New Line for the win (I guess). From the Hollywood Reporter:

In a surprising move, Warner Bros. has decided to shutter both Picturehouse and Warner Independent Pictures.

"With New Line now a key part of Warner Bros., we're able to handle films across the entire spectrum of genres and budgets without overlapping production, marketing and distribution infrastructures," announced Warner Bros. president and COO Alan Horn. "After much painstaking analysis, this was a difficult decision to make, but it reflects the reality of a changing marketplace and our need to prudently run our businesses with increased efficiencies. We're confident that the spirit of independent filmmaking and the opportunity to find and give a voice to new talent will continue to have a presence at Warner Bros."

Speculation before had been that the two indie distribution arms would merge, not vanish.

+ Warners axes Picturehouse, WIP (Hollywood Reporter)

By Alison Willmore in Biz | Link | Recommended (0)

Tags: New Line, Picturehouse, Warner Independent

Fresh off the wires — Rainbow Media, the company that owns IFC as well as AMC and WE, has purchased the Sundance Channel. Here's the press release.

+ Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings to Acquire Sundance Channel (Yahoo)

By Alison Willmore in Biz | Link | Recommended (1)

Tags: IFC, Rainbow Media, Sundance Channel