Skydance Media - FilmTake

Skydance Wins Paramount Deal as Bronfman Withdraws After Chaotic Bidding War

August 30, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Edgar Bronfman Jr., the Seagram’s liquor heir who briefly posed a half-hearted challenge to Skydance Media’s takeover of Paramount Global, has officially withdrawn from the race. Bronfman’s exit clears the path for Skydance Media.

Paramount Extends Skydance Merger Deadline as Bronfman Up Buyout Offer

August 22, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

As Wednesday’s deadline loomed, the already complex battle for control of Paramount Global took another twist. The investor group led by Bronfman made a desperate move to stay in the game by increasing its bid for National Amusements to $6 billion.

Deal Deadline Ends Today: Inside the Battle for Control of Paramount Global

August 20, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Amid today’s deadline, the competition to acquire Paramount Global has taken a dramatic turn with the emergence of a new contender. Edgar Bronfman Jr., the heir to Seagram’s liquor, has submitted a $4.3 billion bid to acquire Paramount, directly challenging Skydance’s $8 billion bid.

Paramount’s Financial Turmoil: Soaring Losses, Layoffs, and Massive Impairment Charge

August 17, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Amid a looming deadline to sell the once-storied studio, Paramount Global reported a staggering net loss of $5.4 billion in Q2 2024, primarily driven by a $5.98 billion impairment charge, a dramatic deterioration from the previous year.

Paramount’s Troubled Waters: A Tale of Failed Mergers, Mismanagement, and Dubious Deals

August 4, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Recent weeks have seen Paramount Global navigate turbulent waters, with its shares plunging and its credibility questioned. The highly publicized failed merger and acquisition bid from Apex Capital Trust has placed the company under intense scrutiny.

Paramount-Skydance Merger Collapses: Inside the Failed Negotiations

June 11, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Skydance’s merger talks with Paramount collapsed in epic fashion on Tuesday after Paramount’s controlling shareholder canceled the deal, ending an attempt to turn around the troubled studio. The deal fell through just as it was about to be finalized.

Update: Skydance Media Acquisition of Paramount Diminished After Disjointed Annual Meeting

June 5, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

At their annual meeting on Tuesday, Paramount executives unveiled a plan to reduce costs and seek a partner for their streaming service. As a result, shares dropped nearly 5% as prospects for a merger with Skydance Media diminished.

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

April 17, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Paramount Global and Comcast have engaged in discussions to explore collaborating, including potentially merging their respective streaming services – Paramount+ and Peacock. However, it’s becoming clear that Paramount Global and its disastrous leadership team want to cash out.

The Media Conundrum: A Complex Interplay of Consolidation, Mergers, and Streaming Misfortunes

January 23, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Unstoppable declines in linear television subscribers coupled with challenges in achieving profits in freshly minted streaming services have led most media companies on the road to consolidation. Over the next 12 months, Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery, and NBCUniversal will likely be impacted by consolidation.

Splitting the Difference: Why Warner Bros. and Comcast Are Carving Up Their Empires

Broadcast & PayTV

December 17, 2024 Comments Off

SVOD Trends in 2025: International Variability, Advertising, and Pricing Adjustments

Streaming

December 15, 2024 Comments Off

Streaming

Retention Over Acquisition: How UK and US Streamers Adapt to Market Saturation

December 10, 2024 Comments Off

Streaming

Super-Bundles and Churn Reduction: Disney’s Vision for Streaming Dominance

December 8, 2024 Comments Off

Streaming

Challenging Amazon: Walmart’s Vision for the Future of Subscription Streaming

December 1, 2024 Comments Off

Distribution

Slow-Motion Collapse: How Nostalgia, Streaming, and Short-Sightedness Undermined Hollywood’s Future

November 26, 2024 Comments Off

Streaming

Subscriptions to Free Streaming: The Platforms and Formats Redefining Entertainment

November 24, 2024 Comments Off

Production

Production is Fleeing Los Angeles: How Poor Policies Push Producers Away

November 19, 2024 Comments Off

Splitting the Difference: Why Warner Bros. and Comcast Are Carving Up Their Empires

Broadcast & PayTV

December 17, 2024 Comments Off

Warner Bros. Discovery and Comcast are restructuring to separate their declining linear TV networks from streaming divisions, signaling the end of linear television’s dominance. This strategy, framed as a means to enhance value, highlights the sector’s collapse as advertisers and viewers shift to digital platforms. Mergers or sell-offs are imminent.

SVOD Trends in 2025: International Variability, Advertising, and Pricing Adjustments

Streaming

December 15, 2024 Comments Off

Content and pricing strategies are shifting as platforms focus on retaining subscribers with live sports and bundled services. Sports rights, such as those for the Champions League and NFL, have driven substantial growth for Paramount+ and Peacock—Prime Video benefits from integrating most major streaming services into one platform.

Retention Over Acquisition: How UK and US Streamers Adapt to Market Saturation

Streaming

December 10, 2024 Comments Off

As global streaming markets mature, platforms are shifting focus from acquisition to retention amid near-saturation in regions like the U.S. Strategies include ad-supported tiers and content diversification. While platforms strive to meet changing demands, competition is intensifying, particularly in the ad-supported landscape, emphasizing the need for innovation and strategic partnerships for sustained growth.

Super-Bundles and Churn Reduction: Disney’s Vision for Streaming Dominance

Streaming

December 8, 2024 Comments Off

Disney’s super-bundling of Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ forms a key part of its streaming strategy amidst rising subscription costs that echo traditional cable models. The $30 mega-bundle with Max aims to reduce churn and simplify streaming but raises concerns over overwhelming choices and competitive pricing, challenging Disney to attract new subscribers effectively.

Challenging Amazon: Walmart’s Vision for the Future of Subscription Streaming

Streaming

December 1, 2024 Comments Off

Walmart is enhancing its streaming presence through the $2.3 billion acquisition of Vizio, aiming to compete with Amazon. By integrating Vizio’s technology into its retail ecosystem and leveraging its advertising capabilities, Walmart seeks to grow its streaming subscriptions and capitalize on the decline of traditional TV, creating a comprehensive media platform.