Summer Task 4- Media Institutions

The Big Six:

90% of the US media is controlled by six companies, the media included varies across film , television,  radio and magazines

Comcast:  Other companies owned includes-

NBC, Telemundo, Universal Pictures, Focus Features- cable networks: USA network, Bravo, The Weather Channel ,CNBC, Univesal HD, Golf channel. They also own Philadelphia flyers

The secret life of pets -An example of  a film produced by Universal Pictures,owned by Comcast. This film was release on the 8^th of July 2016 in the US with a gross profit of $353,340,185 and an estimated budget of $75,000,000. The advertisng campaign for The secret life of pets included a collaboration with Sky Broadband where short teaser clips of the film are included within their own advertisement.

The Walt Disney Company:  Other companies owned-

ABC television network, ESPN, Disney Channel, 30 radio stations, music, video games and book publishing companies. Production companies including Touchstone, Marvel Entertainment, Walt Disney Pictures, Lucasfilm, Pixar Animation Studios

The BFG- An example of a production by Walt Disney Pictures.  It was released on 1^st of July 2016 in the US with a gross profit of $54,319,626 and budget of $140,000,000. The film is directed by Steven Spielberg who is very well known from other films such as Jurassic Park, using well known directors from the industry may then create intrest from those who recognise the name from a film they have previously enjoyed. To promote the release of The BFG the company Entertainment One set up 50 ‘dream jars’ around London.

21^st Century Fox: Other companies includes-

Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox news Channel, National Geographic, FX, Fox Sports, New York Post, HarperCollins, 20^th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures and Blue sky Studios.

Deadpool- An example of a 20^th Century Fox production released on the 12^th February 2016. Its gross profit was $363,024,263and the estimated budget for the film was $58,000,000. The film also starred famous actor, Ryan Reynolds, known from his similar role in The Green Lantern. The advertising campaign for the film was primarily focussed on Social Media, sharing interviews and videos with the targeted audience.

Time Warner: Other companies include-

CNN, HBO, Cinemax, Cartoon Network,truTV, Turner Classic movies,Warner Bros Pictures, DC Comics, New Line Cinema.

Suicide squad- A Warner Bros production, released on the 5^th of August 2016 in the US. Its gross profit was $285,462,545 and it had an estimated budget of $175,000,000. It also starred well known actors such as Will Smith. The advertising campaign included several releases of teaser trailers and images posted on social media.

Viacom: Other companies include-

MTV,Nickelodeon,VH1, BET, Comedy Central, Paramount Pictures and Paramount home entertainment

Star Trek Beyond- A Paramount Pictures production, released on the 22^nd of July 2016. An estimated budget of $185,000,000 and profit of $150,891,580. The advertising campaign for the film included partnerships with companies such as Hewlett Packard Enterprise 

CBS Corporation: Other companies owned-

CBS TV Network, Showtime, CBS Radio, CBS television Studios, book publisher Simon & Schuster.