Counterpoint Research predicts a 2.2% decline in iPhone sales in 2026 due to rising manufacturing costs, with global smartphone shipments expected to fall by 2.1%, impacting especially the lower-end market, though Apple and Samsung are better positioned to handle increased costs.
Nissan is aiming to reduce production costs for its electric vehicles in order to compete more effectively against Chinese rivals. The company is looking to streamline its supply chain and improve manufacturing efficiency to lower costs and make its electric vehicles more affordable for consumers. This move comes as Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers continue to gain market share with their lower-priced offerings.
Ridley Scott's Gladiator 2 production is facing financial troubles, with costs reportedly exceeding the anticipated total and reaching $310 million, far beyond the initial budget of $165 million. The film experienced setbacks due to strikes, production shutdowns, and on-set accidents, leading to concerns about its financial success. The sequel stars Paul Mescal as Lucius, the son of Connie Nielsen's character, and features a new cast including Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Joseph Quinn.
Northrop Grumman reported a $1.6 billion charge on the B-21 Raider program due to higher-than-expected production costs and macroeconomic disruptions, leading to a quarterly loss of nearly $1.3 billion in its aeronautics sector. The company remains confident in its outlook despite the disappointment, and is working with the government to address inflation relief. Additionally, the Air Force's Sentinel nuclear missile program has experienced a 37% cost growth, triggering a critical Nunn-McCurdy breach and an automatic review, but the Air Force remains committed to the program.
Tesla's Q4 earnings are expected to show a decline in margins due to aggressive price cuts and falling average selling prices, which are outpacing production costs. The company's operating margins are projected to slip to the low 7% range, raising concerns for investors. The focus on volume growth through price cuts has impacted margins, leading to a significant decline in forward earnings estimates. The article also discusses the technical analysis of Tesla's stock and the potential impact on its future performance.
After more than a decade of performances, the immersive theater production "Sleep No More" will close its doors for good on January 28. Rising production costs and an unwillingness to raise ticket prices were cited as reasons for the closure. The show, which reimagined Shakespeare's "Macbeth" in a wordless, voyeuristic experience, attracted a dedicated fan base and helped expand the landscape of immersive theater in New York. Despite some controversy, the show will have played 5,000 performances and served two million audience members by the time it closes. The producers plan to continue other late-night shows at the McKittrick Hotel but are uncertain about hosting another major production.
Los Angeles is facing criticism for becoming increasingly expensive and unfriendly for the film industry. FilmL.A. has implemented rate hikes on various fees for obtaining permits to shoot in the region, including new administrative fees for complex filming requests. The changes in pricing and limitations on the number of locations permitted have led to concerns about escalating production costs. As a result, many productions are opting to film in other areas with more generous incentive programs and cheaper labor costs. The decline in filming in Los Angeles has been evident, with other regions like Georgia and the U.K. experiencing significant growth in hosting scripted TV productions.
DreamWorks Animation has announced layoffs, cutting approximately 4% of its staff due to the downturn in the business, rising production costs, and strikes. The studio hopes to rebound with the release of the third installment of the Trolls movie franchise, Trolls Band Together, featuring a reunion of *Nsync. DreamWorks Animation also has an upcoming animated feature, Orion and The Dark, set to be released on Netflix in 2024.
Deadline's Strike Talk podcast recaps the second week of the WGA standoff and interviews John Wells, former chief negotiator for the WGA and producer of shows like ER and The West Wing. They discuss what it will take to end the stalemate and how it compares to rising production costs. The podcast will continue weekly until the labor dispute is resolved.
Rumors suggest that the production costs for the highly anticipated video game, GTA 6, are reaching insane levels, with some estimates putting the budget at over $500 million. However, no official confirmation has been made by the game's developer, Rockstar Games.
Paramount Network's hit show "Yellowstone" is paying $50,000 a week to its creator, Taylor Sheridan, for the use of his ranch and $25 per cow for the show's livestock. The media conglomerate is expected to continue bankrolling Sheridan's operation for the show's fifth season.
Frank Ocean's cancellation of his second Coachella performance will cost the festival several million dollars due to expenses like a custom ice pad and additional talent costs. However, the loss is unlikely to impact the overall profitability of the event, which typically grosses over $115 million in ticket sales across both weekends and makes tens of millions more in food, beverage, and hospitality. Goldenvoice, the festival promoter, is trying to offset the losses by finding new uses for the ice pad.
Electric-truck maker Nikola plans to sell shares and raise $100 million, causing its shares to hit a record low. The offering price of $1.12 represented a 20% discount over its last close of $1.40 on Thursday. Despite the cash injection, analysts say management still has a lot of work to do to balance cash burn against its existing cash. Nikola, like other smaller EV firms, has been struggling to ramp up production at a time when demand has stalled amid high borrowing costs, driven by higher interest rates.