Media Money with Julia Boorstin
featured
Microsoft debuted its long-anticipated next generation Xbox, called the "Xbox One," a device that allows users to switch more easily between entertainment options.
» Read More
More
Murdoch's Dow Jones Offer: The Bancroft Family Summit
Posted By: Julia Boorstin
Today, the Bancroft family is meeting in Boston to discuss Rupert Murdoch's Dow Jones bid, which the DJ board recently signed off on. The family is gathering at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Boston--starting with a lunch at one pm, and then meetings scheduled until 8p, ET. They're getting briefed by the family lawyer Michael Elefante about the details of the takeover bid, then they'll have time to raise concerns and ask questions.
»Read more
Harry Potter Book: Leaks, Price Won't "Hurt" Pottermania
Posted By: Julia Boorstin
I'm blogging from a Barnes and Noble which is readying for Harry Potter's final book going on sale at midnight. Handmade, full-size "magic" brooms are hanging from the ceiling and anxious Potter fans are rereading the past books in line for wristbands for tonight's pre-Potter party. This book is a pricey 35 dollars, five dollars more than the last book's listed price, and it's going to make several companies very, very happy.
»Read more
The Street: Will New Musical Sell Long Or Short With Brokers?
Posted By: Julia Boorstin
A new musical, called "The Street" about Wall Street is having a sneak peak next week in lower Manhattan and opening in the Midtown International Theater festival. The press materials say "stock shorts, long odds, undercover moles and a misanthropic metrosexual all collide." Wall Street worked as subject matter for the movie "Wall Street" as well as some other fantastic street-themed films including "Boiler Room" and "American Psycho" (well, that's the worst part of that culture).
»Read more
Social Broadcasting: New Talk Show Format?
Posted By: Julia Boorstin
Social networking isn't enough. Now there's a new online technology called "social broadcasting". A company called Now Live (nowlive.com) allows you to host an Internet based interactive talk show. Using a regular phone line--Google Talk, or Skype--you can broadcast (or simulcast) a talk show or conversation over the Internet--depending on who's doing the talking. And, all the other Now Live users you invite in can share pictures and video as well. I suppose it's like a super high-end version of video conferencing.
»Read more
Sumner Redstone Family Feud: What Happens To Empire?
Posted By: Julia Boorstin
Sumner Redstone thinks he'll live forever. Last fall on CNBC's "Conversations with Michael Eisner" when Eisner asked what his succession plan was, he said he'd live forever. If Thursday's news is any indication he was serious! It's been widely reported--first in Fortune and then also immediately in The Wall Street Journal, that Sumner and Shari Redstone had a huge falling out and that Shari would be stepping down from Viacom's board--presumably trading her stake in Viacom and CBS for full ownership of National Amusements, the theater chain which she currently runs and also has a stake in.
»Read more
Disney Launches New CDVU+ To Gain CD Sales
Posted By: Julia Boorstin
There's no question that CD sales growth is in a sad, sad decline. But Disney's not letting go so fast. Its Hollywood Records is launching today a new format called CDVU + (plus), which has much more memory than any current enhanced CD.
»Read more
Harry Potter: Has New Book Really Leaked?
Posted By: Julia Boorstin
While millions eagerly await this Friday's night release of the seventh and final Harry Potter book, photos of what appear to be the book's pages are circulating on the web. It's unclear if the leaked book is the real thing. But, I say that all this talk of leaking and piracy will NOT hurt the hallowed book's release.
»Read more
Sumner Redstone Talks: Google Lawsuit and China Inroads
Posted By: Julia Boorstin
I snagged Viacom CEO Sumner Redstone for a sit down interview during Allen & Co's day of tech panels. I was glad to catch him as last night, as Google Chariman and CEO Eric Schmidt told a bunch of reporters asking about Viacom's lawsuit against Google--that Viacom has "built its business on lawsuits."
»Read more
Google's Sergey Brin Turns Spotlight On To Media
Posted By: Julia Boorstin
Ever what happens behind the scenes at high-powered events like the Allen & Co. Media conference in Sun Valley? We caught Google co-founder Sergey Brin behind a huge Canon camera questioning the paparazzi about their gear. Always curious, he wanted to know about camera settings and lenses. And he admitted that his favorite photography subject is the paparazzi itself, showing off some of his shots taken through trees.
»Read more
Sony CEO Howard Stringer Talks! (About Content Creation)
Posted By: Julia Boorstin
This is the I caught Sony CEO Howard Stringer on his way out of the Allen & Co. media content panel. Barry Diller pulled him in at the last minute to join himself, Jeff Bezos, and Sergey Brin in the panel discussion. I asked Stringer about his perspective running a company that does both content creation--at the movie studio, music label, and video game division--and distribution (most recently through the digital distribution of the PlayStation 3.)
»Read more
About Media Money
Media Money keeps you ahead of the curve in the ever-changing but always exciting media business. From Hollywood to Bollywood, digital explosions to perils in publishing, Julia Boorstin brings you the insight you need to better understand this evolving but ever entertaining industry.
-
Working from Los Angeles, Boorstin is CNBC's media and entertainment reporter and author of CNBC.com's "Media Money" blog.