CBS Films - R.I.P.
I'm actually surprised there isn't more inside media coverage of the disastrous debut of CBS Films' first release - "Extraordinary Measures" starring Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser ($6.0 Million opening weekend from over 2,500 theaters - finishing 8th behind "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" in its 5th week). I realize the Jay/Dave/Conan/Jeff Zucker drama is a much sexier story but CBS Films' failure is another example of the cocksure executive that believes he can do no wrong.
Les Moonves, former bit player on "The Six Million Dollar Man" turned powerful CBS media mogul, is the exec on the hot seat this time. (Personally, I can imagine Jeff Zucker pushing this story just to get his name out of the press.)
Four years ago, when Sumner Redstone was completing the disastrous Viacom / CBS split, Mr. Moonves wanted Paramount Pictures so badly that when he didn't get it, he decided he could create a new Paramount Pictures from scratch - CBS Films.
It's a cold Monday morning at Black Rock today.
I'm assuming there will be two maybe three more failed releases in 2010 and then a decision to "refocus CBS' energies on our booming cable network distribution platforms and new media" (translation: the end of CBS Films).
The R.I.P. tombstone above is generous in giving CBS Films a four year lifespan (2007-2010) considering the first release wasn't until this past weekend - but I think three years of staffing up and development does count as being in business.
Another possibility for CBS would be to acquire Summit Entertainment. At least then they would have two guaranteed hits in the pipeline - the final two "Twilight" movies.Or... my personal dream plan, somehow have CBS either acquire or wrest away Paramount from Viacom. News Corporation buys the cable channels from Viacom (assets they sorely need). Viacom shuts down thus getting us one step closer to saying bye-bye to Sumner Redstone forever.
Regardless of what happens, CBS' old media experiment is not going to make it. But Les Moonves can take solace in the fact that a very exciting Super Bowl is coming to CBS and he still runs one of the top two broadcast networks in the country.
There was a time when that would have been enough for one man.
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About Jill Kennedy
Jill Kennedy is an Ivy League MBA / refugee from Lehman Brothers.
Manka Bros. (and the Manka Business Channel) hired her (for a very low sum) to cover the world of media (not the world of Medea) in her own words without corporate interference.
About Medea
Medea was a real bitch from classical mythology - as most famously dramatized by Euripides.
She was a sorceress and wife of Jason, whom she assisted in obtaining the Golden Fleece. When Jason deserted her, she chopped up their children. One could say, Medea acted as rationally as a major media company.
Tips, Scoops and Smoking Guns
A very surprising opening. I thought it would at least do $15 million with Harrison Ford in the lead. Maybe his star is beginning to fade as well.
Couldn't have happened to a nicer man.
Great stuff, Jill. Seriously, I thought when I saw the preview for this movie that it was a TV movie on CBS. I didn't even think it was going into theaters. I don't know why. It just had that look.
So sorry to see it go. So many great memories.
Is no one allowed to fail at least once? If it is as difficult as every one says then it may take 2 or 3 at bats before getting a hit. I dont think they're dead.
When i went to LA, I saw CBS EVERYWHERE. I mean, even bus stops were owned and operated by CBS.
We don't need that. We need mom and pop's BACK and in a big way.
Gee, if CBS FILMS closes down,who'll release the film versions of GUNSMOKE and JERICO :)
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