Sony Pictures Archives

Skydance Wins Paramount Deal as Bronfman Withdraws After Chaotic Bidding War

August 30, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Edgar Bronfman Jr., the Seagram’s liquor heir who briefly posed a half-hearted challenge to Skydance Media’s takeover of Paramount Global, has officially withdrawn from the race. Bronfman’s exit clears the path for Skydance Media.

The Ad-Supported Gamble: How Netflix’s Missing Titles Affect Its Value Perception

August 27, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

At the launch of the ad-supported tier, 326 titles—about 5% of Netflix’s U.S. library—were missing due to unresolved licensing agreements. This gap includes around 60 Netflix Originals and 266 licensed titles, accounting for 11% of U.S. demand.

Paramount Extends Skydance Merger Deadline as Bronfman Up Buyout Offer

August 22, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

As Wednesday’s deadline loomed, the already complex battle for control of Paramount Global took another twist. The investor group led by Bronfman made a desperate move to stay in the game by increasing its bid for National Amusements to $6 billion.

Deal Deadline Ends Today: Inside the Battle for Control of Paramount Global

August 20, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Amid today’s deadline, the competition to acquire Paramount Global has taken a dramatic turn with the emergence of a new contender. Edgar Bronfman Jr., the heir to Seagram’s liquor, has submitted a $4.3 billion bid to acquire Paramount, directly challenging Skydance’s $8 billion bid.

Paramount’s Financial Turmoil: Soaring Losses, Layoffs, and Massive Impairment Charge

August 17, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Amid a looming deadline to sell the once-storied studio, Paramount Global reported a staggering net loss of $5.4 billion in Q2 2024, primarily driven by a $5.98 billion impairment charge, a dramatic deterioration from the previous year.

Paramount’s Troubled Waters: A Tale of Failed Mergers, Mismanagement, and Dubious Deals

August 4, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Recent weeks have seen Paramount Global navigate turbulent waters, with its shares plunging and its credibility questioned. The highly publicized failed merger and acquisition bid from Apex Capital Trust has placed the company under intense scrutiny.

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.

Paramount-Skydance Merger Collapses: Inside the Failed Negotiations

June 11, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

Skydance’s merger talks with Paramount collapsed in epic fashion on Tuesday after Paramount’s controlling shareholder canceled the deal, ending an attempt to turn around the troubled studio. The deal fell through just as it was about to be finalized.

Hollywood’s Summer Slump: Sequel Saturation and Box Office Blues

June 11, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

So far, 2024 has seen a dramatic decline in theatrical revenue, exacerbated by the absence of major releases due to delays associated with industry strikes. Box office numbers have suffered significantly, with fewer original films to draw audiences back to theaters.

Update: Skydance Media Acquisition of Paramount Diminished After Disjointed Annual Meeting

June 5, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

At their annual meeting on Tuesday, Paramount executives unveiled a plan to reduce costs and seek a partner for their streaming service. As a result, shares dropped nearly 5% as prospects for a merger with Skydance Media diminished.

From Blockbusters to Bust: Why the Film Industry is Fading Fast

June 4, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

The film industry is transforming with declining revenues, reducing film output, and a shift in consumer preferences. Major studios are consolidating and struggling, while television emerges as a dominant medium. Theaters face over-leveraging challenges. Streaming services haven’t compensated for theatrical declines.

Cracking the Code: Inside the Intricate World of Content Licensing Deals and Slate Programming

April 9, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

As streaming platforms vie to capture marketshare in a view-from-home environment, the recent deal between A24 and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) brings A24’s eclectic catalog exclusively to HBO and Max after their theatrical runs illustrating the need for studios to look elsewhere for interesting films.

Distributors Retreat to Syndication to Avoid Financial Streaming Iceberg

March 6, 2024 FilmTake Comments Off

The prodigious investments required by major media companies to launch new streaming services while simultaneously pulling valuable content from dozens of global distributors have impacted all key players, resulting in substantial declines in market value over the past two years.

Deciphering Content Licensing in an Evolving Streaming Ecosystem

December 27, 2023 FilmTake Comments Off

The world of streaming filmed entertainment is experiencing a significant transformation. This evolution is marked by strategic transitions in content licensing, changes in audience metrics, and the emergence of new alliances among industry heavyweights such as Netflix, Disney, and Warner Bros.

Starz Lost Access to Pay-One Rights for Major Studio Films

September 5, 2023 FilmTake Comments Off

Starz’s access to third-party content was severely diminished when it lost Pay-One rights to films released by Sony Pictures after Netflix swopped in last year. Starz only has Pay-One rights to films released by its sibling company, Lionsgate, which HBO and FX previously held.