Latest news with #summer2024
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
The show goes on: how did Broadway achieve a record-breaking season?
Hollywood reporting was recently abuzz that on the heels of record Memorial Day weekend grosses led by the Lilo & Stitch remake and a Mission: Impossible sequel, total summer box office could cross the $4bn mark for only the second time since the Covid disruption of 2020. (The first time was summer 2023, on the strength of Barbenheimer.) To be clear, this wouldn't guarantee an all-time summer record; the numbers would need to get a lot closer to $5bn for that to happen. But something in the $4bn range would be closer to pre-pandemic business as usual, in line with most of the 2010s. Given the struggles so many movie theaters and studios have faced while hoping to find their way back to that old sense of normal, it's surprising to learn that a different and far pricier style of box office record was just shattered. The 2024-2025 Broadway season is ending up as the highest-grossing in history, its $1.89bn surpassing the 2018-2019 season's $1.82bn. Given the specialized nature of Broadway productions – they're less accessible, more expensive, and frankly less physically comfortable than going to the movies, even just within New York City – this seems like a spectacular triumph. What happened? Some of that boost can probably be attributed to the proliferation of starry, limited productions with sky-high prices. But unlike cinemas, which can usually add more showtimes to meet any outsized demand, there are ultimately limits on how much a handful of shows can contribute to the total. George Clooney's Broadway debut in Good Night, and Good Luck recently set an individual weeklong record and has raked in a ton of money. Yet grosses for the final week of the season reflect a far deeper bench than just Clooney, Denzel, and the boys of Glengarry Glen Ross. Other shows playing right around 100% capacity over the holiday weekend include fixtures like Wicked, Hamilton, and The Lion King; relative newcomers to the musical game like Buena Vista Social Club, Just in Time, Death Becomes Her, and Maybe Happy Ending; and straight plays – traditionally considered a less tourist-friendly proposition – like Oh, Mary!, Purpose, and John Proctor Is the Villain. None of those rely on movie stars; relatively few are even based on movies or past productions, in contrast to the heavy dose of IP regurgitation and uninspired revivals that dotted Broadway in years past. (In fact, the splashy and effects-packed Stranger Things companion play seems to be doing less overall business than the original drama starring that show's Sadie Sink.) So is it as simple as Broadway offering an unusual number of good and often original shows – or at least balancing out its revivals with major stars while taking chances on crowd-pleasing originals? Yes and no – specifically, 'no' to the simple part. Some of the record is probably that lucky break of an unusually strong slate, though that doesn't necessarily explain an uptick for a production like The Lion King, which has been on the boards for nearly 30 years at this point. For that matter, anyone with a Disney+ subscription can watch the original cast of Hamilton. Maybe this means scarcity, while powerful in supporting high ticket prices, is less important than it seems. In other words, the movies might have helped, in a roundabout way – not just by donating big-screen star power but with the smash success of Wicked over the 2024 holidays, which may have served to remind less dedicated theatergoers (or out-of-towners who don't have as many chances at a Broadway show) how thrilling it can feel to be in on a cultural phenomenon that isn't a direct remake or a part eight. That's what might hold Hollywood off from a record summer, even if 2025 shapes up to be the strongest one in a while. Lilo, Stitch, and Ethan Hunt have proven that remakes and sequels can still sell, but can they sell on a weekly basis for the next three months? The next summer weekend that's not powered by a sequel and/or reboot of some sort is ... 22 August. There are certainly more eclectic or original choices available before then: Wes Anderson's The Phoenician Scheme, Celine Song's Materialists, and Pixar's Elio in June alone. The 2024-25 Broadway line-up more closely resembles that kind of eclecticism, rather than the metronomic appearance of supposed sure things. There's a kind of trust that the audience can sit for a culturally specific, long, and frankly kind of messy play like Purpose. That doesn't always pay off; plenty of great plays don't do gangbusters business, especially without crucial Tony support. But in its specialized and half-accidental way, Broadway is currently doing a great job of offering material for a variety of demographics. Theater and film will always be an apples-to-oranges comparison – in price, presentation, time commitment, and a host of other elements. But both can be, at their best, habit-forming. Right now, Broadway has the big stars, variety of material, and reliable spectacle that used to keep multiplexes full.
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Why this Memorial Day could be the hottest and most uncomfortable EVER thanks to Joe Biden
Americans getting ready for the unofficial start of summer this Memorial Day will soon get some unwelcome news when it comes time to service their home air conditioning units. Prices to service and install AC units have been spiking in part due to an 11th hour Biden administration move to speed up the transition to a new refrigerant gas that has become the subject of a supply crunch. 'It's going to be a hot summer and unfortunately a lot of people are going to be paying the price,' Jorge Alvarez, the co-founder of an air conditioning company based in Tampa, Florida told The issue is a shortage of a newly mandated refrigerant that began with an Obama administration effort to curb damage to the planet's ozone layer. That brought an effort to phase out R-410A, the commonly used refrigerant used as an alternative to another ozone-depleting gas. In October 2024, the Biden administration accelerated a phase-out for the switch to a new refrigerant, R-454B. It's considered effective, but it is also flammable, which has required changes to AC units. But there are only two U.S. manufacturers with a patent to make it, said Alvarez, whose company iGas manufactures AC equipment and sued to try to roll back the phase-out. 'There simply isn't enough refrigerant to go around,' he said. 'It's so bad that the contractors today are forced to either pull the refrigerant out of the system, and introduce a new refrigerant that's not even intended to be used with that system, and voiding the warranty, because there simply isn't enough refrigerant to go around,' he said. He says it has meant an 18 to 23 week back order for his clients – which means people wanting to get a new system might have to wait until October. Refrigeration costs for older units has spiked 600 percent, he said. 'If you spend $10,000 to $15,000 on air conditioning system today, imagine the contractor telling you, "I don't have enough refrigerant to make it work on this brand new unit". That's the reality of what's happening today. We're not even in the summer yet,' he said. He shared cost estimates for a similar five-ton AC unit for the same Florida apartment complex – one last spring, and one this year. Last year's proposal was for $8,570. This year's came in at $11,513 – an increase of 34 percent. Honeywell told contractors in April to prepare for a 42 percent price increase. That presaged a move by some contractors to look overseas for resupply – but that causes them to run smack into some of President Donald Trump's tariffs. Much of the supply comes from China, although shipments from China through Mexico appear to be getting around some of them. 'Dear Valued Customer,' the firm wrote its clients. 'Due to unprecedented demand for 454B, which cannot be met with domestic production alone, we are forced to source a significant portion of the supply through international markets to meet North American market demand.' Alvarez said the shortages are leading to a spike in prices This installation jumped by about a third year over year, he said It's not just supply. Companies must identify new hardware, valves, and other equipment, plus training to accommodate the change. Another company, Daikin Comfort Technologies, warned its sales and distribution reps about a potential shortage of cylinders that transport the refrigerant, calling it a 'major issue' and warning ominously, 'It's going to be a nasty summer.' It's not only individual homeowners who are getting hit. A spokesman for Rep. Neal Dunn (R-Fla.), who has introduced legislation to try to undo the rule under a process to overturn administration regulations, said the nation's grocers are feeling the pinch. 'They're the ones who have these massive refrigeration units,' said spokesman Matt Maley. He said small business including restaurants and grocers potentially having to lay out thousands of dollars to replace their systems. Dunn's legislation calls the EPA regulation an 'undue burden' and the National Grocers Association claimed it could lead to 'higher grocery prices for consumers and, in extreme cases, force community grocers to shut their doors.' The Biden administration pushed through the rule after inking a global climate agreement. It came amid the global rise in the use of air conditioning and studies on the damages posed by Hydroflorocarbons (HFCs) - a greenhouse gas termed a 'super-pollutant.' The agreement was seeking a 40 percent reduction of HFCs beginning in 2024 with a push for an 85 percent reduction by 2036. It was just one element of a climate agenda that the Trump administration is trying to dismantle through executive orders and legislation.
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
Keep your cool all summer long with the Shark FlexBreeze fan now 27% off with this code!
The hit home appliance of summer 2024 is officially restocked on QVC — and it is already on sale. Shark is one of the biggest leading brands, bringing shoppers high-tech vacuums, hair tools, fans, and more. You may be familiar with their popular FlexStyle hair styling tool or one of their numerous cordless stick vacuums, but it is the brand's pint-sized portable fan, the Shark FlexBreeze, that is truly stealing the show. Shark FlexBreeze Indoor/Outdoor Cordless Fan Bring on the heat this summer because this top-rated portable inside and outside fan is finally restocked on QVC! Brought to you by the Shark team, this powerful fan not only is cordless but comes with five powerful speed settings. You can take it anywhere and even add the mist tool to add even more cool down. Use code HELLO15 to unlock the best price of the season now! $145 (was $200) Shop The lightweight fan was designed to be on the go with multiple usage capabilities from a tabletop to an oscillating tower, the limits of this fans functions simply don't exist. Shark fans sold out the small appliance in a day last summer, but now it is back and better than ever with a 27 percent off price tag for new shoppers. Snatch up the over $50 off price tag with code HELLO15 now through the end of May! Summer is barreling towards us, and with it, steamy days. The Shark FlexBreeze is the ultimate seasonal accessory with an innovative design that combines powerful airflow with portability. Packed with five fan speeds, users of the fan can feel the breeze made from up to 70 inches away. One user said: 'There are times I would love to be outside, but it is too hot and no breeze is blowing. This is an amazing solution. It works well and has awesome power and range.' Unlike many 'portable fans,' the Shark FlexBreeze is both corded and cordless! One charge can generate roughly 24 hours of fan time on the lowest breeze setting. It also comes equipped for charging on the go with an AC charging cable and car charger. Whether you are headed on a cross-country round trip in your RV or relaxing at home poolside, this fan instantly adds a breeze (literally!). What makes the Shark FlexBreeze so exceptional is its ability to transform itself in a second. You can utilize your new favorite fan in its basic tabletop form or opt for its other version, which includes a quad stand and removable pedestal. No matter which way you choose to indulge with your new cooling-off sidekick, all support a 180-degree oscillation. One user said: 'A quality made fan with options that make it versatile. I like the options that come with it — I can use it on the stand or un-attach it and set it up on a shelf. It charges well and for cordless use and can be transported anywhere at any time!' Despite the plethora of standout qualities that the Shark FlexBreeze fan has, the InstaCool attachment may be its best-kept secret. The small, unassuming attachment can turn your fan into a fully powered mister-like magic using a regular old gardening hose. After rigorous testing, the mister was shown to drop room temperatures by 10 degrees. Users are shocked and obsessed, with one saying: 'Received my Shark Fan just in time for our 100 degrees barbecue party, and it was a hit! The fan -cooled down our patio, and I enjoyed that I was able to use the mister. Recommend this product!' This Shark FlexBreeze deal is HOT! So don't wait to cash in on it while you can still snag the 27 percent off using code HELLO15.
CBS News
16-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Home electricity bills may reach a 12-year high this summer, driven by high temperatures, inflation
High temperatures projected across the U.S. summer could take a toll on Americans' budgets by driving up the price of keeping homes cool. Home electricity bills are expected to rise to an average of $784 for the summer period, up more than 6% from $737 in 2024 and marking a 12-year record, according a new analysis from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA). The growing expense comes on the heels of a cold winter that drove up heating costs for many Americans, and as consumers continue to grapple with higher prices on everyday goods. Consumers are also increasingly expressing concerns about how tariffs could affect their day-to-day costs, Gallup polling has found. "We found that it's going to be another expensive summer for air conditioning because temperatures will stay high, and electricity prices have been rising faster than inflation," energy economist Mark Wolfe, executive director of NEADA, told CBS MoneyWatch. The anticipated spike in residential electricity costs from June through September is due to the combination of rising cost of electricity, which is outpacing inflation, with higher temperatures, NEADA said. Those trends mean that households are not only expected to pay higher prices for electricity, but will likely consume more of it than they did last summer because of the need for more cooling. "It's not just temperatures that are going up, but the cost of cooling is going up," Wolfe said. "And when electricity prices go up, they tend to stay high. So even if temperatures moderate, your bill might go up because of the cost of electricity." Unpaid bills Energy costs eat up a larger share of low-income families' budgets compared to higher-earners. Low-income households spend roughly 8.6% of their incomes on energy costs, compared to 3% for those that are higher up the income ladder, according to NEADA. Worryingly, the lowest earners could struggle to afford to keep their homes cool, Wolfe noted. The most recent Census Household Pulse Survey found that 37% of low- and moderate-income households could not afford their energy bills for at least one month between April 2023 and April 2024. If those households find themselves in a financial crunch this summer, they may opt to turn off their air conditioning, which could pose serious health risks, noted Wolfe. "Last winter was cold, so they're just getting over paying their heating bills, and are now facing higher summer cooling costs," Wolfe explained. "And while people understand that if you don't use heat in the winter, your pipes will freeze, that won't happen in the summer." Reluctance to turn on one's air conditioning can have adverse health effects like heat stroke. "While this won't do damage to your building, it will do damage to you," Wolfe said. Extreme heat and health Public assistance programs haven't kept pace with the evolving climate, according to Wolfe. "We're having heat waves that are lasting longer, and the systems in place to protect families have not kept up," he said. This summer's cooling cost forecast should be taken as a sign that state and federal assistance programs require modernization, according to Wolfe. Only 26 states offer summer cooling assistance to help Americans pay their bills. Thirty-three states have no protections in place to prevent utilities company from shutting off customers' access to electricity when they're behind on payments. Extreme heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, according to the National Weather Service. Wolfe says that taking steps to modernize your home can actually help households save money. For example, adding insulation to your house can help control energy bills. "Families should start preparing for long-term extreme weather and think about the energy efficiency of their cooling systems," he said.
