Showbiz Sandbox 233: Net Neutrality – Is The Fat Lady Singing?
April 28, 2014
The concept that all data sent via the Internet should be treated equally has allowed services such as YouTube and Netflix to develop and prosper on a level playing field. However a new proposal from the Federal Communications Commission would effectively kill net neutrality by allowing companies to pay for faster access. Will the public revolt in mass protest or will big business ultimately prevail?
A similar question is being asked as the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments over whether Aereo infringes on broadcaster’s copyright by retransmitting over-the-air television signals via the Internet, or if the company’s services are legal under current law. The future of television may hinge on the answer.
There seems to be no dispute over the state of opera these days as many regional companies are suffering from a number of problems, not the least of which is declining ticket sales. Most recently the San Diego Opera announced it would be shutting down after running out of money.
Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including Amazon’s deal to stream past HBO series, Ryan Seacrest stays with “American Idol” and why record labels are suing Pandora… again.
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Digging Up a Legend at the Atari E.T. Burial Site
http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2014-04/28/atari-et-dump-excavation
Teaser Trailer of ‘My Old Classmate’ Released
http://english.cri.cn/6666/2014/03/21/102s818491.htm
Movie Ticket Prices Slid Almost 5% to $7.96
http://variety.com/2014/film/news/movie-ticket-prices-slid-almost-5-to-7-96-1201160073/
‘Spider-Man 2’ Soars at Foreign Box Office Before Opening in U.S.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-mn-amazing-spiderman-2-box-office-20140427,0,553490.story
Zack Snyder to Direct ‘Justice League’ Movie
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/zack-snyder-direct-justice-league-699233
Supreme Court Hears Oral Argument in the Aereo Case – A Summary of the Issues and a Prediction
http://www.broadcastlawblog.com/2014/04/articles/supreme-court-hears-oral-argument-in-the-aereo-case-a-summary-of-the-issues-and-a-prediction/
Rare Encore at the Met as Mexican Tenor Stirs Crowd
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/26/rare-encore-at-the-met-as-mexican-tenor-stirs-crowd/
Ben Heppner to Retire From Singing
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/24/ben-heppner-to-retire-from-singing/
Opera Philadelphia to Take On Andy Warhol
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/24/opera-philadelphia-to-take-on-andy-warhol/
Death Knell for Opera in San Diego After 49 Years
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/14/arts/music/death-knell-for-opera-in-san-diego-after-49-years.html
13 Quit Board of San Diego Opera
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/18/13-quit-board-of-san-diego-opera/
HBO Cuts Exclusive Licensing Deal With Amazon
http://variety.com/2014/digital/news/hbo-cuts-exclusive-licensing-deal-with-amazon-1201161895/
Record Industry Finds A New Way To Squeeze Pandora, But It Won’t Help Musicians
http://gigaom.com/2014/04/20/record-industry-finds-a-new-way-to-squeeze-pandora-but-it-wont-help-musicians/
Ryan Seacrest Nears New ‘American Idol’ Deal, In Talks for Bigger Clear Channel Role
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ryan-seacrest-new-american-idol-697596
“Rock of Ages” Producer Matthew Weaver Planning Broadway Stage Adaptation of “Soul Train”
http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/ROCK-OF-AGES-Producer-Matthew-Weaver-Planning-Broadway-Stage-Adaptation-of-1970s-Variety-Show-SOUL-TRAIN-20140415
Neil Young’s Pono Kickstarter Raises Over $6 Million
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/neil-youngs-pono-kickstarter-raises-over-6-million-20140415
Monty Python Stage Show to Play in Movie Theaters Worldwide
http://variety.com/2014/film/news/monty-python-stage-show-to-play-in-movie-theaters-worldwide-1201162961/
Prince Promises New Album and Remasters After Label Partnership
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/prince-promises-new-album-and-remasters-after-label-partnership-20140418
F.C.C., in a Shift, Backs Fast Lanes for Web Traffic
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/24/technology/fcc-new-net-neutrality-rules.html
Comcast’s Shakedown of Netflix Pays Off For Consumers
http://www.itworld.com/personal-tech/414581/comcasts-shakedown-netflix-pays-consumers
Netflix Researching “Large-Scale Peer-to-Peer Technology” For Streaming
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/04/netflix-researching-large-scale-peer-to-peer-technology-for-streaming/
Netflix Will Raise Streaming Prices For New Members This Quarter
http://gigaom.com/2014/04/21/netflix-will-raise-streaming-prices-for-new-members-this-quarter/
Chelsea Handler In Talks With Netflix For Show
http://variety.com/2014/digital/news/chelsea-handler-in-talks-with-netflix-for-show-1201165456/
Maryland Reaches Deal On House of Cards
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/27/us/state-reaches-deal-on-house-of-cards.html
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