Showbiz Sandbox 433: 2018 Was A Blockbuster Year at the Box Office
December 31, 2018
A string of big movie releases during the holidays helped the North American box office set a record in 2018, ending the year at $11.9 billion. Ticket sales also set a record in China where roughly $8.7 billion was earned. These two territories combined accounted for 48% of the $41.7 billion global box office.
However, growth in the second largest movie market in the world slowed to 9%, down from nearly 14% the year before. That’s why China ignored it’s quota on imported films at the end of 2018, allowing several Hollywood titles to be released. We’ll see if that trend continues into the new year.
In somewhat related news, a survey commissioned by the National Association of Theatre Owners showed that streaming services like Netflix do not adversely affect the frequency of moviegoing. Apparently people who watch a lot of movies at home, also like to watch movies in theaters. Go figure.
Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including the Aretha Franklin’s back taxes, Ed Sheeran’s blockbuster tour and why CBS wants to dump Nielsen.
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Comscore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of December 30, 2018
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-december-30-2018-300771392.html
Netflix to give Roma a 70mm theatrical rollout, even though streaming at home is just as good
https://news.avclub.com/netflix-to-give-roma-a-70mm-theatrical-rollout-even-th-1831288820
Box Office By the Numbers: 5 Game Changers for 2018
https://variety.com/2018/film/news/box-office-2018-records-black-panther-1203095795/
China Gives Hollywood an Early Christmas Present
http://chinafilminsider.com/china-gives-hollywood-an-early-christmas-present/
Travis Scott to Perform With Maroon 5 at Super Bowl, Will Be Joined by More Guests
https://variety.com/2018/music/news/travis-scott-to-perform-with-maroon-5-at-super-bowl-report-1203094035/
CBS Considers Dropping Nielsen Ratings Contract as TV Landscape Changes
https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/cbs-nielsen-tv-ratings-contract-drop-1203093249/
Aretha Franklin’s Attorney Says Singer’s Estate Has Paid $3 Million in Back Taxes
https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/legal-and-management/8491683/aretha-franklins-attorney-says-singers-estate-has
Tucker Carlson Comes Under Advertiser Scrutiny After Immigration Remarks
https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/tucker-carlson-advertisers-controversy-immigration-1203092478
Ed Sheeran’s Divide Tour Generated $432M in 2018 – A New World Record
https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/ed-sheerans-latest-global-tour-generated-432m-in-2018-a-new-worldwide-record/
Netflix Isn’t Killing Movie Theaters, Study Shows
https://variety.com/2018/film/news/streaming-netflix-movie-theaters-1203090899/
Hong Kong Director Ringo Lam Dies at 63
https://variety.com/2018/film/news/ringo-lam-dead-dies-city-on-fire-1203096650/
June Whitfield, ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ and ‘Terry and June’ Actress, Dies at 93
https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/dame-june-whitfield-absolutely-fabulous-and-terry-and-june-actress-dies-93-1203096694/
Amos Oz, Israeli Author and Peace Advocate, Dies at 79
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/28/obituaries/amos-oz-dead.html
Norman Gimbel, Famed Oscar- and Grammy-Winning Lyricist, Dies at 91
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/norman-gimbel-dead-oscar-grammy-winning-lyricist-was-91-1171780
Penny Marshall, ‘Laverne & Shirley’ Star and Movie Director, Dies at 75
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/18/obituaries/penny-marshall-dead.html
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