Evenin! This is Sean McNulty (connect with me on LinkedIn here if ya like or email me at seanmcnultynyc@gmail.com), and here’s the Hollywood + Media news to know on SUNDAY, December 15, 2024.

Where if this newsletter is a little late next weekend, know that the GIANTS called me in as a potential backup QB since they let Daniel Jones go, and #TommyCutlets 🤌 left today’s loss of a game with a concussion.

I’m also not entirely sure the BILLS and LIONS are finished scoring touchdowns on each other. Nothing quite like a 48-42 defensive showdown, but those ratings should be something!

ALSO: Add OPEN AI’s Sam Altman to the list of #BigTech CEOs giving $1M to the Trump inauguration fund.

AND: Just some 2024 podcast revenue numbers shared by Scott Galloway on his pod:

• Pivot: $10M

• Prof G Pod: $4M

• Raging Moderates may do $2M in 2025.

PLUS: DISNEY’s ABC settled its looming defamation lawsuit from Donald Trump by agreeing to pay $15M to Trump’s Presidential Library. It’ll also pay $1M in legal fees to the law firm of Trump’s attorney.

ALSO: Ted Sarandos is doing a cameo in Seth Rogen’s upcoming APPLE TV+ industry series The Studio. Fun read here from VF about a show that should get APPLE in the “Have you seen that show?” conversation this spring.

🎥 THE BOX OFFICE

Well, any myths that people are too busy with holiday season madness to go to the movies in the first two weekends of December certainly aren’t having a good month.

We have 2 films doing $20M+ at the box office in their 3rd and 4th weekends respectively — and the new MARVEL film isn’t even a part of that activity.

So, let’s break down:

• The MARVEL damage at SONY

• The unusual domestic vs. international disparity in the Moana vs. Wicked race

• An update on just how close 2024 is to beating 2023 . . . despite a desolate, strike-induced first 5 months of the year

• Plus all the updates in the specialty space as the end of year awards and nominations continue to roll out.