Uncategorized

MESA News – May 1

Studios/Suppliers

Anchor Bay to increase revenue with theatricals
By Susanne Ault – 05/01/2009
MAY 1 | PHYSICAL: Ashton Kutcher starrer Spread to launch slate More

DVD drags Viacom Q1 earnings
By Susanne Ault – 04/30/2009
APRIL 30 | Segment revenue down 9% with difficult comparison More

Warner Q1 DVD sales fall
By Danny King – 04/29/2009
APRIL 29 | Earnings fall on lower VOD sales, higher interest costs More

Screen Media Films promotes two executives
By Cheryl Cheng – 04/29/2009
APRIL 29 | Blech to oversee distribution, marketing, publicity More

TLA Releasing restructures U.S. division
By Cindy Spielvogel – 04/29/2009
APRIL 29 | Company says current business model doesn’t work ‘in today’s market’ More

DreamWorks Q1 profit doubles on Madagascar
By Danny King – 04/28/2009
APRIL 28 | Company hints at 3D features for Monsters DVD More

Warner charges for digital copy on Friday the 13th DVD
By Susanne Ault – 04/28/2009
APRIL 28 | Horror movie’s Blu-ray version will offer feature for free More

Relativity reaches deal with Lionsgate
By Dave McNary of Variety – 04/28/2009
APRIL 28 | FROM VARIETY: Pact to cover up to five movies a year More

DEG: Q1 consumer spending down 5%
By Susanne Ault – 04/27/2009
APRIL 27 | Organization includes Internet video, cable and satellite VOD More

Warner to release Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles set
By Susanne Ault – 04/27/2009
APRIL 27 | Four-film collection coincides with franchise’s 25th anniversary More

Retail

Blockbuster signs deals for indie exclusives
By Susanne Ault – 05/01/2009
MAY 1 | PHYSICAL: Titles include Screen Media’s Personal Effects, Battle in Seattle More

Disney to offer extras or ‘rental ready’ versions
By Susanne Ault – 04/30/2009
APRIL 30 | PHYSICAL:  Jonas Brothers, Shopaholic to have multiple classes of discs More

Alliance parent files for Chapter 11
By Jennifer Netherby – 04/28/2009
APRIL 28 | DVD distributor vows ‘vendors won’t lose a dime’ More

High-Def

Paramount licenses BD + copy protection
By Paul Sweeting – 04/29/2009
APRIL 29 | Joins Fox in using technology on Blu-ray discs More

HBO On Demand previews True Blood DVD
By Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News – 04/28/2009
APRIL 28 | FROM MCN: Vampire series first season available in Blu-ray features enhanced viewing mode More

Amazon offers Blu-ray exclusives
By Susanne Ault – 04/17/2009
APRIL 27 | About 40 titles available only at online retailer More

Technology

ANALYSIS: All eyes on CBS digital strategy
By Claire Atkinson of Broadcasting & Cable – 05/01/2009
MAY 1 | FROM B&C: New Disney-Hulu deal leaves CBS as the lone major network holdout More

Verizon FiOS to reach 10 million U.S. homes
By Susanne Ault – 04/29/2009
APRIL 29 | Network has grown 50% over last year More

Microsoft develops Web shows for Zune, others
By Jennifer Netherby – 04/30/2009
APRIL 30 | The Office‘s Rainn Wilson, Kids in the Hall‘s Dave Foley among stars on board More

VOD/Downloads

Bewkes: TV Everywhere trials in second half
By Mike Farrell – 05/01/2009
MAY 1 | FROM MCN: Would include content from HBO, Turner, other outlets More

Online video revenue to top $12 billion by 2012
By Danny King – 04/30/2009
APRIL 30 | Broader content, wider bandwidth will fuel growth, report says More

Disney buys stake in Hulu
By Jennifer Netherby – 04/30/2009
APRIL 30 | DIGITAL: Desperate Housewives, Lost to stream on site More

Sony offers free movies on Crackle
By Jennifer Netherby – 04/29/2009
APRIL 29 | Spider-Man 2, A Few Good Men will stream with ads More

Videogames

USA launches iPhone game
By Danny King – 04/29/2009
APRIL 29 | NBC Universal unit follows move by other TV, film companies More

GameFly files complaint of Postal Service
By Danny King – 04/27/2009
APRIL 27 | Alleges that Blockbuster, Netflix get preferential treatment More