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  • Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024
Sony's profit rises on growing sales of music, games, pictures, sensors
A logo of Sony is seen at the headquarters of Sony Corp. on May 10, 2022, in Tokyo. Japanese electronics and entertainment company Sony’s profit rose 13% in October-December on growing growing sales of music, image sensors and video games, the company said Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)
By Yuri Kageyama, Business Writer
TOKYO (AP) -- 

Japanese electronics and entertainment company Sony's profit rose 13% in October-December on growing sales of music, image sensors and video games, the company said Wednesday.

Tokyo-based Sony Corp.'s quarterly profit totaled 363.9 billion yen, or $2.4 billion, up from 321.5 billion yen the year before.

Quarterly sales for the maker of the PlayStation game machines and Bravia TV sets rose 22% to 3.7 trillion yen ($24.7 billion).

Sales were robust across its diverse business lines, which include financial services, games and networking operations and entertainment businesses including music and movies. An increase in sales of image sensors for mobile products also helped boost the company's bottom line.

Like other Japanese companies, Sony has benefited from recent exchange rate trends. The yen has weakened against the dollar, boosting the value of overseas earnings when they are converted into yen. The U.S. dollar has been More

  • Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024
One actor won't be nervous at the BAFTA Film Awards. That's David Tennant, the host
David Tennant appears at The Evening Standard Theatre Awards in London, on Nov. 19, 2023. Tennant is hosting the British Academy Film Awards on Sunday. (Photo by Scott Garfitt/Invision/AP, File)
By Hilary Fox
LONDON (AP) -- 

One actor won't be nervous as the camera comes in for a close-up at the British Academy Film Awards.

David Tennant is hosting Sunday's ceremony in London and says it's more relaxing to be the master of ceremonies than a nominee.

"I reserve the right to get back to you on the night of Feb. 18, when I'm quivering at a corner having some sort of panic attack," he says say. "It feels like a very privileged position to be in, but without the nervousness of wondering if you've won one or not. You don't have to prepare a little hastily scribbled speech in the back of an envelope. What larks."

And while comedians come under intense scrutiny when they host an awards ceremony, Tennant says there's less pressure on actors.

"This not being my day job is something of an advantage," he admits. "There's not that much expectation because this is not what I do. So if I do it terribly, then what's the harm?"

He won't have to walk the More

  • Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024
Super Bowl thriller was the most-watched program ever, averaging 123.4 million viewers
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) celebrates after the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. The Kansas City Chiefs won 25-22 against the San Francisco 49ers. (AP Photo/John Locher)
By Joe Reedy

The longest Super Bowl game will also go down as the most-watched program in television history.

According to Nielsen and Adobe Analytics, Kansas City's 25-22 overtime victory over San Francisco on Sunday night averaged 123.4 million viewers across television and streaming platforms. That shattered last year's mark of 115.1 million for Kansas City's last-play victory over Philadelphia and is a 7% increase.

The game was televised by CBS, Nickelodeon and Univision and streamed on Paramount+ as well as the NFL's digital platforms.

Nielsen also said a record 202.4 million watched at least part of the game across all networks, a 10% jump over last year's figure of 183.6 million.

The CBS broadcast averaged 120 million. The network's previous mark for its most-watched Super Bowl was 112.34 million for the 2016 game between the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers.

Some of the increase can be attributed to a change in the way More

  • Monday, Feb. 12, 2024
On Super Bowl broadcast, "He Gets Us" ads featuring Jesus gain notice for change-of-pace message
This image provided by He Gets Us LLC shows a scene from “Foot Washing," the 60-second commercial from "He Gets Us" that debuted at the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. For the second year in a row, a religious Super Bowl ad campaign promised viewers that Jesus “gets us.” Two commercials shown Sunday night centered Jesus’ message to love your neighbors — even across ideological divides. (Julia Fullerton-Batten and Scott Mayo/He Gets Us LLC via AP)
By Tiffany Stanley

For the second year in a row, a religious Super Bowl ad campaign promised viewers that Jesus "gets us."

Two commercials shown Sunday night centered Jesus' message to love your neighbors — even across ideological divides. In one, people of different races, classes and gender expressions have their feet washed, including a woman outside a family planning clinic.

"Our goal is to really show that Jesus loved and cared for anyone and everyone," He Gets Us campaign spokesperson Greg Miller told The Associated Press on Monday. He said the campaign's website received 715,000 views in the previous 24 hours.

On social media, the ads drew criticism across ideological spectrum. Some conservatives contended they were overly "woke." Other critics noted that the campaign's welcoming and progressive messages seem at odds with some of its Christian funders, who have also supported anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion causes.

Last year's ads were More

  • Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024
Box Office Slows Down On Super Bowl Weekend; "Argylle" Finishes First, "Lisa Frankenstein" Debuts In 2nd Place
This image released by Focus Features shows Kathryn Newton in a scene from "Lisa Frankenstein." (Michele K. Short/Focus Features via AP)
By Lindsey Bahr

"Lisa Frankenstein" didn't come to life at the North American box office in its first weekend in theaters. The horror comedy written by Diablo Cody and starring Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse earned $3.8 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. It debuted in second place on a very slow Super Bowl weekend, behind the spy thriller "Argylle."

Matthew Vaugn's " Argylle " got first place with only $6.5 million, which brings its running domestic total to $28.8 million in two weekends. The $200 million production is Apple's first major theatrical flop. Universal Pictures oversaw the North American release for the streamer, where it is playing in 3,605 locations. Globally, it's earned $60.1 million to date.

Focus Features released "Lisa Frankenstein" in 3,144 locations. A 1980s-set teenage riff on Mary Shelly's classic tale, "Lisa Frankenstein" was the directorial debut of Robin Williams' daughter Zelda Williams. Reviews overall were mixed More

  • Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024
Super Bowl more of a showcase for media companies instead of the network
This image released by CBS shows Justin Hartley, as Colter Shaw, in a scene from "Tracker," premiering Feb. 11. (Michael Courtney/CBS via AP)
By Joe Reedy, Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- 

Super Bowl Sunday used to be the one day for a network to showcase its sports division and launch a new show.

That is not the case anymore.

With media consolidation, the networks are now sharing the stage with its corporate siblings. That's been the case this week as Paramount showcased various programming and originated many of its shows from Las Vegas.

"The Super Bowl is the biggest media event of the year. I think you'd be crazy not to maximize it," said Josh Line, the EVP/Chief Brand Officer for Paramount Global. "I think we're doing it in our own unique way."

CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus, who will retire in April, has routinely touted CBS' synergy within Paramount. The best example is the sports division teaming up with Nickelodeon for NFL programming, including Sunday's Super Bowl.

CBS Sports was not alone in delivering programming from Las Vegas this week.

CBS had four sets overlooking the fountains More

  • Friday, Feb. 9, 2024
"Oppenheimer," "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" Among Film Winners At Advanced Imaging Society's Lumiere Awards
Cillian Murphy accepts the Lumiere Award for Best Live Action Feature Film on behalf of "Opppenheimer" and its writer-director Christopher Nolan (Getty Images/courtesy of Advanced Imaging Society)
LOS ANGELES -- 

The Advanced Imaging Society’s Lumiere Awards handed out statuettes for distinguished creative and technical achievement during its 14th annual awards luncheon on Friday (2/9) at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Among the film winners were Oppenheimer and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, while episodic TV recipients included The Last of Us and Star Wars: Visions Vol. 2.

The Lumiere Awards celebrated “Masters and Magic” this year, recognizing distinguished directors and professionals in film, television, and emerging media, voted for by members of the Hollywood creative and technology community. USC film historian J.D. Connor emphasized cinema’s unique blend of advanced technology and emotional intimacy, highlighting how innovation has long been a crucial element of cinematic storytelling. He stressed the importance of technological advancements in expanding the possibilities of storytelling, underscoring their More

  • Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024
Spike Lee, Denzel Washington reuniting for adaptation of Kurosawa's "High and Low"
Actor Denzel Washington, right, shakes hands with director Spike Lee before an NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knick in Los Angeles on March 12, 2023. Nearly 20 years after their last collaboration, Lee and Washington are reuniting for an adaptation of Akira Kurosawa’s “High and Low.” (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
NEW YORK (AP) -- 

Nearly 20 years after their last collaboration, Spike Lee and Denzel Washington are reuniting for an adaptation of Akira Kurosawa's "High and Low."

Apple Original Films announced Thursday that it is co-financing the film, which A24 will release theatrically before it streams on Apple TV+. It marks Lee and Washington's first film together since 2006's "Inside Man." Their previous films include "Mo' Better Blues," "Malcolm X" and "He Got Game."

Kurosawa's "High and Low," released in 1963 and starring Toshiro Mifune, was adapted from the Ed McBain novel "King's Ransom." The film, a potent thriller rich in class commentary, follows a wealthy industrialist targeted by kidnappers.

Filming starts in March.

  • Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024
Coming in 2026: The Oscars will add Academy Award for casting directors
An Oscar statue appears outside the Dolby Theatre for the 87th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 21, 2015. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File)
By Lindsey Bahr

Casting directors are some of the most important creatives in entertainment but have never been celebrated as such on Hollywood's biggest night. Starting next year, however, that all changes.

The Oscars will add a new award to recognize achievement in casting for films released in 2025 and beyond, the board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Thursday.

Not counting the short-lived " popular film Oscar " which never came to be, this is the first time the academy has added a category since best animated feature film was established in 2001.

"Casting directors play an essential role in filmmaking, and as the Academy evolves, we are proud to add casting to the disciplines that we recognize and celebrate," Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a joint statement.

The casting directors' branch was created in July 2013 and currently has nearly 160 members.

"This award More

  • Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024
Disney to invest $1.5 billion in "Fortnite" maker Epic Games to create games, entertainment
The Walt Disney Co. logo appears on a screen above the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Aug. 7, 2017. The Walt Disney Co. said Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, it is paying $1.5 billion for a stake in “Fortnite” maker Epic Games, working with the game developer to create a “games and entertainment universe” that will feature games, shows and characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar and more. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
BURBANK, Calif. (AP) -- 

The Walt Disney Co. said Wednesday it is paying $1.5 billion for a stake in "Fortnite" maker Epic Games, working with the game developer to create a "games and entertainment universe" that will feature games, shows and characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar and more.

"This marks Disney's biggest entry ever into the world of games and offers significant opportunities for growth and expansion," Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement.

Disney said the two companies have already collaborated on "Fortnite" content, including the Marvel "Nexus War with Galactus," which drew more than 15.3 million concurrent players.

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