IndieWire’s Post

Who said streaming would kill theaters? Amazon just inked a multi-year pact that hands them early dibs on Lionsgate’s theatrical releases starting 2026, plus cherry-picked 2025 films and a massive treasure trove of library content. We’re talking franchises like ‘John Wick,’ ‘Twilight,’ and ‘Saw,’ plus upcoming tentpoles like a new ‘Hunger Games’ entry and ‘Now You See Me 3.’ Why is this significant? Remember when streaming was supposed to kill theaters? Well, now they’re best friends. Theaters get fresh content, Amazon gets market-tested hits, and Lionsgate bags guaranteed revenue. Good Businesses Evolve This is streaming evolving and growing up. As the streaming wars enter a more mature phase, expect the new playbook to look more like this: strategic partnerships, theatrical validation, and deep libraries. In a world where consolidation is king and content costs are crushing, it's not only about having content anymore—it's about having the right content, at the right time, across all the right platforms. Also, Amazon's MGM acquisition is set to build an entertainment empire.

Theatrical Success Fuels Streaming Dominance Data doesn’t lie: theatrical releases dominate streaming performance. Netflix, HBO, Disney+, and Paramount all confirm the same trend, movies that hit theaters first consistently outperform direct-to-streaming releases. Even franchise catalogs see massive engagement boosts after theatrical debuts. Industry Insights: Since August 2022, 65 percent of #Netflix’s weekly top 10 English-language films were movies it had licensed from studios after they debuted in theaters. And when Nielsen crunched its data for the past two years, only three of its top 20 streaming movies of 2023 had been released straight to a streaming service. In 2024, only four films in the top 20 went straight to streaming. “You can objectively look at the data and see: Movies that have gone through the theatrical window perform better,” said Casey Bloys, who has overseen HBO content since 2016 and has overseen the Max streaming service since 2020. “For us, I know it for a fact, and you can see it in data for other platforms. We’re not the only one.” Mr. Bloys’s sentiment is being echoed all over Hollywood. “The better it does in theaters, the better it does on streaming,” said Joe Earley, the head of Disney+ and Hulu It’s not only new films that benefit from the copious marketing dollars spent on theatrical releases. When new chapters of a successful franchise are introduced to theaters, they prompt spikes in each company’s catalog of films. Paramount Plus said that when “A Quiet Place: Day One” premiered on its service, viewers increased their “engagement” with the other films in the “Quiet Place” franchise by 207 percent.” #FilmIndustry #TheatricalReleases #Streaming The New York Times

Streaming revenue going up, and park revenue going down? But why? Follow the link to read the full news and learn more. Visit Here- https://lnkd.in/gPyZtFYj #tradeflock #disney #entertainment #unitedstatesofamerica #trending #entertainmentindustry #mediamarket #themeparks #streamingservices #financialnews #marketanalysis #economictrends #industryinsight #businessupdates #markettrends #businessnews #consumerbehavior #digitalentertainment #economicshift #revenuegrowth #businessstrategy #industrynews

Streaming revenue going up, and park revenue going down? But why? Follow the link to read the full news and learn more. Visit Here- https://lnkd.in/gPyZtFYj #tradeflock #disney #entertainment #unitedstatesofamerica #trending #entertainmentindustry #mediamarket #themeparks #streamingservices #financialnews #marketanalysis #economictrends #industryinsight #businessupdates #markettrends #businessnews #consumerbehavior #digitalentertainment #economicshift #revenuegrowth #businessstrategy #industrynews

Amazon is making waves in the streaming industry by introducing more affordable ad slots on Prime Video, aiming to attract more brands and capture a larger ad market share. With lower costs and a broader reach, Prime Video is set to become a major player in the ad space. Will this move shift ad spending from Netflix to Amazon? Let us know what you think! 👇 #Amazon #Netflix #PrimeVideo #AdSlots #StreamingWars #DigitalAdvertising #MarketingTrends #Ecommerce #AdSpend #BrandStrategy #MediaIndustry #TechNews #StreamingServices #MarketShare #Advertising #Marketing #DTCNewsletter

Netflix and Amazon dominate streaming Originals once again The two streaming giants commissioned more than half of all streaming Originals globally in Q1 2024 In Q1 2024 #Netflix and #Amazon returned to dominance in Original commissioning, having been challenged in recent years by the launch of studio-backed #SVoD platforms. According to a new report by Ampere Analysis, Netflix commissioned its highest number of new titles since Q3 2021, and Amazon set a new record for its quarterly commissions. This resurgence in Original orders coincides with falling commissions from cost-conscious rival streamers, which meant the two streaming giants accounted for more than half (53%) of all SVoD commissions globally in Q1. This growth is spurred by increased investment in international territories, with Netflix and Amazon ordering the majority of their titles from outside the USA. Over the past few years, spend outside of the USA by the two commissioners has increased steadily. Ampere predicts it will continue to rise as the players attempt to combat domestic subscriber stagnation by chasing expansion internationally. https://lnkd.in/dppD-tGd

Amazon has a unique streaming service unused with Prime. You get SOME shows and movies as part of you package, and you can buy/rent others. Today I saw an ad for their service in the tube while waiting. I noticed something I have never seen before. Their ad included titles with a blue tick, which they offer as part of the basic package, and some with the Amazon gold, which as Elena Verna mentioned in a recent post of hers, is very much associated with purchase for us by now. #marketing #productmarketing #growth

Must-Watch Movies Leaving Prime Video in September Do you know the feeling of discovering a fantastic movie on your favorite streaming service, only to come back later and find it's vanished? Streaming platforms, due to content licensing agreements, often have a limited window for certain movies, excluding their original content. #amazonprimevideo #American #Americangovernment #AMERICANNEWS #PrimeVideo #stock #USANEWS

Blockbuster’s downfall is a classic lesson in failing to adapt to market trends. Once a video rental giant with over 9,000 stores, Blockbuster missed the opportunity to embrace streaming technology. Their decision to stick with VHS and DVD rentals while Netflix introduced an innovative subscription model showed resistance to change. Netflix, on the other hand, saw the future of entertainment. By offering online DVD rentals and eventually pivoting to on-demand streaming, they captured the growing demand for convenience and digital access, leaving Blockbuster struggling to catch up. Blockbuster’s failure to adapt to new technology, along with poor strategic decisions, led to its eventual bankruptcy in 2010. https://lnkd.in/gezzX3a4

Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios will start including ads in shows and films for Indian viewers from next year to boost content investments. The current Prime membership price remains unchanged for ad-supported users, while an ad-free option will be introduced at a later date. This move comes as India’s streaming market grows, with advertising-based platforms driving the expansion. Prime Video aims to keep ad volume lower than traditional TV. #PrimeVideo #OTT #StreamingAds #AmazonPrime #Ecommerce #IndiaStreamingMarket