Morning Fix: ‘Transformers’ far from extinct! Inside Comcast’s octopus.
After the coffee. Before saying goodbye to June gloom.
The Skinny: I was bummed to hear Bobby Womack died. I saw him open for the Rolling Stones back in 1981 and regret not taking the time to listen to more of his music. I did pick up his soundtrack for “Across 110th Street,†a great 1970s blaxploitation flick starring Yaphet Kotto and Anthony Quinn. Today’s headlines include the weekend box office recap and a deep dive into Comcast as it looks to acquire Time Warner Cable.
Daily Dose: Aereo told its subscribers Saturday that it is suspending its subscription antenna service in the wake of last week’s Supreme Court ruling that found the start-up service to be in violation of the Copyright Act. However, Aereo said it isn’t shutting down yet. Given that Aereo has said it won’t pay broadcasters to transmit their signals, it is unclear what other options the company has.
So much for extinction. “Transformers: Age of Extinction,†the latest chapter in the “Transformers†franchise, hit the $100-million mark in its opening weekend in North America. The movie took in an additional $201 million in China, Russia and Australia. It will open in Europe and Latin America when the World Cup concludes. Coming in a distant second was “22 Jump Street†followed by “How to Train Your Dragon 2†and “Think Like a Man Too.†Box office recaps from the Los Angeles Times and Hollywood Reporter.
Right-hand man. Meet Ian Bryce, the man who often makes action director Michael Bay’s visions a reality. Bryce, who first met Bay when both were just starting out at Lucasfilms (Bryce parked cars, Bay was an intern), has become Hollywood’s go-to producer to shepherd big budget event films from inception to the big screen. “When you put him on a movie, it’s like having someone tuck you in bed at night,†said Paramount Film Group Chief Adam Goodman. The Wall Street Journal on Bryce.
The octopus. Already the nation’s biggest cable operator and one of the largest content suppliers, Comcast is now trying to acquire Time Warner Cable leading some to compare the company to an “a nationwide octopus with massive tentacles.†Comcast CEO Brian Roberts doesn’t see it quite that way. He just wants to offer everyone everything. “It seemed to me the perfect company for the 21st century would be one that was technology-orientated with great content and national scale,†he tells the Los Angeles Times.
Broadening the audience. Jarl Mohn, who takes over as chief executive of NPR this week, is the fifth CEO the public radio service has had in eight years. With that much turmoil behind the scenes, it’s not too surprising that there hasn’t been much change on-the-air. Mohn hopes to broaden NPR’s reach and make it more diverse. Such a push will have to start in the newsroom, which is almost 80% white and recently canceled the one show specifically targeting black listeners. The New York Times on the new leadership at NPR.
Indictment. Charles Lewis, founder of the Center for Public Integrity and a journalism professor at American University, was once a top producer at ABC News and CBS’ “60 Minutes.†But Lewis quickly grew frustrated at the lack of commitment to hard-hitting investigative pieces at the networks and the internal politics one had to play to get pieces on the air. He dishes some old dirt in Politico.
Inside the Los Angeles Times: Melissa McCarthy hopes to keep her hot streak at the box office going with “Tammy.â€
Follow me on Twitter. I’m tired of giving you reasons why. @JBFlint.
From the Oscars to the Emmys.
Get the Envelope newsletter for exclusive awards season coverage, behind-the-scenes stories from the Envelope podcast and columnist Glenn Whipp’s must-read analysis.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
