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March 31, 1986 laisurebaligest 5
<br /> Sunday paper goes to about 1.6 million The 'scrambling' issue has been heating
<br /> 1110people. Ads generate revenues of about up in Washington for several months, the
<br /> $13 million. Half of Times readers have WSJournal noted (3/24) and executives of
<br /> college degree or higher and live in house- Time Inc. (Home Box Office) , Viacom Intl
<br /> holds that earn more than $35,000 a year. and Tele-Communications Inc. are forward-
<br /> ing documents to the Justice Dept., which
<br /> is conducting an investigation.
<br /> TV - MOVIES - V C R The three TV networks want changes in
<br /> 1970 rules that prohibt them from selling
<br /> their programs and from holding an inter-
<br /> A three-year survey by Columbia Pictures est in programs produced for prime time,
<br /> on entertainment choices of 12,000 fami- which are then syndicated. The "rerun"
<br /> lies did not have much encouragment for market is estimated at $1 billion a year
<br /> filmmakers; conducted the past 3 Septem- (WSJ 3/24) ; studios and networks are far
<br /> bers, the survey showed that among the apart in any possible settlement, despite
<br /> 10-19 age group, going to movies had de- meeting this month.
<br /> clined 23%. The over-50 age group, though,
<br /> attended 11% more films last year than in
<br /> 1983. What is not clear is how the chang- NFL Films got a jump on the Super Bowl
<br /> ing demographics affected findings: there and had the Chicago Bears' 1985 season
<br /> are fewer young people and more older ones. in the can in early February, rather than
<br /> May--and that gamble has paid off with
<br /> Everyone agrees that the film box office sales of more than 120,000 cassettes, at
<br /> has stayed level, for a number of competi- $19.95. Last year's champions, the San
<br /> tive reasons (VCR the toughest one) . The Francisco 49ers, cassette sold 5,000
<br /> board of governors of the Natl Assn of copies.
<br /> Theator Owners heard from Col Pic exec
<br /> Peter Seeley that the industry promote a The fickle TV viewer has done it again,
<br /> "Go Out and See a Movie" campaign." to 'Good Morning, America' again to the
<br /> "A-Team.' The ABC/GMA show had pulled
<br /> away from competition (Today, CBS Morning
<br /> •Escalating costs of TV series, especially Newsl last year and was a moneymaker. Now
<br /> the hour-long segments, will transform it's slipping fast, and extensive rework
<br /> next season, as low cost sitcoms return, is planned. Despite guest stars and hype
<br /> Even high-priced hits could take on a dif- NBC's 'A-Team" also is slipping.
<br /> ferent look. Studios would take a loss * * * * * * *
<br /> upfront on series, such as "Magnum, F.I.," Oscar nominations are perhaps compliment
<br /> because the investment would come back in
<br /> syndication. Where "Miami Vice" costs enough in themselves, but 'Color Purple'
<br /> Universal about $1.25 million an episode people must have been surprised and more
<br /> (and NBC pays $950,000 for 2 showings) , than slightly disappointed at Academy
<br /> 'Magnum' was syndicated for about $1.8 Awards shutout. "Out of Africa" also had
<br /> million a show. Now, however, the inde- 11 nominations; 7 awards were made. Now
<br /> pendent buyers of syndicated shows are to see how that translates at box office.
<br /> beginning to balk at high prices--and are
<br /> beginning to produce their own material. Metromedia, in largest sale of radio sta-
<br /> tions ever, gets out of broadcasting. In
<br /> all, sale of TV/radio outlets totaled $3
<br /> The Cannon Group, noted for its low bud- billion past year.
<br /> get adventure films (Runaway Train, Death
<br /> Wish III) , is looking for a more respect-
<br /> able image (and perhaps more financing) Whether 'pay per view" has an immediate
<br /> in its announcement that Cannon has signed market will be tested over the Memorial
<br /> Anthony Quinn to star in "Zorba" remake Day weekend when "Rocky IV' is offered
<br /> of 1964 film and Broadway play. Cannon to cable homes at same time video hits
<br /> also has signed Al Pacino for "American stores. The Natl Cable TV Assn. , meeting
<br /> Buffalo" film of Broadway play, and for in Dallas this month, assesses p-p-v in
<br /> remake of 1970 film, "The Investigation". its infancy (Variety) ; the technology to
<br /> • Company's long-term debt jumped last year connect with possible 7 million homes
<br /> from $14 million at end of 1984 to $73 (termed "addressable") is in early stage.
<br /> million last September. Cannon made its
<br /> track record on films such as "Treasure
<br /> of the Four Crowns," which grossed $10 Warner Brothers has been getting top re-
<br /> million in U.S. on $2 million budget. views from Wall Street, even though none
<br /> of top 5 films of 1985 were theirs; WB had
<br /> 7 of the next 15 and took in more money
<br />
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