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YouTube may be Google's most potent weapon against Facebook (GOOGL, FB)

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Susan Wojcicki

  • YouTube may give Google a leg up in its battle with Facebook over supremacy in the digital advertising market.
  • US consumers already spend more time watching YouTube videos than they spend on Facebook — and that lead is likely growing, Pivotal Research Group noted in a research report Tuesday.
  • While YouTube has been dinged for hosting controversial and amateur videos, half of all the time consumers spend on the site is spent watching videos from the largest media companies, Wieser noted. 
  • Such data could make YouTube a more compelling place for national advertisers, he wrote.

In its battle with Facebook for consumers' attention and advertisers' dollars, Google may have a not-so-secret weapon — YouTube.

Collectively, US consumers already spend more time on YouTube than they do on Facebook, Brian Wieser, a financial analyst with Pivotal Research Group, reported in a research note Tuesday. And that gap seems likely to grow — while Facebook members are spending less time on the social network, people are spending more time watching YouTube videos, Wieser noted.

"Given YouTube’s relative scale ... ongoing growth at these levels is a notable trend for the industry," Wieser said.

Despite the bullish report, he maintained his "hold" rating on shares of Google parent company Alphabet and his $1,100 price target. In midday trading Tuesday, Alphabet's stock was up $9.61, or about 1%, to $1,104.37.

US consumers spent about 4 billion hours on Facebook as of November, Wieser reported, citing the most recent data available from Nielsen. As Facebook itself reported in January, domestic usage of its site is falling, thanks in part to changes it's made to its news feed that de-emphasize posts from news outlets and other organizations and promote those from users' friends and family members.

By contrast, from August through February, US consumers 18 and older spent an average of 176 million hours a day — or 4.9 billion hours a month — watching YouTube on mobile devices, Wieser reported, citing data from Nielsen's Digital Content Ratings Service. That's already given YouTube a sizeable lead over the social networking giant in terms of the amount of time US consumers are collectively spending on the sites.

Consumers in the US spend billions of hours watching YouTube each month

But those figures underestimate YouTube's advantage, because they don't take into account all of the people who are tuning into its videos and all of the ways they are accessing the site, Wieser said. If you factor in viewers who are younger than 18 and people who are older than 18 that are watching YouTube on their smart TV's or via media streamers such as Roku's boxes, the total time US consumers spent on the streaming giant's site was about 6 billion hours a month, he calculated.

And unlike Facebook's viewership, YouTube's is growing. The number of hours people spent on the video site grew consistently over the August-to-February period. If you look just at the 4.9 billion hour figure, that was up 29% from the same period a year earlier, Wieser said.

US consumers spend about 50 billion hours a month watching videos of all kinds on their personal devices, Wieser estimated. Viewers spend about 30 billion hours of that time watching videos that are ad-supported, like those on YouTube. Either way you look at it, though, the amount of time US consumers spend watching YouTube accounts for a double-digit percentage of their overall video viewership each month, Wieser said.

Videos from top media companies dominate YouTube

Advertisers have often held YouTube at arm's length, because of the uneven quality of the videos on its site and the frequent presence of controversial ones. But Wieser suggested the company may have more success luring advertisers in the future.

If you look at the 74 largest companies in media, their videos accounted for about half of all viewership on YouTube, Wieser noted. Among the companies whose videos collectively attracted the largest viewership were Universal Music Group, Vevo, and Warner Music, each of which accounted for more than 3% of all YouTube views a month, he reported.

All of this could add up to an attractive case for the company to make to advertisers, he said.

"The relative scale of YouTube and its relatively high concentration of large publishers ... whose content is either professional or semi-professional in nature is favorable for YouTube in terms of its capacity to represent itself as a substitute to traditional TV for national advertisers," Wieser wrote.

SEE ALSO: Facebook's usage decline should have investors worried — no matter what Mark Zuckerberg says

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The eSports competitive video gaming market continues to grow revenues & attract investors

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eSports Advertising and Sponsorships

This is a preview of a research report from BI Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service. To learn more about BI Intelligence, click here.

What is eSports? History & Rise of Video Game Tournaments

Years ago, eSports was a community of video gamers who would gather at conventions to play Counter Strike, Call of Duty, or League of Legends.

These multiplayer video game competitions would determine League of Legends champions, the greatest shooters in Call of Duty, the cream of the crop of Street Fighter players, the elite Dota 2 competitors, and more.

But today, as the history of eSports continue to unfold, media giants such as ESPN and Turner are broadcasting eSports tournaments and competitions. And in 2014, Amazon acquired Twitch, the live streaming video platform that has been and continues to be the leader in online gaming broadcasts. And YouTube also wanted to jump on the live streaming gaming community with the creation of YouTube Gaming.

eSports Market Growth Booming

To put in perspective how big eSports is becoming, a Google search for "lol" does not produce "laughing out loud" as the top result. Instead, it points to League of Legends, one of the most popular competitive games in existence. The game has spawned a worldwide community called the League of Legends Championship Series, more commonly known as LCS or LOL eSports.

What started as friends gathering in each other's homes to host LAN parties and play into the night has become an official network of pro gaming tournaments and leagues with legitimate teams, some of which are even sponsored and have international reach. Organizations such as Denial, AHQ, and MLG have multiple eSports leagues.

And to really understand the scope of all this, consider that the prize pool for the latest Dota 2 tournament was more than $20 million.

Websites even exist for eSports live scores to let people track the competitions in real time if they are unable to watch. There are even fantasy eSports leagues similar to fantasy football, along with the large and growing scene of eSports betting and gambling.

So it's understandable why traditional media companies would want to capitalize on this growing trend just before it floods into the mainstream. Approximately 300 million people worldwide tune in to eSports today, and that number is growing rapidly. By 2020, that number will be closer to 500 million.

eSports Industry Analysis - The Future of the Competitive Gaming Market

Financial institutions are starting to take notice. Goldman Sachs valued eSports at $500 million in 2016 and expects the market will grow at 22% annually compounded over the next three years into a more than $1 billion opportunity.

And industry statistics are already backing this valuation and demonstrating the potential for massive earnings. To illustrate the market value, market growth, and potential earnings for eSports, consider Swedish media company Modern Times Group's $87 million acquisition of Turtle Entertainment, the holding company for ESL. YouTube has made its biggest eSports investment to date by signing a multiyear broadcasting deal with Faceit to stream the latter's Esports Championship Series. And the NBA will launch its own eSports league in 2018.

Of course, as with any growing phenomenon, the question becomes: How do advertisers capitalize? This is especially tricky for eSports because of its audience demographics, which is young, passionate, male-dominated, and digital-first. They live online and on social media, are avid ad-blockers, and don't watch traditional TV or respond to conventional advertising.

So what will the future of eSports look like? How high can it climb? Could it reach the mainstream popularity of baseball or football? How will advertisers be able to reach an audience that does its best to shield itself from advertising?

Robert Elder, research analyst for BI Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service, has compiled an unparalleled report on the eSports ecosystem that dissects the growing market for competitive gaming. This comprehensive, industry-defining report contains more than 30 charts and figures that forecast audience growth, average revenue per user, and revenue growth.

Companies and organizations mentioned in the report include: NFL, NBA, English Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, NHL, Paris Saint-Germain, Ligue 1, Ligue de Football, Twitch, Amazon, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, ESPN, Electronic Arts, EA Sports, Valve, Riot Games, Activision Blizzard, ESL, Turtle Entertainment, Dreamhack, Modern Times Group, Turner Broadcasting, TBS Network, Vivendi, Canal Plus, Dailymotion, Disney, BAMTech, Intel, Coca Cola, Red Bull, HTC, Mikonet

Here are some eSports industry facts and statistics from the report:

  • eSports is a still nascent industry filled with commercial opportunity.
  • There are a variety of revenue streams that companies can tap into.
  • The market is presently undervalued and has significant room to grow.
  • The dynamism of this market distinguishes it from traditional sports.
  • The audience is high-value and global, and its numbers are rising.
  • Brands can prosper in eSports by following the appropriate game plan.
  • Game publishers approach their Esport ecosystems in different ways.  
  • Successful esport games are comprised of the same basic ingredients.
  • Digital streaming platforms are spearheading the popularity of eSports.
  • Legacy media are investing into eSports, and seeing encouraging results.
  • Traditional sports franchises have a clear opportunity to seize in eSports.
  • Virtual and augmented reality firms also stand to benefit from eSports.  

In full, the report illuminates the business of eSports from four angles:

  • The gaming nucleus of eSports, including an overview of popular esport genres and games; the influence of game publishers, and the spectrum of strategies they adopt toward their respective esport scenes; the role of eSports event producers and the tournaments they operate.
  • The eSports audience profile, its size, global reach, and demographic, psychographic, and behavioral attributes; the underlying factors driving its growth; why they are an attractive target for brands and broadcasters; and the significant audience and commercial crossover with traditional sports.
  • eSports media broadcasters, including digital avant-garde like Twitch and YouTube, newer digital entrants like Facebook and traditional media outlets like Turner’s TBS Network, ESPN, and Canal Plus; their strategies and successes in this space; and the virtual reality opportunity.
  • eSports market economics, with a market sizing, growth forecasts, and regional analyses; an evaluation of the eSports spectacle and its revenue generators, some of which are idiosyncratic to this industry; strategic planning for brand marketers, with case studies; and an exploration of the infinite dynamism and immense potential of the eSports economy.

Interested in getting the full report? Here are two ways to access it:

  1. Subscribe to an All-Access pass to BI Intelligence and gain immediate access to this report and over 100 other expertly researched reports. As an added bonus, you'll also gain access to all future reports and daily newsletters to ensure you stay ahead of the curve and benefit personally and professionally. >> START A MEMBERSHIP
  2. Purchase & download the full report from our research store. >> BUY THE REPORT

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A cringe-worthy video of a 13-year-old Kate Middleton acting in a school play has resurfaced — and its prediction of her future is startlingly accurate

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kate latest m

  • Footage of 13-year-old Kate Middleton starring in a school play has resurfaced online.
  • The play's story bears a startling resemblance to the Duchess of Cambridge's real life years down the line.
  • It captures the moment a fortune teller tells her she will marry a rich and handsome gentleman who will take her to London.
  • In the play she goes on to meet a tall blonde boy called William, who proposes to her.


A video of a 13-year-old Kate Middleton playing a girl called "Maria" in a 1995 school play has made its way onto YouTube — and not only is it highly amusing, but its prediction of her future is startling accurate.

In the play, the Duchess' character Maria, dressed in a long white gown wearing flowers in her hair, meets a fortune teller who reads her palm. He tells her that she will meet "a handsome man, a rich gentleman" who will marry her and take her to London.

"It is all I’ve ever hoped for!" Middleton says to the audience. "Will he fall fall in love with me?"

When the fortune teller confirms that he will, she asks: "And marry me?"

"And marry you." he confirms.

The footage later cuts to a scene where a tall, blonde, and presumably rich boy called William — seriously — comes on stage.

William asks for her hand, and she accepts and proclaims: "It is all I've ever longed for!"

The video was uploaded online some years ago, according to the Evening Standard, but has resurfaced this week. It was taken at St. Andrews prep school in Buckhold, Pangbourne.

While Middleton's performance is a little over-the-top, her timing's not bad, and she appears to have the audience on board, who laugh in all the right places.

Watch the video here:

SEE ALSO: Meghan Markle always follows this routine when flying to avoid getting jet leg and travel sick

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NOW WATCH: You can connect all 9 Best Picture Oscar nominees with actors they have in common — here's how

A look inside the daily routine of Walt Disney, who wandered through the office after-hours and always carried snacks in his pockets

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Walt Disney

• Walt Disney's daily routine involved long work days.  

• Sometimes, he didn't even leave his studio. Other days, he wound down with Scotch Mist and headed home for dinner.

• Disney incorporated a number of usual habits that defined his managerial style.


Walt Disney's daily routine was far from static.

Disney didn't just have to contend with all sorts of disparate tasks, from reviewing film storyboards to planning the construction of Disneyland to establishing the studio's television presence.

His role also shifted as the Walt Disney Company changed drastically over the years, from upstart animation studio to a powerful Hollywood icon.

Still, Disney had a few habits and strategies that did stick with him over the years. Some of these practices even helped shape his work.

Here's a look at Walt Disney's daily schedule:

SEE ALSO: 20 cities are left in the running for Amazon's second headquarters — and the story of Disney's secret hunt for land nearly 60 years ago could predict how Amazon's HQ2 will change its home city

DON'T MISS: 11 insider facts about working at Walt Disney World only cast members know

In order to get pumped up for work, Disney sometimes woke up at 5:30 a.m., played five holes of golf, and then skipped ahead to the eighteenth hole.

Source: "The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney"



Breakfast was a simple affair for Disney. He'd typically have toast, eggs, juice, and maybe a sausage.

Source: OhMy.Disney.com"Eat Like Walt: The Wonderful World of Disney Food,"The Orange County Register



Biographer Bob Thomas wrote that Disney would often come into work around 8 a.m. He'd start the day off by reviewing storyboards or holding conferences in his office.

Source: "Walt Disney: An American Original"



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Why a Wall Street analyst says Netflix will probably end having to spend more on marketing than a traditional TV network — not less (NFLX)

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netflix bright

  • Netflix plans to raise its marketing budget from $1.28 billion in 2017 to $2 billion in 2018.
  • CEO Reed Hastings, however, has said the "Holy Grail dream" is to be so good at promoting new content that Netflix won't have to spend externally.
  • Barclays says Netflix will most likely end up having to spend more on marketing than a traditional TV network because of its nonlinear nature.

Netflix doesn't like to spend money marketing its shows, but it may end up having to spend more on it than traditional TV networks, according to Barclays.

The streaming giant has historically been averse to ponying up cash to promote its original TV shows and movies.

"Our sort of Holy Grail dream is that the service was so good at promoting the new content in such relevant ways that we wouldn't have to spend externally," CEO Reed Hastings said on an earnings call in January. That sentiment illustrates Netflix's Silicon Valley roots, where costs like advertising can fall away if you just build a good enough system.

Nevertheless, Netflix is going to spend a ton of money on marketing in 2018. In fact, on the same day Hastings made that statement, Netflix announced it would increase its marketing spending from $1.28 billion in 2017 to $2 billion in 2018.

Why? "Because our testing results indicate this is wise," Netflix wrote in its letter to shareholders.

That is likely to be the case for some time. In a report distributed Tuesday, Barclays analysts led by Kannan Venkateshwar contended that Netflix would probably have to spend more moving forward than the traditional TV networks it's replacing.

Part of this has to do with the value of huge hits.

"While some base volume levels are important to keep some level of inertia consumption going, a small subset of flagship shows can drive meaningful shifts in subscriber trends," Barclays wrote.

Hits like "Stranger Things" or "The Crown" will be necessary for Netflix, and not all can be created by word-of-mouth.

"This is not unique to Netflix and has been evident in traditional media for a long time," Barclays wrote. "One of the most prominent examples of this is Fox broadcasting, which gained its scale and prominence largely on account of its NFL deal in the mid 1990s. NBC became a powerhouse of comedy in the 1980s and 1990s largely on the back of 'Cheers' and its spin off 'Frasier,' which were used to launch other shows such as 'Seinfeld' and 'Friends.'"

A network needs hits. But for Netflix, part of the problem will be that it can't use those established "flagship shows" to boost the next one to the extent that NBC could.

"What is different about Netflix is the fact that its non linearity limits the ability to chain/cross market shows the same way that NBC was able to do with Seinfeld and Frasier but putting shows one after another," Barclays wrote.

Netflix can suggest the next show for you to watch after "Stranger Things," but that won't have quite the same power as a lead-in on linear TV. That means that while hits are important to Netflix, they don't provide the same added value in promoting other shows.

"This in turn implies that over time, the cost of marketing for Netflix is likely to be higher than traditional linear networks," Barclays said.

SEE ALSO: 39 of the best secret categories on Netflix and how to find them

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NOW WATCH: You can connect all 9 Best Picture Oscar nominees with actors they have in common — here's how

Jimmy Kimmel blames Netflix for low Oscars ratings in response to Trump

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jimmy kimmel

  • Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted the Oscars on Sunday, responded to President Trump's tweet about low Oscars ratings on his show Tuesday.
  • Kimmel said that since Netflix, every big televised event has dipped in ratings. 
  • Kimmel also said that Trump would like the best picture winner "The Shape of Water" because it's about a "monster who has sex with a woman who can't talk about it."

Jimmy Kimmel has gained a reputation for being outspoken against President Trump, and he addressed Trump's tweet about low Oscars ratings on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Tuesday night.

Kimmel hosted the Oscars on Sunday, and on Tuesday, Trump tweeted about the telecast's low-ratings (the show was the lowest-rated in Oscars history).

"Problem is, we don’t have Stars anymore - except your President (just kidding, of course)!" Trump tweeted.

 

Kimmel tweeted back at Trump with, "Thanks, lowest rated President in HISTORY." But that didn't stop him from addressing Trump on his show, too.

"Trump loves saying the ratings are down as if to insinuate that's some sort of show of support for him, but the truth is, every year since Netflix happened, the ratings for every big TV show are down — Super Bowl, Grammys, Emmys, Golden Globes," Kimmel said. "But Trump thinks he caused the ratings to go down."

This year's Super Bowl last month did drop at 7% from the previous year, and the Grammys in January saw a 24% decline from 2017.

Kimmel went on to say that Trump would love this year's best picture winner, "The Shape of Water," because it's about a "monster who has sex with a woman who can't talk about it," which is "basically like his life story."

Watch the full clip below:

SEE ALSO: All the winners at the 2018 Oscars

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NOW WATCH: I quit cable for DirecTV Now and it's saving me over $1,000 a year — here's how I did it

'Star Wars' composer John Williams hints that 'Episode IX' may be the last movie he does in the saga

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John Williams Alberto E Rodriguez Getty

  • John Williams might be done with scoring "Star Wars" movies after "Episode IX."
  • The composer told radio station KUSC that after the ninth movie in the Skywalker saga "that will be quite enough for me."


John Williams may be walking away from the movie franchise that didn't just make him an icon in the business, but became the soundtrack for the lives of so many.

NME reports that in a recent conversation on radio station KUSC in California, the legendary composer hinted that the upcoming "Star Wars: Episode IX" will be the final movie he will score in the saga (comments at the 5:00 mark).

"We know J.J. Abrams is preparing one now, that I will hopefully do next year for him," Williams said. "I look forward to it. It will round out a series of nine, that will be quite enough for me."

To this point, Williams has scored every "Star Wars" movie within the Skywalker saga (including the prequels). He recently received an Oscar nomination for his score on "The Last Jedi," which marked his 37th nomination (he's won five times).

If Williams does go through with it, don't worry, we're not going to lose the maestro for good. On deck, along with "Episode IX," he's got Steven Spielberg's "The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara" and the next Indiana Jones movie, which is still being developed but will be helmed by Spielberg.

Williams is one of the most famous film composers of all time. Along with creating the memorable "Star Wars" scores, he also did the music for "Jaws," "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," and the "Harry Potter" movies, to name just a few.

Business Insider contacted Williams' representative for comment but did not get an immediate response.

SEE ALSO: Here are all the confirmed original shows coming to Netflix in 2018

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NOW WATCH: You can connect all 9 Best Picture Oscar nominees with actors they have in common — here's how

The 50 best actors working today, from box-office titans to essential scene stealers

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50BestActors2_ShayanneGal

With the Oscars done, it’s time to start the discussion: Who are the best actors in Hollywood working today?

There’s a massively long list of contenders, but we’ve been able to size that down to 50.

Some of these luminaries can carry a movie to box office glory in their sleep, while others bring the acting talents that make a good movie become great.

Here are the 50 best, broken down into four categories.

Did your favorite make the cut?

SEE ALSO: The 100 best movies on Amazon Prime right now

THE LEGENDS



Glenn Close

She hasn't been attached to any major titles of late, but she's still one of the most talented actors on the planet. It seems like the 6-time Oscar nominee will be in the conversation at next year's Oscars when Sony Picture Classics releases "The Wife," which wowed audiences at last year's Toronto International Film Festival.



Judi Dench

If any movie has Dame Judi in it you know, despite what you think of the film, she's going to be one of the most memorable things about it. With her regal swagger, if a story needs some class, she's still the top one to call.  



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Actor Gary Oldman's son wrote an open letter defending his father against a domestic violence allegation which resurfaced after Oscar win

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Gary oldman

  • Actor Gary Oldman's son, Gulliver Oldman, wrote an open letter defending his father against domestic abuse allegations that resurfaced in recent weeks. 
  • Oldman's accuser and ex-wife, Donya Fiorentino (who is also Gulliver's mother) referenced the alleged abuse in recent interviews with The Daily Mail and TMZ, the latter of which followed Oldman's Oscar win for best actor on Sunday.
  • Gulliver Oldman wrote in his open letter that the alleged abuse "did not happen."
  • He referenced that his father was granted full custody of his children following his divorce with Fiorentino as "proof" of Oldman's innocence. 

 

Oscar-winning actor Gary Oldman's son, Gulliver Oldman, has written an open letter defending his father against domestic abuse allegations from 2001 that resurfaced in recent weeks.

After Oldman won the Oscar for best actor on Sunday, his accuser and ex-wife, Donya Fiorentino (who is also Gulliver Oldman's mother), referenced the alleged abuse in an interview with TMZ. 

Fiorentino accused Oldman of domestic abuse in 2001, alleging that Oldman hit her in the face with a telephone in front of their children. In early February, she also discussed the alleged abuse with The Daily Mail, calling her marriage to the actor "a nightmare."

In his open letter, however, Gulliver Oldman said that the alleged incident "did not happen."

"In the case of my father, there is only innocence," he wrote. "There never has been any guilt. The reality is confused in excerpts, and published half truths from years ago." 

Gulliver went on to note that his father was granted full custody of his children following his divorce with Fiorentino.

"Custody of children is not given to a wife beater, and under most circumstances, hardly ever a man," he wrote. "My having lived, full time with my father should be in itself, proof enough."

Read the open letter below:

SEE ALSO: The 41 actors who have won multiple Oscars, ranked by who has won the most

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NOW WATCH: You can connect all 9 Best Picture Oscar nominees with actors they have in common — here's how

Meet 'Stormy Daniels', the porn star Trump's lawyer allegedly paid to keep quiet about a sexual affair — who's now suing the president

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stormy daniels

Adult film star and director Stormy Daniels says she met President Donald Trump at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe in July 2006, and the two allegedly began an affair.

He was married to Melania Trump at the time, and she had just given birth to their son Barron.

Just weeks before the 2016 presidential election, Trump's longtime personal lawyer Michael Cohen paid $130,000 out of his own pocket so Daniels would keep silent about an alleged 2006 sexual encounter with Trump.

In January 2018, news of the hush money broke, and Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, was thrust into the national spotlight. Now, she's suing Trump and accusing him of invalidating their agreement.

Here's what you should know about her:

SEE ALSO: Inside the marriage of Donald and Melania Trump, who broke up once before, reportedly sleep in different bedrooms, and are weathering rumors of his affairs

DON'T MISS: Trump's personal lawyer admits he paid a former porn star $130,000 but says the money came out of his own pocket

Daniels was born and raised in Louisiana.



She started stripping as a teenager and soon entered the porn business.



In 2002, she became the lead actress in a film for Wicked Pictures, a porn movie studio based in California.



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A new tool lets you add a 'Random Episode' button to Hulu, solving what a Hulu exec called the 'Seinfeld problem'

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hulu

  • A new extension from Flixed allows Google Chrome users to add a "Random Episode" button to Hulu.
  • The button will give viewers a random episode of the show they're watching so they don't have to choose themselves.
  • It's perfect for episodic comedies with a lot of episodes to choose from that you can jump in at any moment (like "Seinfeld").
  • The topic is popular on Reddit, and Hulu's senior VP of experience seemed to like the idea during an AMA session last month.

 

A new Google Chrome extension lets you add a "Random Episode" button to Hulu so you can easily jump into episodic comedies like "Seinfeld."

Streaming news website Flixed developed the extension when it noticed that Hulu users across the Internet were hungry for the option to watch episodes of their favorite show without having to choose themselves, the company said. 

The extension is simple: Once it's added, Hulu watchers can go to the page of their show of choice, and next to the "Episodes" button will be a "Random Episode" button. Clicking that gives the viewer a random episode.

The option seems to be perfect for episodic shows, mainly comedies, where there are tons of episodes that aren't connected to one another, so watchers new and old can jump in at any moment.

The topic is a popular one on the Hulu subreddit (with threads here and here, for starters). And during a Reddit AMA last month with Ben Smith, senior VP of experience at Hulu, a user asked if there were any plans to add the "random episode" option.

Smith responded with: "Random episode is an awesome idea and one that we punted around a bit. Curious to know what series you would use this for?"

Users chimed in with shows like "Seinfeld," "South Park," Family Guy," and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia."

"Funny, we actually call this the 'Seinfeld problem' inside of Hulu," Smith said. "Because if someone is new to Seinfeld, the worst place you could start them is the pilot episode. So we totally agree with you."

Maybe it's only a matter of time before Hulu adds the "Random Episode" button itself. 

But until then, Hulu subscribers streaming on Google Chrome can add the extension here.

SEE ALSO: Fox wants to cut its TV ad time to 2 minutes per hour by 2020

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NOW WATCH: You can connect all 9 Best Picture Oscar nominees with actors they have in common — here's how

The 13 original shows Apple is producing in its massive push into TV

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kevin durant

Apple's push into original TV programming is set to explode — at some point in the near future. 

The company had a brief, initial run of shows last summer with the release of the unscripted series "Planet of the Apps" and "Carpool Karaoke." 

But Apple drastically shifted its course in June when it hired former Sony Pictures Television presidents Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg to head its original programming.

Since then, the company has announced the production or development of 11 original, scripted series — including a biographical drama on NBA all-star Kevin Durant's youth, and a morning talk show drama starring Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston.

None of those 11 upcoming series has a release date yet.

Here are the 13 original shows that Apple is producing in its massive push into TV: 

SEE ALSO: The 50 best TV show seasons of all time, according to critics

UPCOMING:



"Amazing Stories"

The Wall Street Journal reported in October that Apple's first move under its new programming heads, Van Amburg and Erlicht, would be to revive Steven Spielberg's sci-fi and horror anthology series "Amazing Stories," which aired on NBC in the late 1980s. 

WSJ reported that Apple signed a deal with Spielberg's Amblin Television and Universal Television to produce 10 new episodes of the series, with Bryan Fuller (the creator of NBC's "Hannibal") as its showrunner.

Fuller left the series in February, however. A source told Variety that Fuller parted "amicably," and that Fuller's vision for the show did not match the "more family-friendly approach" that Apple reportedly sought.

 

 

 



Untitled Reese Witherspoon/Jennifer Aniston morning show drama series

In November, Apple announced that it ordered two ten-episode seasons of a drama series that is set in the world of morning-TV talk shows and stars Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston. 

Variety reported that the series will draw from CNN senior media correspondent Brian Stelter's 2013 book "Top of the Morning," which recounted the morning-TV rivalry between NBC's "Today" and ABC's "Good Morning America."

Jay Carson ("House of Cards") is writing the pilot and will serve as showrunner. It will be produced by Michael Ellenberg's Media Res studio, Aniston's Echo Films, and Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine production company.

 



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The founder of the doomed Fyre Festival could spend years in prison after pleading guilty to defrauding investors out of millions of dollars

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Billy McFarland

  • Fyre Festival organizer Billy McFarland pleaded guilty to wire-fraud charges on Tuesday. 
  • The 26-year-old was arrested in June 2017 after being accused of misleading investors who poured more than $1 million into Fyre Media.
  • McFarland admitted he defrauded 80 investors and a ticket broker out of more than $26 million.

Billy McFarland, the 26-year-old creator of the disastrous Fyre Festival that left hundreds of participants stranded in the Bahamas, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud on Tuesday. 

Each count of wire fraud carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, but McFarland would likely face eight to 10 years in prison plus a fine of up to $300,000 under the plea deal, according to Bloomberg.

McFarland admitted to defrauding a ticket broker and 80 investors in Fyre Media, a company that he founded and that was responsible for putting on the Fyre Festival. Prosecutors have alleged that McFarland used falsified documents to trick investors in a $26 million scheme.

McFarland also pleaded guilty to duping an unnamed ticket broker into paying $2 million for a block of advance tickets for future Fyre Festivals.

"My intention and effort was directed to organizing a legitimate festival," he said in court on Tuesday, according to Bloomberg. "In an attempt to raise what I thought were needed funds, I lied to investors about various aspects of Fyre Media and my personal finances."

He told the judge that he "grossly underestimated the resources that would be necessary to hold an event of this magnitude."

McFarland was arrested in June 2017 and accused of misleading investors who poured more than $1 million into Fyre Media.

A statement released by Acting Manhattan US Attorney Joon Kim at the time of McFarland's arrest said McFarland told investors that Fyre Media earned millions of dollars from thousands of artist bookings in 2016 and 2017, but in reality the company had brought in less than $60,000 from about 60 artist bookings.

Fyre Festival was pitched as a luxury music and arts event with tickets starting at $1,200. Attendees were expecting a VIP experience when they set off to Great Exuma in the Bahamas, but the reality they faced was very different: delayed flights, half-built huts to sleep in, and cold cheese sandwiches to eat. Partiers then found themselves stranded on the island with little food or water, and, at times, there was no electricity.

fyre 6

McFarland is currently free on bail and living with his parents in New Jersey. 

SEE ALSO: Here's what Fyre Festival attendees thought they were getting when they bought $1,200 tickets — and here's the nightmarish reality

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'A Wrinkle in Time' has a strong message for kids, but is plagued by a dragging story and lame special effects

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a wrinkle in time 2 disney

  • The latest adaptation of the Madeleine L'Engle novel directed by Ava DuVernay is an inspiring tale for children.
  • But with pacing issues and some underwhelming special effects it's not at the level of Disney stories we've become accustomed to.


On Friday, Disney goes for round two with Madeleine L’Engle’s 1960s novel, “A Wrinkle in Time.” In 2004, the studio released a made-for-TV adaptation that finally aired after two years of date changes and a recut. 14 years later, the studio has tapped Ava DuVernay (“Selma”) to take on the material.

Outside of both versions being highly inspirational for kids, these two adaptations could not be any different. DuVernay’s doesn’t feature a predominantly white cast and is fueled by special effects. However, the material is a challenge to make work for the screen, and that is clearly evident with the new movie.

“A Wrinkle in Time” looks at a family dealing with the sudden disappearance of their scientist father, Alex (Chris Pine), four years ago. His daughter, Meg (Storm Reid), struggles with understanding what happened and being bullied at school isn’t making things easier. Meg’s highly intelligent younger brother, Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe), tries to keep her hopes up while her mother (played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw) also tries to stay positive. But suddenly a strangely dressed woman named Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon) shows up in their living room and with the help of her fellow astral travelers, Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling) and Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey), tells Meg, Charles Wallace, and Meg’s friend Calvin (Levi Miller) that they can find Alex.

a wrinkle in time 3 disneyThe movie then becomes a trippy journey to another universe, where Alex has been captured by the evil “IT,” which feeds off of negativity. Meg must overcome her own issues with self-confidence to defeat the IT.

The elements created by L’Engle have all the makings of a strong fantasy movie, but DuVernay’s adaptation (written by Jeff Stockwell and “Frozen” writer/director Jennifer Lee) has major pacing issues. The scenes just drag on and seem to marvel at its special effects — which aren’t that strong to begin with — instead of moving the story forward.

At times the movie’s dramatic moments have the feeling of a cheesy Hallmark Channel movie rather than something that came from the most powerful movie studio in Hollywood. And Winfrey and Kaling look completely out of their element. Witherspoon carries the load a lot in the scenes featuring the three warrior travelers.

But there are some things that will make you chuckle (in fact, a lot if you watch this movie in an altered state of mind). Michael Peña's evil Red character features unique facial hair and at one point he collapses into multiple pieces. Our heroes encounter a cul-de-sac of zoned-out kids bouncing red balls in unison. And for a good stretch of the middle of the movie Winfrey’s character is a giant and Witherspoon’s character suddenly transforms into a big leaf that the kids ride on (for no clear reason).

The good thing about "A Wrinkle in Time" is it has an extremely powerful message for kids. It features a strong family structure, encourages you to love the qualities that make you unique, and has a diverse cast. At the very least, DuVernay delivers a story that will speak to all kinds of young people.

SEE ALSO: Bill Hader breaks down how "SNL" stage fright inspired his new HBO show about a hitman, and tells a funny Tom Cruise story

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13 documentaries on Netflix that will make you smarter about politics

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north korea under the sun

If you feel like you want to binge on some Netflix documentaries but broaden your knowledge of politics at the same time, we've got you covered.

Netflix has an array of political documentary shows and films — many of which are among some of the best ever made.

The documentaries on the platform will sharpen your wit about everything from life inside North Korea and how President Donald Trump rose to power, to the politics of high-powered corporate greed and corruption.

Here are the 13 best documentaries about politics streaming on Netflix right now:

SEE ALSO: The 24 best science movies and shows streaming on Netflix that will make you smarter

DON'T MISS: Here are all the confirmed original shows coming to Netflix in 2018

"13th" (2016)

What it's about: At the end of the Civil War in 1865, the 13th amendment officially abolished slavery  — but there was a catch. People who had committed a crime could theoretically be enslaved as part of their punishment. "13th" is a stunning documentary that explores the implications of this in the modern American penal system, building on the work of scholars like Michelle Alexander who wrote the landmark book on modern-day segregation in the criminal justice system, "The New Jim Crow." "13th" paints a vivid and disturbing picture of modern American institutionalized racism, and does so with testimony from those who found themselves caught in the system.

Why you should see it: The film tackles a broad issue, but presents compelling details, stories, and historical examples that help drive its grim point home. Although institutional racism easily fades from the national discourse, "13th" is important simply because it reminds us of the struggle African Americans still face every day.



"Dirty Money" (2018)

What it's about: "Dirty Money" is a TV show all about corruption, corporate fraud, and the ways banks, companies, and individuals contribute to illicit activities around the world. From infamous pharmaceutical CEO Martin Shkreli's antics to bank-financed drug and terror operations, this documentary series dives into a number of high-profile and disturbing financial crimes.

Why you should see it: This series educates viewers about how US law makes white collar crime possible, but feels like an action movie. At a time when government and business ethics are under renewed scrutiny, "Dirty Money" is an important watch for anyone hoping to understand the vast world of institutional corruption.



"Get Me Roger Stone" (2017)

What it's about: On the surface, this film is about Roger Stone, Trump's former political adviser who left the campaign in 2015. But it's about so much more — Trump's rise to power, Washington's political culture, and America's pivot to a post-truth existence. "Get Me Roger Stone" features interviews with Stone himself, Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort, Fox News host Tucker Carlson, and many others. It offers a stunning look at how one man's career helped create Trump, the politician.

Why you should see it: This film is essential viewing if you hope to understand the transformative politics of the 2016 election and the central role Stone played in setting the stage for it. It is also wildly entertaining — Stone is a compelling if frustrating anti-hero, who lights up the screen with witty, cynical banter.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These photos reveal why the 26-year-old organizer of disastrous Fyre Festival concert could spend 10 years in prison

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Fyre

  • Fyre Festival organizer Billy McFarland pleaded guilty to wire-fraud charges on Tuesday.
  • The 26-year-old was arrested in June 2017 after being accused of misleading investors who poured more than $1 million into Fyre Media.
  • McFarland admitted he defrauded 80 investors and a ticket broker out of more than $26 million.
  • Here's what the VIP festival was expected to be versus what it actually ended up being. 

The founder of the nightmarish Fyre Festival that left hundreds of attendees stranded in the Bahamas pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud on Tuesday.

26-year-old Billy McFarland admitted to defrauding a ticket broker and 80 investors in Fyre Media, a company that he founded and that was responsible for putting on the Fyre Festival. Prosecutors have alleged that McFarland used falsified documents to trick investors in a $26 million scheme.

McFarland may face eight to 10 years in prison plus a fine of up to $300,000, according to Bloomberg.

Fyre Festival promised to offer attendees a VIP experience when they set off to Great Exuma in the Bahamas. But the reality was very different: delayed flights, half-built huts to sleep in, and cold cheese sandwiches to eat. And that doesn't even include the disastrous trip home.

The luxury festival — tickets for which started at $1,200 — was advertised as two weekends in paradise, but it turned into a nightmare.

Take a look at festivalgoers' expectations compared with the reality they encountered.

And here's the full Fyre Festival promo video:

SEE ALSO: The founder of the doomed Fyre Festival could spend years in prison after pleading guilty to defrauding investors out of millions of dollars

The three-day party was supposed to be on a private beach on the island of Great Exuma in the Bahamas.



It was supposed to be over two weekends: April 28-30 and May 5-7.



A host of supermodels had promoted it on social media, including Hailey Baldwin, Emily Ratajkowski, and Bella Hadid.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The best hypothetical 'Bachelor' contestant would be a 36-year-old nurse from Atlanta named Jennifer, according to statistics

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Becca the bachelor

When you think of successful contestants on "The Bachelor," you might think of a blonde cheerleader named Lauren, from California, in her early twenties.

But you would be wrong.

While there are quite a lot of those who appear on the show and get pretty far, they are not the most likely candidate to win "The Bachelor."

That honor would go to Jennifer, 36, a nurse from Atlanta.

This is all according to Homes.com, which conducted an in-depth statistical breakdown to figure out who the perfect candidate on "The Bachelor" is, narrowing it down to age, city, and profession.

Along with figuring out the mostly likely candidate, the statistics reveal some other interesting information, like the average number roses received per name, profession, city, and state. For example, while the majority of contestants are in their twenties, the most successful contestants are in their thirties.

But other details aren't surprising, including the most common name for a contestant being Lauren (there were four Laurens on Arie Luyendyk Jr.'s season alone).

Here are some of the findings in the study:

SEE ALSO: Even former 'The Bachelor' contestants are slamming ABC for the manipulative way it handled Monday's finale

The most common contestant name: Lauren.

Close behind came Sarah, Ashley, Amber, and Jennifer. 



But Laurens aren't the mostly likely to get a rose.

That honor goes to Jennifers, who, on average, have 4.88 roses. Amandas are close behind with 4.25 roses. Laurens come in third, though, with an average of 3.

 



The city that brings the most contestants: Chicago.

Chicago is on top with 19 contestants, with Los Angeles far behind with 13. After that comes Dallas, with 12 candidates.

 

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Netflix slides after a Wall Street analyst downgrades its shares (NFLX)

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stranger things netflix


Shares of Netflix dropped 2% on Wednesday after a Wall Street analyst handed the video-streaming company a downgrade on its stock.

Stifel Analyst Scott Devitt expressed concerns over Netflix's valuation, pointing out how the company's share price moved above Stifel's 12-month price target.

"We are attracted to Netflix’s business and competitive position but believe share price may have sprinted ahead of fundamentals in the short-term," Devitt wrote in a note to investors.

In this year alone, Netflix's stock has shot up nearly 70% year-to-date. On March 6, Netflix's shares were trading at $325 per share. Stifel's 12-month price target was at $283 per share. Devitt has rated the company a "Hold."

The streaming company will need to exceed Wall Street's expectations of subscriber additions into 2018, as well as keep its share outperformance momentum going, Devitt said, which "may be more difficult to achieve given the recent run and increasing expectations."

However, most investors have been bullish on the stock. UBS recently raised its price target for Netflix to $345 per share. According to Eric Sheridan, an analyst at UBS, Netflix is planning to spend $8 billion on roughly 700 new original TV shows in 2018 as part of its strategy to build "a global moat" that would widen its competitive advantage.

Netflix's stock was trading at $317.73 per share. It was up 58.24% for the year.

Read more about why one Wall Street analyst is so bullish on Netflix.

Netflix stock price

SEE ALSO: Netflix is loading up on new shows to 'build a global moat'

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Viewers raged against ABC for its manipulative 'The Bachelor' episode Monday night, but still tuned in Tuesday for part 2 of the finale

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Arie and Lauren

  • Despite the fact that fans were upset with the overlong break-up scene in Monday night's "The Bachelor" episode, people couldn't help but watch the second part of the finale.
  • The ratings remained steady for the second part of the finale, which aired on Tuesday night.
  • Monday's ratings were a high for Arie Luyendyk's season, which struggled all season long.

No matter how much people say they hate it, they will still tune in to watch "The Bachelor."

Monday night's "The Bachelor" finale, part one of two, faced criticism for its masterful manipulation of a woman's pain. People were not happy with the way the finale's big break-up was filmed, including former contestants. Some of those people expressed their thoughts on Twitter while the episode aired, begging for the hard-to-watch scenes to stop.  

After a season of low ratings and a rather bland bachelor in Arie Luyendyk Jr., ABC was clearly desperate for a hit. So the network must have been filled with glee when Arie decided that Becca, who he chose as the winner and proposed to (she said yes), was not the woman for him. He suddenly decided he'd made the wrong decision, and said he wanted to get back together with Lauren, the runner-up. 

Variety reports that the Nielsen ratings for the episode on Tuesday night remained steady compared to Monday's ratings. On Tuesday, “The Bachelor” averaged a 2.2 rating in adults 18-49 and 7.7 million viewers, compared to the 2.2 and 7.9 million it drew on Monday night, a season high. 

In part two of the finale on Tuesday, Arie tried and succeeded to get Lauren back, who he had dumped in favor of Becca. Arie proposed to Lauren live on TV, and Becca was announced as the next star of "The Bachelorette."

Considering that fans made billboards and sent Becca money on Venmo for wine to get over Arie, "The Bachelorette" will probably see pretty solid ratings when it airs on ABC in the spring. 

SEE ALSO: The 50 best actors working today, from box-office titans to essential scene stealers

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Netflix slides after a Wall Street analyst says it 'may have sprinted ahead of fundamentals' (NFLX)

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stranger things netflix


Shares of Netflix dropped 2% on Wednesday after a Wall Street analyst handed the video-streaming company a downgrade on its stock.

Stifel Analyst Scott Devitt expressed concerns over Netflix's valuation, pointing out how the company's share price moved above Stifel's 12-month price target.

"We are attracted to Netflix’s business and competitive position but believe share price may have sprinted ahead of fundamentals in the short-term," Devitt wrote in a note to investors.

In this year alone, Netflix's stock has shot up nearly 70% year-to-date. On March 6, Netflix's shares were trading at $325 per share. Stifel's 12-month price target was at $283 per share. Devitt has rated the company a "Hold."

The streaming company will need to exceed Wall Street's expectations of subscriber additions into 2018, as well as keep its share outperformance momentum going, Devitt said, which "may be more difficult to achieve given the recent run and increasing expectations."

However, most investors have been bullish on the stock. UBS recently raised its price target for Netflix to $345 per share. According to Eric Sheridan, an analyst at UBS, Netflix is planning to spend $8 billion on roughly 700 new original TV shows in 2018 as part of its strategy to build "a global moat" that would widen its competitive advantage.

Netflix's stock was trading at $317.73 per share. It was up 58.24% for the year.

Read more about why one Wall Street analyst is so bullish on Netflix.

Netflix stock price

SEE ALSO: Netflix is loading up on new shows to 'build a global moat'

Join the conversation about this story »

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