Hollywood Reporter is being transformed to a weekly magazine (LA Times)

Beckman [the new CEO of the Reporter's parent company] thinks a lot of things about the Hollywood Reporter could be better. Since the private-equity-backed firm he leads acquired it ... [the trade] has been completely revamped. Former Us Weekly editor Janice Min was named editorial director, the staff has grown 50% to about 100 and next week the Reporter will replace its daily paper with a weekly glossy magazine. It's aimed at a wider swath of professionals interested in entertainment and intended to draw luxury advertisers that hope to reach them.

"What's happening is a result of the fact that the trades were a victim of their own neglect," said Min, who works in an undecorated office off the Reporter's newsroom in the Mid-Wilshire district. "It has been an industry press not commensurate in stature to the industry itself."

I'm damn curious to see how this turns out. Epic fail or Entertainment Weekly 2.0? What do you think?

Read the full article here.

‘Modern Family’ creator: Why I took on Hulu (THR)

The iPhone and iPad are very successful, but, with all due respect to the prophetic Steve Jobs, I don't see Apple giving them away. It's very simple. Shows like "30 Rock" and "Lost" and "The Office" are expensive to produce. Plus these "hits" cover the costs of all the misses. If viewers want to continue to see quality content like that, then we have to find a way to keep it profitable. Otherwise, we'll all be watching clips of a sneezing panda -- which, by the way, were adorable.

Levitan opinions make perfect sense on all points. As someone who "cut the cord" and gets all of my television from the Internet, I'm in favor of keeping Hulu and similar sites free. As someone who may have content on these types of sites someday, I'm also in favor of making sure creators are paid and audiences are counted. What's the middle ground?
Read the full article here.

Transportation strike may paralyze Hollywood (THR)

The hang-up is a single issue: Will the Teamsters' annual raise be 2% or 3%? That 1% difference amounts to tens of millions of dollars per year, according to a management-side source -- not insignificant to an industry reeling from the recession, collapsing DVD revenue and uncertain new-media business models.

I sure as heck don't begrudge anyone a raise, but doesn't it occur to anyone (or rather, everyone) that the amount of money lost by going on strike will never be regained, no matter if the extra 1% is given or not. All parties lose with a work stoppage. Let's hope the Teamsters contract gets settled before that happens.
Read the full article here.

Q&A: TV Land president Larry W. Jones (THR)

The one thing we have in our clear focus is our audience. We had spent a lot of time talking to our audience, and when we decided to get into scripted sitcoms about a year and half ago, it was really clear in their minds and our minds that they were looking for the multicamera format they basically grew up with. The ratings and popularity of "Hot in Cleveland" proved the fact that there was something missing in their TV diet. The future for us is about balance, it's about superserving this audience of 40- to 54-year-olds, and that's the core sweet spot. There is nobody out there focusing on that demographic, and we want to do it with light-hearted entertainment. I often say you are never going to come to TV Land to learn anything. You just really want to have a good time, kick back and relax, and whether we do that with scripted or reality, that's what we are going to do it with.

I think it's interesting that TV Land has gone back to the "old ways," with live audiences and everything. I'm also happy to see people who are willing to look beyond the 18-24 demographic and take the "If you build it, they will come" attitude. Create quality entertainment and people will watch. Plus, any network who is smart enough to get Betty White is alright by me.
Read the full interview here.

Peter Jackson in talks to direct 'Hobbit' movies (THR)

Talks, which have been going on for a week or two, heated up in recent days between Warner Bros./New Line and Jackson's team. Complications include the shaky financial situation of partner MGM, which owns the "Hobbit" rights and could hold up the production timetable. A significant delay would be a dealbreaker for Jackson.

Most of you have probably already seen this piece of news, but as a huge LOTR geek, I would be remiss if I didn't post it. Fingers crossed that THE HOBBIT will be made by the original and right director.
Read the full article here.