Edition: U.S. / Global

Friday, April 29, 2016

Business Day Media

Dweezil Zappa at his home in Los Angeles. He plays his father’s songs but cannot use the name Zappa Plays Zappa.
Michael Lewis for The New York Times

Dweezil Zappa at his home in Los Angeles. He plays his father’s songs but cannot use the name Zappa Plays Zappa.

Frank’s son Dweezil was told by the family trust, controlled by two of his siblings, that his show Zappa Plays Zappa risked huge copyright infringement fines.

“Shrek” was a hit family franchise for DreamWorks Animation. Its new owner, NBCUniversal, can use it in its quest to compete with Disney in the global theme park, consumer products and children’s TV businesses.
DreamWorks Pictures

“Shrek” was a hit family franchise for DreamWorks Animation. Its new owner, NBCUniversal, can use it in its quest to compete with Disney in the global theme park, consumer products and children’s TV businesses.

DreamWorks Animation Sale Leaves Jeffrey Katzenberg at a Crossroads

Jeffrey Katzenberg energetically ran the boutique studio, but its fortunes often seemed star-crossed.

What I Love

Arianna Huffington’s Sleep Revolution Starts at Home

In her Manhattan apartment, the media mogul practices what she preaches: A good night’s sleep.

The Upshot

How You’re Making Facebook a Money Machine

The social media addiction of customers is feeding astonishing profits.

Rovi Buys TiVo in $1.1 Billion Deal

In acquiring TiVo, Rovi will get access to analytics about viewing habits and add 10 million households to its own 18 million.

TV Stations Agree to Sell Enough Spectrum to Meet F.C.C.’s Goal

The agency reached its maximum target for a giant airwave auction that will support the next generation of wireless Internet services.

Chris Wallace, In-House Moderate at Fox News, Has Less Predictable Targets

At a tricky moment for Fox, Mr. Wallace has been allowed leeway, even including criticizing his own network.

Ticketfly Lures 2 Prized New York Clubs Away From Ticketmaster

Ticketfly, an online upstart owned by Pandora, has reached a deal to be the exclusive ticketing provider for the Bowery Ballroom and the Mercury Lounge.

Sports of The Times

Social Media, Where Sports Fans Congregate and Misogyny Runs Amok

Two sports journalists decided to publicly address the vile messages they receive on social media, comments like “please kill yourself I will provide the bleach.”

Viacom Reports Drop in Revenue and Profit

Viacom has faced questions about its management after grappling with ratings declines, weak advertising sales and a lackluster film slate.

Suit Accuses New York Times Executives of Bias

Two women in the advertising department accuse the chief executive of The Times and a vice president of race, age and gender bias.

Company Behind ‘American Idol’ Files for Bankruptcy Protection

The company, Core Media Group, cited declining ratings and the loss of broadcasting fees and sponsors as among the reasons for the Chapter 11 filing.

Student Journalists Get Obama Access That Professionals Might Envy

A group of college journalists were treated to a surprise presidential news conference with President Obama in the White House briefing room.

DreamWorks Deal Would Serve Comcast’s Entertainment Strategy

An expected acquisition would allow Comcast to build on its successful NBCUniversal entertainment business, which includes TV, film and theme parks.

An Heir Who’s Ready to Take the Reins at New York Magazine

Two years after the editor Adam Moss told Pamela Wasserstein she ought to run the magazine bought by her father in 2004, she’s becoming chief of its parent company.

New York Times Co. Plans to Close Paris Editing and Press Operations

The changes will result in the elimination or relocation of up to 70 jobs, and are part of a plan to redesign the international print paper.

Sinosphere

‘Doctor Strange’ Writer Explains Casting of Tilda Swinton as Tibetan

C. Robert Cargill said the filmmakers wanted to avoid the character’s origins, in large part over fears of offending China and of losing access to its lucrative market.

Kelly Ripa Returns to ABC Show; Michael Strahan to Leave Early

Ms. Ripa said apologies had been made after a brouhaha over the departure of Mr. Strahan. His last day will be May 13, months ahead of schedule.

Prince Died Without a Will, According to Court Documents Filed by His Sister

The singer had no will, according to papers filed by his sister, which may complicate his financial estate and musical legacy.

Editorial

Making a Cable Merger Safe for Consumers

Regulators are right to seek important conditions before approving a deal that would combine three cable companies.

TV Sports

ESPN Host Skip Bayless Appears Headed for Fox

Bayless, who debates Stephen A. Smith on the network’s “First Take” program, is believed to be headed to Fox Sports.

Ticket Brokers in Settlement With New York Over Scalping Laws

The New York attorney general took aim at brokers who use “bots” and other methods that keep tickets out of the hands of ordinary fans.

From the Magazine
First Words

Earning the ‘Woke’ Badge

Even as some people try to get recognition for their social awareness, others are calling them out for trying to score points.

Featured
Stars With Publishing Imprints of Their Own

Stars are just like us. Except they’re richer, and now many of them have their own publishing imprints.

A Peek Inside Harry Potter’s New Hollywood World

As Universal prepares to open a new Harry Potter attraction in California, it has learned from the long lines and other issues it encountered in Florida.

So Much Streaming Music, Just Not in One Place

The gaps between what Spotify, Apple Music and others offer have been getting bigger and more complicated as artists have wielded more power in withholding their music from one outlet or another.

Aging Stars Don’t Fade Away, They Make More Movies

When word came on Tuesday that Harrison Ford, 73, would reprise his most swashbuckling role as Indiana Jones, most fans rejoiced. Here are a few late-career turns that did not turn out so well.

Twitter at 10: ‘A Window Into Other Lives’

Twitter has become a cultural phenomenon, though not one without growing pains. Neil deGrasse Tyson, Margaret Cho and others reflected on their experiences.

The 11 Executives, Lawyers and Celebrities Overseeing Viacom

These are the directors of Sumner M. Redstone’s entertainment empire, which may soon become the center of a very public power struggle.

When a Sex Tape Is Newsworthy: Privacy in the Internet Era

The Hulk Hogan sex tape case is one of several high-profile suits in which the line between news and privacy has been blurred.

AMC Is Set to Become the Biggest Movie Theater Company in the U.S.

With the announced acquisition of Carmike Cinemas, AMC Entertainment is poised to control one out of every five theaters in the country.

The Cost of Mobile Ads on 50 News Websites

Most of the data on the mobile homepages of the top 50 news websites comes from advertising, demonstrating the appeal of ad blockers.

Selected Works of David Carr

15 memorable articles, columns and video clips from Mr. Carr, a prolific media columnist for The New York Times, including his last piece that was published the day before he died.