International
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Bob Iger Steps Down From Apple Board as Streaming War Heats Up
On the heels of Apple’s launch and pricing announcement about its new streaming service, the tech giant has announced that Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger has stepped down from its board. In a Sept. 13 SEC Filing, Apple disclosed that Iger resigned Sept. 10. Apple Sept. 10 announced its service Apple TV+ would bow … Continue reading “Bob Iger Steps Down From Apple Board as Streaming War Heats Up”
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Netflix Greenlights First Animated Feature Film
Netflix has entered into a multiyear overall deal with Kuku Studios, under which its key members — Alex Woo, Stanley Moore, Tim Hahn and Erik Benson — will exclusively produce animated films and series for the SVOD pioneer worldwide. KuKu Studios’ credits include Disney’s Ratatouille, WALL-E, Toy Story 3, Monsters University and Finding Dory, among … Continue reading “Netflix Greenlights First Animated Feature Film”
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Report: Disney+ Offering Free Trial in the Netherlands
The Disney+ app has been released on Google Play with exclusive access for the Netherlands for a free trial through Nov. 12, according to a report from Droid Life. The layout of the service includes home, search, download and account tabs at the bottom, according to the website, with recommendations and the ability to filter … Continue reading “Report: Disney+ Offering Free Trial in the Netherlands”
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Comcast’s Sky Studios Bowing Production Facilities in the U.S.
With media companies scrambling to create localized content worldwide, Comcast-owned Sky Studios in the United Kingdom reportedly is launching production hubs in New York and Knoxville, Tenn. Dubbed The Hive, the facilities will cater to Sky Studios and third-party companies offering myriad production services, including casting, gear, wardrobe, set design, transcription, media management and staffing, … Continue reading “Comcast’s Sky Studios Bowing Production Facilities in the U.S.”
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Report: India, China to Buttress Global Pay-TV Market as U.S. Declines
Pay-TV home entertainment may be in decline in the United States and Europe, but surges in India and China will help the medium top more than 1 billion subscribers through 2024, according to new data from Digital TV Research. The London-based company said India and China — the world’s most populous countries — will add … Continue reading “Report: India, China to Buttress Global Pay-TV Market as U.S. Declines”
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Research: SVOD Outstrips Pay-TV in Australia and New Zealand
Subscription TV homes in Australia and New Zealand have already reached the inflection point where SVOD outstrips pay-TV, according to new research from Ampere Analysis. Australia reached this milestone in 2017, and New Zealand in 2018. SVOD has also surpassed pay-TV elsewhere in Asia-Pacific, including Thailand and Singapore — with Malaysia on the brink of … Continue reading “Research: SVOD Outstrips Pay-TV in Australia and New Zealand”
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Disney Renting Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, U.K.
Ramping up for the November launch of Disney+, the Walt Disney Co. on Sept. 8 announced it has inked a 10-year rental agreement with London-based Pinewood Studios, which has production facilities around the world, including Atlanta. With Disney banking much of its media distribution future on over-the-top video, the company borrowed a page from SVOD … Continue reading “Disney Renting Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, U.K.”
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Crunchyroll Inks Deal with Viz Media Europe
Crunchyroll, a subsidiary of Otter Media (a WarnerMedia company) serving anime fans in more than 200 countries and territories, and Viz Media Europe Group, a European licensor and distributor of Japanese animation, have signed an agreement to join Crunchyroll’s global platform with Viz Media Europe Group’s network of partners, distributors and licensees. Through this strategic … Continue reading “Crunchyroll Inks Deal with Viz Media Europe”
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Report: Netflix a Fiscal Deal in Colombia; Less So in Iran
Netflix invented the loss-leader subscription streaming video-on-demand market, a business model that has essentially upended how Hollywood markets movies and TV shows to consumers. But apparently that’s not enough of an incentive for some pundits. An extensive report by London-based research firm Comparitech analyzed in which country Netflix offered the best/least economic value to consumers. … Continue reading “Report: Netflix a Fiscal Deal in Colombia; Less So in Iran”
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Paramount Appoints David Elliott SVP of Physical International Sales and Distribution
David Elliott has been appointed SVP of physical international sales and distribution for Paramount Home Entertainment. Elliott will replace Charlie McAuley, who is retiring after 13 years with the company. In this role, Elliott will oversee the physical sales and distribution of the studio’s film and television properties internationally, providing leadership and direction to the … Continue reading “Paramount Appoints David Elliott SVP of Physical International Sales and Distribution”
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‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘Big Little Lies’ Drive HBO Nordic Sub Growth
Scandinavia (especially Sweden) has long been a hotbed for subscription streaming video. HBO launched its first over-the-top video service — HBO Nordic — long before the domestic rollout of HBO Now in 2014. HBO Nordic remains a formidable competitor to Netflix and other local SVOD services notably this year thanks to “Game of Thrones” and … Continue reading “‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘Big Little Lies’ Drive HBO Nordic Sub Growth”
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NBC Universal Assumes Sky Vision Production/Distribution Unit
Sky Vision, the U.K. satellite distributor’s production and distribution unit, is now operating under the NBC Universal corporate umbrella. The move was disclosed by Sky Vision in a social media post: “On October 1, Sky Vision Content Sales transitions to NBCUniversal Distribution. Join us each weekday during September to celebrate The Best of Sky Vision.” … Continue reading “NBC Universal Assumes Sky Vision Production/Distribution Unit”