Studios Archives - Page 280 of 281

Universal Upped 2017 Home Entertainment Revenue

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Jan. 24 reported fiscal 2017 revenue of more than $1.32 billion, which was up about 5% from revenue of $1.25 billion in 2016. The studio said fourth-quarter revenue declined 20% to $377 million from revenue of $471 million in the previous-year period. Home Entertainment Q4 revenue decreases reflected the success of … Continue reading “Universal Upped 2017 Home Entertainment Revenue”
U.K. Regulator Rules Against Fox/Sky Merger

Rupert Murdoch’s quest to acquire outright control of British satellite operator Sky Jan. 23 suffered a setback after a government regulator found the $15 billion acquisition by 21st Century Fox would not be in the public interest. Fox currently owns 39% of Sky. Following referral from the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and … Continue reading “U.K. Regulator Rules Against Fox/Sky Merger”
French SVOD Use Increases in the New Year

Global adoption of subscription streaming video has been slow in France – until now. New data from NPA Conseil and Harris Interactive suggest French consumers are coming around to streaming – with SVOD use up 25% in the first weeks of 2018 and spearheaded by Netflix. Top streamed programs included season four of “Black Mirror,” … Continue reading “French SVOD Use Increases in the New Year”
‘Shape of Water,’ ‘Dunkirk’ Lead Oscar Noms

Among the nine nominees for the Academy Award for Best Picture announced Jan. 23, Warner’s Dunkirk and Universal’s Get Out were the only ones already available on home video. A third, Darkest Hour, is due on DVD and Blu-ray Feb. 27 from Universal. Other Best Picture nominees include The Shape of Water, which led all … Continue reading “‘Shape of Water,’ ‘Dunkirk’ Lead Oscar Noms”
Starz Going to Canada

Starz, the premium pay-TV platform owned by Lionsgate, is launching its streaming app in Canada through Bell Media. It marks the first expansion for Starz within Canada following Lionsgate’s $4.4 billion acquisition in 2016. Bell will also distribute the first pay window of Lionsgate’s future theatrical releases in Canada. The multifaceted agreement is aimed at … Continue reading “Starz Going to Canada”
Verizon Eyes 5G Future as Fios TV Ups Sub Losses

Verizon Jan. 23 announced it plans to roll out 5G wireless functionality in upwards of five major cities in the second half of this year – the first wireless carrier to do so. The technology should dramatically increase streaming video speeds, with 5G download speeds up to 10 gigabits-per-second compared to one gigabit-per-second for 4G … Continue reading “Verizon Eyes 5G Future as Fios TV Ups Sub Losses”
Cinedigm Expands Chinese Distribution

Cinedigm Jan. 19 announced an alliance with leading China-based Starrise Media Holdings Ltd. to release movies in China theatrically and digitally. The deal also paves the way for Cinedigm to distribute Chinese films in North America. Los Angeles-based Cinedigm is majority-owned by Hong Kong private equity group Bison Capital. Hanks He, executive director of Starrise … Continue reading “Cinedigm Expands Chinese Distribution”
MoviePass Launches Movie Distribution Business

Subscription ticket service MoviePass and corporate parent Helios + Matheson Jan. 19 announced the launch of a subsidiary to co-acquire movies with distributors. The announcement was made at The Sundance Film Festival during MoviePass’ content series, “Off-Script: The Future of Film,” to a room of filmmakers, producers, directors, investors, distributors, and other industry executives. MoviePass says that … Continue reading “MoviePass Launches Movie Distribution Business”
Lionsgate Stock Jumps on Acquisition Scuttlebutt

Lionsgate’s stock took a mid-morning bounce Jan. 18 following media reports the studio/distributor is in the M&A crosshairs of media giants Amazon, Verizon, CBS and Viacom. Shares increased 5% the day after a Deadline.com report – citing sources familiar with the situation – said the Santa Monica, Calif.-based company was in active merger discussions. Lionsgate … Continue reading “Lionsgate Stock Jumps on Acquisition Scuttlebutt”
Redbox Cites ‘First Sale Doctrine’ Defense Selling Disney Digital Movie Codes

Redbox has filed a counter-claim against The Walt Disney Co.’s lawsuit claiming the kiosk vendor is illegally selling digital codes to select movies. Filed Jan. 16 in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, Redbox claims it has the right under the “first sale doctrine” to sell digital codes included in packaged media retail releases. The … Continue reading “Redbox Cites ‘First Sale Doctrine’ Defense Selling Disney Digital Movie Codes”