The MTV network’s ratings bounce has been fueled by new shows such as Jersey Shore and Teen Mom, along with improved ratings for legacy programs such as Real World: DC (not to mention other networks such as BET experiencing stronger ratings over the past several months). While MTV ratings are improving, along with strength in scatter advertising…
While there has not been a Madagascar feature film released since November 2008, Dreamworks Animation has been able to keep the franchise vibrant leveraging television via a Nickelodeon series and a broadcast network (NBC) holiday special. While DWA was able to begin harvesting the success of the Merry Madagascar TV special in Q4 2009 (including…
In the mid-late 90’s investors feared that Pay-Per-View (multiplexed to create what was called at the time, Near-Video-on-Demand) would destroy the video rental business, including the 800 pound rental “gorilla,” Blockbuster. While investors were clearly premature in forecasting the demise of the video rental industry, there is no disputing the fact that the traditional video…
We now have the visual proof we were looking for in our blog post (click here) from earlier this morning. The pictures below serve as irrefutable proof that Wal-Mart and Target are both actively working to limit kiosk vendors such as Redbox from buying DVDs in bulk at their stores (and we believe other retailers…
At the end of November 2009, we wrote a blog (click here) discussing the challenges that Redbox was facing having to find “work-arounds” for purchasing new release DVDs from three major Hollywood studios (Universal, Fox and Warner Bros.), whereas prior to Q3 2009 the only studio they could not buy from directly or via distributors was Universal.…
Last week, Time Warner’s HBO division relaunched its website (www.hbo.com), with a completely redesigned user interface. HBO’s website now provides a far easier method for viewers to delve deeper into HBO’s programming, become more immersed in key characters/plot-lines and to share content (nice social network integration, albeit no Facebook Connect We believe HBO is simply…
This weekend CBS formally enters the film business with the release of Extraordinary Measures (trailer below), a film starring Harrison Ford and Brenden Fraser. The film has been panned by most critics (its Rotten Tomato top critics’ score is only 16%, click here – meaning very rotten) with opening weekend box office expected to be…
Cox Communications launched landline telephony service in 1997, investing heavily in a circuit-switched phone infrastructure (Cox went private in 2004). By 2000, Cox attained 245K voice customers, 10% penetration of homes marketed and represented nearly 30% of cable industry voice subscribers (AT&T Broadband had similar penetration levels of homes marketed with 544K subs, which represented virtually…
In the middle of the day yesterday, popular tech blog Boy Genius posted what are believed but not confirmed to be new rate plans for Verizon . By the end of the day Verizon had scheduled a conference call for this morning at 8:30AM (888 790-6031) to “discuss wireless strategies to drive continued growth”. We…
Investors have wondered why America Movil did not more aggressively repurchase its stock when it swooned in 2008 and early 2009 or why management’s target debt leverage ratio seemed to slide down each year, despite an occasional large dividend issuance. Last night those questions may have been answered as America Movil announced a $20 billion…
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