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Read Shelly’s blog for an in depth commentary on the television industry managing for margins.
WARNER BROS. (NYSE: TWX) Batman: The Dark Knight ruled the box office this weekend, taking in a record $155.3 million dollars. The Dark Knight bested previous record setter Spider-Man 3, which took in $151.1 million. The film, which was partially shot with Imax cameras and released at 100 Imax theatres, received a boost from Imax ticket sales, which costs over $5 more than the average ticket price.
NBC (NYSE: GE) announced that they will preview the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon online. Executive Producer Lorne Michaels said the show will probably be released in five-to-ten minute web clips as a way for Fallon to get comfortable with hosting Late Night. Fallon is expected to take over for Conan O’Brien, who will succeed Jay Leno as the host of The Tonight Show, May or June 2009.
AT&T (NYSE: T) is expected to show a large decline in landline subscribers and slow wireless growth when its second quarter reports are released Wednesday. Since June, AT&T’s stock has fallen roughly 10%. AT&T’s quarterly earnings will be a good indicator for Wall Street as to how the economy is affecting the telecom industry.
APPLE (NASD: AAPL) is expected to report its earnings today amidst rumors of Steve Job’s declining health. Jobs, who is a survivor of pancreatic cancer, has had analysts concerned since his appearance at the Worldwide Developers Conference, where he appeared extremely thin. Much of the concern over Jobs health steams from the lack of a named successor, as well as the fact that much of Apple’s worth is tied directly to Jobs and his personae.