If the awards gods rule justly, Sandra Hüller will be a first-time Oscar nominee three weeks from now. And, potentially, she may a two-time nominee in one year.
14.12.2023 - 18:19 / variety.com
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor There was a time when streamers — led by Netflix, burning a hole in its balance sheet with annual negative cash flow in the billions — were banking on double-digit subscriber growth. And they were spending on content like there was no tomorrow. Well, tomorrow came.
In the past 18 months, Wall Street has become laser-focused on the profitability of streaming services, not just their subscriber growth potential. The trigger: Netflix’s first-quarter 2022 earnings report, which for the first time in a decade showed a sequential subscriber loss. Suddenly, bam! Investors wanted to see a consistent monetary return on streaming.
The ripple effects were felt across the sector, as Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount Global and Roku took content write-downs for pulling underperforming content. Now Hollywood’s dealmakers are confronting the latest economics of streaming.
Netflix has resumed its ascendance, posting strong positive cash flow this year and reaccelerating top-line growth. Players like Max, Disney+, Paramount+ and NBCUniversal’s Peacock continue to play follow-the-leader. Adding to the disruption: This year’s twin strikes by actors and writers largely put TV and film deals in a holding pattern.
Now, with the work stoppages resolved, there’s a flurry of activity underway. But going forward, streamers are being more selective about the projects they greenlight. “Everybody is coming out of this thinking about cost containment,” says David Eilenberg, head of content for Roku Media.
If the awards gods rule justly, Sandra Hüller will be a first-time Oscar nominee three weeks from now. And, potentially, she may a two-time nominee in one year.
Anna Tingley If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. New Year’s Eve revelers across the globe can watch the iconic Times Square Ball Drop live from New York City online for free– in addition to several other performances and live broadcasts ushering in 2024. On traditional TV, Times Square will be a central locale as part of the slate of programming airing on ABC, NBC, CBS and CNN.
Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker have shared pictures of their new baby for the first time. The couple, who married in May 2022, posted a series of images on Instagram.
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Aylo, parent company of Pornhub and other sex sites, entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with U.S. prosecutors to settle a charge it profited from deals with porn producers who were involved in sex trafficking. Under the settlement announced Thursday, Canada-based Aylo agreed to pay a criminal fine and forfeiture totaling $1.845 million to the U.S.
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Lawyers for Ozy Media, the defunct media and entertainment company founded by Carlos Watson, allege in a new lawsuit that Ben Smith, BuzzFeed and Semafor (the media startup co-founded by Smith in 2022) misappropriated Ozy’s trade secrets “for their own benefit.” The suit additionally alleges that BuzzFeed breached a nondisclosure agreement it entered into with Ozy in 2019 as part of its efforts to buy the company. Lawyers representing Ozy Media allege that Smith, former BuzzFeed News editor-in-chief and New York Times media columnist who is currently editor-in-chief of Semafor, wrote “a series of hit pieces” about Ozy Media but that he did not disclose “his central role in BuzzFeed’s efforts to buy Ozy two years earlier” while he was at BuzzFeed.
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Would the combination of Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global — two companies heavily tied to the declining legacy TV biz — make financial sense? Investors reacted to news of early talks between Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount about a potential merger, which broke just prior to market close Wednesday.
Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Berlin Film Festival artistic director Carlo Chatrian is in an upbeat mood as he puts the finishing touches on assembling his fourth and final edition. It appears to be shaping up nicely with a rich mix comprising prestige star-driven titles, such as the world premiere of Netflix’s “Spaceman” in which Adam Sandler plays an imperiled astronaut, and films with “political elements” that are intrinsic to the fest’s DNA. The day before revealing his Berlin Special lineup that includes several star-studded galas – the main lineup will be announced on Jan.
Gabby Logan has enjoyed a lengthy career as a broadcaster, most recently taking on the exciting job of keeping a close eye on all the FIFA Women’s World Cup action.The 50 year old Welsh presenter has hosted major sporting events for the BBC, including last year's UEFA Women’s Euros and the 2022 Commonwealth Games. On Tuesday, the former rhythmic gymnast will host the 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year alongside fellow pundits Gary Lineker, Clare Balding, and Alex Scott at MediaCityUK in Salford.
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Adobe called off plans to buy Figma, a web-based collaborative design platform, citing regulatory opposition to the proposed $20 billion deal. Adobe and Figma on Monday said they mutually agreed to terminate their merger agreement, originally announced Sept. 15, 2022.
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Imane Anys — Twitch’s most-followed female game streamer, better known to fans as Pokimane — has launched her first podcast. Called “Don’t Tell Anyone,” Pokimane independently developed the weekly show, which she is producing alongside producer and brand strategist Abigail Lowenthal. “The best stories always start with ‘don’t tell anyone…’ and Pokimane’s finally ready to share her hottest takes and most embarrassing secrets,” according to the podcast’s description.
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Disney is bringing all past seasons of “Grey’s Anatomy” to Hulu — while they will remain on Netflix — coinciding with the official launch of Hulu on Disney+ in March 2024. Starting in spring 2024, Hulu and Netflix will share the co-exclusive U.S.
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor The show is over for Showtime as a standalone brand. As of Jan. 8, 2024, Paramount Global will rebrand the linear Showtime cable network as Paramount+ With Showtime — the same name as the company’s top-tier streaming package.
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Elon Musk, continuing his campaign to make X a “free speech” refuge even to the detriment of the company’s business interests, said he is reinstating the account of far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. Twitter banned Jones in 2018, along with his Infowars program. Last year Jones was ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion to families of Sandy Hook victims over his lies about the 2012 school shooting, which left 20 kids and six adults dead.
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Netflix‘s board has approved 2024 pay packages of its top execs, with co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters each to receive compensation worth $40 million. For Sarandos, it’s the same level of pay he is set to receive in 2023.
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Game designer Hideo Kojima, creator of the hugely popular “Death Stranding,” had two pieces of news coming out of the Game Awards 2023. On Thursday evening at the Game Awards show in L.A., Kojima appeared on stage with filmmaker Jordan Peele to announce his next game project: “OD,” which Kojima describes as an “immersive and totally new style of game” that will explore “what it means to OD on fear.” It’s being produced in partnership with Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios.
Charlie Dimmock revealed she had 'no regrets' about her controversial affair with co-star during her time one-third presenting Ground Force.
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor YouTube announced that the first trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI reached the “extraordinary milestone” of generating more than 93 million views in the initial 24-hour period on the Rockstar Games YouTube channel — shattering the previous record for a non-music video debut on the platform. Rockstar Games released GTA VI’s first trailer on Monday, Dec. 4, after it first leaked online.
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Telecom giant Verizon hired Leslie Berland, previously the top marketing exec at Peloton and Twitter, as CMO. Berland will assume the role of executive VP and chief marketing officer at Verizon, effective Jan. 9, 2024.
Plans to move the English National Opera (ENO) to the North of England have been warmly welcomed in Greater Manchester which will become the 'main home' for the cultural institution. But the news, which was announced on Tuesday (December 5), was met with some strange responses from the rest of the country on social media - including from some angry Londoners.
Kate Middleton and Prince William have arrived at Buckingham Palace's annual reception to highlight the UK's diplomatic relations and the role of the monarchy within it, as they put on a united front after the ongoing "race row" as a result of Omid Scobie's Endgame book. The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 41, looked spectacularly regal as they posed side by side in photos for the event, which came days after they appeared at the Royal Variety Show at the Royal Albert Hall, with mum-of-three Kate donning a stunning blush pink Jenny Packham gown.