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.

Are Hybrid Content Markets Here to Stay?

March 30, 2021 FilmTake Comments Off

Opinions are mixed about whether film and television markets should return to their pre-lockdown physical format or retain some online elements and transition to a hybrid model.

Streamers Gain More Ground

March 17, 2021 FilmTake Comments Off

Many sales agents are now positioning as wholesalers and content placement agents for streaming platforms—particularly in Europe, where there are over 450 video streaming services.

Virtual EFM Bolsters Film Market

March 13, 2021 FilmTake Comments Off

Despite muted expectations by sellers, buyers, and producers heading into the virtual European Film Market on March 1, most reported a successful and busy market.

EFM: Open For Business

March 1, 2021 FilmTake Comments Off

Theatrical buyers, streaming services, and networks are all taking a fresh look at independent films as they struggle to fill programming gaps and meet the growing demand for filmed entertainment.

The Current State of Film

February 15, 2021 FilmTake Comments Off

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.

Streaming Hopping

February 8, 2021 FilmTake Comments Off

At the start of 2020, consumers in the United States subscribed to an average of three paid streaming services, but after months of government-mandated lockdowns, the number has increased to five.

The Future Will Have Ads

February 3, 2021 FilmTake Comments Off

In a recent survey of over 5,000 active online subscribers in the United States and Canada, 81% of respondents wished that paid streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video offered a free, ad-supported option.

Best Year Yet

January 24, 2021 FilmTake Comments Off

In 2020, Netflix gained 37 million subscribers worldwide, breaking its 2018 record of 28 million new additions. Currently, Netflix has 204 million active subscribers.

The Future of Film Markets

January 17, 2021 FilmTake Comments Off

Many uncertainties surround the format and nature of film markets in 2021, including the crown jewel – Cannes. All significant markets scheduled in the first quarter will be virtual.

The Lasting Effects

January 12, 2021 FilmTake Comments Off

As a result of diminishing content availability precipitated by production delays and cancellations, there will be large programming gaps for traditional television networks and OTT platforms to fill over the next two years.

Netflix Subscriber Plateau

January 6, 2021 FilmTake Comments Off

Forced stay-at-home orders propelled Netflix’s fastest subscriber additions in its twenty-three history. The streaming leader added 26 million subscribers in the first half of 2020, making it one of the biggest lockdown economy winners.