‘The Hobbit’ Breaks Christmas Box Office Records
The first installment of Peter Jackson’s trilogy, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, has become the biggest Christmas release ever, according to Deadline. The film premiered in Ireland last week and earned $138.2 million (€104.9 million) internationally within its first five days across 56 markets.
Starring Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Ian McKellen, and Irish actors Aidan Turner and James Nesbitt, The Hobbit surpassed competitors like Rise of the Guardians and Skyfall, which continues to perform strongly, to secure the highest December opening on record.
IAAF World Athletics Championships Rights Move to BBC
Channel 4 has handed over the broadcast rights of the IAAF World Athletics Championships to the BBC after holding them for two years. The BBC will now provide live coverage of the 2013 championships in Moscow.
The BBC already secured rights for the 2015 and 2017 events, while Channel 4 managed broadcasts from 2011 to 2013. Under the new agreement, Channel 4 is expected to keep Paralympics rights, and the BBC will continue covering the Olympics in Brazil in 2016.
Oscars Makeup Shortlist Announced
Seven films have been shortlisted for the Oscars makeup category this year:
- Hitchcock
- Looper
- Snow White and the Huntsman
- Lincoln
- Men in Black 3
- The Hobbit
- Les Misérables
Deadline reports ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ as the largest Christmas release of all time.
Summary: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has set new Christmas box office records, while the BBC will broadcast upcoming World Athletics Championships, and seven films vie for Oscars makeup honors.