Media Decoder: Hercules and the Rival Studios

Two big-budget movies about the mythological figure, from different studios, are scheduled for release next year.

    



‘Catching Fire’ Wins at Weekend Box Office

The second installment of the “Hunger Games” franchise set a November box-office record with its opening weekend in North America.

    



Hollywood Studios Facing Upheaval at Highest Levels

A rolling realignment, seemingly change for change’s sake, has knocked out executives and producers at several major studios.

    



Advertising: Commercial Breaks That Keep a Story Going

Target and ABC are teaming up for a holiday campaign using characters from three ABC sitcoms — “The Middle,” “Back in the Game” and “Modern Family.”

    



Media Decoder: An Inadvertent Paean to Jerry Bruckheimer, From the Studio That Ousted Him

Jerry Bruckheimer and Disney agreed in September to part ways, in the wake of his “Lone Ranger” flop. But a giant new book, from Disney Editions, was already in the works.

    



Disney Struggles to Make Its Free Gaming Apps Pay

Mobile games are a major growth opportunity, and analysts say a recent flop underscores the challenges Disney faces in a shifting marketplace.

    



NBCUniversal Takes Full Ownership of Sprout Cable Network

The company, which a year ago owned 40 percent of the network, said it had bought out two partners, PBS and HIT Television Ventures.

    



Dish Nears Pact to Avert Blackout With Disney

The Dish Network also reported unexpected rises in both subscribers and revenue, and returned to profit in the most recent quarter.

    



Advertising: A Media Services Agency Rides the Health and Wellness Wave

Horizon Media is starting a unit to plan and buy all kinds of media for health and wellness companies.

    



A Co-President Quits Disney’s Video Game and Web Unit

John Pleasants, the hard-charging co-chief of Disney’s video game and web division, is expected to remain with the company through January as a consultant.

    



Same Time, Same Channel? TV Woos Kids Who Can’t Wait

In their efforts to attract children, television networks are starting to show programs online before they appear on old-fashioned TV.

    



Theme Parks and Movies Propel Profit at Disney

Television-related businesses reported declines, but the company announced a deal to produce four live-action drama series and a mini-series on Netflix.

    



Disney Reports 13% Increase in Profit

Theme park and movie divisions were up, but television-related businesses reported declines.

    



News From the Advertising Industry for the Week of Nov. 4

Account assignments, executive appointments and miscellaneous news from advertising agencies.

    



Disney and Dish Wrangle Not Over Broadcast Fees, but the Future of TV

The protracted distribution negotiations under way between Dish Network and the Walt Disney Company are said to focus on digital rights like ad-skipping and online streaming.

    



Ads Scant When Twitter Crosses Borders

Though three-quarters of its users are outside the United States, only a modest portion of its ad revenue is generated there. But it’s growing fast.

    



Disney Show Will Appear First on App for Tablets

Tablet computers are becoming the “first screen” for pre-school-age viewers and Disney is making a broader investment with the app debut of “Sheriff Callie’s Wild West.”

    



Gambling Debate Entangles Disney in Florida

Disney has long led the fight against the expansion of casinos in the state, but it also owns the Marvel superheroes, whose images appear on slot machines.

    

Abrams and Kasdan Take Over Writing of New ‘Star Wars’ Movie

Michael Arndt, who wrote “Toy Story 3,” has been replaced as screenwriter of Lucasfilm’s new movie by its director, J.J. Abrams, and Lawrence Kasdan, a Lucasfilm veteran.

    



Lou Scheimer, TV Cartoon Producer, Dies at 84

Mr. Scheimer’s company, Filmation, produced “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids,” “The Archie Show” and “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe,” among other cartoon series.