The live music industry hit record-high earnings at the halfway mark of 2024, but soaring ticket prices and slowing audience growth painted a mixed picture for its long-term prospects. However, fresh Q3 2024 data offers a more encouraging outlook, though the persistent issue of affordability remains a concern. Pollstar’s latest figures, covering the top 100 global tours from November 2023 to August 2024, show the industry rebounding after a turbulent few years. The best 100 tours grossed an impressive $5.68 [...]

The Los Angeles TV and film production industry saw a sharp decline in the third quarter of 2024, with filming activity dipping below levels seen during the 2023 strike. FilmLA reported 5,048 shoot days in Q3, the weakest quarter of the year so far, and a 36.4% drop from its five-year average. Reality TV took the hardest hit, plunging 56.3% from last year, reflecting a larger contraction in the unscripted sector. Production in the Greater LA area fell 5% compared [...]

At the tenth edition of the MIA-International Audiovisual Market in Rome, the sixth APA (Association of Italian Audiovisual Producers) Report reveals that the Italian audiovisual industry is growing and entering a new phase. The report highlights that the industry's value in 2023 has nearly doubled compared to 2017, exceeding 2 billion euros and achieving a steady annual growth rate of 11.6%. Television remains the primary audiovisual medium, generating revenues of €8.2 billion in 2023 (71% of the total market). At [...]

Amazon's streaming service, often seen as a financial loss to support its broader e-commerce ambitions, is evolving into a self-contained marketplace. The recent agreement to offer Apple TV+ subscriptions via Prime Video Channels marks another step in the largest online retailer and technology provider’s strategy to become, as CEO Andy Jassy once said: “The center of the entertainment universe”. Bringing Apple’s TV channel into its ecosystem strengthens Amazon’s position in the streaming aggregation space, moving it closer to its competitors. [...]

As Netflix prepares for its Q3 earnings report, speculation grows over whether the company will change its talent compensation structure. Netflix pioneered the “upfront buyout” model, paying substantial sums to secure A-list talent. However, rumors suggest a shift towards a traditional studio approach—less money upfront with potential backend payouts based on success. Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria, speaking at Bloomberg’s Screentime conference, denied these claims, stating, “We are not changing our compensation model,” despite acknowledging a few bespoke deals that [...]

SAG-AFTRA and the major video game companies are set to resume in-person negotiations on October 23, as the strike that began on July 26 nears its third month. The strike, which affects some of the largest names in the video game industry, was triggered after prolonged negotiations over the Interactive Media Agreement stalled, leaving both sides operating without a contract since November 2022. The union's dispute with video game companies centers on the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in the [...]