September 2021 – FilmTake

AT&T Loses Over $50 Billion on Half-Baked Content Distribution Ambitions

September 27, 2021 FilmTake Comments Off

After losing over $50 billion on a series of failed forays into content production and distribution, AT&T was forced to start selling stakes in its recently acquired media assets or risk weakening its monopolistic grip on telecom and internet delivery.

Netflix’s First Half Subscriber Growth Falls Significantly From Last Year

September 21, 2021 FilmTake Comments Off

Netflix’s subscribers have slowed sharply in the first half of this year compared to 2020 because of the popularity of Disney+ among families, the loss of popular licensed content, and other streaming competition from the major studios.

Comcast Looks to Europe to Bolster Weak Stateside Streaming Demand

September 15, 2021 FilmTake Comments Off

Comcast’s Sky will assist ViacomCBS with the launch of Paramount+ in the UK, Germany, and Italy to leverage distribution networks and content libraries to compete against the big four––Netflix, Amazon, Disney, and the contemplated WarnerMedia and Discovery combined company.

Movie Theater Attendance Roars Back to Life Despite Ongoing Restrictions

September 12, 2021 FilmTake Comments Off

Embracing this day-and-date strategy follows seismic industry shifts last year that led WarnerMedia to release all its films on HBO Max when theaters were more or less closed due to lockdowns.

The SVOD Market in Europe Has Ample Room to Expand

September 6, 2021 FilmTake Comments Off

After a slow start compared to North America, Europe embraces its streaming future. Revenues in the 28-country bloc reached €12 billion in 2020, with SVOD alone accounting for €10 billion.

AT&T’s Great Media Escape Takes Shape After DirecTV and WarnerMedia Selloffs

September 5, 2021 FilmTake Comments Off

AT&T’s decision to acquire a declining DirecTV in 2015 and a bloated WarnerMedia in 2018 were massive miscalculations. Desperate to pay down its debt, in March 2021, AT&T announced it would sell a 30% stake in DirecTV.

Streaming’s Premium Play: Why Windowing, Not Content, Holds the Key to Value

Distribution

July 6, 2025 Comments Off

Streaming First, or PayTV Forever? The Global Battle Over Film Rights

Distribution

June 28, 2025 Comments Off

Production

Will California’s $750 Million Film Incentive Revive Production or Reward Studios?

June 28, 2025 Comments Off

Distribution

Mubi Makes Its Move: Boutique Streamer Goes Global in Buying Blitz

June 21, 2025 Comments Off

Distribution

The Secret Behind Neon’s Rise and Why Its Future Still Hangs in the Balance

June 18, 2025 Comments Off

Distribution

Window Shopping: Why Holding Back Pays Off in Streaming Distribution

June 9, 2025 Comments Off

Distribution

Cannes Recalibrates: Pre-Sales Shrink, Streamers Stall, and Co-Productions Surge

June 1, 2025 Comments Off

The Broadcast Boom: Why Traditional TV Still Matters in a Streaming World

Broadcast & PayTV

February 24, 2025 Comments Off

As streaming platforms continue to dominate the conversation, traditional broadcast networks are proving their staying power by strategically aligning with digital platforms. New data confirms that network television still commands a substantial audience, with streaming partnerships extending its reach and influence.

Beyond Binge Watching: Ads, Sports, and Telecoms Are Steering Streaming Back to Cable’s Playbook

Streaming

January 11, 2025 Comments Off

The U.S. streaming market is saturated, with 96% of households subscribed to services, prompting a shift from acquisition to retention strategies. Ad-supported models are gaining traction as affordability overshadows uninterrupted viewing. Live sports and telecom partnerships are key growth areas, while brand ecosystems are vital for subscriber retention in this maturing landscape.

One Platform to Rule Them All: Aggregation Will Alter Streaming Markets in 2025

Streaming

January 7, 2025 Comments Off

Standalone SVOD services are experiencing a shift as consumers grapple with rising costs and subscription stacking. Many are turning to video aggregators, which simplify access but risk escalating prices. The market may soon consist of fewer standalone players alongside aggregators, highlighting the necessity for service bundling to reduce churn and enhance consumer convenience.

Europe’s AVOD Boom: How Ad-Tiers Will Reshape Streaming Markets in 2025

Streaming

December 29, 2024 Comments Off

Europe’s streaming market is on the verge of transformation, propelled by the rise of ad-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) platforms. Consumers increasingly favor lower-cost subscription plans featuring ads, benefiting major players like Netflix and local entities such as TF1+. However, platforms face challenges with ad relevance, viewer retention, and stringent EU regulations.

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.

FilmTake

Distribution Intelligence

Month: September 2021

AT&T Loses Over $50 Billion on Half-Baked Content Distribution Ambitions

Netflix’s First Half Subscriber Growth Falls Significantly From Last Year

Comcast Looks to Europe to Bolster Weak Stateside Streaming Demand

Movie Theater Attendance Roars Back to Life Despite Ongoing Restrictions

The SVOD Market in Europe Has Ample Room to Expand

AT&T’s Great Media Escape Takes Shape After DirecTV and WarnerMedia Selloffs