Video sub losses knock Cablevision

Big NY-area cabler Cablevision Systems Friday saw earnings for the September quarter fall, revealing a loss of 19,000 video subscribers from the previous 3-month period partly offset by an uptick in voice and high-speed Internet biz.Net income plunged to $40 million from $112 million. Company cited higher programming, sales and marketing costs as well as a $16 million hit from Hurricane Irene in the NY metro area in late summer.Revenue rose 8% to about $1.7 billion, including contributions from Bresnan, a smaller cable operator acquired last December. Excluding Bresnan, Cablevision said revenue would have been essentially flat.Cablevision's numbers emphasized what Time Warner Cable illustrated the day before, a slippage of video subs to competition from telecom services like Verizon's Fios and possibly, although it's still early days, nascent inroads by new video streaming services like Netflix and Hulu and others.The company had 3.626 million customers at the end of Sept. The number of video customers dipped 19,000 to 3.264 from the quarter ended in June.On the upside, the company added 17,000 new voice customers and 38,000 new high-speed data customers. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Miramax proposes refinancing plan

Miramax has announced a plan to refinance its outstanding debt.Company will conduct an asset-backed securitization -- using the library and receivables to issue notes to investors.According to a release, Miramax hopes to close the deal by fourth quarter of 2011."The Miramax film library securitization is subject to market and other conditions, so there can be no assurance that it will be completed on terms that are satisfactory to Miramax or at all," the company said in a statement. Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

Source: No Truth To Gossips Nicole Scherzinger & Boyfriend Have Split

First Launched: October 22, 2011 6:26 PM EDT Credit: Getty Premium Caption Lewis Hamilton and Nicole Scherzinger cope with towards the 2011 National Movie Honours held at Wembley Arena, London, on May 11, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Gossips of Nicole Scherzinger and her longtime love, Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, splitting arent true, an origin near the singer told Access Hollywood. On Saturday, the UKs Daily Mail reported the X Factor judge, 33, and Lewis, 26, had separate, after greater than four years together. An origin told the newspaper, their work agendas were keeping them apart. Nicole works stateside just like a judge round the X Factor, while Lewis, a Brit, travels for his job just like a Formula 1 driver. But, an origin told Access on Saturday there's virtually no truth for the story in regards to the pair separating. Within This summer time, more reviews made an appearance in regards to the pair inside the Uk press, suggesting the two were engaged, but Nicoles repetition shot lower the rumor in those days. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

News Int'l. verifies Dowler payment

LONDON -- It's been confirmed the group of the killed British schoolgirl Milly Dowler, whose phone was compromised by News around the globe journalists, will be to get a two million ($3.two million) payout from News Worldwide, the paper's writer. Furthermore, Rupert Murdoch will personally give a million ($1.six million) to 6 non profit organizations selected through the Dowlers. Inside a statement, Murdoch stated: "After I met using the Dowlers in This summer, I expressed how deeply sorry I had been for that hurt we'd triggered the household. "The behaviour the News around the globe showed for the Dowlers was abhorrent and that i hope this donation underscores my regret for that company's role within this awful event. "I additionally hope that with the personal donation something positive could be completed in memory of the daughter." Meanwhile it's emerged that British police looking into the murder understood nine years back that voice-mails left on her behalf cell-phone have been intercepted through the News around the globe, but required no action. It had been the thought in This summer through the Protector newspaper that Milly's phone have been compromised through the Murdoch-possessed paper that increased the hacking scandal into front-page news over the British press and beyond. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Protesters rally outside ITV

About 25 supporters of the Writers Guild of America East have staged a protest outside the NY offices of ITV Studios as part of a long-running dispute over unionization. The guild has asserted that a majority of writers and producers at ITV, which produces ''The First 48'' and ''Four Weddings,'' voted for WGA representation in a secret ballot conducted in December but that the company has since tied up certification of the vote with various legal maneuvers. About 80 people would be covered by the WGA. Friday's event elicited demands that the company give its American employees the same rights as their unionized British counterparts. The WGA East reported that it was joined in the action by members of the Writers Guild of Great Britain, Irish Writers Guild, Scriptwriters Guild of Israel, Societe des auteurs de radio, television et cinema (SARTEC) , the Quebec guild , Writers Guild of America, West, La Guilde (French Writers Guild), Australian Writers Guild and New Zealand Writers Guild. The International Affiliation of Writers Guilds passed a resolution Thursday calling upon ITV Studios and its U.S. subsidiary to recognize the WGA East as the bargaining rep and to negotiate in good faith. Robert Taylor, Chair of Writers Guild of Great Britain said in a statement, ''We bargain collectively with ITV Studios in Britain, and we are shocked that the company is using shareholder money to fight the Writers Guild in the US. We believe the employees in the US should have the same rights as our members.'' The WGA East attempted to organize ITV as part of its efforts over the past year to bring its coverage to the non-fiction sector of the TV industry. It has successfully organized Atlas Media and Lion Television as part of that campaign. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

'Paranormal Activity 3' and also the Most frightening Ghost Moments in Movies

Audiences are required to become massive for 'Paranormal Activity 3' a few days ago, and when the film does its job, they'll potentially have to hurry home soon after to alter under garments. Like fans of ghost tales have one particular-to-follow request: "provide us with a great scare!" While audiences watch for 'Paranormal Activity 3' to provide on that advertise, you are able to rattle your anxiety at this time with a glance at probably the most memorable paranormal moments in movie history. Warning: not for that average person! 'The Haunting' (1963) This British thriller -- set within the dark and ominous Hill House -- has freaked audiences out for nearly half a century because of its "less is much moreInch approach. Pitch-black shadows that slip within the room and eerie moans that reverberate with the walls achieve a spine-tingling crescendo for poor Nell within this memorable scene. 'The Amityville Horror' (1979) The allegedly true story of the family terrorized by evil spirits within their new house, where a number of grisly killings happened years before, features lots of legendary scares (the flies, your eyes within the window, "Escape!Inch). However the most legendary -- and nasty -- moment from the film goes for this bloody fresh paint job. 'The Shining' (1980) During the period of two-and-a-half hrs, Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece completely disarms the crowd with unsettling imagery -- which interaction between little Danny and also the ghostly twins kicks the film into terrifying overdrive. 'Poltergeist' (1982) Should you thought getting into a pleasant, new suburban neighborhood would help you stay safe, reconsider. This ghost story by means of Steven Spielberg (who created) features incredible effects, but all it requires is a little stuffed clown toy to haunt individuals reminiscences for three decades. 'The Sixth Sense' (1999) The Oscar-nominated sensation required popular culture by storm because of Haley Joel Osment's enormous lead performance along with a truly shocking twist ending why is this moment stick out is a straightforward "Boo!" Click Osment's face to look at the clip 'The Others' (2001) Nicole Kidman stars within this publish-The Second World War thriller like a widowed mother attempting to raise two sickly children... oh, as well as investigate mysterious sounds heard in the center of the evening. The film's success owed a great deal to the ad campaign which capitalized about this skin-moving moment. 'The Orphanage' (2007) The The spanish language-language film -- in regards to a lady on the quest for her missing adopted boy -- grew to become an worldwide hit because regardless of what language you speak, we are able to all agree that several stone-faced, quiet youngsters are terrifying. 'Paranormal Activity' (2009) The film that began the phenomenon required the classic haunted house formula and removed it bare by having an innovative home-video approach. The movie's final moments however pack the greatest punch.[SPOILER ALERT] [Top Photo: Everett Collection] Take a look at these 31 ghost-filled classics for that 31 times of October. Classic Ghost Movies See All Moviefone Art galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Stephen Gaghan Focuses On Smuggling Of Cocaine And Human For Next Two Films

EXCLUSIVE: Stephen Gaghan has set up his next two directing projects, one covering the smuggling of cocaine from Mexico, the other human cargo from China. Gaghan, who last directed Syriana, has made a deal with Warner Bros for an untitled Cartel Project; and he has made a deal with Flashlight Pictures to direct an independent drama based on the book The Snakehead: An Epic Tale Of The Chinatown Underworld And The American Dream. The latter is the title of a book by NYer writer Patrick Keefe; it will be Keefe who writes the script for the Cartel project at Warner Bros. Gaghans Unsupervised Shingle is producing the Cartel project along with Kevin McCormacks Langley Park. The Warner Bros film will be partly based on Richard Marosis four-part series published in the Los Angeles Times this summer, about how an extensive DEA wiretap operation cracked a variety of smuggling rings transporting tons of cocaine from Sinaloa, Mexico, into Los Angeles and then across the country. Those methods included loading cocaine into everything from cars with elaborate hidden compartments to small airplanes and tractor trailers covered by pallets of frozen chicken. The wiretaps elicited highly personal information on smugglers, including one who would not make a move without the advice of a psychic. It’s the second project McCormick has set up from journalistic sources; Warner Bros is in production with the Ruben Fleischer-directed Gangster Squad with Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin and Emma Stone. The studio sees this as a star-driven crime drama that is The Departed meets an updated Traffic. Gaghan won an Academy Award for scripting the latter Steven Soderbergh-directed 2000 film, which illustrated the futility of Americas war on drugs in the 1990s. Marosis reporting indicated not a lot has changed. The wiretap operation led to arrests and the seizure of thousands of pounds of cocaine but barely dented a secret economy worth over $50 billion annually. Keefe, who scripted Marauders for Jerry Bruckheimer, spent the last year attached to the Assistant Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon focused on drug enforcement and security issues. Illegal drugs have fallen behind the war on terror, but that just means the enormous business of addiction is quieter, Gaghan told me. Law enforcement has made great strides infiltrating the cartels, but when you are generating $50 billion in untaxed income, you are able to buy a lot of sources and the cartels are just as busy infiltrating the interdiction side. There are networks all over the country like a pulmonary system for illegal drugs that you can get in any town in America. Any time a system of demand is so deeply penetrated into the heart of a country, it becomes a war with human nature. After Traffic I felt there was too much money spent on interdiction and not enough on treatment, and I still feel that you have to change the consumption engine in human behavior. In Snakehead, Gaghan will focus on the unlikely kingpin in an entirely different but profitable smuggling network. Sister Ping, a grandmother who operated a small noodle shop on Hester Street, spearheaded a multimillion-dollar operation in which she smuggled illegal immigrants from China. They would disappear in the underground Chinatown economy, working endless hours to pay off $18,000 transport fees for a piece of the American dream. Sister Ping made over $100 million in the 1980s and was a Don Corleone in the closed community of Chinatown, until authorities became wise to her empire in 1993 when a ship loaded with 300 undocumented immigrants ran aground off a beach in Queens. An FBI task force known as the Jade Squad spent the next decade untangling the network and chasing its elusive leader, who got a 35-year prison sentence. The film will be scripted by Nic Pizzolatto, who wrote the novel Galveston and two episodes of AMCs The Killing. Gaghan is producing with Richard Brown. Development will be financed by Flashlight Pictures, whose principals Allyn Stewart and Kipp Nelson will also produce. Gaghan said that Snakehead will focus on the intersection of Sister Ping’s empire with young Chinatown gangsters who wanted in when they realized how lucrative her smuggling business was. Gaghan doesnt look at Sister Ping as a villain, noting that the grandchildren of some of those illegal immigrants realized their parents’ dreams and became doctors. There are statues of her in China. The story is relevant today, he said. Humans are tribal but we migrate, and the forces driving that are hunger and opportunity, and now many of us are the ones migrating for jobs. Gaghan’s intention is to make the Cartel project first.

Patty Jenkins Confirmed to Direct Thor 2

Congrats are in order to Patty Jenkins, who was confirmed today as Marvel’s pick to helm their 2013 sequel, Thor 2. Jenkins, who directed Charlize Theron to an Oscar in 2003’s Monster, her feature directorial debut, inherits the helm of the Thor comic book movie franchise from Kenneth Branagh. Full press release after the jump. The hire launches Jenkins into vaunted company in the world of big budget studio franchises — not to mention the world of studio filmmaking overall, where few women land major action projects — and marks an interesting choice by Marvel Studios, given Jenkins’ past work. Monster,the biopic of Aileen Wuornos, made quite the mark for a debut film, while Jenkins also earned kudos (and an Emmy nod) for directing the pilot of AMC’s The Killing. Most recently, she directed a segment of the Lifetime original film Five, which Movieline assessed here. From Marvel Studios: Marvel Studios announced today that Patty Jenkins will direct THOR 2, which will be released in theatres on Friday, November 15, 2013. Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman will return to star in the film along with Tom Hiddleston. Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige will produce the sequel to this summer’s blockbuster THOR, which has grossed over $448 million worldwide to date.Patty Jenkins previously directed MONSTER starring Charlize Theron, who won an Academy Award for her performance in the film. Jenkins, who received an Emmy nomination for directing the pilot of AMC’s acclaimed series The Killing, has also directed episodes of Entourage and Arrested Development. Most recently, she directed “Pearl,” one of the five short films that comprise Lifetime’s original movie FIVE.In addition to THOR 2, Marvel Studios is currently scheduled to release MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS on May 4, 2012, and IRON MAN 3 which is slated for release on May 3, 2013. TOLDJA! Patty Jenkins Confirmed As ‘Thor 2 Director [Deadline]

Hatchery, Jane Startz option 'Angel' book series

La-based production company the Hatchery and Gotham-based Jane Startz Prods. have teamed to option scribe L.A. Weatherly's book trilogy, "Angel." The series follows the complicated romance of Willow, half-angel and half-human character, and Alex, a CIA assassin designated to look her lower. "Angel Burn," the initial book inside the "Angel" series, was released in your area by Candlewick Press in May and showed up a higher ten perfect the American Assn. of Booksellers' Indie Next List. "Angel Fire," the second book inside the series, will released inside the U.K. this month, which is slated for just about any U.S. release within the month of the month of january 2012. The best book inside the "Angel" trilogy is predicted being launched in fall 2012. Startz, recognized for creating book-to-film adaptations for instance "Ella Enchanted" and "The Newborn-Sitters' Club," known to "Angel" as "most likely probably the most thrilling, romantic and imaginative books I have read in a really, super very long time," while Hatchery partner Serta Angel named the trilogy a "rare property which hits on all cylinders." Candlewick Press topper Karen Lotz added, "We simply cannot wait to find out how (it) translate for audiences using what promises to become thrill ride feature film." Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Lamberg to UMPG leader

Filling vacuum pressure towards the top of among music publishing's greatest firms, Evan Lamberg continues to be marketed to leader of Universal Music Posting Group, The United States. Lamberg was formerly professional Vice president of creative for UMPG, New England. In the new role, he'll oversee the business's United States procedures, including its pop, urban, country, Latin, Christian/gospel and Canadian divisions. Move installs a brand new topper in the pubbery, that has didn't have an innovator since former UMPG chairman-Boss David Renzer ankled the organization in April. Renzer, who spent fifteen years using the posting unit, held the title of UMPG leader through 2004. Lamberg depends in UMG's Santa Monica office and report collectively to Universal Group leader-chief operating officer Zach Horowitz and UMG chairman-Boss Lucian Grainge. Like a creative professional at UMPG, Lamberg has signed or labored with your top songwriters and functions as Attacking Young Boys, Owl City, Desmond Child, Sean Garrett and Jackie Evancho. Younger crowd inked a partnership posting agreement with Lady Gaga's creative team of Troy Carter and Vincent Herbert. Before joining UMPG, Lamberg was at EMI Music Posting, where he rose to professional Vice president of creative, The United States, and also at Gibson Guitar, where he was professional Vice president of procedures. Horowitz stated inside a statement: "Evan's stellar history for finding, signing and taking care of the most effective songwriting talent, coupled with his managing, business and business abilities, makes him your best option to develop UMPG's market leading position and also to take our United States procedures one stage further.Inch UMPG also introduced the roll-out of a worldwide board "to help maximize possibilities for UMPG talent and partners on the worldwide basis." The worldwide board includes Lamberg, Paul Connolly (leader, U.K. and Europe), Eddie Fernandez (senior Vice president, Latin America), Andrew Jenkins (professional Vice president, Asia Off-shore/industry matters), Gary Gross (worldwide prexy, Universal Posting Production Music) and Michael J. Sammis (professional Vice president, procedures, and worldwide chief financial officer). Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Ridley Scott, BBC prep U.K. 'Life'

ScottCANNES -- Ridley Scott is working together using the BBC on the feature docu inspired by feature "Existence per day,Inch which aims to produce a self-portrait from the U.K. throughout just one day. The concept involves Britons filming themselves for any project which will air in your area in 2012 included in the pubcaster's Cultural Olympiad, which seeks to focus on existence and mores in Blighty as London gears as much as host the Olympic games. Scott stated: "Filmmaking happens to be about just obtaining a camera, escaping . there and doing the work. "Our goal with this new project is to buy everybody behind the lens and provide us a window onto eventually in great britan.Inch "Existence per day,Inch that was created by Scott's shingle Scott Free, was helmed by Kevin Macdonald. He edited a lot more than 4,500 hrs of footage posted by people from around the globe right into a 90-minute documentary, which bowed theatrically within the U.S. in This summer. Macdonald is professional producer around the new docu, to become helmed by Morgan Matthews, maker of "The Fallen," the BAFTA-winning film naming all British soldiers wiped out in Iraq and Afghanistan. "(Matthews) uses the wealthy chest of fabric posted to craft just one, coherent story that captures the range and excitement of existence in great britan today," stated the BBC. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com