|
Broadcasting
News
Blog
Media
Man Broadcast Blog
News
WWE
News Netflix
News Streaming
News Streaming
TV Streaming
Entertainment
PPV
News PLE
News
Media
News
Hottest
On TV
News
Corporation
The
Australian Financial Review - Media and Marketing
Streaming
Media Industry Disruptions Continue
Additional
Mergers And Acquisitions Forecast
Live
Sport Major Draw As Per Netflix
Compelling
Storylines And Series Keeps Audience Coming Back For
More As Per WWE
Combat
Sports Storytelling And Talent Elevation As Per Dana
Whites Contenders Series
Free
Services With Ads Supported Has Taken Some Audience
As Per Tubi
YouTube
Cemented As Major Challenge To Netflix
Paramount's
Quality And Iconic Movies Keep Them Valuable Commodity,
Despite Bottom Line Loss
X
Corp's X Platform One To Watch For Major Industry
Disruption; WWE Speed Deal With WWE Just A Minor Preview
Of What's On The Cards
Pro
Wrestling
WWE
Raw
Ontario, California
September
23, 2024
Play
By Play
"I
can not get enough of the retro old school music for
Saturday Night's Main Event my man* Joe Tessitore
"Tingling,
like only LA Knight can normally" Wade Barrett
@StuBennett
"We
got celebrities here in Ontario ringside. Mark Sanchez
is sitting ringside along with" .. JT
"Sanchez.
That is The Franchise. Michael Cole's favourite"
WB "Adam Jones, the lead guitarist for the band
Jewel. Your a good guitarist" JT
"I'm
not a good guitarist. Adam Jones is a very, very good
guitarist. Don't put me in the same category as Adam
Jones" ... WB
"And The Scottish Warrior has arrived. Just a
week and a half away from Hell In A Cell against CM
Punk" JT
Broadcasting
Websites
WWE
http://wwe.com
WWE
Raw
http://wwe.com/shows/raw
WWE
YouTube
http://youtube.com/wwe
Media
Man: Strong thumbs up. Loving the retro, old school
and pop culture references.
Pro
Wrestling
WWE
Raw
Toyota
Center
Ontario, California
September
23, 2024
Videos
via the official WWE YouTube Channel
Jey
Uso challenges Bron Breakker for the Intercontinental
Title: WWE Now, Sept. 23, 2024
https://youtube.com/watch?v=tViVwpcJEnY&t=4s&ab_channel=WWE
Bron
Breakker vs. Jey Uso – Intercontinental Title
Match: Raw hype package
https://youtube.com/watch?v=5uyvUMA-SAk&t=4s&ab_channel=WWE
Judgment
Day beatdowns: WWE Playlist
https://youtube.com/watch?v=UJ0EUnhDLI0&t=2s&ab_channel=WWE
Media
Man Scribes Under The Watercooler ...
Bron
Breakker vs Jey Uso. Jey Seeking Single's Gold And
The I/C Title Would Be Yeet! Expect A Dog Gone Great
Pro Wrestling Match! Walk The Dog Or Walk The Yeeter?
Blood
Feud - CM Punk and/or Drew McIntyre may have something
to say and/or do in front of a packed arena!
Judgement
Day - Terror Twins. Nothing is forgotten. Faction
warfare is on the agenda!
Big
Bronson Reed and his Tsunami have been on the warpath.
Tsunami warning for CA!
Zayn
vs Kaiser. International Conflict Zone! Gunther, World
Champ Keeping Eagle And Evil Eye.
Raw
GM has a lot on his plate and announcers Drew McIntyre
and Joe Tessitore could be in for a tough but overall
fun and volatile night.
Streaming
Industry News
Olympics
fuels US TV viewership in August
September
2024
US Television viewing in August was boosted by the
2024 Paris Olympics, according to The Gauge report
from Nielsen. The Summer Games had the most notable
impact on broadcast viewership, notching growth levels
more typical for September with increases of 8 per
cent versus July and 11.7 per cent year over year.
The broadcast category ultimately accounted for 22
per cent of TV in August, and when looking week-by-week,
its share peaked during the first week of the interval
with 24.3 per cent of TV.
On
the streaming side, Peacock offered broad Olympics
coverage to complement linear offerings, the success
of which was demonstrated by a monthly viewership
increase of 39 per cent for the streaming service
overall, and nearly double the amount of viewers aged
35-49. These factors helped lift Peacock from a 1.5
per cent share of TV in July to a new platform-best
2.1 per cent share in August (+0.6 pts.). It also
makes Peacock only the third streaming platform this
year to record a 0.5 point share increase or more
on a monthly basis, in addition to YouTube (February
and July) and Netflix (June).
Olympics
programming on NBC drew millions of viewers in both
primetime and daytime windows. Across all of NBC’s
Olympics telecasts that aired during the August interval,
32 of them totaled more than 5 million viewers, and
17 garnered more than 10 million viewers. Moreover,
Olympics telecasts on NBC notched the top 19 broadcast
telecasts of the month. Leading the charge with 17.9
million viewers was NBC’s July 30th primetime
programme that highlighted Simone Biles and the US
women’s gymnastics team winning gold in the team
competition, as well as four American medals in swimming
and the dramatic bronze-medal victory by the US women’s
rugby team.
From a total television usage perspective, August
levels were even with July. However, a year-over-year
comparison revealed a larger imbalance, as usage this
month was up 3.5 per cent versus August 2023. A notable
year-over-year difference was also evident among broadcast
program genres, with broadcast sports programme viewership
up 239 per cent over August 2023, further illustrating
the impact of the Games on the overall TV landscape.
Like
the broadcast category, cable also exhibited a peak
viewing week that coincided with a major TV event.
The Democratic National Convention aired for four
nights across multiple networks during the final week
of the August interval, and during that week, cable’s
share of television climbed to 27.9 per cent. The
DNC also contributed to the top cable programmes in
August, with MSNBC receiving most of the benefits.
MSNBC owned the top 11 cable telecasts of the month,
and 14 of the top 15. ESPN’s coverage of the
Florida State vs Georgia Tech football matchup snagged
the 12th spot. In the end, cable viewing was down
2 per cent from July and finished the month with 26.3
per cent of TV.
After
several consecutive remarkable months, the streaming
category had a softer month in August from a content
perspective, but remained the clear winner overall
with 41 per cent of TV (down 1 per cent, -0.4 pts.).
Only one original programme broke into the month’s
top 10 – The Umbrella Academy on Netflix totaled
3.9 billion viewing minutes – while the rest
went to acquired titles including Prison Break, which
led the way with 5.4 billion minutes across Netflix
and Paramount+. Bluey on Disney+ generated over 4
billion viewing minutes to secure the second most
watched streaming title this month. The animated Australian
import helped drive an 8 per cent increase for the
streamer, as Disney+ reached a platform high of 2.3
per cent of TV in August. Some of the 8 per cent boost
can also be attributed to Hulu content available within
the Disney+ platform to certain package subscribers.
YouTube
won the month among streaming services for the 19th
consecutive interval, posting another category and
platform best in August with 10.6 per cent of TV.
Compared with August 2023, YouTube has the largest
year-over-year difference in share for any streaming
platform and has added 1.5 points to its share of
TV (9.1 per cent to 10.6 per cent). Meanwhile, the
overall streaming category has gained 2.7 points YoY
and is up 11 per cent versus August 2023. (Wires)
Combat
Sports Week
September
11,2024
WWE
Speed
Naomi vs Blair Davenport
September
13, 2024
WWE SmackDown
Cody
Rhodes vs Solo Sikoa - Steel Cage Match - Undisputed
WWE Title
Climate
Pledge Arena Seattle, Washington
September
13, 2024
Bare
Knuckle Fighting Championship
BKFC
66 - Blass vs Reber
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel. Hollywood, Florida
September
14
UFC
UFC
Noche aka UFC 306
Sphere, Las Vegas
O'Malley
vs Dvalishvili
September
14
Premier
Boxing Champions
MGM T-Mobile Arena
News
Streaming
Entertainment via Grok; X TV Tipped To Eventually
Go Head To Head With YouTube, Netflix, But Will Take
Many Years To Get To That Point; Customers Waiting
To Churn/Switch. Changes Ahead For WBD, HBO, Binge,
Paramount And Many Others - Too Many To List! Media
Man Founder and Subscriber TV Veteran
Streaming
entertainment has transformed how we consume media,
offering a vast array of movies, TV shows, music,
and more directly to our devices. Here's a breakdown
of what's happening in this space as of my last update:
Major
Players:
Netflix:
Known for its original content like "Stranger
Things," "The Crown," and "Squid
Game." They've been pushing into gaming and have
been experimenting with ad-supported models.
Amazon
Prime Video: Comes with Amazon Prime membership. Notable
for "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," "The
Boys," and its integration with shopping and
other Amazon services.
Disney+:
A powerhouse for family entertainment, featuring Marvel,
Star Wars, Pixar, and classic Disney content. It's
also expanding its library with more adult-oriented
content under the Star banner in some regions.
HBO
Max: Offers premium content like "Game of Thrones,"
"Chernobyl," and a vast library of movies.
It's also known for its DC Universe shows.
Apple
TV+: While newer, it's making waves with high-quality
originals like "Ted Lasso," "The Morning
Show," and "See."
Peacock
(NBCUniversal): Provides a mix of free and premium
content, including "The Office," WWE, and
original series like "Punky Brewster."
Paramount+:
Combines CBS All Access with content from Paramount,
Nickelodeon, MTV, and more, featuring shows like "Star
Trek: Discovery" and "The Stand."
Trends
and Developments:
Original
Content: There's a massive push towards creating exclusive
content to attract subscribers. This includes movies,
series, documentaries, and even live sports.
Global
Expansion: Services are increasingly focusing on international
markets, either by offering local content or by making
their service available in more countries.
Bundling:
Companies are bundling their streaming services with
other products. For example, Disney has bundles with
Hulu and ESPN+.
Ad-Supported
Models: To combat rising costs, some platforms like
Netflix have introduced or are considering ad-supported
tiers.
Direct-to-Streaming
Releases: Movies are increasingly bypassing traditional
theatrical releases, going straight to streaming platforms,
especially noted during global health crises.
Quality
Over Quantity: While there's a lot of content, platforms
are also focusing on high-quality, award-winning productions
to stand out.
Interactive
Content: Some platforms are experimenting with interactive
movies or shows where viewers can choose the plot
direction.
Technological
Integration: Enhanced with technologies like 4K, HDR,
Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos for audio, providing
a cinematic experience at home.
Challenges:
Content
Saturation: With so many platforms, there's a risk
of content fatigue among viewers.
Churn:
Subscribers frequently switch between services based
on what's currently available, leading to high turnover.
Regulatory
Scrutiny: Issues like market dominance, content licensing,
and privacy are increasingly under regulatory lenses.
Piracy:
Despite advanced measures, piracy remains a challenge,
especially for content not easily accessible in certain
regions.
If
you're interested in a specific aspect of streaming
entertainment or want to know about recent developments
since my last update, feel free to ask! If there's
a particular service or type of content you're curious
about, I can dive deeper into those areas. (Grok)
News
Streaming
TV
Streaming
TV has revolutionized how we consume television content,
offering a vast array of shows, movies, and original
programming through internet-based platforms rather
than traditional cable or satellite TV. Here's a breakdown
of what you might be interested in regarding streaming
TV as of my last update:
Key
Players:
Netflix:
Known for its extensive library, original content
like "Stranger Things," "The Crown,"
and "Squid Game," and a global reach.
Amazon
Prime Video: Comes with an Amazon Prime subscription,
offering shows like "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,"
"The Boys," and movies, plus the integration
with shopping services.
Hulu:
Offers a mix of current TV episodes, a robust library
of older content, and originals like "The Handmaid's
Tale." It's also notable for its live TV option.
Disney+:
Focuses on family-friendly content, including Marvel,
Star Wars, Pixar, and National Geographic. Hits include
"The Mandalorian" and "WandaVision."
HBO
Max: Home to HBO's acclaimed series like "Game
of Thrones," "Chernobyl," plus a wide
range of Warner Bros. movies and new originals.
Apple
TV+: While newer, it's gaining traction with high-quality
originals like "Ted Lasso," "The Morning
Show," and "Foundation."
Peacock:
NBCUniversal's service, offering a mix of free and
premium content, including "The Office,"
"Parks and Recreation," and new originals.
Trends
and Features:
Ad-Supported
vs. Ad-Free: Many services now offer tiers where you
can choose between watching with ads for a lower price
or paying more for an ad-free experience.
Live
TV Streaming: Services like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube
TV, and Sling TV allow streaming of live broadcast
channels, appealing to sports fans and those who still
want traditional TV experiences.
Bundling:
Some platforms offer bundles with internet service
providers or other streaming services to reduce costs.
Original
Content: There's a significant push towards exclusive,
original content to differentiate services, leading
to a golden age of TV with high-quality, diverse programming.
Global
Expansion: Services are increasingly focusing on global
markets, offering localized content or subtitles/dubbing
in multiple languages.
Technological
Considerations:
4K
and HDR: Many services now offer content in 4K resolution
and HDR, enhancing viewing quality.
Offline
Viewing: Most services allow downloading content for
offline viewing, which is great for travel or areas
with poor internet.
Smart
TVs and Devices: Streaming is not just for computers
or smartphones anymore; smart TVs, streaming sticks
(like Roku, Amazon Fire Stick), and gaming consoles
have made streaming accessible on almost any screen.
Challenges:
Content
Fragmentation: With content spread across multiple
services, there's a growing issue of "streaming
fatigue" where consumers feel overwhelmed by
the number of subscriptions needed.
Price
Increases: As content quality and exclusivity rise,
so do subscription costs, leading to discussions about
the cost-effectiveness of streaming vs. traditional
cable.
Piracy:
The fragmentation and cost have somewhat revived piracy
concerns as viewers look for ways to access content
without multiple subscriptions.
If
you're looking for recommendations or have specific
questions about streaming services or shows, feel
free to ask! If there's been a significant update
or new service since my last update, you might want
to check the latest reviews or news for the most current
information. (Grok)
Pro
Wrestling
WWE
Raw
Scotiabank
Saddledome
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
September
9, 2024
Full
Raw highlights: Sept. 9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHGULgW_fDU&t=13s&ab_channel=WWE
"Oh
God. Howie is stirring" Wade Barrett
"Uncle
Howdy staring down Gable and Gable not looking for
Rowan who came flying in" Joe Tessitore
"Onto
the steel stairs" JT
"That
Iron Claw slam from Erik Rowan" Wade Barrett
"This
one is as good as over. Get him in the ring. Pin that
man. And mercyfully this carnage will finally be over"
WB
"With
all due respect Bret, but your not in my league"
Gunther
"Hockey
style punch up right here in Calgary" WB
"And
Drew I can assure you of this. When its over, and
it will be over, I'm going to find peace. And you
know why I'm going to find peace. I'm going to find
peace 'cause I'll know in my heart that it will be
over and its going to be over because October, Atlanta,
Georgia, Bad Blood, it will be CM Punk. It will be
Drew McIntyre. It will be Hell In A Cell" Adam
Pearce
"Oh,
let's go" JT
Fans
cheer
Bret Hart returns home to Raw in Calgary: Raw, Sept.
9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evRp3gGxIrg&ab_channel=WWE
Drew
McIntyre will face CM Punk inside Hell in a Cell at
Bad Blood: Raw highlights, Sept. 9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRcQhjaxLkY&t=3s&ab_channel=WWE
Drew
McIntyre to Wade Barrett: “Stay out of my business”:
Raw highlights, Sept. 9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkfpnQc3UUw&ab_channel=WWE
Natalya
helps Lyra Valkyria & Zelina Vega def. Pure Fusion
Collective: Raw highlights, Sept. 9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yemWPWKPJIY&ab_channel=WWE
FULL
MATCH: Jey Uso wins Intercontinental Title No. 1 Contender’s
Tournament: Raw, Sept. 9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7usaFHDITo&t=5s&ab_channel=WWE
Jey
Uso is focused on becoming a singles champion: Raw
exclusive, Sept. 9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rzOTentGAQ&t=6s&ab_channel=WWE
The
Judgment Day ambush The Terror Twins: Raw highlights,
Sept. 9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOC0W5swIcA&ab_channel=WWE
Liv
Morgan helps steal win for “Dirty” Dom as
Judgment Day brawls with The LWO: Raw, Sept. 9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa-6fCUHPUI&ab_channel=WWE
The
Wyatt Sicks conquer American Made in a Street Fight:
Raw highlights, Sept. 9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLzsxsdjoyo&t=11s&ab_channel=WWE
Survivor
Series: War Games comes to Vancouver - Tickets on
sale this Friday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFsLqanLseQ&ab_channel=WWE
Recap
Wyatt
Sicks vs American Made - Street Fight
Bret
"The Hitman" Hart to appear!
CM
Punk & McIntyre appearance
"Dirty"
Dom vs Dragon Lee - mask in danger thanks to Judgement
Day?
WWE
I/C Contenders Match
Superheroes
vs Fyre and Dawn. WWE Women's Tag Team Title
and
more.
Bret
Hart returns to Raw tonight: WWE Now, Sept. 9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXObhqqFXXI&ab_channel=WWE
Media
Man: Pumped. Buzz for CM Punk and Drew McIntyre. McIntyre
as seen in the upcoming movie, 'The Killers Game'
Fantasy Booking: Hitman Hart vs Killer McIntyre in
a steel cage! How about it CM Punk? Gonzo Pro Wrestling
scribe! Strong thumbs up.
Media
Man Int
WWE
News (Media Man Int)
www.mediamanint.com/wwe_news.html
USA
Network (Media Man Int)
www.mediamanint.com/usa_network.html
Pop
Culture (Media Man Int)
www.mediamanint.com/pop_culture.html
Media
Man
News
Streaming
Movies Top 10 (North America)
August
27, 2024
1.
Furiosa (Max)
2.
The Union (Netflix)
3.
Jackpot (Prime Video)
4.
The Instigators (Apple TV+)
5.
Alien (Hulu)
6.
The Bikeriders (Peacock)
7.
Immaculate (Hulu)
8.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (Hulu)
9.
Alien: Covenant (Hulu)
10.
Twister (Max)
News
Top
10 Streaming TV (North America)
August
27, 2024
1.
Bad Monkey (Apple TV+)
2.
The Umbrella Academy (Netflix)
3.
Industry (Max)
4.
The Bear (Hulu)
5.
From (Prime Video)
6.
Presumed Innocent (Apple TV+)
7.
Emily in Paris (Netflix)
8.
Time Bandits (Apple TV+)
9.
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (Netflix)
10.
Evil (Paramount+)
Media
Man
News
Corp puts Foxtel up for sale after asset review
By
Sam Buckingham-Jones
August
9, 2024
News
Corp, the publishing and broadcast giant controlled
by the Murdoch family, has put its majority-owned
Australian pay television platform Foxtel up for sale
after a nine-month strategic review of its assets.
Outlining
its financial results on Friday, News Corp said there
was “third-party interest” in Foxtel, which
owns a pay TV business, streaming services Binge and
Kayo Sports, and aggregation platform Hubbl.
“We
are confident in the company’s long-term prospects
and are continuing to review our portfolio with a
focus on maximising returns for shareholders,”
News Corp chief executive Robert Thomson said.
“That
review has coincided recently with third-party interest
in a potential transaction involving the Foxtel ...
We are evaluating options for the business with our
advisors in light of that external interest.”
News
Corp owns 65 per cent of Foxtel, and Telstra owns
the rest.
Foxtel
has spent the past decade pivoting to the streaming
era, building Kayo and Binge – which have much
leaner profit margins – while preserving its
legacy base of around 1 million subscribers who pay,
on average, $90 a month. It has grown its total paying
subscription base to 4.7 million people.
Any
sale of Foxtel would have a flow-on effect on long-term
content deals, multi-billion dollar sports rights
packages, and more.
Mr
Thomson told analysts that News Corp had a “significant
overture that we are naturally assessing”, but
declined to provide further details.
“We
have full faith in the potential of Foxtel and the
talented team at Foxtel,” he said. “On behalf
of shareholders, we have to evaluate any interest
… You’ll have to stay tuned. Not indefinitely,
not perpetually, not ad infinitum.” (Credit:
The Australian Financial Review) @FinancialReview
Full
article via subscription to The Australian Financial
Review
https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/news-corp-puts-foxtel-up-for-sale-20240809-p5k0yv
Media
Man Int
Subscription
News (Media Man Int)
https://www.mediamanint.com/subscription_news.html
#NewsCorp
#Foxtel #FoxtelNews #FoxtelGroup #AFR #FinancialReview
#Kayo #KayoSports #Binge #Hubbl #SubscriberTV #PayTV
#subscription #subscriptionnews #TV #mediabusiness
#medianews #businessnews #biz #newswire #newsfeed
#trend #trends #Australia #media
News
Rupert
Murdoch Sells $40.1M In News Stock - 15th Feb 2013
Profiles
X-Men
Origins: Wolverine Rupert
Murdoch
Media
Man Australia does not represent News Corporation
News
Corporation (abbreviated to News Corp) (NYSE:
NWS) is one of the world's largest media conglomerates.
Its chief executive officer is Rupert Murdoch,
who created the Fox Broadcasting Company in 1986.
News
Corporation is a public company listed on the New
York Stock Exchange and the Australian Stock Exchange
(ASX: NWS) and as a secondary listing on the London
Stock Exchange (LSE: NCRA). Formerly incorporated
in Adelaide, Australia, the company was re-incorporated
in the United States state of Delaware after a majority
of shareholders approved the move on 12 November 2004.
News
Corporation's headquarters is on Sixth Avenue (Avenue
of the Americas) in New York City, in the 1960s-1970s
portion of the Rockefeller Center complex.
Revenue
for the year ended 30 June 2005 was $23.859 billion.
This does not include News Corporation's share of
the revenue of businesses in which it owns a minority
stake, which include two of its most important assets,
DirecTV and BSkyB. Almost 70% of the company's sales
come from its US businesses. Credit: Wikipedia.
Media
Man Australia does not represent News Corporation
Websites
News
Corporation
www.news.com.au
The
Daily Telegraph
www.fox.com
News
Google
News search for Rupert
Murdoch
FOX
TO LAUNCH MY NETWORK TV
New
Station-Friendly Primetime Option Set for September
Primetime
Dramas “Desire” and “Secrets”
to Inaugurate My Network TV Debut
NEW YORK – February 22, 2006 - FOX will launch
My Network TV, a new primetime program network scheduled
to debut this fall. Fox Television Stations, Inc.,
and Twentieth Television will operate the new venture.
The announcement was made today at a press conference
in New York by Peter Chernin, President and Chief
Operating Officer, News Corporation; Roger Ailes,
Chairman of Fox Television Stations; and Jack Abernethy,
CEO of Fox Television Stations.
Upon
launching on Tuesday, September 5th, 2006, My Network
TV will feature quality primetime programming from
8:00-10:00pm (EST/PST) Monday through Saturday, totaling
12 hours of original content per week. Providing broadcasters
a viable and station-friendly option for primetime,
involving no reverse compensation, My Network TV will
position stations with operational flexibility through
an appealing affiliation term and attractive inventory
split, further building asset value.
Fox
Television Stations’ WWOR/New York, KCOP/Los
Angeles, WPWR/Chicago, KDFI/Dallas, WDCA/Washington,
D.C., KTXH/Houston, WFTC/Minneapolis, KUTP/Phoenix,
WRBW/ Orlando and WUTB/Baltimore will serve as anchor
affiliates of My Network TV, representing 24% of the
United States. Supported with powerful branding and
marketing initiatives that tie-in locally, the service
will maintain and strengthen affiliates’ community
brand recognition with a complete look and feel of
a national network that empowers localism.
Regarding
the announcement, Mr. Chernin stated, “No other
media company comes close to Fox when it comes to
launching new networks and gauging audience appetites.
Over the past 20 years, we’ve proved it time
and again with FBC, FX, Fox News Channel and National
Geographic Channel among many others. And with My
Network TV, we think we’ve come up with a unique
format that will resonate with today’s consumer
and a model that can be profitable from day one.”
Mr.
Ailes added, “Backed by the strongest media company
in the world, My Network TV is a viable alternative
brought to you by proven winners who know quality
programming. Independent stations are in need of a
solid option for primetime and we believe no other
company is providing this service to the market.”
Commented
Mr. Abernethy, “We’re thrilled to be launching
My Network TV this fall. We consider this to be a
station-friendly alternative that will deliver more
local inventory to its affiliates, uphold each station’s
localism and feature quality programming supported
by strong branding and marketing. We are looking forward
to signing additional affiliates in the coming weeks.”
Twentieth
Television’s new hour-long scripted dramas “Desire”
and “Secrets” will inaugurate My Network
TV. Structured in a 65-episode story arc stripped
Monday through Friday for 13 weeks, “Desire”
and “Secrets” are based on the worldwide
success of the telenovela format. “Desire”
chronicles the destruction of a family and the bonds
of brotherhood take center stage when two brothers
on the run from the mafia find themselves in a heated
battle of passion, betrayal, deceit and murder over
the woman they both love. “Secrets” goes
deep behind-the-scenes to focus on the glamorous,
yet sometimes brutally ruthless fashion industry,
in which greed, lust and blind ambition surround a
violent corporate takeover of the business’ hottest
company. Principal photography on the dramas will
commence early March.
Twentieth
Television is aggressively developing additional programs
and proven formats spanning reality, drama, comedy,
game, news, movies and talk for My Network TV as the
network develops, while also exploring opportunities
with its sister companies. The company is opening
its doors to all other major Hollywood studios to
negotiate future programming concepts. Programs currently
in development include:
•
“Catwalk” (Twentieth Television) -- The
ultimate search for the next “It” supermodel
begins by crossing the country to discover 30 of the
hottest, hippest and freshest faces who will compete
for the once in a lifetime opportunity to be catapulted
into stardom.
•
“Celebrity Love Island” [Granada (“Nanny
911”)] -- Six gorgeous celebrity and six non-celebrity
singletons are thrown together in a fantasy island
setting, where a star-studded search for love takes
place.
•
“On Scene” (Fox News) -- This crime investigative
series will cover all angles, examine all of the evidence
and trace every single clue of the most compelling
crimes committed today.
•
“America’s Brainiest” (working title)
[Celador (“Who Wants to Be A Millionaire”)]
-- This quiz show, based on the hit British program,
will find the country’s smartest individuals
and reveal them in an exciting format.
•
In addition, Twentieth Television is in advanced negotiations
with FremantleMedia North America (“American
Idol”) on an international format.
The
Fox Television Stations group, one of the nation’s
largest owned-and-operated network broadcast groups,
comprises 35 stations in 26 markets, covering nearly
45% of U.S. television homes. This includes five duopolies
in the top 10 markets, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago,
Dallas and Washington D.C., as well as duopolies in
Houston, Minneapolis, Phoenix and Orlando.
A
leader in the U.S. program production and distribution
arena, Twentieth Television is a unit of Fox Television
Stations, Inc., which is headed by chairman Roger
Ailes while CEO Jack Abernethy oversees day-to-day
operations. Twentieth Television provides a wide array
of first-run and off-network programming, as well
as feature film packages, to the syndication and cable
marketplaces. First-run programs distributed by Twentieth
Television include “Geraldo at Large,” the
news strip hosted by Geraldo Rivera, and the popular
court shows “Divorce Court” and “Judge
Alex,” the number one new first-run program of
the 2005-06 season. In addition to “Desire”
and “Secrets,” the company is set to launch
the new court show “Cristina’s Court,”
hosted by Cristina Perez, in Fall 2006. Twentieth
Television also oversees the domestic sales of one
of the most extensive libraries of off-net programming
in the entertainment industry. Last fall, the company
launched the groundbreaking drama “24,”
starring Kiefer Sutherland, and The Peabody Award-winning
sitcom “The Bernie Mac Show” in off-net
syndication.
Fox
Entertainment Group, a division of News Corporation,
is principally engaged in the development, production
and worldwide distribution of feature films and television
programs, television broadcasting and cable network
programming. The unit’s studios, production facilities
and film and television library provide high-quality
creative content, and broadcasting and cable networks
provide extensive distribution platforms for the Company's
programs.
# # #
Media
Contacts:
Les
Eisner
Twentieth Television
310-369-3293
les.eisner@fox.com
Irena
Briganti
Fox News
212-301-3608
irena.briganti@foxnews.com
Fox
Interactive Media And Twentieth Century Fox Partner
To Deliver Movies And TV Shows For Download
Multi-Year
Deal to Bring Blockbuster Movies like “X-Men
The Last Stand” and TV Hits Such As “24”,
“Prison Break”, “It's Always Sunny
In Philadelphia” to Properties Across Fox Interactive
Media Network; IGN Site to Start, With MySpace and
Others to Follow
LOS
ANGELES, August 14, 2006 - Fox Interactive Media (FIM)
and Twentieth Century Fox today announced a multi-year
agreement to provide feature films and television
shows on a download-to-own basis across the FIM network.
Fox Interactive Media's network of leading properties
reaching more than 75 million people a month in the
U.S. (ComScore MediaMetrix) will have access to Fox
Entertainment Group's vast catalogue of leading content
including hit feature films such as “X-Men The
Last Stand” and “The Omen” as well
as episodes of television series like “24,”
and “Prison Break.” IGN Entertainment will
be the first FIM property to offer a selection of
on its Direct2Drive site ( http:www.direct2drive.com
) in October 2006 with additional FIM properties including
MySpace.com to come.
“Our
drive to deliver Twentieth Century Fox content via
the most powerful online platforms is advanced substantially
by this agreement,” said Peter Levinsohn, President,
Digital Media, Fox Entertainment Group. “Offering
Fox content in conjunction with FIM properties enables
viewers to access the best movies and TV shows from
multiple platforms in the Fox family.”
Initially,
FIM will offer films from Twentieth Century Fox including
new releases, made-for-TV movies, direct-to-video
releases and select content from the Twentieth Century
Fox film library on IGN's Direct2Drive site. The site
will also offer current television series from various
Fox entities such as Twentieth Century Fox, Fox Broadcasting
Company, Fuel TV, Speed, and FX with a selection of
shows available within 24 hours of initial broadcast.
In
an industry first, purchased movies and television
shows will be immediately transferable to Windows
Media compatible portable devices providing users
with a convenient way to take the video content with
them on the go.
“Today
marks an important step as we continue to build a
bridge between the worlds of user-generated and top-quality,
professional content, further enhancing our range
of consumer offerings across both free, ad-supported
and paid download business models,” said FIM
President Ross Levinsohn. “With more than 75
million monthly users and one of the largest entertainment
communities on the web, we are thrilled to begin offering
our users exciting content from Fox.”
The
agreement with Twentieth Century Fox will enable FIM,
already a leader in downloadable games with Direct2Drive,
to expand its offerings with premier TV and movie
content. Direct2Drive will promote the new offering
throughout the IGN Entertainment network, including
IGN.com, Rotten Tomatoes; and Film Force, among other
sites.
Direct2Drive's
secure digital download service will enable users
to transfer content to up to two PCs and one portable
device per PC. Content will be available at competitive
prices: Approximately $19.99 for new feature film
releases and $1.99 per TV series episode.
About
Fox Interactive Media
A division of News Corp. (NWS and NWS.A), Fox Interactive
Media (FIM) is an integrated network of sites offering
socially rich media experiences centered on entertainment,
news, information and self-expression. The company's
network includes Internet assets from News Corp.,
including the highly trafficked FoxSports.com ( http://www.foxsports.com
), Americanidol.com
( http://www.americanidol.com
) and Fox.com ( http://www.fox.com
). FIM also owns and operates such category leaders
as MySpace.com ( http://www.myspace.com
), the number one social networking site on the Web;
Scout.com ( http://www.scout.com
), a dynamic collegiate and pro sports network; and
IGN Entertainment ( http://www.ign.com
), a network of leading gaming and entertainment sites
including men's lifestyle site AskMen ( http://www.askmen.com
) and premier destination for movie-goers Rotten Tomatoes
( http://www.rottentomatoes.com
) among others.
About
Fox Entertainment Group
Fox Entertainment Group (FEG) is a unit of News Corporation
(NYSE: NWS, NWS.A). It is principally engaged in the
development, production and worldwide distribution
of feature films and television programs, television
broadcasting and cable network programming. The Company's
studios, production facilities and film and television
library provide high-quality creative content, and
the Company's broadcasting and cable networks provide
extensive distribution platforms for the Company's
programs. Fox Digital Media is a division of FEG dedicated
to setting distribution strategy and licensing programming
from all FEG divisions to new, digital outlets.
Contacts:
For
Fox Interactive Media:
Ann Burkart
(310) 969-7220 or Ann.burkart@fox.com
Sara
Campbell/Edelman
(323) 202-1075 or Sara.campbell@edelman.com
For FOX:
Paul Nichols/The Lippin Group
(323) 965-1990
pnichols@lippingroup.com
Press
Release
World
Wrestling Entertainment Tags Fox Filmed Entertainment
For Multi-Year Production Deal
Profiles
Rupert
Murdoch
MySpace.com
IGN
Entertainment
National
Geographic Channel
Foxtel
Confidential
Main
Event TV
Media
Companies
Media
Man Australia does not represent News Corporation
|
