Quantum of Solace Takes Box Office, Best Bond Debut: MediaBytes with Shelly Palmer November 17, 2008

James Bond: Quantum of Solace took in $70.4 million this weekend to top the Box Office. Quantum of Solace took in $30 million more than Casino Royale on opening weekend to set the record for highest opening weekend for a Bond film, besting Die Another Day by $23 million.

Through November Sweeps, the big 3 networks are each sharing a piece of first place. CBS leads as the most watched network with 11.33 million viewers, while ABC placed first with Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54. ABC and NBC are both tied with 2.8 rating/8 share for Adults 18-34. This may seem like a positive, however, total numbers are down year-to-year, between 7 &11 percent in each category, with Fox down 15-19%.

SAG and the AMPTP are scheduled to meet Thursday for the first time in four months. The meeting, set up by Federal mediator Juan Carlos Gonzalez, is a sign that diplomacy may help get a contractual deal done. While SAG has been quiet since asking for mediation, studios are betting that the guild will not strike and are planning to increase production in the new year.

Plus, today's consulting question, "I've read that Hollywood has really cut TV development dollars, is it the economy?" Shelly has the answer on today's MediaBytes.

Shelly Palmer is a consultant and the host of MediaBytes a daily show featuring news you can use about technology, media & entertainment. He is Managing Director of Advanced Media Ventures Group LLC and the author of Television Disrupted: The Transition from Network to Networked TV (2008, York House Press). Shelly is also President of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, NY (the organization that bestows the coveted Emmy® Awards). You can join the MediaBytes mailing list here. Shelly can be reached at [e-mail]

Comments

[KevinKSF]

Shelly,
How do you think the Gay boycott of Cinemark Theaters will effect Sean Pen/Gus Van Sant"s Milk opening next week 11/26?