Global Streaming Showdown Between Netflix and Amazon
Amazon’s Prime service is now available in over 200 nations. Earlier in 2016 Netflix became available in every country sans China, Crimea, N. Korea & Syria.
Latest
France’s Vivendi Denies Merger Talks with Orange
Orange CEO Stephane Richard, said the company would consider bidding for Canal Plus if it came up for sale, but denied merger talks with Vivendi.
Will the European Commission Destroy Film Markets?
Is the European Commission’s Digital Single Market strategy destroying Europe’s independent film business in favor US-based technology firms?
Lionsgate Inks Long-Term Digital Licensing with iQiyi
Lionsgate entered into a long-term content licensing agreement with iQiyi in November 2016 for upcoming features and select library films.
China’s iQiyi and Sony Sign Coproduction Agreement
iQiyi, a Chinese online video site owned by Baidu, announced in December that the company is coproducing a three-part local-language series with Sony.
Update: Cable Companies Quash Set-Top Box Rental Reforms
Minutes before a planned vote to allow third parties to develop apps or devices for cable set-top boxes, the FCC removed the vote indefinitely.
Mobile Streaming Market Heats Up
When AT&T acquired DirecTV for $48.5 billion, they had big plans for mobile streaming. The FCC thinks DirecTV Now service “may obstruct competition and…”
Amazon Prime Global Expansion: Netflix Killer?
Amazon takes aim at Netflix, the market leader in streaming video. Amazon is following Netflix’s lead by expanding their Prime service globally in 2017.
Unofficially Relaxing Film Quotas in China
The unofficial expansion of the Chinese film quota system is taking place right now. So far in 2016 over 40 revenue-sharing films have screened.
Buying Spree Continues with Voltage Pictures
Xinke New Materials is acquiring an 80% stake in Nicolas Chartier’s Voltage Pictures. The acquisition amount will range between $345 and $518M.