HBO Max Archives » 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.

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 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.

End of AMC Theatres?

December 3, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off

The world’s largest theater chain faces imminent bankruptcy if shareholders fail to purchase 200 million new shares being offered by the company.

Too Big To Fail

September 8, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off

AT&T is desperate to sell some or all of DirecTV to pay down its $180 billion mountain of debt. According to inside sources, the satellite service is being offered at a $20 billion valuation, marking a $29 billion loss since 2015.

Shutdown Accelerates Streaming Takeover

April 13, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off

As the coronavirus and subsequent global shutdown forces film and television production into an unprecedented standstill, streaming services are accelerating their takeover.

The Paradox of Choice

March 8, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off

The major studios sabotaged the dream of a la carte programming and are now attempting to transform streaming into cable television via an ethernet connection instead of coaxial.

Yet Another AT&T Video Service

March 4, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off

AT&T released its answer to subscriber losses with an all-new set-top service called AT&T TV, not to be confused with a plethora of other options. The basic package includes 100 channels.

AVOD Market Heats Up

February 25, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off

Several media companies are holding discussions to acquire advertising-supported video streaming services. Fox Corp is in talks with Tubi, and NBCUniversal is considering Vudu.

Cord-Cutting Gains Momentum

February 11, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off

In the fourth quarter, two million US subscribers cut the cord on traditional television packages from AT&T, Comcast, Charter, and Verizon, up from 1.7 million in the third quarter.

UPDATED: Sundance Heats Up

January 28, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off

After a slow start to the 35th annual Sundance Film Festival, the weekend produced a handful of sizable deals, including from Amazon Studios, Searchlight Pictures, and Lionsgate.

Sundance Slumps

January 26, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off

Deal activity is muted so far at this year’s festival despite claims that producers and sales agents were withholding their best films at TIFF in September to introduce at Sundance.

Netflix Results Are In

January 22, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off

Netflix missed its subscriber forecast in the US and Canada. Despite that, the streamer beat its overseas estimate of 7 million by adding 8.33 million.

Netflix Claims Originals Win Out

January 1, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off

Netflix continues to publicize unsubstantiated claims that its original films and shows outperform third-party content contrary to all independent research.

Free Streaming Offers

November 12, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

Heavyweights Disney and Apple are offering free introductory offers to gain a head start over rivals. Select Verizon subscribers in the United States will get free access to Disney+ for a year.

Netflix Needs Content

November 7, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

Although Netflix remains committed to producing original content, it is preparing to license more content from independent producers and distributors.