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Tag: American Sniper

  • Q1-16: Turner, HBO push Time Warner revenues up 2.5 percent

    Q1-16: Turner, HBO push Time Warner revenues up 2.5 percent

    BENGALURU: Time Warner Inc., (Time Warner) reported 2.5 percent growth in revenues for the quarter ended 31 March 2016 (current quarter, Q1-16) at $7,308 million as compared to the $7,127 million in Q1-15. Revenues increased due to growth at Turner and Home Box Office, partially offset by a decline at Warner Bros.

    Total Operating Income increased 11.8 percent year-on-year in the current quarter to $1,996 million as compared to $1,786 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

    Time Warner chairman and chief executive officer Jeff Bewkes said, ““We’re off to a terrific start to 2016, as we benefit from the investments we’ve been making in great content and new capabilities in order to take advantage of the growing demand for high-quality video content around the world. Revenues increased 3 percent and Adjusted Operating Income grew 11 percent to a quarterly record of $2 billion due to strong growth across all our operating divisions. In the past several weeks, we’ve seen Warner Bros. release its latest global hit in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, setting the stage for what we expect to be a big year in film, with upcoming releases including Suicide Squad and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. In television, Warner Bros. continued to show its strength with three of the top five new shows on broadcast television this season among adults 18-49 and a record 21 renewals ahead of the upfront this year.”

    Bewkes continued, “Turner aired cable’s first ever NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship game, and Turner and CBS entered into an agreement with the NCAA to extend their television, digital and marketing rights to the NCAA tournament through 2032. TBS ended the quarter as the #1 ad-supported cable network in primetime among adults 18-49 and its repositioning as cable’s premier network for young, fresh comedy is underway with the introduction of new programming including Angie Tribeca, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee and The Detour, the biggest new comedy on cable this year. With its must-watch coverage of the US presidential campaign, CNN continued to build on its success by more than doubling its primetime audience in the quarter. Meanwhile, HBO continued to make strides both inside and outside the traditional TV ecosystem, including expanding its OTT reach to new platforms and new international territories. And, more recently, HBO’s epic series Game of Thrones returned to record premiere night viewership. Further demonstrating our commitment to shareholder returns, we returned close to $1.3 billion to our shareholders through share repurchases and dividends year-to-date.”

    Turner

    Turner reported 7.2 percent YoY growth in revenues in the current quarter at $2,906 million as compared to $2,710 million. The segment reported 11.8 percent YoY increase in operating to $1,239 million from $1,108 million. 

    Revenues increased due to increases of 11 percent ($143 million) in subscription revenues and 5 percent ($56 million) in advertising revenues. Turner says subscription revenues increased due to higher domestic rates and local currency growth at Turner’s international networks, partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates and lower domestic subscribers. Advertising revenues benefited from domestic growth, primarily due to Turner’s news business, and local currency growth at Turner’s international networks, partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates.

    Home Box Office

    HBO reported YoY increase in revenues to $1,506 million in Q1-16 from $1,398 million in Q1-15. HBO operating income increased 4.1 percent to $477 million in the current quarter from $458 million in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Revenues increased due to increases of 5 percent ($57 million) in subscription revenues and 23 percent ($51 million) in content and other revenues. Subscription revenues grew primarily due to higher domestic rates and subscribers. The increase in content and other revenues primarily reflected higher international licensing revenues, partially offset by lower home entertainment revenues.

    Warner Bros,

    Warner Bros. reported 2.8 percent YoY decline in revenues Q1-16 to $3,109 million from $3,199 million in Q1-15. Despite drop in revenue, Operating Income from the segment increased 30.9 percent in Q1-16 to $424 million from $324 million in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Revenues decreased mainly due to lower theatrical revenues, partially offset by higher television and videogames revenues. Theatrical revenues declined as the prior year quarter included revenues from American Sniper and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies compared to the release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice late in the current year quarter. Television revenues increased primarily due to higher international licensing revenues and higher initial telecast revenues. The increase in videogames was mainly due to Warner Bros. LEGO and Mortal Kombat franchises.

     

  • Q1-16: Turner, HBO push Time Warner revenues up 2.5 percent

    Q1-16: Turner, HBO push Time Warner revenues up 2.5 percent

    BENGALURU: Time Warner Inc., (Time Warner) reported 2.5 percent growth in revenues for the quarter ended 31 March 2016 (current quarter, Q1-16) at $7,308 million as compared to the $7,127 million in Q1-15. Revenues increased due to growth at Turner and Home Box Office, partially offset by a decline at Warner Bros.

    Total Operating Income increased 11.8 percent year-on-year in the current quarter to $1,996 million as compared to $1,786 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

    Time Warner chairman and chief executive officer Jeff Bewkes said, ““We’re off to a terrific start to 2016, as we benefit from the investments we’ve been making in great content and new capabilities in order to take advantage of the growing demand for high-quality video content around the world. Revenues increased 3 percent and Adjusted Operating Income grew 11 percent to a quarterly record of $2 billion due to strong growth across all our operating divisions. In the past several weeks, we’ve seen Warner Bros. release its latest global hit in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, setting the stage for what we expect to be a big year in film, with upcoming releases including Suicide Squad and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. In television, Warner Bros. continued to show its strength with three of the top five new shows on broadcast television this season among adults 18-49 and a record 21 renewals ahead of the upfront this year.”

    Bewkes continued, “Turner aired cable’s first ever NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship game, and Turner and CBS entered into an agreement with the NCAA to extend their television, digital and marketing rights to the NCAA tournament through 2032. TBS ended the quarter as the #1 ad-supported cable network in primetime among adults 18-49 and its repositioning as cable’s premier network for young, fresh comedy is underway with the introduction of new programming including Angie Tribeca, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee and The Detour, the biggest new comedy on cable this year. With its must-watch coverage of the US presidential campaign, CNN continued to build on its success by more than doubling its primetime audience in the quarter. Meanwhile, HBO continued to make strides both inside and outside the traditional TV ecosystem, including expanding its OTT reach to new platforms and new international territories. And, more recently, HBO’s epic series Game of Thrones returned to record premiere night viewership. Further demonstrating our commitment to shareholder returns, we returned close to $1.3 billion to our shareholders through share repurchases and dividends year-to-date.”

    Turner

    Turner reported 7.2 percent YoY growth in revenues in the current quarter at $2,906 million as compared to $2,710 million. The segment reported 11.8 percent YoY increase in operating to $1,239 million from $1,108 million. 

    Revenues increased due to increases of 11 percent ($143 million) in subscription revenues and 5 percent ($56 million) in advertising revenues. Turner says subscription revenues increased due to higher domestic rates and local currency growth at Turner’s international networks, partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates and lower domestic subscribers. Advertising revenues benefited from domestic growth, primarily due to Turner’s news business, and local currency growth at Turner’s international networks, partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates.

    Home Box Office

    HBO reported YoY increase in revenues to $1,506 million in Q1-16 from $1,398 million in Q1-15. HBO operating income increased 4.1 percent to $477 million in the current quarter from $458 million in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Revenues increased due to increases of 5 percent ($57 million) in subscription revenues and 23 percent ($51 million) in content and other revenues. Subscription revenues grew primarily due to higher domestic rates and subscribers. The increase in content and other revenues primarily reflected higher international licensing revenues, partially offset by lower home entertainment revenues.

    Warner Bros,

    Warner Bros. reported 2.8 percent YoY decline in revenues Q1-16 to $3,109 million from $3,199 million in Q1-15. Despite drop in revenue, Operating Income from the segment increased 30.9 percent in Q1-16 to $424 million from $324 million in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Revenues decreased mainly due to lower theatrical revenues, partially offset by higher television and videogames revenues. Theatrical revenues declined as the prior year quarter included revenues from American Sniper and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies compared to the release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice late in the current year quarter. Television revenues increased primarily due to higher international licensing revenues and higher initial telecast revenues. The increase in videogames was mainly due to Warner Bros. LEGO and Mortal Kombat franchises.

     

  • Turner to launch HBO HD in April; unveils new look for HBO

    Turner to launch HBO HD in April; unveils new look for HBO

    MUMBAI: Turner International will be re-launching its channel HBO Hits as HBO HD in April this year.

    As was reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, late last year Turner decided to re-brand HBO Hits as HBO HD, which was subject to regulatory approvals. Additionally, Turner also discontinued its other channel HBO Defined. Both HBO Hits and HBO Defined were launched as a partnership between HBO Asia and Eros International in 2013.

    HBO HD will be available on direct-to-home (DTH) and cable platforms from April. The broadcaster is also looking to launch the HBO mobile app in March.

    What’s more, the company has also unveiled a fresh new-look for HBO on 14 February, which reflects a youthful and aspirational viewer demographic. HBO’s new packaging has been redesigned to present world-class content to a local, but worldly, audience.

    Turner International, South Asia senior vice president and managing director Siddharth Jain said, “Consumers are at the centre of everything we do and these changes directly reflect this. The all-new HBO captures its audience’s imagination – like never before – through the implementation of a new programming and content strategy; and new fan-engagement initiatives. Indian consumers are spoilt for choice when it comes to entertainment options, and HBO is ideally positioned not only to excite but also engage.”

    The big-budget Mad Max: Fury Road on 14 February led the launch of a new program and content strategy, complemented by a social media campaign. This will be followed by four back-to-back Sunday premieres namely American Sniper, Wild Card, San Andreas and A Walk Among the Tombstones.

    The HBO mobile app will gives viewers access to channel details and information – boasting full channel schedules, a reminder feature, TV promos, preview of upcoming premieres and a Hollywood quiz.

  • Turner to launch HBO HD in April; unveils new look for HBO

    Turner to launch HBO HD in April; unveils new look for HBO

    MUMBAI: Turner International will be re-launching its channel HBO Hits as HBO HD in April this year.

    As was reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, late last year Turner decided to re-brand HBO Hits as HBO HD, which was subject to regulatory approvals. Additionally, Turner also discontinued its other channel HBO Defined. Both HBO Hits and HBO Defined were launched as a partnership between HBO Asia and Eros International in 2013.

    HBO HD will be available on direct-to-home (DTH) and cable platforms from April. The broadcaster is also looking to launch the HBO mobile app in March.

    What’s more, the company has also unveiled a fresh new-look for HBO on 14 February, which reflects a youthful and aspirational viewer demographic. HBO’s new packaging has been redesigned to present world-class content to a local, but worldly, audience.

    Turner International, South Asia senior vice president and managing director Siddharth Jain said, “Consumers are at the centre of everything we do and these changes directly reflect this. The all-new HBO captures its audience’s imagination – like never before – through the implementation of a new programming and content strategy; and new fan-engagement initiatives. Indian consumers are spoilt for choice when it comes to entertainment options, and HBO is ideally positioned not only to excite but also engage.”

    The big-budget Mad Max: Fury Road on 14 February led the launch of a new program and content strategy, complemented by a social media campaign. This will be followed by four back-to-back Sunday premieres namely American Sniper, Wild Card, San Andreas and A Walk Among the Tombstones.

    The HBO mobile app will gives viewers access to channel details and information – boasting full channel schedules, a reminder feature, TV promos, preview of upcoming premieres and a Hollywood quiz.

  • North American box office crosses $11 billion mark for first time ever

    North American box office crosses $11 billion mark for first time ever

    MUMBAI: The North American box office crossed the $11 billion benchmark for the year on 29 December, 2015, making 2015 the highest-earning year at the North American box office in movie history, according to Rentrak.

    A wide assortment of movies brought enthusiastic patrons to movie theaters across the US throughout the year, giving the industry its biggest overall revenue in North American box office history, with a total of $11.1 billion projected for the calendar year through 31 December. The previous record was set in 2013, which brought in $10.919 billion to the North American box office at year-end.

    “Hollywood built the perfect box office beast in 2015, with one hit movie after the next, week after week, exceeding expectations with a regularity that made it look easy. With records falling like dominoes, the revenues just kept building as audiences flooded multiplexes in huge numbers. A diverse and compelling selection of great titles, big and small, from every studio fuelled an extraordinary level of interest by patrons who seemingly could not get enough of the big screen experience in 2015,” said Rentrak senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian.

    Many notable records fell this year, with virtually every month posting a new benchmark for North American box office revenue. The year’s records included: the biggest January weekend gross with American Sniper, the biggest February opening weekend with Fifty Shades Of Grey, the biggest April opening weekend with Furious 7, the best June opening weekend with Jurassic World, the biggest September debut with Hotel Transylvania 2, and December’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens taking over the top spot for all-time opening weekend.

    Below is a list of the top 10 highest-earning years at the North American box office:

  • FY-2015: News & Info services retard News Corp revenue growth to 0.7%

    FY-2015: News & Info services retard News Corp revenue growth to 0.7%

    BENGALURU: A seven per cent drop in revenue in its largest segment – News & Information services dragged News Corporation’s total revenue to just 0.7 per cent growth to $8633 million in the year ended 30 June, 2015 (FY-2015) as compared to $8574 million in FY-2014. During the quarter ended ?30 June, 2015 (Q4-2015), the company’s NIS segment 10 per cent drop in revenues combined with the drop of two per cent from the Cable Programming Segment (CPS) saw News Corp total revenue drop 2.1 per cent to $2141 million as compared to the $2186 million in Q4-2014.

     

    The company explains that the majority of the revenue decline reflects adverse foreign currency fluctuations and lower advertising revenues at the News and Information Services segment, partially offset by growth in the Digital Real Estate Services and Book Publishing segments, primarily as a result of the acquisitions of Move and Harlequin, respectively.

     

    News Corp total EBIDTA however increased 10.6 per cent in the current year to $852 million as compared to the $770 million in FY-2014. YoY, News Corp total EBIDTA improved 50.4 per cent to $191 million in Q4-2015 as compared to the $127 million in Q4-2014. The company says that this increase was primarily driven by lower expenses at the News and Information Services and Digital Education segments, partially offset by adverse foreign currency fluctuations. Adjusted Total Segment EBITDA increased 62 per cent compared to the prior year.

     

    News Corp CEO Robert Thomson said, “Thanks to solid performance across a number of our businesses, including the fast-growing realtor.com, we had a strong fourth quarter finish to a good fiscal year. Despite an uneven global economy, very tough currency headwinds and the ongoing transformation of the media landscape, for fiscal 2015 we posted stable revenues, robust EBITDA growth and healthy free cash flow.”

     

    “With disciplined internal investments, strategic acquisitions and ongoing product innovation, we have aggressively shifted the company to be more global and more digital. We have clearly emerged as an international leader in digital real estate, opened up new territories at HarperCollins, expanded digital subscriber penetration at our mastheads and successfully integrated our programmatic exchange, creating new digital and mobile advertising opportunities across News Corp. We have begun to execute on a capital return program that signifies our confidence in the prospects of the company and the efficacy of its long-term strategy. The year ahead will be an opportunity to build on the sound and profitable platform we have collectively created,” he added.

     

    Net loss available to News Corp stockholders in FY-2015 was $379 million as compared to net income available to News Corp stockholders of $12 million in FY-2014. Impairment and restructuring charges were $424 million and $21 million in Q4-2015 and Q4-2014 respectively. The impairment and restructuring charges for the three months ended 30 June, 2015 include an impairment charge of $371 million related to Amplify, as discussed above. Adjusted net income available to News Corp stockholders was $38 million compared to $6 million in the prior year.

     

    Segment Results

     

    News & Information Services (NIS)

     

    NIS FY-2015 full revenues decreased by $422 million, or seven per cent, compared to the prior year. Total segment advertising revenues declined 10 per cent, driven primarily by weakness in the print advertising market coupled with the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations. Circulation and subscription revenues declined four per cent, due to adverse foreign currency fluctuations. Adjusted revenues declined three per cent compared to the prior year.

     

    In FY-2015, NIS segment EBITDA decreased $62 million, or nine per cent, as compared to the prior year. The corporation says that results were impacted by lower advertising revenues, higher legal expenses at News America Marketing of $20 million, negative foreign currency fluctuations and one-time expenses of $11 million related to the termination of a distribution contract in connection with continued cost reduction initiatives, which more than offset lower operating expenses. Adjusted Segment EBITDA decreased six per cent compared to FY-2014.

     

    Revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 decreased $154 million, or 10 per cent, compared to the prior year, as a result of a 13 per cent decline in advertising revenues and a five per cent decline in circulation revenues, driven by negative foreign currency fluctuations. Adjusted revenues declined two per cent compared to the prior year. Segment EBITDA increased $38 million in the quarter, or 29 per cent, as compared to Q4-2014. The increase was driven by lower operating expenses, partially offset by lower advertising revenues, one-time expenses of $11 million related to the termination of a distribution contract in connection with continued cost reduction initiatives and negative foreign currency fluctuations. Adjusted Segment EBITDA increased 34 per cent compared to the prior year.

     

     

    Book Publishing

     

    FY-2015 revenues for News Corp Book Publishing segment increased $233 million, or 16 per cent, compared to the prior year driven by the inclusion of Harlequin results and strong backlist sales in the general books category, resulting from the success of American Sniper by Chris Kyle, partially offset by lower revenues from the Divergent series by Veronica Roth. Digital sales, which consist of revenues generated through the sale of e-books and digital audio books, represented 22 per cent of Consumer revenues for fiscal 2015. Segment EBITDA increased $24 million, or 12 per cent, from the prior year primarily due to the inclusion of the results of Harlequin and lower expenses, partially offset by lower contribution from the Divergent series. Adjusted revenues and Adjusted Segment EBITDA each decreased 2 per cent, compared to the prior year.

     

    Book Publishing Revenues in Q4-2015 increased $29 million, or eight per cent, compared to Q4-2014 driven by the inclusion of Harlequin results, partially offset by lower revenues from the Divergent series. Digital sales represented 23 per cent of Consumer revenues for the quarter. Segment EBITDA was flat from the prior year as the inclusion of results from Harlequin and lower expenses offset lower contribution from the Divergent series.

     

    Digital Real Estate Services (DRES)

     

    FY-2015 revenues increased for the DRES segment to $217 million, or 53 per cent, compared to FY-2014, primarily due to the inclusion of the results of Move, which was acquired in November 2014, coupled with higher revenues at REA Group Limited (REA Group) due to the impact of increased listing depth product penetration and higher pricing, despite a decline in Australian listing volumes across the market and the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations. Segment EBITDA decreased $13 million, or six per cent, compared to the prior year primarily due to the inclusion of a loss of $39 million related to the acquisition of Move and negative foreign currency fluctuations, partially offset by increased revenues at REA Group. Segment EBITDA includes $21 million of stock-based compensation expense and $19 million of one-time transaction costs, both related to the acquisition of Move. Adjusted revenues and Adjusted Segment EBITDA increased 18 per cent and 23 per cent, respectively, compared to the prior year.

     

    For the full year, Move saw strength in its Connection for Co-Brokerage product and Media revenues. Based on Move’s internal data, average monthly unique users of realtor.com’s web and mobile sites for the fiscal fourth quarter grew 42 per cent year-over-year to approximately 45 million, which was driven by almost 80 per cent growth in mobile users; traffic accelerated in July to 48 million monthly unique users, or 43 per cent growth year-over-year.

     

    Revenues in Q4-2015 increased $76 million, or 67 per cent, compared to Q4-2014 due to the inclusion of the results of Move coupled with higher listing depth product penetration and higher pricing at REA Group. Segment EBITDA in the quarter decreased $17 million, or 27 per cent, compared to the prior year due to certain expenses at Move and the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations, partially offset by the improvement at REA Group. At Move, strong revenue performance was offset by $7 million of legal expenses and $5 million of stock-based compensation expense related to the acquisition.

     

    Adjusted revenues and Adjusted Segment EBITDA increased 15 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively, compared to the prior year.

     

    Cable Networking Programming (CNP)

     

    CNP’s FY-2015 revenues increased $9 million, or two per cent, compared to the prior year driven by higher affiliate and advertising revenues, partially offset by adverse foreign currency fluctuations. Segment EBITDA increased $7 million, or five per cent, from FY-2014, primarily driven by higher revenues, partially offset by adverse foreign currency fluctuations and higher programming costs. Adjusted revenues and Adjusted Segment EBITDA for FY-2015 increased 11 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively, compared to FY-2014.

     

    In Q4-2015, revenues decreased $3 million, or two per cent, compared to Q4-2014, as higher affiliate and advertising revenues were more than offset by negative foreign currency fluctuations. Segment EBITDA in the quarter increased $3 million, or 16 per cent, compared to the prior year. Adjusted revenues increased 15 per cent and Adjusted Segment EBITDA increased 37 per cent, compared to the prior year.

     

    Digital Education

     

    Revenues for the full year increased $21 million, or 24 per cent, compared to the prior year. Segment EBITDA improved $100 million, or 52 per cent, compared to the prior year, primarily due to the impact of the capitalization of Amplify Learning’s software development costs of $53 million, reduced development expenses and increased revenues.

     

    Revenues in Q4-2015 increased $6 million, or 33 per cent, and Segment EBITDA improved $29 million, or 55 per cent.

     

    Others

     

    In FY-2015, Others Segment EBITDA improved by $26 million, primarily due to decreased fees and costs, net of indemnification, related to the claims and investigations arising out of certain conduct at The News of the World (the U K Newspaper Matters”).

     

    The net expense related to the U K Newspaper Matters was $50 million for the full year, as compared to $72 million in the prior year.

     

    Segment EBITDA in the quarter improved by $11 million. The net expense related to the UK Newspaper Matters was $8 million for the three months ended 30 June, 2015, as compared to $16 million in the prior year.

  • Q1-2015: Turner record results overcome Warner Bros, HBO downturn for Time Warner

    Q1-2015: Turner record results overcome Warner Bros, HBO downturn for Time Warner

    BENGALURU: Turner’s record adjusted operating income growth of 26 per cent to $1128 million for Q1-2015 as compared to the $895 million in Q1-2014 was offset in part by declines at Warner Bros. and Home Box Office (HBO) says Time Warner Inc.

     

    Time Warner’s adjusted operating income grew 11.6 per cent to a record $1814 million during the quarter ended 31 March, 2015 (Q1-2015, current quarter) as compared to the $1626 million in Q1-2014. Time Warner revenue was up 4.8 per cent to $7127 million in Q1-2015 as compared to the $6803 million during the corresponding quarter of last year. The revenue increase was due to growth in all divisions says the company.

     

    Time Warner chairman and CEO Jeff Bewkes said, “We got off to a very strong start in 2015, with revenues up five per cent, and adjusted operating income growing 12 per cent to a quarterly record of $1.8 billion. This led to a 23 per cent increase in adjusted EPS and puts us on track to achieve our goals for the year. We accomplished a lot in the quarter, led by Turner, which had its best quarter ever, with audience growth across a number of its networks. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament was a huge multiplatform success, with its highest average television viewership in over two decades helping make TBS the #1 ad-supported cable network in primetime among adults 18-49 in the quarter. And March Madness Live served more than 80 million live video streams and grew its usage by almost 20 per cent over last year’s tournament. Warner Bros. led the domestic box office for the quarter on the strength of American Sniper, which brought in well over $500 million globally. Warner Bros. also continued to lead the industry in television production, including the #1 comedy and unscripted series among adults 18-49 on television this season. HBO once again grew domestic subscribers in the quarter while continuing to gain acclaim for groundbreaking programming such as the recent documentaries Going Clear: Scientology and The Prison of Belief and The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst. The return of Game of Thrones reached a new premiere high, while also providing the backdrop for the highly-anticipated launch of HBO Now, our standalone streaming version of HBO – which is off to a great start. Reflecting our strong commitment to provide direct returns to shareholders, we returned more than $1.4 billion in dividends and share repurchases year-to-date.”

     

    Segment Results

     

    Turner

    Turner reported 4.5 per cent growth in revenue to $2710 million in Q1-2015 from $2593 million in Q1-2014. Turner’s adjusted operating income has been mentioned above.

     

    The company says that Turner benefited from growth of four per cent ($42 million) in advertising revenues, three per cent ($38 million) in subscription revenues and 25 per cent ($37 million) in content and other revenues.

     

    Turner advertising revenues benefited from growth at Turner’s domestic businesses mainly due to the 2015 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship tournament (NCAA Tournament) and growth at Turner’s news businesses. Subscription revenues grew due to higher domestic rates partially offset by lower domestic subscribers. Both international advertising and international subscription revenue growth were more than offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates. The increase in content and other revenues was due to higher subscription video-on-demand revenues.

     

    Turner’s adjusted operating income increased 26 per cent primarily due to higher revenues and lower expenses, including lower marketing, programming and general and administrative costs, largely as a result of operational efficiency initiatives and timing. Programming costs declined three per cent due primarily to timing and lower syndicated programming expenses as a result of the abandonment of certain programming in 2014.

     

    HBO

     

    Home Box Office revenue in Q1-2015 was up 4.4 per cent to $1398 million as compared to the $1339 million in Q1-2014. Adjusted operating income fell 1.3 per cent to $458 million in Q1-2015 from $468 million in the corresponding year ago quarter.

     

    According to the company, HBO revenues grew four per cent and reflect increases of four per cent ($49 million) in subscription revenues and five per cent ($10 million) in content and other revenues. Subscription revenues increased primarily due to higher domestic rates, partially offset by the transfer to Turner of the operation of HBO’s basic cable network in India. The increase in content and other revenues reflected higher home entertainment revenues and higher international licensing revenues.

     

    HBO adjusted operating income declined one per cent ($6 million) to $458 million, as higher revenues were more than offset by higher programming, distribution and marketing costs. Programming costs grew nine per cent, primarily due to increased expenses for original programming. Distribution costs increased primarily due to higher participation expenses. The increase in marketing costs was primarily related to the launch of HBO Now.

     

    Time Warner informs that through the first two weeks, the fifth season premiere of Game of Thrones totalled 18.1 million gross viewers, over one million more viewers than the prior season’s first episode after the same period of time. In April 2015, Home Box Office launched HBO Now, its stand-alone streaming service, in the US.

     

    Warner Bros

     

    Warner Bros revenue grew 4.3 per cent to $3199 million in the current year from $3066 million in Q1-2014. Adjusted operating income declined 13.2 per cent to $330 million in Q1-2015 from $380 million reported in the corresponding year ago quarter.

     

    Warner Bros revenue increase, reflects higher television licensing revenues primarily due to the subscription video-on-demand sale of Friends and higher revenues from videogames. Revenues also benefited from growth in theatrical revenues led by the strong performance of American Sniper. The increase was partially offset by the effect of foreign currency exchange rates.

     

    Adjusted Operating Income declined 13.2 per cent, as higher revenues were more than offset by higher film and advertising costs due to the mix of theatrical releases and videogame product.

     

    Through 27 April, American Sniper grossed over $540 million at the worldwide box office. On 9 April, Warner Bros., its TT Games business and The Lego Group announced Lego Dimensions, a videogame experience that combines physical Lego brick building toys based on multiple franchises, including Warner Bros.’ DC Comics, The Lord of the Rings and The Lego Movie, with interactive console gameplay.

     

  • Oscar Frenzy on Lukup’s Hollywood ON Channel

    Oscar Frenzy on Lukup’s Hollywood ON Channel

    MUMBAI: The Oscar red carpet was recently rolled out to honour the best of cinema in the year 2014. Celebrating the spirit of Oscar, Lukup’s premier movie channel Hollywood ON brings to its viewers a special line-up of some of the best movies nominated for the Oscars in 2015. Starting March, viewers can catch these select Academy award winning movies exclusively on Lukup’s Hollywood ON channel.

     

    The exclusive selection includes The Judge, premiering 15th March on Hollywood ON. The critically acclaimed American courtroom drama hit the box office in September 2014 with a powerful star cast of Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall. The duo’s fiery on-screen chemistry portraying a troubled father-son relationship, fetched an Oscar nomination for Best Performance in a Supporting Role, for Duvall.

     

    Interstellar, premiering on 1st April is an enthralling science fiction adventure which was nominated by the Oscars for Best Original Score, Production Design, Sound Mixing and Sound Editing and won the award for Best Visual Effects.

     

    The Hobbit, Battle of the Five Armies, nominated for Best Sound Editing, will also premier towards the end of April

     

    American Sniper, premiering mid-June received 6 nominations, including Adapted Screenplay, Best Picture, Best Actor, Film Editing, Sound Editing and Sound Mixing and won for Best Editing.

     

    Hollywood ON has been constantly setting benchmarks in on-demand entertainment by screening the best blockbusters, an advantage of having unrivalled library strength. Entertaining viewers across India, the channel aims to bring the best of cinema closer to its viewers, available at the click of their remote controls!

  • ‘American Sniper’ becomes highest-grossing film of 2014

    ‘American Sniper’ becomes highest-grossing film of 2014

    MUMBAI: Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ American Sniper has surpassed two more major milestones, emerging as the top-grossing domestic release of 2014. The film has also surpassed half a billion dollars worldwide, and still climbing. 

     

    To date, the film has grossed an estimated $337.2 million at the domestic box office, and still counting, making it the highest-grossing film in director Clint Eastwood’s long and illustrious career. Among its many other records, American Sniper is also the number one war movie of all time and the top-grossing film in the career of Bradley Cooper, who earned his third consecutive Oscar nomination, for his portrayal of the film’s title character, Chris Kyle.

     

    In addition to its North American success, American Sniper is drawing large numbers of moviegoers overseas, where it is currently in release in 57 markets. The film, to date, has earned an estimated $163 million at the international box office, for an extraordinary worldwide total of $500.2 million and rising.

     

    Warner Bros. Pictures president of domestic distribution Dan Fellman said, “From its record-breaking Christmas opening, American Sniper has been a box office phenomenon. The film’s A+ CinemaScore in every category has translated into enthusiastic word-of-mouth that continues to generate both first-time and repeat business. We could not be happier for Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller and everyone on the incredible filmmaking team on this remarkable achievement.”

     

    Warner Bros. Pictures president of worldwide marketing and international distribution Sue Kroll added, “American Sniper has become a cultural touchstone that people want to share, discuss and remember. We are thrilled that the movie is still filling theatres, not only in the United States but around the globe, as filmgoers everywhere experience the power of the story of Chris and Taya Kyle.”

     

    “We are all so proud of American Sniper. Its box office success is not only a testament to the talents of Clint, Bradley and all those involved in the film, but also a measure of our appreciation for the sacrifices of all veterans and their families. Congratulations to our partners at Village Roadshow and Ratpac-Dune and everyone behind American Sniper on reaching another momentous benchmark,” said Warner Bros. Pictures president, creative development and worldwide production Greg Silverman.

     

    Warner Bros. Pictures president, international distribution Veronika Kwan Vandenberg noted, “Clint Eastwood has delivered a powerful story on the personal cost of conflict, and the response we’re seeing internationally reflects the universal reach of this compelling drama. Along with our partners at Village Roadshow, we couldn’t be more thrilled with these spectacular results.”

  • ‘American Sniper’ collections surpass $300 million in N. America

    ‘American Sniper’ collections surpass $300 million in N. America

    MUMBAI: Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ Oscar-nominated blockbuster American Sniper continues to make cinema history, crossing $300 million at the North American box office.

     

    Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller, American Sniper has continued to fill conventional and IMAX theatres nationwide. It is now the top-grossing war movie of all time, Bradley Cooper’s biggest live-action feature ever, and the second-highest-grossing R-rated drama ever. In addition, it is the first Warner Bros. non-franchise film, only the seventh Warner Bros. release of any kind, and one of only 50 films in cinema history to achieve this milestone domestically.

     

    Warner Bros. Pictures president of domestic distribution Dan Fellman said, “This is another extraordinary benchmark for an extraordinary film. Rarely does a film come along that strikes such an emotional and thought-provoking chord with such a wide audience. Congratulations to Clint Eastwood and everyone involved in American Sniper on the film’s huge success, both at the box office and in the hearts and minds of people everywhere.”

     

    American Sniper is also showing strength overseas. With just 40 per cent of international markets launched to date, the film has grossed an impressive $85.7 million, with many major territories prepping to release next week, including France, Spain, Japan, Brazil and Mexico.

     

    American Sniper, from a screenplay written by Jason Hall, is based on the book by Chris Kyle, with Jim DeFelice and Scott McEwen.

     

    The movie has earned six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Cooper), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Jason Hall). In addition, Eastwood was honored by his peers with his fourth Directors Guild of America Award nomination and also won the National Board of Review Award for Best Director. The film’s other honors include a Producers Guild of America Award nomination, a Writers Guild of America Award nomination, and a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.