Entertainment

Studios are seeing big dollar signs at the global box office. So much so that in some cases, they're opening domestic films in foreign markets first to generate big buzz and big bucks. And it could begin to influence the films themselves.

After Hurricane Katrina destroyed her Biloxi, Miss., house, Ethel Curry waited a long time for help rebuilding it. That help finally came this winter — from an unlikely source. Stephen Smith reports.

Another big merger in the media business: Cable provider Comcast is buying popular movie ticket website Fandango in its quest to create a one-stop entertainment destination site coming this summer.

The Beatles' music is now just a new royalties deal away from becoming available on iTunes. The band has reportedly settled a $60 million dispute with record company EMI, the final obstacle in the catalogue's journey onto Internet store shelves.

MSNBC said today it's dropping its simulcast of "Imus in the Morning." More sponsors have pulled their ads over the host's wisecrack last week, but some are sticking around — and CBS Radio may decide it can't afford to fire Don Imus.

Deep-pocketed investors who are more interested in finding an audience for their messages than chasing returns at the box office are changing the business model for documentary filmmaking.

Digital downloads are forever changing the way we find and listen to music — and that's changing the way the whole industry works, says Daily Variety's Mike Speier.

This Sunday night starts the last nine episodes of HBO's "The Sopranos." What's HBO going to do now? Kai Ryssdal talks about new programming with TV critic Aaron Barnhart.

Cable's Discovery is set to launch a new channel next year focused entirely on eco-friendly living. It's betting on consumers'— and advertisers'— continued interest in everything green.

Music's Internet age and a wave of geek pride have led to . . . nerds rapping. About computers and video games and sci-fi. Some are even touring and making enough cash to live off. No joke yo.