Disney (and others) at the Box Office - Current State of Affairs

[Disney Irish]

And who said Paramount doesn't make quality films

Two Different ‘G.I. Joe’ Movies In Early Works At Paramount Between Danny McBride & Max Landis

Two Different 'G.I. Joe' Movies In Early Works At Paramount Between Danny McBride & Max Landis

deadline.com

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

They still go that Potter show going, so there is one thing...

Does this affect the Harry Potter plans for Netflix?

I’m a gigantic HP fan and have been on the fence about this series based on some of the “faithful too but not a retelling of the book” statements made by the people attached to the project, as someone who loves the books I’d be perfectly content with a pure retelling exactly as written but am also curious to see what they come up with.

I’d say I’m cautiously optimistic (to fearful) based on many of my favorite stories being destroyed over the past couple years of remakes.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

That is only $1.2B more than what Netflix proposed.

Which was also insane to me, these companies treat $5-10 billion like it’s pocket change.

 

[Disney Irish]

Does this affect the Harry Potter plans for Netflix?

I’m a gigantic HP fan and have been on the fence about this series based on some of the “faithful too but not a retelling of the book” statements made by the people attached to the project, as someone who loves the books I’d be perfectly content with a pure retelling exactly as written but am also curious to see what they come up with.

I’d say I’m cautiously optimistic (to fearful) based on many of my favorite stories being destroyed over the past couple years of remakes.

If it is moving forward it just won't be on Netflix, it'll now be on HBO or Paramount+ (or whatever combined service they come up with).

 

[Disney Irish]

Which was also insane to me, these companies treat $5-10 billion like it’s pocket change.

When you're making potentially 10s of Billions in revenue a quarter, yeah it becomes more like pocket change.

 

[CoastalElite64]

 

[Disney Irish]

Yes they're worried about layoffs, there was no guarantee Netflix would have kept everyone either, just an assumption because there was less overlap.

Only time will tell how many will lose their jobs.

 

[Disney Irish]

"Paramount said the merged company is committed to producing a minimum of 30 theatrical films annually — 15 per studio per year. It promised film will receive a full theatrical release, with a minimum 45-day window globally and the current industry standard home video window prior to availability on subscription streaming services. Doubts around Netflix’s ultimate commitment to theatrical and intermediate windows was a major concern fo exhibitors and many in the Hollywood community."

Massive Merger Confirmed: Paramount And WBD Reveal Details Of $110 Billion Deal

It’s official. Warner Bros. Discovery is selling itself to Paramount for $31 a share in cash. The companies unveiled their formal agreement on Friday.

deadline.com

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Devious!

Yes they're worried about layoffs, there was no guarantee Netflix would have kept everyone either, just an assumption because there was less overlap.

Only time will tell how many will lose their jobs.

That’s not all they’re worried about. Anderson Cooper just quit CBS/Paramount. I guess he has to quit again.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Movie Theaters to Keep Lobbying Against Warner Bros. Deal, Now Targeting Paramount

Trade org Cinema United will ask Capitol Hill lawmakers, the Justice Department and states to stop further consolidation of the contracting movie industry by blocking David Ellison's bold bid.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

David Ellison Wins. It Doesn’t Yet Make Him a Winner.

Defying the odds with money isn't nearly as difficult as defying the odds with movies.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

Paramount Stock Spikes on Warner Bros. Takeover as Wall Street Games Out Scenarios

"Sky Dancers or 'Well Diggers'?" wonders one Wall Street analyst as financial experts weigh in on the good, the bad, and the ugly of a Hollywood megadeal. Cue the melting ice cube metaphor!

www.hollywoodreporter.com

Is Paramount’s Debt-Laden WBD Takeover Another Ill-Starred Hollywood Sequel?

Paramount's deal to take over Warner Bros Discovery has many echoes of the 2022 WarnerMedia-Discovery merger, especially the deals' massive debt.

deadline.com

Netflix Banks A Quick $2.8 Billion As Paramount Pays WBD Termination Fee; Streamer’s Shares Rise Another 14%

Things in media M&A land continue to move fast with Netflix revealing that it is $2.8 billion richer after receiving the funds from Paramount.

deadline.com

Paramount’s Warner Win: International Leaders Say Takeover Could Be Horror Movie For Job Cuts & Ponder What’s In It For Middle East

From job cuts to soft power, international industry leaders are having their say on the seismic deal.

deadline.com

Netflix Walks With A Cool $2.8 Billion Breakup Fee: Who Gets What In New Paramount-WBD Merger Proposal

Netflix will walks away with a hefty $2.8 billion breakup fee as Warner Bros. Discovery shifts to Paramount and M&A drama accelerates.

deadline.com

David Zaslav Tries To Sell Paramount Deal To Shocked & Disappointed Employees At Town Hall: “We’re The Envy Of All Of The Industry”

David Zaslav tries to sell Paramount deal to shocked and disappointed employees at town hall: "We're the envy of all of the industry"

deadline.com

 

[Disney Irish]

Devious!



That’s not all they’re worried about. Anderson Cooper just quit CBS/Paramount. I guess he has to quit again.

That is what the ones in the posted tweet were worried about.

As for Anderson, it remains to be seen if him leaving CBS was really about minimizing his split time between two companies and spending more time with family, or something else which I won't get into here. If he remains with CNN we know it was the former and not the latter.

 

[_caleb]

"Paramount said the merged company is committed to producing a minimum of 30 theatrical films annually — 15 per studio per year. It promised film will receive a full theatrical release, with a minimum 45-day window globally and the current industry standard home video window prior to availability on subscription streaming services. Doubts around Netflix’s ultimate commitment to theatrical and intermediate windows was a major concern fo exhibitors and many in the Hollywood community."

Massive Merger Confirmed: Paramount And WBD Reveal Details Of $110 Billion Deal

It’s official. Warner Bros. Discovery is selling itself to Paramount for $31 a share in cash. The companies unveiled their formal agreement on Friday.

deadline.com

Locking in 45-day theatrical windows seems like a bad idea.

 

[Disney Irish]

Locking in 45-day theatrical windows seems like a bad idea.

First its not locking in 45 days, its that is what they have committed as their minimum theater window, many movies could go longer than that.

Also not sure why that would be bad, this is what theater owners want as a minimum from all studios.

 

[_caleb]

First its not locking in 45 days, its that is what they have committed as their minimum theater window, many movies could go longer than that.

Also not sure why that would be bad, this is what theater owners want as a minimum from all studios.

By "locking," I just mean "promising." I know this is what theater owners want.

But I think Netflix made a strong case that the inflexiblity of the traditional theatrical release model is hurting, and not helping Hollywood.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Also, the distributor can only make it *available* in a 45 day (at least) window.

They can't make the exhibitor (the theaters) keep a movie running for 45 days. Especially if you got a bomb to which no one is showing up to on the second week. The exhibitor will kick it out.

Also, deep into holiday-release schedules, exhibitors with just a few screens aren't going to carry all movies available.

So, we'll still see some movies yanked before 45 days (thanks to exhibitors) and some stay longer than 45 days if doing so would be profitable for exhibitor and distributor.

 

[Disney Irish]

By "locking," I just mean "promising." I know this is what theater owners want.

But I think Netflix made a strong case that the inflexiblity of the traditional theatrical release model is hurting, and not helping Hollywood.

Except if you believed what Teddy was saying with regards to Netflix acquiring WB he found the light and saw that the 45 day window was perfect for WB movies and why they would maintain it.

So either he was lying and you believe his original thoughts that theatrical is outdated, or he was telling the truth and was incorrect on his original statements.

 

[_caleb]

Also, the distributor can only make it *available* in a 45 day (at least) window.

They can't make the exhibitor (the theaters) keep a movie running for 45 days. Especially if you got a bomb to which no one is showing up to on the second week. The exhibitor will kick it out.

Also, deep into holiday-release schedules, exhibitors with just a few screens aren't going to carry all movies available.

So, we'll still see some movies yanked before 45 days (thanks to exhibitors) and some stay longer than 45 days if doing so would be profitable for exhibitor and distributor.

I know theaters aren't required to show a film for 45 days. I just think promising the window is tripling down on the old, dying model.

You know how when you see a movie advertised, they always say something like, "Only in theaters, July 17th!" or whatever? I think these days, that's really disruptive to the marketing investment studios make.

Before, it reminded people “go to the movies to see this film!”

In 2026, it means “you can’t stream this film for another month and a half, when you’ll have forgetten you’d ever heard of it.”

Except if you believed what Teddy was saying with regards to Netflix acquiring WB he found the light and saw that the 45 day window was perfect for WB movies.

So either he was lying and you believe his original thoughts that theatrical is outdated, or he was telling the truth and was incorrect on his original statements.

I figured the evolution of his position was an effort to calm folks in the industry to (rightfully) saw the purchase as an existential threat. I don't think he was lying when he said they'd go with a 45-day window, I think they intended to honor that for WB films.

But I don't think there were any changes to the data that led him to his original conclusion (and has factored into Netflix's success and disruption of the movie business).

 

[Disney Irish]

I know theaters aren't required to show a film for 45 days. I just think promising the window is tripling down on the old, dying model.

You know how when you see a movie advertised, they always say something like, "Only in theaters, July 17th!" or whatever? I think these days, that's really disruptive to the marketing investment studios make.

Before, it reminded people “go to the movies to see this film!”

In 2026, it means “you can’t stream this film for another month and a half, when you’ll have forgetten you’d ever heard of it.”


I figured the evolution of his position was an effort to calm folks in the industry to (rightfully) saw the purchase as an existential threat. I don't think he was lying when he said they'd go with a 45-day window, I think they intended to honor that for WB films.

But I don't think there were any changes to the data that led him to his original conclusion (and has factored into Netflix's success and disruption of the movie business).

Other than the fact the data shows, as has been discussed here, movies tend to do better on streaming when they have a healthy theatrical run.

I've long been a proponent of the streaming model as a replacement for linear, you can find comments of mine going back almost a decade here on that topic. But as a full replacement for theatrical as what Teddy alluded to in his original comments before, no. Theatrical will continue to change, but I don't see it going away completely, no matter what Netflix does.

 

[_caleb]

Other than the fact the data shows, as has been discussed here, movies tend to do better on streaming when they have a healthy theatrical run.

I've long been a proponent of the streaming model as a replacement for linear, you can find comments of mine going back almost a decade here on that topic. But as a full replacement for theatrical as what Teddy alluded to in his original comments before, no. Theatrical will continue to change, but I don't see it going away completely, no matter what Netflix does.

Yes, I've been following the conversation. I've always agreed with your opinion about this stuff.

I'm not saying Paramount should end theatrical releases or windows. I'm saying I think it would be to Paramount's advantage to take advantage of the Netflix scare to retain as much flexiblity as possible in this disrupted industry.

If Paramount (who represents the old school in this fight) just beat out Netflix, they might not want to make any promises that might make the industry breathe a collective sigh of relief that the disription is over and good old days are here again.

 

[Disney Irish]

Yes, I've been following the conversation. I've always agreed with your opinion about this stuff.

I'm not saying Paramount should end theatrical releases or windows. I'm saying I think it would be to Paramount's advantage to take advantage of the Netflix scare to retain as much flexiblity as possible in this disrupted industry.

If Paramount (who represents the old school in this fight) just beat out Netflix, they might not want to make any promises that might make the industry breathe a collective sigh of relief that the disription is over and good old days are here again.

Except that makes no sense, the industry wants stability, not chaos. Which is why the industry was against Netflix getting WB in the first place. And I don't think anyone in the industry is looking at this deal even with Paramount making that statement as bringing back the good old days. There are still the same concerns of less movies overall and less content control for creators. So no it make no sense for Paramount to take the same stance as Netflix on theatrical windows, especially since there was no actual promise that it was in perpetuity.