AWARDS HEADLINES
This Has Happened Before: How Gregory Peck Led A Revolution And Infused Youth & Diversity In The Oscars
For all the talk about “historic” moves to change the makeup of the membership and Board of Governors in response to a threatened Oscar boycott over a woeful lack of diversity in the last two Oscar nomination classes, the Academy faced similar crisis before, and found a way to make it work. Nearly 50 years ago, none other than Atticus Finch himself used his position to oversee a series of sweeping changes in 1967 when he was first elected. (AL)
Carriage Dispute May Result in Oscars Blackout for Some Cox Customers
A consumer watchdog group yesterday warned thousands of consumers that they could miss the Super Bowl and the Oscars due to Nexstar Broadcasting’s dispute with Cox Communications. Three days ago, Cox and Nexstar said they failed to reach an agreement on an increased distribution fee and consumers in nine markets lost access to their local affiliates, including CBS in Las Vegas as well as ABC, Fox and NBC elsewhere. (HRB)
OTHER HEADLINES
Film & TV Deals for 2/3/16: Hulu & IFC Films Team Up, XLrator Media Launches Lifeframe, CBS & NBC to Both Air NFL Games
Lots going on this week, including a new financing deal for Relativity Media, a new partnership between Discovery Communications and the BBC, and a multi picture deal between Open Road Films and Crystal City Entertainment/Boundary Stone Films. Click on the link to read all about it. (SSN)
Rep Moves for 2/3/16: Minnie Driver Shifts to CAA, Jason Clarke Signs with WME, UTA Snags Sundance ‘Trash Fire’ Director
Plenty of movement happening in Hollywoodland, including a new rep for Meg Ryan and a couple of YouTube stars landing at agencies, as well. To read on, click the link. (SSN)
SSN Events Calendar: All the Award Shows Including the Oscars Along with ‘Deadpool’ & YouTube Red Bowing in February
The final push begins for the 88th Annual Academy Awards and this year Spotlight, The Revenant, Room and many others will compete for accolades at the big show on February 28th. But, there’s still plenty of voting deadlines and other guild awards that pave the way to the Dolby Theater including the DGA, BAFTA and WGA Awards. (SSN)
Sumner Redstone Finally Resigns as CBS Chairman, Will Be Replaced By Les Moonves
Redstone, 92 and in poor physical health, stepped down effective Tuesday and was appointed chairman emeritus. His daughter, Shari Redstone, will continue to serve as vice chairman, as she has since 2005. Moonves said he is honored to accept the chairmanship and thanked Redstone for his guidance and support over the years. (THR)
Nostalgia Still Draws, as FX Sets Records With Its ‘American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson’ Premiere
Cable net will again wait for three days’ worth of time-shifted viewing before making its ratings pronouncements, but the same-day numbers released Wednesday by Nielsen were pretty impressive. In fact, the show set a viewership record for a series premiere with 5.11 million viewers — eclipsing the previous same-day record of 4.83 million for the network’s first-ever drama, The Shield. (VAR)
Greg Berlanti’s Worlds Are Colliding, as ‘The Flash’ and ‘Supergirl’ Will Have a Crossover Event
Grant Gustin, who leads The CW’s The Flash, is officially set to guest-star on an upcoming episode of CBS’ Supergirl, which stars Melissa Benoist as the titular superheroine. The episode is scheduled to air Monday, March 28th at 9/8c on CBS. A potential Flash Supergirl crossover has been the subject of much speculation since before Supergirl even hit the airwaves. (SF)
Syfy Picks Up ‘Incorporated’ Thriller From Matt Damon & Ben Affleck To Series
Created by David & Alex Pastor, who wrote and directed the pilot, Incorporated is set in a near future where corporations have unlimited power. It centers on a young executive who conceals his true identity to infiltrate a very dangerous corporate world to save the woman he loves. But he’ll soon learn that he’s not the only one whose secrets might have deadly consequences. (DH)
It’s Never Too Late to Invest In Your Future: The 15 Most Popular Free Online Courses for Professionals
We live in a time where we all have access to an elite education at our fingertips, not to mention completely free of charge. All you have to do is create a free account at Coursera, and you’ll be ready to take your career into your own hands and become the seasoned professional you’re capable of being. (INC)