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SONY plans to distribute concerts, sporting events and other ‘live’ performances in movie theaters. Dubbed ‘The Hot Ticket’, the platform will kick off by bringing “Delirium”, a Cirque du Soleil compilation performance, and “Rent” to select theaters this summer. The venture comes at a time when studios are looking to maximize the theater experience and comes on the heels of recent releases like U2-3D and Martin Scorsese’s Rolling Stone’s documentary “Shine A Light.”
For the first time in four years, Japanese electronics manufacturer SANYO has swung a net profit. The company made strides in sales of digital cameras and lithium-ion batteries. In compliance with its recent gains, Sanyo is planning a massive investment in battery technology. Sanyo is the world’s largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries for portable electronic devices.
BARNES & NOBLE may make a bid for troubled book retailer BORDERS, who put itself up for sale in March. Borders, whose stock has fallen 40% so far this year, was up 9% yesterday as rumors spread of a buyout. However, despite the rumors, some analysts are skeptical about antitrust issues, as the two retailers account for a third of the book retail market.
CBS College Sports Network is teaming up with the NCAA to offer video and display advertising on NCAA.com. The partnership will allow advertisers to purchase ads on multiple platforms under the CBS Sports moniker, as well as display ads on the 215 college sites operated by the CBS College Sports Network. During March Madness, the sites which comprise the CBS College Sports Network received more than 10 million unique visitors.
The IAC split will be complete by August, according to CEO Barry Diller. The company plans to spin off HSN, LENDING TREE, TICKETMASTER, and its real estate time share business, in a restructuring process that would make ASK.com its flagship brand. Diller expects IAC to “grow over 50%” between 2008 and 2009.
America’s most popular television show AMERICAN IDOL crowned David Cook the winner last night. Cook, who defeated seventeen year old phenom David Archuleta, won by approximately 12 million votes. Nielsen ratings noted that ratings for 12-to-17 year olds were down this season, with the average age of the Idol viewer being 42. The shift in its audience may have helped Cook against Archuleta, who was considered the favorite amongst teens and tweens.