Putting the future in focus

Latest Reports

· The state of the transactional film business 2009 · 31 Dec 09 ·
This report provides a review of the U.S. markets for feature film consumption, along with some strategic thinking about potential directions going forward.

· Looking to the future: Netflix and digital delivery · 02 Oct 09 ·
This report looks into the economics of digital delivery and Netflix transition to hybrid physical/digital business. Generating little revenue in its own right, Watch Instantly is a cost centre for Netflix, due to content licensing and delivery costs...

News & analyst commentary

· Movie Gallery files for bankruptcy again; closing 31% of stores · 18 Feb 10 ·
The number-two rental chain in the US, like Blockbuster which leads it, is feeling the pain of the debt it took on to achieve its market position; again filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection less than two years after emerging from its previous ...

· 2009 in film: robust box office, but disc declines put studios at a crossroads · 29 Jan 10 ·
The 2009 box office growth, combined with increased spending on digitally delivered movies, kept overall film spending virtually flat, but studios faced continued declines in their most lucrative pipeline: packaged disc sales.

· Netflix and Warner agree to a 28-day holdback; will others follow? · 27 Jan 10 ·
The agreement between Netflix and Warner to create a 28-day window during which Netflix' by-mail rental service won't provide rentals of Warner new releases is the first such agreement between studios and video rental operators. For reasons specific ...

· Off-screen effect: stereoscopic 3D flying from theaters to homes · 25 Jan 10 ·
3D TV, the darling of the 2010 CES, still has a way to go to convince consumers and the press. But consumer electronics and content companies both have much to gain by pushing the technology into the home, and soon. The number of major feature films ...

· Comcast to take control of NBC/Universal · 17 Dec 09 ·
The nation's leading cable operator is buying control of NBC/Universal in a deal that some are criticizing as a throwback to the days when media moguls sought illusive content/distribution synergies through such mega-mergers. In fact, a look at the n...

· Blockbuster's Q3 disappointing but Q4 and 2010 look brighter · 11 Dec 09 ·
After restructuring its debt obligations Blockbuster has enough cash on hand to more aggressively face growing competition from Netflix, Redbox and the expanding digital channel. The company is focusing on fewer, smaller stores, deeper depth-of-copy,...