This gallery contains 12 photos.
by Erika Zoffer HISTORY 21st Century Fox is one of the two companies that were created by the split of News Corporation, a multimedia company founded by media mogul, Rupert Murdock, in 1979. Last year, the company finalized the separation … Continue reading
by Jessica Mendelson
Image courtesy of Deadline
HISTORY
Founded in 2004 Disney/ABC Television Group is a large division of The Walt Disney Company that is in charge of, “global entertainment and news television properties, owned television stations group and a radio business [1].” The Group is currently run by Disney Media Networks President Anne Sweeney [3] but by the end of this year she will be succeeded by Ben Sherwood [6].
Anne Sweeney – Photo courtesy of The Walt Disney Company
Ben Sherwood – Photo courtesy of Disney ABC TV
FINANCIALS
DIS Stock Price 2014 – Image courtesy of Etrade
The Group is a division of the much larger Walt Disney Company, which is a publicly traded New York Stock Exchange Company labeled as DIS. Their market cap, how much the company is worth, is $156.87 billion. Their most current stock price is $92.51. They pay annual dividends, and at the end of their fiscal year on September 27, 2014 their net income was $7.5 billion. The companies Media Networks (which Disney/ABC TV Group falls under) consist of 45% of their revenue. The Network’s 4th quarter net income increased 5% to 5.2 billion, after a $10 million loss in cable and a $5 million gain in broadcast. [27] [28]
THE BUSINESS
The Group is divided into 6 different businesses that run ABC and Disney Television, production and distribution, and radio development. These include: ABC Entertainment Group (which is a joint business of ABC Entertainment and ABC Studios), ABC Family, ABC News, ABC Owned Television Stations Group, Disney/ABC Television Group Digital Media, and Disney/ABC Domestic Television [7].
The biggest part of the Group’s fall primetime season is 6 new shows created by the ABC Entertainment Group. The shows are; “Forever,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” “‘black-ish,” “Cristela,” “Manhattan Love Story,” and “Selfie.” In the past this division has produced shows such as: “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Modern Family,” “Scandal, and “Dancing with the Stars [4].”
Image courtesy of abcmedianet.com
FALL SEASON
In the Nielsen November Sweeps period ABC had the most impressive numbers across the board for non-sports programming for adults 18-49. ABC’s press release on November 25, 2014 [5] showed that ABC beat out CBS by 31%, NBC by 31% and Fox by 61% in terms of overall viewers.
SHOW BREAKDOWN
Successes
Image courtesy of Google Play
From executive producer Shonda Rhimes this drama follows law Professor Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) as she involves herself with four of her students [10].
Thursday has been a HUGE night for ABC this fall. “Grey’s Anatomy” is 8-9, “Scandal” is 9-10 and then the newcomer “HTGAWM” follows that at 10. Each show shares executive producer Shonda Rhimes. For all of November sweeps ABC won Thursday Nights for the 4 consecutive weeks of the period.
Image courtesy CinemaBlend
Dr. Henry Morgan (Ioan Gruffud) is the top medical examiner in NYC, the secret behind his success? He examines the dead to try to find an answer to his own immortality [11].
Image courtesy jezebel.com
In this comedy Andre ‘Dre’ Johnson (Anthony Anderson) wonders if his quintessential life in the suburbs with his wife, daughter and son have, “brought too much assimilation for [his] black family [12].”
“‘black-ish” has an excellent lead in with “Modern Family” being in the half-hour slot before it. “Modern Family” has around 10 million viewers, so that’s helping boost numbers for “‘black-ish.”
Image courtesy of subscene.com
Cristela (Cristela Alonzo) is in her sixth and final year of law school but her traditional Mexican-American family is having trouble understanding her pursuit of this career. Cristela tries to balance old traditions with the modern world that she is working and living in [13].
The full season has been ordered for the show, meaning 9 new episodes are on its way for the freshman comedy [24].
Flops
Image courtesy of ABC Network
Eliza Dooley (Karen Gillan) has tons of social media ‘friends’ but seems to be missing some actual friends. She asks the help of a marketing guru played by John Cho in order to ‘rebrand’ herself to make real-life connections [15].
Image courtesy of ABC Network
This comedy exposes the differences in thought between men and women as they begin dating. This leads to opposing thoughts, and differing actions between new couple Dana (Analeigh Tipton) and Peter (Jake McDorman) [14].
“Selfie” and “Love Story” were back-to-back half hour-comedies that filled up the 9:00 hour on Tuesdays. It was a tough lead-in for ABC’s drama “Forever” at 10:00 [17]. However, “Forever” hung-on for a full season where as the comedies got the axe.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
ABC has 3 new dramas, “American Crime,” “Marvel’s Agent Carter,” “Secrets and Lies,” and a comedy, “Galavant,” slated to premiere in early 2015. There’s also the drama “The Whispers” and the comedy “Fresh Off the Boat” which have yet to be slated [2].
Image courtesy of Hollywood Reporter
Under the ABC Owned Station Groups, Disney/ABC is launching a new syndicated talk show with host Tyra Banks. The title as of now is, “The F-A-B,” which stands for Fun and Beautiful. It will include a panel of lifestyle gurus who will answer questions and talk to celebrities about what’s going on in social media, food, fashion and more [25].
ABC and producer Mark Gordon are writing a comedy with, and starring Iliza Schlesinger, called “Forever 31.” The hope is to make Schlesinger the top female in primetime comedy. The show depicts the struggles of her and her friends trying to become adults and the comedic trials of their everyday lives [26].
Sources
[1] Disney/ABC Television Group Homepage, disneyabctv.com, RT: 11/25/14
[2] ABC Unveils 2014-15 Primetime Lineup, 5/12/14, abcmedianet.com, RT: 11/25/14
[3] Disney/ABC Television Group Executives, disneyabctv.com, RT: 11/25/14
[4] Disney/ABC Entertainment Group Overview, disneyabctv.com, RT: 11/25/14
[5] ABC November 2014 Sweeps Press Release, 11/25/14, abcmedianet.com, RT: 11/29/14
[6] Ben Sherwood to Succeed Anne Sweeney, 3/24/14, abcmedianet.com, RT: 11/29/14
[7] The Walt Disney Company Media Networks, thewaltdisneycompany.com, RT: 11/29/14
[8] ‘Selfie’ Unaired ABC Episodes Head to Hulu, 11/24/14, Variety, RT: 11/29/14
[9] ABC Cancels ‘Selfie’, 11/7/14, Variety, RT: 11/29/14
[10] How to Get Away with Murder, abc.go.com, RT: 11/29/14
[11] Forever, abc.go.com, RT: 11/29/14
[12] black-ish, abc.go.com, RT: 11/29/14
[13] Cristela, abc.go.com, RT: 11/29/14
[14] Manhattan Love Story, abc.go.com, RT: 11/29/14
[15] Selfie, abc.go.com, RT: 11/29/14
[16] ABC Cancels ‘Manhattan Love Story,’ 10/24/14, Variety, RT: 11/29/14
[17] ABC Tuesday Comedies Premiere Low, 10/1/14, Variety, RT: 11/29/14
[18] ‘How to Get Away With Murder’ Goes Out On a High as ABC Dominates Thursday, 11/21/14, Variety, RT: 11/29/14
[19] ABC Wins Third Straight Thursday as ‘Scandal’ Hits A 6-Week High & ‘How To Get Away With Murder’ a Three-Week High, 11/14/14, tvbythenumbers.com, RT: 11/29/14
[20] ABC Hits a Season High in Adults 18-49 and Claims 7 of the Top 20 TV Shows the Week of November 17, 2014, 11/25/14, tvbythenumbers.com, RT: 11/29/14
[21] TV Ratings Tuesday, 11/19/14, tvbythenumbers.com, RT: 11/29/14
[22] Wednesday Final Ratings, 11/20/14, tvbythenumbers.com, RT: 11/29/14
[23] Friday Final Ratings, 11/24/14, tvbythenumbers.com, RT: 11/29/14
[24] ABC Gives ‘Cristela’ Full-Season Pickup, 11/24/14, Variety, RT: 11/29/14
[25] Syndicated Daytime Talker, ‘The F-A-B,’ 10/20/14, thefutoncritic.com, RT: 11/25/14
[26] Iliza Shlesinger To Topline ABC Comedy, 11/20/14, Deadline, RT: 11/25/14
[27] The Walt Disney Company Quarter Four and Fiscal Year 2014 Reports, 11/6/14, thewaltdisneycompany.com, RT: 11/29/14
[28] Disney Stock Information, thewaltdisneycompany.com, RT: 11/29/14
by Brendan Germain
Discovery Logo [1]
“Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity, engaging and entertaining viewers with high-quality content on worldwide television networks…” [2]
As the number one pay-TV programmer and non-fiction media company, Discovery Communications paves the way for cross platform content appealing to 2.7 billion subscribers across 150 cable networks in over 220 countries. Discovery’s commitment to innovation and segmenting audiences has earned it its place as a leader in targeted media programming headed by Discovery Channel, operating also the Animal Planet, Hub Network and a joint venture with the OWN network among others. The company’s online and media services work in conjunction with its cable programming and have made Discovery a true multi-media, synergistic company.
David Zaslav- President and CEO [4]
Andrew Warren-Senior Executive VP and CFO [5]
Marjorie Kaplan- Group President Discovery Channel [6]
John Hendricks, a West Virginia bred, University of Alabama grad, founded the Cable Educational Network in Maryland back in 1982. Discovery Communications would soon grow from the launch of the Discovery Channel in1985. By 1988 the cable programmer had amassed over 32 million subscribers and by 1991, after acquiring The Learning
Discovery Logo-1988 [9]
Channel (TLC) and launching Discovery in Europe, the company changed its name to Discovery Communications. Over the next 10 years, the company would see considerable international growth in Asian, African and Middle Eastern markets and soon launched a $10 million news site distributing original news content on its Discovery homepage [7]. In 2004 Hendricks stepped down as CEO passing it off to current position holder David Zaslav and this past May, Hendricks retired as Chairman, leaving the company he had built over the past 35 years with a drive towards the environment, education and technological advances. [8]
This past quarter, coming in early November, saw a 14% increase for Discovery Communications (DISCA) on the NASDAQ year-over-year (YOY), with revenue at $1.57 billion [10].
DISCA’s Yearly Stock Price as of December 1, 2014 CLICK TO VIEW CURRENT CHART [12]
The publicly traded conglomerate has been on a rise in stock price, ending around $34 dollars recently with around 148 million shares outstanding. Since 2010, DISCA has been on a mass buyback movement to repurchase in excess of 25% of its stocks to consolidate its outstanding shares, giving the company more control over its numerous domestic and international platforms [11]. The company is segmented into three areas of revenue–Domestic, International, and Education, the first two being programming and education being products and services. Revenue for the domestic programming has seen minimal drops of 1% YOY as advertising budgets for the company have raised 3%, while the international segment as seen rises as high as 34% in revenue, in direct relation with Discovery’s acquisition of Eurosport [13]. Discovery is projected to reach a total revenue between $6.3 billion and $6.35 billion for this 2014 fiscal year.
Staking its claim as the #1 Pay-TV programmer for educational, niche content across its over 200 networks domestically and internationally, Discovery has taken a turn towards broadcast and sports media sphere with its spring
![Eurosport Logo [15]](https://bejone03.expressions.syr.edu/trf235/files/2014/10/2000px-Eurosport_logo.svg_-300x187.png){kind=logo}
Eurosport Logo [15]
[Click here to view Eurosport’s promo stinger]
Discovery acquired 51% of the company, with TF1 being the only other owner holding the remaining 49%. DISCA is looking to capitalize on the fragmented nature of the sports broadcast industry over in Europe, a step in a different direction from their pay-TV and cable roots, in hopes of building up Eurosport to the status of Europe’s version of ESPN [16].
"Eurosport is a perfect strategic fit for growing market share, strengthening relationships with advertisers and affiliates, and bringing ‘must have’ content to passionate viewers across the globe...” [17] -Discovery CEO David Zaslav-
There are talks already about the possibility of Discovery buying out TF1, giving DISCA full ownership of Eurosport, in turn adding six new pay-TV brands to Discovery’s arsenal.
The network that started it all, Discovery Channel (formerly The Discovery Channel), excels at non-fiction programming reaching over 100 million homes in the U.S. and over three times that amount internationally. Launched in 1985, Discovery Channel produces science, nature, adventure and history geared television, among other genres, and has revved up its live-streamed programming over the past few years [18]. In June 2013, Discovery aired a live program special with adventure enthusiast Nik Wallenda traversing the Grand Canyon on a tightrope [19]. The record breaking broadcast event amassed over 13 million viewers, Discovery’s highest-rated live event, with an additional 1.3 million trending Tweets about the stunt, awarding DISCA an Interactive Emmy for Multi-platform storytelling. Discovery Channel followed Wallenda again earlier this month in his tightrope walk between two Chicago skyscrapers at a 15-degree angle, aptly titled SKYSCRAPER LIVE WITH NIK WALLENDA.
Play to view highlights of Nik Wallenda's SKYSCRAPER LIVE walk [21]
Though not drawing the magnitude of coverage as his Grand Canyon walk, this live event in addition to others showcase Discovery’s risky intent to air content to attract an audience, stunts so daring that someone could die [20]. Understanding this, Wallenda carried a $20 million public liability insurance claim, should anything catastrophic have happened. The tightrope walk was a success and coming this May, Discovery Channel intends to air live footage of expert climber Joby Ogwyn’s Mount
![SURVIVAL LIVE Logo [24]](https://bejone03.expressions.syr.edu/trf235/files/2014/10/survival-live-300x168.jpg)
SURVIVAL LIVE Logo [24]
Since being renamed this past October, Discovery Family, formerly The Hub Network, DISCA’s children geared daytime programming network, has broadened its program offerings in a strengthened partnership between Discovery Communications and Hasbro,
![Hasbro, Inc. Logo [25]](https://bejone03.expressions.syr.edu/trf235/files/2014/10/Hasbro-logo-jpg-300x168.jpg){kind=logo}
Hasbro, Inc. Logo [25]
Discovery has recently paired up with Sony Entertainment Network to bring channels from DISCA to Play Station Vue, Sony’s cloud-based, internet television service [28]. Sony’s subsidary, Sony Network Entertainment International (SNEI), will offer the subscription based service to current users of a PS3 or PS4 come early 2015, totally over 35 million users. The deal will bring Discovery’s 13 U.S. networks to users, in addition to next-gen services like Discovery Digitial Networks [29].
![Theorized PlayStation Vue Format [15]](https://bejone03.expressions.syr.edu/trf235/files/2014/10/playstation-vue2-1024x576.jpg)
Theorized PlayStation Vue Screen [30]
[1]Discovery Logo corporate.discovery.com RT: 11/18/14
[2] Corporate Mission corporate.discovery.com RT: 11/18/14
[3] Company Profile Information biz.yahoo.com RT:11/18/14
[4] David Zaslav Image corporate.discovery.com RT: 11/18/14
[5] Andrew Warren Image corporate.discovery.com RT: 11/18/14
[6] Marjorie Kaplan Image corporate.discovery.com RT: 11/18/14
[7] Discovery History referenceforbusiness.com RT: 11/18/14
[8] Hendricks Leaves Discovery variety.com RT: 11/18/14
[9] Discovery Logo 1988 logos.wikia.com RT: 11/24/14
[10] DISCA Annual Finances finance.yahoo.com RT: 11/24/14
[11] DISCA Quarterly Report corporate.discovery.com RT: 11/24/14
[12] DISCA Yearly Stock Chart finance.yahoo.com RT: 11/27/14
[13] Discovery Segments/Projections zacks.com RT: 12/1/14
[14] Discovery Acquires Eurosport nytimes.com RT: 11/28/14
[15] Eurosport Logo eurosport.com RT: 11/28/14
[16] Discovery Moves to Broadcast corporate.discovery.com RT: 11/28/14
[17] David Zaslav Quote corporate.discovery.com RT: 11/29/14
[18] Discovery Channel Profile corporate.discovery.com RT:11/29/14
[19] Discovery Live Streams press.discovery.com RT: 11/29/14
[20] Risk of Live Events nytimes.com RT: 11/29/14
[21] SKYSCRAPER LIVE Highlights Footage youtube.com RT: 11/29/14
[22] Everest Jump Live deadline.com RT: 11/29/14
[23] SURVIVAL LIVE press.discovery.com RT: 11/29/14
[24] SURVIVAL LIVE Logo adage.com RT: 11/29/14
[25] Hasbro, Inc Logo hasbro.com RT: 11/30/14
[26] Hasbro, Inc Partnership investor.hasbro.com RT: 11/30/14
[27] Discovery Family Deal corporate.discovery.com RT: 11/30/14
[28] PlayStation Vue Contract polygon.com RT: 12/1/14
[29] Discovery/Vue Offerings corporate.discovery.com RT:12/1/14
[30] PlayStation Vue Screen polygon.com RT: 12/1/14
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.
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
by Nick Sabatino
Photo courtesy of www.interpretllc.com [1]
Headquarters: 2230 E. Imperial Hwy, El Segundo, CA 90245 Phone: (310) 964-5000 [2] Facebook: DirecTV Twitter: @DirecTV
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]
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 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’s stock price over the last four years
Photo courtesy of investor.directv.com [10]
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]
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.
DirecTV has expanded to Latin America.
Photo courtesy of www.gigaom.com [16]
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.
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 www.youtube.com
Photo courtesy of www.directv.com [21]
Click photo for DogTV Commercial
Photo courtesy of www.directv.com
Commercial courtesy of www.youtube.com [22]
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.
[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
by Carly Kaplin
Warner Bros. Studios [a]
Contact Information:
Address: 3400 Riverside Drive, Burbank, CA 91522
Phone: (818) 972-8687
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]
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]
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
by Jason Tuckman
Photo courtesy of logos.wikia.com. (1)
Contact Information: (2)
Address: 9242 Beverly Blvd., Suite 300, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone Number: 310-724-7700
URL: http://www.relativitymedia.com
Twitter: @Relativity
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/relativity
An Overview of Relativity Media:
Focusing on the content creation and distribution of television, film, sports, music, fashion, and digital, Relativity Media was founded in 2004 by CEO Ryan Kavanaugh. (3) Relativity Media seeks to integrate different aspects of its content throughout all of its mediums, providing the best entertainment for its customers. Relativity Media Studios, the largest division of the company, has produced over 200 films such as “Don Jon”, “Out of the Furnace“, “Movie 43“, and “The Pursuit of Happyness“. The company has made more than $17 billion in box office revenue and has earned 60 Oscar nominations. (4)
Key Executives:
CEO: Ryan Kavanaugh
President: Tucker Tooley
Co-Chief Operating Officer: Happy Walters
Co-Chief Operating Officer: Gregory Shamo
Photos and Info. Courtesy of http://www.relativitymedia.com/About.aspx (5)
Financials:
According to Ryan Kavanaugh, this year Relativity Media plans to make $1 billion in box office revenue, although the company is privately held and there is no official public documentation of revenue. (6) Kavanaugh believes in tight budgets that don’t necessarily need to be hits to make a profit. (7) This strategy is called the “Monte Carlo” approach, which is mainly used on Wall Street. This approach uses information about a possible movie and analyzes whether or not it will make a profit. Considering actors, budget, genre, and release time, Relativity Media is able to figure out which possible movies will be hits, and which ones will be flops. (8) Therefore, the company is able to use small budgets to make small profits, which add up over time to make Relativity Media successful. Currently, Relativity Media is privately held but is planning on going public in the next year once enough equity is raised. (9)
Current Movies:
Relativity Media has released nine films this year, four of which are still in theaters. The films still in theaters are “The November Man”, “Beyond the Lights”, and “The Best of Me”. “Hector and the Search for Happiness”, an action comedy staring Simon Pegg, was released in select theaters during the month of September. (10)
“Hector and the Search for Happiness”
Photo courtesy of www.relativitymedia.com (11)
Directed by Peter Chelsom, “Hector and the Search for Happiness” tells the story of a psychiatrist who feels guilty that his patients aren’t getting happier, leading him on a quest to understand the true meaning of happiness. (12) The movie was only released to 183 theaters and made $938,954 in revenue. (13) It garnered negative reviews, receiving only 31% on Rotten Tomatoes.
“The November Man”
Photo courtesy of www.relativitymedia.com (14)
Directed by Roger Donaldson, and staring Pierce Brosnan, Luke Bracey, and Olga Kurylenko, “The November Man” is an action thriller about a retired spy who must come out of retirement for a personal mission. It is based off the novel “There are No Spies”, by Bill Granger. (15) So far, it has made $32 million dollars globally in box office revenue. It’s budget is disclosed, and came in sixth for its opening weekend in late August, way behind “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”. (16) It received negative reviews, with only 34% on Rotten Tomatoes.
“The Best of Me”
Photo courtesy of www.relativitymedia.com (17)
Based off the Nicholas Sparks novel, “The Best of Me” is a drama/romance film that tells the story of two high school sweethearts that, after 20 years, are drawn back to their hometown after the death of a friend. They rekindle their high school love, but realize that there are problems after being apart for so long. The movie is directed by Michael Hoffman and stars Michelle Monaghan, James Marsden, and Luke Bracey. (18) Ranked fifth in its opening weekend, “The Best of Me” has made just under $33 million in global box office revenue, $25 million domestically. (19) It also received an underwhelming 10% on Rotten Tomatoes. In late October, B4U, a Bollywood Film and TV company invested $100 million in Relativity Media to make a version of “The Best of Me” for audiences in India. (20)
“Beyond the Lights”
Photo courtesy of www.relativitymedia.com (21)
Watch the trailer here. Courtesy of youtube.com
Relativity Media’s most recent film, “Beyond the Lights” opened on November 14, 2014. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, and staring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Nate Parker, and Minnie Driver, “Beyond the Lights” tells the story of a young popstar who falls in love with a cop who is striving to become a prominent politician. Fame tests their relationship as they struggle to find peace in the madness that surrounds their lives. (22) The film has made $6.2 million in box office revenue during its opening weekend, and currently has $12 million in total domestic revenue, with a reported budget of $7 million, and received 85% on Rotten Tomatoes. (23)
On August 12, 2014, Relativity Media hired Matt Alvarez as EVP of Production and President of Relativity Studio’s newly formed multicultural division. Alvarez produced hits such as “Ride Along”, the “Barbershop” franchise, and Relativity’s recent movie, “Beyond the Lights”. He will focus on growing the studio’s slate with more diverse filmmakers. (24)
Recent News:
On October 2nd, Relativity Media announced that One West Bank Group and Dune Capital Management is set to purchase Elliot Management’s stake in Relativity Media, along with Ryan Kavanaugh himself. The purchase is led by Ryan Kavanaugh, One West Bank Group and Dune Capital Management’s founder, Steven Mnuchin, along with some other unnamed private investors. (25) This investment shift may hint at secret preparations for Relativity’s IPO release in the next year. Kavanaugh will still be the largest individual shareholder of the company and no specific financials were released. (26) Steven Mnucin is no stranger to Hollywood. He is known for helping to finance “Gravity” and “Avatar”.
Photo courtesy of blumhouse.com (27)
On November 4th, Relativity acquired the rights to distribute “Lazarus”, a horror film, in the U.S. This movie comes from Jason Blum’s production company, Blumhouse, and is set to be released on February 20th, 2015. The movie stars Mark Duplass, Olivia Wilde, Evan Peters, and Donald Glover. Blumhouse is known for box office hits such as the “Paranormal Activity” franchise as well as recent success, “Ouija”. “Lazarus” is about a group of medical students who discover a way to bring dead patients back to life. (28)
In Development:
“Not Without Hope”
Photo courtesy of www.relativitymedia.com (29)
Based on the best selling memoir by Nick Schuyler, “Not Without Hope” tells the true story of four NFL players who go on a fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico that turns deadly when the ship capsizes, forcing the friends to cling to the the capsized boat while a storm rages around them. (30) This gruesome tale of friendship will star Dwayne Johnson and has recently begun script adaptation by Nicholas Mariani. (31)
“Demon House”
Lee Daniels, Director. Photo courtesy of thereelnetwork.net (32)
Directed by Lee Daniels, this movie will tell the story of Latoya Ammons and her family, whom have been possessed by demonic spirits for the past two years. Turn Left Productions, with owners Jackson Nguyen and Todd Crites will finance, produce, and distribute the film along with Relativity Media and producer Bruce Cohen. (33) This will be an interesting change for Lee Daniels, known for “The Butler”, who is now taking a turn at making a thriller.
Sources:
(1) Relativity Media Logo From 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2014.(2) Relativity Media Contact Information From 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(3) Founded From 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(4) Relativity Media About From 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(5) Relativity Media Executives From 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014. (6) Relativity Media Profitability From 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014. (7) Tight Budgets Retrieved 30 November 2014. (8) Monte Carlo Approach Retrieved 30 November 2014. (9) IPO Retrieved 30 November 2014. (10) 2014 Films From 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014. (11) Hector and the Search for Happiness Movie Poster From 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014. (12) Hector and the Search for Happiness Synopsis From 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014. (13) Hector and the Search for Happiness Box Office From 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014. (14) The November Man Movie Poster From 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014. (15) The November Man Synopsis From 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014. (16) The November Man Box Office From 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014. (17) The Best of Me Movie Poster From 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014. (18) The Best of Me Synopsis From 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014. (19) The Best of Me Box Office From 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014. (20) The Best of Me Bollywood From 30 October 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014. (21) Beyond the Lights Movie Poster From 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014. (22) Beyond the Lights Synopsis From 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014. (23) Beyond the Lights Box Office From 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014. (24) Matt Alvarez From 12 August 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014. (25) Relativity Media Purchase From 2 October 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014. (26) IPO Holdings From 2 October 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014. (27) Blumhouse Productions Logo Retrieved 30 November 2014. (28) Lazarus From 4 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014. (29) Not Without Hope Book Cover Retrieved 30 November 2014. (30) Not Without Hope Synopsis Retrieved 30 November 2014. (31) Not Without Hope Development From 10 October 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014. (32) Lee Daniels Retrieved 30 November 2014. (33) Demon House Development From 12 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.by Izzy Lynch
Photo Courtesy of [1] www.waltdisneystudios.com
Address: 500 S. Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA. 91506
Phone: (818) 560-1000
Twitter: @DisneyPictures
History and Properties
Snow White Original Vintage Film Poster. Photo Courtesy of www.animationartstudio.com
The Walt Disney Studios is the world-renowned film division of the film-turned-lifestyle corporation, The Walt Disney Company (NASDAQ: DIS) [2]. Founded in 1923 under the name The Disney Brothers Studios by brothers Walter E. Disney and Roy O. Disney, the company gained recognition for Walt’s impressive art in second dimension animation and the rich character portrayals [3]. The company has become the most successful animation brand in the world, crafting iconic characters such as Mickey Mouse, and producing timeless features such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Mary Poppins (1964), Lion King (1994) and many more. Since the studios’ inception, the company has grown to host multiple lucrative businesses, including resorts, theme parks, and merchandise, all utilizing the characters created through the company’s television and film productions. The studios have expanded their reach to include The Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, The Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios (2006), Lucasfilm Limited LLC (2012), Marvel Studios (2009), Touchstone Pictures, Disneynature, and Disneytoon Studios. Films produced by these subsidiaries are distributed through The Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, formerly known as Buena Vista Pictures [3].
CEO and Chairman of The Walt Disney Company, Robert A. Iger. Photo Courtesy of [4] www.waltdisneystudios.com
Management
As of 2005, Robert A. Iger has headed The Walt Disney Company, serving as both Chief Executive Officer and Chairman [4]. Iger reinstated the company’s relationship with the previously affiliated Pixar Animation Studios in 2006, which led to the hiring of Pixar Chief Executive Officer John Lasseter and Pixar President Edwin Catmull to head the then floundering Disney Animation sector of the studios. Since incorporating the two as Chief Creative Officer and President of the Walt Disney Animation Studios respectively in 2008, the company has seen an incredible improvement in the quality of content, producing blockbuster hits including Wreck It Ralph (2012), Frozen (2013), and Big Hero 6 (2014) [5].
Financial Information
The Walt Disney Company, which became a publicly traded entity in 1940 [6], released its Q4 and 2014 financial reports on November 6th, 2014 to reveal record-breaking numbers for the fourth year in a row. Along with impressive numbers from the overall company, Studio Entertainment revenues soared 22% from last year, earning nearly $7.3 billion out of the nearly $49 billion company revenue total, garnering the largest increase in revenue of the Company’s other business ventures [7].
The Walt Disney Company’s 52 Week Stock Price Chart. Photo Courtesy of Businessweek.com
Recently, the company experienced an impressive increase in their current trading price with the release of their eighty-eight second Star Wars: The Force Awakens teaser. Trading prices for the company rose to a share price of $92.96 on Friday, November 28th [8], which has proven to be not only a 52-week high, but also an all time high for the company [9]. While stock prices represent the entire Walt Disney Company, it is important to note that the characters from the film productions are an integral part of what keeps the company relevant and popular, which has a significant impact on the stock price.
Current Projects
The Walt Disney Studios operates their production of films in the format of larger tent-pole franchises supporting the lower budget features. The company tends to produce films that fulfill the requirements of the four quadrants of moviegoers: both male and female, over and under 25 years of age.
After Disney’s overwhelming domestic and international success of 2013’s animated hit Frozen, the company has continued to produce high quality and exceptionally profitable films throughout its current slate [10], which includes both live action and animated features. Towards the closing of a strong summer for the company, with releases such as Maleficent and Planes: Fire and Rescue, Marvel Studios released the tent-pole live action film Guardians of the Galaxy [10], which has garnered the title of being the top grossing film of 2014 with a total earning of $331.1 million at the global box office; a considerable achievement for its $170 million budget [11]. Starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and Bradley Cooper, the film explores the uniting of a motley crew attempting to save the galaxy at the hands of an evil villain [12]. The film premiered on August 1st, 2014, and was highly praised by critics and audiences alike, scoring a 90% critic approval rating from Rotten Tomatoes [13].
Big Hero 6 Promotional Poster. Photo Courtesy of www.marvel.wikia.com
Guardians of the Galaxy served as the ideal primer for the November 7th release of Big Hero 6, a collaboration of the Walt Disney Animation Studios and Marvel Studios. Big Hero 6, with its $165 million production budget [14], incorporated characters from Marvel’s 5,000-character bank into the Animation Studios’ computer generated imagery format [15]. The result was a success; the film garnering a $50 million domestic box office in its opening weekend, as well as gaining the top spot of the weekend box office ahead of highly anticipated films, such as Warner Brothers’ Interstellar [16]. The film has netted $224.1 million in the worldwide box office to date [16].
Future Projects
The Walt Disney Studios have many high profile projects planned for release through 2019, having announced multiple films from each of its accompanying brands. Many of these films include live-action reboots of past Disney classics, continuations of prior franchises, or new franchise launches.
The most highly anticipated upcoming releases include the reboots of the Star Wars franchise. Star Wars: The Force Awakens, directed by the talented J.J. Abrams, utilizes the Lucasfilm-constructed universe to continue the saga and is scheduled for release in December, 2015. The film, which takes place in a time after Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983), starring Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and others from the first installment of the series, has generated great interest. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger has announced that his contract has been extended from terminating in March 2015 to June 2018 to oversee the release of two of the three upcoming Star Wars films [17].
Walt Disney Studios has also announced the continuation of the wildly popular Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, with a new film scheduled to be released in the summer of 2017. The film will be titled Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales [18].
Marvel plans to continue the producing widely profitable Avengers, Thor, Captain America, and Guardian of the Galaxy franchises, scheduling to release sequels to the films through 2018. Marvel has multiple other first-appearance films set to premier as well [19].
Pixar Animation Studios has announced the production of Toy Story 4, which came as a shock to many after the seemingly neat conclusion of the franchise with the release of Toy Story 3 (2010) [20]. Pixar has also announced plans to revive The Incredibles and Finding Nemo films with sequels, including the anticipated release of the film Finding Dory in 2016 [21]. Pixar is anticipating the release of their next film, Inside Out, a story told through a child’s emotions, in June of 2015 [21].
Sources
[1] “The Walt Disney Studios >> Walt Disney Studios Home” The Walt Disney Studios Retrieved 28 November 2014
[2] “DIS-NASDAQ.com” NASDAQ.com Retrieved 30 November 2014
[3] “Disney History” The Walt Disney Company Retrieved 29 November 2014
[4] “Rober A. Iger – The Walt Disney Company” The Walt Disney Company Retrieved 29 November 2014
[5] “Big Hero 6 Proves it: Pixar’s Gurus Have Brought the Magic back to Disney” Wired.com Retrieved 29 November 2014
[6] “Chronology of The Walt Disney Company” Chronology of The Walt Disney Company Retrieved 26 November 2014
[7] “Disney Fiscal Report 2014” The Walt Disney Company Retrieved 22 November 2014
[8] “DIS: Stock Information” Businessweek.com Retrieved 28 November November 2014
[9] “‘Star Wars’ Trailer Awakens Walt Disney Stock” TheGuardian.com Retrieved 30 November 2014
[10] “The Walt Disney Studios Current Slate The Walt Disney Studios Retrieved 28 November 2014
[11] “2014 Top Grossing Films” BoxOfficeMojo.com Retrieved 1 December 2014
[12] “Guardians of the Galaxy – IMDB” IMDB.com Retrieved 1 December 2014
[13] “Guardians of the Galaxy Review – Rotten Tomatoes” RottenTomatoes.com Retrieved 28 November 2014
[14] “Big Hero 6 Box Office” BoxOfficeMojo.com Retrieved 30 November 2014
[15] “Disney Buys Marvel Entertainment” TheGuardian.com Retrieved 26 November 2014
[16] “Nov. 7th 2014 Weekend Results” BoxOfficeMojo.com Retrieved 30 November 2014
[17] “Bob Iger to Remain Disney Chief through 2018” Variety.com Retrieved 26 November 2014
[18] “‘Pirates of the Caribbean 5’ Set for Summer 2017” The Hollywood Reporter Retrieved 23 November 2014
[19] “Marvel Studios Announcements” The Slate Retrieved 27 November 2014
[20] “Pixar’s ‘Toy Story 4’ Set to Play in Theaters in 2017” Variety.com 07 November 2014
[21] “Pixar Animation Studios Official Slate” Pixar Retrieved 30 November
By Carlos Bonachea
Courtesy of IAC Press Kit [1]
555 W. 18th St.
New York, NY 10011
Phone: 212-314-7300
Website: www.iac.com
Barry Diller – Chairman and Senior Executive, IAC & Chairman and Senior Executive, Expedia, Inc.
Courtesy of the official IAC website [2].
Jeff Kip – Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Courtesy of official IAC website [3].
Victor Kaufman – Vice Chairman, oversees all strategic planning, financial and legal matters.
Courtesy of official IAC website [4].
IAC remains at the forefront of internet commerce, communication, and media by strategically managing the investment, acquisition, and sale of some of the worlds most innovative companies [5]. IAC began as Silver King Communications Inc., a television company led by Barry Diller, who previously was in charge of Fox Broadcasting as well as Paramount Pictures prior to that. [6]
IAC now boasts over 1.3 billion total monthly visits amongst it’s network of sites and controls over 150 brands and products all at the cutting edge of web commerce and modern living. IAC has spawned six independent publicly traded companies – Expedia, TripAdvisor, HSN, Tree, Interval, and Live Nation (formerly Ticketmaster). Simply put IAC is the 9th largest network in the world and one of Fortune’s most admired companies in the internet services sector. [5] [7]
Some of the many brands owned by IAC.
From April 22 2013 to April 17, 2014 stock prices of IAC (IACI) have risen 55.2% from $44.25 a share to $68.67 a share, proving IAC’s value to it’s investors. [8]
2013 Q4 statements show that revenue for IAC is down 5% from 765.3M in Q4 2012, to 724.5M.
IAC Head Quarters in NYC Photo courtesy of Vimeo on Flickr.
IAC saw a 48% adjusted EPS growth from 0.7 in Q4 2012 to 1.04 in Q4 2013.
IAC also has enjoyed and increase in adjusted net income of 38% from 66.2 in Q4 2012 to 91.1 in Q4 2013.
Thus IAC has now entered its 19th consecutive quarter of double-digit operating income before amortization growth.
Financial Statements courtesy of IAC’s public quarterly report [9].
Media
Logo courtesy of IAC official Profile
Vimeo is one of IAC’s hottest commodities and a worthy innovator in the realm of web video and user generated content. Vimeo currently has over 100 million unique monthly users and over 22 million register users which provide content. Vimeo is known to be the best video player “in the galaxy” which attracts some of the best independent filmmakers. Though Vimeo is within the media branch of IAC which accounts for a relatively small portion of revenue compared to ‘web search and applications’ or the Match group the media prospects of IAC prove to be some of the most innovative. [11]
As 
of March 18 2014, Vimeo has acquired ‘Cameo‘ a video making app which the leaders at Vimeo say is going to be independently run much like the recent acquisition of Echograph about a year prior. This is very much inline with the philosophy of supporting new ideas which is so close to the core ideals
of IAC. [10]
Another company in the Media branch is CollegeHumor which, thought it does not directly create a majority portion of IAC’s revenue, it has a huge impact in pop culture and the multimedia habits of the 18-14 demographic. It draws over 100 million monthly video views and the number 9 most subscribed to channel on youtube. [12]
Match
The Match group of IAC is comprised of all the the websites and brands which deal 
with dating and matching people together. Match.com being the primary website but also including many other brands. Meetic, the European leader in online dating, Chemistry.com, okcupid, and tinder. There are also some brands which specialize in helping advertisers find their audience.
Match.com recently made an exclusive 
partnership with Major League Baseball to further find matches based on team preferences. This joint effort can mean serious revenue for the Match group in future quarters. [13]
IAC in an effort to restructure some of the company for unknown reasons recognized Greg Blatt as the new Chairman of the newly created Match Group, on the Board of directors as of December 19 2013. This strategic moves serves as an indicator of the companies success in the Match department.
IAC thus far has proven to be a very innovative company which has harnessed the reach of its network to self facilitate more growth across company and brand lines. This innovative approach is reshaping not only pop-culture and the way we access media but the daily lives of the average person. IAC will continue to shape the way the internet does business and the way people interact. With projected financial statement the decrease in operating costs will lead to a great deal of profit in the following quarters which will more than likely prompt another large media acquisition given the highly increased capital which IAC now has.
Sources
[1] IAC Online Press Kit RET: 4/13/2014
[2] Official IAC Website– Bio Page on Barry Diller – Photo credit: Michele Asselin RET: 4/13/2014
[3] Official IAC Website– Bio Page on Jeff Kip RET: 4/13/2014
[4] Official IAC Website– Bio Page on Victor Kaufman RET: 4/13/2014
[5] Official IAC Website– Overview of Brands RET: 4/14/2014
[6] Official IAC Website– Timeline of company progress, acquisitions and sales RET: 4/15/2014
[7] CNN Money– IAC’s ranking as one of the world’s most admired companies by Fortune RET: 4/15/2014
[8] Google Finance– IAC share value from 4/22/13 – 4/17/14 RET: 4/15/14
[9] IAC public quarterly report– RET: 4/15/2013
[10] Re/Code– Article by Peter Kafka on the aquisition of Cameo by IAC’s media company Vimeo; published March 18 2014; RET: 4/11/2014
[11] Official IAC Website– Vimeo brand profile and overview RET: 4/13/14
[12] USA Today– Match.com partnership with MLB RET: 4/14/14
By Ali Koskoris
Photo Courtesy of destructoid.com[i]
2700 Colorado Avenue, Suite 200, Santa Monica,CA 90404
1-310-449-9200
About Lionsgate Entertainment:
Founded in 1997 in Canada [iii], Lionsgate Films is an independent international entertainment company and segment of the Lionsgate Entertainment Corporation. It produces and distributes motion pictures, television programming and syndication, animation, and digital media. [iv] In 2003 the company merged with Artisan Entertainment and in 2012 it purchased Summit Entertainment for approximately $413 million. [v]
Lionsgate has gained momentum by creating blockbuster film franchises based on books, including Twilight, The Hunger Games, and Divergent. [vi] With a focus on cost discipline, Lionsgate releases approximately fifteen feature films and six to eight specialty films a year through its sister company, Roadside Attractions. The company television section also has close to thirty television series distributed through multiple mediums, including Mad Men and Orange is the New Black, and holds contracts with Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon. [vii]
Key Executives:
Photos and info Courtesy of: http://www.lionsgate.com [viii]
Divergent
The third of Lionsgate’s novel-to-film franchises, Divergent tells the story of a young woman who finds out she does not fit into the confined factions of her world and is “Divergent.” She must find out the truth about what it means to be Divergent when she uncovers a plot to destroy her faction. The film, directed by Neil Burger, is based on the Veronica Roth novel and features rising star Shailene Woodley. [xiii]
![Photo Courtesy of http://themoviemash.com/ [xvi]](https://bejone03.expressions.syr.edu/trf235/files/2014/03/divergent-poster-191x300.jpg)
Photo Courtesy of themoviemash.com [xiv]
Draft Day
Draft Day tells the story of an NFL general manager who works to rebuild his team by trading for the number one pick. The film is directed by Ivan Reitman and it stars American sportscaster Chris Berman and actress Jennifer Garner. [xvii]
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
During its opening weekend (11-13 April 2014), the film ranked number four in domestic weekend gross, making about $9.7 million. As of 18 April 2014, it has grossed $15.8 million domestically. [xviii]
Tyler Perry’s The Single Moms Club
Tyler Perry’s The Single Moms Club is about a group of five single moms who overcome problems through their support group. Written and directed by Tyler Perry, the film stars Nia Long and Wendi McLendon-Covey. [xix]
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
For its opening weekend, the film ranked number five in domestic gross with $8 million. In week five (as of 17 April 2014), the film has grossed $15.8 million domestically. [xx]
Photo Courtesy of IMDb [xxv]
Photo Courtesy of rocketjump.com [xxvii]
Photo Courtesy of Yahoo! [xxix]
Photo Courtesy of IMDb [xxxi]
Reviews from critics on Rotten Tomatoes seem to be mixed, so it should be interesting to see how the film does in theatres. [xxxii]
Photo Courtesy of IMDb [xxxiv]
Photo Courtesy of IMDb [xxxvi]
Photo Courtesy of itk.ua [xxxix]
In addition to releasing three new films, Lionsgate will be recognized as the Company of Distinction for 2014 at the Banff World Media Festival (8-11 June 2014). [xxxvii] Lionsgate will be receiving this award because of its success, its diverse programming, and its “visionary approach to the global television business.” [xxxviii]
