Hollywood News Banter

Hosted by

Kim Masters and Matt Belloni of the Hollywood Reporter discuss top entertainment news stories of the week.

- Netflix has announced a new deal with Chelsea Handler, whose long-running relationship with E! is winding to a close. Details are still forthcoming on her new show, set to premiere in 2016, but it’s clear that Netflix, which counts Orange is the New Black as its most-watched show, is in pursuit of a female audience and Handler stands alone as a woman in the late-night space.
- Another Netflix show House of Cards is proving very popular in China, where earlier this week an article on a website related to the Chinese Communist Party said the show sets a great example...of just how corrupt American politics are.
- The U.S. World Cup win over Ghana wasn't just happy news for American soccer fans. ESPN had over 11 million viewers for the match, making it the most-watched men's soccer game in ESPN history. Spanish-language network Univision drew another almost 5 million viewers. Those numbers are still a far cry from Super Bowl-level ratings, but show a growing American interest in the sport.
- Cable boxes are using a huge amount of energy in homes across the country. Part of the problem is they draw almost as much energy when turned off as when they’re actively recording your favorite shows.