Film distribution and production disruptions caused by government lockdowns have accelerated many changes that were well underway in the market for years. Large programming gaps for films are emerging for traditional television networks and OTT platforms to fill.
There is a mad rush by the most significant content creators, especially streaming services, to utilize the production infrastructure in England as a base of European operations.
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.
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.
Lionsgate is said to be in talks to split its film and television production business from its recently acquired premium-channel Starz into separate companies.
In the first three months since becoming the new owner of Fox, Disney has publicly complained about Fox’s weak performance and believes there is more trouble on the horizon.
Netflix is banking on a slate of big budget films to attract new subscribers. The streamer is spending over $550 million to make just three big budget films.
Netflix expanded its global footprint with a ten-year lease at the U.K’s Shepperton Studios. The lease grants Netflix exclusive access to a majority of Shepperton including 14 sound stages.
The timing of the anonymous leak that CBS was prepared to pay Lionsgate $5 billion for Starz, raises serious questions about possible market manipulation.
In recent years, 13 states have ended their film incentive programs. This retreat marks a larger trend of states re-evaluating and reducing film incentive programs.