Paul Yanover is stepping down as president of the ticketing site Fandango after a decade at the company, being replaced by NBC Sports Next EVP Will McIntosh, who will also continue his duties at the digital sports division as president.
Fandango, which is owned by NBCUniversal, has spent the past decade expanding under Yanover’s leadership, acquiring the popular review site Rotten Tomatoes, the on-demand video platform Vudu, and movie social media site Flixster. Fandango also expanded its YouTube footprint with its channel Movieclips, which has 57 million subscribers and has become a popular site for its clips of beloved scenes from popular films.
Yanover will remain at Fandango in a transitionary role over the next two months. McIntosh’s promotion will see him oversee operations of all of Fandango’s sites as well as NBC Sports Next sites like GolfNOW and Golfpass, digital extensions of NBC Sports’ Golf Channel. He will report to Pete Bevacqua,...
Fandango, which is owned by NBCUniversal, has spent the past decade expanding under Yanover’s leadership, acquiring the popular review site Rotten Tomatoes, the on-demand video platform Vudu, and movie social media site Flixster. Fandango also expanded its YouTube footprint with its channel Movieclips, which has 57 million subscribers and has become a popular site for its clips of beloved scenes from popular films.
Yanover will remain at Fandango in a transitionary role over the next two months. McIntosh’s promotion will see him oversee operations of all of Fandango’s sites as well as NBC Sports Next sites like GolfNOW and Golfpass, digital extensions of NBC Sports’ Golf Channel. He will report to Pete Bevacqua,...
- 6/9/2022
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Paul Yanover is stepping down as president of Fandango after nearly a decade atop the country’s leading movie ticketing service. He will be replaced by Will McIntosh, who currently serves as executive VP of NBC Sports Next.
His new role will be slightly different, as he will serve as president of both NBC Sports Next and Fandango. NBC Sports Next operates GolfNOW, GolfPass, SportsEngine and other sports-related digital and e-commerce applications. McIntosh will report to Pete Bevacqua, chairman of NBC Sports and Matt Strauss, chairman of direct-to-consumer.
The well-liked, whip-smart Yanover will leave the company later this summer and will take time off before pursuing other endeavors. He joined Fandango in 2012, and worked to transform the business into more than a movie ticketing app, making it more of a digital network for film fans. Under his leadership, Fandango expanded its ticketing reach by buying MovieTickets.com, but it complimented that by buying Flixster,...
His new role will be slightly different, as he will serve as president of both NBC Sports Next and Fandango. NBC Sports Next operates GolfNOW, GolfPass, SportsEngine and other sports-related digital and e-commerce applications. McIntosh will report to Pete Bevacqua, chairman of NBC Sports and Matt Strauss, chairman of direct-to-consumer.
The well-liked, whip-smart Yanover will leave the company later this summer and will take time off before pursuing other endeavors. He joined Fandango in 2012, and worked to transform the business into more than a movie ticketing app, making it more of a digital network for film fans. Under his leadership, Fandango expanded its ticketing reach by buying MovieTickets.com, but it complimented that by buying Flixster,...
- 6/9/2022
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
NBCUniversal-owned Fandango, which has evolved from a movie ticketing service to a more comprehensive entertainment brand, is merging its streaming services Vudu and FandangoNow.
The new Vudu-branded offering will feature 200,000 new releases and library titles. It will also become Roku’s official film and TV store in a revenue-sharing arrangement with the No. 1 U.S. streaming provider.
Fandando acquired Vudu from Walmart in early 2020. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Walmart had bought it in 2011 for $100 million and had positioned it in recent years as a vehicle for the company to potentially rival Amazon in the movie and TV space. The service is available in more than 75 million U.S. households with connected-tv devices households, according to a recent Npd Group estimate. Vudu has more than 60 million registered users and serves millions of consumers daily across Smart TVs, connected devices, mobile and online.
Customers of FandangoNow,...
The new Vudu-branded offering will feature 200,000 new releases and library titles. It will also become Roku’s official film and TV store in a revenue-sharing arrangement with the No. 1 U.S. streaming provider.
Fandando acquired Vudu from Walmart in early 2020. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Walmart had bought it in 2011 for $100 million and had positioned it in recent years as a vehicle for the company to potentially rival Amazon in the movie and TV space. The service is available in more than 75 million U.S. households with connected-tv devices households, according to a recent Npd Group estimate. Vudu has more than 60 million registered users and serves millions of consumers daily across Smart TVs, connected devices, mobile and online.
Customers of FandangoNow,...
- 8/3/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Rotten Tomatoes has updated its criteria for designating “Top Critics” in what it calls a bid to “increase inclusion and recognize individual achievement in criticism.”
Of the 170 newly approved Top Critics, 60% are women, an estimated 25% are people of color and 24% publish their reviews through video or podcasts.
Established in 2008, the Top Critic designation created by the digital review destination owned by NBCUniversal’s Fandango aims to identify film and TV critics whose work is considered particularly distinguished. Their work gets prominently featured on Rotten Tomatoes’ movie and TV pages, factor in the designation of titles that are “Certified Fresh,” and are pooled to generate a “Top Critics” Tomatometer score.
The move reflects years of self-examination in the movie and TV business, punctuated by the #OscarsSoWhite and #MeToo movements, and a related recognition of the traditionally white and male nature of the critical establishment. The print medium, too, has long dominated the realm of critics,...
Of the 170 newly approved Top Critics, 60% are women, an estimated 25% are people of color and 24% publish their reviews through video or podcasts.
Established in 2008, the Top Critic designation created by the digital review destination owned by NBCUniversal’s Fandango aims to identify film and TV critics whose work is considered particularly distinguished. Their work gets prominently featured on Rotten Tomatoes’ movie and TV pages, factor in the designation of titles that are “Certified Fresh,” and are pooled to generate a “Top Critics” Tomatometer score.
The move reflects years of self-examination in the movie and TV business, punctuated by the #OscarsSoWhite and #MeToo movements, and a related recognition of the traditionally white and male nature of the critical establishment. The print medium, too, has long dominated the realm of critics,...
- 12/3/2020
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Rotten Tomatoes has launched a new Top Critics program for its Tomatometer rating system, including new criteria aimed at boosting inclusion and recognizing individual achievement in criticism.
“At Rotten Tomatoes, we continue our commitment to building a more inclusive critics pool that reflects and serves the global entertainment audience, and today we took another important step by modernizing our Top Critics program,” said Jenny Jediny, Rotten Tomatoes head of critics relations. “Our team understands the value of the Top Critic designation and its ability to expand professional opportunities for critics. With an increased focus on individual merit and contributions to the field of criticism, our team is thrilled to award Top Critic status to an additional 170 deserving voices.”
Rotten Tomatoes said its refreshed Top Critics criteria place an increased emphasis on a critic’s individual qualifications, body of work and dedication to the art and future of entertainment criticism, rather...
“At Rotten Tomatoes, we continue our commitment to building a more inclusive critics pool that reflects and serves the global entertainment audience, and today we took another important step by modernizing our Top Critics program,” said Jenny Jediny, Rotten Tomatoes head of critics relations. “Our team understands the value of the Top Critic designation and its ability to expand professional opportunities for critics. With an increased focus on individual merit and contributions to the field of criticism, our team is thrilled to award Top Critic status to an additional 170 deserving voices.”
Rotten Tomatoes said its refreshed Top Critics criteria place an increased emphasis on a critic’s individual qualifications, body of work and dedication to the art and future of entertainment criticism, rather...
- 12/3/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Rotten Tomatoes has revamped the way it classifies film and TV critics among its “Top Critics” as a way to increase diversity among pop culture criticism and provide a more inclusive range of opinions on a given film or show.
Previously, the company determined whether a critic was one of its Top Critics — filtering out a select few of the biggest names from the hundreds of other critics in the database that make up a film or show’s overall TomatoMeter score — based solely on their publication or employer’s status.
Now, however, Rotten Tomatoes will place a bigger emphasis on a critic’s individual qualifications and overall body of work in entertainment criticism. The aggregator also looked to podcasts and digital and video series as sources that are now eligible for Top Critic consideration.
With this latest change, 170 new critics have been approved as among the site’s Top...
Previously, the company determined whether a critic was one of its Top Critics — filtering out a select few of the biggest names from the hundreds of other critics in the database that make up a film or show’s overall TomatoMeter score — based solely on their publication or employer’s status.
Now, however, Rotten Tomatoes will place a bigger emphasis on a critic’s individual qualifications and overall body of work in entertainment criticism. The aggregator also looked to podcasts and digital and video series as sources that are now eligible for Top Critic consideration.
With this latest change, 170 new critics have been approved as among the site’s Top...
- 12/3/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Paul Yanover has not visited Fandango’s Beverly Hills headquarters since March. While holed up at his home office the past seven months, he’s seen the company’s core business — selling movie tickets— crash to virtually nil.
It’s “certainly not the most fun spot to be in, in the back of 2020,” acknowledges Yanover, the longtime president of NBC-Universal’s Fandango. The group cut back as part of NBCU’s companywide layoffs in August with a “small amount of cost-cutting,” Yanover says.
But the executive remains optimistic that once theaters reopen in a bigger way in 2021, Fandango’s movie-ticketing business will rebound, benefiting from pent-up demand. In the meantime, Fandango has shifted its focus to building up its home-entertainment streaming strategy. The big development here: its mid-pandemic closing of the deal to acquire Vudu, the digital movie and TV service, from Walmart in July. “We literally couldn’t get...
It’s “certainly not the most fun spot to be in, in the back of 2020,” acknowledges Yanover, the longtime president of NBC-Universal’s Fandango. The group cut back as part of NBCU’s companywide layoffs in August with a “small amount of cost-cutting,” Yanover says.
But the executive remains optimistic that once theaters reopen in a bigger way in 2021, Fandango’s movie-ticketing business will rebound, benefiting from pent-up demand. In the meantime, Fandango has shifted its focus to building up its home-entertainment streaming strategy. The big development here: its mid-pandemic closing of the deal to acquire Vudu, the digital movie and TV service, from Walmart in July. “We literally couldn’t get...
- 10/22/2020
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Pearlena Igbokwe wasted no time in setting her leadership team for the Universal Studio Group, which covers all aspects of TV production at the company.
Masami Yamamoto was named president of business affairs and operations, overseeing all aspects of business affairs for the global studio group including negotiations and deal-making for Universal Television, Ucp and NBCUniversal International Studios.
Brad Melnick will be chief financial officer, responsible for financial performance, production finance, long-range planning and strategy.
Tracy St. Pierre was promoted to EVP of communications and marketing; Bryan Mu was made SVP of content and cultural insights, leading resarch and analytics to drive strategic planning and audience insights.
Jodi Dicenzo was elevated to global head of human resources, and Marni Pedorella was named general counsel of Universal Studio Group reporting to both Igbokwe and Kim Harris, EVP and general counsel for NBCUniversal.
Universal Studio Group is comprised of Universal Television, Ucp and NBCUniversal International Studios.
Masami Yamamoto was named president of business affairs and operations, overseeing all aspects of business affairs for the global studio group including negotiations and deal-making for Universal Television, Ucp and NBCUniversal International Studios.
Brad Melnick will be chief financial officer, responsible for financial performance, production finance, long-range planning and strategy.
Tracy St. Pierre was promoted to EVP of communications and marketing; Bryan Mu was made SVP of content and cultural insights, leading resarch and analytics to drive strategic planning and audience insights.
Jodi Dicenzo was elevated to global head of human resources, and Marni Pedorella was named general counsel of Universal Studio Group reporting to both Igbokwe and Kim Harris, EVP and general counsel for NBCUniversal.
Universal Studio Group is comprised of Universal Television, Ucp and NBCUniversal International Studios.
- 9/17/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Chris McCumber is the latest longtime executive at NBCUniversal to depart amid the wide-scale restructuring at NBCUniversal.
On Tuesday, Frances Berwick laid out the leadership team for her Entertainment Business unit, which will be in charge of programming strategy and content spend across all of NBCU’s networks. In the new structure, Jeff Bader will be in charge of program planning for all six of NBCU’s cable entertainment networks, in addition to his current role with the NBC broadcast network.
Last month, Berwick was named the head of NBCU’s new Entertainment Business unit, which will be in charge of programming strategy and content spend across all of NBCU’s networks. The move was part of a massive restructuring under NBCU CEO Jeff Shell. The new structure involves three new business units: Direct to Consumer, Entertainment Programming and Entertainment Business.
“After nearly 20 years at this tremendous company, this has not been an easy decision.
On Tuesday, Frances Berwick laid out the leadership team for her Entertainment Business unit, which will be in charge of programming strategy and content spend across all of NBCU’s networks. In the new structure, Jeff Bader will be in charge of program planning for all six of NBCU’s cable entertainment networks, in addition to his current role with the NBC broadcast network.
Last month, Berwick was named the head of NBCU’s new Entertainment Business unit, which will be in charge of programming strategy and content spend across all of NBCU’s networks. The move was part of a massive restructuring under NBCU CEO Jeff Shell. The new structure involves three new business units: Direct to Consumer, Entertainment Programming and Entertainment Business.
“After nearly 20 years at this tremendous company, this has not been an easy decision.
- 9/16/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Paul Telegdy is out as NBC Entertainment chairman amid an investigation into multiple accusations of workplace misbehavior. His exit comes as part of a larger reorganization under Mark Lazarus, NBCUniversal’s chairman of television and streaming.
The new structure involves three new business units: Direct to Consumer, Entertainment Programming and Entertainment Business.
Peacock chief Matt Strauss will be in charge of the Direct-to-Consumer unit, while continuing to lead Peacock, which will maintain its own separate team within the division. International Networks, run by Ken Bettsteller, and Fandango, run by Paul Yanover, will report to Strauss. Francis Berwick will head up the Entertainment Business unit, which will be in charge of programming strategy and content spend across all of NBCU’s networks. Berwick most recently ran NBCU’s lifestyle networks. The Entertainment Programming unit have oversight of all original programming on the broadcast and cable networks; NBCU is currently searching for...
The new structure involves three new business units: Direct to Consumer, Entertainment Programming and Entertainment Business.
Peacock chief Matt Strauss will be in charge of the Direct-to-Consumer unit, while continuing to lead Peacock, which will maintain its own separate team within the division. International Networks, run by Ken Bettsteller, and Fandango, run by Paul Yanover, will report to Strauss. Francis Berwick will head up the Entertainment Business unit, which will be in charge of programming strategy and content spend across all of NBCU’s networks. Berwick most recently ran NBCU’s lifestyle networks. The Entertainment Programming unit have oversight of all original programming on the broadcast and cable networks; NBCU is currently searching for...
- 8/6/2020
- by Tony Maglio and Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Paul Telegdy is exiting his post as NBC Entertainment chairman as NBCUniversal today unveiled the new centralized structure under Mark Lazarus, Chairman of NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. It includes a larger role for Lifestyle Networks president Frances Berwick.
As expected, the reorganization is consolidating all NBCU English-language linear networks into one group, overseen by Berwick on the business side and an executive to be named later on the programming side.
Word is that NBCU is looking at candidates internally and externally for the job. One possible scenario that has been buzzed about involves Bill McGoldrick, currently President, Original Content, NBCUniversal Entertainment Networks and Direct-to-Consumer, potentially adding NBC programming oversight.
Telegdy’s departure comes a week after he became the subject of an internal investigation into allegations of professional misconduct. In June, he also was named in a discrimination action by Gabrielle Union over her firing from America’s Got Talent.
Joining...
As expected, the reorganization is consolidating all NBCU English-language linear networks into one group, overseen by Berwick on the business side and an executive to be named later on the programming side.
Word is that NBCU is looking at candidates internally and externally for the job. One possible scenario that has been buzzed about involves Bill McGoldrick, currently President, Original Content, NBCUniversal Entertainment Networks and Direct-to-Consumer, potentially adding NBC programming oversight.
Telegdy’s departure comes a week after he became the subject of an internal investigation into allegations of professional misconduct. In June, he also was named in a discrimination action by Gabrielle Union over her firing from America’s Got Talent.
Joining...
- 8/6/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Fandango announced on Tuesday that it will launch a new program on its website and ticketing app that will allow users to check their local theaters for Covid-19 safety protocols when they reopen.
Users will be able to find information that theaters have provided about auditorium occupancy and social distance seating, mask and protective equipment policies, enhanced cleaning measures, special concession services, and more. Over 100 theater chains have partnered with Fandango to share information about when their theaters reopen and what they are doing to keep customers safe.
Also Read: Regal Cinemas Will Require Guests to Wear Face Masks at Theaters
“We are working closely with our friends in exhibition to help get their ticketing back online and film fans back in seats with peace of mind,” said Melissa Heller, Fandango’s vice president of domestic ticketing. “In addition to our new product features, Fandango’s mobile ticketing will be an added benefit,...
Users will be able to find information that theaters have provided about auditorium occupancy and social distance seating, mask and protective equipment policies, enhanced cleaning measures, special concession services, and more. Over 100 theater chains have partnered with Fandango to share information about when their theaters reopen and what they are doing to keep customers safe.
Also Read: Regal Cinemas Will Require Guests to Wear Face Masks at Theaters
“We are working closely with our friends in exhibition to help get their ticketing back online and film fans back in seats with peace of mind,” said Melissa Heller, Fandango’s vice president of domestic ticketing. “In addition to our new product features, Fandango’s mobile ticketing will be an added benefit,...
- 6/23/2020
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
With the nation’s movie theaters slowly reopening, online ticket seller Fandango has launched a program aimed at helping audiences go back to theaters.
“We are working closely with our friends in exhibition to help get their ticketing back online and film fans back in seats with peace of mind,” said Melissa Heller, Fandango’s VP of domestic ticketing.
The company, owned by NBCUniversal, announced that its website and mobile apps will begin including social distance seating maps, a one-stop guide to safety policies provided by more than 100 theater chains. It will also have a special search filter to find reopened theaters by location, auditorium occupancy and social distance seating, mask and protective equipment policies, enhanced cleaning measures and special concession services.
“At Fandango, our mission has always been super-serving fans with their entertainment needs, and we cannot wait to help fans get back to the big screen safely and at the right time,...
“We are working closely with our friends in exhibition to help get their ticketing back online and film fans back in seats with peace of mind,” said Melissa Heller, Fandango’s VP of domestic ticketing.
The company, owned by NBCUniversal, announced that its website and mobile apps will begin including social distance seating maps, a one-stop guide to safety policies provided by more than 100 theater chains. It will also have a special search filter to find reopened theaters by location, auditorium occupancy and social distance seating, mask and protective equipment policies, enhanced cleaning measures and special concession services.
“At Fandango, our mission has always been super-serving fans with their entertainment needs, and we cannot wait to help fans get back to the big screen safely and at the right time,...
- 6/23/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
“Hustlers” became one of the surprise hits of the fall, grossing $150 million globally on a modest $20 million budget. With the gritty drama set to premiere on home video this week, it’s worth it to look at some of the ways the film was able to cut through the clutter and become a must-see in theaters. Something that was hardly preordained given that “Hustlers” is the story of a group of strippers who plot revenge on their well-heeled clientele — a dark subject at a time when multiplexes are dominated by cape and tights-wearing superheroes with a clear moral compass.
Part of the credit has to do with the close association that Stx, the studio behind the film, maintained with Fandango, the dominant movie ticketing service, in the lead up to “Hustlers'” Sept. 13 release. Executives at both companies told Variety they worked in tandem to try to generate more attention for...
Part of the credit has to do with the close association that Stx, the studio behind the film, maintained with Fandango, the dominant movie ticketing service, in the lead up to “Hustlers'” Sept. 13 release. Executives at both companies told Variety they worked in tandem to try to generate more attention for...
- 11/25/2019
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Fandango is partnering with Warner Bros. to offer exclusive early access paid screenings to see Doctor Sleep, the continuation of Stephen King’s The Shining starring Ewan McGregor as Danny Torrance, 9 days before the pic’s Nov. 8 U.S. release date.
Pic will be booked at 400 theaters nationwide with such chains as AMC, Regal, Cinemark, Marcus Theatres, Harkins and more participating. Moviegoers and members of Fandango VIP, Fandango’s free-to-join rewards program, can RSVP their tickets today by going to ticket retailer’s website.
“We’re excited to work with Warner Bros to offer film fans their first chance to see ‘Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep’ on October 30, just in time for Halloween,” says Fandango President Paul Yanover. “With our early access screenings, we are committed to ‘eventizing’ the movies and working closely with studios and filmmakers to surprise and delight moviegoers.”
The Fandango early paid screening program has been...
Pic will be booked at 400 theaters nationwide with such chains as AMC, Regal, Cinemark, Marcus Theatres, Harkins and more participating. Moviegoers and members of Fandango VIP, Fandango’s free-to-join rewards program, can RSVP their tickets today by going to ticket retailer’s website.
“We’re excited to work with Warner Bros to offer film fans their first chance to see ‘Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep’ on October 30, just in time for Halloween,” says Fandango President Paul Yanover. “With our early access screenings, we are committed to ‘eventizing’ the movies and working closely with studios and filmmakers to surprise and delight moviegoers.”
The Fandango early paid screening program has been...
- 10/17/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
FandangoNOW now offers movies and TV shows for rent or purchase on Oculus Vr headsets, including some in 3-D.
Oculus Go and Quest headset users can now access the 90,000 movies and TV shows already available FandangoNOW, which is available on the headset app. The VOD service will also offer, for the first time, hundreds of 3-D titles, including “Spider-Man: Far from Home.”
“We are constantly looking for innovative ways to deliver high-quality entertainment to movie and TV fans on pioneering platforms,” said Fandango president Paul Yanover. “Our new initiative with Oculus will give fans a new and exciting way to explore, discover and truly immerse themselves in the movies, bringing them to new cinematic worlds they’ve never visited before.”
Oculus, Facebook’s Vr division, previously launched its own video store but appears to be phasing that out. It shut down the version available on Rift headsets a year ago.
Oculus Go and Quest headset users can now access the 90,000 movies and TV shows already available FandangoNOW, which is available on the headset app. The VOD service will also offer, for the first time, hundreds of 3-D titles, including “Spider-Man: Far from Home.”
“We are constantly looking for innovative ways to deliver high-quality entertainment to movie and TV fans on pioneering platforms,” said Fandango president Paul Yanover. “Our new initiative with Oculus will give fans a new and exciting way to explore, discover and truly immerse themselves in the movies, bringing them to new cinematic worlds they’ve never visited before.”
Oculus, Facebook’s Vr division, previously launched its own video store but appears to be phasing that out. It shut down the version available on Rift headsets a year ago.
- 9/25/2019
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
Rotten Tomatoes announced it had added 600 new critics over the last year as part of a concerted effort to amplify underrepresented voices in film and TV. (Via Deadline.) Of the new batch of critics, 55% are women, 60% are freelancers and 10% publish reviews via YouTube, podcasts and other emerging avenues. The announcement arrives exactly one year after the site pledged to revamp its criteria for verifying critics in order to foster inclusion. The process essentially controls which reviews contribute to the “Tomatometer,” and a movie’s overall Rotten Tomatoes score.
The new guidelines, initially established last year, focus more on the merits of individual critics than of publications with an aim to foster inclusion across gender, race, class, and ability. The new requirements also reflect the massive transformation of media, namely the shift away from print magazines and newspapers, by opening up the playing field to culture critics working at less traditional outlets.
The new guidelines, initially established last year, focus more on the merits of individual critics than of publications with an aim to foster inclusion across gender, race, class, and ability. The new requirements also reflect the massive transformation of media, namely the shift away from print magazines and newspapers, by opening up the playing field to culture critics working at less traditional outlets.
- 8/28/2019
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Rotten Tomatoes said it has added 600 independently verified critics over the past year as part of an ongoing push to support under-represented voices in film and TV criticism.
Of the new critics, 55% are women, 60% are freelancers and 10% publish reviews via YouTube, podcasts and other emerging avenues. The news comes a year after the digital brand said it was revamping its criteria for its “Tomatometer” gauge of sentiment in order to foster inclusion.
The inclusiveness objective has many facets: gender, race, ethnicity as well as the platforms where critics’ work appears, given the shift from newspapers and magazines to digital platforms. A broader conversation has been unfolding across show business about establishment arenas such as criticism. In addition to critics, the composition of festival juries, awards voting blocs and other power positions has been questioned given the changes to modern society’s makeup.
Along with adding verified critics, Rotten Tomatoes also...
Of the new critics, 55% are women, 60% are freelancers and 10% publish reviews via YouTube, podcasts and other emerging avenues. The news comes a year after the digital brand said it was revamping its criteria for its “Tomatometer” gauge of sentiment in order to foster inclusion.
The inclusiveness objective has many facets: gender, race, ethnicity as well as the platforms where critics’ work appears, given the shift from newspapers and magazines to digital platforms. A broader conversation has been unfolding across show business about establishment arenas such as criticism. In addition to critics, the composition of festival juries, awards voting blocs and other power positions has been questioned given the changes to modern society’s makeup.
Along with adding verified critics, Rotten Tomatoes also...
- 8/28/2019
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
A year after Rotten Tomatoes announced plans to boost diversity among its approved critics, the review aggregation site revealed it has added 600 new film commentators.
In an effort to increase representation and inclusion across the industry, the company also renewed $100,000 in grants for 2020 to assist critics from underrepresented groups to attend film festivals and industry events. In 2018 and 2019, Rotten Tomatoes has helped over 160 journalists attend film festivals by donating grant money to festivals like Toronto, Sundance and SXSW.
Last August, Rotten Tomatoes refurbished its criteria to look at an individual’s qualifications, rather than just their employer when it comes to verifying critics. The initiative also expanded its pool to newer media platforms like digital videos or podcasts. Of the new critics added this year, 55% are women, 60% are freelancers and 10% publish reviews on more modern platforms like YouTube.
“Rotten Tomatoes is connecting audiences with authentic, trusted information from professional critics and fellow fans,...
In an effort to increase representation and inclusion across the industry, the company also renewed $100,000 in grants for 2020 to assist critics from underrepresented groups to attend film festivals and industry events. In 2018 and 2019, Rotten Tomatoes has helped over 160 journalists attend film festivals by donating grant money to festivals like Toronto, Sundance and SXSW.
Last August, Rotten Tomatoes refurbished its criteria to look at an individual’s qualifications, rather than just their employer when it comes to verifying critics. The initiative also expanded its pool to newer media platforms like digital videos or podcasts. Of the new critics added this year, 55% are women, 60% are freelancers and 10% publish reviews on more modern platforms like YouTube.
“Rotten Tomatoes is connecting audiences with authentic, trusted information from professional critics and fellow fans,...
- 8/28/2019
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes announced on Wednesday that it will renew its grant program to help critics from underrepresented groups attend film festivals as part of an ongoing push to increase diversity among the reviews features on its site.
Last year, just prior to the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival, Rotten Tomatoes established a $100,000 fund to help female and minority critics cover travel expenses for attending the prestigious event. That grant also helped underrepresented critics attend this year’s Sundance and SXSW festivals, and to date over 160 critics have been assisted through the program.
Also Read: Rotten Tomatoes to Bypass Trolls With New Audience Score From Confirmed Ticket Buyers Only
In addition, Rotten Tomatoes also made changes to the critics criteria for their ratings system with a greater focus on individual qualifications. This was done to allow critics who write on a freelance basis or distribute their reviews through new media...
Last year, just prior to the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival, Rotten Tomatoes established a $100,000 fund to help female and minority critics cover travel expenses for attending the prestigious event. That grant also helped underrepresented critics attend this year’s Sundance and SXSW festivals, and to date over 160 critics have been assisted through the program.
Also Read: Rotten Tomatoes to Bypass Trolls With New Audience Score From Confirmed Ticket Buyers Only
In addition, Rotten Tomatoes also made changes to the critics criteria for their ratings system with a greater focus on individual qualifications. This was done to allow critics who write on a freelance basis or distribute their reviews through new media...
- 8/28/2019
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Rotten Tomatoes launched in 1998 and was founded as a site by the users and for the users. Fans could come on and score the movies they were seeing to give others an idea of how a movie was being received by audiences. But that system has been sullied in the recent years as internet trolls and losers with nothing better to do than flex their stupid ideas of what should and shouldn’t be doing well have gone on and messed with the algorithms to tank the scores of films that could have otherwise succeeded on their site.
The service has now updated a guideline to a fan entering their input to affect the score. Fans must have a purchased ticket to the movie they are reviewing, then they will be considered verified reviewers. Paul Yanover, the President of Fandango, had this to say about the change:
"We know from...
The service has now updated a guideline to a fan entering their input to affect the score. Fans must have a purchased ticket to the movie they are reviewing, then they will be considered verified reviewers. Paul Yanover, the President of Fandango, had this to say about the change:
"We know from...
- 5/24/2019
- by Jessica Fisher
- GeekTyrant
Movie review engine Rotten Tomatoes is adding a level of verification to demonstrate that audience reviews come from actual ticket buyers.
Starting with movies released today, users can opt in to get their rating and review marked “verified” as long as they bought their movie ticket on Fandango, the NBCUniversal-owned digital brand that acquired Rotten Tomatoes in 2016. Major exhibitors AMC, Regal and Cinemark plan to add their ticket sales to the verification effort later this year.
The Audience Rating System will now be comprised of ratings from fans who are confirmed to have bought tickets, with their written reviews displaying a “verified” badge.
In an interview with Deadline, Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango executives said they will not apply the current verification scheme retroactively to past releases. They also indicated that research deployed for the initiative showed that there wouldn’t likely be a large gap between the “unverified” score and the verified one.
Starting with movies released today, users can opt in to get their rating and review marked “verified” as long as they bought their movie ticket on Fandango, the NBCUniversal-owned digital brand that acquired Rotten Tomatoes in 2016. Major exhibitors AMC, Regal and Cinemark plan to add their ticket sales to the verification effort later this year.
The Audience Rating System will now be comprised of ratings from fans who are confirmed to have bought tickets, with their written reviews displaying a “verified” badge.
In an interview with Deadline, Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango executives said they will not apply the current verification scheme retroactively to past releases. They also indicated that research deployed for the initiative showed that there wouldn’t likely be a large gap between the “unverified” score and the verified one.
- 5/23/2019
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
In an effort to combat trolls who negatively review films without seeing them, Rotten Tomatoes is rolling out an alternate “Verified” ratings system this weekend, which will filter audience ratings and reviews to only include those who actually bought a ticket to see the film through Fandango.
Starting Thursday, Rotten Tomatoes users can opt-in to the new system to get their ratings and reviews verified if they bought a ticket for the film on its sister ticketing site. AMC Theaters, Regal Cinemas, and Cinemark will also participate in the new system later this year, allowing ticket buyers on their sites to also get their Rt reviews verified.
Also Read: Rotten Tomatoes Shuts Down Pre-Release Ratings and Comments After Trolls Target 'Captain Marvel'
Regardless of whether or not they opt-in, Rotten Tomatoes users will still be able to post ratings and reviews. However, an audience score that filters out...
Starting Thursday, Rotten Tomatoes users can opt-in to the new system to get their ratings and reviews verified if they bought a ticket for the film on its sister ticketing site. AMC Theaters, Regal Cinemas, and Cinemark will also participate in the new system later this year, allowing ticket buyers on their sites to also get their Rt reviews verified.
Also Read: Rotten Tomatoes Shuts Down Pre-Release Ratings and Comments After Trolls Target 'Captain Marvel'
Regardless of whether or not they opt-in, Rotten Tomatoes users will still be able to post ratings and reviews. However, an audience score that filters out...
- 5/23/2019
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Fandango, the leading digital network for all things movies, is teaming up with Paramount Pictures to offer exclusive early access screenings on May 18 of “Rocketman,” the musical fantasy about the life of Elton John, directed by Dexter Fletcher, written by Lee Hall and starring Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden and Bryce Dallas Howard. Tickets for this limited engagement go on sale today, exclusive to Fandango.
Nearly two weeks before the film’s May 31 U.S. theatrical release date and just days following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, fans and members of Fandango VIP, Fandango’s free-to-join rewards program, can get a first look at the film at nearly 400 theaters nationwide. Participating theatre chains include AMC Theatres, Regal, Cinemark, Marcus Theatres, Arclight Cinemas/Pacific Theatres, Harkins Theatres, National Amusements, and many more.
Fandango’s Early Access Screening program is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to eventizing...
Nearly two weeks before the film’s May 31 U.S. theatrical release date and just days following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, fans and members of Fandango VIP, Fandango’s free-to-join rewards program, can get a first look at the film at nearly 400 theaters nationwide. Participating theatre chains include AMC Theatres, Regal, Cinemark, Marcus Theatres, Arclight Cinemas/Pacific Theatres, Harkins Theatres, National Amusements, and many more.
Fandango’s Early Access Screening program is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to eventizing...
- 5/3/2019
- by Stephen Nepa
- Age of the Nerd
Free Pokemon Detective Pikachu screenings immediately sold out at 50 AMC locations tonight after passes were made available to AMC Stubs members on Monday. The film from Legendary/Warner Bros. is expected to open to $50M at the domestic B.O. and is seen as a potential Avengers: Endgame threat in many Asia territories in the days to come. Pic opens on May 10.
“AMC Stubs screenings are a popular perk for our AMC Stubs members, who love the opportunity to see new movies early,” said Elizabeth Frank, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Programming and Chief Content Officer, AMC, “These early screenings of Pokemon Detective Pikachu filled up before our full marketing launched. We’ve seen enthusiastic response from Pokémon gamers, Ryan Reynolds fans, and action-movie loving families.”
Meanwhile, Fandango will be holding an early access paid screening to Paramount’s Elton John biopic and Cannes Film Festival out of competition pic...
“AMC Stubs screenings are a popular perk for our AMC Stubs members, who love the opportunity to see new movies early,” said Elizabeth Frank, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Programming and Chief Content Officer, AMC, “These early screenings of Pokemon Detective Pikachu filled up before our full marketing launched. We’ve seen enthusiastic response from Pokémon gamers, Ryan Reynolds fans, and action-movie loving families.”
Meanwhile, Fandango will be holding an early access paid screening to Paramount’s Elton John biopic and Cannes Film Festival out of competition pic...
- 5/3/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Paramount’s Elton John biopic “Rocketman,” will be released two weeks early as part of preview screenings made available through Fandango, the movie ticketing service announced Thursday.
Fandango VIP members will have access to advance screenings of the film on May 18 ahead of the its May 31 release date. Tickets for the early screenings go on sale Thursday on Fandango.
“Rocketman” will play at nearly 400 theaters nationwide. Participating theatre chains include AMC Theatres, Regal, Cinemark, Marcus Theatres, Arclight Cinemas/Pacific Theatres, Harkins Theatres, National Amusements and many more.
Also Read: Elton John Calls 'Rocketman' Biopic as 'Honest as Possible' (Video)
Taron Egerton stars as Elton John in the biopic about the pop singer’s life and career. “Bohemian Rhapsody” director Dexter Fletcher helms the musical fantasy written by Lee Hall and also starring Jamie Bell, Richard Madden and Bryce Dallas Howard.
Earlier this year, Fandango has also this year...
Fandango VIP members will have access to advance screenings of the film on May 18 ahead of the its May 31 release date. Tickets for the early screenings go on sale Thursday on Fandango.
“Rocketman” will play at nearly 400 theaters nationwide. Participating theatre chains include AMC Theatres, Regal, Cinemark, Marcus Theatres, Arclight Cinemas/Pacific Theatres, Harkins Theatres, National Amusements and many more.
Also Read: Elton John Calls 'Rocketman' Biopic as 'Honest as Possible' (Video)
Taron Egerton stars as Elton John in the biopic about the pop singer’s life and career. “Bohemian Rhapsody” director Dexter Fletcher helms the musical fantasy written by Lee Hall and also starring Jamie Bell, Richard Madden and Bryce Dallas Howard.
Earlier this year, Fandango has also this year...
- 5/2/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
The highly-anticipated Disney-Marvel film Avengers: Endgame exploded at the global box office with a record-setting $1.2 billion opening weekend. The latest comic book motion picture crushed its predecessor Avengers: Infinity War (2018), which hauled in $640 million globally during its first weekend. In North America, Endgame grossed $350 million this weekend.
To put things in perspective, the franchise’s last installment – Captain Marvel (2019)- has grossed $1.1 billion since its release on March 8. Endgame topped that by a cool $100 million in a single weekend.
Avengers: Endgame was breaking records before its release, though.
When tickets for the film went on sale, Endgame shattered Fandango‘s record for most tickets sold in a day. In just six hours, it sold five times as many tickets as Infinity War. In an interview with Business Insider, Fandango president Paul Yanover revealed that Fandango had to change the way it operated in order to accompany the mass...
To put things in perspective, the franchise’s last installment – Captain Marvel (2019)- has grossed $1.1 billion since its release on March 8. Endgame topped that by a cool $100 million in a single weekend.
Avengers: Endgame was breaking records before its release, though.
When tickets for the film went on sale, Endgame shattered Fandango‘s record for most tickets sold in a day. In just six hours, it sold five times as many tickets as Infinity War. In an interview with Business Insider, Fandango president Paul Yanover revealed that Fandango had to change the way it operated in order to accompany the mass...
- 4/29/2019
- by Matt Bishop
- Age of the Nerd
“Avengers: Endgame” doesn’t open until the end of April, but it’s already proving to be an unstoppable box office force. After breaking the Fandango record for most tickets sold on the first day of availability (a feat “Endgame” pulled off in just six hours), “Endgame” has now gone on to shatter the record for most tickets sold on the online ticket outlet in the first week. The company has announced “Endgame” sold fives times as many tickets in this period as “Avengers: Infinity War,” which currently holds the box office record for highest-grossing opening weekend with $257 million domestic. But “Endgame” did more than just break a Fandango record, it changed how the company operates.
In a recent interview with Business Insider, Fandango president Paul Yanover said that in order to survive “Avengers: Endgame” tickets becoming available online, the company had to do something it’s never done before...
In a recent interview with Business Insider, Fandango president Paul Yanover said that in order to survive “Avengers: Endgame” tickets becoming available online, the company had to do something it’s never done before...
- 4/10/2019
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Fandango and its Latin American subsidiaries assembled in force to support the first day of presales for “Avengers: Endgame,” breaking its biggest single day ticket sales record in the company’s 19-year history. Advance tickets for “Avengers: Endgame” went on sale on April 2 at 5:00 am Pt/8:00 am Et and within minutes, Fandango saw historic numbers of fans reserving their seats.
“I’m incredibly proud of the Fandango teams throughout the U.S. and Latin America, who rallied to help make the first day of presales for ‘Avengers: Endgame’ a major milestone in our company’s 19-year history,” said Fandango President Paul Yanover. “We delivered millions of tickets to eager fans during the first day of presales to see ‘Endgame’ at our exhibition partners’ theaters, demonstrating there is no better place to see epic films than on the big screen.”
In the U.S. alone, Fandango broke its own...
“I’m incredibly proud of the Fandango teams throughout the U.S. and Latin America, who rallied to help make the first day of presales for ‘Avengers: Endgame’ a major milestone in our company’s 19-year history,” said Fandango President Paul Yanover. “We delivered millions of tickets to eager fans during the first day of presales to see ‘Endgame’ at our exhibition partners’ theaters, demonstrating there is no better place to see epic films than on the big screen.”
In the U.S. alone, Fandango broke its own...
- 4/3/2019
- by Andrew Wendowski
- Age of the Nerd
Fandango is teaming up with Warner Bros. Pictures to offer exclusive advance screenings on March 23 of “Shazam!,” the newest DC Super Hero to hit the big screen and one of the most highly anticipated movies of the season. Tickets for this limited engagement go on sale today, exclusively for Fandango.
Nearly two weeks before the film’s April 5 release date, fans and members of Fandango VIP, Fandango’s free-to-join rewards program, can get a first look at the film in screenings taking place at approximately 1,200 select theaters and 40 exhibition circuits nationwide.
Visit www.fandango.com
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“We’re thrilled to work with Warner Bros. on our early access screening program, helping eventize movies and generate buzz before opening weekend,” says Fandango President Paul Yanover. “‘Shazam!’ is a film that appeals to the whole family, and we’re delighted that Fandango VIP fans will be among...
Nearly two weeks before the film’s April 5 release date, fans and members of Fandango VIP, Fandango’s free-to-join rewards program, can get a first look at the film in screenings taking place at approximately 1,200 select theaters and 40 exhibition circuits nationwide.
Visit www.fandango.com
Your browser does not support iframes.
“We’re thrilled to work with Warner Bros. on our early access screening program, helping eventize movies and generate buzz before opening weekend,” says Fandango President Paul Yanover. “‘Shazam!’ is a film that appeals to the whole family, and we’re delighted that Fandango VIP fans will be among...
- 3/13/2019
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Increasingly as a way to generate strong buzz for a film, and to get a jump on the box office, major studios are serving up paid previews weeks in advance to moviegoers.
Fandango is partnering with Warner Bros and will be showing off New Line’s Shazam! on March 23 at 1,200 theaters, two weeks before the DC pic’s April 5 release date. Tickets for the limited engagement go on sale today, exclusively for Fandango VIP members (the online ticket seller’s rewards program).
Fandango recently partnered with DreamWorks Animation and Universal for a Feb. 2 preview of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, three weeks before its Feb. 22 opening. The pic racked up $2.5M on its preview day, a figure that bested the early paid one-day preview runs of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle ($1.86M) and Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation ($1.28M).
“We’re thrilled to work with Warner Bros....
Fandango is partnering with Warner Bros and will be showing off New Line’s Shazam! on March 23 at 1,200 theaters, two weeks before the DC pic’s April 5 release date. Tickets for the limited engagement go on sale today, exclusively for Fandango VIP members (the online ticket seller’s rewards program).
Fandango recently partnered with DreamWorks Animation and Universal for a Feb. 2 preview of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, three weeks before its Feb. 22 opening. The pic racked up $2.5M on its preview day, a figure that bested the early paid one-day preview runs of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle ($1.86M) and Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation ($1.28M).
“We’re thrilled to work with Warner Bros....
- 3/13/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The DreamWorks Animation threequel doesn’t open until Feb. 22, and already there’s a want-to-see for How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World: The Dean DeBlois-directed feature racked up $2.5M in Universal-Fandango early access screenings yesterday, a figure that’s more than the Amazon Prime previews for Sony’s Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle ($1.86M) and Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation ($1.28M).
Fandango customers received early-access screenings for Hidden World at select AMC Theatres, Regal Cinemas, Cinemark Theatres, Marcus Theaters, Harkins Theatres, Southern Theatres, National Amusements, B & B Theatres, and more.
Hidden World also made more than Warner Bros. sneaks for The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part last Saturday, but that pic had a smaller footprint at 550 locations which played one show at 2pm, grossing an estimated $400K-plus. Hidden World played at just over 1,000 at 3Pm yesterday. Most of Lego Movie...
Fandango customers received early-access screenings for Hidden World at select AMC Theatres, Regal Cinemas, Cinemark Theatres, Marcus Theaters, Harkins Theatres, Southern Theatres, National Amusements, B & B Theatres, and more.
Hidden World also made more than Warner Bros. sneaks for The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part last Saturday, but that pic had a smaller footprint at 550 locations which played one show at 2pm, grossing an estimated $400K-plus. Hidden World played at just over 1,000 at 3Pm yesterday. Most of Lego Movie...
- 2/3/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Advance public screenings of major blockbusters are becoming an increasingly popular option for studios and partner companies, and now Universal and Fandango are pushing the envelope further with the announcement Monday that “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” will screen in 1,000 theaters on February 2, three weeks before release.
Other major releases have done one-day advance screenings prior to their nationwide release, but very few have held them so early. Warner Bros., for example, held early screenings of “Aquaman” one week before its December 21 release, and did the same for “Crazy Rich Asians” in August.
Also Read: 'Aquaman' Becomes First $1 Billion DC Film Since 'The Dark Knight Rises'
Fandango is hoping to make “HTTYD3” the first of several major films that will be available three weeks in advance for members of its VIP Rewards program. The program, which is free to join, is also offering...
Other major releases have done one-day advance screenings prior to their nationwide release, but very few have held them so early. Warner Bros., for example, held early screenings of “Aquaman” one week before its December 21 release, and did the same for “Crazy Rich Asians” in August.
Also Read: 'Aquaman' Becomes First $1 Billion DC Film Since 'The Dark Knight Rises'
Fandango is hoping to make “HTTYD3” the first of several major films that will be available three weeks in advance for members of its VIP Rewards program. The program, which is free to join, is also offering...
- 1/15/2019
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Fandango is exclusively vending tickets to “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” early-access screenings taking place nearly three weeks before the DreamWorks Animation movie hits wide theatrical release.
The “How to Train Your Dragon 3” pact is all in the family: NBCUniversal owns both Fandango and Dwa (which is housed within Universal Pictures). Fandango is looking to sweeten the pot by offering an additional perk to members of its Fandango VIP rewards program: a free DreamWorks Animation movie through the FandangoNow streaming service.
The Feb. 2 screenings, 20 days in advance of the Feb. 22 premiere date for the third and final installment in the “How to Train Your Dragon” movie franchise, is one of the earliest advance nationwide screening events for a major release.
“This is a coming together of things we’ve seen that work,” said Paul Yanover, president of Fandango. “It’s providing something special to people who are big users of Fandango.
The “How to Train Your Dragon 3” pact is all in the family: NBCUniversal owns both Fandango and Dwa (which is housed within Universal Pictures). Fandango is looking to sweeten the pot by offering an additional perk to members of its Fandango VIP rewards program: a free DreamWorks Animation movie through the FandangoNow streaming service.
The Feb. 2 screenings, 20 days in advance of the Feb. 22 premiere date for the third and final installment in the “How to Train Your Dragon” movie franchise, is one of the earliest advance nationwide screening events for a major release.
“This is a coming together of things we’ve seen that work,” said Paul Yanover, president of Fandango. “It’s providing something special to people who are big users of Fandango.
- 1/14/2019
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Online movie ticket retailer Fandango is reporting a banner year for mobile ticket sales with 80% of its inventory sold on mobile devices, up from 72% a year ago.
Last night alone, Sony’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse repped 83% of Fandango’s opening tickets on mobile devices.
Fandango reached another mobile milestone this month, with its iOS app garnering more than 1M reviews and ratings in Apple’s App Store, ranking as the most widely rated app in the U.S. entertainment category, according to App Annie. Also according to App Annie, the Fandango app has maintained an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars rating, one of only 42 apps in the App Store to receive more than 1 million ratings and maintain a 4.6 or higher score.
“It’s exciting to see Fandango’s mobile ticket sales continue to soar,” says Fandango President Paul Yanover. “Fandango’s popular iOS app has seen more than...
Last night alone, Sony’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse repped 83% of Fandango’s opening tickets on mobile devices.
Fandango reached another mobile milestone this month, with its iOS app garnering more than 1M reviews and ratings in Apple’s App Store, ranking as the most widely rated app in the U.S. entertainment category, according to App Annie. Also according to App Annie, the Fandango app has maintained an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars rating, one of only 42 apps in the App Store to receive more than 1 million ratings and maintain a 4.6 or higher score.
“It’s exciting to see Fandango’s mobile ticket sales continue to soar,” says Fandango President Paul Yanover. “Fandango’s popular iOS app has seen more than...
- 12/14/2018
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Fandango dramatically expanded its presence in Latin America on Monday. The ticketing giant announced that it has signed multi-year deals with Cinepolis, Cinemark, National Amusements, and Cinemex, companies with a significant presence in the region. The deal adds 5,000 new screens to Fandango’s count and enables the company to sell tickets in more than 15 Latin American countries.
The new deals will greatly increase the ticketing footprint of Fandango’s subsidiary Fandango Latin America, giving it access to 94% of all screens in Colombia, 78% in Chile, 72% in Bolivia, and half of all screens in Mexico and Peru. The pact pushes Fandango’s global screen count to more than 45,000 worldwide and grants it access to more than half of all screens across the region. It is now the largest online ticketer in Latin America.
“It makes sense for us,” said Paul Yanover, Fandango’s president. “There’s an avid culture of moviegoing in Latin America,...
The new deals will greatly increase the ticketing footprint of Fandango’s subsidiary Fandango Latin America, giving it access to 94% of all screens in Colombia, 78% in Chile, 72% in Bolivia, and half of all screens in Mexico and Peru. The pact pushes Fandango’s global screen count to more than 45,000 worldwide and grants it access to more than half of all screens across the region. It is now the largest online ticketer in Latin America.
“It makes sense for us,” said Paul Yanover, Fandango’s president. “There’s an avid culture of moviegoing in Latin America,...
- 10/22/2018
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
At a time when film criticism is being criticized for being dominated by white men, Rotten Tomatoes is trying to highlight more diverse voices.
The review aggregator, known for its “fresh” or “rotten” Tomatometer ranking system, said it is changing its criteria to include new media platforms, such as podcasts and streaming shows, as opposed to only boasting written notices. In addition, the site will include writers whose work may appear on personal blogs or other platforms instead of only focusing on the pieces they publish for specific print outlets. As part of the change, over 200 new Tomatometer-approved critics have been added to Rotten Tomatoes and the service expects to keep growing its ranks.
The new criteria comes after months of reaching out to critics to get their suggestions for ways to expand the pool of reviewers to include more women and people from under-represented communities.
“The feedback we kept...
The review aggregator, known for its “fresh” or “rotten” Tomatometer ranking system, said it is changing its criteria to include new media platforms, such as podcasts and streaming shows, as opposed to only boasting written notices. In addition, the site will include writers whose work may appear on personal blogs or other platforms instead of only focusing on the pieces they publish for specific print outlets. As part of the change, over 200 new Tomatometer-approved critics have been added to Rotten Tomatoes and the service expects to keep growing its ranks.
The new criteria comes after months of reaching out to critics to get their suggestions for ways to expand the pool of reviewers to include more women and people from under-represented communities.
“The feedback we kept...
- 8/28/2018
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
It’s been awhile since Rotten Tomatoes last updated its critics policy, which essentially includes who is allowed to be a part of the site and counted in the Tomatometer process.
While critics and freelancers from established publications will continue to have no problem being included on Rotten Tomatoes, the site is putting a focus on a critic’s individual qualifications and body of work, and opening the doors to other media that review including via podcasts and videos. Rotten Tomatoes’ strategy here is to cast a wider net so there’s a more diverse pool of critics’ voices to be included in its Tomatometer rankings.
Recently, more than 200 new Tomatometer-approved critics were added, with more on the horizon.
“Over the past few years, our team has added hundreds of new voices to the Tomatometer on top of the thousands we currently have, with the goal of creating a critics...
While critics and freelancers from established publications will continue to have no problem being included on Rotten Tomatoes, the site is putting a focus on a critic’s individual qualifications and body of work, and opening the doors to other media that review including via podcasts and videos. Rotten Tomatoes’ strategy here is to cast a wider net so there’s a more diverse pool of critics’ voices to be included in its Tomatometer rankings.
Recently, more than 200 new Tomatometer-approved critics were added, with more on the horizon.
“Over the past few years, our team has added hundreds of new voices to the Tomatometer on top of the thousands we currently have, with the goal of creating a critics...
- 8/28/2018
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Rotten Tomatoes is about to get a lot more diverse. The popular review aggregation site announced today that it is launching new guidelines for its critics criteria that focus more on the merits of individual critics than publications. The site is also taking the radical step of expanding its definition of reviews to include podcasts and video reviews onto the site. While current Tomatometer-approved critics will not lose their status, they’ll have a lot of new company: The site reports that it has already added over 200 critics to the Tomatometer in recent months and plans to add many more in the coming weeks.
The announcement follows several major developments in the history of the 20-year-old site, which was acquired by the Comcast-owned Fandango in February of last year. The site has been swept up in a national discussion about the lack of diversity in the field of film criticism,...
The announcement follows several major developments in the history of the 20-year-old site, which was acquired by the Comcast-owned Fandango in February of last year. The site has been swept up in a national discussion about the lack of diversity in the field of film criticism,...
- 8/28/2018
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Rotten Tomatoes is adjusting its critics criteria for its Tomatometer rating system, allowing for a wider and more diverse pool of critics.
The Tomatometer represents the collective opinion of thousands of approved critics and shows the percentage of positive reviews for a film or TV show. The new criteria will focus more on the critic’s individual credentials instead of their publication or employer.
Moreover, the Tomatometer will not only include written reviews but will expand to include newer media platforms, which will include podcasts and digital video series. Media platforms with a strong social media presence or engagement will be considered.
Also Read: Male Movie Critics Outnumber Women Nearly 4 to 1, New Study Says
Two hundred newly-approved critics have been added as part of Tuesday’s rollout, and Rotten Tomatoes anticipates adding hundreds more post-launch. Critics can apply to become Tomatometer-approved on the Rotten Tomatoes site — all critics go through an approval process.
The Tomatometer represents the collective opinion of thousands of approved critics and shows the percentage of positive reviews for a film or TV show. The new criteria will focus more on the critic’s individual credentials instead of their publication or employer.
Moreover, the Tomatometer will not only include written reviews but will expand to include newer media platforms, which will include podcasts and digital video series. Media platforms with a strong social media presence or engagement will be considered.
Also Read: Male Movie Critics Outnumber Women Nearly 4 to 1, New Study Says
Two hundred newly-approved critics have been added as part of Tuesday’s rollout, and Rotten Tomatoes anticipates adding hundreds more post-launch. Critics can apply to become Tomatometer-approved on the Rotten Tomatoes site — all critics go through an approval process.
- 8/28/2018
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Update, 9:58Am: It’s the battle of the advance movie ticket online sellers. Moments after Fandango announced a ticketing integration on Instagram, Atom Tickets has news on a similar function. This puts the mobile online ticket app in connection with a 200-million-Instagrammer universe. One of the upsides of the Atom app is that allows a moviegoer to feasibly add friends from their Facebook contacts to their movie ticket purchases thus creating a night out, as well as skipping the concession line with advance purchases. The winner here in this Atom-Fandango Instagram annex: Studios and exhibition. They’re continually looking to lure lackadaisical millennials, who head to superhero, Star Wars films and genre pics and nothing else. Their opinions on social media can determine the financial fate of a film days before its opening. And Fandango and Atom are stepping further into that conversation.
Previous, 8:59 Am: Fandango said today...
Previous, 8:59 Am: Fandango said today...
- 5/8/2018
- by Patrick Hipes and Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Online movie ticket seller Fandango has launched a new ticketing integration on Instagram, providing access to showtimes and ticketing at more than 30,000 screens nationwide.
The alliance also includes connection to movie merchandise and promotional offers, including movie poster and collectible gifts-with-purchase available to Fandango ticket buyers through shopping on Instagram.
“As millions of movie fans have gravitated to social media platforms to discover, share and engage with their favorite movie content, Fandango has been essential to that experience, offering ticketing capabilities and access to the most comprehensive network of U.S. theaters,” Fandango president Paul Yanover said. “We’re very excited to integrate ticketing into our Fandango Instagram, and look forward to working with our studio partners to help transform consumer passion into advance ticket purchases.”
Fandango sales accounted for 33% of the domestic box office for the opening weekend of Disney-Marvel’s “Avengers: Infinity Wars,” which set a record with $257.7 million.
The alliance also includes connection to movie merchandise and promotional offers, including movie poster and collectible gifts-with-purchase available to Fandango ticket buyers through shopping on Instagram.
“As millions of movie fans have gravitated to social media platforms to discover, share and engage with their favorite movie content, Fandango has been essential to that experience, offering ticketing capabilities and access to the most comprehensive network of U.S. theaters,” Fandango president Paul Yanover said. “We’re very excited to integrate ticketing into our Fandango Instagram, and look forward to working with our studio partners to help transform consumer passion into advance ticket purchases.”
Fandango sales accounted for 33% of the domestic box office for the opening weekend of Disney-Marvel’s “Avengers: Infinity Wars,” which set a record with $257.7 million.
- 5/8/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Instagram users will now be able to see movie times and buy tickets without leaving the social media app, Fandango announced on Tuesday.
The service is available via the “Buy Tickets” button on Fandango’s Instagram profile, which the company hopes will give a younger movie-going audience seamless access to its more than 30,000 screens in the U.S.
“As millions of movie fans have gravitated to social media platforms to discover, share and engage with their favorite movie content, Fandango has been essential to that experience, offering ticketing capabilities and access to the most comprehensive network of U.S. theaters,” Fandango President Paul Yanover said in a statement. “We’re very excited to integrate ticketing into our Fandango Instagram, and look forward to working with our studio partners to help transform consumer passion into advance ticket purchases.”
Also Read: Fandango Inks Deal With National Amusements, Adds 400 Screens to Network
The addition comes on the heels of the huge first two weekends for “Avengers: Infinity War” at the box office. In its opening weekend Fandango made up 33 percent of the film’s U.S. box office revenue.
The new feature launches after Fandango announced last Friday that tickets for one of the year’s most-anticipated films, “Solo: A Star Wars Story” were on sale. The film hits theaters May 25.
Fandango also has a “Shop” button on Instagram where it peddles merchandise and promotional offers. The company said it plans to roll out on movie-specific Instagram destinations in the coming weeks.
Also Read: Summer Box Office Preview: Will Marvel Mania Be Enough to Boost Hollywood's Fortunes?
Last week, Fandango also announced a new feature allowing customers to buy tickets with their voice using any Google Assistant compatible device, such as a Google Home or Android phones.
“At Fandango, we’ve built ticketing innovations for a wide variety of mobile, social, AI bot and voice-activated platforms, so we can super-serve moviegoers at scale, wherever and whenever they are thinking about and planning a trip to the movies,” Yanover said in a statement last week.
Read original story Instagram Users Can Now Buy Movie Tickets Through Fandango At TheWrap...
The service is available via the “Buy Tickets” button on Fandango’s Instagram profile, which the company hopes will give a younger movie-going audience seamless access to its more than 30,000 screens in the U.S.
“As millions of movie fans have gravitated to social media platforms to discover, share and engage with their favorite movie content, Fandango has been essential to that experience, offering ticketing capabilities and access to the most comprehensive network of U.S. theaters,” Fandango President Paul Yanover said in a statement. “We’re very excited to integrate ticketing into our Fandango Instagram, and look forward to working with our studio partners to help transform consumer passion into advance ticket purchases.”
Also Read: Fandango Inks Deal With National Amusements, Adds 400 Screens to Network
The addition comes on the heels of the huge first two weekends for “Avengers: Infinity War” at the box office. In its opening weekend Fandango made up 33 percent of the film’s U.S. box office revenue.
The new feature launches after Fandango announced last Friday that tickets for one of the year’s most-anticipated films, “Solo: A Star Wars Story” were on sale. The film hits theaters May 25.
Fandango also has a “Shop” button on Instagram where it peddles merchandise and promotional offers. The company said it plans to roll out on movie-specific Instagram destinations in the coming weeks.
Also Read: Summer Box Office Preview: Will Marvel Mania Be Enough to Boost Hollywood's Fortunes?
Last week, Fandango also announced a new feature allowing customers to buy tickets with their voice using any Google Assistant compatible device, such as a Google Home or Android phones.
“At Fandango, we’ve built ticketing innovations for a wide variety of mobile, social, AI bot and voice-activated platforms, so we can super-serve moviegoers at scale, wherever and whenever they are thinking about and planning a trip to the movies,” Yanover said in a statement last week.
Read original story Instagram Users Can Now Buy Movie Tickets Through Fandango At TheWrap...
- 5/8/2018
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Now you can buy your movie tickets using just your voice on Google Assistant thanks to a new Action on the device with Fandango. The companies announced their partnership today — May 4, Star Wars Day — just as Solo: A Star Wars Story tickets went on sale.
The Fandango Action on Google Assistant allows consumers to purchase tickets on more than 30,000 screens nationwide.
Users can purchase tickets on any compatible device with Google Assistant, including smart speakers like Google Home, Android phones, TVs, headphones and more. Fandango ticketing is scheduled to launch on the Google Assistant for iOS devices by the end of the year. There’s no need to download a separate app.
“At Fandango, we’ve built ticketing innovations for a wide variety of mobile, social, AI bot and voice-activated platforms, so we can super-serve moviegoers at scale, wherever and whenever they are thinking about and planning a trip to the movies,...
The Fandango Action on Google Assistant allows consumers to purchase tickets on more than 30,000 screens nationwide.
Users can purchase tickets on any compatible device with Google Assistant, including smart speakers like Google Home, Android phones, TVs, headphones and more. Fandango ticketing is scheduled to launch on the Google Assistant for iOS devices by the end of the year. There’s no need to download a separate app.
“At Fandango, we’ve built ticketing innovations for a wide variety of mobile, social, AI bot and voice-activated platforms, so we can super-serve moviegoers at scale, wherever and whenever they are thinking about and planning a trip to the movies,...
- 5/4/2018
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Google and Fandango have teamed up to let consumers buy movie tickets with voice commands: The two companies teamed up to bring Fandango’s online movie ticket sales to the Google Assistant, which powers voice interactions on Google’s line of Google Home smart speakers as well as Android phones, Android TVs and other devices running the assistant software.
Consumers can access Fandango’s service by saying “Okay Google, let’s buy movie tickets.” They can also ask for a specific movie with commands like “Hey Google, let’s buy tickets for ‘Black Panther’.” The integration even makes it possible to buy advance tickets for upcoming movie premieres.
However, Google Home users won’t actually be able to buy the tickets without ever looking at a screen. After selecting a movie and nearby theater as well as a show time, the voice action simply sends a link to buy those tickets to their phones.
Consumers can access Fandango’s service by saying “Okay Google, let’s buy movie tickets.” They can also ask for a specific movie with commands like “Hey Google, let’s buy tickets for ‘Black Panther’.” The integration even makes it possible to buy advance tickets for upcoming movie premieres.
However, Google Home users won’t actually be able to buy the tickets without ever looking at a screen. After selecting a movie and nearby theater as well as a show time, the voice action simply sends a link to buy those tickets to their phones.
- 5/4/2018
- by Janko Roettgers
- Variety Film + TV
Updated, Monday Am writethru: 7:40Am update following 6:40Am post Disney is now reporting that the all-time record opening-weekend for Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War stands at $258.2 million, exceeding both its estimates from yesterday of $250M and the industry’s call this morning at $255M-$257M.
This is after a mindblowing Sunday of $69.2M. All in with an overseas debut of $382.7M (second best-ever), Infinity War stands at an all-time record global opening of $640.9M, eclipsing the previous high of $541.9M set by Universal’s Fate of the Furious. As the 19th McU release, Infinity War sends the gross of the entire universe to $15.4 billion. It’s been the most lucrative franchise ever at the box office for some time, outstripping Star Wars’ $8.8B worldwide ticket sales through 10 movies (we’re including Star Wars: The Clone Wars).
Star Wars: Force Awakens owned the previous Sunday record of $60.5M. Infinity...
This is after a mindblowing Sunday of $69.2M. All in with an overseas debut of $382.7M (second best-ever), Infinity War stands at an all-time record global opening of $640.9M, eclipsing the previous high of $541.9M set by Universal’s Fate of the Furious. As the 19th McU release, Infinity War sends the gross of the entire universe to $15.4 billion. It’s been the most lucrative franchise ever at the box office for some time, outstripping Star Wars’ $8.8B worldwide ticket sales through 10 movies (we’re including Star Wars: The Clone Wars).
Star Wars: Force Awakens owned the previous Sunday record of $60.5M. Infinity...
- 4/30/2018
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Fandango is expanding beyond movie ticket sales. They have launched an online store called Fandango FanShop that will sell lots of movie merch to fans that include toys, prop replicas, t-shirts, hats, and other collectibles. One example of what they will be selling is the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Star Lord figure that you can check out below. Other movies that they will be selling merch for in the near future includes Wonder Woman, Baywatch, and Despicable Me 3. They will also offer access to special events that correspond with certain theatrical releases.
I'm always buying my movie tickets from Fandango and the fact they are now opening a merch store is pretty cool. In case you're wondering how this shop will be different from other online fan stores, they will be leveraging its ongoing movie fan research:
Fandango is differentiating FanShop from other merchandise sites and apps...
I'm always buying my movie tickets from Fandango and the fact they are now opening a merch store is pretty cool. In case you're wondering how this shop will be different from other online fan stores, they will be leveraging its ongoing movie fan research:
Fandango is differentiating FanShop from other merchandise sites and apps...
- 4/7/2017
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Beginning next week Facebook users will have access to Fandango ticketing for select movies and theaters, either through the social site’s ads or specific movie Facebook pages. The new ticketing service will kick off on the Facebook pages of The Magnificent Seven, Kevin Hart: What Now? and Storks. "We are thrilled to introduce Fandango ticketing on Facebook," said Fandango President Paul Yanover. "Not only is this a huge convenience for the millions of movie fans who are…...
- 9/16/2016
- Deadline
Facebook users will soon be able to see showtimes and buy tickets from Fandango while browsing the social media platform, the mobile ticketing service announced Friday. Users will be able to access Fandango through ads or directly on the movie’s Facebook page. The new ticketing service is set to rollout over the next week in anticipation of “The Magnificent Seven,” “Kevin Hart: What Now?” and “Storks.” “We are thrilled to introduce Fandango ticketing on Facebook,” Fandango president Paul Yanover in a statement said. “Not only is this a huge convenience for the millions of movie fans who are discovering and sharing their.
- 9/16/2016
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Movie ticket vendor Fandango is entering the streaming fray.
One month after purchasing digital video distribution platform M-go, a joint venture between Technicolor and Dreamworks, Fandango has renamed the service FandangoNOW and will launch it on March 30.
“The launch of FandangoNOW is a huge milestone for the company,” said Fandango president Paul Yanover in a statement, adding that the service’s debut was carefully timed to coincide with the forthcoming digital releases of ‘The Revenant,’ ‘The Hateful Eight’ and ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens.’
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
One month after purchasing digital video distribution platform M-go, a joint venture between Technicolor and Dreamworks, Fandango has renamed the service FandangoNOW and will launch it on March 30.
“The launch of FandangoNOW is a huge milestone for the company,” said Fandango president Paul Yanover in a statement, adding that the service’s debut was carefully timed to coincide with the forthcoming digital releases of ‘The Revenant,’ ‘The Hateful Eight’ and ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens.’
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
- 3/16/2016
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
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