AT&T – FilmTake

Streamers Swiftly Shift Strategies from Content Exclusivity Back to Partnerships

March 9, 2023 FilmTake Comments Off

Less than a year ago, the largest content rights holders, including Warner Bros, were hoarding vast libraries of content from third-party licensees for use on their respective direct-to-consumer streaming services, reversing standard practices since time immemorial.

AT&T’s Great Media Escape Takes Shape After DirecTV and WarnerMedia Selloffs

September 5, 2021 FilmTake Comments Off

AT&T’s decision to acquire a declining DirecTV in 2015 and a bloated WarnerMedia in 2018 were massive miscalculations. Desperate to pay down its debt, in March 2021, AT&T announced it would sell a 30% stake in DirecTV.

The Reemergence of the Studio Cartel System

September 25, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off

A Federal Judge ended the Paramount decrees that ceased Hollywood’s monopoly on producing, distributing, and exhibiting films citing the move would “serve the public interest in free and unfettered competition.”

Too Big To Fail

September 8, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off

AT&T is desperate to sell some or all of DirecTV to pay down its $180 billion mountain of debt. According to inside sources, the satellite service is being offered at a $20 billion valuation, marking a $29 billion loss since 2015.

The Paradox of Choice

March 8, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off

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.

Yet Another AT&T Video Service

March 4, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off

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.

AVOD Market Heats Up

February 25, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off

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.

PayTV Subscriber Freefall

February 23, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off

Traditional pay television subscribers are in freefall—the rate of subscribers canceling their service accelerated by more than 70% last year.

Cord-Cutting Gains Momentum

February 11, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off

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.

Apple Considers MGM Buyout

January 15, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off

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.

Hollywood Set to Own Theaters Again

November 20, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

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.

New Details Emerge About HBO Max

November 5, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

AT&T’s WarnerMedia released details about its forthcoming streaming service HBO Max, which will officially launch in May 2020. The service will cost $14.99 a month, the same cost as HBO’s flagship service.

Cord Cutting Continues

July 28, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

During the second quarter, DirecTV’s traditional satellite service lost 778,000 subscribers and its streaming service DirecTV Now lost 168,000 accounts.

Hey Big Spenders

July 15, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

To woo subscribers away from Netflix, Disney, AT&T, and Apple are spending big bucks to produce original series content.

Rise of Online Television

June 25, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

Online-only television packages are getting pricier to the point that they’re approaching the same fees paid for traditional cable.

Up In Flames

April 30, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

Lionsgate lobbied to become the belle of the buyout ball last year in Hollywood, but Prince Charming never arrived.

Cord Cutting Accelerates

April 16, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

There is even more bad news for pay television providers. Unlike 2017, subscribers signing up for cheaper online television bundles are starting to contract.

Buyer’s Remorse

March 20, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

Beyond maintaining AT&T’s core telecom business, the company is beset with declining DirecTV subscribers and a host of problems at Time Warner and Warner Bros.

Monopolies Win Again

March 4, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

AT&T finally won its two-year anti-trust litigation against the United States Justice Department to acquire Time Warner.