Here is the latest Business News from The Hollywood Reporter.
North Carolina Lawmaker on Hollywood Boycott Call: “I Don’t Think Critics Have Even Read the Bill”
“What you see on Twitter is that it’s discriminatory, but it’s actually anti-discriminatory,” says Lieutenant Gov. Dan Forest.
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Georgia’s Filmmakers Fear Consequences of Anti-Gay Bill Becoming Law
“I am absolutely certain that it would have a devastating impact on our film industry,” state lawmaker Stacey Abrams says of the bill, if signed by Gov. Nathan Deal.
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Sony Makes Michael Lynton, Three Others “Corporate Executive Officers”
The Japanese conglomerate elevates four, bringing the total number of such execs with “ultimate responsibility for the Sony Group’s management” to 10.
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Alfonso Cuaron Says He Wants to Make a Film in Chinese
Backstage at the inaugural China-U.S. Motion Picture Summit, the ‘Gravity’ director spoke of his ambition to work in the world’s fastest growing major movie market.
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Judge Lets 54 Sudanese Refugees Pursue Copyright and Fraud Claims Over Reese Witherspoon Film
A judge says that what was said in taped interviews — later used as source material for a script — is creative enough.
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MGM Posts Record Financial Results Courtesy of ‘Spectre’
For the year, MGM posted $381 million in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, up 5 percent over the previous year.
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Playboy Magazine Publisher Explores Sale (Report)
The privately held company previously put the famed Playboy Mansion in the Los Angeles area on the market for $200 million.
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Jurors in Hulk Hogan-Gawker Case Defend Wrestler’s Right to Privacy
“Even if he knew he was being recorded, there’s still no right to put it out there if he doesn’t want it put out,” one of the jurors told ABC News in an interview that aired on Thursday’s ‘Good Morning America.’
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Slow Progress for Diversity Among Film and TV Writers, Study Finds
Women and minority writers in film and TV are still paid less and employed less often than white or male counterparts.
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‘Batman v Superman’ Release Delayed in Parts of Russia Amid Piracy Concerns
Warner Bros. has canceled previously scheduled screenings for Thursday in several Russian cities.
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TiVo Stock Jumps on Report of Sale Talks to Rovi
Rovi is one of the biggest owners of patents for digital entertainment devices.
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TMZ Cancels Celebrity Tour Bus Deal Amid Revenue Fight
TMZ says its bus company partner refuses to cease operations, so the gossip outlet is seeking an injunction.
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Weinstein Co. Calls on Georgia Governor to Reject Anti-Gay Bill
Harvey Weinstein’s company said it will move an upcoming film about Richard Pryor out of the state if the governor signs the bill.
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Hulk Hogan’s Attorneys Discuss Gawker Trial, Coming Appeal
“We’re all in favor of the First Amendment too,” says attorney Charles Harder. “And you protect it by not abusing it. And we protect privacy. We’re for both. They are only for one.”
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Activist Yahoo Investor Seeks to Remove Board, Proposes Alternative Directors
The company suggests a former DirecTV CEO and an ex-NBCUniversal top executive, among others, setting the stage for a showdown with Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer.
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Time Warner Urges Georgia Governor to Veto Religious Liberty Bill
“We strongly oppose the discriminatory language and intent of Georgia’s pending religious liberty bill,” the entertainment conglomerate said in a statement.
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Tribune Media CEO Peter Liguori’s Annual Pay Drops to $8.1 Million
His 2014 pay was boosted by one-time awards.
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Donald Trump Campaign Attacked by Nature Photographers in Copyright Lawsuit
The presidential candidate’s use of an “iconic” eagle portrait leads to a complaint over “viral infringement.”
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China’s iQiyi, British Film Institute Strike Content Deal
The BFI has hand-picked a selection of British independent and world cinema titles, including ’12 Years a Slave’ and ‘Amour,’ to be made available by the online video company.
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China’s Wanda Says Film Unit Has Raised $2.4 Billion in Share Sale
According to an offering document seen by The Hollywood Reporter, the Chinese conglomorate had been seeking to raise $1.5 billion, and has already exceeeded its target.
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eOne Buys 65 Percent Stake in ‘Naked and Afraid,’ ‘Blind Date’ Producer Renegade 83
“Renegade is truly best-in-class with a winning formula and a strong track record of success in unscripted television,” says John Morayniss, eOne Television’s CEO.
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What’s Next for SAG-AFTRA? Gabrielle Carteris Steps in as Union Mourns Ken Howard (Analysis)
The passing of Ken Howard comes at a critical time for the union he loved.
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Russia Box Office: ‘Zootopia’ Becomes No. 5 Title of All Time
And that’s for any film, not just an animated title.
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TMZ Sued for Naming Wrong Rapper Who Cut Off His Penis
Marques Johnson says the only thing he had in common with the guy who did cut off his penis was affiliation with the Wu Tang Clan and they were both African American male musicians.
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Sarah Jones’ Parents React to ‘Midnight Rider’ Director’s Early Jail Release (Q&A)
“We’ve never wanted revenge of any kind, we’re not like that. We just wanted accountability, and that’s still the case,” says Richard Jones.
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‘Midnight Rider’ Director Released From Jail Early
The decision sparked immediate outrage among cast and crew who were friends with or knew Sarah Jones.
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‘Theory of Everything’ Director James Marsh Signs With WME (Exclusive)
The Oscar winner (for 2008 documentary ‘Man on Wire’) was previously with CAA.
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Alex Rodriguez Signs With WME (Exclusive)
The 14-time MLB All-Star said Wednesday that he is retiring after the 2017 season.
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WME|IMG Gets $250 Million Softbank Investment at $5.5 Billion Valuation
Silicon Valley private equity power Silver Lake incurred considerable debt to acquire IMG in 2014 for $2.4 billion.
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UTA Partnering With Anime Company VIZ Media For Live-Action Content
The agency will work with the San Francisco-based publisher to develop live-action programming based on VIZ’s vast catalog of manga and anime.
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Judge Rejects Film Producer’s Bid to Have Buck Rogers Character Declared in Public Domain
Don Murphy can only clear rights if he potentially violates them first.
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Natalie Portman to Attend Beijing Film Festival
The star will walk the event’s opening ceremony red carpet, as well as attend a co-production forum and a special screening of her directorial debut, ‘A Tale of Love and Darkness.’
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Sky, Former Discovery International CEO Buy Stakes in U.K. Production Firm Sugar Films
Mark Hollinger, the former head of Discovery Networks International, will also become the company’s chairman.
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Brussels Attacks: Belgian Broadcaster Identifies Two Suspected Suicide Bombers
An unidentified third man is at large, according to RTBF.
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U.S. Postal Service Fails in Bid to Raise Prices on Netflix
DVDs-by-mail and streaming are in the “same market”? The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals begs to differ.
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Phyllis Rab, Former Agent and Personal Manager, Dies at 87
Her clients included Bob Mackie, Ray Aghayan and Oscar winner Richard Sylbert.
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Brussels Airport, Subway Station Hit by Fatal Explosions
U.K. news networks go to wall-to-wall with coverage and U.S. morning shows focus on the incident that came four days after Salah Abdeslam, the main suspect in the Paris attacks in November, was captured in the Belgian capital.
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The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard to Launch in Thailand
In partnership Southeast Asia’s Fierce Publishing both brands will roll out print editions, Thai-focused mobile and digital properties to social media channels and signature brand licensed conferences and shows.
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“Russian Hollywood” Planned by Studio Lenfilm
A $60 million studio and entertainment complex is to be completed within three to four years.
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BBC Names Mark Linsey Head of Production Arm
Running BBC Studios, he will oversee such in-house hits as ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘Top Gear,’ while Charlotte Moore is named interim head of TV pending a planned simplification of the public broadcaster’s leadership structure.
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Why Hulk Hogan’s $140 Million Gawker Verdict Is a Signpost for the Future
Emboldened public figures, using sharper tactics, may be able to get their cutting-edge privacy disputes to juries not willing to give the American media any breaks.
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Gawker Trial: Hulk Hogan Awarded $25 Million More in Punitive Damages
A Florida jury awards $25 million to punish the news site for posting a sex tape (on top of an earlier $115 million verdict).
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CAA Promotes 10 Trainees to Agent or Executive
The bulk of the elevations are in the music department.
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CAA Signs ‘The Fits’ Filmmaker Anna Rose Holmer (Exclusive)
She won raves at Venice and Sundance for her feature directorial debut, which follows a young African-American tomboy who goes from boxing ring to drill team.
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Why Hulk Hogan’s $115 Million Gawker Verdict Is a Signpost for the Future
Emboldened public figures, using sharper tactics, may be able to get their cutting-edge privacy disputes to juries not willing to give the American media any breaks.
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Sony’s Equity Stake in Spotify Survives Scrutiny in ‘American Idol’ Lawsuit
19 Recordings was arguing that Sony was taking ownership in the streaming giant in lieu of demanding fair-market royalty rates.
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CAA Sports Acquires ICON Venue Group
The Denver-based company manages major facility projects around the world, including Wrigley Field’s restoration and the construction of London’s O2 Arena.
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Kesha Appeals Judge’s Denial of Dr. Luke Injunction
The pop star’s attorney writes in a court brief that the decision last month is akin to perpetuating “slavery.”
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AEG, Regal Relaunching L.A. Live With Cinema Technology Developer Barco
The ‘Regal L.A. LIVE: A Barco Innovation Center’ will include Barco laser projection in all auditoriums.
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Veteran ‘Star Wars’ Colorist Stefan Sonnenfeld Upped to CCO at Deluxe
Sonnenfeld works with directors including J.J. Abrams and Michael Bay.
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Battle for Busan Festival: South Korean Filmmakers Threaten Boycott
Showing solidarity, they say “we will refuse to attend this year’s event,” if the city doesn’t ensure the festival’s independence.
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Sky CFO Andrew Griffith Adds COO Title
The European pay TV giant, in which 21st Century Fox owns a 39 percent stake, expands his responsibilities.
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U.S., Global Ad Forecasts Cut Slightly, Digital Poised to Overtake TV Spending in 2017
“Digital continues to grow at the expense of print media as consumers shift their attention to consume content digitally,” says ZenithOptimedia.
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China Punishes ‘Ip Man 3’ Distributor Over Box-Office Fraud
A government investigation discovered that at least $8.7 million in tickets sales were fabricated.
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Hulk Hogan Gets $115M Verdict Against Gawker at Sex Tape Trial
The outcome comes after two weeks of testimony in a first-of-its-kind case where discussions of newsworthiness and decency dominated.
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Michael Wolff on Hulk Hogan’s $115M Verdict and Why Gawker Should Settle the Case
On Friday, a Florida jury turned in a $115 million verdict against Gawker over its 2012 posting of a Hulk Hogan sex tape.
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Dinesh D’Souza to Marry; Ted Cruz’s Father to Handle the Nuptials
The guest list for the ‘Hillary’s America’ filmmaker will contain some prominent players in conservative politics.
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Bill Cosby Rape Accuser Probes Political Donations to Former D.A. Who Declined to Charge Him
The entertainer’s lawyer argues that a subpoena chills First Amendment rights and discourages participation in the political process.
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Sumner Redstone’s Medical Records Will Be Sealed
“Redstone should not have to make public the significant medical ailments from which he is suffering related to his age in order to control his own healthcare decision,” says Judge David J. Cowan.
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Top European Theater Group Attacks Sean Parker’s Screening Room
The proposed home movie service “seems to offer little benefit … while representing significant potential risks,” the International Union of Cinemas said.
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Kirk Cameron Couldn’t Care Less That Some in Hollywood Despise His Conservative Values
“Go to my Facebook page and you’ll see plenty of intolerance. Some of the most intolerant comments are from people calling me ‘intolerant,'” says the evangelical Christian, who also spoke to THR about Donald Trump and his teen idol days on ‘Growing Pains.’
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Hulk Hogan, Gawker Brace for Jury Verdict at Sex Tape Trial
“Do you think the media can do whatever they want?” asks Hogan’s attorney in closing arguments.
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Relativity Emerges from Bankruptcy
The company is exiting Chapter 11.
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CAA’s Kevin Huvane Officiated the Wedding of Two Junior Agents
Santini Reali and Donovan Tatum, who fell in love while working as assistants at the agency, were wed by their boss (a newly ordained minister) on March 5.
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Why 2016 Could Be a Banner Year for Hollywood Studio Mergers and Acquisitions
CEOs from Tribune Media’s Peter Liguori to John Malone say they’re ready to make some moves as the future of networks such as WGN America, Starz, Lionsgate and Paramount remain uncertain.
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U.K. Theater Group Calls Sean Parker’s Home Movie Service a “Massive Risk”
The U.K. Cinema Association says the proposed $50 home movie service provides “unprecedented opportunity” for piracy.
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Who Are the Players Behind Relativity’s Latest Cash Infusion?
Though his film footprint is small, Maple Leaf Films’ Michael Wexler is far more established in the hedge fund arena.
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Blake Shelton Slams Tabloid’s “Appalling” Evidence of Alcoholism
Besides giving a declaration that he’s never too drunk to perform on “The Voice,” the singer argues his tweets are “theatrical.”
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Mediaset CEO Pier Silvio Berlusconi Gets 14-Month Sentence in Tax Evasion Case
The company’s leader and son of Silvio Berlusconi will appeal the sentence at Italy’s highest court.
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Sony Pictures Names Tamara Hunter as Head of Casting
In the newly created positon, Hunter will oversee thetrical casting strategy.
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Michael Jackson Hologram Dispute Is Settled
Alki David’s Hologram USA and John Textor’s Pulse Evolution Corp. agree to move onward and forward from patent infringement and cyberstalking lawsuits.
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Plaintiffs in Trump University Lawsuit Push for Summer Trial
They’ll accept one with or without a jury.
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Gawker Can’t Compel Key Witness in Hulk Hogan Sex Tape Trial
As the trial nears its conclusion, Gawker shows the jury Hogan’s taped deposition where he tries to explain away a Howard Stern radio interview. “We were doing a skit,” said the wrestler.
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Russia Box Office: ‘Zootopia’ Becomes No. 1 Disney Animation or Pixar Title of All Time
The animated film stayed at No. 1 for the second consecutive weekend.
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Hollywood Docket: Rolling Stone Source Deposition; ‘Frozen’ Lawsuit Chilled; Univision Sued Over ‘Machete’
A roundup of entertainment law news, including a copyright infringement claim against the late Biggie Smalls, Eminem and Rita Ora over the phrase “Party and Bullshit.”
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European Pay TV Giant Sky Unveils Virtual Reality Production Unit, Content Initiative
“The Sky VR Studio allows us to add a new dimension to storytelling, taking viewers to extraordinary places and offering a unique perspective,” says content chief Gary Davey.
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Viacom Extends COO Thomas Dooley’s Contract Through 2018
His previous contract was set to end in December of this year.
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Sumner Redstone Hires New Lawyer In Battle Over His Healthcare
“It’s unclear who is driving the train,” says a lawyer for Redstone’s former companion, Manuela Herzer, who is suing the ailing media mogul.
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Bill Cosby’s Libel Accusers Want Attorney Monique Pressley off His Case
The motion cites procedure, but it doesn’t stop there. It also says the embattled comedian’s attorney has skirted the rules before.
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‘The Crow’ Producer Seeks to Cancel Relativity’s Sequel Rights
Dana Brunetti’s alleged decision to get rid of director Corin Hardy leaves control over the franchise in uncertainty.
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Viacom Creates Lead Independent Director Role for Frederic Salerno
The exec is a board member of the conglomerate who is a retired CFO of Verizon.
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At Trial, Gawker Focuses on Mysterious Circumstances of the Hulk Hogan Sex Tape
Meanwhile, an appeals court orders the unsealing of court records in the privacy dispute.
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Michael Wolff on Viacom’s Real Motives in a Rushed Paramount Sale
Philippe Dauman salivates over deep pockets and a possible play to fend off Sumner Redstone’s daughter as China and private equity powers line up for a studio stake or perhaps much more.
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Harvey Weinstein Reacts to Exec’s Move to Annapurna: “We Don’t See Them as Rivals”
The movie mogul opens up to THR after distribution president Erik Lomis exits for Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures.
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Vice Media Unveils Expansion Into Russia, Eastern Europe
The company is growing its two-year partnership with Greek-based Antenna Group to roll out its digital offering into Russia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Slovakia and Croatia.
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NBC News Exec Janelle Rodriguez to Lead MSNBC Dayside
The move further solidifies MSNBC’s integration with NBC News.
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March Madness: President Obama Picks Kentucky to Win NCAA Tournament
He picked them to beat Villanova in the title game.
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Say What, Wanda? The Fuzzy Math Behind the $3.5B Legendary Purchase
The Chinese conglomerate is trying to pump up the studio’s image by highlighting films like ‘King Kong,’ but will Chinese investors snap up stock in a public offering?
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CBS Stock Price Targets Raised as Analysts Laud Bullish Investor Day Comments
One Wall Street observer says he “came away with increased confidence that CBS has substantial structural growth ahead of it.”
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Warner Bros.’ Flagship Entertainment Unveils 12 Movie Slate for China
The slate features Chinese-language films from every genre, with a wide range of budgets, including a remake of ‘Miss Congeniality’ and Adam Sandler’s ‘Blended.’
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Rep Sheet Roundup: Gina Gershon Signs With Abrams
THR’s at-a-glance look at the week in representation news
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Comic Strip, NYC’s Famed Comedy Club, Is “Insolvent,” Claims Co-Founder’s Widow
Tess Wachs accuses the other co-founder of mismanagement and/or fraud.
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Filmart: How Easternlight Films Makes Horror Films Chinese Censors Can Tolerate (Q&A)
The L.A. and Beijing-based exec Ying Ye speaks to THR about China’s appetite for horror movies, dealing with censors and the future of the quota system.
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CBS to Explore Sale or Spinoff for Radio Business
Chief Executive Leslie Moonves made the announcement at the company’s “investor day,” which featured political jokes from Stephen Colbert and video clips of upcoming shows.
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