Sky – FilmTake

Streaming First, or PayTV Forever? The Global Battle Over Film Rights

June 28, 2025 FilmTake Comments Off

As film distributors continue to vertically integrate their pipelines, Pay-1 streaming windows remain one of the most contested and misunderstood phases of film monetization.

One Platform to Rule Them All: Aggregation Will Alter Streaming Markets in 2025

January 7, 2025 FilmTake Comments Off

Standalone SVOD services are experiencing a shift as consumers grapple with rising costs and subscription stacking. Many are turning to video aggregators, which simplify access but risk escalating prices. The market may soon consist of fewer standalone players alongside aggregators, highlighting the necessity for service bundling to reduce churn and enhance consumer convenience.

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.

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.

Production Battle of Britain

January 15, 2020 FilmTake Comments Off

There is a mad rush by the most significant content creators, especially streaming services, to utilize the production infrastructure in England as a base of European operations.

Netflix Takes Europe

December 31, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

To gain a global content edge, Netflix has set into motion a EU production boom with plans to produce over 225 films and shows in Europe. Netflix currently controls 53% of the SVOD market in Europe.

British Content Boom

October 29, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

As multiple streaming services prepare for an intensifying battle over European subscribers, British-made content continues to surge. This content bonanza and bidding wars between buyers are driving up prices for shows.

Netflix Overtakes Sky

June 18, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

Sky’s new owners, Comcast, will more than double its investment in European original programming for the new venture – Sky Studios.

AT&T Mistimes Market

June 2, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

AT&T’s decision to acquire a declining DirecTV and a sputtering Time Warner is materializing into a massive miscalculation.

Netflix Wins Again

May 30, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

Netflix surpassed Sky in the UK in terms of subscribers for the first time in 2019. The victory makes Netflix the most widely subscribed to media platform in the U.K.

Downfall of European Distribution

April 7, 2019 FilmTake Comments Off

The European Commission’s Digital Single Market strategy will destroy Europe’s independent film and television market in favor of global technology companies.

Netflix Conquers Europe

December 19, 2018 FilmTake Comments Off

Netflix gauged the climate in Europe perfectly, first by increasing funding to produce more local content, and by forging licensing deals with local content partners.

Content Markets Reach Consolidation Fever Pitch

December 11, 2018 FilmTake Comments Off

As media markets reach a consolidation fever pitch, three companies will emerge controlling nearly all content creation and distribution in the United States.

Netflix in Europe: UK

August 1, 2018 FilmTake Comments Off

Netflix is the most popular SVOD service in the UK, with an estimated 9.2 million subscribers, which for the first time is more than PayTV subs.

Netflix’s European Strategy

March 4, 2018 FilmTake Comments Off

Sky, Europe’s largest pay television provider announced a partnership to carry Netflix content on its direct satellite network and OTT platforms.

UPDATE: Disney Buys Fox Film and TV

December 14, 2017 FilmTake Comments Off

Walt Disney Co’s deal to buy film, television and international businesses from Murdoch’s Twenty-First Century Fox is valued around $40 per share, or $75B.

Comcast and Verizon Join Disney in Bid for Fox Assets

November 16, 2017 FilmTake Comments Off

Comcast drops its bid to acquire Twenty-First Century Fox. Disney will likely purchase Fox’s film and television assets before 2017 is over.

Distribution

Disney Attempts to Buy Fox Film and TV Assets

November 6, 2017 FilmTake Comments Off

Walt Disney Co has been in talks for the last couple weeks to buy film and television assets from conglomerate Twenty-First Century Fox.

Television Takes Over the Internet

January 31, 2017 FilmTake Comments Off

Only days apart, the UK’s largest satellite broadcaster, Sky, and the US’s biggest cable company, Comcast, announced plans to expand their services online.