newsmakers

newsmakers

Global box office rises to $32.6B

LOS ANGELES

Ticket sales for movies shown around the globe rose 3 percent in 2011 to $32.6 billion, thanks largely to growth in booming markets such as China. U.S. and Canadian sales fell.

Theatrical revenue from the U.S. and Canada dropped 4 percent to $10.2 billion as attendance fell. Revenue from 3-D movies also decreased compared with 2010, when the release of “Avatar” gave 3-D box office a big boost.

International ticket sales rose 7 percent to $22.4 billion.

Sales in China grew 35 percent to $2 billion, which put the nation behind Japan as the second largest market for movies outside the U.S. and Canada.

Prince Charles makes first visit to Sweden

STOCKHOLM

Britain’s Prince Charles made his first official visit to Sweden on Thursday, nearly 40 years after Carl XVI Gustaf became the country’s king.

The king’s wife, Queen Silvia, said she was glad to finally play host to Charles and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.

“It’s very nice since Prince Charles during my time, unfortunately, hasn’t had the possibility to visit earlier,” the Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet quoted the queen as saying ahead of his arrival. “But we have a very close contact with the British royal family, and so we’re very happy about their visit.”

Sweden’s Prince Carl Philip received Charles and Camilla at Arlanda airport in Stockholm, where they landed after a three-day visit to Norway.

NBC renews ‘Smash’ for second season

NEW YORK

NBC has smashing news for fans of “Smash.”

The network said Thursday its musical drama series has been picked up for a second season.

“Smash” is a much-heralded blend of backstage procedural and song-and-dance numbers.

It debuted last month. It is not a ratings smash but has won critical praise and a healthy-size audience averaging 7.7 million viewers.

Series stars include Debra Messing, Anjelica Huston and Katharine McPhee as players in the unrelenting world of Broadway theater.

Vindicator wire services