All Things Streaming (VOD, OTT)

[Disney Irish]

Verizon Lost 283,000 Fios Video Subs in 2023 - Media Play News

Verizon Communications’ pay-TV market position continued to decline in 2023, with the wireless provider losing 283,000 linear TV subscribers in 2023, including 62,000 subs in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2023. Verizon ended the year with 2.95 million Fios Video subscribers, down from 3.23...

www.mediaplaynews.com

Netflix Blows Past Q4 Subscriber Targets, Topping 260M

Netflix added a far-better-than-expected 13 million subscribers in the fourth quarter to reach 260.3 million globally as of the end of 2023.

deadline.com

Netflix Packs on More Than 13 Million Subscribers in Q4, Well Above Expectations

Netflix extended its lead as the world's biggest premium video-streaming platform, gaining 13.1 million subscribers in Q4 2023.

variety.com

Netflix is also planning to phase out all the basic no-ad tiers starting in Q2 -

Netflix Expects to Fully Phase Out Cheapest No-Ads Plan

It's the beginning of the end for Netflix's lowest-cost plan that has no advertising.

variety.com

I suspect within the next year they could look to get rid of all but the top tier no-ad plans.

 

[_caleb]

I’ve mentioned this before, but I hope that under pressure to generate revenue, streamers don’t panic and jump back to linear- (or cable-) era solutions, like price hikes, bundles, and traditional approaches to advertising. Which they seem to be doing.

Streaming seems like a huge opportunity to deploy solutions that take advantage of the platform. For example, we should not be seeing the same ad over and over. The ads should know what we’ve been watching and reflect that.

I believe Disney’s new ad tech enables things like PIP QR codes, second screen integration, shopping, social integrations, and supplemental content, which would all be better applications of ads, in my opinion, and would probably help it not feel so much like, “Linear, but online.” I’ve not yet seen these things in the wild, though.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Paramount Makes New Moves to Lure Small-Business Advertisers

Paramount is making new moves to tap into the business of small and regional advertisers, two categories that have not relied heavily on national TV

variety.com

Warner Bros. Discovery Stock Falls After Analyst Downgrade on Lower M&A Likelihood, Slower Max Growth, Ad Declines

Wells Fargo downgraded Warner Bros. Discovery stock, citing a lower change of M&A and negative trends in its TV and streaming businesses.

variety.com

 

[MisterPenguin]

Parks: Streaming Video Executives Bemoan Data Fragmentation - Media Play News

As media companies push to generate positive cash flows for their direct-to-consumer streaming businesses, almost 50% of executives in the streaming industry claim they are lacking the data needed to … Continue reading "Parks: Streaming Video Executives Bemoan Data Fragmentation"

www.mediaplaynews.com

 

[Hawkeye_2018]

It sucks having ads, but I'm also not paying a premium to skip them either.

 

[MisterPenguin]

YouTube TV Powers Up to More Than 8 Million Subscribers

YouTube TV, Google's internet pay-TV service, now has more than 8 million subscribers, according to the video giant.

variety.com

Strong Consumer Demand For Theatrical Movie Titles Drove 17% Rise In Home Entertainment Spending In 2023

Demand for feature films after their theatrical release windows drove a 17% rise in home entertainment spending in 2023, a trade group reported.

deadline.com

Lionsgate Ups Q3 Home Entertainment Revenue 6% to $176.5 Million - Media Play News

Lionsgate Feb. 8 reported third-quarter (ended Dec. 31, 2023) movie home entertainment revenue of $176.5 million, which was up nearly 6% from revenue of $166.7 million during the previous-year period. … Continue reading "Lionsgate Ups Q3 Home Entertainment Revenue 6% to $176.5 Million"

www.mediaplaynews.com

 

[MisterPenguin]

AMC Networks Lost 400,000 SVOD Subs in 2023 - Media Play News

In an era of streaming or bust, AMC Networks would appear to be treading water. The media giant Feb. 9 reported it ended the fourth quarter and fiscal year (ended Dec. 31, 2023) with 11.4 million subscription streaming VOD subscribers — down 400,000 subs from 11.8 million subs at the end of...

www.mediaplaynews.com

Peak TV Is Officially Over: FX Tallies 14 Percent Drop in Scripted Series for 2023

The number of U.S.-produced scripted originals clocks in at 516 for last year as the bubble has officially burst.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

 

[_caleb]

AMC Networks Lost 400,000 SVOD Subs in 2023 - Media Play News

In an era of streaming or bust, AMC Networks would appear to be treading water. The media giant Feb. 9 reported it ended the fourth quarter and fiscal year (ended Dec. 31, 2023) with 11.4 million subscription streaming VOD subscribers — down 400,000 subs from 11.8 million subs at the end of...

www.mediaplaynews.com

Peak TV Is Officially Over: FX Tallies 14 Percent Drop in Scripted Series for 2023

The number of U.S.-produced scripted originals clocks in at 516 for last year as the bubble has officially burst.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

Glad to see AMC is still hanging in there. I think they understand fandoms better than most, and are better able to generate stronger loyalty with their audiences.

I just wish streaming platforms in general weren’t having such success (such as it is) with what amounts to linear-style ads. Can’t they leverage the technology better than showing the same ads in the same formats over and over?

 

[MisterPenguin]

Paramount Global Laying Off 800 Workers - Media Play News

Paramount Global is laying off 800 employees, or roughly 3% of its workforce, according to reports. CEO Bob Bakish reportedly informed workers of the layoffs, taking place Tuesday, Feb.13, in … Continue reading "Paramount Global Laying Off 800 Workers"

www.mediaplaynews.com

Paramount Global Layoffs: Paramount TV Studios Combines Development & Current, Other Senior Executives Impacted

Details are starting to emerge about major layoffs at Paramount Global impacting approximately 800 employees in the U.S. including in TV operations.

deadline.com

TVOD Service Vudu Changing Name to Fandango at Home - Media Play News

Vudu, Fandango’s transactional video-on-demand streaming service, is changing its name to Fandango at Home. “In a few weeks, we’re changing our name to Fandango at Home, making Fandango your single … Continue reading "TVOD Service Vudu Changing Name to Fandango at Home"

www.mediaplaynews.com

Cineverse Announces AI-Powered Movie Search Platform cineSearch - Media Play News

Entertainment and streaming company Cineverse Feb. 14 announced the forthcoming launch of cineSearch, an AI-powered movie search platform According to the company, its goal is to revolutionize the search and … Continue reading "Cineverse Announces AI-Powered Movie Search Platform cineSearch"

www.mediaplaynews.com

Roku Q4 Earnings: Edging Wall Street Revenue Expectations, Streaming Giant Passes 80 Million Active Accounts

Roku edged Wall Street expectations for revenue in the fourth quarter and reported it hit 80 million active accounts.

deadline.com

 

[MisterPenguin]

Amazon Sued Over Prime Video Ads: Class-Action Complaint Accuses Tech Giant of ‘Immoral, Unethical, Oppressive, Unscrupulous’ Conduct

A lawsuit seeking class-action status accused Amazon of false advertising and deceptive practices over Prime Video's inclusion of ads by default.

variety.com

New CW Regime Defends Its Radical Shift in Focus

Dennis Miller and Brad Schwartz want the network — with a slate of acquisitions, "Copaganda" and Saudi-backed golf — to be thought of alongside the "Big Four."

www.hollywoodreporter.com

Sony Pictures Third-Quarter Profit Hits $281M

Earnings at the film and television unit were impacted by the dual Hollywood strikes of 2023.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

 

[MisterPenguin]

Comcast, Paramount Global Held Early Talks About a Peacock-Paramount+ Combination

Paramount Global and Comcast discussed potentially combining Paramount+ and Peacock in some kind of partnership but no deal is imminent.

variety.com

 

[Disney Irish]

Tubi, Pluto TV, & The Roku Channel Are Some of The Most Watched Streaming Services In January 2024 As Free Streaming Grows | Cord Cutters News

Free streaming services are becoming even more popular as cord cutters look for cheaper options. Now according to Nielsen’s monthly platform rankings, Tubi, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel are now all among the most watched streaming services in January 2024. According to the report from Nielsen...

cordcuttersnews.com

 

[MisterPenguin]

In April, Warner Bros. Discovery can entertain offers to buy, sell or merge with a studio like NBCUniversal, as many on the lot believe will happen. That’s when the two-year lock-up period expires as part of the 2022 deal that united WarnerMedia and Discovery.​

Warner Bros. Spends Big: ‘Joker 2’ Budget Hits $200 Million, Lady Gaga’s $12 Million Payday, Courting Tom Cruise’s New Deal and More

Warner Bros. is paying Lady Gaga $12 million for "Joker 2," while Leonardo DiCaprio is earning $20 million for Paul Thomas Anderson's new movie.

variety.com

 

[Disney Irish]

In April, Warner Bros. Discovery can entertain offers to buy, sell or merge with a studio like NBCUniversal, as many on the lot believe will happen. That’s when the two-year lock-up period expires as part of the 2022 deal that united WarnerMedia and Discovery.​

Warner Bros. Spends Big: ‘Joker 2’ Budget Hits $200 Million, Lady Gaga’s $12 Million Payday, Courting Tom Cruise’s New Deal and More

Warner Bros. is paying Lady Gaga $12 million for "Joker 2," while Leonardo DiCaprio is earning $20 million for Paul Thomas Anderson's new movie.

variety.com

Shhh, don't say anything, those posts claiming Disney will buy WBD will start popping up again.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Warner Bros. Discovery Stock Tumbles After Q4 Earnings As Lack Of 2024 Financial Guidance “Challenges Confidence”

Warner Bros. Discovery tumbled after mixed to weak quarterly numbers with commentary that did not include its usual full-year forecast, for 2024.

deadline.com

Warner Bros. Discovery's DTC Business Unit Becomes First Major Studio Streaming Biz to Post Fiscal-Year Profit - Media Play News

Warner Bros. Discovery’s direct-to-consumer business unit is the first studio-based streaming business (excluding Netflix) to post a fiscal year profit. WBD’s DTC business includes global Max, HBO and Discovery+ subscribers. … Continue reading "Warner Bros. Discovery’s DTC Business Unit Becomes...

www.mediaplaynews.com

WBD: Max, HBO Lost 600,000 Q4 Domestic Subs; Added 2.3 Million International Subs - Media Play News

Warner Bros. Discovery Feb. 23 reported a fourth-quarter (ended Dec. 31, 2023) loss of 600,000 domestic direct-to-consumer subscribers to end the year with 52 million — down from 54.6 million … Continue reading "WBD: Max, HBO Lost 600,000 Q4 Domestic Subs; Added 2.3 Million International Subs"

www.mediaplaynews.com

 

[MisterPenguin]

Streamers Will Not Be Regulated Fully In UK For Another Two Years

Streamers like Netflix, Disney, Amazon, will not be regulated in UK for another two years, Ofcom has said.

deadline.com

 

[MisterPenguin]

Streaming to Overtake Pay TV Subscription Revenue in the U.S. This Year

Total streaming revenue will hit $17.3 billion, topping $16.7 billion from pay TV, in the third-quarter of 2024, predicts research firm Ampere Analysis.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

Netflix Poised to Raise Prices in 2024 as It Continues to Gain Share of TV Viewing: Analysts

Netflix is expected to hike prices on its streaming plans in 2024 as it continues to take a bigger bite out of overall TV viewing, UBS forecasts.

variety.com

Fifth Season Selling $1B Worth Of Apple TV+ Content At London TV Screenings Including Jason Momoa, Nicole Kidman, M. Night Shyamalan Shows

Fifth Season is selling Apple shows inc. Jason Momoa, Nicole Kidman, M. Night Shyamalan series at the London TV Screenings.

deadline.com

 

[MisterPenguin]

Max Completes Streaming Service Launch in Latin America and the Caribbean - Media Play News

Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max subscription streaming VOD platform is now available in Latin America and the Caribbean as part of a multipart rollout of the streaming service outside the the … Continue reading "Max Completes Streaming Service Launch in Latin America and the Caribbean"

www.mediaplaynews.com

Paramount Global is ‘Leaning In’ to Content Cost Cuts and ‘Hollywood Hits’ as Leaders Chart a Course for Survival

Paramount Global leaders vowed to cut content costs and produce more modestly budgeted films as they outlined a survival plan after a rough Q4.

variety.com

Nexstar Ad Sales Fall 36% in Q4 as CW Loss Narrows to $52 Million

Nexstar reported its fourth-quarter 2023 earnings Wednesday, revealing its TV ad sales were down 36% from Oct. 1- Dec. 31.

variety.com

Lionsgate Television Cuts Overall & First-Look Deals Post eOne Acquisition

Lionsgate Television is reducing the number of its development deals by more than half, sources tell Deadline.

deadline.com

A Streaming TV Prizefight: Walmart Tries Muscling in on Amazon

The superstore chain’s $2.3 billion deal to buy TV maker Vizio opens up a new front in the increasingly lucrative advertising space for retail and tech giants that are, in turn, spending big on content.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

 

[MisterPenguin]

Paramount Focuses on Earnings Growth But Wall Street Lacks Enthusiasm

"Still hanging in there," "long-term outlook remains cloudy" and "a step in the right direction" are among Wall Street's takeaways after the fourth-quarter results of the company, led by CEO Bob Bakish.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

How AMC Networks Thinks About Licensing and Developing Content for Other Buyers

The company is also positioning itself for the "great rebundling," said AMC Networks CFO Patrick O'Connell.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

International Insider: Unpacking The BritBox Deal; London TV Screenings Round-Up; Disney’s India Pact

BritBox International, the London TV Screenings, Disney India and more are in this week's International Insider.

deadline.com

Fast Forward Awards 2024: Danny Fisher — Leading the AVOD/FAST Pack - Media Play News

It’s lunchtime at the Beverly Wilshire’s THE Blvd restaurant, and Danny Fisher hustles in with the look and mannerisms of a film director straight from Central Casting. He’s stylish and … Continue reading "Fast Forward Awards 2024: Danny Fisher — Leading the AVOD/FAST Pack"

www.mediaplaynews.com

WBD's MotorTrend FAST Channel Lands on Pluto TV - Media Play News

Warner Bros. Discovery’s ad-supported MotorTrend FAST TV channel has launched on Pluto TV, Paramount’s ad-supported streaming platform. The new FAST channel will allow automotive viewers to stream MotorTrend’s extensive library … Continue reading "WBD’s MotorTrend FAST Channel Lands on Pluto TV"

www.mediaplaynews.com

Kino Lorber Merging Its Two Acquired Streaming Services - Media Play News

Kino Lorber’s MHz Choice and Topic streaming services are merging into a single international series SVOD service for the United States and Canada. The combined service will operate under the … Continue reading "Kino Lorber Merging Its Two Acquired Streaming Services"

www.mediaplaynews.com

 

[MisterPenguin]

The Continent Where Netflix Has Real Competition

The streaming giant has met its match in Africa, as Showmax dominates with big bucks and local content

variety.com

Fox Nation SVOD Hits 2 Million Paid Subs - Media Play News

Fox News Media’s politically conservative subscription streaming service, Fox Nation, has around 2 million subscribers since launching in November 2018, according to Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch, speaking March 4 … Continue reading "Fox Nation SVOD Hits 2 Million Paid Subs"

www.mediaplaynews.com