The numbers for October 14, 2014

Tony Wagner Oct 14, 2014

A World Bank projection pegs the total global economic cost of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa at $32.6 billion by the end of 2015. The New York Times reports that model is a “worst-case” scenario, but doesn’t take into account dramatic, global spread. In contrast, the same report notes if the disease is contained in the short term, the total economic hit might be as low as $359 million.

As a nurse in Dallas is hospitalized with Ebola, the Centers for Disease Control is calling for a reassessment of treatment protocols.

Here’s what we’re reading – and other numbers we’re watching – Tuesday.

$950 million

That’s how much Disney could end up paying for Maker Studios. The YouTube network was acquired by Disney in May, and now Maker’s YouTube stars are getting their own programming blocks on Disney XD and Fusion, Variety reported. The news comes less than a day after the Wall Street Journal reported on the wave of book deals being thrown to YouTube personalities.

$50,000-$75,000

The cost of digital projectors, the new movie theater standard some studios are still subsidizing. Digital distribution should theoretically be cheaper, but those costs could still be keeping major releases from small markets, the Los Angeles Times reported, and theater owners aren’t happy about it. Another reason one executive gave for the delayed release of “Gone Girl” in those markets: “R-rated movies in small towns don’t always go together.”

25

That’s how many Crumbs Bake Shop locations will open in the next 30 days, Bloomberg reported. After dramatically closing down in July, the cupcake chain just refuses to die.

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