Trade Round-Up: Murdoch Buys Up Another Piece Of The Internet
· Universal and Paramount's international distribution split is amicable, but now they've got to figure out how to divide up custody of their favorite fifteen children (foreign markets). Yeah, we're getting tired of the divorce metaphor too, but it's pretty hard to get psyched about international distribution entities. [Variety]
· Rupert Murdoch continues to base his internet acquisitions on the advice of his 16 year-old nephew, as News Corp. follows up its recent MySpace purchase with a $650 million buy of videogame-related company IGN Entertainment. Hey, Rupe, stay the hell away from Gawker Media. Nick Denton doesn't give us any stock options. [THR]
· Natural disaster and untold suffering prove huge for the networks, as Hurricane Katrina coverage results in some nice Nielsen numbers. If only there were a way to flood a major city every summer... [Variety]
· Hilary Swank hires producer Mark Burton to help run her and househusband Chad Lowe's production company, Accomplice Films, and to make sure Lowe doesn't eat too many cookies while she's out working. [THR]
· The Weinstein Co. hires "colorful kung-fu specialist" Bey Logan to oversee its Asian acquisitions and co-production operations, assisting the Brothers Weinstein in more efficiently plundering the cinematic booty of the Far East. [Variety]