Variety

Brad Pitt Makes Surprise Appearance at ‘World War Z’ Screening

Justin Kroll — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:43:38 +0000

Paramount has started to amp its marketing for its big budget tentpole “World War Z” in the last couple weeks and its most recent element involved its star Brad Pitt making a surprise appearance at a New Jersey screening of film where Pitt introduced the film. SEE ALSO: Angelina Jolie Reveals She Had Double Mastectomy... Read more »

ABC Gets Chance to Shine, Tying for Sweep’s Demo Lead

Rick Kissell — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:43:10 +0000

The major broadcasters were nothing if not tightly bunched in the May sweep, with all four separated by about 125,000 viewers in the adults 18-49 demo. The close finish shows that, at least in a month when none of its rivals gets a big boost from sports, ABC can be pretty competitive. The net may... Read more »

Music Biz Needs Foodies’ Recipe

Don Davis — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:00:43 +0000

Musicians are trying to sell out, get in bed with the Fortune 500, whereas food doesn’t scale that way, it’s an end unto itself. It used to be that way in music, before everybody got a scent and a clothing line.

Tony Awards Dive Into the Digital Stream

Gordon Cox — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:00:27 +0000

This year the Tonys will launch a second-screen digital destination, with interactive content set to stream during the annual live kudocast on CBS — a measure other TV skeins, such as the AMC zombie hit and HBO’s "Game of Thrones," also have taken to cultivate fan enthusiasm beyond the TV screen.

YouTube Paid Subscription Channels May Be One Plan Too Many

Andrew Wallenstein — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:00:05 +0000

If the biggest brand YouTube has to brag about at this point is UFC, that’s not exactly a show of strength in the marketplace. But in all fairness, Google rarely goes big out of the gate with anything.

Robert Rodriguez’s El Rey Net Courts Viewers From Dusk ’Til Dawn

Don Davis — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:00:01 +0000

The El Rey Network, the cable startup from Robert Rodriguez and John Fogelman’s FactoryMade Ventures, is speeding toward its soft launch in December, bolstered by a strategic partnership with Spanish-lingo giant Univision Communications.

Lionsgate Stock Roars On Upgrade

Dave McNary — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:39:34 +0000

Lionsgate stock keeps roaring, setting another all-time high thanks to more Wall Street bullishness over its TV business and its young-adult franchises, such as “The Hunger Games.” The stock jumped 4% on Thursday, rising $1.11 to $27.66. The stock has nearly doubled in price this year and more than tripled its $8.60 price when Lionsgate... Read more »

Michael Lynton Resigns from Broadcasting Board of Governors

Ted Johnson — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:29:10 +0000

Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton informed President Obama on Thursday that he was stepping down from his seat on the Broadcasting Board of Governors, apparently over time commitments. In a letter to Obama, Lynton said that “circumstances kept me from taking part” in recent formal meetings of the board. He has served since July 2,... Read more »

‘SNL’: How Will NBC, Lorne Michaels Fix the Cast Conundrum?

Brian Steinberg — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:06:33 +0000

The venerable NBC late-night skein is on summer hiatus, but the lack of fresh material on air isn’t keeping SNL-watchers from prognosticating the show’s direction come the autumn.

Cannes: Sundance Selects Takes U.S. For ‘The Selfish Giant’

Dave McNary — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:02:56 +0000

Maintaining a strong acquistions pace, Sundance Selects has acquired North American rights to Clio Barnard’s “The Selfish Giant,” following its world premiere in the Directors Fortnight at Cannes. It’s the fourth Cannes buy for Sundance Selects, which has also bought a pair of competition titles — “Young & Beautiful” and “Blue Is the Warmest Color”... Read more »