Matt Pressberg

Los Angeles Correspondent

Matt Pressberg covers the business of entertainment and Los Angeles for the International Business Times. He was previously a finance reporter and managing editor at the Los Angeles Business Journal, and before that worked as a private equity analyst. Matt also writes occasionally about gun violence. He is a graduate of Georgetown University and the Annenberg School of Communication & Journalism at the University of Southern California.

Oscars So White Controversy To End? Diverse Millennials Invited To Academy’s Class Of 2016

The motion picture academy is looking toward the future, and plans to look more like America, starting with youth.

VidCon 2016 Shows Online Video’s Dominance Over Generation Z, And Brands Are Taking Notice

At VidCon 2016, cable channels and brands make their pitch to the elusive teen demographic that’s turned off the TV.

‘Independence Day 2’ Plot Twist: Why China Gets To Help America Blow Up Aliens In Long-Awaited Sequel

Fox hopes a more China-friendly plot and local pop star cameo will translate into box-office gold for the adventure sequel “Independence Day: Resurgence.”

How ‘Finding Dory’ Swam Upstream In A Summer Of Bad Hollywood Sequels

Pixar's “Finding Dory” set a box office record thanks to a lack of any real competition. That wasn't deliberate.

J.K. Rowling Has A Big Surprise For Harry Potter Fans In China Ahead Of 2016 Hogwarts Boom

J.K. Rowling is expected to announce a surprise at this year’s Shanghai Film Festival, which will introduce the ubiquitous franchise to a new generation.

Why ‘Warcraft’ Is Not The Future Of Hollywood Blockbusters, Despite China-US Box Office Split

The video game-inspired film, with Paula Patton, was a smash hit in China, but a dud in the U.S. So it isn’t a blueprint for anything.

Shanghai International Film Festival 2016 Offers A Back Door To Chinese Movie Censorship

Movies such as “Spotlight” and “The Big Short,” which would not get past China’s censors, play in Shanghai.

‘Another Period’ Is Back For Season 2 And Always Historically Accurate

The stars of the Comedy Central show, which returns for its second season Wednesday, take IBT inside the writing process.

CIA Chief Believes Release Of 28 Classified Pages From 9/11 Report Will Absolve Saudi Arabia

The missing pages became more relevant after the U.S. Senate passed a bill last month allowing families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia.

New Study Says Common Core Is Not Keeping Up With The Demands Of College Instructors

Fewer professors say the high school educational initiative is preparing students for college, education testing company ACT reports.

Google Denies Altering Its Autocomplete Suggestions To Favor Hillary Clinton

Google denied claims of bias after an internet video report surfaced Thursday accusing its search of favoring Hillary Clinton.

‘Warcraft’ US Box Office Is Crushing Expectations Despite Bad Reviews And The Video Game Movie Curse

“Warcraft,” a global movie behemoth — but an underdog at U.S. cinemas — may exceed expectations on the strength of interest from hardcore game fans.

‘Warcraft’ China Box Office: Video Game Epic Probably Won’t Beat ‘Furious 7,’ Despite Presale Record

But the game-inspired film's opening weekend in China is still expected to fall short of the country's all-time box office record.

How Penthouse Magazine Returned To Profitability By Pivoting Back To Print [VIDEO]

Under new ownership, the iconic adult publication emerged from near oblivion by doubling down on ink and paper.

Tribune Publishing Changes Name To Tronc, Moves Listing To Nasdaq

After its board members were re-elected in the face of some opposition, Tribune Publishing changed its name to tronc.

Tribune Publishing’s (TPUB) Tech Investor Owners Just Had A Big Win Over Gannett (GCI)

Tribune Publishing chairman Michael Ferro got his board approved despite organized opposition.

‘Warcraft’ Could Be China’s Biggest-Ever Hollywood Import And A Key Win In Wanda-Disney Rivalry

Midnight presales for Legendary’s “Warcraft” are on a record pace in China, despite only a moderate performance in the U.S.

Hollywood Stars Are The Toast Of The Booming Booze Industry

Celebrity endorsers are the toast of the alcohol industry, driving a growing portion of its more than $200 billion annual U.S. sales as brands and wine regions use star power to stand out.

How ‘Warcraft’ Could Open Up Another Niche In China’s Box Office

The film’s strong presales might be a window into a new movie genre that can play well in China.

Despite A Booming Box Office, Lions Gate (LGF) Rode TV To A Surprising Profit

TV is the star for Lions Gate Entertainment, a mini-major studio and frequently rumored acquisition target.

The Los Angeles Times’ (TPUB) Newest Investor Is Not Your Typical Newspaper-Owning Billionaire

Patrick Soon-Shiong, the biotech billionaire who just became the second-biggest shareholder in Tribune Publishing, is not Jeff Bezos.

Can ‘Angry Birds’ Be The Hit Movie Franchise Sony (SNE) Needs?

Sony Pictures is going all-in on “The Angry Birds Movie.” Will video games continue to bring it good fortune?

Why The ‘Angry Birds’ Frozen Yogurt Tie-In Is The New Flavor In Movie Marketing

Sony Pictures’ “Angry Birds” is the latest kids’ movie to partner with a frozen yogurt chain — to reach families that are shunning burgers and fries.

Reality TV Goes All The Way: Stars Of ‘Sex Factor’ Talk About The Stresses Of Performing On Cue

The stars of “Sex Factor,” a new reality competition for porn, talk about the stresses of performing on cue.

How China’s Dalian Wanda Group Buying UFC Could Put Even More Pressure On ESPN

China’s Dalian Wanda Group is reportedly the front-runner to buy the Ultimate Fighting Championship. What does that mean for sports broadcasting?

Disney (DIS) Q2 2016 Earnings Fall Short, As A Historic Box Office Performance Can’t Overshadow TV Challenges

Despite a string of hit movies, the media giant has struggled with its TV business — so earnings fell short of expectations.

‘Captain America’ China Box Office Continues Disney’s Dominance Just As Shanghai Disneyland Is Set To Open

“Captain America: Civil War” may become Disney’s biggest-ever Marvel film in China, continuing the studio’s banner year there.

Walt Disney Company (DIS) Earnings Preview Q2 2016: ‘Zootopia’ Box-Office Gold And A Steep Hill For ESPN

When the media giant reports earnings Tuesday, investors will look beyond some very big numbers.

LA’s Getty Center Blends Oculus-Ready VR With Ancient Chinese Art In Virtual Reality Museum Exhibit

First-of-its-kind virtual reality technology will guide visitors through an exhibit on China’s Dunhuang Caves, opening Saturday at L.A.’s Getty Center.