Trish Regan’s “The Intelligence Report” on Fox Business has been on a roll, posting its highest-rated month ever in January and helping to boost FBN as the fastest growing cable network on television last year.
“I love being here and we’ve had tremendous success on the show and it’s something I’m very excited about,” Regan told TheWrap.
Regan, who has been described by industry execs as a “rising star” at the network, also co-moderated FBN’s two “undercard” GOP presidential debates. The most recent pulled in 2 million total viewers, making it one of the network’s top programs ever. Regan and Sandra Smith even made history being the first all-female moderators for a presidential debate.
“We are very proud and very honored to be the first,” Regan said. “It’s wonderful to see so many woman in this process. Women have come so far in a relatively short amount of time.”
We caught up with Regan to pick her brain about three issues that are important for Hollywood investors in a turbulent market.
1. Content is King Regan said we shouldn’t forget that “content is really what is driving” revenues in the media space. The question is often finding the best medium for that content — hence the widespread concern over so-called cord-cutters.
“People cutting back on their cable subscriptions puts the media industry in a more challenging position,” Regan said. “It’s different with news, sports and live events but you do not need to see ‘Mad Men’ the day it comes out. You can watch that any other time.”
Luckily for Hollywood, Regan said, “typically during economic downturns, the movie industry holds up surprisingly well.”
“You think back to the 1930s and the recession, you would think people didn’t have any money so the movies would have been disastrous. But actually, that was something that people spent money on because it was some escapism,” Regan said. “Then again, in 2008, people still went to the movies and a lot of the media companies fared absolutely fine.”
Regan believes that movies will continue to drive consumer entertainment spending despite the “anemic economic environment” that has people careful with their budgets.
“As long as the media companies are able to keep turning out hits, people will keep coming back,” Regan said. “It’s just that the models are changing.”
2. What’s up with Viacom? Regan noted that Viacom specifically is under a lot of pressure after its recent “less than stellar” earnings report and all of the behind-the-scenes drama over Sumner Redstone and activist investors like the hedge fund SpringOwl Asset Management.
“We do not know how bug the stake is, but SpringOwl have an undisclosed stake in the company and they’re saying, ‘Look, we don’t like [Philippe Dauman] as the appointed executive chairman,'” Regan said. “They want someone new in charge.”
Regan also points to the “overall economic climate” as a large reason for Viacom’s recent struggles.
3. So what about Disney? Disney “has a lot going for it” with ESPN, Regan said, since the cable sports network is a powerhouse because “live matters and sports are live.”
“[ESPN] will continue to be a real cash cow for the future,” Regan said, largely dismissing concerns about recent subscriber losses at the network. “Nonetheless, the media stocks in general have sort of all come under a cloud. Even though ESPN added subscribers recently, they’re also sort of being cast in this overall concern.”
While media companies remain “the the darlings of the market,” Regan said, but over the last six to 12 months investors have started taking a hard look at the underlying balance sheets to determine which conglomerates might be overvalued.
She noted the impact that the box office of a single blockbuster can have an effect on share prices. “A lot of these companies really live and die by some of these movies,” Regan said, adding that even Disney has had its share of flops like “John Carter” as well as outsize hits like “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
Sundance 2016: 15 Hottest Movies Looking for Sales (Photos)
"Southside With You"
Director: Richard Tanne
Cast: Parker Sawyers, Tika Sumpter
Why It’s Hot: Before they moved into the White House, Barack Obama and Michelle Robinson were just two young people going on their first date in Chicago. It’s a fascinating entry point for a movie about the President and First Lady. We know how their story ends, but buyers are very curious how it began. Does Michelle kiss on the first date? We can’t wait to find out…
Why It’s Hot: Between his low budgets and his loyal following, Kevin Smith’s movies are attractive to buyers, especially if Johnny Depp co-stars. “Tusk” was divisive but we loved it and can’t wait for this follow-up, which seems a bit more accessible and commercial than a movie about a human walrus.
Why It’s Hot: This family dramedy finds Krasinski’s character returning home to his small town where his mother is about to undergo surgery. The star-studded ensemble makes the film a high priority for buyers, who are expected to pounce before the credits roll.
Why It’s Hot: Netflix bought worldwide SVOD rights for $7 million, but the film’s theatrical rights are still available. The splashy Netflix deal, rumored to be the biggest pre-festival acquisition in the history of Sundance, suggests that interest will be high among indie distributors who aren’t beholden to output deals.
Why It’s Hot: It’s the opening night film, and surely Sundance wouldn’t program a dud. While Shannon plays Plemons’ dying mother, Kelly is a “Saturday Night Live” writer, so expect a little levity in the proceedings. Plemons has earned no shortage of goodwill thanks to “Fargo,” “Breaking Bad” and “Friday Night Lights.” Perhaps this is the project that makes him a movie star.
Why It’s Hot: Reichardt has earned a loyal following in indie circles thanks to her previous films with Williams -- “Wendy and Lucy” and “Meek’s Cutoff.” Kristen Stewart’s indies have been hit-and-miss at the box office, but she’s still a high-profile actress, so if the film delivers dramatically, buyers will be ready to open their checkbooks.
Why It’s Hot: Lonergan is one of indie cinema’s most-respected filmmakers whose work appeals to prestige distributors. This film was initially set to star Matt Damon before Casey Affleck took over, though Damon is still credited as a producer. “Manchester” was shot by indie darling DP Jody Lee Lipes, who represents another attractive element amid the high-profile package.
Why It’s Hot: This project has been in the works for more than a decade. It’s based on a shocking memoir by Brad Land, who recounted a terrifying assault and his experience pledging his brother's college fraternity. The film explores the issue of hazing and how that brutal annual ritual tests the siblings’ bond. James Franco produced “Goat” with Killer Films and David Gordon Green wrote the script, so expect this one to be a must-see for seasoned buyers who like their indies with an edge.
Why It’s Hot: Rebecca Hall is said to give a devastating performance as Christine Chubbuck, a depressed TV reporter who shot herself live on the air in the 1970s. It’s a fascinating story and Campos’ most accessible movie to date. His other, more challenging films found distribution and they didn’t have the star power “Christine” boasts, so expect some smart buyer to take it off the table quickly if reviews are positive.
Why It’s Hot: The logline alone -- a champion college quizzing team tries to win the all-India finals and lose their virginities -- had us in stitches, and the controversial Indian filmmaker known simply as Q doesn't play it safe. This could end up being this year’s “Napoleon Dynamite” if advance buzz is any indication. Buyers shouldn’t underestimate the audience for a movie like “Brahman Naman,” which is in English but could still lend itself to an American remake.
Riley Productions
"Michael Jackson’s Journey From Motown to Off the Wall"
Why It’s Hot: Sundance is the undisputed king of indie cinema, and director Linklater is among its filmmaking royalty. This documentary examines his impact on the indie world, from making “Slacker” in Texas in the early '90s to directing "Dazed and Confused," "Waking Life” and “Boyhood.” His work has inspired a generation of filmmakers to try their hand at DIY-filmmaking. The Sundance crowd should eat it up.
"The Lovers and the Despot"
Director: Ross Adam and Robert Cannan
Why It’s Hot: This strange-but-true story follows a famous director and actress who are kidnapped by movie-obsessed dictator Kim Jong-il and forced to make films in North Korea, where they get a second chance at love, but only one chance at escape. With a gloriously bizarre premise like that, this documentary promises to be fascinating.
"Under the Gun"
Director: Stephanie Soechtig
Why It’s Hot: Produced by Katie Couric, this doc about gun violence is guaranteed to generate controversy, which might as well be music to buyers’ ears. It gives distributors something to sell. “Under the Gun” examines the aftermath of the Sandy Hook massacre and includes never-before-seen footage from the movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado. It’s probably the hottest documentary at Sundance this year, so don’t miss it.
Atlas Films
"Holy Hell"
Director: Will Allen
Why It’s Hot: Sundance played a savvy publicity game with this title, initially keeping Allen’s identity a secret. He eventually came forward to claim responsibility, but his reluctance is understandable. The film takes an inside look at a West Hollywood cult formed by a charismatic teacher in the 1980s that eventually imploded. We don’t know what kind of cult is depicted in the movie, but we’re guessing he didn’t want to get on its bad side.
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TheWrap takes a look at the hot commodities at this festival, from John Krasinski’s ”The Hollars“ to the documentary ”Holy Hell“
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