Viacom Archives » 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.

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

Production

November 19, 2024 Comments Off

From Capes to Clicks: The Fall of Superheroes and the Streaming Shakedown

Exhibition

November 16, 2024 Comments Off

Distribution

The FAST Frontier: How Free Ad-Supported Platforms Are Transforming Streaming and Cable Television

November 13, 2024 Comments Off

Distribution

Inside AFM 2024: Mixed Reviews, Cautious Buyers, and More Gains for Streamers

November 12, 2024 Comments Off

Production

AFM 2024: UK’s New Tax Credit Sparks Interest from Global Film Producers

November 7, 2024 Comments Off

Distribution

Betting Big on Genre Films: AFM’s Vegas Move Signals Shift in the Independent Film Market

November 6, 2024 Comments Off

Distribution

AFM 2024: The Films Sparking Major Interest at AFM’s First Las Vegas Edition (Part Three)

November 6, 2024 Comments Off

Distribution

AFM 2024: The Films Sparking Major Interest at AFM’s First Las Vegas Edition (Part Two)

November 5, 2024 Comments Off

Is the Max/Hulu/Disney+ Mega-Bundle Worth the Price? A Closer Look at Streaming’s Newest Offering

Streaming

October 20, 2024 Comments Off

In a move that shocked many in the entertainment industry, two of the largest legacy media companies, Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney have teamed up to offer a cross-company mega-bundle featuring Disney+, Hulu, and Max. Launched on July 25th, this bundle combines three major streaming platforms under one roof.

Chasing Netflix: How the Major Media Companies Stack Up in Subscribers, Revenue, and Challenges [Part Five]

Streaming

October 13, 2024 Comments Off

The following five-part article series looks at how the major streaming services compare in terms of financial performance, subscriber numbers, and the unique strengths and challenges each faces in the ever-evolving streaming industry, concluding with a review of wildcard streamers Prime Video, Apple TV+, and issues facing the streaming industry.

Chasing Netflix: How the Major Media Companies Stack Up in Subscribers, Revenue, and Challenges [Part Four]

Streaming

October 8, 2024 Comments Off

The following five-part article series looks at how the major streaming services compare in terms of financial performance, subscriber numbers, and the unique strengths and challenges each faces in the ever-evolving streaming industry, continuing with a review of the mid-tier streamers Paramount+ and Peacock.

Chasing Netflix: How the Major Media Companies Stack Up in Subscribers, Revenue, and Challenges [Part Three]

Streaming

October 6, 2024 Comments Off

The following five-part article series looks at how the major streaming services compare in terms of financial performance, subscriber numbers, and the unique strengths and challenges each faces in the ever-evolving streaming industry, continuing with a review of Netflix’s biggest competitors, Disney+ and Max.

Chasing Netflix: How the Major Media Companies Stack Up in Subscribers, Revenue, and Challenges [Part Two]

Streaming

October 1, 2024 Comments Off