6 posts and columns on National Amusements

FATALITY!

in News on February 12, 2009 at 3:39 pm PT

It was inevitable, really. With $150 million in debt coming due Feb. 19 and not nearly enough cash on hand to pay it off, Midway, the sinking ship of a game publisher responsible for Mortal Combat (and little else), has filed for bankruptcy.

Sumner Redstone’s Black Friday Sale: Unloads Midway Games for Spare Change, Tax Benefit

in Media on December 1, 2008 at 4:05 am PT

You think you got a good deal on an HDTV last week? Talk to Mark Thomas, who just picked up videogame company Midway games for 99 percent off on Friday. The seller: Sumner Redstone, who is desperately trying to sell off everything except his shares in CBS and Viacom in order to restructure a looming debt load.

Voices

Is Sumner Redstone Planning a Rummage Sale?

in News on November 12, 2008 at 3:02 pm PT

National Amusements, media mogul Sumner Redstone’s holding company, is in need of cash. Pali Research analyst Richard Greenfield sees that having any number of implications over companies in which Redstone holds interest, including Viacom, Midway Games, and WMS Industries. Greenfield notes that Redstone has no intention of selling CBS or Viacom shares, but that he “may no longer have a choice.”

Optimism Meets Reality: On the Ground at ad:tech

in Media on November 4, 2008 at 9:02 am PT

Online advertising may be slowing, but that isn’t putting a damper on one of the industry’s biggest trade shows. An insider offers tips on how to navigate.

Sumner Redstone: I’m Done Selling CBS, Viacom Shares. I Mean It.

in Media on October 30, 2008 at 6:20 am PT

CBS chairman Sumner Redstone’s message to investors: Don’t worry, I’m done selling shares in my beaten-down media properties. But Redstone, who has already had to sell $233 million worth of CBS and Viacom stock earlier this month, wouldn’t discuss his current debt troubles with analysts during this morning’s earnings call.

Paulie, Show Mr. Comcast What We Do to People Who Premiere Theatrical Movies on Cable

in News on May 15, 2007 at 10:47 am PT

Comcast’s plan to make movies available on cable TV on the same day that they hit movie theaters appears to be facing an early box-office death. Two of the nation’s largest theater chains–Regal Entertainment Group and National Amusements–have already rejected the idea and said they would refuse to play films offered for day-and-date distribution to [...]