News & Insights

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.

Streaming

Sony Shutters Streaming Service

January 8, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on Sony Shutters Streaming Service

Sony Pictures is shutting down its PlayStation Vue streaming television service in the first quarter of 2020. Rising content costs and a plethora of choices have made the service untenable.

Distribution

Box Office Declines

January 6, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on Box Office Declines

The box office in North America was down almost 5% from 2018 even after rising ticket prices, and despite a slew of mega-budget franchise films being released.

Streaming

Netflix Takes Europe

December 31, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off on Netflix Takes Europe

To gain a global content edge, Netflix has set into motion a EU production boom with plans to produce over 225 films and shows in Europe. Netflix currently controls 53% of the SVOD market in Europe.

Exhibition

Cinema Consolidation

December 26, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off on Cinema Consolidation

British film exhibitor Cineworld is now the largest theater chain in North America after buying out Canada’s Cineplex for $2.1 billion, which was a whopping 42% premium.

Streaming

Streaming in America

December 18, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off on Streaming in America

Since first delivering DVDs to homes via the postal service, Netflix has come to dominate the SVOD market. The streamer has 67 million subscribers in North America, which takes its total to nearly 160 million worldwide.

Streaming

Streaming Bout

December 4, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off on Streaming Bout

The streaming bout between Netflix and traditional media companies for the world’s online video subscribers is well underway.

Production

Netflix Outspends

December 3, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off on Netflix Outspends

The reason for this lavishly spending spree is in response to new streaming competition by the studios and the upcoming exodus of content.

Streaming

Funding Golden Age

November 26, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off on Funding Golden Age

Against the backdrop of new streaming competition, Netflix is significantly increasing the amount it invests in producing, licensing, and acquiring films and shows.

Exhibition

Hollywood Set to Own Theaters Again

November 20, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off on Hollywood Set to Own Theaters Again

The Department of Justice in the United States is preparing to allow Hollywood studios to own film theaters once again. This decision would reverse 70 years of anti-trust law that was implemented in 1948, which is known as the Paramount decrees.