also better allow for the DirecTV app to be on products such as iPads and iPhones that are contracted under AT&T service, so that DirecTV can be at your fingertips wherever, and whenever you want it to be. This is the concept of “TV Everywhere.”

Over the past few months, the merger has been overseen by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Justice Department over the legality of this merger. On November 20, 2014, DirecTV’s CEO, Michael White, said the deal should be approved next year. With this approved merger it is uncertain if DirecTV’s sales will go up. In a perfect market, the merger would cause an increase in the stock price of both AT&T and DirecTV. However, if one of the two company’s stock price starts to fall, being that both companies are in a merger, investors will sell their stock from the attached company and then both companies will have a decrease in stock price. This results in a loss of money for both AT&T and DirecTV [12].

AT&T and DirecTV Merger
Photo courtesy of www.accessnorthga.com [13]

International Expansion

In 2006, DirecTV gained 100% ownership of DirecTV Latin America [14]. With the expansion into new countries, DirecTV has asserted itself as more of a global brand. As of 2013, the number of subscribers that are from Latin America is about 18 million, which is an increase of about 9 million subscribers compared to the year 2010 [15]. With the success of expansion into Latin America, it is probable that DirecTV will expand into other markets as well and become even larger of a company. In the end of the day, it is all about getting your product to as many people as possible and making as much money as possible.

The DirecTV satellite dish portrayed as being on top of the Latin American countries where DirecTV is in. Photo courtesy of www.gigaom.com

DirecTV has expanded to Latin America.
Photo courtesy of www.gigaom.com [16]

Raycom Media

Back in September of 2014 there was a dispute between DirecTV and a broadcasting company called Raycom Media [17]. The dispute was over the broadcasting of Raycom Media’s channels through the means of DirecTV. The two companies did not come to a financial agreement by September 1st (the deadline) so for customers that had DirecTV they were unable to watch any Raycom Media channels for several days. Raycom Media is in 37 markets and 18 states, and they provide many different forms of television [18]. A major concern among people who had DirecTV and were in a Raycom Media market was the fact that they would not be able to watch some of the opening day NFL games on September 7th. Raycom and DirecTV made sure that this did not happen because of the potential financial loss that could have come from it. Agreements were made, and on September 7th customers were reinstated with their television channels.

Original Programming and What to Expect in the Future

Over the past few years DirecTV has entered into the world that Netflix and Hulu are also in. It’s the world of original programming, and it is the key to gaining more viewership, and in the case of DirecTV, more subscribers [19]. DirecTV’s goal is to have shows that viewers cannot get anywhere else. If this happens, then people may substitute the cable provider that they already have for DirecTV. DirecTV has their own channel called “Audience” that is only on DirecTV. On this channel is their newest show called Kingdom, and it came out in Fall of 2014. It stars Nick Jonas as a mixed martial arts fighter [20]. There is also a crime drama starring Thandie Newton called Rogue.

Click photo for Kingdom trailer courtesy of Youtube. Photo courtesy of www.directv.com

Click photo for Kingdom trailer, courtesy of www.youtube.com
Photo courtesy of www.directv.com [21]

There is even a special channel called “DogTV,” which is a channel specifically made for your dog to watch.

DogTV Trailer Photo courtesy of www.directv.com Commercial courtesy of www.youtube.com

Click photo for DogTV Commercial
Photo courtesy of www.directv.com
Commercial courtesy of www.youtube.com [22]

DirecTV also prides itself on its sports channels and packages. They have many packages, but their most popular one is the NFL Sunday Ticket. Every Fall if you are a customer that has NFL Sunday Ticket you can watch every NFL game that airs every Sunday [23]. New this Fall too is the introduction of NFL Fantasy Zone, a show which is all geared towards Fantasy Football. Expect growth in this department over the next few years.

There is also an ongoing dispute currently taking place between DirecTV and AMC. AMC is threatening to take away all of their channels (AMC, We TV, IFC, and Sundance) because they are claiming that DirecTV violated the existing deal that they had with them [24]. AMC is running campaigns during its show The Walking Dead, and DirecTV has an online petition[25]. DirecTV says that AMC is issuing a false alarm and nothing will happen. This is a developing story that needs to be kept a close eye on in the coming months.

In the near future, expect DirecTV to come up with more original content, renewal of their successful shows, expansion into new countries, and new and better deals to lure new customers to their services.

Sources

[1] DirecTV Logo. Interpret. RT: 4/30/14

[2] DirecTV Headquarters. eCorporateOffices.com. RT: 4/30/14

[3] Corporate Governance: Elected Officers. Investor.directv.com. RT: 4/30/14

[4] Michael White. Investor.directv.com. RT: 4/30/14

[5] DirecTV Genie. DirecTV.com. RT: 4/30/14

[6] DirecTV Genie. DirecTV.com. RT: 4/30/14

[7] DirecTV vs. Cable. DirecTV.com. RT: 4/30/14

[8] DirecTV 2013 Annual Report. Investor.directv.com. RT: 4/30/14

[9] Stock Quote and Chart. Investor.directv.com. RT: 4/30/14

[10] Stock Quote and Chart. Investor.directv.com. RT: 4/30/14

[11] “DirecTV CEO Expects Feds to OK AT&T Merger”. BostonHerald.com. RT: 4/30/14

[12] “3 Reasons DirecTV’s Stock Could Fall”. Fool.com. RT: 4/30/14

[13] “AT&T Agrees to Buy DirecTV in $45.8B Deal”. AccessNorthGa.com. RT: 4/30/14

[14] Company Profile. DirecTV.com. RT: 4/30/14

[15] DirecTV 2013 Annual Report. Investor.directv.com. RT: 4/30/14

[16] “DirecTV Adds Another 600,000 Latin American Users in Q1”. Gigaom.com. RT: 4/30/14

[17] “Raycom Media Restores 43 Local Stations to DirecTV Homes”. News.directv.com. RT: 4/30/14

[18] “Raycom Media Reaches Agreement In Principle With DirecTV”. RaycomMedia.com. RT: 4/30/14

[19] “DirecTV tries to join Netflix, Hulu With New Original Series Kingdom: Can They Compete?”. SheKnows.com. RT: 4/30/14

[20] “Stepping Into the Cage with Kingdom‘s Jonathan Tucker”. News.directv.com. RT: 4/30/14

[21] Kingdom Poster. DirecTV.com. RT: 4/30/14

[22] “DogTV Commercial – Been There Done That – Part 2”. Youtube.com. RT: 4/30/14

[23] “How DirecTV is Capitalizing On Growth of Fantasy Football”. Forbes.com. RT: 4/30/14

[24] “AMC Sounds Alarm About DirecTV Tussle During ‘Walking Dead’ Episode”. Variety.com. RT: 4/30/14

[25] “Don’t Let AMC Scare You!”. directvpromise.com. RT: 4/30/14

Cablevision

Link

by Steven Spohr

Summary

Source – Cablevision.com

Founded in 1973, Cablevision Systems Corporation is a leading telecommunications company that primarily offers television, phone, and Internet services to millions in the NY metropolitan area. Initially serving a mere 1,500 customers on Long Island, Cablevision has since expanded to offer WiFi, a leading local newspaper, and business communications solutions to its over 3 million subscribers. Former properties include Madison Square Garden and Rainbow Media Holdings. [1]

Source – Optimum.com

Cablevision’s television, phone, Internet, WiFi, and business solutions all operate under the ‘Optimum’ brand name. These include (but are not limited to) –

Optimum TV – exclusive home of News 12 Networks, a series of local news channels
Optimum Voice
Optimum Online
Optimum WiFi
Optimum Lightpath – a “leading provider of integrated business communications solutions that meets the needs of larger companies” [1]

Source – www.newsday.com/

Cablevision also owns Newsday Media Group, which runs two local papers. Newsday is a Pulitzer Prize-winning daily newspaper that has been in circulation since 1940. Over 70% of Long Island adults read Newsday, and its articles and reporting have won numerous awards and made it the top paper on Long Island. To provide the most local news possible, Newsday works closely with MSG Varsity (part of the News 12 Networks) to provide detailed coverage of local high school and college sports. amNewYork offers a quick read of city news and events. In addition to the papers, NMG owns Star Community Publishing, which producers weekly shopper publications in Long Island and Queens. It is the largest publisher of its kind in the Northeastern United States. [2]

Leadership

The Dolan family founded Cablevision and continues to lead the company today. Key personnel include [3] –

Charles Dolan – Founder and Chairman / Source – Sean Smith, The Boston College Chronicle

James Dolan – Chief Executive Officer / Source – Al Iannazzone, Newsday.com

Kristin Dolan – Chief Operating Officer / Source – Variety.com

Brian Sweeney – President / Source – POST Online Media

Gregg Seibert – Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer / Source – Business Wire

Hank Ratner – Vice Chairman / Source – The Madison Square Garden Company

Financials

A detailed map of Cablevision’s stock pricing in 2014. / Source – Yahoo! Finance

2014 has seen Cablevision’s stock (CVC) prices gradually increase throughout the year. Starting the year at $17.22/share, CVC stock stands at $20.32/share as of November 29th. February 3rd saw the year’s low of $15.85. Prices peaked in late July, mid-September, and late November. [4]

The following financial information is from Cablevision’s Third Quarter 2014 Results.

Net revenue increased 3.7% to $1.62 billion.
Cable advertising revenue grew 6.8%
Average Monthly Cable Revenue per Customer increased 5.7% to $154.50/customer/month. [5]

These figures represent a continued loss of subscribers for Cablevision across the board. Between satellite TV providers, rival phone companies, and the public’s shift to watching TV online, Cablevision’s audience is becoming fragmented. The company chose to increase its subscription rates in response to decreasing numbers, which is represented by the net revenue and AMCR/C increases. [6]

Recent News

The latter half of 2014 has been a busy one, with notable hirings, financial news, legal troubles, and more.

August 4th

August 4th saw Cablevision’s announcement that it has hired David Dibble as Chief Technology Officer, a newly-created role. Dibble is formerly of Yahoo!, and his hiring is part of Cablevision’s efforts to “become the premier connectivity provider in the market, delivering a peerless customer experience”. [7]

November 7th

A New York Times article revealed a major legal proceeding against Cablevision. The National Labor Relations Board has charged Cablevision CEO James Dolan with “illegally threatening to deny company technicians in Brooklyn a pay increase unless they voted to quit their union”. The NLRB also charged Cablevision itself with “illegally [undermining] the union’s representation of those workers by sponsoring a nonbinding poll to determine whether they wanted to leave their union”, while some workers reported they were being ‘spied on’ during the vote. Federal law states that such a vote can only be conducted by the labor board, not the company. CEO Dolan fired back, calling the NLRB “a tool of Big Labor” and questioning the validity of its findings. The case is ongoing, and Cablevision has stated it will appeal to federal courts, if necessary. [8]

CEO Dolan has plenty of reasons to be frustrated, especially with his ongoing legal troubles with the National Labor Relations Board. / Source – ESPN.com

November 11th

Cablevision teamed up with Time Warner Cable to release the first ever “New York Television Audience Insights Report”. The report sampled the 3.5 million subcribers of Cablevision and TWC in the New York area, which is half of the TV homes in the region. Its aim was to help advertising and marketing departments and companies get better value out of their advertising purchases. Some key findings include –

74% of all TV programming watched was outside of traditional TV ‘prime time’ (8-11PM).
On average, a subscriber will only watch 25 channels in a month.
a whopping 90% of all viewing comes from a mere 100 channels. [9]

These new insights will help create better statistics for TV viewership and aid advertisers in spending money more efficiently.

November 18th

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the city is planning an extensive new WiFi network across the five boroughs. The project, dubbed LinkNYC, would provide not only free WiFi, but also no-cost domestic calling and video chat. The 10,000 hotspot system would replace the city’s decaying network of archaic payphones and operate completely with money generated through advertising. Projected to cost around $200 million, LinkNYC would bring in over $500 million over the next twelve years, according to city officials.

This announcement led some to think Cablevision’s Optimum WiFi network would be threatened by this new, massive competition. Cablevision officials have not only dismissed these musings, but have actively worked with New York City on a number of initiatives, possibly including LinkNYC itself. [10]

Mayor-Elect De Blasio Makes Announcement

Mayor de Blasio’s ambitious project looks to dramatically improve WiFi services within the five boroughs. / Source – PIX 11

November 22nd

The Lewisboro Ledger revealed that Cablevision has a new deal with the town of Lewisboro (Westchester County). The deal, which primarily concerns franchising fees, has a number of key improvements –

Over $270,000 in new franchising fees are expected in 2015.
Free cable would be provided to 16 municipal and school buildings, including the public library.
New offers would include a senior discount for those aged sixty-five and older.
Town Board meetings would become available for live-streaming.
The town’s parks and baseball fields will become WiFi-equipped. [11]

November 25th

Kids video-on-demand network Kabillion announced a carriage deal with Cablevision. Kabillion, which is the only independently-owned VOD network ranked in the Top 10 Kids Free On Demand list, will now reach over 50 million homes nationwide. The deal is beneficiary to Cablevision too, as Kabillion reports views exceeding 65 million in 2014. [12]

Bibliography

YouTube

Posted on October 5, 2014 by htfergus

by Sergio Rodriguez

This image was taken from Youtube.com [1]

YouTube Headquarters

901 Cherry Avenue

Second Floor

San Bruno, CA 94066

Phone: (650) 253-0000

Fax: (650) 253-0001

www.Youtube.com

Key Executives [2]

Ms. Susan D. Wojcicki- Chief Executive Officer

Ms. Julie Supan- Senior Director of Marketing

hunter-walk-homebrew-vc*304xx375-250-8-0

Mr. Hunter Walk- Head of Product

Mr. Kevin Donahue- Vice President of Content

Ms. Suzie Reider- Chief Marketing Officer

What is YouTube?

Created in 2005 by Chad Hurley, Steve Chen and Jawed Karim, YouTube is a media sharing website that allows for people to connect, discover, watch, and share user created original videos.[3] It allows for people to connect through commentary feedback as well as features a like and dislike system.

This is a screenshot of the website.

Users are able to search videos from a list of different categories such as YouTube Original Channels, beauty, comedy, entertainment, film, music and more. These lists continue to grow as more people sign up, create accounts and post videos.[4]

Since it’s release, the company has worked really hard to expand the amount of devices that support it through applications. The YouTube application is available on many of today’s electronics like Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and various mobile platforms like tablets.[5]

Screenshot of YouTube Application [5]

YouTube is generally a free site, but as of November 12, 2014, they introduced a new music streaming service called “YouTube Music Key.” With this service, subscribers are able to listen to music and watch videos free of ads both online and offline. People who subscribe early on will get to pay the lower price of $7.99 a month, while those who wait for the expansion of the service; which will take place in the next year, will have to pay $9.99 a month.[6]

Financials

YouTube, LLC is a subsidiary of Google, Inc. and because of this, it is difficult to get exact numbers when it comes to how much revenue the company makes. Therefore, most of the revenue about to be listed is estimated from Forbes.

According to Forbes, YouTube continues to significantly increase its revenue year after year. In 2011, the company’s revenue was $2 billion and increased 8.5 percent to $3.70 billion in 2012. In 2013, revenue increased again 11.1 percent to $5.60 billion.[7]

YouTube has over 1 billion active subscribers a day and the number continues to grow everyday, especially in other countries. The most popular YouTube channel has over 82 million subscribers.[8]

Since Google does not say how much of its profits come from, analysts estimate that YouTube is worth somewhere between $26 billion and $40 billion. Google itself is worth around $400 billion as a company.

The Company

YouTube owes its vastly huge success to the power of advertisement. Working with huge companies to provide advertisement for them to bring to the audience contributes heavily to the revenue of YouTube. Though the company splits about half of its profits with the owners of the content, they still managed to reel in about $2.8 billion this year from ad revenues; which is about a 48 percent increase from the previous year. In 2015, according to a report, the revenue will increase again to around $3.5 billion.[9]

History

The domain name YouTube.com was created in 2005 by three former PayPal employees by the name of Chad Hurley, Steve Chen and Jawed Karim. It was inspired by the fact that the creators were not able to locate videos of the Janet Jackson super bowl incident and the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami. A beta version of the website went up in May of 2005 and six months later it officially launched thanks to a $3.5 million investment from Sequoia Capital and from there it grew exponentially.[10]

Videos were already getting about 100,000 daily views in 2006 and because of this it caught the attention of Google and it was bought out by them for $1.65 billion in October 2006.

In 2007 after launching their Partner Program, people were able to make money based off their viral videos and in 2008; some of them started making six figure incomes. It was also around this time that Google decided to make money by rolling out ads that played on videos.

Starting in 2009, the company became mainstream to the point that the government opened up YouTube channels. Even the Vatican opened an account on the site. This is also when the company teamed up with Vivendi to create Vevo, a music video service. Organizations began to use it as well, starting with columnist Dan Savage who launched the “It Gets Better” project. The company keeps expanding.[11]

The “It Gets Better” Project

The Competition

Over the years, YouTube has grown to become the prominent video sharing website for a variety of people as well as organizations, and when one thing succeeds, others follow in its footsteps to achieve the same. As time passed, many other video sharing websites have emerged as competition for the company. Some of the competitors include Vimeo and Dailymotion. Vimeo, its closest competitor, was founded in 2004 and in 2013; it had only 400,000 paying subscribers and had a revenue of $40 million.[12] Youtube remains number 1 for video sharing.

What’s the future looking like?

Since becoming Chief Executive Officer of YouTube back in Februrary of 2014, Susan D. Wojcick has had plans of expanding the capabilities of the company to try and handle more than it can and take things to a new level. She has already made huge improvements to the way the site runs and its usability as well as contributed to the growth of the company revenue. Right Wojcick has two main focuses. The first is to improve its ability for user to communicate on a global level. The second focus is the growth of its business opportunities.[13]

Aside from the business aspect of the company’s growth, Wojcick is also trying to help the creators of the content develop, promote and grow as well. YouTube personalities are well known by the people who watch them but not to other people, especially those around the world. In order to promote these YouTube personalities, she plans on turning the website into something more that resembles television by actively developing and promoting their content so that they will be able to receive more recognition.

Google is investing more money to these stars to create more high quality programming for the site, but this time with a different approach. Before, the company tried to get outside celebrities to join and make them more like television but that failed. It then turned to the people that were already famous within the site. With this, it’ll also help the stars remain on YouTube instead of leaving elsewhere. Some of these stars include: Bethany Mota, a fashion star, Troye Sivan, a singer and YouTube personality and Michelle Phan, a make-up artist.[14]

Bethany Mota [15]

Michelle Phan [16]

Troye Sivan [17]

Sources:

[1] http://www.youtube.com

[2] http://investing.businessweek.com

[3] http://content.time.com

[4] https://www.youtube.com/channels

[5] https://www.youtube.com/yt/devices/

[6] http://www.billboard.com

[7] http://www.forbes.com

[8] http://expandedramblings.com/

[9] www.adweek.com/

[10] usatoday30.usatoday.com

[11] http://www.businessinsider.com

[12] http://www.beet.tv

[13] http://www.tubefilter.com

[14] http://recode.net

[15] http://stealherstyle.net

[16] http://www.taaz.com

[17] http://blog.blackwellphoto.com

Weinstein Company

Posted on October 5, 2014 by htfergus

by Samantha Koenig

[1] The Weinstein Company Logo

HISTORY

Brothers Bob and Harvey Weinstein first founded Miramax Films in 1979, later selling it to Disney in 1993. In October of 2005 the brothers launched The Weinstein Company, encompassing Dimension Films, as an independent production and distribution company [2]. TWC has garnered great commercial and critical success with great Academy Award winning movies such as: The Artist, The King’s Speech, Django Unchained and Silver Linings Playbook.

KEY EXECUTIVES

[3] Bob Weinstein Co-Chairman (right) and Harvey Weinstein Co-Chairman (left)

FINANCIAL

The Weinstein Company is an independently held company and is currently ranked 8^th in studio market share with 2% [4]. To date, from their 8 movies released this fall grossing $37.3 million, down from 2013’s $40.2 million [5], however 2014 gross is expected to increase greatly over the holidays with St. Vincent and The Imitation Game Oscar buzz [6][7]. In addition, The Weinstein Company’s joint venture with Netflix, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend,” could bring great financial success in 2015 [8].

NETFLIX VENTURE

[9] Netflix Logo

[12] “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (2000)

Early this fall, The Weinstein Company expanded their existing deal with Netflix, which gave Netflix first post-theatrical release venue rights for many of their films, to include films that will premiere on Netflix at the same time as the theatrical release [10]. The first film slated, and already under production, is the sequel to 2000’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” which grossed nearly $214 million to its $17 million budget, and won 4 Academy Awards. The sequel is to be called, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend” [11].

The movie will premiere on Netflix the same day as in IMAX theaters, shaking up the long-established business models of studios and theater companies. The “hope [is] it will get plenty of play in China, where Netflix is not available” [13].

“The moviegoing experience is evolving quickly and profoundly, and Netflix is unquestionably at the forefront of that movement,” Weinstein Company co-chairman Harvey Weinstein said. “We are tremendously excited to be continuing our great relationship with Netflix and bringing to fans all over the world the latest chapter in this amazing and intriguing story.” [14]

[15] In “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend,” Michelle Yeoh will reprise her role as Yu Shu Lien.

The plan is drawing strong criticism from Regal and AMC cinemas, both claiming this deal will disrupt their business models, which are built on giving theater-goers “first dibs” on big-pictures [14]. In response to The Weinstein Company’s deal with Netflix, Regal has said it will “not participate in an experiment where you can see the same product on screens varying from three stories tall to 3 inches wide on a smartphone” [14].

IN THEATERS FALL 2014

[16] “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them” tells the story of tragedy and relationships from two subjective points of view.

“The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them”

Following the loss of their child, once happily married Connor (James McAvoy) and Eleanor (Jessica Chastain), find themselves akin to strangers trying to recapture the life and love they once knew. Writer/Director Ned Benson explores their complicated relationship through two subjective points of view [17].

The film combines “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him” and “Her” versions, which originally debuted at the 2013 Toronto Film Festival, from the 3 hour 17 minute back to back showing, to a 2 hour combined perspective [18].

[19] “Tracks” tells the incredible story of a young woman’s journey across the Australian desert.

“Tracks”

“Tracks” tells the remarkable true story of Robyn Davidson (Mia Wasikowska), a woman who leaves life in the city to journey on her own across 2,000 miles of Australian desert, her only company her dog and four unpredictable camels. Along the way she meets Rick Smolan (Adam Driver), a National Geographic photographer who decides to document her journey [20].

The movie was released in theaters September 29, 2014, though originally premiered in 2013 at the Venice Film Festival.

2015 ACADEMY AWARD CONTENDERS

“St. Vincent”

Vincent McKenna (Bill Murray) is a drunken war vet who likes living alone in his worn down home in Brooklyn. Not a loner though, he regularly hits the bar, track and “boffs” a pregnant Russian hooker, Daka (Naomi Watts). In a classic story of redemption, McKenna finds himself babysitter to his new neighbor, Maggie’s (Melissa McCarthy), 12-year old son, who helps reform him from his hard ways [21].

“St. Vincent” Trailer [22]

The film premiered at the TIFF this year to immediate high praise and talk of a possible Oscar wild card nod to Murray [21]. St. Vincent, released October 10, 2014, is expected to pick up steam at the box office as award season closes in and news of this great ensemble cast spreads [21].

“The Imitation Game”

The film opens with Alan Turing’s (Benedict Cumberbatch) 1952 arrest for “gross indecency” for homosexual behavior, at the time very much illegal in Britain. It then jumps back to 1939 and Turing, a mathematician and cryptanalyst, becomes part of a top-secret group that creates the first computer and cracks the Nazi Enigma code, effectively leading to the end of World War II. Surprisingly a part of this group, was a woman, Joan Clarke (Keira Knightley), who becomes very close to Turing, eventually becoming engaged to him [23].

“The Imitation Game” Trailer [24]

The film made a big splash in Canada at TIFF earlier this year, and quickly became a front-runner for Academy Award nominations. Likely to be nominated in many categories, Cumberbatch is a seemingly easy nomination for leading actor [25].

In its opening weekend, “The Imitation Game” opened November 28, 2014 in just four theaters, two in LA and two in New York, yet grossed a total of $479,352, averaging $119,838 per theater [26]. The only limited 4-theater release to ever gross more in its opening weekend was “The Grand Budapest Hotel” earlier this year, averaging $202,792 per theater [27].

COMING SOON

[28] “Paddington” the beloved children’s books about a bear come to life in this live-action adaptation.

“Paddington”

Coming January 16, 2015, “Paddington,” produced by David Heyman (Harry Potter), brings to life the countless books written by Michael Bond since 1958. The film tells the story of the young Peruvian bear’s (voiced by Ben Whishaw) search for a home in the city, where he quickly realizes city life is not all he had imagined – until he meets the Brown family. All is well until he catches the eye of a museum owner, Millicent (Nicole Kidman) [29].

[30] “Big Eyes” tells the story of artist Margaret Keane and husband Walter, who took credit for her paintings.

“Big Eyes”

Tim Burton‘s “Big Eyes,” set in the 1950s, recounts like a storybook the tale of artist Margaret Keane (Amy Adams) and Walter Keane (Cristoph Waltz), the “ogre-like” man who held her “captive.” [31]. The title refers to the unique painting style of Margaret, who’s husband took credit for his wife’s work, and became the face of an art empire [32]. The film follows the couple through the 1960s and the ensuing legal battle between Margaret and Walter [32].

An interesting departure for Burton, he takes seemingly straightforward story, and injects his style and mystery, creating a complicated back and forth, narrated by a third person. The film should draw big for Weinstein’s “arthouse” crowd with its Christmas Day release [31].

SOURCES

[1] The Weinstein Company Logo, Deadline.com, RT: 11/29/14

[2] “About The Weinstein Company”, Weinsteinco.com, RT: 11/29/14

[3] Weinstein Brothers Picture, screencraft.org, RT: 11/29/14

[4] Studio Gross Ranking, boxofficemojo.com/studio, RT: 11/29/14

[5] Weinstein Year by Year Financial, boxofficemojo.com, RT: 11/29/14

[6] St. Vincent Oscar Buzz, rollingstone.com, RT: 11/29/14

[7] The Imitation Game Oscar Buzz, variety.com, RT: 11/29/14

[8] Netflix Deal Shakeup, variety.com, RT: 11/29/14

[9] Netflix Logo, designcrowd.com, RT: 11/29/14

[10] Netflix and Weinstein Into Future, blogs.indiewire.com, RT: 11/29/14

[11] Netflix Move Into Movies, variety.com, RT: 11/29/14

[12] “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” Poster, blogspot.com, RT: 11/29/14

[13] LATimes Netflix Weinstein Deal, latimes.com, RT: 11/29/14

[14] Theaters Under Threat, washingtonpost.com, RT: 11/29/14

[15] Michelle Yeoh as Yu Shu Lien, bellenews.com, RT: 11/29/14

[16] “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them”, imdb.com, RT: 11/29/14

[17] Review Eleanor Rigby, rottontomatoes.com, RT: 11/29/14

[18] Eleanor Rigby Versions, washingtonpost.com, RT: 11/29/14

[19] “Tracks” Poster, impawards.com, RT: 11/29/14

[20] Review “Tracks”, rottontomatoes.com, RT: 11/29/14

[21] “St. Vincent” Review, rollingstone.com, RT: 11/29/14

[22] “St. Vincent” Trailer, youtube.com, RT: 11/29/14

[23] “The Imitation Game” Review, variety.com, RT: 11/29/14

[24] “The Imitation Game” Trailer, youtube.com, RT: 11/29/14

[25] Oscar Hopefuls, thewrap.com, RT: 11/29/14

[26] Opening Weekend Box Office “Imitation”, boxofficemojo.com, RT: 11/29/14

[27] Opening Weekend Box Office “Budapest”, boxofficemojo.com, RT: 11/29/14

[28] “Paddington” Poster, impawards.com, RT: 11/29/14

[29] “Paddington” Review, rottontomatoes.com, RT: 11/29/14

[30] “Big Eyes” Poster, yahoonews.com, RT: 11/29/14

[31] “Big Eyes” Review, variety.com, RT: 11/29/14

[32] “Big Eyes” Behind the Movie, huffingtonpost.com, RT: 11/29/14

Warner Bros. Pictures

Posted on October 5, 2014 by htfergus

by Carly Kaplin

Warner Bros. Studios [a]

Contact Information:

Address: 3400 Riverside Drive, Burbank, CA 91522

Phone: (818) 972-8687

http://www.warnerbros.com/

Company Executives:

Kevin Tsujihara: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Warner Bros. [b]

Richard J. Fox: Executive Vice President, International, Warner Bros. Entertainment [c]

Thomas Gewecke: Chief Digital Officer and Executive Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, Warner Bros. Entertainment [d]

Dee Dee Myers: Executive Vice Present, Worldwide Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Warner Bros. Entertainment [e]

Company Overview:

Warner Brother’s is an entertainment company involved in the creation, production, distribution and marketing of many different forms of entertainment. The company specializes in feature films and television. Since they were founded, Warner Brother’s has produced nearly 6,500 feature films and 3,000 television shows. Warner Brother’s Studios is a subsidiary of Time Warner and within itself has several subsidiaries. [1]

Albert, Sam, Harry and Jack Warner [f]

Company History:

Warner Brother’s was founded on April 4th, 1923 by Albert, Sam, Harry and Jack Warner. The studio released the world’s first “talkie” movie on October 6th, 1927. Before this time, the world had never seen a movie with sound. This was a groundbreaking moment in the film industry. The studio won their first Oscar for best picture in 1937 for a film biography on the life of Émile Zola. In 1955, Warner Brothers started working in television creating the drama series, Cheyenne. [2]

Financials:

Warner Brother’s Studios is one of the global leaders in film production. However, the studio was negatively impacted by a low summer box office. Luckily, video-on-demand revenue contributed and raised revenue 3% to $2.8 billion. The studio made its highest box office numbers ever with the Harry Potter movies and The Dark Knight trilogy. The Dark Knight earned the studio over $530,000,000 domestic, and over $1 billion including international sales in 2008. In 2013, Warner Brothers television programs grossed almost $1.5 billion internationally. In the same year, the international box office for films generated revenue of over $5 billion for the fifth year in a row Warner Brothers made over $4 billion in the worldwide box office. Warner Brothers currently stands at third place in the 2014 studio market share of the box office with 14.3%, behind 20th Century Fox with 17.2% and Buenavista with 16.1%. Warner Brothers has released the most movies this year out of the three top studios, making it’s position at number 3 not ideal. [3] [4]

By the end of this year, Warner Brothers will have released a total of 21 feature films. The highest grossing movie of the year for the studio was The Lego Movie, generating a total domestic revenue of $257 million and $210 million internationally, making it a total of $468 million. [5] [6]

Warner Brother’s movies by release date in 2014 [g]

MV5BNjE5MzYwMzYxMF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwOTk4MTk0OQ@@._V1_SY1006_CR25,0,630,1006_AL_

Gravity [h]

Recent History

In early 2014, Warner Brother’s films won 10 Academy Awards, the most of any other studio. 7 of these awards were taken by Gravity, two for The Great Gatsby and one for Her. Gravity took home the oscar for best director for Alfonso Cuarón, visual effects, cinematography, film editing, original score, sound editing and sound mixing. [7]

What’s Happening Now?

Warner Brother’s Studios has recently announced that they will be cutting 1,000 jobs from a total of around 8,000 companywide in an attempt to decrease costs since the low box office and television results this year. After 10 years at number one in the domestic box office, it is currently at number 3. Some divisions of the company are expected to be impacted more by these layoffs than others. The finance and information technology will be cut down more than film and television production groups. [8]

The Judge [i]

Warner Brother’s recently released The Judge on October 10th, 2014. The Judge made only $45.5 million in the domestic box office, which is not the success the studio would have hoped for the movie with a $50 million production budget. It did bring in $29 million international, bringing the total gross up to $74.5 million. The movie opened at number 5 its opening weekend, competing with the new releases of Dracula Untold and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, which opened at 2, and 3 respectively. [9]

Annabelle [j]

Annabelle, the prequel to last year’s The Conjuring, was the studio’s highest grossing movie this season. With a domestic total of $84 million but was widely popular overseas with an international total of over $186 million, it took the number one place in the international box office its opening weekend. The production budget was only $6.5 million so Annabelle was a huge success for Warner Brothers. Annabelle was released on October 3rd, opening at the number two spot in the box office, just barely beaten out by $400,000 by the highly anticipated Gone Girl. [10]

Horrible Bosses 2 [k]

Horrible Bosses 2 is the studio’s next movie to hit theaters, opening on November 26th, 2014. The first Horrible Bosses movie, released in July of 2011 made $60 million during its opening weekend. The budget was $35 million, meaning the movie made back almost twice its budget in the first weekend. This sequel is definitely one that didn’t do as well as the first movie. This past weekend was opening weekend for Horrible Bosses 2 and opening at the number 5 spot, they made a mere $15 million domestically. Having opened on a Wednesday, they did generate some more money before the “weekend” bringing the domestic total to $23 million. But this opening weekend was a tough one in terms of competition. Horrible Bosses was competing with the second weekend of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 which brought in the majority of audiences for this Thanksgiving weekend. Warner Brothers expected Horrible Bosses 2 to make around $35 million opening weekend, but the production budget was relatively low, at $42 million. Warner Brothers executives are hopeful that Horrible Bosses 2 will perform better next weekend as the excitement of The Hunger Games slows down as it enters its third week. [11] [12] [13]

Excitement continues to grow for fans of The Hobbit series as the trilogy comes to an end this year with The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. It will be released on December 17th, 2014 by Warner Brothers. The most talked about aspect of the movie so far is the 45 minute battle scene which ends the movie, the biggest fight scene director Peter Jackson has ever done. [5] [14]

Warner Brothers will be releasing two more movies before the end of the year. Inherent Vice on December 12th, featuring Owen Wilson and Reese Witherspoon, and American Sniper on December 25th, with Bradley Cooper, directed by Clint Eastwood. Inherent Vice has already won the Robert Altman award, which is given to “one film’s director, casting director, and ensemble cast.” [5] [15]

Sources:

1. Warner Bros. Company Overview – warnerbros.com RT: 11/15/2014

2. Warner Bros. Company History – warnerbros.com RT: 11/16/2014

3. Time Warner Q3 Earnings Results – money.cnn.com RT: 11/17/2014

4. Time Warner Annual Reports – TimeWarner.com RT: 11/15/2014

5. Warner Bros. Future Releases – boxofficemojo.com RT: 11/21/2014

6. The Lego Movie – boxofficemojo.com RT: 11/18/2014

7. Warner Bros. Oscar Results – hollywoodreporter.com RT: 11/17/2014

8. Warner Bros. Layoffs – nytimes.com RT: 11/19/2014

9. The Judge Box Office Mojo – boxofficemojo.com RT: 11/16/2014

10. Annabelle Box Office Mojo – boxofficemojo.com RT: 11/17/2014

11. Horrible Bosses Opening Weekend – boxofficemojo.com RT: 11/20/2014

12. Horrible Bosses 2 Opening Weekend – boxofficemojo.com RT: 11/30/2014

13. Variety Horrible Bosses 2 Article – variety.com RT: 11/30/2014

14. FansShare The Hobbit Article – fansshare.com RT: 11/21/2014

15. NoneSuch Inherent Vice Article – nonesuch.com RT: 12/1/2014

Multimedia Sources

a. http://corporate.kabam.com/company/ RT: 11/14/2014

b. Warner Bros. Company Executives – Kevin Tsujihara RT: 11/15/2014

c. Warner Bros. Company Executives – Richard J. Fox RT: 11/15/2014

d. Warner Bros. Company Executives -Thomas Gewecke RT: 11/15/2014

e. Warner Bros. Company Executives – Dee Dee Myers RT: 11/15/2014

f. PBS Gallery RT: 11/16/2014

g. Box Office Mojo RT: 12/1/2014

h. IMDB Gravity RT: 11/20/2014

i. IMDB The Judge RT: 11/21/2014

j. IMDB Annabelle RT: 12/1/2014

k. Collider.com RT: 11/17/2014

l. Youtube.com RT: 12/1/2014

Principles & Practices

Website by the students of TRF235

Category Archives: TRF235 Fall 2014

CBS Corp. (TV broadcast & cable properties only)

Link

AMC Networks

A+E Television Networks

HEADQUARTERS
235 E. 45th Street
New York, NY 1001
www.aenetworks.com

Verizon

Time Warner Cable

DirectTV

Contact Information

Executives

About

Financials

AT&T Merger

International Expansion

Raycom Media

Original Programming and What to Expect in the Future

Sources

Cablevision

Link

YouTube

Key Executives [2]

Weinstein Company

Warner Bros. Pictures

HEADQUARTERS 235 E. 45th Street New York, NY 1001 www.aenetworks.com

Contact Information

Executives

About

Financials

AT&T Merger

International Expansion

Raycom Media

Original Programming and What to Expect in the Future

Sources

Key Executives [2]

HEADQUARTERS
235 E. 45th Street
New York, NY 1001
www.aenetworks.com