August 2024 – FilmTake

Skydance Wins Paramount Deal as Bronfman Withdraws After Chaotic Bidding War

August 30, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Edgar Bronfman Jr., the Seagram’s liquor heir who briefly posed a half-hearted challenge to Skydance Media’s takeover of Paramount Global, has officially withdrawn from the race. Bronfman’s exit clears the path for Skydance Media.

The Ad-Supported Gamble: How Netflix’s Missing Titles Affect Its Value Perception

August 27, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

At the launch of the ad-supported tier, 326 titles—about 5% of Netflix’s U.S. library—were missing due to unresolved licensing agreements. This gap includes around 60 Netflix Originals and 266 licensed titles, accounting for 11% of U.S. demand.

Streaming Services Join Forces: The Power of Bundling to Combat Churn

August 26, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

In response to the growing churn problem, streaming giants like Netflix, Disney, WBD, NBCUniversal, and Apple TV+ are launching bundled services. These bundles aim to provide greater value to consumers, thereby reducing the likelihood of cancellations.

The Churn Challenge: Streamers Vie for Viewer Loyalty in a Saturated 2024 Market

August 22, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Despite the surge in streaming activity, SVOD platforms grapple with accelerated subscriber churn. The allure of a new show draws in viewers, but once the credits roll, many quickly cancel their subscriptions, leading to a cycle of rapid gains and losses.

Paramount Extends Skydance Merger Deadline as Bronfman Up Buyout Offer

August 22, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

As Wednesday’s deadline loomed, the already complex battle for control of Paramount Global took another twist. The investor group led by Bronfman made a desperate move to stay in the game by increasing its bid for National Amusements to $6 billion.

Deal Deadline Ends Today: Inside the Battle for Control of Paramount Global

August 20, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Amid today’s deadline, the competition to acquire Paramount Global has taken a dramatic turn with the emergence of a new contender. Edgar Bronfman Jr., the heir to Seagram’s liquor, has submitted a $4.3 billion bid to acquire Paramount, directly challenging Skydance’s $8 billion bid.

Paramount’s Financial Turmoil: Soaring Losses, Layoffs, and Massive Impairment Charge

August 17, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Amid a looming deadline to sell the once-storied studio, Paramount Global reported a staggering net loss of $5.4 billion in Q2 2024, primarily driven by a $5.98 billion impairment charge, a dramatic deterioration from the previous year.

Inside Netflix’s Next Chapter: Ad Tiers, Licensing Strategies, Partnerships, and Audience Engagement

August 7, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

From the rapid adoption of its ad tier to evolving licensing strategies and the challenges of maintaining a high hit rate, Netflix is navigating a complex streaming market with more competition than ever.

Paramount’s Troubled Waters: A Tale of Failed Mergers, Mismanagement, and Dubious Deals

August 4, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Recent weeks have seen Paramount Global navigate turbulent waters, with its shares plunging and its credibility questioned. The highly publicized failed merger and acquisition bid from Apex Capital Trust has placed the company under intense scrutiny.

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: August 2024

Skydance Wins Paramount Deal as Bronfman Withdraws After Chaotic Bidding War

The Ad-Supported Gamble: How Netflix’s Missing Titles Affect Its Value Perception

Streaming Services Join Forces: The Power of Bundling to Combat Churn

The Churn Challenge: Streamers Vie for Viewer Loyalty in a Saturated 2024 Market

Paramount Extends Skydance Merger Deadline as Bronfman Up Buyout Offer

Deal Deadline Ends Today: Inside the Battle for Control of Paramount Global

Paramount’s Financial Turmoil: Soaring Losses, Layoffs, and Massive Impairment Charge

Inside Netflix’s Next Chapter: Ad Tiers, Licensing Strategies, Partnerships, and Audience Engagement

Paramount’s Troubled Waters: A Tale of Failed Mergers, Mismanagement, and Dubious Deals