The Business of Hollywood & Streaming

[mdmost 42490]

6 minutes ago, Biff Tannen said:

 

I've got Disney+ and Hulu/ESPN+ on two different subs.  Last I checked, I don't think I can graft Hulu/ESPN+ onto Disney+ without killing both subs and starting over.  It's dumb.

I have Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ all separate. Hulu and ESPN+ are month to month. Disney+ just renewed another year. It's annoying as I would rather just save money all of them. 

[thunderlounge 7642]

You can “upgrade” to one of the bundles. I did just that. My portion for d+ is annual, while the portion for hulu/espn+ is monthly.

Would save more switching those to annual as well, but at least saving some over individually. 

[WBT 20278]

1 hour ago, Biff Tannen said:

 

 

Would you be up in arms if the government cracked down on corporate regulations though? 

Probably.  I see the problem as shareholders allowing ceos to pack boards with their cronies and often serves as their own chairman.

[mdmost 42490]

On 5/22/2024 at 12:43 PM, BeardIP said:

Toy Story 5. Really? Fonzi waterskiing out front shoulda told us.

 

Maybe because we only want sequels, prequels, and reboots to get us out to the theaters now.

https://deadline.com/2024/05/disney-pixars-inside-out-2-poised-to-be-highest-opening-of-2024-ytd-with-80m-85m-box-office-early-look-1235928409/

[thunderlounge 7642]

That’s it?

[Stringer 1423]

So, where are we now?  Two pretty big disappointments this month.  I know the easy targets are the youths, but it seems like it's really the lack of adults going to movies.  Take a look at the winners over the last 6 months (Anyone But You, Wonka, Kung Fu Panda 4, GxK, Apes) and they are all targeted at a younger audience.  Even something like Challengers got a ton of buzz just for being a Zendaya movie.  On the other hand, movies that are aimed at adults, like Furiosa and The Fall Guy are struggling.  Adults just aren't motivated to go out (find a sitter, etc) when they know they can stay home and watch it in a month.  It seems like an inversion of what would be expected.  

Dune is a little bit of a special case as it is a continuation of a big movie, long standing IP and has some massive young stars.  It brings in people of all types.

I guess we'll see what happens over the summer, but it doesn't look promising for the "adult" movies out there.

[Parliament 14017]

Seems to coincide with the end of the Fast’n Furious saga.

[thunderlounge 7642]

9 hours ago, Stringer said:

On the other hand, movies that are aimed at adults, like Furiosa and The Fall Guy are struggling.  Adults just aren't motivated to go out (find a sitter, etc) when they know they can stay home and watch it in a month.  It seems like an inversion of what would be expected.

If they want grown-ups to go to the movies, then maybe they should make something good instead of all the remakes that mostly shit all over beloved, classic movies from our past.

The other part is dealing with the sort of people they do attract, who tend to be on their phones/talking most of the time.

 

[usmc0331horn 928]

2 hours ago, thunderlounge said:

If they want grown-ups to go to the movies, then maybe they should make something good instead of all the remakes that mostly shit all over beloved, classic movies from our past.

The other part is dealing with the sort of people they do attract, who tend to be on their phones/talking most of the time.

 

I went to see the Fall Guy at an alamo in austin and my god is it expensive af these days. I'd honestly rather pay 20 bucks to rent it on my oled and watch it at home then go to the theater much anymore. I might go see Twisters though but that's about it. I buy 4k blu rays and they look and sound outstanding most of the time. I used to go to the theater many times per year abut I've gone once or twice so far this year. I don't think that's gonna change for me.

[Deej 76218]

Maybe with the cost of everything having gone up, a night out at the movies isn't fitting in a lot of peoples budgets?

[Gene Parmesan 3953]

Theatre prices are ridiculous and home TV setups get better by the day.  The movie experience adds value, but not enough.  Rent at home $20-$25 and a few bucks for popcorn and drinks.  Go to the theatre as a family 50-60 tickets and another 40 in popcorn and drinks.  It's an easy choice.  If it's a movie that nobody else in my family has any interest in, I occasionally will go to the theatre by myself, but fuck trying to go as a family. 

[LCHorn 2564]

 

2 hours ago, Deej said:

Maybe with the cost of everything having gone up, a night out at the movies isn't fitting in a lot of peoples budgets?

You’d think with declining attendance the exhibitors would reduce prices or do more to offer a superlative experience (and there’s been efforts on the latter), but it mostly appears they, like pro sports, price themselves out of young people’s reach and never get adopted as a result.  

[Deej 76218]

Just now, LCHorn said:

 

You’d think with declining attendance the exhibitors would reduce prices or do more to offer a superlative experience (and there’s been efforts on the latter), but it mostly appears they, like pro sports, price themselves out of young people’s reach and never get adopted as a result.  

They price themselves out of the old people's reach. If I go to an event and a beer is $14, I'm not buying a single beer. If they were $7, I'd get two, and then probably decide a need a few more. 

[LCHorn 2564]

7 minutes ago, Deej said:

They price themselves out of the old people's reach. If I go to an event and a beer is $14, I'm not buying a single beer. If they were $7, I'd get two, and then probably decide a need a few more. 

Well, if you can’t tell they quit programming for you a long time ago.  That’s why the “one man army” movies starring (take your pick) Chris Pratt, Michael B Jordan, or Hemsworth are going direct to streaming.

[Deej 76218]

I'm talking about sporting events, as well. 

[Parliament 14017]

28 minutes ago, LCHorn said:

 

You’d think with declining attendance the exhibitors would reduce prices or do more to offer a superlative experience (and there’s been efforts on the latter), but it mostly appears they, like pro sports, price themselves out of young people’s reach and never get adopted as a result.  

Enshittening.  They seek the most possible short term revenue they can get, at the expense of everything long term.

[Biff Tannen 45210]

7 hours ago, Parliament said:

Enshittening.  They seek the most possible short term revenue they can get, at the expense of everything long term.

Almost as if the system were set up to reward such behavior. Perhaps every three months. 

[66BUFF 2539]

21 hours ago, Gene Parmesan said:

Theatre prices are ridiculous and home TV setups get better by the day.  The movie experience adds value, but not enough.  Rent at home $20-$25 and a few bucks for popcorn and drinks.  Go to the theatre as a family 50-60 tickets and another 40 in popcorn and drinks.  It's an easy choice.  If it's a movie that nobody else in my family has any interest in, I occasionally will go to the theatre by myself, but fuck trying to go as a family. 

[Buzzrock 14785]

PE ruins everything.

[Buzzrock 14785]

Theatre prices are ridiculous and home TV setups get better by the day.  The movie experience adds value, but not enough.  Rent at home $20-$25 and a few bucks for popcorn and drinks.  Go to the theatre as a family 50-60 tickets and another 40 in popcorn and drinks.  It's an easy choice.  If it's a movie that nobody else in my family has any interest in, I occasionally will go to the theatre by myself, but fuck trying to go as a family. 

Red Letter Media talked about this in their recent video. When you go to the movies, each individual person has to pay the full price. When you rent at home, you pay 5-10-25 dollars but a dozen people can sit and watch. That’s a tough model to overcome.

[gofuckyourself 8066]

I was considering going to the movies this weekend because it was so hot, and just wanting to "get out."

Nothing there. Bad Boys 4? Meh.

And I can't even remember what else was in the theater. Maybe hangover from the writer's strike, but it looks to be a shitty summer for movie-going.

Hopefully Deadpool/Wolverine is good. Horizon maybe.

I'd definitely prefer to see those in a movie theater experience vs. home theater. 

[LCHorn 2564]

The strikes are at least partially to blame, but the chaos at the studio level isn’t helping.  
 

I don’t think anything is predictably making money right now and the studios are pausing to recalibrate.  

[Scary Stranger 1711]

35 minutes ago, gofuckyourself said:

I was considering going to the movies this weekend because it was so hot, and just wanting to "get out."

Nothing there. Bad Boys 4? Meh.

And I can't even remember what else was in the theater. Maybe hangover from the writer's strike, but it looks to be a shitty summer for movie-going.

Hopefully Deadpool/Wolverine is good. Horizon maybe.

I'd definitely prefer to see those in a movie theater experience vs. home theater. 

I just don't want to watch Martin Lawrence struggle to say his lines.  At least he got some work but it's pretty sad where he's at post-stroke.

[Chopper 16666]

I love to see it. F'ing Zaslav and WBD.

[LCHorn 2564]

1 hour ago, Chopper said:

I love to see it. F'ing Zaslav and WBD.

I haven’t watched House of Dragons but why is the viewership drop a good thing?

[Chopper 16666]

2 hours ago, LCHorn said:

I haven’t watched House of Dragons but why is the viewership drop a good thing?

Because the CEO of WBD is an incompetent imbecile and it's wonderful to watch his business strategies fail.

[LCHorn 2564]

1 hour ago, Chopper said:

Because the CEO of WBD is an incompetent imbecile and it's wonderful to watch his business strategies fail.

Well sure, but I'd rather it be because the audience won't turn out for Dr. Pimple Popper and 90 Day Fiancee rather than see expensive but ambitious HBO productions fail to launch. 

[Chopper 16666]

9 hours ago, LCHorn said:

Well sure, but I'd rather it be because the audience won't turn out for Dr. Pimple Popper and 90 Day Fiancee rather than see expensive but ambitious HBO productions fail to launch. 

I believe that's already proven to be true given their troubles with subscriber numbers. I'm a believer in the theory that the entire enterprise has to hit rock bottom before the Board will fire the guy and find someone who will build an attractive entertainment company.

Two years is too long for an audience to routinely wait for 10 episodes unless it's an astounding show, which House of Dragons isn't.

Edited June 19 by Chopper

[LCHorn 2564]

49 minutes ago, Chopper said:

Two years is too long for an audience

*looks at 2011 ShaggyBevo post excited about Winds of Winter after waiting six years for the “imminent” Dance of Dragons.

[Chopper 16666]

19 minutes ago, LCHorn said:

*looks at 2011 ShaggyBevo post excited about Winds of Winter after waiting six years for the “imminent” Dance of Dragons.

Okay lol. FYI much has changed in 13 years.

[Biff Tannen 45210]

I will never watch an episode of anything GOT related because they fucked up that series so badly.

[NeverMarryAStripper 21765]

4 hours ago, Biff Tannen said:

I will never watch an episode of anything GOT related because they fucked up that series so badly. fuck that fat fuck

 

[Nice Guy Eddie 13317]

Today several of my streaming platforms are highlighting that Furiosa can be rented for $25. Movie distribution companies are killing the theater business if they are teaching everyone to wait 4-5 weeks to see the film at home.

i would also guess that the $25 cost will drop in the next 4 weeks as well.

[thunderlounge 7642]

Wait….

 

”RENT” for $25?

 

fuck that noise. BUY in UHD? Maybe.

 

[mdmost 42490]

Now if we can just roll this into Max which get completely free with my AT&T cell plan, that would be great

 

[burntorangebongos 10658]

Fuck, I lost FX to Hulu streaming and now Paramount will go to MAX? Shit

[Hozz 1012]

I am in favor of anything that results in less streaming platforms at this point.

[Chopper 16666]

57 minutes ago, Hozz said:

I am in favor of anything that results in less streaming platforms at this point.

They're just going to bundle it and jack up the price. The goal is to eliminate subscriber churn, which every platform other than netflix is dealing with/suffering from. You'll have less choice and be paying more. Just like cable tv is/used to be.

[Biff Tannen 45210]

32 minutes ago, Chopper said:

They're just going to bundle it and jack up the price. The goal is to eliminate subscriber churn, which every platform other than netflix is dealing with/suffering from. You'll have less choice and be paying more. Just like cable tv is/used to be.

It’s all about to come full circle. 

[henrygandorf 28881]

12 hours ago, Hozz said:

I am in favor of anything that results in less streaming platforms at this point.

[WBT 20278]

17 hours ago, Chopper said:

They're just going to bundle it and jack up the price. The goal is to eliminate subscriber churn, which every platform other than netflix is dealing with/suffering from. You'll have less choice and be paying more. Just like cable tv is/used to be.

Cable was a lot better than what we have now

[Chopper 16666]

18 minutes ago, WBT said:

Cable was a lot better than what we have now

But you're not a cable subscriber currently? In some cases it's now a bit cheaper than streaming, depending upon your provider and the streamer(s) you're replacing.

[seven 1358]

Cable has/had commercials 

[thunderlounge 7642]

19 minutes ago, seven said:

Cable has/had commercials 

And streaming doesn’t?

And before you bring up “ad-free” subscriptions, they’re not exactly free of ads, for their own shit. 

[seven 1358]

I have never seen a single midroll commercial on an ad-free streaming service. If you're comparing the 30 sec (usually skippable) preroll ad to the 20+ minutes per hour on cable then congrats at being technically correct (the best kind of correct) 

[WBT 20278]

10 hours ago, Chopper said:

But you're not a cable subscriber currently? In some cases it's now a bit cheaper than streaming, depending upon your provider and the streamer(s) you're replacing.

I am, never dropped it because of sports.  It's not as good as it used to be because of networks taking their shows off the cable channels and putting them on their steeamers

[atomheartbevo 89044]

Crackle, Redbox, and Popcornflix are or will be shutting down,

https://cordcuttersnews.com/3-free-ad-supported-streaming-services-including-crackle-are-shutting-down/

[thunderlounge 7642]

Color me surprised. 

[Biff Tannen 45210]

1 hour ago, atomheartbevo said:

Crackle, Redbox, and Popcornflix are or will be shutting down,

https://cordcuttersnews.com/3-free-ad-supported-streaming-services-including-crackle-are-shutting-down/

There is still a Redbox at Hancock HEB and I cannot fathom why. 

[NeverMarryAStripper 21765]

I watched two movies on Plex last night, and I use Tubi quite frequently