Exhibition

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.

Production

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

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

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.

Distribution

How Amazon Releases Films

Amazon Studios has relied on traditional distribution practices to foster greater collaboration with gatekeepers in Hollywood. However, after playing second fiddle to Netflix for the better part of a decade, Amazon is changing its theatrical strategy stateside.

Production

Made-For-Streaming Movies

After years of declining production activity for Made-For-TV movies, Netflix is accelerating the rate it licenses and produces lower-budgeted movies for its streaming platform.

Streaming

Free Streaming Offers

Heavyweights Disney and Apple are offering free introductory offers to gain a head start over rivals. Select Verizon subscribers in the United States will get free access to Disney+ for a year.

Streaming

Netflix Needs Content

Although Netflix remains committed to producing original content, it is preparing to license more content from independent producers and distributors.

Production

British Content Boom

As multiple streaming services prepare for an intensifying battle over European subscribers, British-made content continues to surge. This content bonanza and bidding wars between buyers are driving up prices for shows.

Streaming

Europe’s Last Stand

Never known for adapting to changing markets, European companies are now forced to forge alliances in hopes of staying relevant after the well-timed onslaught of Netflix in Europe.

Streaming

Netflix Misses Subscriber Target Again

Netflix missed its quarterly subscriber forecast for the second consecutive quarter in a row. The company’s slowdown ahead of the introduction of several new subscription services is a troubling sign.

Streaming

Netflix Banned

Disney will ban all advertisements from Netflix across all of Disney’s entertainment platforms, including its television networks.

Distribution

Disney Fights Fire

The battle between streaming services is heating up. Amazon and Disney have been unable to reach terms regarding Amazon’s Fire TV devices.

Exhibition

Netflix at the Movies

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.