Showbiz Sandbox 201: Why CBS Is Winning The Battle (And The War) Over Cable Television

August 12, 2013

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For the past two weeks Time Warner Cable has been blacking out CBS networks in New York, Los Angeles and other major markets over a retransmission dispute. Despite losing more than 3 million households ratings on CBS have remained steady giving the network no reason to back down from its demands. With the new television and football seasons set to begin in September Time Warner Cable may have no choice but to cave in to CBS’ terms.

Meanwhile, this summer’s blockbuster movies continue to underperform at the box office with Disney announcing they may have to take a $190 million write down on losses from “The Lone Ranger”. Actor Johnny Depp and producer Jerry Bruckheimer have figured out who to blame for the movie’s failure; vengeful American film critics.

After being publicly trashed by George Clooney, activist investor Daniel Loeb was unable to convince Sony to spin-off its entertainment divisions. Even so, Loeb says he’s pleased since the company’s stock price is up and its management more accountable to shareholders.

Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including a lost film from Orson Welles, a new ending for the “Finding Nemo” sequel and the surprising new owner of The Washington Post.

‘Planes’ Breaking Animation Curse, Headed for $30 Million Debut
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/planes-breaking-animation-curse-headed-603516

Disney Expects To Write Down As Much As $190M For ‘Lone Ranger’
http://www.deadline.com/2013/08/disney-expects-to-write-down-as-much-as-190m-for-lone-ranger/

Johnny Depp Blames Critics for ‘Lone Ranger’ Fiasco
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-johnny-depp-critics-lone-ranger-fiasco-20130806,0,1703205.story

Mark Wahlberg: Too Much ‘Scrutiny’ On Movies Like ‘Lone Ranger’
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-lone-ranger-johnny-depp-critics-wahlberg-20130807,0,4257389.story

‘World War Z’ Becomes Brad Pitt’s Top-grossing Film
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-world-war-z-becomes-brad-pitts-topgrossing-film-20130811,0,1652678.story

China Denies ‘Despicable Me 2’ Ban
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/china-denies-despicable-me-2-599606

Leno’s Last ‘Tonight Show’ To Air Feb. 6; Staff Paid Until September
http://www.deadline.com/2013/08/lenos-last-tonight-show-to-air-feb-6-staff-paid-until-september/

CBS’ Les Moonves laughs off Glenn Britt’s A La Carte Proposal
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-cbs-les-moonves-twc-20130806,0,3436404.story

Time Warner Cable-CBS Dispute ‘Run-of-the-Mill,’ Analyst Says
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-time-warner-cable-cbs-20130812,0,7336284.story

CBS Blackout Triggers Surge in TV-Show Piracy
http://torrentfreak.com/cbs-blackout-triggers-surge-in-tv-show-piracy-130807/

Blackout Has Negligible Impact on CBS Ratings
http://www.adweek.com/news/television/blackout-has-negligible-impact-cbs-ratings-151725

Amazon.com Founder To Buy The Washington Post
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/06/business/media/amazoncom-founder-to-buy-the-washington-post.html?hp

Fox Sports Grabs Rights To US Open
http://www.adweek.com/news/television/fox-sports-grabs-rights-golf-s-us-open-151756

Weinsteins Taking Scissors To “Snowpiercer”
http://twitchfilm.com/2013/08/weinstein-thinks-you-are-too-dumb-for-snowpiercer.html

WBAI-FM Lays Off Most Of Its Staff
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/12/business/media/wbai-fm-lays-off-most-of-staff.html

ABC Names First Non-White Bachelor
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/abc-names-first-white-bachelor-599366

A Replacement for Blu-ray Is Coming: Does Anyone Want It?
http://variety.com/2013/digital/news/a-replacement-for-blu-ray-is-coming-does-anyone-want-it-1200569762/

CNN Fights Back on RNC Threat Over Clinton Documentary
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cnn-slams-rncs-threat-withhold-599692

Media Matters Chimes In With Call To Skip Miniseries, Documentary
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/media-matters-backs-gop-campaign-600445

Ken Loach Retiring From Feature Films
http://www.screendaily.com/5059052.article

‘Blackfish’ Gives Pixar Second Thoughts on ‘Finding Dory’ Plot
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-blackfish-seaworld-finding-dory-pixar-20130808,0,7662071.story

Breaking Bad Series Finale Season Opens To Big Jump In Ratings
http://www.adweek.com/news/television/breaking-bad-returns-record-ratings-151812

Early Film by Orson Welles Is Rediscovered
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/11/movies/early-film-by-orson-welles-is-rediscovered.html

Orson Welles Frozen Peas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhWM4_pIKVg

Daniel Loeb Vows to End Sony Spinoff Quest, At Least For Now
http://variety.com/2013/film/news/exclusive-interview-daniel-loeb-vows-to-end-sony-spinoff-quest-at-least-for-now-1200572856/

Copyright Lawsuit Targets Cover Songs on YouTube
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/07/business/media/copyright-lawsuit-targets-cover-songs-on-youtube.html

Comments

One Response to “Showbiz Sandbox 201: Why CBS Is Winning The Battle (And The War) Over Cable Television”

  1. mgiltz on August 16th, 2013 3:20 pm
     

    I need to catch up with Under The Dome. I thought I could just read the book but the plot is very different — esp since there will be a season two. But first I need to catch up with the latest episode of the free weekly podcast Showbiz Sandbox!