Daily Marauder

BROADCAST/CABLE

If the Hollywood writers strike continues for another 60 to 90 days, the amount of lost spending on television and film production could reach $3 billion, according to an industry study. The strike to date is estimated to have cost Los Angeles County about $1.5 billion. (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117979534.html?categoryid=10&cs=1 1/23)

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has enlisted the help of HP to deliver copies of its films and TV shows to customers. “We’re hoping this provides another option to make available products that wouldn’t necessarily garner widespread retail shelf space,” said Jason Spivak, senior vice president of strategic development at Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. (CNET/Reuters 1/23, Los Angeles Times 1/24)

Starz has sewn up long-term movie deals with five studios, according to this article. The pay-cable network extended by three years its film deals with Sony and Disney and signed fresh accords for about 1,200 theatricals with Warner Bros., MGM and Universal Pictures. (The Hollywood Reporter 1/24)

For the third week in a row, USA is on top of the cable ratings heap, according to data from Nielsen. The network attracted an average of 2.79 million viewers in prime time for the week ended Jan. 20 and also finished No. 1 in the 18-to-49 and 25-to-54 demos. (Mediaweek 1/23)

Verizon’s FiOS television offering has signed a carriage agreement with Metro-Goldwyn Mayer’s high-definition TV channel. The deal, expected to start in late 2008, gives Verizon customers access to MGM’s film library. (Broadcasting & Cable 1/23)