Distribution – FilmTake

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

February 18, 2025 FilmTake Comments Off

Streaming services are reevaluating their financial playbooks, balancing the high costs of direct-to-consumer services with the steady returns of third-party licensing deals. With studios weighing the financial viability of streaming-first strategies against the profitability of licensing, the industry is at an inflection point where content ownership alone may not be enough to drive sustainable growth.

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

February 10, 2025 FilmTake Comments Off

Paramount Pictures has recently entered into a significant slate financing agreement with Domain Capital Group, aiming to bolster its film production capabilities. This partnership reflects a strategic move to mitigate financial risk by diversifying investments across multiple films. However, the intricate nature of such deals has historically led to legal disputes, particularly concerning the transparency of financial practices.

Amazon MGM Studios Charts New Course with International Distribution Ambitions

February 8, 2025 FilmTake Comments Off

Amazon MGM Studios plans to launch its own international theatrical distribution division as its deal with Warner Bros. expires at the end of 2025. This strategic move aims to enhance control over global film releases, maximizes revenue potential, and demonstrates Amazon’s commitment to theatrical models following its $8.5 billion MGM acquisition.

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

January 4, 2025 FilmTake Comments Off

In 2024, the media industry faced significant challenges, with domestic box office revenues falling sharply due to delays and a lack of original content. Contrarily, free ad-supported streaming platforms like Roku gained traction, indicating a shift towards cost-effective viewing. The industry grapples with evolving strategies amid ongoing mergers and the rise of library content.

Slow-Motion Collapse: How Nostalgia, Streaming, and Short-Sightedness Undermined Hollywood’s Future

November 26, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

 Hollywood’s golden age of innovation and artistry is fading, replaced by an industry stumbling through a self-imposed crisis. The rise of streaming, an overreliance on recycled intellectual property, and dwindling opportunities or audience support for new talent have left the film and television world on precarious ground.

The FAST Frontier: How Free Ad-Supported Platforms Are Transforming Streaming and Cable Television

November 13, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

As streaming fatigue sets in, consumers increasingly opt for FAST (Free Ad-Supported Television), with traditional cable providers feeling the pinch. Once considered fringe players, FAST platforms capture significant market share with their ad-supported, cost-free models, while SVOD giants drive premium content strategies and global expansion.

Inside AFM 2024: Mixed Reviews, Cautious Buyers, and More Gains for Streamers

November 12, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

The American Film Market’s first Las Vegas event at the Palms Casino Resort has sparked a wide range of opinions from attendees, with some embracing the convenience of the new location and others refusing to attend if the event doesn’t return to Los Angeles.

Betting Big on Genre Films: AFM’s Vegas Move Signals Shift in the Independent Film Market

November 6, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

For the first time in its 45-year history, the American Film Market (AFM) has traded the coastal ambiance of Santa Monica for the glitzy setting of Las Vegas, launching its 2024 event at the Palms Casino Resort. This relocation comes with high hopes for streamlined networking, concentrated events, and fresh energy.

AFM 2024: The Films Sparking Major Interest at AFM’s First Las Vegas Edition (Part Three)

November 6, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

The 2024 American Film Market (AFM) marks a transformative moment as it relocates from its long-standing Los Angeles base to Las Vegas. Here’s an overview of films being presented by the leading 78 international sales agencies at the 2024 American Film Market, offering a dynamic blend of genres, including horror, thriller, drama, comedy, and animation.

AFM 2024: The Films Sparking Major Interest at AFM’s First Las Vegas Edition (Part Two)

November 5, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

The 2024 American Film Market (AFM) marks a transformative moment as it relocates from its long-standing Los Angeles base to Las Vegas. Here’s an overview of films being presented by the leading 78 international sales agencies at the 2024 American Film Market, offering a dynamic blend of genres, including horror, thriller, drama, comedy, and animation.

AFM 2024: The Films Sparking Major Interest at AFM’s First Las Vegas Edition (Part One)

November 5, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

The 2024 American Film Market (AFM) marks a transformative moment as it relocates from its long-standing Los Angeles base to Las Vegas. Here’s an overview of films being presented by the leading 78 international sales agencies at the 2024 American Film Market, offering a dynamic blend of genres, including horror, thriller, drama, comedy, and animation.

Breaking Free: Disney Declares Independence from the Apple App Store

October 28, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

In a bold move to reclaim control over streaming revenue, Disney has severed its dependency on Apple’s App Store for new subscriptions to Disney+ and Hulu. This decision, echoing similar actions from Netflix, signifies a financial strategy and a broader power dynamics shift between content providers and tech platforms.

Netflix Faces Off Against YouTube for Viewer Engagement and Audience Loyalty

October 22, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

As the intense battle for subscriber acquisition in the streaming wars begins to calm, Netflix, the leader in subscription-based video on demand (SVOD), now faces a formidable new rival—YouTube. Meanwhile, ad-supported free streaming platforms like Tubi are gaining ground, reshaping the digital entertainment playing field.

Diverging Fortunes: Disney and Warner Bros. Compete for Streaming’s Silver Medal

October 15, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

As the entertainment industry continues shifting toward streaming and digital content, two of its most prominent players, Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), are heading down distinctly different paths. Recent earnings reports underscore the contrasting financial positions and strategic moves of these media giants, setting the stage for what could be a breaking point for their digital transition.

From Cord-Cutting to Cable 2.0: The Evolution of Streaming Looks Just Like Cable TV

September 25, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

The streaming revolution was once celebrated as the future of entertainment, promising viewers the flexibility, variety, and convenience that cable never offered. However, as streaming services evolve, it’s becoming evident that they’re repeating old patterns. With bundling deals, escalating subscription prices, and a growing reliance on ad-supported content, streaming mirrors the cable model it once created to disrupt.

Streaming vs. Cinema: Is Streaming Really Boosting the Movie Theater Experience?

September 21, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

As streaming continues to reshape how we watch films, recent findings suggest a surprising relationship between streaming and cinema. However, with a decline in box office revenue and shifting consumer preferences, the question arises: Is streaming truly helping or hurting the cinema industry?

Muted Market at TIFF 2024: Sparse Acquisitions Signal Industry Hesitation

September 14, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Despite the return of Hollywood stars to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) after last year’s strikes, this year’s event saw a lackluster market for acquisitions. With only a handful of deals emerging, questions are being raised about the current state of theatrical releases and the dominance of streaming platforms.

25 Essential Films Generating Buzz at TIFF 2024

September 10, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

As TIFF kicks into high gear, several films are already making waves, generating significant attention among buyers and industry insiders. These films represent some of the most promising acquisitions at TIFF 2024, with solid casts, intriguing narratives, and talented directors aiming to capture the attention of buyers and audiences alike.

Behind Closed Doors: The High Stakes of TIFF’s Market Push Amid Theatrical Declines

September 9, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

The 2023 Hollywood strikes, coupled with the lingering effects of lockdowns, have cast serious doubt on the future of theatrical releases. In 2022, TIFF saw its biggest deal to date, with “The Holdovers” fetching $30 million from Focus Features, but there was a catch—it wasn’t an official festival entry. Instead, it was a private screening.