‘Strange World’ box office bomb; Fox/DirectTV blackout; and more
Welcome to Deadline Morning Rush, a daily newsletter curated exclusively for LinkedIn. It’s the perfect compliment to your morning coffee. Enjoy.
The Strange Case Of Disney’s Box Office Bomb, ‘Strange World’
After a disastrous start at the global box office this weekend, Disney Animation’s Strange World is poised to lose some $147 million, but that’s not spilt milk for the entertainment conglomerate to cry over.
Nevertheless, the performance has prompted discussion about what’s really prime for theatrical and what’s ideal for streaming. Such questions will have easier answers in the post Bob Chapek-Kareem Daniel era with Bob Iger’s move to put distribution and P&L decisions back in the hands of the studio’s creative heads an indication that smarter creative and financial decisions are afoot at the studio.
In the meantime, there's plenty to chew on about why Disney opted for theatrical on a movie it knew had bad audience diagnostics. The studio has a history of launching a family animated title over Thanksgiving, something audiences have come to expect. Had it pulled another title from the theatrical schedule and sent it to streaming, there would also have been an uproar from exhibition. What’s more, had Strange World gone straight to Disney+, it would have been a PR nightmare for the studio, particularly in the wake of Chapek’s Florida “Don’t Say Gay” quagmire. (The film features a gay character.)
Read the full story here.
Related: ‘Glass Onion’ Sets Theatrical Record For Netflix
Fox Warns Viewers About Potential DirecTV Blackout
A few days before the expiration of a carriage deal with DirecTV, Fox Corp. is warning viewers of its networks about a potential blackout as the companies continue to negotiate. The looming deadline is December 2 at midnight PT and an impasse could affect high-profile programming like the Big Ten championship game, World Cup soccer and the NFL. In a statement, DirecTV said the outcome of the situation “depends solely on Fox.”
Read the full story here.
Related: Michigan-Ohio State Is Fox’s Most Watched Regular Season College Game
Cheryl Burke Dedicates Touching Message To ‘DWTS’ Partners
In the wake of stepping down from Dancing with the Stars after 26 seasons, Cheryl Burke shared a poignant message with her dance partners saying they have each “played a pivotal role in my life." She continued, "Though there were times of blood, sweat, and tears, I can confidently say that regardless of it all, not a single one has ever let me down.”
Read the full story here.
MORE NEWS:
‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Leaps To $676M Worldwide, ‘Strange World’ Inanimate
Black Friday Online Sales Expected To Top $9 Billion
Upcoming Deadline Events:
- Contenders International, 12/3
- Contenders Docs, 12/4
- Contenders Final Round, 12/10
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Edited by Thomas Tapp, Dade Hayes, Nancy Tartaglione, and Scott Shilstone.
Owner, DFT Audio Visual, Inc.
2yIt's all starting to make sense... and I haven't even finished my coffee.
Realtor Associate @ Next Trend Realty LLC | HAR REALTOR, IRS Tax Preparer
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