Year: 2020

Exhibition

Cineworld Nears Bankruptcy

March 15, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on Cineworld Nears Bankruptcy

As the coronavirus threatens to close movie theaters in the US and beyond, Cineworld has warned that there is “significant doubt about the group’s ability to continue as a going concern.”

Streaming

The Paradox of Choice

March 8, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on The Paradox of Choice

The major studios sabotaged the dream of a la carte programming and are now attempting to transform streaming into cable television via an ethernet connection instead of coaxial.

Streaming

Yet Another AT&T Video Service

March 4, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on Yet Another AT&T Video Service

AT&T released its answer to subscriber losses with an all-new set-top service called AT&T TV, not to be confused with a plethora of other options. The basic package includes 100 channels.

Streaming

AVOD Market Heats Up

February 25, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on AVOD Market Heats Up

Several media companies are holding discussions to acquire advertising-supported video streaming services. Fox Corp is in talks with Tubi, and NBCUniversal is considering Vudu.

Streaming

Netflix Wins Over France

February 12, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on Netflix Wins Over France

Streaming giant Netflix officially opened its latest non-US office in Paris last month, signaling a deeper commitment to Europe. Netflix now has four offices in Europe.

Broadcast & PayTV

Cord-Cutting Gains Momentum

February 11, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on Cord-Cutting Gains Momentum

In the fourth quarter, two million US subscribers cut the cord on traditional television packages from AT&T, Comcast, Charter, and Verizon, up from 1.7 million in the third quarter.

Streaming

Disney Aims At Netflix

February 6, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on Disney Aims At Netflix

Disney+ nearly triples its subscriber base since launching in November. Through January, the streaming service has 28.6 million subscribers, up from 10 million weeks after it debuted.

Distribution

UPDATED: Sundance Heats Up

January 28, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on UPDATED: Sundance Heats Up

After a slow start to the 35th annual Sundance Film Festival, the weekend produced a handful of sizable deals, including from Amazon Studios, Searchlight Pictures, and Lionsgate.

Distribution

Sundance Slumps

January 26, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on Sundance Slumps

Deal activity is muted so far at this year’s festival despite claims that producers and sales agents were withholding their best films at TIFF in September to introduce at Sundance.

Streaming

Netflix Results Are In

January 22, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on Netflix Results Are In

Netflix missed its subscriber forecast in the US and Canada. Despite that, the streamer beat its overseas estimate of 7 million by adding 8.33 million.

Distribution

Will Sundance Boom or Bust?

January 20, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on Will Sundance Boom or Bust?

After a lackluster Sundance in 2018, last year was full of mega-deals, especially by Netflix and Amazon. Buyers spent over $120 million acquiring rights to some 40 films.

Streaming

Apple Considers MGM Buyout

January 15, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on Apple Considers MGM Buyout

After the abysmal start to Apple’s new streaming service, Apple TV+, the tech company is searching for relevance with a new leader and a possible strategic acquisition.

Production

Production Battle of Britain

January 15, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on Production Battle of Britain

There is a mad rush by the most significant content creators, especially streaming services, to utilize the production infrastructure in England as a base of European operations.