☀️WBD now keeping DISCO+ as a separate service when new HBOMAX launches
MINIONS debut big on NETFLIX / FOX Revenue grows, but Cord-Cutting pain is evident / CBS reportedly sets game show for Corden slot
Mornin! This is Sean McNulty (connect with me on LinkedIn here if ya like), and here’s the Hollywood + Media news to know on WEDNESDAY February 8, 2023.
Where it’s Iger Comes Alive day! Let’s hope ChatGPT didn’t make any embarrassing errors on his remarks for the DISNEY Q4 Earnings Call this afternoon. Or doesn’t lock the document as a hostage until DISNEY spins off ESPN. 😳
YES: Those Ben Affleck working at a Boston-area DUNKIN’ photos were part of a SUPER BOWL Ad. And yes J.Lo (Jaffleck?) has a cameo.
PLUS: “La La Land” is being developed to hit BROADWAY by producer Marc Platt & LIONSGATE, to be directed by Bartlett Sher (“To Kill a Mockingbird"), and with a book by Pulitzer-winner Ayad Akhtar and Matthew Decker. Composer Justin Hurwitz is also involved here as well.
ALSO: Sorry Swifties - final GRAMMYS audience came in at 12.6 Million… although no word if that includes PAR+ streaming or not.
So - if the OSCARS can also get a +30% lift from last year, that would put it at least back over 20 Million (to about 22 Million, just a smidge under what it did in 2020, pre-Covid).
AND: The HOLLYWOOD BOWL released their schedule for the season this Summer.
THEN: ZOOM is cutting 15% of employees… roughly 1300 people, but their CEO is also cutting his 2023 salary by 98% and not taking a bonus, and the exec leadership team is taking a 20% salary cut as well. Well that’s new. Ahem. 😬
CORRECTIONS FROM YESTERDAY 👷♂️:
While I’m sure he is indeed swell… I forgot that key “e” in Rufus Sewell (who will be playing Prince Andrew at NETFLIX).
My 1998 brain gets an F for forgetting “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer”, the sequel with Mekhi Phifer and Brandy joining Freddie & Jennifer. And I’m presuming the hook guy. Plus an uncredited Jack Black cameo!
Sequel box office: $40 Million. Original: $72 Million (US grosses). And I don’t own the soundtrack to the sequel. Thank you to reader Stuart who has a stellar 90s brain!
IN TODAY’S EDITION:
FOX reports positive Q4 Ad Revenue as expected, but cord-cutting hitting Cable Network Revenue, keeps it stagnant in big Midterms quarter. #medianerd🤓 numbers breakdown #1.
WBD alters plan to shut down DISCO+ to coincide with the upcoming HBODISCOMAX+ (aka MAX) merge in Q2.
ILLUMINATION Animated hit movies continue to kill it on NETFLIX… 7 months post-release. Plus - why we need to talk more about NORWAY.
NY TIMES subscriber growth is humming along… but yes, Ad Revenue growth is challenged in the current environment.
Basically - Print Ad growth is currently beating Digital. It’s a #medianerd🤓 morning twofer.
AMAZON setting Jean Smart - Andy Samberg rom-com pic (ish).
CBS reportedly sets Corden successor as Late Night loses a talk show slot.
STARZ picks up a SHO castoff project, and more.
📽 THE SILVER SCREEN
At the NETFLIX Global Box Office
usual caveats: back of the napkin math, assumes everyone finished the movie (including the credits), no one watched twice, or that a bunch of folks didn’t rewind certain parts, etc. so consider these minimum numbers. and it’s based on NETFLIX’s self-reported numbers.
”You People” had a solid first full week of viewing after its opening weekend, oddly tracking in lock-step with Kev Hart’s Summer action pic “Man From Toronto” almost exactly thus far.