Distribution Archives

Content Spending Slumps in the Post-Peak Television Era

July 19, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

After reaching unprecedented heights, the film and television market is now charting a more cautious path in the post-peak television era. Several recent forecasts shed light on the slowdown in television content spending, emphasizing the shift in priorities and austerity for major media companies.

Screens to Streams: The Evolution of Film Release Windows in Europe (Part Two)

July 7, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Europe’s film sector has relied on territoriality and rigid release windows to maximize the economic potential of films. Part Two explores the EU’s capitulation to the major studios, the post-lockdown theatrical landscape, and public support rules to preserve traditional release windows.

Screens to Streams: The Evolution of Film Release Windows in Europe (Part One)

July 1, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Europe’s film sector has long relied on the principles of territoriality and rigid release windows to maximize the economic potential of films. However, the unprecedented lockdowns during 2020 and 2021 have significantly disrupted these traditional models, which were already in flux.

Distributors are Realigning Traditional Pay-1 Window Strategies for Maximum Impact

June 24, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Distributors are realigning the traditional Pay-1 window with new strategies to maximize their reach and impact. However, this strategic realignment on diverse content sources has challenges. The complexities can create significant gaps in streaming libraries.

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.

From Blockbusters to Bust: Why the Film Industry is Fading Fast

June 4, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

The film industry is transforming with declining revenues, reducing film output, and a shift in consumer preferences. Major studios are consolidating and struggling, while television emerges as a dominant medium. Theaters face over-leveraging challenges. Streaming services haven’t compensated for theatrical declines.

Inside Cannes 2024: Adapting to Struggles and Shifts in the Independent Film Market

May 26, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

At this year’s Cannes, there’s a mix of optimism and weariness. High asking prices and low theatrical demand are notable. Streamers like Apple and Netflix lead significant acquisitions, sidelining traditional distributors. The market remains cautious, focusing on star-driven projects and strategic financial planning.

The Struggle to Shine: Steering Through the Post-Theatrical Era

May 21, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

The independent market is at a crossroads. Traditional strategies are no longer effective, and the task of bringing audiences back to cinemas remains daunting. Insiders are actively pursuing solutions to these seemingly insurmountable challenges. Despite these obstacles, some believe the film industry is on the verge of recovery.

Cannes Conundrum: Navigating the New Realities of the Independent Film Market

May 21, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

A significant concern voiced since the start of Cannes is the noticeable absence of US theatrical deals. This void has a cascading effect on international distribution. Films without a US distributor face deteriorating values over time, making it increasingly challenging to recoup production budgets.

Revealing the Financial Deals Behind Top Market Films at Major Festivals

May 16, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Integrating independent films into mainstream platforms like Hulu and Max signifies a broader shift towards looking outside the studio system for films to attract and retain subscribers. The recent deal between A24 and Warner Bros. underscores the escalating competition in the streaming space.

Market Outlook Positive: Buyers Enthused by Film Offerings and Presale Packages

May 15, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Despite the challenges at AFM, TIFF, and EFM in restoring pre-lockdown attendance levels, Cannes has flourished, showing consistent growth and culminating in its largest market in years. Following the first day of Cannes, the atmosphere remains upbeat as sales agents and producers indicate strong interest from international buyers.

Cannes Cheat Sheet: What Films are Screening, Who’s Representing Distribution Rights, and Territories Taken

May 14, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

After years of declining demand for independent films, producers, sales agencies, and distributors report a significant pre-sales market resurgence heading into Cannes. Download Your Free Cannes Film Festival Cheat Sheet Below with Titles, Directors, Sales Representatives, Deals Signed, Links to IMDbPro, and More.

All Eyes on Cannes After Strong Sales at EFM and Sundance

May 9, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Given the number and quality of projects at Sundance and EFM Berlin, there is a feeling of cautious optimism going into Cannes next week. This year’s Cannes will launch a new Cannes Remakes initiative focusing on remaking European films, with a focus on France, Italy, and Spain.

Cracking the Code: Inside the Intricate World of Content Licensing Deals and Slate Programming

April 9, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

As streaming platforms vie to capture marketshare in a view-from-home environment, the recent deal between A24 and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) brings A24’s eclectic catalog exclusively to HBO and Max after their theatrical runs illustrating the need for studios to look elsewhere for interesting films.

Netflix Will Spend More on International Markets Than Stateside for the First Time

March 18, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Netflix is projected to spend more than half its annual content allocation on titles produced outside of Canada and the United States. This year, Netflix will spend $8 billion of its $15.5 billion allocation on international content, a first for the streaming giant.

Distributors Retreat to Syndication to Avoid Financial Streaming Iceberg

March 6, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

The prodigious investments required by major media companies to launch new streaming services while simultaneously pulling valuable content from dozens of global distributors have impacted all key players, resulting in substantial declines in market value over the past two years.

Netflix’s Licensing Surge: Resuming Role as Hollywood’s Content Aggregator

February 13, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

With the most significant content distributors reversing their plans to make content exclusive on their in-house platforms and Netflix originals falling flat, Netflix will again lead the way in third-party licensing and once again become Hollywood’s aggregator.

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.