"Since the original series debuted in 1966, … the Star Trek galaxy has logged 900 television episodes and 13 feature films, amounting to 668 hours. … Every single person I spoke to for this story talked about Star Trek with a joyful earnestness as rare in the industry as a Klingon pacifist." - Variety
The communications minister's complaints were about some of the prime-time soap operas that draw massive viewership as people break their Ramadan fasts in the evenings. (One serial, for instance, showed characters using alcohol and cocaine,) He also griped that ads take up more time than programming does. - AP
As management looks to cut 10% of the budget, it "hopes the plan will help reduce some expenses, but … the station expects to still cut more jobs or freeze hiring. Anyone hired at least three months ago can take the buyout." - The Boston Globe (MSN)
"(Congress has) approved $535 million in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in fiscal year 2026. The funding, included in the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024, upholds the two-year advance appropriation for public radio and television." - Inside Radio
Old-school revolt, though: “When you consider the original stories we’ll never see because studio execs don’t believe they’re profitable, that’s frustrating as a viewer flipping through the TV and seeing more of the same. It makes you feel like you might as well just get cable again." - HuffPost
Truly, this is monumental. “Spanning the 1980s through the 2000s, the Martin Scorsese VHS Tape Collection contains more than 4,400 distinct titles, including features, documentaries, shorts, history programs and award shows." - The Guardian (UK)
Sure, there’s a new Regina King-starring biopic on Netflix, but the real Shirley Chisholm who ran for president "knew the nomination was a longshot, but hoped she could amass enough delegates to force presumptive nominee George McGovern to act in the interest of coalition." - Time
The post-strike, post-peak-TV slowdown threatens Calfornia, "where TV, film and commercial shoots are a sizable driver of employment supporting not just bigwig directors, producers and movie stars but also all the below-the-line laborers, craftspeople and myriad ancillary businesses." - MSN (Los Angeles Times)
The reason for the change is unclear. "During her tenure, Vicente brought Robert Redford’s 45-year-old festival in Park City, Utah, back in person following two consecutive years of pandemic shutdowns while also opening it up to larger online audiences.” But the economy - and streaming. - Los Angeles Times
The awards, mostly predicted with one or two slight surprises, have been shelved for 2024, but some wounds are fresh. Diane Warren has 15 nominations and no wins. Then there’s Bradley Cooper. (And Glenn Close! Ah, Glenn Close.) - Vulture
Americans are spending 27% more on streaming than they did last year, up from $48. That $13 increase could have something to do with Netflix and Max raising prices in 2023, or a slew of streaming services cracking down on password sharing. - Gizmodo
"In February, the state House of Representatives passed a bill that would limit the tax credits that could be sold annually to 2.5% of the state budget — or about $900 million next year. The Senate Finance Committee effectively torpedoed that provision at a meeting on Wednesday night." - Variety
"Former host and reporter Vic Vela, who rose to prominence in recent years through his podcast about addiction, recovery and mental health, filed complaints Tuesday with state and federal disability authorities alleging he was fired in January because he asked for accommodations to help maintain his sobriety." - The Colorado Sun
