November 2016 – FilmTake

Update: Cable Companies Quash Set-Top Box Rental Reforms

November 29, 2016 FilmTake Comments Off

Minutes before a planned vote to allow third parties to develop apps or devices for cable set-top boxes, the FCC removed the vote indefinitely.

Mobile Streaming Market Heats Up

November 21, 2016 FilmTake Comments Off

When AT&T acquired DirecTV for $48.5 billion, they had big plans for mobile streaming. The FCC thinks DirecTV Now service “may obstruct competition and…”

Amazon Prime Global Expansion: Netflix Killer?

November 21, 2016 FilmTake Comments Off

Amazon takes aim at Netflix, the market leader in streaming video. Amazon is following Netflix’s lead by expanding their Prime service globally in 2017.

Unofficially Relaxing Film Quotas in China

November 18, 2016 FilmTake Comments Off

The unofficial expansion of the Chinese film quota system is taking place right now. So far in 2016 over 40 revenue-sharing films have screened.

Buying Spree Continues with Voltage Pictures

November 14, 2016 FilmTake Comments Off

Xinke New Materials is acquiring an 80% stake in Nicolas Chartier’s Voltage Pictures. The acquisition amount will range between $345 and $518M.

Netflix Nears Historic Rollout with Comcast

November 10, 2016 FilmTake Comments Off

Comcast, the largest cable company in the United States, will begin streaming Netflix on the company’s X1 set-top device starting this week.

China’s Rampant Box Office Fraud

November 10, 2016 FilmTake Comments Off

On Monday, China passed its first law addressing unbridled box office fraud. For years, theatrical corruption has been accepted as a part of doing business.

How is the Election Like the Cable Market?

November 8, 2016 FilmTake Comments Off

Like the presidential election, Americans will only have two choices for cable providers, Comcast or Time Warner / Charter / Spectrum / AT&T.

Netflix Hefty Content Costs

November 3, 2016 FilmTake Comments Off

For every $8 per month, Netflix receives from its nearly 84 million global subscribers, over $6 is spent on content. 2017 content costs will hit $16 billion.

Hulu Takes Aim at Netflix

November 1, 2016 FilmTake Comments Off

Netflix captured 80 million subscribers using studio content as a gateway to building customers. Did Netflix’s 50% originals initiative cross the line?

Finding Licensing Gold: Why Some Shows Are Worth More Off Their Home Platform

Distribution

February 18, 2025 Comments Off

Paramount’s New Slate Financing Deal and the Complexities of Film Investment

Distribution

February 10, 2025 Comments Off

Distribution

Amazon MGM Studios Charts New Course with International Distribution Ambitions

February 8, 2025 Comments Off

Production

Is Hollywood Worth Saving? The Harsh Reality Facing L.A. in 2025

January 19, 2025 Comments Off

Streaming

Beyond Binge Watching: Ads, Sports, and Telecoms Are Steering Streaming Back to Cable’s Playbook

January 11, 2025 Comments Off

Streaming

One Platform to Rule Them All: Aggregation Will Alter Streaming Markets in 2025

January 7, 2025 Comments Off

Distribution

2024 in Review: Netflix Reigns, Roku Rises, Theaters Falter, and Trends Shaping 2025

January 4, 2025 Comments Off

Beyond Binge Watching: Ads, Sports, and Telecoms Are Steering Streaming Back to Cable’s Playbook

Streaming

January 11, 2025 Comments Off

The U.S. streaming market is saturated, with 96% of households subscribed to services, prompting a shift from acquisition to retention strategies. Ad-supported models are gaining traction as affordability overshadows uninterrupted viewing. Live sports and telecom partnerships are key growth areas, while brand ecosystems are vital for subscriber retention in this maturing landscape.

One Platform to Rule Them All: Aggregation Will Alter Streaming Markets in 2025

Streaming

January 7, 2025 Comments Off

Standalone SVOD services are experiencing a shift as consumers grapple with rising costs and subscription stacking. Many are turning to video aggregators, which simplify access but risk escalating prices. The market may soon consist of fewer standalone players alongside aggregators, highlighting the necessity for service bundling to reduce churn and enhance consumer convenience.

Europe’s AVOD Boom: How Ad-Tiers Will Reshape Streaming Markets in 2025

Streaming

December 29, 2024 Comments Off

Europe’s streaming market is on the verge of transformation, propelled by the rise of ad-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) platforms. Consumers increasingly favor lower-cost subscription plans featuring ads, benefiting major players like Netflix and local entities such as TF1+. However, platforms face challenges with ad relevance, viewer retention, and stringent EU regulations.

Splitting the Difference: Why Warner Bros. and Comcast Are Carving Up Their Empires

Broadcast & PayTV

December 17, 2024 Comments Off

Warner Bros. Discovery and Comcast are restructuring to separate their declining linear TV networks from streaming divisions, signaling the end of linear television’s dominance. This strategy, framed as a means to enhance value, highlights the sector’s collapse as advertisers and viewers shift to digital platforms. Mergers or sell-offs are imminent.

SVOD Trends in 2025: International Variability, Advertising, and Pricing Adjustments

Streaming

December 15, 2024 Comments Off

Content and pricing strategies are shifting as platforms focus on retaining subscribers with live sports and bundled services. Sports rights, such as those for the Champions League and NFL, have driven substantial growth for Paramount+ and Peacock—Prime Video benefits from integrating most major streaming services into one platform.

FilmTake

Distribution Intelligence

Month: November 2016

Update: Cable Companies Quash Set-Top Box Rental Reforms

Mobile Streaming Market Heats Up

Amazon Prime Global Expansion: Netflix Killer?

Unofficially Relaxing Film Quotas in China

Buying Spree Continues with Voltage Pictures

Netflix Nears Historic Rollout with Comcast

China’s Rampant Box Office Fraud

How is the Election Like the Cable Market?

Netflix Hefty Content Costs

Hulu Takes Aim at Netflix