Merger In Name Only
CBS and Viacom have reunited as one company after two failed attempts since 2016. The new company will be named ViacomCBS.
Paramount
Third Time’s A Charm
For the third time in less than four years, CBS Corp. is yet again planning to merge with Viacom.
Downfall of European Distribution
The European Commission’s Digital Single Market strategy will destroy Europe’s independent film and television market in favor of global technology companies.
The China Retreat
Viacom has had enough of China. The New York-based company is in talks with at least one Chinese group to sell some or all of the company’s operations on the mainland.
Lionsgate For Sale
Lionsgate lobbies to become the belle of the consolidation ball taking place in Hollywood, but will Prince Charming ever show up?
Studio Netflix
Netflix plans to release 80 films in 2018; nearly as many as all six major studios combined.
Point of No Return for North America’s Box Office
In 2017, North American theatrical admissions fell to 1992 levels. Admissions in the U.S and Canada dropped 6% to 1.23 billion tickets sold.
Hollywood Studios Search For New Money [Part One]
A false narrative is being advanced by news outlets that the reason for multiple failed deals is China’s clampdown on foreign investment.
Hollywood Financing is Broke [Part One]
Sony Pictures’ co-financing partner, LStar Capital, informed the studio at the last minute that they would no longer invest in Sony’s slate.
Paramount’s China Lifeline is Gone [Update]
If reports from China are to be believed (clearly they cannot), a company with $19 million in revenue was going to finance $1 billion of Paramount’s slate.