ESPN Announces Layoffs
Cable sports network ESPN will lay off about 400 workers as part of cost-cutting efforts by parent company Walt Disney Co. of Burbank.
Future of Effects
‘Previs’ looks to ride blockbuster trend
Previsualization firms are getting a piece of the Hollywood action as effects-heavy movies make big box office.
Soundtrack Technology Looks to Torpedo Pirates
SECURITY: Cinavia code stops Blu-ray players from accessing stolen content.
Sony Pictures Entertainment and its studio counterparts are trying to turn pirates into paying customers.
Iger Makes $39.7 Million on Disney Stock Sale
Bob Iger’s salary was $40.2 million last year. But he made nearly as much in a day with a recent stock sale.
Skechers Swings to Profit
Skechers USA Inc. said that it moved to a profit in the first quarter, as sales increased for its performance footwear.
Plane Parts Maker’s Stock Falls Back Down to Earth
AVIATION: Ducommun shares hurt by poor sales in mining, natural resources.
Natural resources and mining operations help ground shares of airplane parts maker Ducommun.
News Show Gives Small Cap Firms Screen Time
TELEVISION: ‘MoneyTV’ takes fee to let executives talk up companies’ stocks.
“MoneyTV” wants to help tune up small cap company stocks by getting investors tuned in.
Disney Makes ‘Star Wars’ Video Game Deal With EA
Walt Disney Co. announced Monday it has reached a deal for future “Star Wars” video games to be developed by Electronic Arts, a Redwood City game publisher with significant operations in Playa Vista.
Shutterbug Service Still Has Magazines Covered
PHOTOGRAPHY: MPTV also has packaged its classic celebrity shots for books.
Small shop broadens its focus beyond magazines with books featuring shots of classic celebrities
DreamWorks Has Unexpected Profit
DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. on Tuesday reported it generated a profit in its most recent quarter, although Wall Street had expected a loss.
Moving Seats Shake Up Mexican Film Exhibition
CINEMA: MediaMation signs deal for chairs with Cinemex theater chain.
MediaMation has sold its “4-D” technology to theme parks and other attractions for more than two decades.
Comedy Producer Looks to Field Sports Content
ENTERTAINMENT: Two genres touted as natural teammates by New Wave.
Producer of stand-up comedy specials New Wave looks to play ball with sports-themed content.
L.A. Scores Shoots
PHOTOGRAPHY: Production sector soars in first quarter with boost from automobile and fashion advertising.
L.A. shoots rose in a flash during the first quarter with an assist from auto and fashion advertising.
Video Streamer Goes Live With Expansion Plan
AEG Digital signs deal with the goal of becoming a big fish in streaming technology.
Fresh Spin
MUSIC: Record label Varèse Sarabande looks to double its output of film soundtracks with assist from new parent.
New parent hopes to tune up record label Varèse Sarabande’s movie soundtrack business.
Success In the Cards?
Philosophie gets down to business with game about Web development.
Web development firm Philosophie now deals in entertainment with a card game based on its industry.
Wrapping Up At Rap Station?
RADIO: Buyer may switch KDAY to Chinese language.
Rap station KDAY faces the music as new owner is likely to switch to Chinese-language programming.
Disney Layoffs Announced
Walt Disney Co. has begun a new round of layoffs as part of the Burbank entertainment giant’s latest attempt to cut costs.
KDAY to Turn Chinese?
Old school hip-hop station KDAY (93.5) of Redondo Beach and Inland Empire sister station KDEY (93.5) have been sold to investors who might switch KDAY to a Chinese-language format.
Buttoning Up Sports History On Screen
Prop house’s authentic baseball jerseys use wool and drop zippers.
Sports Studio Ventures goes to bat for authenticity with its uniforms for new Jackie Robinson film.
Channel Hopes to Laugh Last With Comedy Show
TELEVISION: NuvoTV sees program as means to develop additional fare.
The debut of 10-episode stand-up comedy series “Stand Up & Deliver” last week on Latino-focused NuvoTV was the start of a larger effort at the Glendale-based cable channel to build out its original programming.
Set-Up, Delivery
ENTERTAINMENT: Laugh Factory sees online platform as next stage in club chain’s expansion.
Laugh Factory isn’t joking about its plans for an online network for comedy content.
Burkle’s Firm Adds Two Hospitality Interests
Billionaire Ron Burkle’s L.A. investment firm Yucaipa Cos. has acquired ownership stakes in two hospitality businesses.
Dole Closes $1.7 Billion Sale
Dole Food Co. Inc. of Westlake Village announced Monday it has closed on the sale of two international businesses as part of a major company restructuring.
Edison Inks Solar Contract
Southern California Edison has signed a 20-year deal to buy energy from a solar farm in Kern County.
Public Relations Vet Spins Firm Into $1 Million Sale
PR: Michael Levine to serve as consultant for buyer Icon Builder.
Michael Levine has nothing but good things to say about the buyer of his public relations business.
Newspaper Chain Thrives on Link to Chairman
PUBLISHING: Investments guided by Charlie Munger lift Daily Journal stock.
Newspaper chain Daily Journal’s stock is making headlines with help from Chairman Charlie Munger.
Making Call On Philanthropy
Platinum, gold iPhone cases help Brikk cover charitable pursuit.
Brikk, a maker of precious metal iPhone covers, looks to push the right buttons with its philanthropic business model
The Week’s Biggest Movers
The Los Angeles Business Journal’s index of largest local public companies rose for the week, as the broader markets posted gains as well.
Participant Media to Launch New Cable Channel
L.A. production company Participant Media announced its plans on Wednesday to launch a new cable channel called Pivot.
Burkle, Beckman Form TV, Digital Content Studio
Billionaire Ron Burkle has made his latest investment in the entertainment industry, partnering with media veteran Richard Beckman to launch a branded TV and digital content studio called Three Lions Entertainment.
Lingerie Firm Straps In Cash
APPAREL: New ownership aims to shape up Frederick’s.
New Frederick’s of Hollywood owner reveals plans for the lingerie company’s recovery.
Making News
Steve Carlston works to return KNBC to top of L.A.’s nightly coverage.
Steve Carlston is channeling change as he works to improve the ratings for KNBC (Channel 4).
New Magazine Positive About Show Biz Coverage
PUBLISHING: Hollywood Journal to accent spiritual entertainment stories.
Even with the glut of show business coverage already available online, Tribe Media Corp. felt there was still a niche to fill: coverage of positive entertainment stories and the various mensches in the business.
Satellite Provider Circles Content
TV: DirecTV goes ‘Rogue’ in hope that new drama draws subscribers.
Satellite broadcaster DirecTV hopes to pull more subscribers into its orbit with original drama “Rogue.”
Report: Koch Brothers Eye L.A. Times
Billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch are considering a bid for the Los Angeles Times, according to a report Tuesday by L.A. Weekly.
YouTube Channel Pushes Play on Movie Project
FILM: AwesomenessTV looks to broaden reach with band documentary.
YouTube content is making the sizable jump to cable TV with greater frequency.
Not All Campaign Ad Buys Translate for KMEX
TV: Station sees little spending from candidates despite leading ratings.
Spanish-language KMEX would like to channel more of mayoral candidates’ ad spending.
Dodgers Hope Pitch Connects
Team looks to leave McCourts in past with ‘Whole New Blue’ ads.
Dodgers step up to the plate with “A Whole New Blue” ad campaign to shake memories of the McCourt years.
Content Partners Buys Stake in CSI
Long-running television franchise, “CSI” has a new owner: L.A. entertainment finance firm Content Partners LLC.
Sunset Strip’s Famed Key Club to Close
Historic Sunset Strip hotspot the Key Club will close its doors March 15, the club’s manager announced Monday.
Online Fee For All
INTERNET: MediaPass’ paywall services help publishers put price on content.
MediaPass’ paywall services let publishers give online content to readers for a fee.
Comedy Producer Serious About Syndication Model
TV: Debmar-Mercury sees 10-90 plan add up to deal for ‘Anger Management.’
Debmar-Mercury hopes to laugh all the way to syndication with its 10-90 comedy production model.
L.A. Mayor’s ‘Jobs Czar’ to Resign
Matthew Karatz, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s deputy mayor for the Office of Economic and Business Policy, will resign his post on Friday.
DreamWorks Moves to Loss
Glendale animation studio DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. swung to a fourth quarter loss due to large write-downs related to its latest release, “Rise of the Guardians.”
Broadcasters Signal Increased Interest in Internet
TV: AMC, CW to expand digital content; Fox invests in YouTube channel.
At the top of many concerns for broadcasters is the idea that young viewers aren’t even watching TV during prime time anymore, preferring to go online and watch videos on YouTube.
AEG Evaluating Second Round of Bids
Entertainment giant AEG is considering the second round of bids for its properties that include the Staples Center and Los Angeles Kings.
The Week’s Biggest Movers
The Los Angeles Business Journal’s index of largest local public companies closed down slightly for the week as the broader markets fell due to concerns that the U.S. Federal Reserve may scale back its bond-buying program.
Occidental Launches CEO Search
Occidental Petroleum Corp. announced Friday that it has begun its search for a successor to Chief Executive Stephen Chazen.
DreamWorks to Develop Russian Theme Parks
DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. announced Friday it has entered a partnership to develop three theme parks in Russia and plans for one of them to be the largest indoor theme park in Europe.
Prev Next
>>