Viacom - FilmTake

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.

Will Amazon Buy ViacomCBS?

August 21, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

There is growing speculation that Amazon will acquire ViacomCBS after the post-merger dust settles.

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.

Third Time’s A Charm

June 24, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

For the third time in less than four years, CBS Corp. is yet again planning to merge with Viacom.

The Starz Farce

May 27, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

The timing of the anonymous leak that CBS was prepared to pay Lionsgate $5 billion for Starz, raises serious questions about possible market manipulation.

Back From The Brink

March 14, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

After years of internal divisions, family squabbles, lawsuits, and sexual harassment investigations, Viacom and CBS are starting to resemble real companies again.

Will Apple Buy Netflix?

February 25, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

Apple has too much cash and not enough imagination. There is growing speculation that Apple will purchase Netflix.

Netflix’s Dirty Secret

January 29, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

Netflix has 139 million paying subscribers after adding 29 million subscribers last year versus 22 million in 2017.

The China Retreat

January 15, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

Viacom has had enough of China. The New York-based company is in talks with at least one Chinese group to sell some or all of the company’s operations on the mainland.

Television Ad Sales Go Online

February 20, 2018 FilmTake Comments Off

Television advertising sales in the U.S fell 8% to $61 billion in 2017 – the biggest slump in 20 years. Sales at cable networks dropped for the first time in a decade.

Lionsgate For Sale

February 8, 2018 FilmTake Comments Off

Lionsgate lobbies to become the belle of the consolidation ball taking place in Hollywood, but will Prince Charming ever show up?

Hollywood Studios Search For New Money [Part One]

November 14, 2017 FilmTake Comments Off

A false narrative is being advanced by news outlets that the reason for multiple failed deals is China’s clampdown on foreign investment.

Broadcast & PayTV

Update: MGM is Sole Owner of Epix

April 6, 2017 FilmTake Comments Off

After a decade of digital partnerships, studios and distributors are moving towards a wholly-owned strategy.

Paramount Pictures Deal is Dead

March 21, 2017 FilmTake Comments Off

Paramount will not receive the $1 billion in slate funding from China’s Shanghai Film Group, and Hua Hua Media. A source said, the “Paramount deal is dead.”

Distribution

Paramount Pictures: How Not to Run a Studio

February 19, 2017 FilmTake Comments Off

In an unsurprising decision that many industry followers have expected, Paramount Pictures’ CEO Brad Grey is leaving the studio after 12 years.

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.