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The article discusses Hollywood's intensifying efforts to combat online piracy as it seeks to protect streaming revenue. Topics discussed include the hiring of former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) official Larissa L. Knapp to lead the Motion Picture Association's antipiracy drive, the challenges posed by overseas piracy operations, and the push for new U.S. legislation to block access to international piracy sites.

The article highlights various aspects of the Golden Globes ceremony, including "Barbie" winning in the best blockbuster category, celebrities dressing thematically, Jo Koy's flat opening monologue, Ali Wong and Steven Yeun's double wins for "Beef," entertaining speeches with a twist,.

The article discusses that Moonbug Entertainment, a children's media company has announced an expansion into video games with a launch of video game, "CoComelon: Play With JJ."

The article reports on the goal of the U.S. film and television production company Vice Studios to expand its operation. Vice Studios chief executive officer (CEO) Nancy Dubuc has mandated Danny Gabai, head of Vice Studios U.S., to increase the number of television shows for outside buyers and to continue to produce feature films. The company has decided to lay off 10 percent of its work force.

The article discusses entertainment company Sony Entertainment's Sony Pictures Television division as of August 18, 2013, highlighting the television studio's financial contribution to Sony Entertainment. Topics addressed include the disclosure of Sony Pictures television's finances, the views of Sony Pictures Television president Steve Mosko, and the studio's efforts to generate successful cable television series.

The article focuses on television writers returning to work after the three-month strike by the Writers Guild of America which ended February 12, 2008. Shane Brennan, executive producer of the television program "NCIS," admits he cannot remember what scripts the program was creating when the strike began. Writers compared their return to their first day in high school. A huge amount of work is needed to create original episodes for the programs before the end of the 2007-1008 season.

The article reports on the speculations that the Writers Guild of America might go on an indefinite strike from November 1, 2007. It is mentioned that the strike would have an adverse effect on the U.S. entertainment industry as the broadcasting of many television serials including "Lost" would be delayed.

This article reports on Stephen McPherson's performance as head of Walt Disney Co.'s broadcast television empire, ABC Entertainment. McPherson must identify hit scripts and balance huge budgets while appearing to work at increasing shareholder returns. McPherson, however, exhibits a blunt, temperamental style that sometimes creates strained relationships. McPherson's contract ends in 2008 and the success of the 2007-2008 television season could determine whether Disney CEO Roger A. Iger will renew his contract

The article reports that NBC Universal has decided not to renew their contract with Apple for the online iTunes sales of their television programming. Contract talks came to a standstill over pricing issues for the digital downloads. NBC shows such as "Battlestar Galactica," "Heroes," and "The Office" are some of the most popular television programs downloaded from iTunes. The current contract runs through December 2007.

The article reports that television networks are relying on familiar actors to boost their new shows' popularity. Once considered too risky, as audiences were likely to identify them with their old parts and be turned off by older characters, experienced actors are now being used to lure audiences whose attentions are divided by a number of new media.

The article focuses on Paula Deen, a 59-year-old cook who will host the television show "Paula's Party" on the Food Network beginning September 29, 2006. Deen's accessible southern personality is a new approach from the Food Network, which made a name for itself giving shows to culinary chefs such as Mario Batali, Bobby Flay and others.

The article reports that the major broadcast networks are launching a number of online channels dedicated to providing web video to niche audiences. NBC's parent company General Electric is launching a online network aimed at gay men, another for comedy programming and a third featuring cancelled television shows. Other networks are launching similarly specific programs.

The article discusses the initiative undertaken by fans of the television program "Veronica Mars." This program is threatened with possible cancellation by the new CW network, which replaces the Warner Brothers and UPN networks. The article discusses the deluge of letters and gifts that Dawn Ostroff, head of the CW Network, has received.

The article reports that two highly popular TV shows will be facing off on Sunday nights, HBO's "The Sopranos" and ABC's "Desperate Housewives." Such a face-off is increasingly uncommon, as fragmented audiences make networks fearful of too much competition. The stakes are high for both networks. ABC is relying on the success of "Desperate Housewives" to keep its ratings lead over rival CBS, while "The Sopranos" is the last of HBO's group of blockbuster shows that redefined the network.

The article reports on new television shows that feature nerds in the lead roles, among them "Four Kings" and "How I Met Your Mother." The less-than-perfect characters are easier for audiences to relate to and may reflect their creators more than the perfectly polished leading men of the past. A inset lists shows that feature dorks and losers in lead roles.

The article profiles the television series "Desperate Housewives," which is simultaneously produced in English and Spanish. Reference is made to ABC's decision to become the first old-line network to make its entire primetime lineup bilingual. It is likely that this strategy will boost ad revenue for parent Walt Disney Co. However, the decision has also strained the production cycle with subtitles for most and dubbing for four high-profile shows. The article considers the obstacles faced by the network as a result of the tight turnaround time and the challenges to translating certain slang words into Spanish.

The article reports on the possibility that CBS will invite NBC's "Today" show anchor Katie Couric to succeed Dan Rather as the anchor of its "Evening News" program. By doing so, the network would undermine NBC's "Today," which is celebrating ten years as the top-rated morning program. It is also the most profitable news show on television, as opposed to the evening news shows which have been in decline for several decades. Ms. Couric is probably the highest-paid person in TV news and has become a celebrity. However, the article suggests that at 49 she is beginning to lose some of her appeal for younger audiences. It states that Ms. Couric is eager to ensure her reputation as a serious journalist despite some criticism to the contrary.

The article reports that Oprah Winfrey and Martha Stewart are launching sales of DVDs of their television programs even as sales of DVDs have slowed. Reasons for the decline include an overabundance of DVDs in the home of many people, poor products being released, and slowing sales of DVD players. It is also difficult to compete when there are already so many titles available. Oprah Winfrey will be offering highlights from her talk show and Martha Stewart has released four themed DVDs.

The article reports that some new television shows are using computer-generated special effects to transform television programming. It is now possible to take advantage of technological innovations that are affordable and imaginative. Some examples are listed, including ABC's "Invasion," NBC's "Surface," and WB's "Supernatural." Television viewers, influenced by DVDs that bring motion picture effects to the television screen, are demanding these kinds of special effects on TV programs. In order to compete, networks must feature elaborate visual effects on certain programs.

The article reports on a new corporate strategy at CBS and NBC. These broadcasters are having to abandon their traditional business model characterized by broadcasting shows for free and selling advertisements to make money. A recent decision will make primetime shows available through video-on-demand at a charge of 99 cents a download. The major networks are hoping to convince consumers that television shows are products for purchase. Television executives do not know how shows will be delivered in the future or what sort of technology will be used to deliver them. The networks have made deals with cable and satellite providers, who are in turn threatened by the Internet which allows viewers to watch TV without an intermediary.

Focuses on new marketing tactics being implemented by television networks to promote new shows for the fall season. Review of how CBS is advertising its new sitcom "Out of Practice" on drugstore prescription bags and water coolers; Discussion of how NBC is pushing the reality series "Three Wishes" on 100,000 actual dollar bills; Reports that some marketing experts see the new move to unconventional marketing methods as an unspoken admission from broadcasters that their commercials are weakening as sales tools.

Offers a look at the role of studio audiences in selling television programs to viewers. Emphasis on the audience as an extension of popular reality television programs; Claim that television viewers like to see ordinary people acting spontaneously; Use of the studio audience in "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and on a program featuring Martha Stewart; History of the use of live studio audiences; Report that the coordinating producer for the reality television program "American Idol" is in charge of picking people from the ticket line for prominent seats in the audience.

Focuses on the reality television program "Dancing With the Stars," featuring professional ballroom dancers with celebrities, which airs on Walt Disney Co.'s ABC television network. Description of the show; Comments from Andrea Wong, the network's executive vice president for alternative programming, discussing the premise of the show; Television ratings for the show in Britain, where the program originated; Wong's assessment of the evolution of reality television programs; Other programs related to dancing that will be appearing on cable and broadcast networks; How producers pitched the idea to Wong.

Reviews the television sitcom, "Everybody Hates Chris," which will premier on Viacom Inc.'s UPN in September 2005. Description of the show, which is based on the childhood of comedian Chris Rock; Role of Rock in writing and narrating the show; Positive reaction of advertisers to a screening of the program's pilot episode.

Examines the efforts of television networks to attract affluent viewers in light of a decline in overall viewers. Reasons why NBC is bringing back the low-rated "The Office," and not the high-rated "Committed," suggesting wealthy viewers like "The Office"; Comments from Kevin Reilly, NBC's president of entertainment, regarding the decision to keep "The Office" on NBC's lineup; Analysis of the current television viewer ratings, noting how little separates the four major networks -- NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox; Premium that NBC used to charge advertisers for delivering wealthier viewers; Changes in viewer monitoring enacted by the ratings agency Neilsen Media Research, indicating a new ability to measure high-income households; View that determining which shows are the most appealing to upscale viewers is difficult.

Focuses on sitcoms on television networks and discusses efforts to revamp the sitcom formula, which has not been successful. Plots of non-traditional sitcoms, including "The Office" and "Thick and Thin," to be offered by NBC; Belief in the television industry that younger viewers don't want the stale sitcom format that's been around since the beginning of television; Examples of newer sitcoms, such as "Arrested Development" on News Corp.'s Fox network, suffering poor ratings while traditional sitcoms, such as "Two and a Half men" on Viacom's CBS network, is successful; Plans of CBS to feature "Two and a Half Men" on its Monday night lineup; Discussion of how to create a sitcom hit, noting a lot depends on luck; Belief of one executive at an ad-buying firm that people aren't tired of sitcoms, but rather they are tired of poorly executed ones.

The article offers news briefs related to the entertainment industry as of September 22, 2014 on topics including the film "The Maze Runner" by Wes Ball, the television program "True Detective" starring Colin Farrell and the release of the e-books of the novelist Gabriel García Márquez.

The article reports on the residual agreements between studios and Hollywood's three largest guilds that resulted to the availability of television programming to rerun on digital networks.

The article offers news briefs related to of June 2, 2014 on topics cancellation of American actor Arsenio Hall's late-night television show, Drama Desk Awards for broadway musical "A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder," and Golden Trailer Awards.

The article offers arts-related news briefs in the U.S. as of March 9, 2014 including the high ticket sales of action film "300: Rise of an Empire," the renewal of four television shows including "The Following" and the postponement of an online auction for the works of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.

The article reports on the actions taken by the U.S. motion picture industry following the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut on December 14, 2012. It says that movie executives examine the words used in their scripts to determine problematic episodes of shows that can be linked to the incident such as "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "NCIS." It notes that they believe that sensitivity crosses in all genres despite the lack of connection by the industry to the school shooting.

SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Josh Schwartz tried his best to appear calm and composed, but the look in his eyes betrayed him. He had never directed anything before -- not a short, not an episode of television -- yet there he was, making a movie for Paramount Pictures on location in this tony Cleveland suburb. It was going, well, not great. Summer rain had delayed production. So instead of shooting four pages of the script over the next few hours, Mr. Schwartz, a TV writer and producer (''Gossip Girl,'' ''The O.C.''), had to burn through seven. There were missing extras, and one of his stars, Chelsea Handler, was being a bit of a handful. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

LOS ANGELES -- ''How to Rock,'' a forthcoming series on Nickelodeon, follows a simple rule for children's television: if it's not broken, then copy it. Like Nickelodeon's ''Victorious'' or Disney Channel's ''A.N.T. Farm,'' the new show focuses on a girl with miraculous musical talent. Add a laugh track, goofball sidekicks and a heartthrob boy. Layer in high school social politics. Presto, big Nielsen numbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LOS ANGELES DISNEY didn't become the world's largest entertainment company by guessing what people want. Sure, it trusts its creative instincts. But the Magic Kingdom also employs squadrons of black-ops researchers to poke, prod and pry. What psychological hooks should be built into a children's television show? What colors are most likely to move princess dolls off store shelves? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LOS ANGELES -- There is little doubt that Dane Boedigheimer has created an online sensation that struck a pop cultural nerve. The ''Annoying Orange'' Web videos that he's been rolling out for the last two years have racked up more than 800 million views on You Tube, where the threshold for a runaway hit is about 50 million. Sprint and Dole have paid to use his wisecracking cartoon creation in marketing campaigns, and Toys ''R'' Us, Radio Shack and J. C. Penney are rolling out related merchandise for the Christmas season. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

BURBANK, Calif. -- If Michael G. Riley, the new president of ABC Family, comes across as a bit nervous these days, cut him some slack. Only seven months ago he was working in radio. Now he's about to lead a major expansion of one of television's hottest brands. ABC Family, the Walt Disney Company's cable channel aimed at older teenagers and young adults, plans to announce on Monday that it will add a third night of original programming each week. The channel will also start introducing original series year-round; until now it has almost exclusively introduced new programs in June. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LOS ANGELES -- Playboy TV is putting (some of) its clothes back on. Since its introduction in 1982, Playboy TV, a subscription channel like Cinemax or Showtime, has focused on attracting men with soft-core pornographic movies, adult-oriented game shows (''Show Us Your Wits'') and Playmate specials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Movie studios, desperate to return their home entertainment divisions to growth, are scrambling to shape the post-DVD era. Until very recently, most Hollywood heavyweights were loath to speak too openly about the promise of digital entertainment -- the downloading and streaming of movies and television shows on computers, Internet-enabled televisions and mobile devices. Nobody wanted to anger retail partners like Wal-Mart or do anything that might slow the DVD gravy train. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Three years ago, J. J. Abrams had to decide whether to keep making television shows for the Walt Disney Company or move to a new home base. A bidding war had broken out for him. Mr. Abrams, credited with ''Alias'' and ''Lost,'' signed a rich television deal with Warner Brothers: up to $6 million a year in fees and overhead, and a big percentage of revenue from DVD and syndication sales. ''It was the overwhelming enthusiasm and sense of support that intoxicated me,'' Mr. Abrams said in an interview. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

O.K., so it wasn't Watergate. But Simon Cowell admitted over the weekend that mistakes were made in the handling of Susan Boyle, the ''Les Miserables''-loving runner-up on ''Britain's Got Talent'' who has had a difficult time adapting to her sudden fame. Citing fatigue, Ms. Boyle has become a regular hospital patient, routinely missing performances on the ''Britain's Got Talent'' live tour, which stops at Wembley Stadium on Monday. Writing in The Daily Mail, Mr. Cowell, who serves as a judge on the show, said it had become ''clear to me that we didn't handle the situation with Susan as well as we could have.'' He gave few details however. Should the show ''introduce some form of stricter psychological screening for applicants?'' he wrote. ''I'm not so sure.'' He also said that he had asked Ms. Boyle's family if the show made a mistake in allowing her to continue once her stress became clear. ''And they said, unanimously, that we did the right thing,'' he wrote. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

POOR Miss Piggy. Like most aging stars in Hollywood, that prima donna pig, along with most of her Muppet pals, has struggled to find substantial roles. Almost nobody under the age of 30 remembers ''Pigs in Space.'' All everyone wants to talk about is this Hannah Montana person. What's a down-on-her-luck puppet to do? [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Norman Lear burst into his cavernous office here with a grin and an apology for the people he had kept waiting. ''Forgive me,'' he said, ''but I was working to get 'Gossip Girl' for us.'' One could easily assume that at 86 Mr. Lear, the television producer behind cultural juggernauts past like ''All in the Family,'' wouldn't know about ''Gossip Girl,'' the television show aimed at the high school and college crowds. The series, on the CW network, is hardly on the radar screens of most people his age. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Can Martha Stewart take a pie in the face -- even one she baked herself? Fine Living Network is about to find out. On Sept. 16, Fine Living will unveil a new original comedy series built around a provocative premise: mocking Ms. Stewart. For a half hour, two hosts will critique -- in ''candid and often acerbic'' language, according to the channel -- old clips from her 1990s cooking and craft show. Fine Living, part of the E. W. Scripps Company, calls the series ''Whatever, Martha!'' [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The quest by the Screen Actors Guild for a sharply improved labor contract has a new plot line: mutiny. Infuriated by hard-line tactics used by SAG leaders in contract talks with Hollywood's largest studios -- talks that broke down a month ago -- a less militant collection of actors has started a campaign to take over the guild. ''What has been happening so far is not working,'' said Kate Walsh, the star of ''Private Practice'' on ABC and a member of the dissident faction. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The eye-rolling on the 20th Century Fox lot was epic. The co-chairman of Fox Filmed Entertainment, Tom Rothman, wanted to moonlight as the host of a cable television show? Seriously? ''All I could conclude,'' said Richard D. Zanuck, the former president of Fox and the son of its legendary chief, ''was that the man had lost his mind.'' [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Bad buzz. Creative infighting. Superhero gridlock at the multiplex. For Marvel Studios, handling gamma rays is starting to look like a cakewalk compared to turning ''The Incredible Hulk'' into a movie franchise. The unjolly green giant, born from a botched gamma bomb experiment in a 1962 comic book, belongs to an elite class of superhero. In Marvel's stable of characters, which includes the X-Men and the Silver Surfer, only Spider-Man outsells him. The Hulk, along with his emotionally withdrawn alter ego, Dr. Bruce Banner, has spawned television shows, theme-park rides and best-selling toys. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Movie theaters are not just for movies anymore. Coming soon will be broadcasts of live baseball games, rock concerts, classic TV shows and an array of other offerings not associated with the silver screen. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents information on a clash between two striking entertainment unions including the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes (IATSE) over labor disputes about payment for reruns of television programming on Internet. In a letter, Thomas C. Short of the IATSE accused Patric M . Verrone of the WGA of taking action that darkened most theaters on Broadway in New York City.

The article reports that NBC Universal Inc. has agreed to sell a variety of television programs through the digital video download service called fledgling Unbox offered by Amazon.com Inc. NBC Universal has become the first movie and television company that publicly challenged prices of Apple Inc. that it charges for its downloading services.