Hollywood Breakdown

Netflix and IMAX announced this week they'll simultaneously release a sequel to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. But the theater owners who have control of most of the IMAX screens in the country say that won't play the film. Adam Sandler also has a new deal with Netflix. He'll release four films through the online streaming service.

In the age of cable, DVRs and streaming services, the idea of a fall TV season might seem dated. But this year, the broadcast networks are showing they still have some kick as plenty of viewers are tuning in to sample new shows.

The cable channel A&E canceled the show Longmire after three seasons, but not because it didn't have enough viewers. In fact, the show about a Wyoming sheriff was the network's second most popular after Duck Dynasty. The problem was it had the wrong kind of audience.

The groundbreaking comic Joan Rivers died at age 81, after losing consciousness during vocal cord surgery last week. Rivers was an enormously successful, constantly working comic who paved the way for women in the comedy world.

The Emmys are this Monday, and while the excitement is building, there's also some dissatisfaction with certain shows like True Detective and Orange Is The New Black competing in categories where perhaps they don't objectively belong.

Upfront commitments for television advertisements are down this year for the first time since 2009. And it's not just the broadcast networks that are taking a hit — ad spending for cable is down 4.7 percent. Even though total upfront advertising spending fell 6.1 percent, there's still $18,125 billion in ad dollars confirmed for fall television.

Rupert Murdoch withdrew his offer to buy Time Warner, but the media company continues to appear to make itself attractive to potential buyers, including a Warner Bros announcement of nine new superhero movies through 2020.

Most Angelenos still can't watch their hometown baseball team on television because Time Warner Cable hasn't been able to sell the Dodgers channel SportsNet LA to other distributors.

Marvel has enjoyed spectacular success building out an entire universe with their characters. Now, other movie studios are trying to do the same.