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The Ankler is a critical examination focusing on the turbulence within Hollywood, addressing industry leadership, evolving business models, strikes, the impact of social media, real estate challenges for entertainment professionals, and historical perspectives. It offers insight into Hollywood's future, corporate shake-ups, and the evolving landscape of storytelling and streaming services.

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The hottest Substack posts of The Ankler

And their main takeaways

Oscar, Actors and the Double Exposure Effect

923 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Film Actors TV shows Performance Entertainment
  1. Actors can benefit from the Double Exposure Effect when they have multiple great performances out at the same time, boosting their chances in award competitions.
  2. Timing is crucial in the entertainment industry; a well-timed release can elevate an actor's Oscar campaign, while an ill-timed one can damage it.
  3. The overall career and public perception of an actor can also influence their chances in award shows like the Oscars, showcasing the importance of a strong body of work.
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Hollywood's New Private School Arms Race

569 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Education Social Issues Entertainment Youth Inequality
  1. Los Angeles' private schools are becoming more competitive with an increased focus on rebranding and marketing.
  2. Private schools in Los Angeles are facing challenges such as demographic shifts, DEI curriculum overhauls, and mental health issues among students.
  3. The private school market in Los Angeles remains competitive, with parents heavily investing in the admissions process and schools needing to navigate the needs of both parents and students.

🎧 Disney's Next Decade

353 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎙 Podcasts Entertainment Media Business
  1. Disney CEO Bob Iger announced big plans for a 'sports Hulu' and gaming partnerships
  2. Theme park revenue is thriving, but linear TV profits are dropping
  3. The TV industry job market is shifting, with some areas growing while others decline

☀️SPOTIFY Crosses 600M Users, Still Loses Money

353 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
💼 Business Streaming services Entertainment industry
  1. Spotify has over 600 million users but is still facing financial losses.
  2. The NFL's expansion for the 2024 season includes a Friday game from Sao Paulo, Brazil, which is a creative move to utilize a calendar loophole.
  3. Apple TV+ is releasing a lineup of 16 scripted and documentary series within a 16-week timeframe, similar to HBO's strategies over three years.

🎧 Fragile Egos Don't Take Fountain

412 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Hollywood Film Entertainment
  1. Bette Davis advised actors to 'take Fountain' for a shortcut, but really they wanted their feelings protected instead of practical advice.
  2. Executives often soften criticism with fluffy language to avoid hurting feelings.
  3. Rob Long was shocked when someone asked if his canceled show meant he was washed up, highlighting the delicate nature of egos in Hollywood.

9 Questions that Will Define 2024

452 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
💼 Business Entertainment industry
  1. 2024 will bring answers to big issues left unresolved in 2023.
  2. The entertainment industry may face potential strikes from IATSE and the Teamsters.
  3. Past assurances that unions wouldn't halt Hollywood operations were proven wrong before.

🎧 The Rapid-Fire News Out of Netflix

294 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
💼 Business Entertainment Media
  1. Netflix's head of film, Scott Stuber, stepped down after 7 years, hinting at change
  2. Netflix made a huge $5 billion deal for WWE Raw, signaling new directions
  3. Netflix's record subscriber count and Oscar nominations show a shift in the company's strategy

☀️Lionsgate & AMC Show Squeeze is on for Mid-Sized Hollywood

216 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
  1. The SEC collegiate athletic conference made $853 Million in its FY23 from football TV rights
  2. The Oscars are adding a new category for casting directors in 2025
  3. LGF and AMC are reporting Q4 numbers that have sent both stock prices down significantly

The Fever Dream of Barbenheimer

294 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Movies Entertainment Celebrities Awards
  1. Barbie and Oppenheimer faced off at the Oscars, but only one emerged as a clear favorite.
  2. Having two popular films as major players is good for attracting viewers, but sets up disappointment for fans of the losing film.
  3. Barbie faced snubs in key categories like best director and best actress nominations, causing disappointment among fans.

The Falling TV News Star Salary

216 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
  1. Top TV news anchors' salaries are dropping as media companies face budget cuts and declining linear business, leading to a trend of replacing high-paid stars with lower-cost talent.
  2. The era of massive paydays for news anchors is likely ending due to aging audiences, shrinking ad revenues, and the rise of platforms like TikTok attracting younger viewers.
  3. Big-money anchor contracts from the past decade have not always paid off, with some high-paid stars failing to connect with audiences and getting ousted as networks focus on cost-cutting.

How Netflix’s $5B WWE Deal Could Body-Slam Reality's Slump

255 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
💼 Business Media Streaming Entertainment Reality TV
  1. Netflix's $5 billion deal with WWE is creating hope for unscripted producers and executives.
  2. Despite a slowdown in reality TV business due to tight budgets, recent announcements from Netflix and Comedy Central are sparking fresh prospects.
  3. The unscripted genre is seeing a revival, with Netflix's move beyond just sports signaling potential ripple effects on the industry.