The Business of Media Distribution Monetizing Film and TV Content in the AI Era

Foreword

Perspective and Background on 4^th Edition

Chapter 1: Market Opportunity and Segmentation: The Diverse Role of Studios and Networks

Chapter 2: Intellectual Property Assets Enabling Distribution: The Business of Creating, Marketing, and Protecting an Idea

Chapter 3: Financing Production: Studios and Networks as Venture Capitalists

Chapter 4: Theatrical Distribution

Chapter 5:  The “Historical” Home Video Business (Non-Download, Non-Streaming Consumer Retail Business)

Chapter 6 Television Distribution and Production

Chapter 7: Streaming and the New Digital Era

Chapter 8: Ancillary Revenues: Merchandising, Video Games, Hotels, Pay-Per-View and Transactional VOD Roots, Airlines, and Other Markets

Chapter 9:  Marketing

Chapter 10: Making Money: Net Profits, Hollywood Accounting, and the Relative Simplicity of Online Revenue Sharing

Biography

Jeffrey C. Ulin has worked as a media executive, attorney, and entrepreneur. Jeff headed worldwide distribution at Lucasfilm for all markets (theatrical, video, TV, and online), managing sales for Star Wars and Indiana Jones, and overseeing the release of the last Star Wars film made by George Lucas, Episode III. Jeff also co-founded and served as CEO of animation studio Wild Brain (where he created the Disney pre-school hit Higglytown Heroes), helped manage Paramount and Universal’s overseas video joint venture, and used this book to teach the class Media & Entertainment: Economics, Policy, and Strategy at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. Jeff holds degrees from Harvard University and The University of Chicago Law School. Jeff is also the author of fiction novels The Lord's Tusks and Provenance of Ashes. 

Tim O'Hair is a veteran motion picture producer and executive with decades of experience overseeing film projects from development to distribution. His career spans both studio and independent productions, including long-term roles as an executive at Universal Pictures and Orion Pictures. He is a member of the Producers Guild of America, an adjunct professor, a frequent public speaker on media production and finance, and an active community volunteer. He holds degrees from Dartmouth College and Columbia University.

"Ulin expertly depicts the fluid nature of content creation and distribution in a concise and understandable way. There’s never been a better insider’s look at the choices and challenges that studio executives face every day."

—Gary Marenzi, Former Head of Entertainment Sales and Partnerships, Endeavor Content (WME) and Former President of Paramount Television and MGM Worldwide Television

"Jeff Ulin’s book is a must-read for practitioners, academics and potential investors in the new media space. Having worked in all segments of the industry, Ulin brings together a unique combination of experience and analytical rigor to deconstruct the driving forces of an industry in dynamic change."

—Pablo Spiller, Jeffrey A. Jacobs Distinguished Professor of Business and Technology, Emeritus, Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley

"For anyone generally interested in how networks and studios make money and put money at risk, from the TV shows and movies they produce to the novel challenges they’re facing today, this book provides a unique overview and a glimpse into the future."

—Blair Westlake, Former Corporate Vice-President of Media & Entertainment, Microsoft Corporation

"Jeff Ulin brings his practical experience and academic understanding of today’s complicated media world together to provide us with a comprehensive guide to navigating a world that changes almost daily!"

—Marion Edwards, President of International Television, 20th Century Fox (Retired)

"It's very difficult to find a text that gives both a comprehensive overview of the history of the entertainment industry as well as informed insight into its future landscape. Nothing out there does it better."

—Judd Funk, Professor, Dale E. Fowler School of Law, Chapman University; Former Head of Legal Affairs, Universal Pictures

"Anyone who wants to know more about how films and TV shows are distributed and exploited can learn a huge amount from this book."

—Jim Morris, President of Pixar Animation Studios; Producer, Wall•E (2008); Former President of Industrial Light & Magic

"Jeff Ulin’s broad spectrum of expertise, spanning all aspects of motion picture and television distribution, from theatrical to home entertainment to new media and television licensing, render him uniquely qualified to illuminate the business side of the entertainment business."

—Hal Richardson, President of Paramount Worldwide Television (Retired)

"The entertainment industry is an industry with ongoing challenges with constant change. Jeff provides a roadmap to see where you are going by understanding where you started."

—Louis Feola, Former President of Universal Home Video and Paramount Famous Productions

"The Business of Media Distribution has been an invaluable part of our Entertainment Law program since its first publication. While feature and episodic production are exploding, the world of distribution is in a major state of flux, and this book has been one of the most up-to-date resources for me, as a practitioner, and for our entertainment and new media students. This edition further addresses the latest changes in the evolving economics and structures of the distribution universe. It will continue to be on our course reading lists."

—Professor Jay Dougherty, Professor of Law; Director, Entertainment & New Media Law Institute and Concentration Program, Loyola Law School, Los Angeles

"Every Silicon Valley start-up working with Hollywood needs to know what Jeff knows. With his knowledge, you’re better able to fast forward the future of online video. Without it, you risk being stuck on pause."

—Kevin Yen, Former Director of Strategic Partnerships, YouTube

"I couldn’t help but be impressed at how up-to-date the book was… [T]his book manages to provide a mine of useful practical information in an interesting and enjoyable style."

—Jim Slater, Cinema Technology