HBO Max

Distribution

Paramount’s Bold Bid for Warner: What a $60 Billion Merger Means for Hollywood

October 16, 2025 FilmTake Comments Off on Paramount’s Bold Bid for Warner: What a $60 Billion Merger Means for Hollywood

Skydance, backed by the Ellison family, has just acquired Paramount, and is now eyeing Warner Bros. Discovery for its next takeover. If consummated, the merger would unite some of the most valuable entertainment assets under one roof—streaming platforms, TV networks, movie studios, and sports rights. The combined company would immediately rival Disney and Netflix in scale.

Streaming

Who’s Thriving and Who’s Struggling: Annual Streaming Scorecard Part Five

April 24, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off on Who’s Thriving and Who’s Struggling: Annual Streaming Scorecard Part Five

It’s difficult to overstate the disastrous few years Warner Bros. has experienced under inept leadership. Boosting one of the most desirable film and television catalogs, the company has stumbled over every vital decision since 2020. WBD’s financials reflect the industry’s broader issues.

Broadcast & PayTV

The Lasting Effects

January 12, 2021 FilmTake Comments Off on The Lasting Effects

As a result of diminishing content availability precipitated by production delays and cancellations, there will be large programming gaps for traditional television networks and OTT platforms to fill over the next two years.

Exhibition

End of AMC Theatres?

December 3, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on End of AMC Theatres?

The world’s largest theater chain faces imminent bankruptcy if shareholders fail to purchase 200 million new shares being offered by the company.

Broadcast & PayTV

Too Big To Fail

September 8, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on Too Big To Fail

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.

Streaming

The Paradox of Choice

March 8, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on The Paradox of Choice

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.

Streaming

Yet Another AT&T Video Service

March 4, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on Yet Another AT&T Video Service

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.

Streaming

AVOD Market Heats Up

February 25, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on AVOD Market Heats Up

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.

Broadcast & PayTV

Cord-Cutting Gains Momentum

February 11, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on Cord-Cutting Gains Momentum

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.

Distribution

UPDATED: Sundance Heats Up

January 28, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on UPDATED: Sundance Heats Up

After a slow start to the 35th annual Sundance Film Festival, the weekend produced a handful of sizable deals, including from Amazon Studios, Searchlight Pictures, and Lionsgate.

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.