The theater world is presently embroiled in major contractual battles over pay, benefits and credits. The last group you’d ever think would be leading the charge is the Teamsters, who represent a large number of theater, television and film workers, including casting directors. Turns out, if you want to produce entertainment in the United States, you probably have to deal with the Teamsters.
Those working off-Broadway however, are represented by the Actors Equity Association and they are negotiating with the League of Off Broadway Theaters and Producers. Actors are pushing for a historic pay increase claiming their weekly minimum has never kept pace with inflation, let alone the cost of living in the major metropolitan cities where live theater is produced.
Meanwhile the Justice Department has filed an antitrust lawsuit against AT&T-DirecTV and other pay television providers for colluding in their refusal to carry SportsNet LA, a channel owned by Time Warner Cable. This comes in the wake of AT&T’s bid to acquire the media company Time Warner, which some fear might consolidate to much media power in too few hands.
Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including the noteworthy ratings for this year’s World Series, who was named producers of next year’s Oscar ceremony and a “The Simpsons” is set up to make television history.

TV Ratings: World Series Climax Tops 40 Million Viewers, Biggest Game in 25 Years
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-world-series-climax-brings-tvs-biggest-haul-super-bowl-943762
The Most Watched Baseball Game in 25 Years
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/11/cubs-world-series-television-ratings/506621/
‘Back to the Future’ Screenwriter Bob Gale Happy for Cubs, but Bummed a Good Joke Is Now Spoiled
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/back-future-screenwriter-bob-gale-happy-cubs-but-bummed-a-good-joke-is-spoiled-944076
comScore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of November 6, 2016
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-november-6-2016-300358093.html
‘Doctor Strange’ In 3D Posts Powerful 47% of the Estimated $85 Million Domestic Opening Weekend
https://celluloidjunkie.com/wire/doctor-strange-in-3d-posts-powerful-47-of-the-estimated-85-million-domestic-opening-weekend/
Box Office for the Marvel Cinematic Universe
http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/franchise/Marvel-Cinematic-Universe#tab=summary
‘Doctor Strange’ Enjoys $44 Million Opening in China
https://variety.com/2016/film/asia/doctor-strange-enjoys-44-million-opening-in-china-1201911141/
Disney Has Biggest Year Ever at Global Box Office With $5.85B