ANALYST URGES CBS TO BUY SONY PICTURES

Only days after Sony Corp. CEO Kazuo Hirai maintained that he would not sell Sony Pictures (“It’s a profitable business to be in … and I like to have profitable businesses in my portfolio”), a prominent media analyst is saying that he finds it “difficult to imagine” that Sony would reject an offer, say in […]

SONY CHIEF SAYS HE WON’T SELL STUDIO

Sony Corp. CEO Kazuo Hirai has scotched persistent reports that he is considering selling Sony Pictures and focusing on the company’s troubled consumer electronics business. Today’s (Thursday) Hollywood Reporter quoted him as saying, I have always said, when asked the question about why we have the entertainment properties, one of the most important reasons we […]

SONY’S PROFITS DROWN IN THAI FLOODS

Last fall’s devastating floods in Thailand played havoc with Sony’s ability to fulfill orders and were largely responsible for the company’s $2.04-billion net loss in its last quarter, CFO Masaru Kato said in a conference call today (Thursday). “Several production facilities in Thailand suffered direct damage during the floods and supply chains across the region […]

CHINESE CRACKDOWN ON TV SHOWS BENEFITS WEBSITES

The decision by Chinese cultural authorities to eliminate two-thirds of the country’s television entertainment programs in favor of “programs that promote traditional virtues and socialist core values” could turn out to be a boon for operators of advertising-supported video websites in the country, the Wall Street Journal indicated today (Wednesday). Many websites are offering content […]

BRITISH MUSIC RETAILER LAUNCHES VIDEO-ON-DEMAND SERVICE

HMV, Britain’s largest music and video retailer, is launching a beta version of its video-on-demand rental service today (Thursday) in the hope of offsetting slumping in-store sales. The retail chain said that it is partnering with FilmFlex, a joint venture between Sony Pictures TV and Disney that operates as a middleman — it calls itself […]

CHURCH ACCUSES STUDIO OF INFRINGING ITS LOGO

The million-member Church of God, based in Cleveland TN, has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit again Sony Pictures, IFC Films, Mandalay Pictures, and Comcast for using a “mirror version” of its logo in the movie Salvation Boulevard, which opened in four theaters last weekend. Although the film depicts an amoral fundamentalist preacher, played by Pierce […]

YOGI BEAR DEBUTS ON DVD AT NO. 1

Warner Bros.’ Yogi Bear was the top-selling DVD last week, edging out Sony Pictures’ The Tourist, starring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, according to Nielsen VideoScan First Alert. Although the sales chart does not disclosed actual dollar sales, it did indicate that The Tourist moved 94 percent as many units as Yogi Bear. It also […]

OVERSEAS AUDIENCES RESCUE TWO FILMS THAT TANKED AT HOME

Two movies that had appeared destined to lose money for their respective studios after disappointing domestic runs have turned out to be huge hits overseas, the Los Angeles Times reported today (Monday). The two films are The Tourist, starring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, which cost G.K. Films and distributor Sony Pictures about $100 million […]

REPORT: EARLY VIDEO-ON-DEMAND COMING BY JUNE

At least three studios plan to participate in a test with satellite operator DirecTV of so-called early video-on-demand before the end of June, the Los Angeles Times reported today (Thursday), citing people familiar with the matter. However, in an apparent effort to appease theater owners who are concerned that early releases will harm ticket sales, […]

SONY TO HELP HEAL MGM

MGM may be ready to roar again following its reemergence from bankruptcy with new leadership, but, according to a report in today’s (Wednesday) Los Angeles Times, it will be supported staunchly by Sony Pictures, which now occupies the Culver City lot that was MGM’s home during its glory days. According to the newspaper, which cited […]

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