Video Games
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Netflix Enters Pact with Spain’s Largest Telecom
As expected, Netflix and Telefónica, Spain’s largest telecom, have inked an agreement enabling the SVOD pioneer to be embedded in the latter’s Movistar over-the-top video service in Europe and Latin America. The first launches in several countries will be announced in the next few weeks and further launches will happen throughout the region in 2018. … Continue reading “Netflix Enters Pact with Spain’s Largest Telecom”
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Starz Bowing on YouTube TV, Hulu
Seeking to significantly upgrade the Starz brand globally, corporate parent Lionsgate has licensed the premium channel’s app to YouTube TV and Hulu. Speaking on the May 24 fiscal call, Jon Feltheimer, CEO of Lionsgate, said the distribution agreements were part of a global rollout of the Starz app across 15 territories over the next three … Continue reading “Starz Bowing on YouTube TV, Hulu”
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Hedge Fund Looking for Changes at GameStop
After a costly fiscal write-down and sudden departure of the CEO at GameStop – the nation’s largest video game retailer – one major investor has seen enough. Hedge fund group Tiger Management reportedly send a letter to the GameStop board asking for a strategic review of the company’s business model. The letter comes after shares … Continue reading “Hedge Fund Looking for Changes at GameStop”
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GameStop CEO Departs After 90 Days on the Job
GameStop May 11 announced the appointment of Daniel DeMatteo as interim CEO following the sudden resignation of CEO Michael Mauler for personal reasons. Mauler, a 16-year veteran at GameStop, had replaced J. Paul Raines, who stepped down for health reasons, and later died due to a reported recurrence of brain cancer. DeMatteo, one of the … Continue reading “GameStop CEO Departs After 90 Days on the Job”
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Best Buy Dropping Sales Tag in Rebranding Campaign
Best Buy is launching a new branding campaign (dubbed “Best Buy 2020”) that includes the first corporate logo update in nearly 30 years. The best Buy letters are now separate from the yellow sales tag, underscoring the consumer electronics retailer’s embrace of multilevel access via physical and e-commerce storefronts. “The tag serves as graphic punctuation … Continue reading “Best Buy Dropping Sales Tag in Rebranding Campaign”
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Nintendo Reveals Details About Pending Switch Online Subscription Service
Nintendo late May 7 revealed details about its pending Switch Online subscription service enabling users to play games online compatible with Switch handheld device games. The information follows news incoming CEO Shuntaro Furukawa wants to recapture the Pokémon Go smartphone game craze of 2016 with a new platform of smartphone apps. The platform will also … Continue reading “Nintendo Reveals Details About Pending Switch Online Subscription Service”
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Nintendo Wants to Again Catch Smartphone Game Lightning
Nintendo re-energized its brand relevance in 2017 with the launch of Switch, the seventh major game console developed by the venerable Japanese manufacturer. Now, incoming CEO Shuntaro Furukawa wants to recapture the Pokémon Go smartphone game craze of 2016 (co-created with Niantic) with a new platform of smartphone apps. Pokémon Go generated $950 million in revenue, … Continue reading “Nintendo Wants to Again Catch Smartphone Game Lightning”
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Amazon Tops 100 Million Prime Members Globally
Amazon April 18 announced for the first time (in a shareholder letter) it has exceeded 100 million Prime members globally since launching the $99 annual membership loyalty platform with free two-day shipping 13 years ago. Prime membership includes free access to Prime Video, Prime Photo, Twitch Prime (video games), Prime Now deliveries and Prime Music, … Continue reading “Amazon Tops 100 Million Prime Members Globally”
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U.S. Supreme Court to Punt E-commerce Sales Tax Case?
The United States Supreme Court reportedly appears unsure how to rule on a case involving sales tax charged on out-of-state e-commerce transactions. Amazon, among other e-commerce services, has long been able to avoid charging sales tax on out-of-state on purchases — a loophole that rankles in-state brick-and-mortar businesses. A lawsuit brought in South Dakota challenges … Continue reading “U.S. Supreme Court to Punt E-commerce Sales Tax Case?”
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Cinedigm Launches OTT Gaming Network
Cinedigm April 9 announced the over-the-top video launch of WHAM, an ad-supported digital gaming and e-sports platform. The service is available on XUMO, an Irvine, Calif.-based online TV service, Amazon-owned Twitch.tv and Web and mobile devices. Cinedigm is partnering with WHAM founder Gary Kleinman on the 24-hour channel driven by increased consumer interest in online … Continue reading “Cinedigm Launches OTT Gaming Network”
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Best Buy’s Entertainment ‘Switch’
NEWS ANALYSIS – Best Buy has been a go-to retail source for consumer electronics and household appliances – but less so for home entertainment. That changed in 2017. The Minneapolis, Minn.-based company, which operates about 1,500 stores nationwide, reported a 12.6% increase in same-store entertainment sales through Feb. 3, 2018. “Comparable sales gain was driven … Continue reading “Best Buy’s Entertainment ‘Switch’”
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Analyst Calls Appeals Court’s Gambling Decision ‘Dangerous Precedent’ for Online Video Games
Last week, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco overturned a lower court ruling that found free-to-play online video games don’t constitute gambling under Washington state law. Specifically, the appeals court ruled in favor of the plaintiff, who had spent $1,000 on “coins” on a virtual casino slot game to extend play. Players … Continue reading “Analyst Calls Appeals Court’s Gambling Decision ‘Dangerous Precedent’ for Online Video Games”
