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General Electric Co., reported better-than-expected earnings, helped by the recovery of its finance arm and a rise in revenue at its industrial units, including a sharp pickup in sales of locomotives.
The world’s biggest maker of electric turbines and jet engines also reported a 12 percent increase in orders, driving its backlog — a key predictor of future sales — to $175 billion. Get the full story »
Tower Ticker | The big surprise in the first edition of “Ebert Presents at the Movies” is that it’s Ignatiy Vishnevetsky who shines brightest.
Yeah. That guy. The one with the name stands to make a name for himself, assuming his cohorts up their game enough to make this public broadcasting bid to bring intelligence to TV talk of current and classic films a success.
Tune in at 8:30 tonight on WTTW-Ch. 11. You’ll see. The first impression is that Vishnevetsky, the largely unknown 24-year-old that Roger Ebert plucked from the Lake Street screening room, comes across far more naturally than any of the others Ebert has recruited to bring new life to the concept that he and the late Gene Siskel introduced in 1975.
Christy Lemire, the Associated Press film critic who shares the balcony set at WTTW with Vishnevetsky, may not be reading from a script all the time, but that’s how it seems when she should sound like she’s simply having a discussion.
From Hollywood studios to Japanese TV makers, powerful business interests are betting 3-D will be the future of entertainment, despite a major drawback: It makes millions of people uncomfortable or sick.
Optometrists say as many as one in four viewers have problems watching 3-D movies and TV, either because 3-D causes tiresome eyestrain or because the viewer has problems perceiving depth in real life. In the worst cases, 3-D makes people queasy, leaves them dizzy or gives them headaches. Get the full story »
Wall Street Journal | Creditor Aurelius Capital Management has amped up its opposition to the Tribune Co.’s Chapter 11 plan, demanding a full accounting of the media holdings of JP Morgan’s media holdings.
The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday gave Comcast Corp., the country’s largest cable company, the green light to take over NBC Universal, home of the NBC television network.
Four of the commission’s five members voted to let Comcast buy a 51 percent stake in NBC Universal from General Electric Co. for $13.8 billion in cash and assets. Michael Copps, one of the commission’s three Democrats and an opponent of media consolidation, voted against the deal. Get the full story »
A couple from the Brooklyn borough of New York part of the Playboy network adult reality program "Brooklyn Kinda Love." (AP/Playboy TV)
For generations, Playboy’s image has been “Entertainment for Men.” Now, it’s TV network wants these men to watch their movies and shows with their wives and women friends.
The premium cable network, which celebrates its 30th anniversary next year, is starting “TV for 2,” slightly steamy programming designed for women and men to experience together. The idea was unwrapped over the weekend with the premiere of “Brooklyn Kinda Love,” a reality series made by the producers of HBO’s “Taxicab Confessions.” Get the full story »
Federal regulators are on the verge of announcing approval of Comcast Corp.’s deal to acquire control of NBC Universal from General Electric Co. , according to people close to the review.
Federal Communications Commission officials spent the weekend making last-minute revisions to an order approving the deal. FCC commissioners are expected to approve it on a 4-1 vote, with Democratic commissioner Michael Copps, an opponent of media consolidation, voting against. Get the full story »
News Corp. said that it will restructure its Fox television networks division and that Tony Vinciquerra, who has led the business since 2002, will depart.
The company said Vinciquerra has chosen to leave as of Feb. 11 to pursue other opportunities. David Haslingden, chief executive of Fox International Channels, will move to Los Angeles to become president and chief operating officer of Fox Networks Group, reporting to News Corp. Chief Operating Officer Chase Carey. Get the full story »
Comcast Corp. plans to soon roll out a feature allowing its customers to watch real-time television shows, whether a crime drama or newscast, on tablet computers such as Apple Inc.’s iPad. Get the full story »
South Korea’s LG Display, the world’s No. 2 LCD flat-screen maker, said Wednesday that it has an LCD supply deal with Japan’s Sony Corp.
“We’ve just started panel supply to Sony,” LG Display Chief Executive Kwon Young-soo told reporters at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Get the full story »
Discovery Communications expects Oprah Winfrey’s cable channel to achieve profitability in its first year.
Discovery and Winfrey flipped the switch on OWN, short for the Oprah Winfrey Network, on New Year’s Day. The new channel enjoyed heavy sampling among viewers over the weekend, although executives have cautioned that they expect a bumpy ratings ride in the beginning. Get the full story »
Netflix told CES attendees Tuesday that it would soon be available on remote controllers that operate Internet-connected TVs, Blu-ray disc players and other devices, enabling subcribers to access movies with one click.
Netflix Inc. said consumer electronics companies would begin selling remotes this spring with “Netflix” buttons — including some featuring the red Netflix logo. The companies include Sharp, Sony and Toshiba.
A federal appeals court on Tuesday tossed a $1.2 million indecency fine the Federal Communications Commission imposed against ABC Television affiliates for airing a 2003 episode of “NYPD Blue,” which showed a woman’s naked bottom.
It was just the latest in a series of victories for broadcasters, who have spent the last few years challenging the U.S. government’s effort to police airwaves and fine stations for racy content. Get the full story »
Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, a Russian-born 24-year-old Chicago-based online film critic for mubi.com, has been named to replace co-host Elvis Mitchell opposite the Associated Press’ Christy Lemire on public television’s “Ebert Presents at the Movies.”
