Blog > Streaming Viewers Overtake Terrestrial TV in US, UK Government to Take On Autonomy of Streamers

Streaming Viewers Overtake Terrestrial TV in US, UK Government to Take On Autonomy of Streamers

Film Industry News Weekly Digest, Sunday June 20th

New Nielsen Measurement Shows Streaming Usage Outrunning Broadcast TV In May

A new monthly Nielsen measurement called The Gauge shows just how much the pandemic has catalyzed streaming among a broad ranger of consumers with May usage across all television homes climbing to 26% of time spent on TV — outpacing broadcast, with an audience share of 25%.
The streaming video data included SVOD and AVOD. Streaming and broadcast now account for half of television time. Cable accounted for 39%, and “other” viewing for 9%.

AMC Entertainment Says Its 4.1 Million Individual Investors Own 80% Of Stock, Average 120 Shares Each

AMC shares have soared from a 52-week low of under $2 to a high near $73 as retail investors on chatrooms from StockTwits to Reddit’s WallStreetBets showered love on the company, hate on institutions perceived as shorting the stock and adoration on Aron, who has been leaning in to the phenomenon in a big way. https://deadline.com/2021/06/amc-entertainment-individual-shareholders-stock-1234772386/

UK’s Ofcom ‘to regulate streamers’ incl Netflix, Amazon & Disney+

The UK culture secretary Oliver Dowden will set out a proposal this week in a whitepaper that would extend Ofcom’s remit to cover on-demand services, according to The Telegraph…While it operates in the UK with an English-language portal tailored to British audiences, Netflix is subject to Dutch regulations as its European business is based in Amsterdam.
A source cited by the paper said that the move will update the rules which “were written for an analogue age” and “are not fit for purpose in an era of smart TVs, streaming and on-demand programming.” https://tbivision.com/2021/06/21/uks-ofcom-to-regulate-netflix-amazon-disney-report-claims/

UK Government Calls On Netflix & Amazon To Disclose Viewing Data

The British government has called on streaming giants including Netflix and Amazon to disclose viewing data for shows originated by UK public service broadcasters, including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5. In a surprising intervention, ministers have agreed with a recommendation made by British Parliament’s Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee (DCMSC), which said in March that streamers should share top-line viewing data “to enable full analysis of PSB reach. https://deadline.com/2021/06/government-netflix-amazon-disclose-viewing-data-bbc-channel-4-bodyguard-1234776985/

Disney Must Work Hard to Maintain Early Streaming Progress in Asia-Pacific, Says Study

From a standing start 19 months ago, Disney’s video streaming operations in Asia-Pacific have already amassed 36.9 million subscribers. Boosted by launches in more Asian territories this year, numbers could reach 56.5 million and $800 million of revenue by the end of the year, according to new research by Media Partners Asia.
The data is part of a 30-page deep dive report into Disney’s streaming operations in the region “Disney Plus in the Asia Pacific,” published on Friday. Behind the strong top line, the numbers show a more mixed picture. Media Partners Asia has slashed its forecasts for subscriptions in India, and it warns that the streamer needs to bolster its local content offering in some territories. https://variety.com/2021/data/asia/disney-plus-streaming-in-asia-1235000040/

Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Partners, Netflix Forge Film Deal in Sign of Changing Hollywood

The pact gives Netflix access to one of the most legendary directors in the movie business at a time when competition in the streaming space is growing fiercer with the launch of Disney Plus, HBO Max and other challengers.
Under the deal, Amblin is expected to produce at least two films a year for Netflix for an unspecified number of years. It is possible that Spielberg may even direct some of the projects. Netflix is expected to provide financing for some of these productions…The Netflix movies do not have any budgetary or genre requirements attached to them. They may also receive some type of theatrical release as have other Netflix pics such as “The Irishman” and “Marriage Story,” but that will be decided on a case-by-case basis. https://variety.com/2021/film/news/steven-spielberg-netflix-amblin-deal-1235001513/

Roku Originals Draw More Viewing In 2 Weeks Than Quibi Did In Its Lifetime

Roku Originals launched on May 20, with a lineup of about 30 shows initially made for Quibi, Jeffrey Katzenberg’s mobile streaming service. From launch through June 3, more Roku active accounts streamed a Roku Original than the number of Quibi accounts that streamed Quibi shows during the start-up’s entire run. https://deadline.com/2021/06/roku-originals-quibi-streaming-one-billion-1234777771/

Disney+ Shifts Original Series Release Schedule; Shows To Launch On Wednesdays

Going forward, the streamer will drop all of its originals on Wednesdays. This will include all original scripted, unscripted and animated series. Disney+ Original Movies will continue to premiere on Fridays. https://deadline.com/2021/06/disney-shifts-original-series-release-schedule-shows-to-launch-on-wednesdays-loki-1234776115/