Plans at WWE cause 4Q loss

In one of the busiest periods of WWE's history, the company is readying to launch a new TV network, overhauling its struggling film division, and prepping next month's "WrestleMania 28," featuring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, all while producing its weekly shows, events and expanding its presence overseas. Much of the activity took a toll on WWE's bottomline during the fourth quarter, with the company reporting a net loss of $8.6 million (versus net income of $8.1 million) and revenue declining to $112.9 million, from $122.5 million during the same year-ago period that wrapped Dec. 31. Company chalked up declines to its TV, film and online businesses. "In 2011, we evaluated several paths for creating new programs and distributing all of our content in a way that optimizes its value," said Vince McMahon, chairman and CEO of WWE. "Executing this strategy effectively, including the potential creation of a WWE Network, has the power to transform our business. Our ongoing investment to expand and maximize the value of our content is the most potent approach for driving our future earnings." McMahon gave few new details on when its new WWE Network would launch this year, during a conference call with investors. Execs there have been busy negotiating carriage deals with a variety of partners. It ponied up $4 million last quarter to staff up talent from the cable biz and produce a slate of series, which it fully owns, including reality fare like "Legends House." Its TV licensing biz took a hit because its held back on distributing shows "NXT" and "Superstars" in the U.S. It's also developing a separate slate of series for its revamped YouTube channel, designed as a marketing vehicle to drive auds to WWE's TV shows. As for WWE Studios, McMahon wants to give the film arm some time to grow under new head Michael Luisi, who was tapped to oversee the division in last September (Daily Variety, Sept. 7). Rather than fully develop and produce its own slate of films, Luisi has been busy picking up films from festivals like Sundance and Toronto, co-producing projects with other shingles, and locking down deals with Fox to grow its direct-to-homevideo franchisees like "The Marine" "to improve the profitability of our movie business," McMahon said. Company will invest another $15 million to $25 million on up to eight films this year, despite a string of disappointments -- films that didn't appeal to WWE's fanbase. Film arm earned $4.3 million in revenue during the quarter (compared to $7.9 million a year ago), while profits came in at $1 million. Division was forced to write off $12.2 million in impairment charges during the quarter due to pics "The Reunion," "Bending the Rules," "Barricade," "See No Evil," "Knucklehead" and "The Chaperone" not performing as well as expected on homevid. In the past, its pics have received limited theatrical runs before hitting homevid. Films would play a large programming role on WWE Network, but would likely get more significant play in theaters through new partnerships. Overall domestic retail revenue for homevid titles declined 14%, or $1.8 million, due to an 8% decrease in shipments to 825,000 units and a 5% decline in average effective prices to $13.50 during the quarter. During the quarter, WWE saw dips in pay-per-view buys with "Hell in a Cell" down to 182,000 (versus 210,000); "Vengeance" at 121,000 (compared to 137,000 when it was called "Bragging Rights"); "Survivor Series" at 281,000 (244,000) and "TLC" at 179,000 (195,000). Still, revenue from PPVs were up 2% to $14.6 million. The company's biggest PPV, "WrestleMania 28" takes place April 1, from Miami. Revenue from live and televised entertainment business were off 2% to $81 million. Its 78 events (including 31 overseas), down from 84 a year ago, earned $26.9 million, up 1%. TV rights fees generated $33.9 million, off from $35.7 million, due to the absence of "Superstars." Meanwhile, revenue from consumer products decreased 15% to $18.7 million. Licensing revenue fell to $9.5 million from $12.3 million, primarily from a 15% decline in toy sales during the holidays, which took a toll on most toymakers. Magazine revs were $2 million, down from $3.1 million, while digital media-related businesses declined 14% to $8.9 million. WWE posted $483.9 million in revenue fro the year, up from $477.7 million, while net income came in at $24.8 million, down from $53.5 million, again primarily due to investments in new content platforms. Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

U.S. release date set for 'Snabba'

Daniel Espinosa's "Snabba Cash" will hit U.S. theaters on July 27, nearly two years after it screened at the Toronto Intl. Film Festival.The Weinstein Co. dated the Swedish movie Wednesday and will release it as "Easy Money.""Snabba Cash" is based on the 2006 Jens Lapidus novel of three interlocking stories about set in Stockholm about friends who become involved with drugs and organized crime. Espinosa ("Safe House") directed "Snabba Cash" with Joel Kinnaman portraying the lead as a taxi driver and cocaine runner.The pic debuted in Sweden in early 2010 and TWC picked up the rights shortly thereafter at Berlin. Warner Bros. announced last year that it had won the bid for the English-language remake rights and has attached Zac Efron to star. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Gorgeous Mondo poster for John Carter

John Carter has received a new poster designed by the artistic whizz-kids at Mondo, and to be honest, it knocks all of Disney's official efforts into a cocked hat!The new poster shows Taylor Kitsch's Carter looking out across the planet of Barsoom (that's Mars to you and me), while the night sky glitters with an array of stars and spacecraft. Pretty cosmic, no?We also like the restoration of the 'M' In the JCM logo at the top of the poster. We still think John Carter Of Mars is a far more memorable title than plain old John Carter.The artwork has been designed to coincide with a series of special stateside IMAX showings, with copies of the poster being handed out to lucky punters producing a valid ticket.The screenings are taking place at midnight, so presumably that explains the second set of numbers to the right of the film's release date. We'll be keeping our fingers crossed that some of these posters make their way across the pond when the film opens here on 9 March 2012.

Matt's TV Week in Review

Ana Ortiz Ana Ortiz has became a member of the brand new Marc Cherry pilot for ABC, TVGuide.com has confirmed. Deadline first reported this news. Pilot Season: Obtain the scoop! Devious Service personnel is definitely an adaptation of the Mexican cleaning soap four service personnel with ambitions and dreams that belongs to them who work with the wealthy and famous in Beverly Hillsides. Ortiz, whose credits include Ugly Betty and Hung, will have Marisol, a smart and dignified lady who occupies operate in an trendy neighborhood to achieve information on her son's situation he was lately charged of murder. As formerly introduced, Dania Ramirez will even star. Desperate Housewives' Cherry and Sabrina Wind executive-produce.

The Complete Pilot Report: Fox Has Kevin Williamson, Kevin Bacon and Zachary Levi!

Kevin Bacon, Zachary Levi The fall TV season is taking shape. Networks have ordered dozens of new pilots starring familiar faces including Zachary Levi, Mindy Kaling, Mandy Moore and Sarah Silverman, and from proven producers like Josh Schwartz, J.J. Abrams, Greg Berlanti and Kevin Williamson. Also making a comeback this year: Iconic characters including Green Arrow, Carrie Bradshaw, Sherlock Holmes and Beauty and the Beast. To keep track of who's doing what, read our complete list of all the series projects in contention and check back for updates on their status. Here are the Fox pilots: (Click here for ABC, CBS, CW and NBC.) DRAMA The AssetA female agent with a very specialized and controversial area of expertise (Heroes' Ali Larter) operates out of CIA's NY City station. Josh Friedman (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) will write and executive-produce. GuiltyAfter being falsely convicted of fraud and stripped of his legal license, a brilliant, morally questionable defense attorney uses his unorthodox methods to solve the cases he's been prohibited from handling and to ultimately exact revenge on the man who set him up. Marc Guggenheim will write and executive-produce with Brothers & Sisters' Greg Berlanti and McG. Untitled Josh Berman/ Robert Wright projectA young female thoracic surgeon with Bridgeport roots is split between two worlds as she juggles her career and her lifelong debt to the South Chicago mob. Drop Dead Diva's Josh Berman and Robert Wright will write and executive-produce with Justified's Michael Dinner. Untitled Kevin Williamson projectAn edge-of-your-seat thriller about the complex relationship between diabolical serial killer Joe Carroll (James Purefoy) and the damaged FBI profiler, Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon), who once took him down. After Joe escapes, Hardy is reactivated and discovers that he is no longer just hunting one man, but a massive cult of serial killers created and manipulated during Carroll's time in prison. Kevin Williamson will write and executive-produce. Shawn Ashmore and Valorie Curry will also star. Untitled Karyn Usher projectThe orphaned 17-year-old daughter of a CIA operative meets a mysterious rogue agent-assassin who serves as both her surrogate father and professional mentor in the spy world. Karyn Usher (Bones, Prison Break) will write, while Last Man Standing duo Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements will executive-produce. COMEDY Ben Fox Is My MannyUnder the guise of being his niece's nanny, a free spirited young guy moves in with his type-A, tightly wound sister and in the process will help her re-enter the world. Dana Fox (What Happens in Vegas) will write and executive-produce with Terra Nova duo Peter Chernin and Katherine Pope. Maggie Jones and Echo Kellum will star. El JefeTossed out of his Brentwood home, an affable but lost 30-year-old guy (Ryan Hansen) moves in with his longtime Latin American nanny, goes head to head with her strong-willed son, and finds himself in a family and worklife very different from the one in which he grew up. From Aliens in America's Moses Port and David Guarascio. The Goodwin GamesThree siblings, one of them played by Becki Newton, must reconnect after the death of their father, who leaves them his fortune only if they agree to his terms. How I Met Your Mother's Carter Bays and Craig Thomas executive-produce with Chris Harris, who will also write. Let It GoA married couple - Chuck's Zachary Levi plays the husband - his best friend, and her sister navigate, negotiate, and sometimes manipulate society's unspoken rules. 'Til Death's D.J. Nash will write and executive-produce alongside Rescue Me's Peter Tolan. Like FatherInspired by Bill Lawrence's real-life experiences, this project will revolve around a father-son relationship, with Eureka's Colin Ferguson playing the father. Lawrence (Scrubs, Cougar Town) will write, direct and executive-produce. Phil Lewis and Kevin Michael Martin will also star. Little BrotherFull House's John Stamos stars as a level-headed man who finds out he has a half brother (T.J. Miller) who happens to be an ex-con. Men of a Certain Age's Mike Royce will write and executive-produce with Last Man Standing duo Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements. Rosa Salazar and Gillian Vigman will also star. Living LoadedA hard-partying blogger (Pan Am's Mike Vogel) is forced to reevaluate his laissez-faire career plan when he gets a new job as a host on public radio. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's Rob McElhenney executive-produces. Michael Friedman will also star. Must HireAn uptight, young executive hires his dad for an entry-level position and is shocked to discover that his new hire is a disruptive office clown. Wilfred'sReed Agnew and Eli Jorne will write the pilot and executive-produce alongside Happy Endings' Jamie Tarses. Prodigy Bully A child prodigy with an attitude shakes up his Hogwarts-like academy while bringing the rarified world of his school back home to his aggressive working class family. Glee's Mike O'Malley will play his father and will also write and co-executive-produce with Shameless' John Wells. ReboundingA man recovers from the death of his fiancée with the help of the idiots on his pick-up basketball team, two of whom are played by Hayes MacArthur and Malcolm Barrett. Modern Family's Steve Levitan executive-produces with Joe Port, whose life is the inspiration for the show. Untitled Mindy Kaling project The Office's Mindy Kaling stars as a young Bridget Jones-type OB/GYN trying to navigate both her personal and professional life. Kaling will write and executive-produce with Office producer Howard Klein. Which pilots sound interesting to you?

'Transformers' Cast Not Returning For Next Movie?

When MTV News spoken with "Transformers" producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura recently, he taunted you will see an entirely new cast of figures for your approaching Michael Bay-directed "Transformers 4." But we didn't realize how literal he'd been. Apparently Josh Duhamel did though. The star in the previous "Transformers" films taken track of E! Online recently and mentioned he wasn't considering coming back money for hard times film. And, apparently, neither are his famous costars. "I don't think anybody's carrying it out,In . he mentioned. "I realize Shia [LaBoeuf]'s not carrying it out. I don't think Tyrese or Rosie [Huntington-Whiteley] or anybody else will it.Inch Duhamel didn't come off as too surprised that Vital Pictures was ongoing the franchise, stating the last film's large box office haul as ample reason to proceed while using series. "Whenever these movies make much cash they're can make just as much because they can to,Inch he mentioned. "[But] I have not heard anything relating to this. They haven't referred to as me." Granted, there's still the required time for Bay and di Bonaventura to get this done. Bay is pointing "Discomfort and Gain" first, as well as the movie isn't even prone to hit theaters until June 27, 2014. But Duhamel doesn't appear particularly excited to come back to the fold, if he's even asked for. We'll have to observe things pan out once "Transformers 4" can get closer to casting its stars. Are you disappointed if "Transformers 4" would be a brand-new cast of stars? Reveal inside the comments section below or on Twitter!

True Blood's Jessica Tuck Involves Grimm: What's Her Link to Adalind?

Jessica Tuck True Blood stream alum Jessica Tuck is sinking her teeth into Grimm, Entertainment Weekly reviews. Amy Acker holds playing Grimm's alluring black widow The actress may have Adalind's fellow Hexenbiest mother, Catherine, inside an episode set to air later this season. Hexenbiests are witch-like creatures who usually use royalty, and so are very loyal. In human form, they are very beautiful and many types of the Hexenbiests seen around the program to date are actually female lawyers. Most broadly known on her behalf longtime role on one Existence to reside in, Tuck carried out vampire-human liaison Nan Flanagan round the Cinemax vampire drama before she was guaranteed in Season 4. She also guest-starred on Castle this year's season. Grimm airs Fridays at 9/8c on NBC.

Standard and Poor's downgrades The new sony

Tokyo, japan -- Credit rankings agency Standard and Poor's has downgraded The new sony a measure from a b- to BBB+ credit score. The move comes days after the organization forecast $2.9 billion in internet deficits for that financial year, its 4th consecutive year at a negative balance. The company stated inside a statement the primary reason behind the red-colored ink is "Sony's technique to strongly expand its global share of the market despite strong competition, an enormous erosion of costs, and it is high-cost structure in comparison with overseas rivals." S&P added that "it will likely be hard for The new sony to come back its TV business to profitability even just in fiscal 2013. Therefore, we have seen a minimal probability of a powerful recovery in Sony's earnings within the next 2 yrs approximately." The company stated it might drop Sony's rating even more whether it sees "no significant manifestation of recovery" within the coming six to 12 several weeks. The new sony prexy and Boss Howard Stringer has stated he's walking lower, after seven years at the very top, in April to create method for Kazuo Hirai, who switched around Sony's game biz and it has since absorbed control over its core electronics division. Hirai is striving to slash TV biz deficits in two within the coming 2012 fiscal year and go back to profitability through the finish of March 2014, but S&P views this kind of outcome unlikely. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Ken Averill on Christopher Glass

Published: Comes to an end., February. 3, 2012, 4:00am PTBy AverillKen Averill on Christopher Glass, production designer, Jim Beam "Parallels"In "Parallels," Christopher Glass carries the emotional tone of some other era in to the present together with his keen fashion sense, his obvious knowledge of concept, and also the seamless relationship he develops together. Reflecting both importance from the period and also the imperative of what is on the line, your decision is made to shoot the place in black and whitened -- which obviously always presents challenging for any designer. Sets that may create a strong visual impact colored can certainly fall flat in monochrome because of the similarity within the tonal worth of the colours.Within this place, that is not the situation. Similar to the hero available, Glass makes "bold options" that "get you where you stand said to be.InchViewpoint and position of vision would be the driving forces behind both story and design. Glass knows this. Each set was created with only enough symmetry to lend itself either to a straight-on camera shot to stress duality, a treadmill that enables for any slow monitoring shot that moves with the scene.The wise choices produced in the look permit a fast read from the material they try to highlight the option the hero must make by moving the viewer from varied shades of gray towards the striking and powerful utilization of high-contrast black and whitened. Aesthetically stunning, the finish consequence of Glass' design draws the viewer directly into this graphic and impactful place.Ken Averill's credits include advertisements for AT&T, Budweiser, Pepsi and Ikea.ADG Honours 2012Tightening the definitionDesigners on designProduction designers and art company directors discuss the ADG-nominated work of the peersJohn Muto on Dante Ferretti Greg Grande on Jefferson Sage Norm Newberry on Stuart Craig John Sabato on Patti Podesta Ken Averill on Christopher Glass John Shaffner on Steve Bass Dork Blass on Mark Worthington John Iacovelli on James Yarnell Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Fox Orders Season 5 of Kitchen Bad dreams

Kitchen Bad dreams Fox assists up a fifth season of Kitchen Bad dreams, the network introduced Thursday."It is good to become back for any fifth season ... Who understood there have been that lots of bad dreams available?!Inch series star and executive producer Gordon Ramsay stated inside a statement.Watch full instances of Kitchen NightmaresThe reality series follows rapid-tempered chef because he travels to restaurants around the edge of closing and whips the area fit.Ramsay, 45, also hosts Fox's cooking competition series Hell's Kitchen.Kitchen Bad dreams airs Fridays at 8/7 on Fox.

Eli Manning versus. Tom Brady: Exactly What Do Their Most Favorite Television Shows Say About The Subject?

Eli Manning, Tom Brady 4 years after among the finest sports upsets ever, the NY Titans and Gambling will face off in the Super Bowl again on Sunday (6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on NBC). The way Eli Manning and Tom Brady complement 4 years later? We are able to break lower their passing yards, hurrying yards, touchdowns and interceptions all we would like, but we feel probably the most telling stat originates from... their most favorite Television shows. What exactly do their small-screen options say about the subject? Let us evaluate:Super Bowl XLVI: The Titans and Patriots face off in epic rematchEli ManningFavorite show: SeinfeldManning revealed Tuesday he also likes Modern Family, but Seinfeld remains his all-time favorite. In 2008, a Fox affiliate in Eco-friendly Bay told Manning "No Seinfeld for you personally!Inch if this infamously yanked its scheduled rerun of Seinfeld the Saturday evening prior to the Giants' NFC Championship game from the Eco-friendly Bay Packers. Alas, the program was foiled after The new sony got wind of their dubious plan and subsequently sent Manning Seinfeld: The Entire Series DVD collection along with a DVD player so he could watch Jerry and also the gang through the night lengthy. Among Manning's favorite episodes: "The Bizarro Jerry," that also featured Jillian (Kristin Bauer), also known as the lady with "guy hands." We are gonna embark on a limb and say Manning, from a sports clan, completely values all of the sports moments in Seinfeld too. What it really states about him: He's an easy guy, unsurprising since he originates in the South. For those its success, Seinfeld was the show about nothing in the end. While Manning comes with a lot more than the majority of us ever will, he's not-fancy such as the hit sitcom, stays from tabloids, and it is almost average person-esque in the work ethic that leads to grind-out victories - a lot to ensure that, like most of us mere earthlings, he thinks he doesn'tget very good he warrants. Possibly his boy-next-door appeal and work ethic will also be why, inside a survey, 54 percent of married women say they'd favour cheating with him compared to apparently untouchable Brady. Or possibly this means women know they'd never measure to Gisele Bundchen?Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert to do at Super BowlTom BradyFavorite show: DexterWe're not the foremost and will not function as the last to indicate that Brady looks nearly the same as Dex themself, Michael C. Hall. Hmm. Use that what you should. Brady can also be keen on Entourage, but that might be while he designed a cameo onto it. So far as we are able to tell, no rival team's home station has attempted to avoid him from watching either series.What it really states about him: He's a killer - a girl-killer! Before landing Bundchen, Brady dated Bridget Moynahan for 2 years. Soon after they split, the 3-time Super Bowl champion cozied as much as Bundchen and Moynahan introduced she was pregnant together with his kid. Does not have any more Hollywood than that! (Let us not get began on his new $20 million pad, filled with eight sleeping rooms, a bridge along with a butler's room.) Like Dex, Brady is callous and clinical in the kills wins and it is the star from the show - a stark contrast towards the ensemble and team-player natures of Seinfeld and Manning. Regrettably, Dexter isn't exactly improving as we grow older (cough, Season 6, cough) and Brady, who skipped the 2008 season due to injuries, continues to be more off his game than in the past. Coincidence? We believe not. Still, the drama stays alive following a two-year renewal, and Brady & Co. made it the Baltimore Ravens to really make it towards the large game.Who do you consider will win the Super Bowl?