Author: Christopher Glotfelty (Page 15 of 17)

Hulu and Britain’s ITV close to partnership

August 25, 2009 / Christopher Glotfelty

Hulu is the offspring of a joint venture between Disney, News Corporation, and NBC Universal. Since February of this year, Hulu has tried to replicate its success in the U.K. by partnering with BBC, Channel 4, and ITV, only to be blocked by the Competition Commission. Nevertheless, that hasn’t stopped the popular video website from negotiating with their potential British partners. Now it looks like Hulu and ITV are “within weeks” of making a deal.

ITV Productions makes programmes for several channels but Hulu will have exclusive rights to those made for ITV including Coronation Street and Dancing on Ice. It is expected that ITV Player, the broadcaster’s 30 day catch-up service, will continue to show all of ITV’s programming.
ITV will still be able to sign deals with other web TV players, such as YouTube or MSN Video, Microsoft’s new online TV proposition, to broadcast its other content – but will be locked in with Hulu exclusively on these shows.
Channel 4 is understood to be closer to signing a content deal with YouTube, which would see its content play out in full for the first time on video site. It is a non-exclusive deal and YouTube is understood to be offering money in exchange for catch-up long form rights. It is also in similar talks with ITV and BBC Worldwide.

I love the language this writer from The Daily Telegraph uses, treating Hulu and YouTube like sports organizations and ITV, Channel 4, and the BBC like big names on the free agent market. ITV is close to locking a deal with Hulu. However, Channel 4 is still entertaining offers from YouTube. Given that I watch sports very closely, the language used in big business deals rings virtually the same as sports transactions.

Anyway, this deal will be beneficial for all parties involved. Hulu has offered ITV a chance to take equity in it’s company. From my understanding, Britain’s ITV is very similar to our PBS in that multiple franchises have a stake in the brand. Over the years, however, the network has struggled, and ITV plc is now the main company behind most of the programming. The network’s top shows include Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and The X Factor.

News, TV

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Movie theaters begin removing listings from newspapers

August 24, 2009 / Christopher Glotfelty

The newspaper industry has taken another hit as it was announced that Regal Entertainment Group and AMC Entertainment plan to gradually eliminate their show time listings from newspapers.

Looking to cut costs, the theater chains are instead directing consumers to their Internet sites or third-party sites, like Fandango, Moviefone or Flixster, which offer those listings for free and make money from the fees they charge for selling advance tickets to movies. Many of those sites also feature film reviews and movie trailers.
The effort may be gaining some traction, as U.S. Internet traffic to AMC’s Web site rose 21 percent in July compared with a year ago, according to comScore Inc., while visits to Regal’s Web site were up 18 percent.
“For a reader, some things that are ads are actually considered news,” said Mort Goldstrom, the NAA’s vice president of advertising. “Ads for concerts and things at clubs, for restaurants and movies – that’s a reason people read.”
He said the pullback in listings will hurt theaters by reducing their visibility among potential customers, sending those dollars to competitors that still buy listings or to other sources of entertainment like plays or clubs.

It’s hard to find concrete numbers on how much money newspapers actually make from movie theaters for their listings. It’s been obvious that something like this was going to happen. I can’t remember the last time I looked to the newspaper for movie times. Services such as Fandango, Moviefone, and Flixster don’t charge the theaters to run the times and these sites have become the common way to look up when a movie is playing. Thus, theaters don’t need this type of support from newspapers. Instead, they can use this money to advertise theaters deals and coupons through other mediums as well as newspapers. While this may not devastate the financial state of the Los Angeles Times or the Washington Post, local newspapers will surely feel the pinch.

Seems like newspapers are getting smaller and smaller, doesn’t it?

Movies, New Media, News

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Warner Bros. and Turner Broadcasting ink deals with YouTube

August 22, 2009 / Christopher Glotfelty

Warner Bros. and Turner Broadcasting are the latest to come to terms with YouTube, allowing the online video sensation to stream clips from their shows and movies.

The pact, done through the home entertainment and television divisions, is aimed at driving digital sales of Warner movies and TV shows online, the company said. Links on some WB shows already on the site point users directly to WBshop.com, where they can buy DVDs of what they’re watching.
Warner said it will offer clips of everything from CNN news programs to Cartoon Network shows and WB TV hit “Gossip Girl” on a number of different Warner-branded channels on the site.

I don’t understand why they only want to show clips. CBS, Sony Pictures, and Starz run complete episodes and movies on the site, which are supported by pop-up ads and brief commercials. That’s no reason to complain, obviously, as you’re getting the content free of charge. Perhaps they are being cautious, as production companies and networks are waiting for a data-tracking system that tallies television, cell phone, and Internet audiences. Warner Bros. and Turner can then gauge if the audience is large enough online and soon proceed to show full-length features and episodes.

Movies, New Media, News, TV

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The Cos honored with Mark Twain Prize

August 20, 2009 / Christopher Glotfelty

Since 1998, The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor has honored our nation’s comedians who have made a significant impact in the comedy industry. Using the term “industry” my sound like a bit of a downer, but ever since the vaudeville era, America has always adored their comedians and given them a platform to express their talents. In chronological order, the recipients have included Richard Pryor, Carl Reiner, Jonathan Winters, Whoopie Goldberg, Bob Newhart, Lily Tomlin, Lorne Michaels, Steve Martin, Neil Simon, Billy Crystal, and Geroge Carlin.

Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Phylicia Rashad, Malcolm Jamal-Warner, Willie Nelson, and a host of others will honor the 72 year-old comedian on October 26th. PBS will then air the special on November 4th.

Although Bill Cosby has acted on tad nutty in public appearances over the past couple years, he is undoubtedly one of the funniest people I’ve ever witnessed. I watched The Bill Cosby Show growing up and later got his albums …Is a Very Funny Fellow, I Started Out as a Child, Why Is There Air?, and Wonderfulness. His comedy primarily consisted of storytelling as opposed to using one-liners. It was always clean and silly, but it often contained a strong moral message he hoped Americans would take to heart. His influence is easily apparent in comedians like Jerry Seinfeld and Billy Crystal who can be observant and hilarious without being dirty.

Humor, News, Stand-Up Comics, Video

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New “Family Guy” videos attempt to persuade Emmy voters

August 19, 2009 / Christopher Glotfelty

Hey Emmys, you better vote for “Family Guy” in the Best Comedy category if you know what’s good for ya. “Family Guy” has created a viral video campaign called “Where’s My Emmy?” that is a playful attack on their competition in the Best Comedy category at the Emmys. They all essentially feature the same plot. Brian gets out of the shower and dries off. Stewie enters and asks Brian what show will be getting his Emmy vote. After Brian answers with a show that “Family Guy” is competing against, Stewie beats him senseless. So far, the videos have taken on “The Office,” “Flight of the Conchords,” and “Entourage,” so hopefully “How I Met Your Mother,” “Weeds,” and “30 Rock” are on their way.