After a decade of primarily focusing on episodic content, Netflix wants to break the theatrical glass ceiling, especially since they are funding more original films.
Apple raised its commitment from $2 billion to $6 billion this year to fund original shows and films for its new subscription video service, Apple TV+.
Netflix and Amazon, who were once touted as the saviors of the indie film market, are retreating from acquisitions to focus on producing more original films.
Apple TV+ subscription service will launch on November 1st for $4.99 a month. However, with only a handful of shows available, it will not frustrate the launch of Disney+ or challenge Netflix in a meaningful way.
Discover what type of films independent distributors want to acquire in their own words. Understand what elements 26 U.S. distributors are looking for when they acquire a film at TIFF or elsewhere.
Buyers at TIFF are skittish after a 6% drop in North American box office receipts in 2019. Worse still, is the dire year indie films are having, where receipts have declined 45%.
In the first three months since becoming the new owner of Fox, Disney has publicly complained about Fox’s weak performance and believes there is more trouble on the horizon.
Part Two: Netflix Trends, International, Feature Films. Through the first six months of 2019, Netflix’s customer acquisition costs have ballooned to $292 per subscriber.
Part One: Netflix Subscribers and Exclusivity. Netflix lost subscribers in the United States for the first time in nearly a decade. The next battleground in streaming will take place over content exclusivity.
By reclaiming their content from licensees to launch standalone streaming services, traditional media companies are sailing headlong into uncharted waters.
Netflix is banking on a slate of big budget films to attract new subscribers. The streamer is spending over $550 million to make just three big budget films.