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Streaming

Netflix Wins Over France

February 12, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on Netflix Wins Over France

Streaming giant Netflix officially opened its latest non-US office in Paris last month, signaling a deeper commitment to Europe. Netflix now has four offices in Europe.

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.

Streaming

Disney Aims At Netflix

February 6, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off on Disney Aims At Netflix

Disney+ nearly triples its subscriber base since launching in November. Through January, the streaming service has 28.6 million subscribers, up from 10 million weeks after it debuted.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Distribution

How Amazon Releases Films

November 20, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off on 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.