Matthew Belloni • March 4, 2022

‘Batman’ & The Movie Pricing Predicament

If theaters are going to survive post-Covid, they very badly need to evolve the model. Does “ape”-obsessed AMC C.E.O. Adam Aron have a solution, or just another schlocky ploy?

Eriq Gardner • March 4, 2022

Netflix’s Legal Crusade in Child Erotica Law

New legal filings explain the latest developments in a bizarre legal skirmish involving an indie darling, former actor D.A., and the Texas appeals court.

Matthew Belloni • March 1, 2022

Larry David Just Shelved His Own Documentary Before It Aired

As if a plot point from Curb, the HBO star determined that a two-part film about his life, set to debut today, wasn’t up to snuff yet.

Eriq Gardner • February 28, 2022

The Bill That Could Blow Up Hollywood

Ketanji Brown Jackson could be an unpredictable vote on media cases with no easy answers. Meanwhile, a new California law is driving Netflix ballistic.

Matthew Belloni • February 28, 2022

A New Front in the #MeToo War

Timothy Hutton was accused, investigated, cleared (sort of), but still lost a lucrative job. Now Hutton is suing his former employer, setting up a legal battle with no easy answers.

Matthew Belloni • February 25, 2022

Disney Has a Weakness in the Streaming Wars

The costly implosion of the Disney+ ‘Beauty and the Beast’ prequel reveals the pressure on legacy studios to bring massive I.P.-driven shows to streaming. So why hasn’t Disney's branded TV division had more breakout hits?

Matthew Belloni • February 22, 2022

Tarantino’s ‘Pulp Fiction’ NFTs Need a Full Syringe of Adrenaline

The company behind the screenplay tokens trumpeted a $1.1 million sale then abruptly shelved more, but a mysterious new push could be a pivot to populism or just smoke and mirrors.

Eriq Gardner • February 21, 2022

Allison Gollust’s New Legal Edge

The potential new law that could help the recently departed CNN C.M.O., plus updates on WarnerMedia’s other legal headache, Bill Cosby’s future, and the MLB’s nightmare spring.

Matthew Belloni • February 18, 2022

Shari Redstone Stares Into the Streaming Abyss

Paramount+ did what Wall Street asked—and investors responded by urinating all over the parent company’s stock. As ViacomCBS becomes Paramount Global and the economics of streaming fall to earth, is chasing Netflix a winning model after all?

Matthew Belloni • February 17, 2022

More CNN Drama: Will Allison Sue?

Notes on Cuomo’s legal strategy, Zucker’s exit negotiations, Gollust’s next moves, and the Stankey factor.

Eriq Gardner • February 15, 2022

Get Ready for a ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Movie Sequel

Buried in an Alabama court document is a bombshell revelation: Harper Lee’s estate has granted the rights to her canonical novel to a group of descendants of the principals who made its 1962 Oscar-winning adaptation—all but paving the way for a future sequel one day.

Matthew Belloni • February 13, 2022

The Oscars Remembers It’s a Television Show

The Academy makes a tough vax call. But it's the right one.

Matthew Belloni • February 13, 2022

Kevin Spacey vs. The Variety Reporter

Whatta guy!

Julia Alexander • February 13, 2022

Why Disney+ Leaped as Netflix Stumbled

The Netflix doom-and-gloom narrative is likely shortsighted and apocryphal. But Disney’s recent streaming rejuvenation suggests some key factors that will dictate the winners and losers in this evolving streaming arms race.

Matthew Belloni • February 11, 2022

Inside the Matrix Lawsuit: AT&T Lights One Last Legal Fire

The suit represents more than just the implosion of a 25-year financial partnership. It could also dramatically reconfigure the relationship between studios and their partners in the streaming age.