New York State, facing a $1.7 billion budget shortfall, may tax digital downloads of entertainment products such as television shows and music, as well as end a sales-tax exemption on cable TV, movie tickets and more, the Hollywood Reporter says. Entertainment spending taxes would likely raise $53 million in 2009-2010, while state taxes on cable and satellite TV and radio would bring in $136 million.
—Aimee Picchi