‘Five Nights at Freddy’s' and Taylor Swift Show Gen Z Isn’t Abandoning Theaters, CBS’ ‘Yellowstone’ Could Be a Blueprint for Legacy Media and Peacock Is Positioned for Streaming Success

Plus: Mark Zuckerberg Is coming for Sam Altman and OpenAI, Ike Perlmutter backs Nelson Peltz in board seat push at Disney and ‘Friends’ stars say they’re ‘Devastated’ by Matthew Perry’s death ["Five Nights at Freddy's"/"Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour"]( ['Five Nights at Freddy's' and Taylor Swift Show Gen Z Isn't Abandoning Theaters | Analysis]( By Jeremy Fuster Despite a day-and-date release, poor critics’ reviews, and a probable lack of awareness from most moviegoers old enough to remember using Windows 95, Universal’s “Five Nights at Freddy’s” has set a new opening weekend record for its production company Blumhouse with an impressive $80 million opening. Who to thank for its stellar turnout: Gen Z audiences that some exhibitors have been worried aren’t as interested in going out to the movies in 2023. According to demographic data from Universal, 81% of the video game adaptation’s opening weekend crowd was under 25, with 43% being between the ages of 13-17. Over the past decade, the “Five Nights at Freddy’s” games have built a devoted following among Gen Z gamers that any video game or horror franchise would love to have. And even if the box office returns fall off sharply next weekend, this $20 million production has the makings of another new franchise for Blumhouse. [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [102623-Costner-Yellowstone-Artwork]( [CBS' 'Yellowstone' Ratings Boom Sets the Scene to Leverage Shows Across Streamers, Networks]( By Loree Seitz CBS has a brand new hit on its hands with the broadcast run this fall of Paramount Network drama “Yellowstone.” Nearly 22 million viewers tuned in to at least one episode of the Taylor Sheridan drama. Paired with Paramount Global’s cross-network promotions, the show’s ratings success could be a blueprint for legacy media companies looking to leverage hit shows across both linear and streaming platforms. It wasn’t some genius strategy. The broadcast network’s decision to air the series — which first premiered on the cable channel Paramount Network in 2018 — was prompted by this summer’s Hollywood double strikes, which halted production of scripted shows and left broadcasters scrambling to fill their fall schedules. While the Kevin Costner-led drama might not have made it to CBS without the work stoppage, its inclusion in the network’s Sunday lineup exposed new audiences to what was already a hit series on Paramount cable while streaming on a rival company’s platform, NBCUniversal’s Peacock. [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Peacock]( [Peacock Is Positioned for Streaming Success, but Can NBC Help it Take Flight? | Charts]( By Christofer Hamilton Peacock emerged as a bright spot in Comcast’s third quarter earnings report on Thursday. The platform added 4 million subscribers for a total of 28 million. This, combined with increased prices for the streamer, grew its revenue to $830 million. In addition to its solid earnings numbers, several other indicators look positive for Peacock in the short, medium and long term. The question is whether NBCUniversal will be able to fully take advantage of these strengths to make Peacock a more competitive platform. In the immediate term, Peacock has been well positioned to weather the content stoppages of the strikes with its catalog of unscripted content. Highly in-demand competition series from NBC like “America’s Got Talent” and “The Voice” are available on Peacock. The platform’s lineup of Bravo reality series is a cornerstone of its library and WWE shows often rank among the most in-demand on Peacock. [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Mark Zuckerberg Is Coming for Sam Altman and OpenAI]( [Nelson Peltz and guests attends Day 4 of American Express Presents CARBONE Beach]( [Ike Perlmutter Backs Nelson Peltz in Renewed Board Seat Push at Disney]( ['Friends' Stars Say They're 'Devastated' by Matthew Perry's Death in Joint Statement: 'We're Going to Take a Moment to Grieve'Â]( [Lionsgate Nabs US and UK Rights for Indian Actioner 'Kill']( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Wrap Pro logo] Discover why entertainment executives and professionals rely on the WrapPRO platform daily for exclusive coverage, analysis, deeper reporting, and access to VIP events & screenings throughout the year. [Subscribe Today]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [YouTube]( TheWrap | 2034 Armacost Ave Los Angeles, CA 90025 [Preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [LiveIntent Logo]( [AdChoices Logo](